Restaurants
RESTAURANTS - BEACHES
VENICE & SANTA MONICA
CHAYA VENICE
110 Navy Street, Venice
(310) 396-1179
www.thechaya.com
Japanese/Mediterranean (specialties - Seafood/Sushi)
High-style pricey bistro, with its supple leather booths, modern Japanese art and very happening bar scene, is very Venice.
Lunch Mon-Fri, Dinner Nightly ($42)
CHINOIS ON MAIN
2709 Main Street, Santa Monica
(310) 392-9025
French/Chinese
One of Wolfgang Puck's best and most crowded restaurants makes for a very exciting dining experience.
Lunch Weds-Fri, Dinner Daily ($58)
THE IVY AT THE SHORE
1541 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica
(310) 393-3113
American
Great place to enjoy a Sunday brunch on the glassed in patio with a view of the ocean.
Lunch and Dinner Daily ($55)
JIRAFFE
502 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica
(310) 917-6671
www.jirafferestaurant.com
Californian
Dishes that surprise and astound with wonderful and unexpected tastes.
Lunch and Dinner Daily ($51)
ONE PICO
Shutters on the Beach
One Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica
(310) 458-0030
www.shuttersonthebeach.com
New American
One Pico brings a little of Cape Cod and a lot of Ralph Lauren to the beach in Santa Monica and offers a stunning ocean view. A favorite with visitors, romantic and more than a few celebs.
Lunch and Dinner Daily, Brunch Sun ($52)
BORDER GRILL
1445 Fourth Street, Santa Monica
(310) 451-1655
www.bordergrill.com
Mexican
Known as the "Too Hot Tamales", chef owners Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger are all over the place; they have their own radio and TV food shows and a web site, they've co-written four cookbooks and they put out their own line of gourmet chiles. Their passion for food especially Latin spiced food can be experienced first hand at this raucous, funky and intensely colorful Mexican joint.
Lunch and Dinner Daily, Brunch Sat-Sun ($31)
I CUGINI
1501 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica
(310) 451-4595
www.icugini.com
Italian
The University Restaurant Group mixes its highly successful take on seafood with the coastal cuisine of Italy, coming up with tasty surprises at this freshly configured trattoria. Lunch and Dinner Daily, Brunch and Jazz Brunch Sun ($39)
IL FORNAIO
1551 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica
(310) 451-7800
www.ilfornaio.com
Italian
Friendly neighborhood trattoria offering good regional Italian cooking at reasonable prices.
Lunch and Dinner Daily, Brunch Sat-Sun ($33)
OCEAN AVENUE SEAFOOD
1401 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica
(310) 394-5669
www.oceanave.com
Seafood
This bustling upscale seafood restaurant/oyster bar is just across the street from the Santa Monica bluffs and commands a terrific view of the ocean. The atmosphere is cheery, the décor modern and the oyster bar features fresh picks from Washington State, Nova Scotia - even as far away as Chile.
Lunch and Dinner Daily ($50)
WORLD CAFÉ
2820 Main Street, Santa Monica
(310) 392-1661
www.worldcafela.com
Eclectic
What brings people back to World Café is not only the fresh eclectic cuisine, but also its romantic Mediterranean-like garden patio. Merging cuisines from around the world California-style, World Café caters to everyone offering vegetarian, low-calorie, egg, dairy and fat-free dishes as well as richer ones. World Café also offers a snazzy cocktail lounge.
Lunch Tues-Sun, Dinner Daily ($35)
SUSHI ROKU
1401 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica
(310) 458-4771
www.sushiroku.com
Sushi
One of the best Sushi bars in the city catering to the upscale trendy clientele. Sophisticated scene with food prepared by "artistes."
Lunch and Dinner Daily ($47)
BUFFALO CLUB
1520 Olympic Boulevard, Santa Monica
(310) 450-8600
American
A "bit of NYC" in L.A., this hot spot popular with celebs is a great space where the stage is set for Chef Patrick Healy's elevated take on modern American cuisine.
Lunch and Dinner Mon-Sat, Closed Sundays ($50)
MARMALADE
710 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica
(310) 395-9196
www.marmaladecafe.com
American
American regional favorites and gourmet goodies from around the world at these deli/cafes.
Lunch and Dinner Daily, Closes at 7 p.m. Mon-Sat & 6 p.m. Sun ($23)
RESTAURANTS - BEACHES
MALIBU
THE SUNSET
6800 Westward Beach Road, Malibu
(310) 589-1007
www.thesunsetrestaraunt.com
Continental cuisine
Just off the sand at Zuma Beach in Malibu, The Sunset offers secluded fine dining with tantalizing array of continental cuisine with Pacific Rim influences. Second floor dining room features 180 degree viewing from the south most tip of Catalina to Ana Cappa Island in the north.
Dinner Tues-Sun, Brunch Sat-Sun, Closed Mondays ($46)
BEAU RIVAGE
26025 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
(310) 456-5733
www.beaurivagerestaurant.com
Italian
This "Malibu Hangout" may be a culinary throwback, but that doesn't bother surveyors who find this dinner only Provencal-Italian charming and romantic, a country house with classy food that's like a French bistro at the beach.
Dinner Daily, Brunch Sun ($50)
ALLEGRIA
22821 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
(310) 456-3132
www.allegriamalibu.com
Italian
Friendly, casual, with authentic rustic Italian food, opened by the guys from Locanda Veneta. Delightful taste of Tuscany. Excellent spot near the sea.
Lunch and Dinner Daily ($37)
GEOFFREY'S
27400 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
(310) 457-1519
www.geoffreysmalibu.com
California Cuisine
Sumptuous California cuisine and stunning coastline views. Here there is no need to choose between great food and wonderful sunsets; this ultimate California dining experience provides both.
Lunch and Dinner Daily, Brunch Sat-Sun ($52)
MARMALADE
3894 South Cross Creek Road, Malibu
(310) 317-4242
www.marmaladecafe.com
American
American regional favorites and gourmet goodies from around the world at these deli/cafes.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Daily, Brunch Sat-Sun ($23)
NOBU
3835 Cross Creek Road, Malibu
(310) 317-9140
www.nobumatsuhisa.com
Japanese, Sushi
You may have dined at Nobu in New York, Milan, London or Las Vegas, and Malibu is now a chic choice also. This trendy Asian-styled café tucked into the back corner of the Malibu Country Mart began years ago as Fins, then changed to Fins Bamboo until it was revived with the famous Nobu name. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa discovered South American flavorings during his sojourn in Peru and his creations reflect this spicy infusion.
Dinner Daily ($65)
TRA DI NOI
3835 Cross Creek Road, Malibu
(310) 456-0169
Italian
This hideaway is a favorite of Malibu locals who satisfy their pasta cravings with such specialties as linguine with grilled chicken and rigatoni with clams and mushrooms.
Lunch and Dinner Daily, Brunch Sun ($41)
TAVERNA TONY
23410 Civic Center Way, Malibu
(310) 317-9667
www.tavernatony.com
Greek
Tony Koursaris, the guiding spirit behind the late, lamented Café Athens, heads up the coast to Malibu where he continues to deliver a fabulous feast that offers a taste of everything. This is where the big names go for moussaka and pastitsio. A loud, fun party where the lamb is very tender, Tony is hilarious, and revelers are apt to break a plate or two.
Lunch and Dinner Daily ($37)
RESTAURANTS - BEACHES
VENICE & SANTA MONICA
CHAYA VENICE
110 Navy Street, Venice
(310) 396-1179
www.thechaya.com
Japanese/Mediterranean (specialties - Seafood/Sushi)
High-style pricey bistro, with its supple leather booths, modern Japanese art and very happening bar scene, is very Venice.
Lunch Mon-Fri, Dinner Nightly ($42)
CHINOIS ON MAIN
2709 Main Street, Santa Monica
(310) 392-9025
French/Chinese
One of Wolfgang Puck's best and most crowded restaurants makes for a very exciting dining experience.
Lunch Weds-Fri, Dinner Daily ($58)
THE IVY AT THE SHORE
1541 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica
(310) 393-3113
American
Great place to enjoy a Sunday brunch on the glassed in patio with a view of the ocean.
Lunch and Dinner Daily ($55)
JIRAFFE
502 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica
(310) 917-6671
www.jirafferestaurant.com
Californian
Dishes that surprise and astound with wonderful and unexpected tastes.
Lunch and Dinner Daily ($51)
ONE PICO
Shutters on the Beach
One Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica
(310) 458-0030
www.shuttersonthebeach.com
New American
One Pico brings a little of Cape Cod and a lot of Ralph Lauren to the beach in Santa Monica and offers a stunning ocean view. A favorite with visitors, romantic and more than a few celebs.
Lunch and Dinner Daily, Brunch Sun ($52)
BORDER GRILL
1445 Fourth Street, Santa Monica
(310) 451-1655
www.bordergrill.com
Mexican
Known as the "Too Hot Tamales", chef owners Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger are all over the place; they have their own radio and TV food shows and a web site, they've co-written four cookbooks and they put out their own line of gourmet chiles. Their passion for food especially Latin spiced food can be experienced first hand at this raucous, funky and intensely colorful Mexican joint.
Lunch and Dinner Daily, Brunch Sat-Sun ($31)
I CUGINI
1501 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica
(310) 451-4595
www.icugini.com
Italian
The University Restaurant Group mixes its highly successful take on seafood with the coastal cuisine of Italy, coming up with tasty surprises at this freshly configured trattoria. Lunch and Dinner Daily, Brunch and Jazz Brunch Sun ($39)
IL FORNAIO
1551 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica
(310) 451-7800
www.ilfornaio.com
Italian
Friendly neighborhood trattoria offering good regional Italian cooking at reasonable prices.
Lunch and Dinner Daily, Brunch Sat-Sun ($33)
OCEAN AVENUE SEAFOOD
1401 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica
(310) 394-5669
www.oceanave.com
Seafood
This bustling upscale seafood restaurant/oyster bar is just across the street from the Santa Monica bluffs and commands a terrific view of the ocean. The atmosphere is cheery, the décor modern and the oyster bar features fresh picks from Washington State, Nova Scotia - even as far away as Chile.
Lunch and Dinner Daily ($50)
WORLD CAFÉ
2820 Main Street, Santa Monica
(310) 392-1661
www.worldcafela.com
Eclectic
What brings people back to World Café is not only the fresh eclectic cuisine, but also its romantic Mediterranean-like garden patio. Merging cuisines from around the world California-style, World Café caters to everyone offering vegetarian, low-calorie, egg, dairy and fat-free dishes as well as richer ones. World Café also offers a snazzy cocktail lounge.
Lunch Tues-Sun, Dinner Daily ($35)
SUSHI ROKU
1401 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica
(310) 458-4771
www.sushiroku.com
Sushi
One of the best Sushi bars in the city catering to the upscale trendy clientele. Sophisticated scene with food prepared by "artistes."
Lunch and Dinner Daily ($47)
BUFFALO CLUB
1520 Olympic Boulevard, Santa Monica
(310) 450-8600
American
A "bit of NYC" in L.A., this hot spot popular with celebs is a great space where the stage is set for Chef Patrick Healy's elevated take on modern American cuisine.
Lunch and Dinner Mon-Sat, Closed Sundays ($50)
MARMALADE
710 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica
(310) 395-9196
www.marmaladecafe.com
American
American regional favorites and gourmet goodies from around the world at these deli/cafes.
Lunch and Dinner Daily, Closes at 7 p.m. Mon-Sat & 6 p.m. Sun ($23)
RESTAURANTS - BEACHES
MALIBU
THE SUNSET
6800 Westward Beach Road, Malibu
(310) 589-1007
www.thesunsetrestaraunt.com
Continental cuisine
Just off the sand at Zuma Beach in Malibu, The Sunset offers secluded fine dining with tantalizing array of continental cuisine with Pacific Rim influences. Second floor dining room features 180 degree viewing from the south most tip of Catalina to Ana Cappa Island in the north.
Dinner Tues-Sun, Brunch Sat-Sun, Closed Mondays ($46)
BEAU RIVAGE
26025 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
(310) 456-5733
www.beaurivagerestaurant.com
Italian
This "Malibu Hangout" may be a culinary throwback, but that doesn't bother surveyors who find this dinner only Provencal-Italian charming and romantic, a country house with classy food that's like a French bistro at the beach.
Dinner Daily, Brunch Sun ($50)
ALLEGRIA
22821 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
(310) 456-3132
www.allegriamalibu.com
Italian
Friendly, casual, with authentic rustic Italian food, opened by the guys from Locanda Veneta. Delightful taste of Tuscany. Excellent spot near the sea.
Lunch and Dinner Daily ($37)
GEOFFREY'S
27400 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
(310) 457-1519
www.geoffreysmalibu.com
California Cuisine
Sumptuous California cuisine and stunning coastline views. Here there is no need to choose between great food and wonderful sunsets; this ultimate California dining experience provides both.
Lunch and Dinner Daily, Brunch Sat-Sun ($52)
MARMALADE
3894 South Cross Creek Road, Malibu
(310) 317-4242
www.marmaladecafe.com
American
American regional favorites and gourmet goodies from around the world at these deli/cafes.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Daily, Brunch Sat-Sun ($23)
NOBU
3835 Cross Creek Road, Malibu
(310) 317-9140
www.nobumatsuhisa.com
Japanese, Sushi
You may have dined at Nobu in New York, Milan, London or Las Vegas, and Malibu is now a chic choice also. This trendy Asian-styled café tucked into the back corner of the Malibu Country Mart began years ago as Fins, then changed to Fins Bamboo until it was revived with the famous Nobu name. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa discovered South American flavorings during his sojourn in Peru and his creations reflect this spicy infusion.
Dinner Daily ($65)
TRA DI NOI
3835 Cross Creek Road, Malibu
(310) 456-0169
Italian
This hideaway is a favorite of Malibu locals who satisfy their pasta cravings with such specialties as linguine with grilled chicken and rigatoni with clams and mushrooms.
Lunch and Dinner Daily, Brunch Sun ($41)
TAVERNA TONY
23410 Civic Center Way, Malibu
(310) 317-9667
www.tavernatony.com
Greek
Tony Koursaris, the guiding spirit behind the late, lamented Café Athens, heads up the coast to Malibu where he continues to deliver a fabulous feast that offers a taste of everything. This is where the big names go for moussaka and pastitsio. A loud, fun party where the lamb is very tender, Tony is hilarious, and revelers are apt to break a plate or two.
Lunch and Dinner Daily ($37)