The Misfit recently opened on the ground floor of Santa Monica’s 1920s landmark Clock Tower building. For two years this space was home to chef Alain Giraud’s French brasserie, Anisette, which closed in September 2010. Much of the former restaurant’s dramatic interior remains: the sky-high ceiling, the mosaic tile floor with Anisette’s name still intact, and the shelves of glasses, bottles, and books towering over the zinc bar that dominates the room. Some fresh, playful touches have been added – a collection of vintage cocktail shakers, a retro-looking neon sign outside, and artwork by Sara Abbott, whose husband is owner, Bob Lynn.
The menu is inscribed with Lynn’s motto, “I’d rather eat in a bar than drink in a restaurant,” which may help explain why it reads like a bar menu. All the dishes are grouped into a single food category, and there are no desserts on the menu. The food hits all the trends – seasonal, organic ingredients, farmers’ market-driven specials, small plates to share, and accommodations to dietary needs. Signature cocktails and an eclectic beer list complete the menu.
If the selection of dishes served at the restaurant’s preview event are any indication of what to order, try the homemade spicy caramel nut corn ($4), a plate of two mini lobster rolls ($12), shoestring french fries ($6), the french dip sliders with home made au jus ($12), The Misfit cocktail ($9) or the white sangria ($7). There’s a daily happy hour from noon to 7 p.m. (half off well drinks, $5 wine or beer of the day), and a new brunch menu will be added to the regular menu starting this week.
The Misfit, 225 Santa Monica Boulvard, 310.656.9800, themisfitrestaurant.com
