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    Matu Kai

    4.1 (116 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM

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    MATU KAI ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Matu Kai

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    Steak Tartare, Japanese Accent was exceptional
    Christine L.

    We had reservations for dinner here which we highly recommend. I've had the cheesesteak sandwich before but we wanted to try their full dinner menu. We got: -steak tartare -garlic bread -spiced tahini Cesar -10 oz ribeye We absolutely LOVED all the appetizers. They were exceptional. The steak is good but nothing mind blowing. Would definitely come back for drinks and apps.

    A la Louisiane
    Jimmy S.

    This place is known for their wagyu Philly cheesesteak. It was very tender and good meat quality. The onions and big pepper went well with a kick with a quality all around the ingredients. The sesame roll has a texture that reminds me of a Chinese sesame ball which makes it extra chewy and not jaw breaking. The staff is really nice and make good cocktails. I had the a la Louisiane that had absinthe wash and it was strong, herbaceous and good. I paid 36$ after autograt and tax which is pricey. But that that for what you will assuming they pay their staff with the autograt (they better). The vibe was romantic but also casual. Their playlist is very random but mostly old classics

    Cheesesteak
    Isabella S.

    We came here for lunch to get the cheesesteak at the bar and it was soooo yummy!!! Wasn't crowded at all & we didn't have to wait (there were 5 of us) which I was surprised about! The service was ok - it took a bit longer than expected but it was honestly so worth it for how amazing and life changing this cheesesteak was. The portion was big, meat was so so good and fresh, the peppers added a perfect kick and it was so warm and delish! I recommend getting with a side of chips too because those were nice and fresh as well! Since we sat at the bar it was a lot more of a casual vibe and since we were there for lunch, but I'd love to come and try their dinner as well. Overall highly recommend trying out the cheesesteak for lunch though!

    Chips
    Crystal H.

    Rating based on their lunch! Came here for their famous Philly cheesesteak and it was soooo good. It comes out super hot with a pepper that gets really spicy on sesame bread (loveee). Overall experience was great. They only have a few items on the lunch menu. Also ordered the salad that was so refreshing with a citrusy dressing. The wait can get long, as it's just bar seating, first come first serve. Came on a Monday lunch at 12, while it rained and on a holiday, and by the time we were eating, there was like 10 people waiting, so it's best to get there right when they open! Would def get again! Sandwich is big enough for 2 meals! But I don't eat that much haha

    Peter S.

    Having been to the Beverly Hills location a few times (including lunch for cheese steak sandwiches), thought it would be great to check out the newer Brentwood spot. Felt bigger than Beverly Hills, a bit larger in general but definitely at the bar. Service is always top notch, so we were greeted right away and asked if we've been or needed help or drinks. We went right for the Matu' dinner for 2, so we could try a bit of a few things since it's 5 courses. Never tried the garlic bread before but sounded good while we waited and it's that same delicious bread from the steak sandwiches so we were super happy. Course 1 - Bone broth which is tasty but feels like a throwaway to call it a 'course' but there was plenty of food coming Course 2 - Tartare was perfectly seasoned and the right portion as you really can only eat so much Course 3 - Thought he said short rib (menu says beef cheek) was amazing, as it was ridiculously tender. Perfect portion with a bit of red sauce on top of celeriac puree that we thought was polenta (so creamy and delicious) Course 4 - Filet with their '47' salad. Perfectly cooked wagyu with just the right/light amount of seasoning alongside a little salad similar to a light caeser Course 5 - We went ribeye (you can choose NY Strip) along with grilled broccolini Same as the filet, perfectly cooked and enough seasoning to let the flavor of the meat come through. Broccolini can be bitter but this was very tasty and helped to contrast the steak. This is Wagyu beef cooked to perfection and why we keep coming back! Quick tip - For those who have not been before, take a look at the pictures and reviews. This is how their steaks are done, don't ask for medium well (or more) as it's not that kind of place.

    Bar seating
    Emily F.

    Wanted to try the famous bar-only wagyu Philly cheesesteak and it was phenomenal. We had the bar salad to start which was fresh and loaded with grated parm which is never a bad thing. But the sandwich came out piping hot, the sesame bread was so crispy but not rip the top of your mouth hard. The pepper is a bit spicy if you can't handle so I would recommend taking it out and cutting out all the seeds then adding back in if you need. Wasn't heavy at all and would so get this at the price its at than a mediocre Philly cheesesteak with crappy quality meat.

    Rachel C.

    My husband and I finally came to Matu Kai for their famous cheesesteaks and WOW. They did not disappoint!!! We both ordered one each. I also had an espresso martini (delicious!) and my husband ordered an old fashioned I believe. He seemed perfectly happy! The cheesesteaks are huge. I was so happy to bring half of mine home and have for lunch the next day - i heated it up in our toaster oven - and it was just as good. The chips it came with were also so tasty. The only downside was the lack of reservations for the bar (which is allegedly the only place you can order the cheesesteak). It took a little over an hour to be seated, but I did appreciate that they would have let us wait inside for an open spot. We will definitely be back!!!

    13-14 oz Ribeye, Hand-Cut Fries from HiHo, Maltagliati (pasta from UOVO)
    Ryan K.

    I was able to piece together while visiting that the same group that runs Matu Kai runs a few of my other favorite restaurants around west LA that never disappoint, and this was no exception. The curated menu options seemed like a great option for very hungry diners, but I found I could order most of the same items and be a little more price-conscious. All of the food was exceptional, the service was fast and friendly, and the atmosphere was very high end. My only complaint would be that the tables are a bit too close together for the servers to access the tables like they tried too.

    Philly Cheesesteak
    Kevin P.

    Little quick review. Stop by here for lunch for their Philly Cheesesteak and boy, just like their original Matu location in BH. It's fantastic and delicious. It's 8 ounces of Waygu ribeye and Sirloin, sharp cheese with grilled onions and long hot pepper in their freshly backed sesame roll. Thier Cheesesteak is only available during lunch hour 11:30-2pm at the bar only. It's first come first served, no reservations. Service was fast and easy. You order you eat then you go. simple.

    Cheesesteak - only at the bar!
    Christopher P.

    Ahh...so. First, I've been to the Beverly Hills Matu location and loved dinner there. Truly, five stars. Matu Kai, in Brentwood? I had high expectations, though I took a different route. Philly cheese steak, at the bar. A few drinks. And then roll. Now the Philly cheese steak? Unlike what someone else mentioned, I did have it during happy hour, so I think that's still an option. It is technically first-come-first-serve, and so you have to order it before they run out for the evening. With that said, while it was a popular order I don't think they run out too quickly. The downside? I consider it an ok sandwich. It was good, yes, maybe delicious even, but calling it wagyu feels either like a stretch or a waste, and the price point feels appropriate to Brentwood but not to the food. I don't know, it's fine, it made me happy when drinking. But I'm not itching to eat it again. And maybe that's the point? 4/5, wouldn't complain if people wanted to do this again. But if they're building a whole restaurant around this Philly cheese steak?

    Cheesesteak
    Daniel W.

    Came for the cheesesteak to see what the hype was about, it was pretty good but not something I would wait an hour plus for like I see a lot of people posting. If I go back, I will ask for a little more cheese as it was a little dry.

    11 oz NY Strip
    Jennifer B.

    Matu Kai in Brentwood is a stylish neighborhood steakhouse known for its delicious grass-fed New Zealand Wagyu beef. The restaurant is very modern and relaxed with a focus on steakhouse dining. There are expertly prepared ribeyes and New York strips as well as its popular cheesesteak and seasonal pastas. The wonderful bold flavors and high-quality ingredients are noted in every bite! To have the cheesesteak you must sit at the bar and join that waitlist. We didn't have it but that is next on the list. We had the delicious: Beef Ragu Pasta, Broccolini, Picanha, Waygu Ribeye, and ended with strawberry penna cotta. The service was just as great as the food! Definitely a must for date night or just to eat out!

    Arturo's Panna Cotta, macerated strawberries
    Lucia L.

    Finally tried out the newest concept by the same restaurant group that founded Kazunori, Sugarfish, and Uovo, and it would be a mid-STEAK not to give it a try! Definitely recommend making a reservation to come here, especially with how busy the restaurant gets. If you arrive a bit earlier, they have a small indoor and outdoor lounge area where you can enjoy cocktails and wine before being seated. While we were waiting, we ordered the Cherry Blossom and Old Fashioned cocktails, which were made well and surprisingly strong. For our meal, we ordered their 24 hour bone broth, spiced tahini Caesar salad, short rib ragu (from Uovo), picanha and rustic ribeye. My favorite dish was definitely the short rib ragu, and while the steaks were good, as someone who prefer medium rare, I would recommend asking for the steaks to be cooked beyond their standard of warm and red in the middle (more like rare). Pacing of the food also needed a bit of work, since we spent quite a bit of time waiting for the next dish after we already finished the dishes served to us. I would expect to shell out a pretty penny for this experience, especially considering they have a mandatory 18% service fee (instead of taking tip/gratuity). I was also a bit disappointed that we were charged for our birthday dessert, since most places usually give that out for free, especially if you've already spent $400+ on a meal. Overall, this is a nice spot to celebrate a special occasion, but definitely enter with the expectation that it won't be the most affordable.

    Beef Frank Family, Napa Valley, California 2022 13-14 oz Ribeye

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    14 days ago

    They always nail the food and service every time. Super delicious and guaranteed a good time.

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    Matu Kai Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Matu Kai

    Do you serve the cheesesteak on the weekends?

    Hi Elizabeth, the cheesesteak is available for lunch and dinner at the bar counter 7 days a week.

    Is this halal? They are owned by HiHo.

    Hi Shereen. All the beef we serve is certified Halal. It is 100% grass-fed Wagyu from First Light Farms of New Zealand. While we are not a strictly Halal restaurant, our servers will be happy to help you navigate the menu.

    View All 3 Questions

    neat

    neat

    4.2(255 reviews)
    2.0 miSawtelle
    $$

    Came here for happy hour on a Friday night after work. Luckily we found street parking fairly…read moreeasily just about a block from the bar. Appreciate that the bartenders were attentive and that the place wasn't too full or busy. Happy hour drinks are worth the price. The regular cocktails are good but cannot compare to more well known places. I liked that there were bar seats, standing tables and seated areas. I wish they had some bar snacks but because they don't offer food, you can bring your own.

    Stopped in on a Saturday night. It may have been way too early (around 7:30pm) but we easily found…read morea seat at the bar. It had a cool vibe and tons of allocated bottles on the bar (tequila and whiskey and whisky to name a few categories). The staff greeted us quickly and supplied us with some menus. I opted for the Idyllwild cocktail and loved it! It had the most complementary flavors and was so refreshing with the bourbon, yuzu, chartreuse, honey, and lemon flavors. My husband opted for a neat Caballito Cerrero Puntas pour (high proof agave spirit). They only had 0.5 Oz for their bottle and only charged for the partial pour. People came in and ordered anything from cocktails to neat pours to flights. It was a cool spot and the bartenders seemed pretty well versed in different cocktails, giving a few suggestions to different patrons. Even making a few Espresso Martinis for a couple of girls that didn't really like their initial cocktails. Staff was cool, attentive, and pretty quick and efficient with the pours. I'd definitely be down to try more drinks here if we roll through again. Luckily, we found some close street parking and it wasn't super busy so we easily found parking in the area. It also wasn't super packed in the venue so we could've opted for other seating--lounge areas, a few tables, or just at the bar.

    Photos
    neat - Locked and loaded

    Locked and loaded

    neat - Great night tasting a unique brand - Koval

    Great night tasting a unique brand - Koval

    neat

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    Bar Chloe

    Bar Chloe

    3.9(511 reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$

    I loved this bar. It was such a vibe. Very dark and moody, and served up great drinks. Located in…read moresanta monica, its a great spot to walk to from a few other eateries. I had the french 75 and it was tasty. We werent there long but it was busy for a Thursday night, would love to come back.

    Intimate setting speakeasy, perfect sized room, great for date night and conversations. Nothing…read morememorable or impressive, not bad if you're around the area and want to stop by for quick drinks. Left after one drink, and went to another bar. Most of the bars are dive bars in downtown Santa Monica, and parking is quite accessible for this place. So I'd recommend for that reason. In terms of the drinks, I'm a huge fan of cocktail but I would say their menu selections are a bit limited. Nothing in the signature cocktail looks interesting to me, so I had the bartender make a classic cocktail instead. He's very attentive and friendly, didn't take forever to get a drink either, no attitude. Drinks aren't watered down either. Nice! You come here to grab quick drinks when you don't feel like being at a loud dive bar in the area, it's in a hotel but not too upscale, no strict dress code. Music is not loud and they have couches and booth if bar table if not your thing, you don't have to yell or pretend you hear everything to hold a conversation here (lol). ** Keep in mind 20% gratuity is automatically included in bill, it's my first time here. But I think I've other spots I'd prefer to be in, even at Santa Monica. Wouldn't be self-motivated to come back because there are better places that specialises mixology, and there are also better upscale hotel bars to be at. But if you're around the area it's a great intimate bar for date night that's not overly pricey. Wouldn't travel all the way to here just for this (if you know what I mean).

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    Bar Chloe
    Bar Chloe
    Bar Chloe

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    The Rosegold Saloon - Buffalo Cauliflower bites... nutritious and delicious!!

    The Rosegold Saloon

    4.9(177 reviews)
    2.0 miSawtelle
    $$$

    My partner and I LOVE Rosegold. The staff and owners are so friendly, welcoming and attentive. We…read moredef. feel we are amongst friends when going and absolutely love their passion. AND THE FOOD! Delicious chicken tacos, pepperjack bites, sliders....we love everything we try here and cannot get enough. The vibes, the staff, the food. It's the perfect mix of easy vibes, phenomenal staff, wonderfully tasty food and superb deals. We always feel at home here. This is truly a GEM in Los Angeles.

    I went here for a meet up and because I was hungry. There was a special event for a meet up. I…read moresigned up on the list, and the "bouncers" were so nice. I got there at 9:15 & the special event started at 9, because again I'm old and hungry. The place use to be SF saloon which was more divey but with the lights and the new decor, definitely looking more upscale. I ran into an old friend, bartender, Matt. Love you, Matt! He's alway been the best attentive bartender I know. I was happy to see he picked up this special event. There was another lovely bartender named Rachel, who was such an absolute darling. Everyone was extremely nice. I was recommended the crispy ahi bites, and it was so good, I would have licked the hosein sauce off the plate, but I'm a lady so I withheld the urge. The crispy rice was perfectly crispy, chewy, and delicious. Highly recommend it. The fish taco was perfect. Nothing special just good. I'll love to go back for brunch one day.

    Photos
    The Rosegold Saloon - Inside bar

    Inside bar

    The Rosegold Saloon - Tuna bites, brussel sprouts

    Tuna bites, brussel sprouts

    The Rosegold Saloon - Late night bites Fish taco $7

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    Late night bites Fish taco $7

    The Wellesbourne - Afuri Popup

    The Wellesbourne

    4.0(1.1k reviews)
    2.4 miWest Los Angeles
    $$$

    A stunning lounge that leans fully into that old money, royal feel. Every detail is intentional…read more Dark wood, rich textures, low lighting. It doesn't just look good, it pulls you into a different mood the moment you walk in. The space is thoughtfully split. One side has a cozy fireplace with lounge seating that feels intimate and elevated. The other side opens up into the bar with dining tables up front, giving it a more social, slightly livelier energy. Drinks are absolutely amazing. Crafted well, balanced, and consistent. But what really stands out is how the ambiance takes over the entire experience. The crowd shows up. Well dressed, confident, and adds to the overall vibe instead of taking away from it. Some places you go just for drinks. Here, the ambiance takes it to another level. It feels like an experience, not just a night out. Reservation needed: Recommended for busy nights but not for the bar/drinks Parking: 5/10 Crowd: 10/10 Vibe: 10/10 Music: 8.5/10 Drinks: 9/10 Price: $$$

    Came here for on a weekday where they had live music in their patio! Turns out they have live music…read more3 nights a week! This is a great bar to come and chill with a group of friends. They have great cocktails and fancy tasting mocktails as well! All the servers and manager were very inviting and provided fast service! Will definitely come back!

    Photos
    The Wellesbourne - Kavalan Whiskey & Jazz Night

    Kavalan Whiskey & Jazz Night

    The Wellesbourne - Fig & Goat Crostini

    Fig & Goat Crostini

    The Wellesbourne - Kavalan Whiskey Night

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    Kavalan Whiskey Night

    Matu Kai - steak - Updated May 2026

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