"Chef Michael Mina’s Orla hits all of the perfect brunch notes. Daily breakfast offers traditional fare that ranges from light yogurt, oatmeal, and fresh fruit to frittatas. But the weekend $65 prix fixe menu is where one gets to see the celebrity chef shine with za’taar cured salmon, a wagyu Egyptian-inspired pita burger, or prawns wrapped in shredded phyllo dough strands, coconut, spicy mango, with lime leaf. They’re even launching a summer brunch menu, a prix fixe two-course menu with a la carte shellfish add-ons available. Why bother with a mimosa when one can have a tradition-bucking Negroni called Arabian Nights made with Ford’s Gin, Campari, Darjeeling tea, toasted coconut cardamom, and ginger spice? Did we fail to mention the view? It overlooks the Pacific Ocean and Santa Monica’s sprawling bike path." - Mona Holmes