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    Manchego

    4.4 (1.3k reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:30 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Manchego Photos

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    MANCHEGO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Intimate
    Romantic
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Manchego

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    Reviews With Photos - Manchego

    Mel D.

    We were in the area and decided to find a good happy hour spot. We found Manchego on yelp and they had some good deals plus they had an outdoor patio for our pup to join us. Parking was easy, you can find metered parking on the street or if you drive around to the back of the restaurant there was a parking lot (paid). The ambiance of the restaurant was nice, the outdoor patio in the front of the restaurant was quaint - plenty of umbrellas and quite spacious. The happy hour menu had some great deals - $9-$15 which a lot less then their regular dinner prices. You can find their happy hour menu on their website. We tried the spicy garlic shrimp which was our favorite. Our second fave was the mac & cheese (manchego). Delicious! Our least favorite was the tortilla espanola. Wine was $9. The staff was super friendly and their happy hour was pretty busy. Once it started getting busy, everything took a long time so I suggest you try to get their early and order everything up front (rather then a dish here and there). But it's a great place and we'd love to head back to try their paella.

    Patio

    an easy, under-the-radar gem that's perfect for a beach day dinner or low-key date night. we were able to walk in without a wait, and the vibe feels relaxed, welcoming, and ettortlessly. popularity: underrated spot - easy walk-in seating, especially compared to other santa monica dinner spots formality: casual chic - think sundress, nice top and jeans, or an easy elevated beach look hidden happy hour: tuesday-friday: 5-6:30pm saturday-sunday: 3-6:30pm $8-$13 small plates & tapas $8 sangria (red or white) $9 house wine $8-$9 beers (including spanish bottles) local secret: the lamb burger is a MUST. it's only on the happy hour menu and lowkey one of the best things there. manchego is perfect for sharing a bunch of small plates, a couple glasses of sangria, and lingering on the patio while it's still golden outside.

    Christine C.

    Very cozy, romantic and intimate setting. The restaurant ca seat perhaps 60? We had reservations for 6 on a Sunday, hostess greeted us warmly and was pleasant. Dining is family sharing setting- we ordered the fig and goat cheese - So good! The garlic shrimp, Tortilla Española, Shishito Peppers, Briased Short Rib, Goat Cheese with Fig and the Pallela (clams, large shrimp- this was silently too salty for us)- all else was delicious quite the experience. For drinks we ordered the red sangria (pitcher) the the white sangria- the white was sweater tha the red but both still great. For dessert we had churros served with chocolate dip. Our server was extremely attentive and all other waiters who assisted us. I would highly recommend this for intimate dinners and small groups. Plenty of street meter parking there is also a lot in rear with meters. You gotta check this place out for a Spanish cusin

    Eugene O.

    If you're a fan of Spanish tapas, but you've never been to this restaurant, you're missing out on an incredible experience. I've been to this restaurant three times now and each time has been better than the next. Each dish is carefully prepared to perfection. There are a number of dishes that I would recommend, but here are my favorites: -The cured meat and cheese plate. You can build your own plate from several options, but I get the manchego cheese, idiazabal cheese, jamon serrano, chorizo soria and lomo embuchado. The jamon is the star here. -Goat cheese and dried fig tostado. It's both sweet and savory. I'm an animal. I eat it in one bite, but my wife says you can enjoy the different ingredients better if you take smaller bites. -Fried patatas. Think country style potatoes except all jazzed up. The key to this dish, which elevates it to the next level, are the sauces. -Mac and Manchego cheese with bacon on top. This is my favorite mac and cheese anywhere. It's so creamy and delicious. -Hangar steak served medium. It's difficult to choose my favorite dish here, but this might be my favorite. What can I say? It's beef, it's tender, and cooked perfectly. Final thoughts: -Reservations are recommended. It does stink that I had to create an account on Resy to book the appointment, but this place is worth it. If you're provided the option of dining inside or outside, I would choose inside. It's cozier inside the restaurant. -There is paid parking in the back of the restaurant. None of that valet crap.

    Spanish octopus
    Patti P.

    We arrived at the doorstep via Waymo . The ambience was dark, but comforting. The tables were set with beautiful silverware and dishes. The restaurant was pretty loud because they were having a large party, but it just added to the busy vibe. I had the Spanish octopus which was quite amazing, super tender, and served artistically. We had some beautiful Scampi and had the Lobster Mac which was in croute and wonderful and followed up with caramel flan, which was excellent.

    Sam G.

    I dream about this place day and night. If there, truthfully, was one restaurant I could eat at for the rest of my life, it would be here at Manchego. My sister and I went with a reservation, which would be great for busier times as the place is a bit small, but it wasn't super busy when we went. The service was fantastic and everyone was incredibly kind. I cannot recall the name of all the tapas we ordered, but everything we ABSOLUTELY enjoyed. Now, I will say I could pass on the Mac and cheese, but everything else was incredible. Genuinely one of the best food places I've ever been to and will definitely be back to!

    Mac n cheese
    Kyara B.

    Sat in their outdoor patio area as they were renovating inside. They had heat lamps on so it wasn't an issue! They decorated the tables with adorable dainty flowers. Their plates were giving grandma core in the cutest way possible. Loved the vibe. Patatas - Soft pillowy potatoes with a crunchy exterior. Yummy sauce on top. Mac and Cheese - THIS ONE. GET THIS ONE! Seriously so darn delicious. Creamy cheesy goodness. So good I wanted to order another to-go. Spinach Croquetas - Crispy on the outside and soft and flavorful on the inside. Came with a red spicy sauce. Might have been the same as the one on the patatas? Felt a little more mild, probably because there was another white feta sauce on top. Beet Burrata Salad - LOTS of burrata. They did not play around!! A sizable portion too. I know I ordered a beet salad but imo there were too many beets in it. Mushroom Risotto - Cooked perfectly. Very creamy. Sizable portion. A little more of this and it could've acted as an entree elsewhere. Brussel Sprouts - It was more like brussel sprout leaves than the actual mini cabbage. A little strange but the taste was good. A large amount of shaved cheese was sprinkled on top. You can also get the bacon on the side to make it vegetarian. Short Ribs - Falls off the bone. Delicious! Broccolini - Seasoned well. Had crispy (i think) onions on top. A little overboard on those. Overall, I enjoyed my experience here. The food was made well and had tons of flavor to it. The mac n cheese was my favorite item. They must've put cr*ck in it because it was so good!! I was fiending for more frfr. Our waitress was super attentive and the food came out timely. Would love to dine inside when they finish renovations - the photos online looked cute. So many vegetarian options and easily modified plates to be vegetarian. Definitely will be back!

    Red Sangria
    Megan G.

    Perfect place for a grad dinner! Making a reservation was super easy via and we were quickly seated as soon as we arrived. The timing and order of the courses was impeccable and my personal favorites were the bacon wrapped dates and the pork belly. I recommend dining inside unless it's warm outside as it's a more intimate setting with candle lit tables. Parking is hard on the street but if you park a block over there is cheap public lots!

    short ribs, crispy polenta
    Alex L.

    This was a nice date night setting spot as the place was relatively intimate. We got lots of recommendations from our server, which was nice because there were so many tapas to choose from. Tried the Mushroom Croquetas (5/5 well executed), Jamón Wrapped Dates (3/5 I think it was a good idea but just lot of goat cheese), Broccolini (3/5 had way too much lemon), Mac and Manchego Cheese (3/5 I think the first bit was good but the dish was a lot), Lamb Meatballs (4/5 a tad salty), Short Ribs (4/5 also a bit salty), and the Flan (5/5 solid). I think overall Manchego had a lot of creativity and unique flavors which was great, but I think they were a little heavy handed with these. It wasn't a very heavy meal, so tummy feel wise I couldn't eat very much of it.

    I have nothing but amazing things to say about Manchego. I recently celebrated my 24th birthday there and the staff were nothing but helpful beginning to end. I originally wanted to have a 12 person party which in the end grew to 19 and it was on a Saturday night! The hosts were so accommodating in adding people to the reservation. When we arrived we had the whole back patio and tables were scattered around but they were happy for us to move the tables around so that it suited how I wanted it to be. The food was amazing and the wine and the service was impeccable. Special shout out to Jimmy our amazing waiter who made the night so personal and absolutely fantastic. I would recommend this place to anyone !! Please go!!

    Menu!
    Tessa R.

    Me and my partner went on our first date here over 12 years ago and we're still coming through strong! It is one of the most romantic restaurants in LA and it's so original because it has a TAPAS menu (meaning the table orders a bunch of small plates and shares them! Spanish Style! The variety is amazing and the quality is the best of best. Because it's not just the same as all those other trendy spots in east LA this gem has so much charm and personality! There's a front room that's nice and dark and romantic with the lights and dark booths and then there's a beautiful patio in the back that is just perfect! Plants on the walls with beautiful decor! Just magical with lights and booths for larger parties! Come for a couple dishes and a drink or stuff yourself silly! Everything is absolutely delicious here!!

    Deviled eggs, mushroom croquetas
    Jenna L.

    A little pricey for what you get, but everything was really good. Small tapas dishes to share, that you get maybe 1-2 bites of each (between 2 people). Top it off with wine, and you've got a fantastic meal here. Great date spot or cozy, quiet, dark-ish spot to chat (we went as 2 gals)! Service was really attentive and professional

    Mimosas

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    Live tapas, their wine is directly from spain, been there zillion times. Everything is good

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    Page 1 of 32

    Manchego Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Manchego

    Is there vegan options?

    Absolutely !

    What is the parking situation?

    Is the regular menu available during weekend brunch?

    Yes. I was just there yesterday, Sunday 07/25, and I was able to order everything from the main menu.

    Happy hour menu?

    Yes- I get happy just thinking about it!

    Is Manchego still doing happy hour during outdoor dining?

    Yes! I there just last week and happy hour is 5-6:30 pm

    What is the corkage fee?

    25 dollar corkage fee

    Do they have paella? The Spanish seafood fried rice

    Only on the weekend and it's only for to go no dining in with paella

    Is Manchego open for dine-in yet?

    Yes, we went yesterday (July 1st) - reservation is recommended due to limited available seats

    Do you take reservations for Saturday evenings?

    Yes, they take reservations every day of the week.

    Hi what is the maximum occupancy?

    If I had to take a guess, 50-75, but you can always call the place and double check :)

    Hello! Are very well behaved dogs allowed on the patio?

    Hi Tania, I was there a few days ago and don’t recall there being a patio. The place is rather small so there may not be room inside.… Read more

    Recommended for a late evening drink?

    No, I don’t think so. They only serve beer and wine, and close at 10pm (11pm Fri/Sat). Plus, it’s a restaurant and doesn’t have a bar/lounge area. So if you only want a drink, it’s not the best place.

    Do you need to reserve a table to be seated, and is it kid friendly?

    This is a fairly small restaurant. It was totally full the entire time we were there. I would recommend making a reservation.

    Is this a byob restaurant?

    Nope

    Do they have gluten-free paella?

    Well, paella is made with rice, which is gluten free, but I guess you should check with them to be safe.

    View All 16 Questions

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    Teleferic Barcelona

    Teleferic Barcelona

    4.1
    (564 reviews)
    3.5 mi

    Finding a last minute spot for a party of 7 for Mother's Day/birthday is challenging so we were…read morehappy when we stumbled upon this spot on open table. We found parking on the street but you still have to pay at the meters on a Sunday. Valet was $15 for the first 2 hours. When we got there staff was very friendly and welcoming and we were seated within 10min. The space is trendy and modern and they have a little market right next to the restaurant. Menu offers tapas, paella, greens and main dishes. We were told paella takes about 30min but it came out within 15min. Everything we ordered off the menu was exceptional and we were left very satisfied. Patatas bravas have a little kick to them which we loved. Crab croquettes were soft and melted in your mouth. Paella mixta was so flavorful and the medium was more than enough for all of us. Brussels sprouts wee good but ai would probably skip it next time. Wagyu empanadas were also a must! Overall amazing experience and can't wait to come back!!

    I don't understand where the disconnect came from - better paella in Spain and on the east side of…read moreLA - I wanted so wanted to love this place, but it reminded me nothing of Spain. I have tasted much better paella's here in Los Angeles. Although I was extremely disappointed when served our orders, this was below even what we have in LA. Ambience amazing the reflection of stars has nothing to do with the service whatsoever. Actually our service was excellent. It was the food that ruined the experience. This is recently not uncommon in LA. We ordered the patatas bravas, camarones alijillo... I understand that every restaurant has to put their spin on it but this was really missing the mark... since when do we put a aioli sauce in paella or even on potatoes. Yuk!! Amsterdam, maybe but not in seafood. Also chimichurri on shrimp wow this is super new - I ordered paella in Spain at least 20 times and I've never seen it like this. Sangria excellent! Paella 5/10 - I know that they are cooking the seafood whilst still having the paella come out al dente - but our seafood was severely overcooked not much lobster, and a very thin layer of paella - incredibly disappointed, although it was date night and that made it great. I would not recommend this restaurant for paella. It has a great atmosphere. Good drinks nice atmosphere. I know this sounds terrible, but I'm just going to have to go back to La paella for the time being since a few of the restaurants that we frequent have closed - so we will see how long this lasts. Off to look for more restaurants with excellent paella. We definitely have a lacking here in the prime Westside.

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    Unique Cocktails Spanish Date Night
    Unique Cocktails Spanish Date Night
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    Xuntos Santa Monica

    Xuntos Santa Monica

    4.0
    (156 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    This restaurant is an absolute gem in Santa Monica. A passage to Spain with incredible atmosphere,…read morefreshly-cut, heady jamon, and beautifully executed Spanish tapas. You can tell a woman is in charge here! Felt like going over to a friend's house if the friend were the height of culinary posh. I would be a regular if I lived locally. Until next time!!

    We had a great meal! Everything was very flavorful and delicious!…read more- croquetas de jamon- perfect little bites that were crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside - albo scallops (tin can) - this was probably my favorite, tasted good on all the other bites and on its own - beet and cherry gazpacho - light and refreshing on a hot day Pa amb tomaquet & jamon iberico - classic combo, the half portion was enough for 2 Fideos negro - sooo flavorful, ok the components of the sauce, squid ink and squid were really nice together Pork chop- had a delicious fennel salad with it and the crust on the pork was so good! Maybe just a kiss over cooked for me and could have been a little more juicy but it would only take it from great to perfect Tortilla esponola - ordered for our daughter but we ate more than half, oops! Cocktail - playa de Vega- Smokey, a little sweet, what's not to love Espresso martini - we ordered simple vodka espresso martinis, not their on menu one, was traditional and no complaints Tarta de Santiago- almond cake, was a good ending, the cake had a nice texture, not overly sweet, the whipped cream was great and the orange was a nice addition Definitely will be coming back! Our server basically ordered for us which was perfect. Ambiance was great and the music was good. We sat up on the balcony which was nice and intimate.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Tarta de Santiago
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    Edgemar

    Edgemar

    4.4
    (205 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Had such a great experience at Edgemar in Santa Monica. We went on a Sunday during Coachella…read moreweekend, so LA was basically a ghost town and we found street parking right away. The ambiance is beautifully done, modern coastal. Perfect for a comfortable but elevated dinner. We started with the bread service, chili wontons, and gem lettuce. The bread service was my favorite, warm, soft, and the miso butter was divine. The chili wontons were also a standout, especially if you enjoy dim sum. They had great flavor and balance. The gem lettuce was fresh and simple, reminiscent of Jon & Vinny's in the best way. For entrees we had the butter shrimp and Scottish salmon, both really good, no complaints. But honestly the appetizers stole the show for me. Would definitely come back just to try more of the starters. Such a good spot.

    My husband and I went to Edgemar for a low key Valentine's dinner. It was our first time here and…read morehonestly probably our last. The space is really nice and the vibe is great. It was a Saturday night and pretty empty, but we did go on the earlier side. Our server was also really friendly and attentive, definitely a highlight. The food just didn't hit for us. The bread service was disappointing and looked nothing like the photos we saw. Not sure if we got the wrong thing, but it wasn't good. The shrimp toast was decent but super heavy. The Caesar was not great, and no one mentioned it comes with whole anchovies on top. I'm fine with anchovy in the dressing, but the actual pieces were a lot. The chicken karaage was okay, again really heavy, but the sauce was the best part. We also tried the taco special which was just alright, nothing memorable. Overall, the vibe and service were good, but the food didn't live up to it. Probably wouldn't come back.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
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    Prawns
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    Interior
    Massilia

    Massilia

    4.3
    (1k reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    Wonderful indoor/outdoor patio adjacent to cool dark-ish dining room and large bar. (Looks like…read moreit wud be awesome place to rent out for a special event!) -- They have a great happy hour drink+food menu and the full dinner menu has several dishes I really enjoy. (There's 1 main dish I didn't care for -- but can't even remember what was.) The wonderful ambiance, enhanced by friendly, attentive & fun servers (+ enticing happy hour prices) are the driving reasons I continue to return. Sometimes I bring my laptop and can do my work while comfortably enjoying happy hour....... and then I'll stay for dinner too. I live in the neighborhood and I'm appreciative of Massilia's delicious hospitality.

    My in-laws were in the area and my wife got to choose where we went for dinner, so let's insert…read moreMassilia into the mix! We had what I believe was a 7PM reservation and got seated right away on a Saturday night inside an absolutely stunning restaurant. It's on the darker side in here (which I personally like), is absolutely massive with both indoor and outdoor seating, and had such a friendly staff I now personally consider our waiter a family member and my new Uncle. The menu here has a a great selection of french dishes, pasta dishes, appetizers, and desserts to top it off (even though I was too stuffed for that). For an appetizer the table ordered the Pan Con Tomate with Prosciutto and even though it's not something I would of personally picked, I did enjoy the small amount I had. For a main course I went with one of my favourite dishes of all time, Steak Frites! Massilia did not skimp on portions here or kill you with price. The steak itself was served with an absolutely amazing chimichurri sauce and a boat load of french fries. Every aspect of the plate was incredible and for $32? Yeah, I'll be coming back in the future. The steak was served rare and was absolutely mouth watering while the french fries were crispy and had great flavour. Overall, Massilia was perfect choice for dinner and an absolute gem in Santa Monica. The atmosphere and restaurant were amazing, the staff was delightful, and the food was perfect. I couldn't recommend this place more if I wanted too, I'll definitely be back in the future!

    Photos
    Rolling fresh pita bread
    Rolling fresh pita bread
    Shrimp Aguachile - Avocado
    Shrimp Aguachile - Avocado
    Fresh Homemade pasta with Kale and Squash

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    Fresh Homemade pasta with Kale and Squash
    Tar & Roses

    Tar & Roses

    4.5
    (2.8k reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$$
    Romantic vibe
    Locally sourced ingredients

    The food and the wine are incredible here. We came here right before we got engaged in 2018, and…read morewhat I wanted for our 6th anniversary was to come back, and we did in September! The mains that are wood-fired are delicate and delicious. I appreciate all the bold wine pairings, especially with meat. Wood-roasted bone marrow was incredible! The duck breast was moist and sweet! My husband got the lamb shank, which was by far the best with bold Middle Eastern flavors like zhoug and labneh. You must try!

    Tar & Roses is a mixed bag with one genuine high point…read more The menu is where it lost me. It swings from Vietnamese small plates to a straightforward steak, and the range never settles into a point of view -- it reads less like a confident eclectic kitchen than a grab bag. The fried red snapper was the standout: crisp, well-cooked, good enough to stand on its own. It came with a fish sauce for dipping that it didn't need -- a wedge of lemon on the side would have suited it far better. The Vietnamese crab cake was a real miss; I couldn't get past it. The dumplings were fine but forgettable. Service ran to extremes. Our server was warm and eager, almost too eager -- he pushed a bottle of wine we weren't sold on, and we ordered it anyway. Then, after all that attentiveness, he disappeared toward the end of the meal and never came back. The wine list was fine, nothing memorable. There's real skill in that kitchen -- the snapper proves it -- but the meal never added up to more than its parts. I left full, not delighted.

    Photos
    Tar & Roses
    Tar & Roses
    Tar & Roses

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    Si! Mon

    Si! Mon

    4.4
    (350 reviews)
    1.5 mi

    My husband and I were craving something different and thank the food gods, we stumbled on Si! Mon!…read more The location is beautiful and has a dreamy candlelit vibe. We sat at the bar while we waited for our table and the bartender was so nice and gave us recommendations on the menu. The 'Way of the Road' milk punch was so perfect--smooth and flavorful, it was almost too yummy. My husband had a couple of the spirit-free drinks and he loved them, too--he said they were much better than the usual mixed juices that get passed as mocktails! And to complement the delicious drinks... oh my THE FOOD. We tried so many things and every single one had such a unique flavor. We over-ordered because we were celebrating my birthday, but did we leave a single morsel on the plate? No... no we did not. Highlights of the apps/small plates were the kanpachi ceviche (his fave), the tuna carpaccio tostada (mine!), and the baked oysters. We figured there's no way the main dish could top what we had (especially considering it was fish which is never my favorite), but holy moley the kanpachi en banana leaf with its delicious makrut lime flavor... I'm going to think of you fondly until I get to come back! (For any cilantro haters like me, I didn't even realize it was in there until right now when I'm referencing the menu to write this review, so don't miss out just cuz of that!). The side of coconut rice was so fluffy and perfect (not the usual sticky sweet version that's personally not my jam). For dessert we tried both the sticky toffee and the toasted coconut flan and they were both amazing, too. The flan had this touch of lime zest that added lightness and freshness and helped to cap off the meal without being too rich, so that was my favorite. Shout out to Diane for being such a fun server--we loved your energy and you made my birthday extra special--thank you!!!

    Si! Mon has been one of my favorite meals in LA, period. Everything is excellent and extremely…read moredelicious and well crafted. The portions are also a solid size and not so tiny you don't leave full. Every single thing I had was a hit, from the fried chicken, to the tartare, to the pork belly and the dumplings - just divine, everything. The service was excellent and the vibes are intimate though the space is large. I highly highly recommend checking this place out as someone who likes most things but rarely loves a place this much, you really need to check it out. The drinks were also well crafted. The flavors take you on a bit of a journey with their complexity and the flavors blend so thoughtfully together. It's a meal to remember, and definitely a great option for a special occasion, too!

    Photos
    Inside - bar area
    Inside - bar area
    Sticky toffee pudding ($12)
    Sticky toffee pudding ($12)
    Curry spiced sashimi

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    Curry spiced sashimi
    Rustic Canyon

    Rustic Canyon

    3.9
    (1.6k reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    I'll tell you what this place was much better than I expected. I was a bit nervous. But I was ready…read moreto explore and experiment with my pallet. I love the idea of it being fun to table. So let's start the very beginning. It's Santa Monica and parking does suck. I'm just gonna say that flat out. It's hard to find parking. There's no parking structure or valet that's near. It is pretty loud at this restaurant. However, the food is divine. My favorite thing was the royal oysters, I could eat a dozen! My second favorite would have to be the Japanese sweet potato flautas. We were a group before, and we sampled each other's dishes. So we had the flautas the roasted chicken and the pork shoulder. we also had the bluefin tuna ceviche with blood orange not my favorite, but not terrible either a little bit too sweet for my liking. We also had the honey ice cream. And I had the espresso martini which was delicious. Now I know the menu changes regarding the season, but overall, I would definitely return. I love experimenting with my palette and I'm such a foodie so I'm glad it was worth it lol. Mara and Randal were great!

    The good: food is 5 stars, creative, delicious. Our busy server was a delight as well. I would…read moreabsolutely return except... The horrid: the noise level is unconscionable. I would've left--earplugs are necessary if you don't want to lose your hearing, it's truly that loud--if it weren't for our delightful server. She apologized, said our table is particularly bad given placement of the speakers. She said that she and her colleagues know how bad it is, they get lots of complaints and agree themselves. "But as the night wears on and managers drink more, they like a party atmosphere and so turn it up. My fellow servers and I will try to turn it down when they aren't looking." And to her credit, she did just that. A few minutes later, my table was able to talk and think and not lose our hearing again. I was poised to give Rustic Canyon a 5-start review until some presumably drunk manager turned it up again. Fortunately by that time, we were soon to leave anyway. We are ages 16, 29, 40, 53, 62, and 64. All of us agreed in the car that our ears can't go back until the sound level changes. Truly too bad. Because I really liked it otherwise.

    Photos
    Main dining room
    Main dining room
    Tuna crudo
    Tuna crudo
    Ricotta cake

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    Ricotta cake
    The Misfit Restaurant + Bar

    The Misfit Restaurant + Bar

    4.2
    (4.7k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    We had a very good experience here! Our waitress was friendly, fast, and gave great…read morerecommendations! We split two appetizers, which was plenty due to the portion size. Drinks were delicious and the vibe was fun!

    I finally made it to The Misfit in Santa Monica, and honestly, the interior is giving major…read moreBalthazar-meets-Parisian-speakeasy energy. It's located in the old Clock Tower building, and the Art Deco decor is absolutely stunning--dark enough to hide a bad day but vibrant enough for a girls' night. The Vibe: It's loud, lively, and perfectly "bohemian chic". If you're coming on a weekend, prepare for a crowd, but it's the good kind of crowded where everyone looks like they just came from a gallery opening. The Food: I'm still thinking about the Crispy Chicken Sandwich--it was juicy, perfectly seasoned, and came with a fennel-apple slaw that actually felt fresh. We also shared the Bacon Wrapped Dates (obviously) and the Hand Cut Kennebec Fries, which arrive in a bowl so huge it could basically be its own zip code. The Drinks: Their Happy Hour is arguably the best in the city. I had the Japanese Dream with matcha, and it was expertly crafted--not too sweet, which is my biggest pet peeve. The "Misfit" Moment: The service can be a tiny bit slow when it's "rammed," and there's a 4% kitchen fee that feels a bit unnecessary, but they make up for it with those complimentary sea salt chocolate chip cookies at the end. They are warm, gooey, and life-changing. One major heads-up: I heard a rumor they might be closing their doors on April 18th due to some landlord drama, so get there while you still can.

    Photos
    The Misfit Restaurant + Bar
    The Misfit Restaurant + Bar
    The Misfit Restaurant + Bar

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    Manchego - spanish - Updated July 2026

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