The List Showcases the City’s Culinary Diversity and Excellence
Five standout Santa Monica eateries have earned spots on the Los Angeles Times’ annual list of the 101 best restaurants in Los Angeles, showcasing the city’s culinary diversity and excellence.
Cassia, helmed by Bryant Ng, blends the influences of a French brasserie with Chinese-Singaporean and Vietnamese traditions. Signature dishes include chickpea curry with naan-like flatbread, Hainanese chicken with duck fat rice, and dan dan noodles with tahini-leek sauce. Located at 1314 7th St., Cassia reflects Ng’s personal culinary journey, including nods to his family’s Chinese American heritage and his wife’s Vietnamese roots.
Birdie G’s, under the direction of Jeremy Fox, offers playful interpretations of American comfort food. Highlights include Hungarian-inspired ricotta dumplings in Sungold tomato sauce, matzo ball soup heavy with dill, and sweet yam casserole topped with candy-like persimmons. Known for its creative yet nostalgic dishes, Birdie G’s sits at 2421 Michigan Ave.
Rustic Canyon, at 1119 Wilshire Blvd., adapts its menu to California’s seasonal harvests. Now led by chef de cuisine Elijah DeLeon, the restaurant delivers dishes like herbed pork chops with poached quince, curried roast chicken with plums, and bay scallops paired with fried bread and tomatoes. Rustic Canyon continues to evolve under the guidance of Jeremy Fox and the Rustic Canyon Family restaurant group.
Mélisse, located at 1104 Wilshire Blvd., offers an intimate, high-end dining experience with just 14 seats. Chef-owner Josiah Citrin and his team craft innovative dishes such as lamb served as both an herb-crusted chop and a spring roll. Celebrating 25 years of operation, Mélisse continues to redefine fine dining.
Pasjoli, a French bistro at 2732 Main St., showcases chef Dave Beran’s flair for theatrical presentation and classic technique. Known for its pressed duck and a revamped prix fixe menu, Pasjoli strikes a balance between destination dining and neighborhood charm. The menu also features standout items like foie brioche and a burger dripping with marrow aioli.
