July 1, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Celebrate the Holidays in Style at Regent Santa Monica Beach At Chef Michael Mina’s Orla

Enjoy Brunch With Santa and a Mediterranean-inspired Christmas Dinner at Orla

Celebrate the 2024 holiday season at the Regent Santa Monica Beach with a lineup of festive dining and family-friendly activities by the ocean. From brunch with Santa to Mediterranean-inspired Christmas and New Year’s dinners, the luxury resort offers memorable ways to mark the season.

Brunch with Santa – Sundays, December 8, 15, and 22 | 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Join Santa Claus at Orla, Regent Santa Monica Beach’s premier dining venue, for a family-style brunch with breathtaking ocean views. Guests will be welcomed with a champagne cocktail before enjoying a two-course brunch featuring shared starters and à la carte main courses. Caviar and shellfish upgrades are available for an extra indulgence. Main offerings include Crab Cake Benedict made with jumbo lump crab and black lime hollandaise, Farm Egg Shakshuka made with spicy tomato and pepper stew and crunchy shallot (GF), and Roasted Lemon Chicken with lemon potatoes, chilies, feta, and mint (GF). 

You can view the full menu and make a reservation here.

Children will take home festive reindeer antlers and a keepsake photo with Santa, while families can enjoy a special performance by the Rockettes, including an interactive dance routine.

  • Cost: $95 for adults, $55 for children ages 3-10
  • Parking: 3-hour valet validation for $18

Christmas Day Dinner – Wednesday, December 25 | 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Orla will host a Christmas Day prix fixe dinner designed by renowned Chef Michael Mina. The menu relies on seasonal produce to create a sophisticated holiday meal while you can view the hotel’s sweeping ocean views. Each meal comes with Orla’s signature bread service and diners can choose between seafood, soup, or salad starters. 

The dinner has six main course selections including a prime 8oz filet mignon with crispy onion ring and black garlic vinaigrette, tomato-ginger salmon with saffron couscous, dill yogurt, and blistered cherry tomatoes or a chateau of butternut squash cippolini with onion labneh, and a pistachio sour orange vinaigrette. The dinner has the deluxe option of royal caviar fateer (petrossian daurenki caviar, ashta cream, and chives and dill)  or black truffle Hilopitas with kefalograviera cheese, chives, and garlic breadcrumbs.

When you are ready for dessert, select Buche de Noel or The Lemon, an olive oil lemon cake. You can view the full menu here and reserve your meal at Seven Rooms

  • Cost: $125 for adults, $45 for children ages 3-10
  • Parking: 3-hour valet validation for $18

Chef Michael Mina, originally from Cairo, Egypt, and raised in Ellensburg, Washington, embarked on his culinary journey at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. During his studies, he honed his skills in Chef Charlie Palmer’s kitchen at Aureole in New York City. His career ascended quickly when he partnered with Chef George Morrone to conceptualize and launch the renowned seafood restaurant AQUA in San Francisco in 1991. Despite a challenging start due to a major earthquake, Chef Mina thrived as AQUA’s executive chef from 1993 to 2002, earning accolades such as Rising Star Chef of the Year (1997) and Best Chef: California (2002) by the James Beard Foundation.

<>Related Posts

Three-Bed Palisades Highlands Townhouse Hits Market for $1.7M

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

The Mediterranean-style property, located at 1529 Michael Lane, is part of a 71-unit community A remodeled 1,919-square-foot townhouse in the...

Six-Bed Mar Vista Hilltop Home Under Construction Lists for $5.3M

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

The private backyard is complete with a pool, spa, fire pit, built-in BBQ, and areas for outdoor dining A stunning...

(Video) Getty Villa Reopens Six Months After Dodging Destruction of Palisades Wildfires

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

With the reopening also comes a new exhibit, “The Kingdom of Pylos” Getty Villa Reopens Six Months After Dodging Destruction...

Free Virtual Planetarium Shows Coming to SMC in July

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

The virtual format is in place as construction of the new SMC Planetarium and Observatory nears completion The Santa Monica...

Santa Monica Adopts $793.3M Budget for FY25-27, Prioritizing Housing and Safety

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

The budget preserves core services and invests in major projects, including over $1 billion in hotel investments The Santa Monica...

Iranian Pastor in West L.A. Speaks as Church Rocked by Immigration Raids 

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Five Detained as Fear Spreads Through Persian Christian Faith Community  Fear has spread through a West Los Angeles congregation after...

California Doubles Down on Hollywood: $750M in Tax Credits Approved for Film and TV Industry

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

State Lawmakers Back Major Expansion of Production Incentives, Raising Job Projections Los Angeles’ film and television industry is poised to...

Park: “Our Water Infrastructure Must Be Emergency-Ready Every Day”

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Councilwoman expressed cautious relief at the news but emphasized the need for robust infrastructure The Los Angeles Department of Water...

Washington Square Pizza Opens to the Public

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

New York Style Pizza “By-The-Slice” Now at the Beach By Nick Antonicello  Washington Square Pizza formally opened its doors today...

California Allocates $5B for Road Repairs, Transit Expansion

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

The funding aims to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion, and promote cleaner transportation California is investing nearly $5 billion...

THIS SUNDAY: Palisades Symphony Presents “Best of Broadway”

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

The performance will feature a full orchestra playing iconic selections, from John Philip Sousa’s *El Capitan* and George Gershwin’s *The...

LAPD Updates Immigration FAQ to Clarify Enforcement Role

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

The document, available in English and Spanish, outlines the department’s policies and limits regarding immigration status The Los Angeles Police...

Three Santa Monica College Student Films Selected for International Film Festival

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

The LA Shorts International Film Festival, the city’s longest-running shorts festival, screens over 350 films annually and draws 10,000 attendees...

EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles Returns with Star Chefs, Firefighter Tribute, and Wildfire Relief Efforts

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Culinary Festival Features Exclusive Restaurant Collabs, Support for Small Businesses  EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles, the celebrated food festival curated by The...

Suspect Charged by Los Angeles DA with Shooting of Santa Monica Cop and Teens

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Faces Attempted Murder Charges and Over 100 Years to Life in Prison if Convicted. Criminal charges have been filed against...