First time at Pita House, and they checked all the boxes! From the moment we walked in, the service…read morewas welcoming and attentive, and the overall ambiance made for a great experience. It's located in a busy shopping center, so parking can be a little challenging, but it's definitely worth waiting for a spot or parking around the corner. Most importantly, the food did not disappoint. The quality, flavor, portions, and service were all on point. Overall, Pita House delivered a great experience from start to finish, and I'll definitely be coming back whenever I'm in the mood for Mediterranean food. Highly recommend!

I went here with my husband, and even though he was not really satisfied with his food and I was,…read moreI'm still going to give them 5 stars. - Their service was impeccable. They are great at greeting you, attending to your needs, and checking in on you, which I really appreciated. - The staff is really friendly, and they always change the restaurant experience. - The ambiance was very lively. There were several groups of people eating inside, talking, and having a great time. It was a good vibe. It wasn't too loud, but it was definitely not quiet. - In terms of the food, we ordered the avocado jalapeno hummus, which was very good. We both liked that a lot. - My husband ordered the spicy creamy chicken, and he did not like that. He felt that the creaminess was too milky for him and that it just tasted like he was eating too much dairy, which really sounds like kind of a personal preference rather than something being wrong with the meal. He was not a fan of the cream sauce. He felt like he was just dipping his chicken in spicy milk, and he was not a fan. - He also was not a fan of the baba ganoush, but I think he just doesn't like baba ganoush because when I tasted it, it was actually very good. - As far as my food, I got the cauliflower for an appetizer, which was delicious. It came with three sauces: tahini, garlic sauce, and some sort of green, spicy-ish sauce. The cauliflower was flash-fried with no batter, and it was really good with the garlic sauce and the lemon juice. - I also had the salmon kebab wrap with fries, and I felt that it was a delicious wrap. I loved the portion size, so it wasn't too much food, but also not too little food. I thought things were good, and I thought the experience was good. I think he just didn't like his particular dish, but I don't think there was anything wrong with the dish itself.

A fantastic find in SM. Have been going there for years & I have learned a lot about Middle…read moreEastern delights! I am always surprised by some new food wonders that I find! Deli is great, the array of salads & spreads is wonderful. Olive selection, French Feta, nuts, dried fruits and on & on! Marinated Chicken delish-mix 1/2 dark & 1/2 light meat & sear in a skillet until brown. Kebab day such fun & delish. Fresh Salmon is excellent & reasonable compared to other. Not sure if farm raised, but once in a while a treat at a reasonable $ Produce very good & reasonable Solheil is great & I really like visiting his market.

Fresh produce at much lower prices than any other store in Santa Monica…read more Is it all organic? Probably not, but sometimes you also have to think about the budget. It's fresh, it's good quality and to be honest: their fresh produce is actually better than Trader Joe's. Spices, an enormous selection that's worth checking out. Anything middle eastern in terms of

Ugh what an incredible dining experience this was. My date and I went to Orla and had reservations…read moreat 6:15pm. Given that sunset was scheduled for 7:00pm the day we went, we wanted to have a nice view of the beach/pier as we enjoyed our dinner. Around 6:30pm we were both surprised by their Sunset dancers. Two beautiful ladies with feather fans danced around the restaurant. It was such a fun surprise. We were seated near the DJ in a booth facing the coast. We each had two drinks. I had the Oracle of Siwa and the Gold Coast (both NA). The GC was marketed to me as being the sweeter of the two, but it was really tart. It tasted like an Arnold Palmer. The OS was supposedly more citrus forward and tart. It definitely was citrus forward but NOT tart. My partner had their old fashioned, one the best he says he has had. He also had their King of Kings, and although it was garnished with a lovely truffle he preferred the old fashioned. We then had the following: Baba Ghanoush, the Grilled Octopus, the Kampachi (which was the market special) with both the Egyptian and the Greek Dressing, and the Asparagus. Everything was sooo flavorful and fresh. It was a great meal. The fish was already so dressed that adding the sauces felt a bit unnecessary, and between the two flavors the Greek dressing was much more to our liking than the Egyptian sauce. Overall this was a great experience, they also offer parking validation if you dine in. Our service was impeccable and the servers were so nice and accommodating. We will definitely be back!

Sometimes I wonder where I will start and finish a review, but this one is easy. Pia, the…read morerestaurant manager. She should start a school on restaurant and hospitality management. Seriously. Places should send their people to watch her work. She is the best I have encountered. My buddy was taking me out for my birthday and our reservation (which was somewhere else TBH got cancelled due to a kitchen issue). He suggested Orla, and being a big Michael Mina fan I was in. The restaurant is big but typical for a hotel spot, but it has a warmth to it. A lot of that is due to being greeted by Pia, escorted to your table, and getting a wonderful history of the restaurant, chef, menu and drinks. As the day turns into night, we were treated to a gong and some dancers. Nice touch. And then the food and drinks! Forgot to take a pic of the cocktail menu, so I cannot recall what we had exactly, but both were exceptional, especially the one made tableside (Porus I think, with ocho plata tequila, aperol strawberry, grapefruit and butterfly tea in a tableside infusion) I think I had the Son of Amun with yola mezcal, apricot, ginger, lemon and miracle foamer. Expensive? Yes, but delicious. I looked online for the menu, but it seemed different when we were there. Pia suggested a half and half on spreads since we were indecisive, and that was a great call. Half Whipped Chickpea Hummus with tahini, paprika, za'atar, extra virgin olive oil and half Muhammara with toasted walnuts, roasted peppers, pomegranate molasses. Both were phenomenal but know extra pita comes with a charge. There is homemade chili crisp on the table that you might be tempted to drink. It's that good. We started with Grilled Octopus with gigante beans, red onions, capers, sea beans. Perfection in flavor and texture. The Saganaki finished tableside came with roasted wild mushrooms, black truffle honey, greek brandy and was some of the best I've add. Wish that recipe was in the book, but I will figure it out. For the mains I went with the Mediterranean Sea Bass and my buddy had the Swordfish... both the Greek Way with lemon, caper, oregano, vinaigrette. The Sea Bass was cooked to perfection and one of the best I have had. After all that food we were way too stuffed for dessert, but Pia made sure to end the meal with a birthday gift for me. Wow. Did I mention how good she is? Now I need to come back and have Michael sign my cookbook... and tell me how to make that Saganaki. Thank you to Pia and the whole staff. What a great B-day dinner!

My boyfriend and I discovered Rosemary Grill while planning a weekday dinner, and we have returned…read moremany times since. Rosemary Grill sits just off a main road in a corner of a plaza, yet it feels like a hidden gem. The service is solid; staff appear hurried, but meals arrive promptly and fresh. The dining room is open and well maintained. They offer many plates alongside excellent hummus and garlic sauce. Different hot sauces accompany the dishes and complement them well. I certainly recommend Rosemary Grill for reliable, hearty Mediterranean food.

From the moment we walked in, the experience was fantastic. The restaurant is clean, welcoming, and…read morethe customer service made us feel right at home. Even better--you can actually watch the chefs grilling the kabobs fresh, and you can taste the quality in every bite. Everything is made fresh, the portions are generous, and there's something for everyone--from juicy kabobs and shawarma to fresh salads, wraps, hummus, and homemade sauces. They also offer catering, making them a great option for family gatherings, office lunches, and special events. Fresh, high-quality Mediterranean cuisine Friendly service Easy parking Great atmosphere Catering available If you're in Los Angeles and love Mediterranean food, I'd definitely recommend adding Rosemary Grill to your list. It was a great experience, and we'll definitely be back!

I rarely write long/ detailed Yelp reviews, but this experience deserved every detail, especially…read morebecause I truly appreciated the time Ali (the owner and professional chef), spent at our table explaining the food, the ingredients, and where their meats come from(including Nebraska and New Zealand). That personal interaction reminded me of the philosophy behind places like The French Laundry in Yountville, where dining is not simply dining and its more about serving a plate of food the chef, ingredients, story, and hospitality are all part of the unique experience. Of course, this is Persian dining, but that same level of pride and personal attention made our evening feel special. The koobideh was outstanding (eventhough we ordered All Javan Combo to try most of the kababs in menu) for someone who knows the flavors of Tehran, it is very difficult for me to find koobideh in the States that gives me that familiar taste of home. This one did. The meat quality was exceptional, and everything was beautifully prepared. We ended up to ordering some to go koobideh. The torshi was beyond this world, and their homemade mast o moosir and doogh (yogurt drink) were excellent. Everyone was professional and welcoming, but Ali's presentation was what made the experience memorable. If you miss Iran, or simply want to experience genuine Persian food and hospitality, this is the kind of place that brings back that feeling. It wasn't just dinner. It was an experience.

oh hello chef's kiss!! I am currently in a serious relationship with vegan koobideh so I was so…read moreexcited when a friend recommended Javan! We stopped in for an early Sunday dinner and had such a great experience. Service was LOVELY! Food was AMAZING! Got the Koobideh plate to share and they split the rice up in two plates for us. The Shirazi salad was so fresh, the bread was perfect. Omg I'm getting hungry again Vibe was relaxed yet nice- loved the Persian music! Street parking was surprisingly easy to find. Fr tho- this is a new staple in my fave spots

I always go to the crimson on ocean park but I needed a sit down place with outlets so I could get…read moresome journaling in so I ran into this location. sooo yummy as always, their sweet potato fries are eliteeee, a must try side. I also got an iced coffee which was delicious. the server was really nice and the food cake out quick. love it here

Where do I begin?…read more This was my last day in the beautiful land of California, and before heading out to catch my flight back to the South, I was craving Mediterranean food. I've been on a bit of a Mediterranean kick lately, thank you Cava for that. First impressions? The environment was beautiful. Seriously photo worthy. As a photographer, I couldn't help but admire the architecture inside and around the area. It had that visual vibe that made me excited to be there. There was no line when we walked in, so I quickly landed on my order: the Crimson Chicken Wrap (white meat) with a side of babaganoush, and the Chicken Shawarma (dark meat) with a side of fries. Everything sounded solid. But then... we waited. And waited. Over 30 minutes passed. In that time, about 3 to 4 other customers came in, placed their orders, got their food, and left. Meanwhile, we were still waiting on two of their more popular items. I tried to be patient, gave them the benefit of the doubt, until I saw someone who arrived 25 minutes after us get their Chicken Shawarma within 10 minutes of walking in. Given that we were on a time crunch with other places to be, the delay was beyond frustrating. We ended up speaking with the manager and shared our concerns, but by that point, the experience was already soured. Now for the food. I wanted to like it. The first bite had promise, but after that, it just felt like I was eating out of obligation. For the price point, the service delays, and the lackluster flavor, I honestly can't recommend the entrées I tried. The coffee? It seemed to be good, but not enough to bring me back just for that. I wish I could give Crimson a stronger review, especially because the space itself is stunning. But in the end, it was a case of style over substance. I'd give it a 2.5 out of 5, though I did walk away with some great photos, at least.

Been coming here for 20 years. Best Persian restaurant in town. Amazing food, reasonably priced,…read moreeasy parking and fantastic service. Nouri and others are always helpful with a smile.

Came here for the second time this week with my dad. The first time was Wednesday after my…read morecolonoscopy, and the second time was tonight, when we were joined by my sister and brother-in-law. Nouri was phenomenal. We all had slightly similar orders and there were no mistakes. We inevitably saw two tables my dad knew because of course we did. But it was also bustling enough that I'm pretty sure my cousin didn't notice us as she was picking up her order. Pro tip: Get the beef soltani but switch out the beef koobideh for the chicken koobideh. Can't wait to eat my leftovers! I mean, I can because I'm stuffed right now. But you know.

Came for dinner!…read more FLAVOR (4.2/5): 1. PHYLLO BAKED FETA: Probably the best dish of the night - perfectly flakey, with a good mixture of sweet and savory from the cheese and honey. A great appetizer to order for the table. 2. HUMMUS: The hummus was delicious with the pita! Another great appetizer to share. 3. GREEK FRIES: The fries were flavorful and came with two dips. If you're a big fan of fries I would recommend. The portion size was decent. 4. CHARRED OCTOPUS: The octopus was good and tender, but I feel like the main dishes we ordered fell flat compared to the appetizers. 5. JIDORI HALF CHICKEN: The chicken was okay, a little dry despite the shakshuka sauce. SERVICE (5/5): Service was good! AMBIENCE (4/5): Fun rooftop restaurant in Santa Monica. I was seated at table that didn't have the best views, but seeing the sunset with the comfort of a heater was still pleasant. PARKING (3/5): I parked street, but they may have valet - not sure. TAKEAWAYS: I liked Calabra and would have loved to try even more of their offerings - the branzino especially caught my eye. Unfortunately I probably won't be going back because although the food is good, it doesn't justify the price point. For reference, Bestia's marinated olives appetizer is 9 dollars, while Calabra's is 16.

Quite a beautiful rooftop restaurant located in the very fancy Santa Monica. Came here as part of a…read morework dinner, so I was in a large group (12 people almost!). The beauty of Mediterranean food is that it's perfect to share with large groups. Because I had some fellow vegetarians (and veg friendly people) with me, ordering was quite fun. We almost ordered every vegetarian mezze, which included: Mezze sampler: the Muhammara was my favorite of them all and the naan was amazing. Very soft, but flavorful. Sprouted cauliflower: interesting way they made it. Golden tahini had a nice touch. Pickled vegetables: loved them Greek fries: can't go wrong with that Roasted sweet potato: surprisingly quite good and a very different palate from the fries. Baked feta: interesting, but this wasn't a fan favorite amongst the group. While our non-vegetarian colleagues enjoyed the octopus, we were nearly full with just the mezze. We decided to go ahead and order the mushroom skewers while the other side enjoyed the tomahawk. Everyone was full after all this food. The cocktails kept flowing. I stuck with just one Urfa mezcalita while enjoying the views for the remainder of the night. This lasted until dessert where plenty were ordered. I got a chocolate gelato not realizing I'd get two scoops. Sadly I could only finish one scoop. Anyhow, there are heaters all over the rooftop so that people can enjoy throughout the year. They do have to crank it up as needed, but it's there. Can't mention price much because this was work sanctioned, but it was a great decision.

The food here is so good. I love it I always come here amazing service excellent food!read more

really good food took me back to dubai! i'll definitely drive from oc back to la againread more

Food came out hot and fresh - took a little longer than I thought (15 min?), but it was WELL worth…read morethe wait. Everything in here is made in house--I'm no Mediterranean food expert but it was a delicious pick me up after class. The falafels, while small, were crunchy and packed with flavor. I especially liked the cold hummus and tahini on the hot pita; not only were they seasoned well, and just-right, the hummus was smooth, and the tahini had some sort of seeds(?), which added the perfect texture. The dining area is well ventilated, with many windows, letting in natural light and air. While it's nothing fancy, it gives traditional, family restaurant vibes, which I personally love. Overall a nice spot! I'd recommend a friend to go :)

Quite possibly the best falafel I've ever had. There are only a handful of tables and there's no…read morereal atmosphere - but that's part of the charm. Why only 4 stars? Prices were updated in the cash register but not on the menu, making us feel like we might have been ripped off. Also, they surcharge credit card transactions, which always annoys me. Their costs of doing business should be in their prices.