From the start this was one of the most phenomenal experiences I've ever had,The Chef was amazing. My date and went there tonight for her birthday that we didn't get to celebrate due to a busy schedule. The staff found out and when we order dessert after such an amazing meal that we weren't sure if we were going to order dessert, they surprised us with a birthday dessert for her birthday. The stop was very friendly and professional and kind from the start. The theme and vibe of the restaurant was extremely beautiful and amazing Definitely will be going back very soon, can't wait to taste their tasting menu as well. read more

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I just came back from DineLA, and just. Wow. What the heck, that food was goooood! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by our server Irene. I loved her. She walked us through the menu, gave us a brief overview of each dish, and really helped to cement our food picks. My partner went with the bluefin crudo, sweet corn risotto, and the steak. The crudo was really delicious and fresh, but felt like it could have used a crunch factor like tostada. The risotto was amazingly delicious, but the protein was definitely the star. Had just the perfect ratio of sauce, steak was cooked perfectly. For myself, I got the egg caviar, the lobster bolognese, and the duck breast. The egg caviar was delicious, but not sure if worth repeating for the supplemental cost. The lobster bolognese was an amazing and creative twist on a pasta dish; lobster was cooked perfectly, and had the perfect balance between sweet, savory, and seafood-y. The duck breast was obviously the star. The duck was so crispy, and so well balanced with the sauce. The sides of fruit and veggies definitely helped with the balance, but also delicious by themselves. The dessert was a passion fruit flavored dish. It had the perfect balance between tart and sweet. I also got the wine pairing with the menu; and I loved how each one elevated and complemented the dishes chosen. Wines were so good, that I had to take pictures of each label, because I will be hunting down these bottles. Kudos to the sommelier tonight. Inside, the atmosphere is very cozy and romantic. But there were still some great songs playing at just the perfect decibel, where you can hear the music, but can still make conversation with your group. Our server Irene was so great. When we sat down, she introduced herself and said "nice to meet you", giving a very personable vibe. With each dish, she described the contents in great detail, even telling us about where the ingredients are sourced. When she talked through the wines, she went to tell us not just the vineyard location, but also the history of the vineyards. One of the best services I've ever received. Great food, great music, great drinks, and even better service. What more could you want? There are restaurants out there in LA that are overhyped for a michelin star restaurant; but happy to report that this is not one of them! read more

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One of my favorite things about Dine LA is the increased accessibility of Michelin quality restaurants. Citrin received its Michelin star in 2022 and is located in Santa Monica. The menu consists of modern Californian cuisine, and for Dine LA, they are offering a prix fixe menu that is $99 per person. We made our reservation on OpenTable. Citrin accepts walk-ins, but I would advise against it. There was a sizable crowd of people collecting in the narrow entranceway that we were glad not to be a part of on our Saturday night. We actually arrived quite early for our reservation time, but the staff were able to seat us anyway. For reference, the entrance to Citrin is the bright red door on the gray building. Opening the door emerges you right at the bar, and the host stand is a bit hidden off to the left of the wall. The dining area was elegant and softly lit by warm lighting. Our server was Evin, who took exquisite care of us the entire night. The staff move with precision and attention, clearing plates as soon as you finish them and exchanging your cutlery between each course. We both got cocktails from the bar. I had the Soul Survivor, a refreshing tequila based drink with ginger and a variety of citruses. My friend had the Lady Jane, which was spectacular, served in a glass with the skinniest stem and visually resembled a Swedish princess cake. This drink had a lovely silky texture with matcha and coconut flavor. Part of the reason I chose to dine as Citrin was due to their enticing Dine LA menu. I had already known which dishes I wanted for each course, but we were surprised with an amuse bouche as well! Our amuse bouche was a yuzu panna cotta with three types of melon and peppers, served in a dainty little double walled shot glass. To be honest, this dish was quite polarizing. I could understand why people would not like this dish. My friend didn't like this dish, and it took me some getting used to as you would expect a dish with these ingredients to be sweet and dessert-like, but instead it was savory and quite sour. But, I thought it was interesting and the tartness woke up our palates, so I think the amuse did its job. For our first actual course, we chose the bluefin tuna crudo, which was served with avocado, wakame, arare rice crackers, and garnished with radishes and edible flowers. Texturally, this dish was really fun. The fish was fresh and delicate and its soft texture melded beautifully with the avocado. The crunch of the spherical rice crackers and seaweed salad added nice contrast. There was a unique umami flavor present throughout this dish as well that I really enjoyed. For our second course, we had the shinkejime vermillion rock fish. The fish was very flaky and tender and the skin was light and crispy. My favorite part about this dish, however, was the sauce. I also loved the touch of sweetness from the confit tomatoes. For our third course, we had the koji cured duck breast. The duck was phenomenal. It was so juicy and flavorful, and the accompaniments of beet puree and figs complemented the protein well. The sweet and sour sauce was delicious as well, and I appreciated how subtle it was as to not overpower the dish. Lastly, for dessert, we had a passionfruit parfait. I was especially partial to this dessert due to my Vietnamese heritage. The flavors were very southeast asian. Lemongrass... tapioca... coconut... and passionfruit. Visually and conceptually, it was reminiscent of che or sago, so pathos was definitely in the works for me. This dish was harmonious. The rich, creamy coconut sorbet was cut perfectly by the tartness of the passionfruit. And instead of one overpowering the other, their distinct notes shined individually and complemented each other. I really liked this dessert. I thoroughly enjoyed the Dine LA menu at Citrin. Personally, I really like bluefin tuna, duck, and passionfruit, so it felt like this menu was catered to me! The menu was fun, summery, and delicious. And thanks to Dine LA, you can experience Michelin starred quality food and the highlights of Citrin's menu without breaking the bank (too much). I highly recommend Citrin for Dine LA 2026 patrons. read more

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Went for restaurant week and it was great. Great food. Great service. Nice ambience. Portions are small but it was that kind of restaurant The steak was absolutely bangin. Perfectly cooked and melted like butter in your mouth. Had never seen a bone marrow and panko crust before either which was interesting. One of the sides was some kind of broccoli mouse which was new to me too-- super good The rock fish was really good... nothing like to break down there is was just good lol We had that passion fruit dessert and that was super good too. Lots of layers of flavor on it. Sneaky little sleeper item was chocolate bon bons read more

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My friend and I came to Citrin for the dineLA tasting menu which was 4 courses. As you enter the restaurant, there's a nice bar area not too large. The ambiance is dimly lit with nice booths along the wall and tables in the center. The decor was warm and the restaurant isn't loud and noisy, which was nice so that you could carry on a conversation while dining. We were warmly greeted by our host / waiter Tom. My friend and I both decided on the dineLA tasting menu. They did offer a wine pairing with the menu, but I decided on a glass of pinot noir which Tom gladly suggested a nice California wine (which I don't recall the vineyard and year), but it nicely complimented the menu tasting I ordered. We started with an order of the country roll with basil brioche and sour dough roll served with beurre de barrette butter. Highly recommend the sour dough roll. And the basil brioche was different and so fluffy. If you love basil, like I do, definitely order this. First we were served a complimentary starter of amuse bouche of yuzu panda cotta with two different types of melon. For my first course I ordered the Bluefin Tuna Crudo with radish, bonito aioli, forte avocado, and a sesame balsamic ponzu. The tuna crudo was fresh and delicate. It was a flavor bomb with the ponzu. My friend ordered the Tomato Soup - Heirloom Tomato, Pistachio, with a Strawberry Sorbet. She loved the contrast of the warm soup with the sorbet. For my second course I ordered the lobster bolognese with fresh capellini pasta, basil, brown butter topped with truffle forth. I was told to cut the pasta perpendicular with a knife to eat. This was the best pasta lobster bolognese ever. My mouth is watering as I write this review. I'd definitely order this dish again. It was definitely worth the $35 supplement for this dish. My friend ordered the Sweet Corn Agnolotti with Brentwood Corn, Chanterelles Mushrooms, Comté Cheese. She very much enjoyed her pasta. Fortunately or unfortunately, we didn't try one another's pasta dish. For our third dish, we both ordered the Duo of Brandt Beef Bone Marrow Crusted Filet and Braised Short Rib, Yu Choi, and Magic Myrna Potato. It was suggested to order the filet medium rare, which we did. The filet was the most tender filet I've had to date. It was pure heaven. I'd definitely order this dish again too. For our fourth and final course was the Passion Fruit Parfait Coconut Sorbet, Tapioca Pearls, Lemongrass Milk. It was light slightly tart and refreshing. And it came with a small plate of two raspberries and a dark chocolate truffle to end this magnificent tasting menu. As each course was presented, the server explained in detail each dish. Service was attentive and not too over bearing. Valet parking is available and there's also metered street parking on Wilshire. The dineLA tasting menu is a great way to check out restaurants. I'll definitely be back to Citrin. It's a very nice restaurant for a date or an intimate celebration dinner. read more

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Enjoyable Birthday dinner for my daughter. Parking wasn't easy for us to find so we opted for valet which was friendly and fast. Service in the restaurant was friendly as well, extremely fast and attentive throughout most of the meal, but slowed down near the end. We did have to flag our server down and ask for more water and dessert, but again, the rest of the meal service was like a well-oiled machine. My daughter decided upon a few dishes (for the table) for her celebration: the filet, dirty chicken & lobster bolognese for mains...the scallop and bread for start. She also had espresso martinis, which she said were the best she'd had...and a soufflé for dessert. All of the food was fabulous. The filet cooked to perfection, melt in the mouth. The chicken was a table favorite, so tender and flavor perfection. Zero complaints on everything we sampled, it was a great meal. My daughter really enjoyed her night. It was a great spot to celebrate! read more

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Highlights: Nice ambiance, not too noisy, easy street parking or valet ($16), thoughtful food presentations, yummy food flavors!! Came with a group of 4 and while we thought we ordered too much, it actually ended up being the perfect amount as the dishes are very much on the small side. That said I'm glad we all got a little sampling of their dishes but if you're going for big portions and value you should probably look elsewhere. Citrin is a Michelin star restaurant after all so quality is of the utmost importance. They won't take the food orders until everyone has arrived and one thing that was sort of annoying was that they wouldn't let us order bread until everyone arrived because "they don't want people getting full." Service was also lacking in the beginning even after our full party arrived and it took them almost 20 minutes to take our orders. Once we finally started ordering, the waitress also kept getting confused about what was still available in the kitchen and double backed a few times. The waitress also seemed to be overwhelmed by our order at first stating "this is a lot" and immediately started proposing how all the dishes would be paired when coming to the table. We eventually just told her how we wanted everything to come to keep it simple. As the food came they coordinated placing dishes down at the same time and gave a very detailed overview of all the dishes and how to eat them before you dig in which was nice. Crowd favorites included the Lobster Bolognese (their signature dish), Truffle Pasta, Duck Ragout, and the Truffle Egg but everything was honestly so tasty and packed a lot of flavor. If you like truffles this is the place for you! There are multiple truffle dishes on the menu and I wish I could have tried them all but would definitely recommend the Pasta and Egg dishes which were very rich. The Intro the Vegetable Garden salad was also a surprise hit with a very unique mix of veggies and distinct tastes in every bite. For our main protein we got the Dirty Chicken for Two which is literally an entire chicken crusted with a yummy layer of breaded crunch and cooked to tender perfection. Before they cut it up they also brought it to the table for everyone to look at whole which was a nice touch. This was actually the one sizable dish we got (enough for 5 people) and had plenty of leftovers. It also came with a mashed potatoes and a mushroom sauce topping which everyone at our table loved. For dessert we got the Chocolate Soufflé and Strawberry Pavlova. The Pavlova was soooo good!! It has Earl Grey and Strawberry Sheep's Milk Yogurt and they shared the chef was inspired by a ballerina when they created the look of the dish. Would come back for this! read more

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I've been wanting to come to Citrin for a while, and I finally got to go the other weekend. At the bar, there's a happy hour menu, but you also need a reservation because it's a very popular place. It's a very beautiful restaurant, which I'd expect from a place that has a Michelin star. First, we ordered the sweet pea agnolotti which was divine. Light, refreshing and delicious. The lobster bolognese came highly recommended, but this wasn't my favorite. Good not great. The burger was divine. Absolutely amazing. Would order this again and again. Overall Citrin was a delightful experience, and one I'd recommend. I'd love to try out the main dining area next. read more

Citrin - Rockfish - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Exceptional DineLA meal. Loved the Tomato Soup with Strawberry Sorbet (I never order soup!), Corn Agnolotti, Duo of Beef (exceptional!) and appreciated they accommodated my request for the Chocolate Soufflé for dessert. For $100 this was a killer meal. Just go!! read more

Worth visiting this 1 star Michelin restaurant for a special occasion. Reservations are a must. Restaurant is located on the corner and street parking can be found but otherwise valet parking is available. Inside is dimly lit, with round and rectangular tables. Service was amazing, staff being very attentive. Menu includes pre fix menu as well as à la cart options. We opted for à la cart, since there were some picky eaters. I would recommend the lobster bolognese as well as the sole. The sauce on the sole was incredible, buttery with the fish cooked and seasoned perfectly. Scallops were also a great hit. The portions are small but that's what expected. Price is also on the higher end. Will absolutely come back! read more

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The service was so professional and the staff was very friendly. They are attentive and clears the plates between courses in a perfectly timed manner. The setting is romantic and would be perfect for a couples dinner before a night on the town in Santa Monica. The Egg Caviar was made with the ingredients layered. I don't know how to describe this tasteful work of art. The John Dory had competing flavors of the olives and the tomato confit. Very good mix of flavors. The beef was prepared just right and to top it off, the Red Berry "Vacherin" was delectable. read more

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Came for Dine LA and got the prixe fix menu, it was amazing, service was great, super attentive. Music was odd definitely, went from elevator music, to rap and hip hop, to alternative, to pop, not bad--just odd. read more

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Great Food & Cocktails My go to date night. Love this restaurant! The food and cocktails are both so good, and their happy hour menu is really well done--such a smart idea with great options. The only downside is the seating. The chairs are packed so tightly together that there's barely any space to move, which can feel a little uncomfortable. Overall, though, definitely a place I'd come back to for the food and drinks! read more

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Service was decent. I didn't like that there were quite a few servers coming by multiple times to ask how I'm doing - might've overdone this a little bit by being too attentive. Food overall was good but nothing was outstanding. Melisse next door is fantastic but somehow this sister restaurant is a bit underwhelming. Food: Amuse - oyster was good Egg caviar - delicious Scallops - good Lobster bolognese - decent; wouldn't order again; thought the sauce could've been creamier instead of so acidic and there wasn't much lobster either Persimmon salad - decent Pineapple soufflé - very good Tapioca ice cream dessert - decent read more

Citrin - Persimmon salad - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Citrin is the younger brother, Une Étoile Guide Michelin, to Trois Étoiles Grand Dame decades old Mélisse. Kind of like Atelier Crenn is to the more casual Bar Crenn. Long bar to also allow more casual dining as well as a formal dining room for larger parties. It was a Friday evening at 6pm, start of the weekend and DineLA was in full swing. House was humming and servers were busy as honey bees, but they managed to stay friendly adding a bit of short, amiable interactions. DineLA 4 Course Tasting Menu $99 was a great introduction to the regular menu. 0) Amuse Gueule: Yuzu Panna Cotta firm, watermelon, perslane, summer fruits, lime juice 1) Bluefin Tuna Crudo: Green Mango, Avocado, Pineapple, Pouring of Leche de Tigre/Tiger Milk made of lime juice, red onion, touch garlic & cilantro, Ají/Peruvian puréed Chile sauce. The Bluefin is Hon Maguro Chū Toro grade, plush, sweet fattiness with red meatiness. 2) Vermillion Fish: Ikèjimè (ee keh jee meh) means a long needle is pierced into the back brain & spinal cord to painlessly kill the fish and paralyze it so its freshness is retained. Tranche of butter pan grilled fish so the skin is lightly crispy, meat is sweet, moist yet toned. Tan summer beans, zucchini bits, all in a shallow pool of Lemon Basil Beurre Noisette. 0-2a) Chablis Bourgogne, Louis Moreau, Appéllation Chablis Controlée 2023: Lemon, pear, apple, nail polish, clean, crisp, acidic, stone minerality, 'salty' 3) Wolf Ranch Quail: Oven baked huge meaty breast for a quail, thigh, drum stick, and the claw is still attached for aesthetic authenticity. Slice of Mission Fig, finely puréed beet, pomme purée. Looser Sauce Demi-glace made from au jus and sweet, port like Banyuls from the Banyuls region in Languedoc-Roussillon, known for its fortified wines. It's made primarily from Grenache grapes. 3a) Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Saint-Joseph Offerus, J L Chave Sélection, Appéllation d'Origine Controlée Saint-Joseph, France 2020. A northern Rhône Syrah: Juicy, cherry, red & blk plum, barnyard, sweet, acidic, old oak barrel, bit madérisée, Toasty cream of & wheat couscous. 4) Poached Yellow Peach, Yuzu Japanese Citrus Pie. Sheep's milk yogurt, Lavender, Graham cracker sand, Quenelles of Crème Fraîche, sparkling Peach Gellée, dollop of Panna Cotta, white chocolate Tuile. DineLA 4 course menu at $99 was a great deal comparable to the regular $165 four course Tasting Menu. Sitting at the bar was entertaining since the servers busily ebbed and flowed around us exchanging occasional bons mots while they presented the ordered dish. Chef Ken Takayama adds a soupçon of Japanese technique to Nouvelle Cuisine Française. 5 stars due to accomplished cooking and generous DineLA offer. read more

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Citrin was terrific. Both the food and the service were impeccable. Citrin offers both a tasting and an a la carte menu. The tasting menu is four courses (a starter, two mains, and dessert) where you pick among a number of offerings for each course. For example, for the starter, I could have chosen either the Egg Caviar, Butternut Squash Soup, Stonington Maine Scallop, Kanpachi Crudo, or Truffle Egg. Both the Egg Caviar and Truffle Egg had a supplemental fee. The server also mentioned that I could substitute a course or add a course from the a la carte menu, which had a few more offerings. Food: I chose the Stonington Maine Scallop for my starter, and my date chose the Truffle Egg. The scallops were perfectly cooked, each with a golden-brown sear, barely translucent center, and tender yet firm texture. The scallops were served with a delicate Romanesco sauce incorporating bits of almonds, cauliflower, and olives ... the olives paired so well in this dish. The Truffle Egg was super decadent. It is served as a poached egg covered with foam, then topped with generous shavings of white truffles (which was done tableside). The truffles melt into the foam and yolk to create a rich, delicious goo that cries to be mopped up with the toasted brioche bread. For the first main, we chose the Truffle Pasta and Truffle Risotto. The Truffle Pasta was delicious. It likely would have been the best dish of the evening if it wasn't for the Truffle Risotto. The risotto was perfectly cooked, with a creamy texture and yet al dente. The Truffle Risotto was, for me, the best dish of the evening. For the second main, we chose the Brandt Beef Filet and Short Rib and Millbrook Farm Venison. Both dishes were great. The beef was exactly medium rare, tender, and flavorful. The Venison was also well cooked and had an earthy flavor, but didn't really have any gaminess. Finally, for desert, we chose the Dark Chocolate Tart and Pear Pavlova. For me, the chocolate tart was just okay, with flavors that I've had often before, but my date loved it. In turn, I loved the pear pavlova ... loved it. Service: As I previously mentioned, the service was impeccable. Our server, Michael, was attentive, friendly, and professional ... A+++. Our table also had a second server (unfortunately, I missed her name) who made sure that our water glasses were never empty and we had everything we needed ... attentive without being intrusive. Valet: I should add that they offer valet parking. Our attendant was also great. Bottom Line: I'll say it again ... Citrin was terrific. read more

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My wife and I were looking forward to trying this restaurant after reading the reviews and looking at the food pics. The ambiance is quiet and elegant. What you would expect from a Michelin rated restaurant. We ordered several dishes so we could try a starter, a pasta dish with meat and a fish entree. We opted to go with the Hamachi crudo, braised beef cannelloni and the seabass with cous cous. The Hamachi crudo was really light, tasty and refreshing. The braised beef cannelloni was uninspiring. Besides being incredibly small it just did not make any real impression on us. And while we thought the seabass was good it did not wow us. Overall, I was disappointed. None of the dishes really left much of an impression on us. I don't expect fine dining to have generous proportions but this felt very diminutive. Same with the chocolate souffle, good but not great. The cadence between the meals were really slow. We waited 35 minutes between the starter and canneloni and then anothee 25 minutes for the fish. Having long delays between every serving including the dessert killed the mood. Unfortunately, this missed the mark for us. read more

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We went for restaurant week. They had great items on the menu. They had lots of gluten free options as well. My favorite was the short rib. The meat was so nice and tender... however my complaint is it was only one bite. It was a nice tasting menu leaving us wanting more. The server was also very nice and knowledgeable read more

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Citrin is one of my favorite restaurants in LA because I love the flavors. I'm the type of person who loves trying new restaurants, but 90% I try a restaurant, I never go back because I want to try other new restaurants. Citrin is one of the 10% of places where I return to eat. I've been at least 4 times now, and would love to go more but Citrin is on the expensive end. Every now and then I daydream about the food from Citrin. Also I'm the type of person who normally orders meat dishes - steak, duck, pork, etc. But Citrin does fish so well, that I will always order the fish at Citrin. My partner and I ordered the halibut (may have been a special) once because the waitress recommended it and because I wasn't in the mood to order a meat dish, and it was a great decision. My favorites include the truffle egg, lobster bolognese, and ribeye. If you're wondering whether to try the classic truffle egg or lobster bolognese, it's so worth it! I love their ribeye, and I'm pretty hard to please when it comes to steak. So many times, I have been disappointed by "21 day dry aged rib eye" at steak houses, and the steaks I cook at home taste better. Citrin's steaks have my approval though! I would love to visit Citrin again if I have the opportunity! read more

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We returned after several years to find Citrin was every bit as good as we remembered. The staff is attentive but not overbearing and the ambience is great. Our server Tom was very helpful and friendly and we opted to order ala carte rather than price fixe and were not disappointed.. We loved the creative cocktails and the santa barbara prawns as well as the crudo are two great starters. We also loved the dover sole and the chocolate souffle for desert is outstanding. Our friends had the duck ragu pasta which was simply stunning.. We be back next time before too much time passed for sure. read more

V-Day dinner at Citrin is the perfect mix of romantic elegance and a smart choice. Well, we actually went the day before actual Valentine's Day because I don't like to be out when everyone else is. The bar offers a great selection of spirits. The menu was set but we still had options. Some highlights from the meal: The Basil Brioche was delicious- you could really taste the basil, and the bread's soft texture was addicting. The Hamachi crudo was light and refreshing- love this dish. The star was the Lobster Bolognese- I do like my pastas and this one was a win. The whole staff was amazing and a delight. A shout out to our server Tom that has given us amazing hospitality and made our dinner special. I had requested something from him and he was pleasantly accommodating to make it happen. I went home with a signed menu from Chef Josiah Citrin -- something I like to do (I collect famous chef's autographs on their menu for memento). Thank you. Highly recommend. For the experience, the service, the ambiance --the vibe. read more

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This is the most I ever spent on dinner and it almost was worth it. More later. We had a reservation during Dine LA. Street parking is difficult due to permit requirements, so we went with valet. Ambiance and service were great. We had the 4-course tasting menu and a couple of drinks. The drinks were solid but the real star was the food. Dishes ranged from super delicate and subtle, like their Egg Caviar, to more bold like the Quail. Initially we were most looking forward to their signature dish, which has been on their menu since opening, the Lobster Bolognese, but we really loved the underdog on the menu, the Rockfish, which was absolutely amazing. Growing up with Italian food, as prepared by Italians from Italy, I have always had a fondness for al-dente pasta (really al-dente with a bite). Unfortunately, the signature Lobster Bolognese lacked that. The dish had a rather soft mouthfeel and the consistency overall paired with the supplemental charge for the truffle and lobster left me slightly disappointed. But arguably, our expectations were very high and all the other dishes definitely more than delivered. read more

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Sadly, this is one the worst experiences we've had which is unfortunate because I used to be a big fan of Melisse. I came here since I couldn't get a last minute table and I thought it would be comparable to some degree. To start, the bread service was sad at best, both the regular and basil were cold and stale. I could not cut through it with my knife and had to tip it apart. We did the tasting menu and the food was overly salty and not enjoyable. The sauce on the protein dish was so over powering. We paid extra for a few of the truffle dishes which were not impressive or well explained. We did it with a wine pairing which none of them paired well with the dishes and when we said we did not enjoy them, we were not brought additional options. They just kept pouring wines we were not interested in, until we stopped drinking them and left them. The wine pairing was probably the most disappointing part of the entire service. Our server was kind but not very attentive since it was busy which isn't her fault but it made the entire experience completely lackluster and we will not be returning read more

My experience was for Dine LA. Reservation process was easy online. The restaurant is the sister restaurant of Melisse which is a 2 Michelin star restaurant. Citrin has one star as well. When I saw they were on the dine La list we had to come by and try it out. Because of its location in the residential streets there's a lot of street parking available. But if you want they do have valet parking available for $16. I'm actually very surprised by how low the ratings are for this restaurant. Our group of 4 had a great time and thought the service was amazing. When I checked in the reception staff were welcoming, walked me to my table where the rest of the party were already seated. Ambiance is simple modern. Most of the seats were booths and it creates a private ambiance even when you're dining with others which I liked. The service was phenomenal. They were warm, introduced the menu and each dish. And they were very patient when there were additional questions from the group or if we had a hard time with decision paralysis. When I asked the location of the restroom the server personally walked me there which I thought was quite thoughtful. Amuse bouche - 5/5 very refreshing with fresh fruit and herbs. Definitely opens up your palate for the rest of the meal. Citrus cured kampachi - 10/5 this was my favorite dish of the night. Fish is so fresh and the citrus notes throughout complement the flavors of the fish without being too sour. Lobster bolognese - 5/5 for $35 dollars extra you can upgrade to the lobster bolognese. This is one of their well known dishes for a reason. Flavors are delicious and I loved the foam on top of the pasta. Fun presentation. And the chunks of lobster are cooked well. Snake River farms sirloin - 8/5 you get a filet and short rib. My lord short rib is so flavorful, melts in your mouth and very well cooked. The filet is definitely outshined by the short rib but still well cooked and quite delicious. Yellow peach and yuzu pie - 4/5 not my favorite dessert because it is more on the tart side. But the sheep milk yogurt was definitely the highlight of the plate. Super light but flavorful, good closing for the meal. Really nice dine la menu. Enjoyed the dinner thoroughly. read more

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My husband took me to this restaurant for my birthday, and we went with the tasting menu. Overall, it was a really nice experience. The restaurant is sleek and modern. Service was excellent throughout the night. Immediately, I noticed that they had even left a little "Happy Birthday" sign on our table, which was a sweet touch and made the night feel special. One of my favorite dishes was the lobster bolognese. It was really tasty and had great flavor. There was some froth on top that I didn't think added much, but it didn't hurt the dish either. Most of the courses were really good, r. Nothing was bad, just not all were super memorable. The pacing between dishes was nice, and the portions were just right. For the quality and amount of food, I thought the price was pretty reasonable for Santa Monica fine dining. I'm giving 4 stars because while it was a great night and delicious overall, a few dishes could've been a bit stronger. Still, I'd definitely go back for another special occasion. read more

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We went last night and the food is still delicious but I am taking a Star away for the poor service. At this caliber of restaurant we should not have ask for water 5 times and get up from our seats to flag down help multiple times. They over charged us 3 additional items on the bill and never once apologized. We literally had to go to the parking lot across the street to get our own car at the valet. read more

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AMBIENCE: (5/5) - Greeted immediately with a smile - We booked for a table of 4 but 2 of our friends couldn't show up and they accommodated us well SERVICE: (5/5) - Server introduced themselves and served water right away - They put the napkin on our laps at the start of the course - The pace of the dishes came out well FOOD/DRINKS: (4/5) - Amuse bouche (5/5): Very refreshing oyster served with a citrus bubble foam, the perfect pallet cleanser to open up our appetite - Citrus Cured Hamachi Crudo (5/5): Can't really mess up a crudo but the blood orange just brings a flash of brightness that I just absolutely loved. The fish was fresh, of course, and the perfect texture. - Scallop with Beans and Butternut Squash (4/5): Scallop cooked to perfection. A little on the salty side for the broth that even the beans couldn't quite balance out. - Broccoli Risotto (4/5): Was kind of sad they changed the menu as this was supposed to be a mushroom risotto. Overall the broccoli was a nice surprise, loved the tartness of the lemon that cleaned out the plate. Once more, a little on the salty side and the risotto is just half a minute too al dente for my liking. - Cassoulet de Lotte (4/5): Fish cooked to perfect flakes and the garlic asparagus green sauce was fresh and added a crunchy texture but still a bit on the salty side of the palette for my liking. - Sirloin (5/5): My god that peppercorn sauce is to die for. I can probably eat this every single night for a week. The steak was so tender that the knife cuts through it like butter and it just melts onto the tongue. - Duck (5/5): This is one of the best cooked duck I have ever had. Just the perfect texture with the scoring of the skin almost like artwork. Most duck is cooked too tough or overly salted but this was perfection once again. - Red Berry Vacherin (5/5): One of my favorite two flavors of elderflower and yuzu. The little meringues are so cute and light with the perfect shell. Every component made for a perfect bite each time. OVERVIEW: (4.5/5) - Great service as expected of a Michelin star restaurant, just wish every single dish was a knock out of the park given the pricing but a great deal to take up if you want to try it for DineLA! read more

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Super disappointing. We sat in the back patio; considering the location, etc. I was so underwhelmed by the fake turf, patchy rugs, and plastic woven dividers. The bathroom, which is located inside and requires you to go through the sidewalk to access through the main restaurant, needs a complete overhaul. All that aside, it's not quite clear as to how they achieved the Michelin star. Service makes a strong attempt but doesn't compare to other high end restaurants. The food was good, but just good.. The tomato soup was really nice, but the hot/cold experience was not necessary. We really enjoyed the peach dessert... lots of layers/textures... memorable. I'm really glad we reserved for Dine LA, otherwise, totally not worth it. read more

Citrin - Peach dessert - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Citrin offers excellent service and a very polished dining experience. I didn't realize at first that it shares the space with Mélisse, which was interesting. Citrin's entrance is the red door near the valet, while Mélisse is around the corner on Wilshire--you ring a bell to enter, which feels more discreet and formal. Portion sizes were perfect for me, and everything tasted clean--not salty, not greasy. The filet and short rib were very tender, and the mocktails were soothing and well-balanced. Their signature lobster bolognese truly stood out and lived up to its reputation. Desserts were fine but not really my style--I prefer less sweet. The palate cleanser at the end was a bit too hard to bite, but I appreciated the thoughtful gesture. Overall, a very clean, refined taste, great service, and a place I'd happily return to when in Santa Monica. read more

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Citrin feels like Mélisse's younger sibling who still went to a good school, but actually knows how to have fun at a dinner party. Came for Dine LA and loved the vibe right away. Small, intimate, and warm without the stiff "fine dining theater" thing. We lucked out with a super comfortable booth and the room has that low-key, date-night glow that makes you sit up straighter and also order a cocktail. Started with the Beast of Bourbon, which shows up with burnt rosemary and smells like someone just walked past with a fancy campfire. Super smooth, easy cinnamon warmth, and it honestly got better as it sat for a minute and mellowed out. The amuse was a standout: oyster with apple and foam. Great textures, really balanced, and gone in two bites like it never happened. Hamachi crudo was the one "meh" moment. Beautiful fish, lots of ingredients listed, but it somehow landed a little flat flavor-wise. I did appreciate the cilantro, but I wanted a bit more pop overall. Broccoli risotto was cozy in a nostalgic way. It reminded me of that broccoli-cheddar soup vibe from chain restaurants back in the day (compliment-ish). For my taste, it could've used a touch more salt to bring it all the way home. The duck was the star. That turnip puree alone was incredible, and the duck sauce was dialed. There was also this crunchy, nutty topping that gave "Dubai chocolate" texture energy in the best way, plus a layered, almost Mediterranean bastilla vibe happening underneath. Unexpected, but it worked. Dessert was dangerously good. Tons of berries, especially strawberry, with great textures and flavors. I wanted a second bowl and had to pretend I had self-control. One gripe: the employee health charge. I hate these little surprise line items. Just price it in and pay people properly. What really pushed it into "come on, guys" territory was seeing tax applied on top of it. I asked them to remove it and they did immediately with zero attitude, which I appreciated, but still. Overall, Citrin is polished but approachable, and the room makes you want to linger. I'd come back even outside Dine LA, and next time I'm ordering the duck and "accidentally" getting dessert again. read more

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One of my running-turned-Yelp friends and I are both self-proclaimed foodies, so when Dine LA rolled around earlier this month, we made a plan to treat ourselves. On August 7th we made our way to Citrin - chosen specifically because it holds a Michelin star - and it pretty much lived up to the hype. I picked my friend up, we lucked out with street parking, and we were seated right around our reservation time. Our server, Michael R., set the tone with attentive and thoughtful service. He gave us time to review the extensive menu but was also ready with recommendations when asked. At a restaurant of this caliber, there's no shortage of staff, and it felt like each dish was presented by a different person. The ambiance was fine and a bit on the darker side, but comfortable, not overly quiet or too loud. The restaurant was packed, yet we never felt rushed. In fact, our four-course dinner unfolded slowly, incredibly slowly, over the evening. We started with the bread service before diving into the prix fixe Dine LA menu (which was, in my opinion, very reasonably priced given the restaurant's Michelin status). For my first course, I chose the Bluefin Tuna Crudo - light, fresh, and further enhanced by a sauce so good I used bread to soak up every drop. I could have been tempted by the tomato soup and especially the egg caviar but knowing I wanted the Lobster Bolognese as my second course (which carried its own supplemental fee), I decided to save room. The bolognese was rich and delicious, though I'm not sure the supplement was entirely necessary. My friend wasn't as impressed but I was more than satisfied with mine as I love a good pasta. For my third course, I stepped outside my comfort zone with the Wolfe Ranch Quail. It was tender, flavorful, and beautifully plated. This was one of those dishes that will stay with me, even now, nearly a month later! Dessert was the Yellow Peach and Yuzu "Pie," the only option on the Dine LA menu and it was a refreshing and tangy finale that rounded out the experience. Some reviewers have mentioned not leaving full, but let me be clear I was stuffed by the end of the night. The attentive staff and the quality of the dishes made for a memorable Dine LA outing. I did, however, think that the pacing was incredibly slow. Even so, Citrin lived up to its Michelin-star reputation while still offering an approachable and somewhat reasonably priced prix fixe experience. Do note, however, that there is a 4% "health charge" which is a bit crazy, in my opinion. Personally, I left full, happy, and tired (food coma loading). For foodies, special occasions, or anyone curious about Michelin-level dining in Los Angeles, Citrin is worth a visit. read more

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Always five star every time. Dirty chicken is a must! The morels are life changing! Get there early to get a spot at the bar and take advantage of the food on bar menu; Citrus cured hamachi crudo, brandt beef tenderloin and beef cheek, peeky toe crab risotto, artichoke agnolotti are all can't miss items. Bar service is just as attentive and helpful as tableside. Low light and good music make for an excellence dining experience. Can't wait to go back! read more

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I've been to many Michelin starred restaurants. This one was disappointing all around. We did the tasting menu. One dish, the steak was decent, the rest were below average. The caviar egg appetizer was spoiled by an excess of lemon and some other flavor that tasted vaguely like gasoline. The lobster bolognese was barely edible. And, so on. One in our party had the Australian truffle risotto. That was good. The server staff needs more training. One server actually looked menacing when placing the silverware. That was weird. In all, other than the wine list, there is nothing to recommend this restaurant. read more

Finally tried Citrin for dineLA. My favorites were the crudo and panna cotta and the dessert. The portions were pretty small, the beef came with only 2 pieces. Despite the $35 add on, the lobster bolognese was also pretty small with not much lobster though the presentation was nicely done and there was a foam layer on top of the pasta. The vacherin dessert was beautiful with the edible flowers and different elements, lemongrass ice cream and panna cotta, merengue, and raspberries. I'd come back to try their happy hour menu and other desserts I saw other guests order. Parking is restricted on many side streets but there are meters on Wilshire that end at 6pm. read more

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Citrin has been on my list to try for a while--ever since I ordered their take out for thanksgiving a few years ago. The restaurant didn't disappoint. Starting with ambiance. The restaurant has an unassuming exterior with colorfully painted doors. Inside is a beautifully appointed bar which sits across from an open dining room. The dining room is a good mix of booths and standalone seating. A diverse library of art adorns the walls, ranging from abstract to photographic. More interestingly, the restaurant smells wonderful do in part to the custom candles the restaurant sells (we bought two). Service was impeccable. Our waitress was funny and easy to interact with. Food came out timely and well coordinated. However one of the more special moments however was getting to meet chef/owner Josiah Citrin, who came to our table twice to chat. Drinks were phenomenal. I enjoyed the wine pairing. which I would describe more as "wines that blend but don't overpower the food." Further, I particularly enjoyed Citrin's take on an old fashioned with burnt wood on top. Food was incredible. Top 5 Michelin starred restaurants in SoCal in my opinion. The corn risotto with truffle and the filet with caramelized bone marrow. My wife also loved the caviar egg they are famous for. The price is high. With wine pairings expect about $400pp. That said, the total package and the added bonus of meeting a celebrity chef make it worthwhile. Ambiance: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Drinks: 4.5/5 Food: 5/5 Value: 3.5/5 Consistency: N/A read more

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I am not at Santa Monica, much. So when I am, I try to hit the spots that make the trip worthwhile. Additionally, on this particular day, Conrad and I were close enough to Citrin to visit the establishment during their Glass Off time-block, which is 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. I had an opportunity to visit Citrin and spare my wallet the damage of a tasting menu, so we walked to the joint ready to experience a happy hour at a fine dining establishment. It sounds like a paradox but bargain price fare, can be enjoyed by all- from petty thiefs to pouty princesses. But would we get a sit? Glass Off, is a first- come, first-serve kind of situation and I feared that we would not get seats--- it was Friday at 6:00ish, after all. But when Conrad and I got there, we were able to get seats. It was my first time at Citrin, however, I have been to Melisse and have had their Carte Blanche menu. Conrad on the other hand, had not been to Melisse or Citrin, and in fact, it was Conrad's first time at an Avant Garde restaurant. Thus, Citrin had the honor (once again) to showcase the beauty and awe of fine dining to one who had never experienced it before. That is a responsibility I hope this restaurant takes seriously because on any given night they can take a regular eater and convert them to one that sees food as ingestible art. I did not fully grasp the responsibility of being a partner in dine for Conrad's first time but, I am only one part of the dining scene, the greater responsibility falls on Citrin and its crew. And at the end of the dining experience, I have to say that they did a good job, not a superb one. When we entered there were two seats in front of them. There was a purse, near one of the open seats. "Are these seats taken, I asked the bartender?" The woman who owned the purse, heard my question, and instinctively moved her purse. I made a point to Conrad to communicate that sometimes you have to speak up for your space? He sat next to the woman with a purse, I at next to another woman. Her elbows and mine bumped into each other twice. She looked at me, kind of annoyed after the second. Now I wonder what is the etiquette protocol? A bar is full. There are seats but maybe not space. Was the woman correct in assuming that she could put her purse in the counter? Was I correct in offering a my question loudly for her to hear? Should I have not sat down even though there were seats open because I would touch elbow with other eaters? Conrad did not want to think much about these questions but here I am, thinking that I am brining forth questions that challenge societal etiquette around bar sitting. After the woman with the purse and her partner left, Conrad and I moved to the seats they occupied, now my elbows and I would not have to suffer annoyed stares from a bar neighbor. Conrad and I started our excursion with the Citrin burger which is a whopping 15.00 dollars. The price point scrams accessible price point, it is elite food for all. But the hamburger, although flavorful, is still just a basic hamburger that is good plus. It does not stand buns above other burgers. It is just good but plan. But given the price point, and the chic and elegant space of Citrin, the burger is a blessing. It is like eating a hamburger with a view. As we left, Anthony, one of the Valets explained that sometimes he brings his girlfriend to the spot--- they eat the hamburger, maybe two drinks each and they are set. So this can be the center piece for a baller who wants to impress someone, and they are conscious but active with their funds. Oh, when we first sat, we were given empty plates. Conrad touched it, and he said the plate was warm. He was not discussing it, but he was drinking in the quiet glamour of the space. The rest of the food was better than the burger. We had sweet corn agnolotti and the crab risotto. When the staff members that did not work in the bar, brought the food they explained the dish. I always appreciate someone taking the time to educate me on what I was about to eat. That is a fine dining trait that never gets old, and I miss when I do not hear it. I also felt really glad to show Conrad that food can come as foam (espuma). The crab risotto had carrot foam. The agnolotti was delicate and had a. deep corn taste. Its sweetness was wonderful and was made by artisan hands that knew the power of sweet corn, meaning that they knew how to use the corn with restrain so its sweetness remains subtle yet confident enough to know its the star. However, the crab risotto was the best in night for me. The risotto was a bit too hot to eat when it arrived. Conrad ate in spoonfuls. I followed suit. I forgot myself. Then I told him to eat a bite, and focus on the tastes that followed. I firmly believe that places like the crab risotto have the power to slow down time. The bill was 150 for three dishes and four drinsk, and tip included. It is a show of a meal! read more

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did you know that you could sample the menu of this michelin-star establishment without a reservation if you walked in during their happy hour "citrin glass off"? it's an excellent time and place for a date night with its luxurious a la carte offerings, impeccable service, elegant decor, and moody lighting. tasteful house music is played at a low volume but can still be heard since seating at the bar is very limited. my partner and i tried the following items in the summer of 2023: 01. LOBSTER BOLOGNESE ($19): fresh capellini pasta, brown butter truffle froth 02. MÉLISSE BURGER ($15): lettuce, tomato, grilled onion, cheese, pickles, house sauce 03. READY FOR LOVE ($13): tequila, kings ginger, shishito shrub, yuzu, reagan's orange 04. JUST WHAT I NEEDED ($13): vodka, passionfruit, creme de peche, yuzu read more

Citrin - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

We were here for their Valentine's Day tasting menu and combined it with their wine pairing. Absolutely amazing especially the egg caviar and lobster bolognese. The host was ok, but our server was top notch attentive. We'll be back. read more

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This was my second visit to the restaurant. The first time really impressed me. The food was delicious and beautifully presented. Unfortunately, this time the experience fell short. The dishes didn't stand out, and I was especially disappointed by the service. The staff didn't feel particularly welcoming or warm, which took away from the overall experience. read more

Citrin - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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There was just something a little off about the service here that made us feel like the night was disingenuous - We stopped by Citrin on a Saturday night to celebrate a birthday. They have valet parking up front or you can easily find street parking on the next block over. The staff were able to seat us right away - our server welcomed us and we were able to get our drinks and food order in (dine LA) within 10 minutes. Let's discuss the service before the food: 1. Our server asked us how our drinks were and I really did not like mine. It was overly sweet and just left a bad taste, so I asked for them to water down with soda water and he noticeably hesitated 2. We really enjoyed the housemade ketchup but when we asked for more, he noticeably hesitated again 3. And maybe the most awkward of the night, we went to the restroom and they were out of toilet paper. We notified the front and someone went to refill asap, but when I went to use the restroom, she waited for us to finish. Maybe she wanted to clean up, but it was just super awkward knowing that she was standing out there by the door and waiting - even more awkward as we were all standing in the tiny restroom washing our hands and making small talk. We thought maybe she was going to open the door for us, but she just slid by us when we left. 4. One person in my group experienced some stomach bugs after the meal and she was the only one who ordered the egg caviar (which she noted was raw when she was eating. Also totally not worth it - would not recommend with the extra $35 add on). When we called to inform them, they told us the manager would call us back and ghosted us lol Now the food: we ordered the dine LA package and really enjoyed the food for the most part (drinks not included). The amuse bouche was a lovely way to start the night; the kampachi was flavorful and fresh; the rockfish second course was slightly salty but paired nice with the sauce; and the sirloin was cooked nicely and paired with the most delicious lemon glazed carrot. Some notes on the table order, like I mentioned before, the egg caviar was a single egg and raw and the wagyu add-on was of not the greatest quality. I will note that the cut you get really depends on luck (or is it who you are): we all noted that the man sitting at the table next to us got a significantly larger sirloin cut than we all did (and he was eating the dine LA package as well). Dessert was fine but the yuzu pie was warmer than expected and the whole dish was too creamy instead of that tart you expect from yuzu flavored desserts. Overall, it was okay and I can see how they attract a crowd for a Michelin restaurant with a $99 ish DineLA menu...though I wouldn't go back due to the service. read more

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