A New Santa Monica Hotel Restaurant Offers Tulum-Meets-Santorini Vibes | Eater LA

"I visited Marelle after its June 18 opening at the new Sandbourne on Ocean Avenue and found a striking hotel restaurant by chef Raphael Lunetta with a modern Tulum‑meets‑Santorini design by Gulla Jonsdottir—sweeping natural textures, handmade ceramic pendant lamps from Oaxaca, long white curtains, a semi-open dining room that spills onto a 72-seat patio with distant beach views, and a DJ at sunset. Lunetta leans on farmers‑market produce and California cuisine with international touches: a Baja shrimp cocktail with tomato, cucumbers, and kohlrabi; mezcal chile honey‑glazed chicken wings with fried okra and a punchy lime vinaigrette; lemon roasted shiitake mushroom rigatoni and spicy cherry tomato spaghettini for pasta fans; a 24-ounce ribeye with confit plum tomatoes, onion rings, and a white‑wine herb reduction; a leg of charred Spanish octopus laced in a savory chorizo velouté and dragon’s beard greens; stone fruit salad with arugula, endive, and ricotta salata; and juicy lamb tenderloin strips with refined ratatouille, spring peas, and roasted carrots. Brunch is a prime attraction with a crispy chicken sandwich, jumbo lump crab cake with green goddess aioli, and shakshuka as headliners, while beverage director Amanda Fewster offers maritime twists on classics and highlights local, women‑ and BIPOC‑owned spirits—try the stirred Oaxacan Bianco (La Tierra de Acre mezcal, Carpano Bianco, amaro Angelino) or the Thai Tiki (pineapple rum, banana liqueur, Thai tea, nutmeg). The cooking is intentionally approachable and a bit more toned‑down than Lunetta’s former Jiraffe, but the polished, seaside‑resort vibe and solid execution make Marelle a welcome return for Lunetta and an attractive spot for Westsiders and visitors alike." - Matthew Kang