Santa Monica Restaurants and Hotels Add to Vibrant Dining Scene as AFM Launches
The American Film Market’s new home base gives everyone a fresh orientation towards Santa Monica’s vibrant dining scene.
Looking for a quick bite? To the right of AFM headquarters at Le Meridien Delfina Santa Monica, it’s a five-minute walk to plentiful fast-food outlets on Lincoln Boulevard. To the left, it’s 10 minutes to Main Street. Begin the day at Dogtown Coffee (2003 Main St., dogtowncoffee.com) serving breakfast burritos and on-trend acai bowls. Le Meridien Delfina’s Longitude Bar + Restaurant has grab-n-go readymade fare. AFMers can count on fruit parfaits, crisp salads and espresso drinks at the bar and coffee stations throughout the venue.
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For those with time for an elevated repast, these restaurants are close and anticipating attendees.
Main Street in Santa Monica is home to an eclectic mix of restaurants, from comforting standards at the Library Ale House (2911 Main St.) to Wolfgang Puck’s refined, Asian-influenced Chinois on Main (2709 Main St.), which celebrated 40 years in September.
Classic French cooking techniques and California ingredients meet at Pasjoli (2732 Main St., pasjoli.com). Savor French bistro specialties such as beef tartare or a pan-roasted loup de mertopped with pink peppercorn jus. The recently added bar bites menu is served between 5:15-7 p.m. only in the bar area: there’s a market lettuce salad, steamed mussels or the croque matthieu, Pasjoli’s deluxe twist on the croque monsieur. The chic dining room allows for undisturbed conservations. Dinner is complemented by elegant cocktails and an expertly curated wine list.
The Surfing Fox at the 132-room Pierside Santa Monica (120 Colorado Ave., piersidehotel.com), occupies a breezy living room-like space close to the Santa Monica Pier’s entrance. Décor is a nod to the seaside location: surf photos abound and structural columns are wrapped in nautical rope. Streetside, there are cozy couches; inside there’s ample seating at the bar for quick bites, people-watching and solo dining. Breakfast is grab-n-go from 7-10 a.m. At 11 a.m. the day-to-night menu kicks off. The towering, short-rib brisket cheeseburger patty, topped with heritage bacon on a brioche bun, appears to be local favorite. Also in demand: the mahi fish tacos with avocado créma and piquant pickled vegetables.
Weekdays there are discounted cocktails, draft beers and wine from 3 to 7 p.m. During the sunset hour, approachable appetizers, including guacamole and chips and crispy brussels sprouts, are also specially priced. Non-alcoholic combinations are uplifting too. The balanced citrus cooler is a spiced blend of orange juice, turmeric, lemon and ginger beer. AFM badgeholders receive a 10% discount when dining in at the Surfing Fox.
After an extensive transformation, the Georgian Hotel’s (1415 Ocean Ave., thegeorgian.com) Art Deco-style turquoise exterior shines again. The lobby now has a full bar and dazzling dining area. The ocean-facing Sunset Terrace is a grand sunny spot during the day for a bounty of selections from avocado toast to chopped salads and Italian sandwiches and pastas.
Downstairs, and accessed through a side entrance, the Georgian Room’s glamourous speakeasy vibe wows from dinner to late nights on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The showstopper at the bar is a built-in, gleaming Steinway piano. Large leather booths allow for sharing and a deep dive into the Italian-style steakhouse menu from executive chef David Almany, who deftly oversees all hotel dining.
On the quiet end of Ocean Avenue, Sandpiper at Oceana Santa Monica, LXR Hotels & Resorts (849 Ocean Ave., hoteloceanasantamonica.com) offers tranquility. Tables are set well apart for discreet conversations; seating is cushy and service is attentive. The meaty breakfast burrito is a filling start to the day. On the lighter side, there’s an array of cold-pressed juices and a farmers’ market fruit plate. Indulge in Sandpiper’s buttermilk-marinated fried chicken sandwich accompanied by hand-cut fries, while looking out to the Pacific and with any luck, closing a deal.
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