Couldn't have asked for a more wonderful NYE meal and can't wait to go back again! The food was plentiful and absolutely delicious. The ambiance was romantic, cozy, and upscale. Service was impeccable. Firing on all cylinders especially given how new this restaurant is! All of the accolades are well deserved. Unsure if these items are on the regular menu but highlights were: + Brioche feuilletee (croissant and a dinner roll had a baby and it's to DIE for, don't skip the butter either) + Veal bonbon + Vanilla St Honore + Chocolate Tart (desserts here DO NOT MISS!!!) Highly recommend for a date night or even a girls dinner! read more

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I know I've reviewed Muse before but it's as close to perfect as you're going to find. We're blessed to have such a gem so close to our home. Not only have we never had a bad meal here, we've never had a less than spectacular dish here. Decor is gorgeous. The service is amazing. The entire staff warm, friendly and happy to help. Fardad is the consummate host: always thoughtful and charming. I cannot praise this olace enough. Spoil yourselves and go! read more

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MUSE was the restaurant my grandson, chase, chose to celebrate my birthday. His, choice...perfection. from being greeted by Matthew, to being served by several lovely members of their staff, to the extraordinary food, we were made to feel as though they were delighted for us to be there. We were the delighted ones. The understated beauty of intimate dining room, the well-prepared food, even the soft music...all spectacular. And a bit of advice, regardless of how full you might feel, don't dare to miss one of their exquisite desserts. thank you MUSE!!! read more

Muse - happily celebrating at MUSE - French Near Me - Santa Monica, California

A hot and new French restaurant on W. Channel Rd. right next to Giorgio Baldi. This is very close to the Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades border and it's honestly one of the most beautiful parts of Los Angeles. The food taste and quality is very high, but the portion sizes are quite small. I love the design on the inside, it feels like the 1930s but in a really upscale way. Our server and the rest of the staff were extremely polite and very welcoming. The menu is à la carte and they do have a ton of options on it. They don't have a dedicated parking lot and street parking is difficult to find in this part of town so the best option is valet for $15. As mentioned the food is honestly delicious but the portion sizes are quite small. It's a great place for a celebration or a date, but not someplace I would choose if my goal is to be as full as possible. We started off with the Roasted Beet Salad, Lobster Soufflé, And the Hamachi Crudo. Of the three the Hamachi Crudo was the star and had tremendously fresh flavors. The Beet Salad was also very nice and refreshing; it would make a great summer dish. The Lobster Soufflé was good in flavor but honestly super small. About the size of a quarter. It was three quick bites and then done. More so a finger food that you would get at a cocktail party. I would recommend the Beet Salad and the Hamachi, but I would skip on the Lobster Soufflé. For entrées, we chose the Rack of Lamb (most reviews mentioned this is a must and we agree) and the special for the evening which was Black Truffle Risotto. The risotto was absolutely fabulous and covered in black truffles. It was a bit expensive for $80, but the flavors were wonderful. The Rack of Lamb was probably my favorite dish of the night because it was cooked perfectly, and seasoned well. I wish it would've came with a side dish or salad, but I really enjoyed what I had. Finally for dessert we finished off with the Vanilla St. Honoré and we were big fans of it. The caramel and vanilla flavors really mixed well and we loved every part of it. Overall a really delicious and trendy French restaurant in a beautiful part of town. It would perfect for a date or a celebration and I was honestly very impressed with the meal. Portion sizes are small and the pricing is steep, but I feel that it is worth it. read more

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Very pretty place with perfect lighting. But all the dishes were way too salty (and we like salt). The chicken was disappointing- the four of us took one bite each and decided to leave the rest. read more

10/10 from start to finish. Everything was my favorite. Would totally go back! We ordered the bread which was delicious like a brioche croissant, and the tuna tartlets and veal bonbons to start. The nicoise salad was amazingly unique and delicious, the pesto pasta was so yummy. The lamb was delicious coming from someone who doesn't normally eat lamb because it's too gamey. The ratatouille was a perfect complement and the vanilla St. Honore was the perfect end! Would definitely come back!! read more

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this restaurant needs 6 stars. if you know, you know. small restaurant. exuisite food and perfect service. my new favorite restaurant in la area. read more

Muse - At Muse with Fardad - French Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Superb food and truly excellent service. Every course arrives as a delicious surprise, crafted with care and beautifully presented. The team at Muse makes the experience feel effortless and welcoming from start to finish. A wonderful dining experience I'd happily repeat. read more

Still MUSING over the incredible meal I had at @muse.santamonica . I've been waiting patiently for their location to open back up after the Palisades fire, and I'm so glad that I was finally able to check it out for my anniversary! This hidden gem features some of the most exquisitely curated French dishes, focusing on the culinary execution and accentuation of the natural flavors and textures of every ingredient, rather than pompous, gimmicky fine dining plating and presentation that tend to dominate LA restaurant culture. While I enjoyed every dish we ordered, my favorites were the tuna tartlette topped with trout caviar and veal lollipops. Even the lamb, which is a meat that I heavily avoid, was executed to tender, medium rare perfection without any gaminess. The dessert presentation was also a great idea, allowing us to visualize and select the sweets we were interested in, and I would highly recommend the vanilla st honore, tiramisu, and rose water gelato. Service was so sweet, attentive and genuine across the board, and we appreciated how they wrote us the sweetest note for our anniversary and gifted us with macarons and chocolate gelato. I highly recommend checking out this spot for a beautifully curated French culinary experience that's worth the hefty price tag, and to celebrate a special occasion! read more

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Came here for my anniversary dinner with my husband. WHAT a phenomenal time we had! First of all, the food was to die for. The bread with Bordier butter was next level. The carrots with burnt pistachio meringue was the star of the meal for us. Saffron risotto was perfectly cooked and had this delicious, deep chicken saffron flavor that took me back to my childhood. The dessert was so good, words can't describe it. The St. Honoré!!!! Get a scoop of gelato too, you can't go wrong with any of their flavors. We got the rose water one, which was delicate and perfectly sweet. The service was impeccable, better than some Michelin starred restaurants I've been to. Tables were constantly touched, silverware always replaced, water glass always full, napkins replenished when fallen to the floor. Our server Josh was so attentive without being overbearing. Loved this place. LA needed this; Muse delivered. And, since they knew it was our anniversary, they gifted us some gorgeous rose macarons to enjoy (which we did this morning with our coffee)!! 10/10 experience! read more

Muse - BEST BREAD - French Near Me - Santa Monica, California

The restaurant is super small, but I loved the decor and overall vibe. Service was perfect -- they knew it was my birthday and surprised me with complimentary macarons, which was such a nice touch. I was actually debating between coming here and going to Felix in Venice, but I'm so glad I chose this spot. The service here was much better. For food, we started with the croissant-like bread, not that special to be honest, followed by the veal bonbons, and then a meat-filled ravioli, which was just okay, would not recommend. However, I'd definitely recommend the branzino and the rack of lamb, especially with the crispy potato gratin on the side -- both were excellent. For dessert, we tried the St. Honoré and the strawberry tart, and both are absolute musts. Not a place I'd go to frequently, but definitely worth trying for a special occasion. I'd stick to the main course dishes and desserts here. read more

Phenomenal experience!!!! The food, cocktails, service, ambiance, staff were ALL amazing!!! 10/10 recommend!!! read more

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What an incredible meal! We were blown away from the moment we were greeted at the front door. The decor is polished and intimate without feeling stuffy. And they had a great playlist going. Now for the food... ! To Begin: We started with the bread which is unreal - essentially a croissant but done in a different shape. The pastry chef starts his day at 4am and you can feel his dedication. First Course: We shared the hamachi, lettuces and one canapé between 4 of us. The execution was impeccable along with the flavors. Hamachi was silky in texture and I really enjoyed the sauce combo. For the canapé style dish we did the veal bonbon with another fantastic sauce. 2nd Course: Lobster risotto and eggplant cappelletti. I could have ordered a 2nd of the eggplant dish it was so delicious. The lobster in the risotto was creamy and delicious. 3rd Course: We shared the lamb and branzino. Again the cook on all proteins was perfect. You can see and taste the French style cooking without it being overwhelming and leaving you feeling heavy. Dessert: We couldn't leave without ordering the St Honore. It was just as decadent and delicious as the photos. This was one of those dinners where we all left wanting to go back and try other things on the menu. So excited for this new restaurant!!! read more

Muse - Restaurant Vibes - French Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Start with the brioche. Seriously, the best bread service in LA. Fluffy, golden, and served with the top-tier french butter. You'll finish it in seconds and be tempted to order another. Don't skip the veal bonbons. They melt in your mouth and come with a sauce you'll be dreaming about for days. The tuna tartlets are light and fresh, a perfect one bite. The pesto creste di gallo pasta is one of the best I've had in the city. It easily rivals any top Italian spot. The Catalon risotto is the owner's personal favorite, inspired by a dish from his grandparents. You can really taste the love and care that goes into it. Total Ratatouille moment. The proteins are next-level. The chicken is juicy and flavorful with this rich but not-too-heavy jus, and the branzino is crisped to perfection with two sauces that complement it beautifully. The chef even comes around with extra sauce and finishes the plate right at the table. (The green tarragon? I could drink it.) And the desserts... wow. The St. Honoré is hands down my favorite dessert ever. No joke, I'm already planning to have it as my birthday cake. One of my top five meals of all time. Truly incredible. No notes. read more

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This restaurant is doing everything right. This is hands down the best restaurant in Los Angeles and the service I received is nothing shy of 3 star Michelin restaurant. Thank you Noah, Giovanni and the whole team for making our anniversary dinner feel special! Honestly we only had 4 dishes but would love to come back and try more every thing was incredible. The ambiance is stunning and warm. Again thank you to the entire teams I can't wait to come back. read more

Muse - French Near Me - Santa Monica, California

This place feels like a little escape in Santa Monica. Incredible food, warm staff, and such a dreamy atmosphere. Highly recommend for a special night out. read more

I heard about how incredible the food was and still it exceeded my expectations. The service was also on another level. It felt like they personally invited you into their home, the vibe in there is so cute. Beautiful art, really lovely date night spot. My new top 3 in LA Order the brioche and the st honoree. The risotto is a must try as well read more

Phenomenal and fresh food. Impeccable service and knowledgeable servers. Cozy ambience feels like a world of its own. Cannot wait to go back. read more

Perfect hospitality & service, elegantly delicious food ; artistic & stylish decor with museum art pieces on the walls . Muse has the most kind & humble chef/ owner that we have ever encountered. More power to them all . read more

Oh my Josh! What a nice, cozy & intimate spot to enjoy a worthwhile meal. My wife & I had dinner here on 02.05 & shall return. Unfortunately, no pictures since we focused on being in the moment, present & enjoying our night. Our waiter, Josh, the tall, rugged & very, very handsome one, did a fantastic job with my banter & explaining new words (to me) on the menu such as feuilletee, mantaletti & shima aji. Josh was patient, kind, professional & has the voice of a Rod Stewart lounge cover act working through winter in southwest Boise. Think Bob Seger, with a mix of Jason Bateman & Aquaman, that's Josh. I don't know fashion so I couldn't tell you what the interior ambiance is but I'd call it "fancy." The vibe was lively, not too loud & being that it's a smaller space, the place was full most of the night, including bar patrons. We started with brioche; wise choice. We're dig pastries (think Petit Grain on Wilshire) - so we have a good reference. The bread was soft with a crunchy layer on the outside. I think they've kidnapped an Amish man who must be churning out authentic butter product by the minute (I heard him crying through the vent when I used the bathroom). We should have ordered a second bread to sop up the, later, lamb reduction sauce but I slipped up & didn't see the future clearly. I snuck in a cocktail & my wife had a mocktail, the Spritz, that was so good she ordered two of them. If I'm being honest, shelling out $18 a drink for cocktails sans alcohol is sort of a gut punch to a value-oriented man such as myself BUT they were worth it. The market lettuce salad was refreshing & a good palate cleanser before all of the big boy food showed up. A perfect amount of leafy greens & also not so much as to get full too early. A crisp citrus zest & not too heavy. A highly recommend starter. Then, we went crazy, again at the suggestion of The Josh. See, they have a crudo but they ALSO had another special crudo & I was all, "Josh, which one?" & he's all, "well actually my uninformed friend, they complement each other & crudo is the least filling food ever so get both." So, we did. It was possibly the best recommendation Josh made all night (aside from going to El Cholo for tableside guac after we left). The first crudo was the spicy Hamachi with the chili coulis so we got hit with early heat & the second was a more mellow, citrus flavor that cooled everything down. We'd get both again. Then, finally, some real food came. Also, at Josh's recommendation (he's very opinionated but not in an obnoxious in-law way, more like a thoughtful hippie who has years of experience & life lessons so you're willing to accept the risk because the reward could be so enlightening) we ordered the mantaletti. I once knew a dentist in Redondo named Mantaletti who was sued for malpractice (pulling teeth of non-native English speakers, a real horrible deal) but Josh assured us that he was unrelated to the pasta product they serve here at Muse & would not stand for "The Implication." The pasta was rad, who doesn't love pasta & they absolutely suffocated it with a black truffle. There was an option to upgrade to a white truffle but, honestly, I don't know the difference & I'm colorblind. We chose the lamb to cover our meat groups but mostly because Josh (he's still with us at this point) & also everyone else working there, including the valet, said the Sauce Solferino was a must have. I mean, honestly, it was almost suspicious that everyone knew so many facts about the sauce (apparently it's reduced for three whole days) so I was really hesitant to eat it. Like, maybe I'd eat it & pass out & they take my kidney & puree it & serve it back to the other patrons & that's what's really going on here - thankfully my concerns were overstated & probably the result of years of consuming media propaganda in the Southeast part of the USA. It was really, really good & I should have ordered another puffy, crispy bread ball to soak up the extra sauce. Also, something like four people offered us extra Lamb Sauce if we ran out. They were all so proud of it, sort of in a cute way. We ordered 3 of 4 desserts (there's still only two of us at the table). They were all awesome. The Tiramisu, St. Honore & the Chocolate Tart were fantastic. Much of it was ordered with the intent of eating half & finishing at home (fighting over who gets it). Me, the guy, lost that fight, to the girl who wanted it more. The employees were all rad, helpful & (really important for me) super informative. I legit don't know my way around a nice restaurant, so it was good to have help & feedback on what we are ordering, how to use a real fork & what part of the cocktail is for drinking & what part is for getting the butter stains out of my only button-down shirt. 6 out of 5 stars. Great time. Bring a credit application if you're going to have more than one course. Worth it. read more

Delicious food, loved the interior design, and the service was perfection. The owner was there greeting all the customers. Can't wait to go back! read more

Muse - French Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Muse is a little bit overrated and very much overpriced. There's a lot of hype around this restaurant. But after eating there, I was underwhelmed. Definitely did not live up to the hype. First off, Muse can't decide what kind of a restaurant it wants to be. Is it French? That's what they claim but it's not a French menu. In fact the menu is a hodge podge of this and that. There's hamachi, there's risotto, there's steak, there's lamb, there's branzino. etc. We ordered half the menu. The lamb chops were very good, but everything else was either ok or did not impress. And pretty much everything we had (including the lamb) I've had better versions elsewhere. But what really killed it for me was the service and the prices. The service was not good. For what we're paying, we expect the server to come by at least once and ask how the food tastes. That didn't happen. Very disappointing. This is a very expensive restaurant. Much more expensive than it needed to be. Eg, $75 corkage fee, which is the highest I've ever paid. Will not be going back. read more

It's a vibe. Great music and beautifully designed space. Every single member of the staff was incredibly warm and attentive. From beginning to end. The owner is very personable and detail-oriented. Our server curated an extraordinary experience for us. The Branzino with tarragon pistou & beurre blanc was incredible. And the Eggplant cappelletti with Madeira caramel!! -- Wow. A must-try. All the desserts are divine, but I would eat the Vanilla St Honoré... ALL DAY! It was exciting to dine at a place filled with so much soul and passion. read more

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The food service and ambiance was 5 stars. Truly. While we waited for our table, we were guided to the bar where they pulled out the chairs for us. The cocktail list had ingredients that were unique. The food was not food it was art. Yes very tasty and also small portions. It allows you to try everything. Honestly i felt like what i didn't order off the menu i was missing out on. The atmosphere was quaint and intimate. Easy to talk to other guests. And the service again was just immaculate. They really put a lot of care into this experience. read more

This might be some of the finest cuisine in Los Angeles. Exceptionally high quality. Very clear that they source their ingredients from the best places and that the chef has great talent. Lamb is incredible. Veal bonbons amazing. Hamachi super. Brioche unreal. The desserts are phenomenal. Only downside is a very limited and significantly marked up wine list and a rather off putting $75 corkage fee, beating out Spago's $50 for steepest. Might turn away return visits of those who like their wine choice with such fine expensive cuisine, so they ought to reconsider that. But still a 5 star rating because the food is really that amazing and the room is so darn elegant. read more

I wish I could give Muse more than 5 starts. Food is delicious. Staff is welcoming and wonderfully accommodating. Must haves: the saffron risotto with lobster, the filet, and all of the desserts! Such an amazing space filled with so much love for guests and an appreciation of great food. read more

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Food, service, and ambiance all top shelve - love the multi course menu, all can easily be shared as portions are perfectly sized. Very little street parking but valet service was easy and quick. read more

Unique gem in Santa Monica! Amazing bread, great cocktails, friendly service. So happy to have this place in Santa Monica! I feel like this is a restaurant that transports you out of southern California for sure. read more

From start to finish a lovely experience. Staff warm and friendly with suggestions. Food was over the top. Tasty creative not overly filling. Chef came around and checked in. Great ambience and feel. Classy and comfortable. Looking forward to returning read more

Absolutely love what they're doing here at Muse. Love how involved and friendly the staff is - so impressive how young the chef/owner is and how talented he is! Every course is impeccable; especially loved the winter squash pasta with cocoa and the St Honore. Not to mention the interior of the restaurant is gorgeous and the concept of rotating artwork is so cool. read more

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Best meal I've ever had! Order the specials! Ate there last night so delicious. The ambience is amazing and the service is the best I've had in Los Angeles read more

Food: Superb. Everything--tuna tarlettes, rack of lamb, branzino--was perfect. The chef here is incredible. French food, perfectly done. Service: Excellent. Very friendly staff. We were originally seated next to a very loud party of five with no sense of being a foot away from two other people who couldn't hear each other. They reseated us and it was perfect. Ambiance: Very nice. Well decorated. It's a small room. And if you're seated next to a party of five that is yelling at each other (did I mention them?) it can be tough. But if you are seated next to normal people, it's very nice. This restaurant is excellent. They are new and were briefly closed during the Palisades fire but they're back in full force. Go support them. Not cheap but not crazy prices. Great restaurant. read more

The food and desserts were absolutely magnificent- the best meal I've had in LA so far! The customer service was excellent, and the chef/owner was incredibly friendly and welcoming. I highly recommend this place! read more

food. exceptional. stand outs were the BREAD starter. comes out hot. melt in your mouth buttery deliciousness. I can't even describe. one of the best things ive ever eaten. Also had the rack of lamb, hamachi, lobster risotto, salad. really cannot go wrong. just enjoy the menu. cocktails also delicious. ambiance: vibes 10/10. intimate space great for a special occasion, date night service: impeccable service. you will not have to ask for anything. owner Fardad is an incredible and friendly presence in the restaurant and makes sure everything is up to scratch read more

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Everything was perfect from the moment we walked into Muse. The space is small and intimate with warm lighting and exceptional service. Chef and owner, Fardad, is not only a talented chef but a hospitable host that can be seen spooning sauces on dishes at your table. The branzino is the best with crispy and perfectly salted skin and so fresh and tender in a beautiful herb sauce. The lobster in saffron risotto is delicious. There are several dishes to choose from in each of the three courses offered. Fardad's brother, Nicky, is the pastry chef and offers an array of yummy desserts. I definitely suggest you experience this new establishment, you won't be disappointed! read more

Had the most amazing experience here! Every single dish is absolutely exquisite. The brioche is phenomenal with this homemade butter. The service couldn't have been better. Everyone there makes you feel at home but also treated at a high level of dining. The bartender Carolina is SO sweet and knows how to make everything. One of the food runners, i think her name was Agatha, was so poised and kind. On my way out, they gave me macaroons!! Love it here. Definitely go 10/10 read more

Muse - French Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Muse is an absolute delight. Stunning decor that is chic, warm and inviting. The food is exquisite and the service top notch. Chef Fardad is a star! read more

Outstanding! The appetizers were all excellent. Highly recommend the tuna and veal bonbons. Bread was exceptional. The pasta dishes were very strong. Beef cheek Meezaluna was my favorite. Lamb chops and the steak were both very special. Chicken was classic and some thing that you would expect in a Parisian bistro. Desserts were all perfect. Wine list was very nice too and not crazy marked up. Service was top notch. Can't wait to come back soon...special place. read more

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Amazing experience! Ambiance, staff, food was all unbelievable. Highly recommend and can't wait to go back

Food: incredible Chef: charismatic is an understatement Crowd: attractive Our table: annoying (drunk 40 somethings, sorry) The waitstaff: tall and fun and on point The decor: YES The first truly fun dinner I've had in a while Go! Order everything! read more