Forma Restaurant & Cheese Bar Santa Monica
Italian restaurant · Santa Monica
1610 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403
Highlights
Italian spot with cheese bar, updated classics & pasta tossed in cheese wheels
Italian spot with cheese bar, updated classics & pasta tossed in cheese wheels
"Italian restaurants on Montana Avenue are like actors in Los Angeles: They’re everywhere. All believe they have talent. Few become George Clooney. But in the already packed Italian scene that is Montana Avenue, it’s safe to say that Forma is well on it’s way to locking down a hot British lawyer wife and a vacation home in Lake Como. Like most Italian joints of its kind, Forma nails the staples. But what makes this modern, unstuffy spot such a rarity is that it also satisfies that annoying friend who’s trying to be “good,” when all you want is a straight carb-fest. Because at Forma, there’s hardly a weak spot on the menu. Everything from their starter charcuterie/cheese combos, to authentic al dente pastas, to main entrees is worth ordering and will keep everyone (even always-on-a-diet Marissa) happy. And despite its contemporary feel, Forma still exudes plenty of quirkiness. There’s a guy walking around solely dedicated to scraping cheese from gigantic blocks onto your bubbling feast, known simply as the “cheese scraper”. Go figure. We tried to talk to him and he only responded with “Milano.” We guess that’s Italian for don’t question my f*cking cheese cred. Something about Forma’s casual, not-cheesy vibe has quickly made it one of the most popular spots with locals. Perhaps it’s the joyous absence of screaming kids and belligerent cougar moms, but the energy inside Forma is appealing. Is this the best new date spot in Santa Monica? Well, it certainly beats the wait-and-hover situation at Father’s Office or the Viagra jacuzzi that is the neighboring Hillstone restaurant. So yes. It is. Definitely make a reservation beforehand as the space is small and fills up quickly. Attention: The spot for young people on Montana Ave. has finally arrived. Take us now, George. Food Rundown Bread Basically hot grilled rustic bread doused in oil with an oil spread. We know, weird to pay for bread, but it’s worth it. Fresh Mozzarella Knots Mozzarella tied into tiny knots topped with a shitload of seasoning and oil. So yeah, you’re ordering it. Broccolini Because we needed to feel healthy. And so does your friend. Pizza Bread Don’t let its name fool you, this is pizza and is loaded with delicious prosciutto. Spaghetti “Cacio E Pepe” IF YOU DON’T GET THIS YOU’RE FAILING AT LIFE. Filet of Sole Bread crumbs, crispy (i.e. fried) artichokes, and that perfectly sweet and buttery sole. A surprising must-order. Applewood Grilled Faroe Island Salmon Rice crust, red and white quinoa, dill sauce. Your friend just died and went to heaven. Banana Tart And now so did you." - Amanda Williamson
"It’s starting to get cold in Los Angeles, meaning there is no better time to settle into a cozy Italian restaurant with a big plate of pasta. On a recent visit to Forma on Montana Avenue, the crispy artichoke salad caught my eye to counterbalance the copious amounts of pasta I was about to consume. Although the salad wasn’t the primary reason for the outing, it ended up being the best dish of the night: The fried artichokes mixed with arugula, fennel, and snow peas made for a phenomenally crunchy salad, while walnuts and goat cheese added texture and richness. Finishing off the night was a duo of cheesy main courses, including spaghetti all’assassina and risotto with mushrooms and truffle raclette cheese. We slugged home in a cheese- and pasta-induced coma." - Eater Staff
"The Main Street Santa Monica outpost of a popular Montana Avenue Italian restaurant, which closed in December 2024. It initially opened in 2020." - Eater Staff
"We wouldn’t usually advise you to head to Montana Ave. for a date unless you have a hard 8pm bedtime and you still wear Juicy Couture sweatsuits. But Forma is the exception. This modern Italian spot is full of servers who seem to enjoy talking to you, and a younger crowd of people who live north of Wilshire. Get any of the pizzas, or the pastas that are tossed inside a cheese wheel." - jess basser sanders, amy clark, brant cox
"Located in Santa Monica on Montana Avenue, Forma is a cute little Italian place that features small plates, like beef tartare and grilled octopus, as well as larger entrees like fettuccine bolognese and cacio e pepe, which all go great with a Bianco Negroni. Like the name of the restaurant suggests, there’s cheese aplenty, and many of the pastas are finished in large Parmesan wheels before being served. Make sure to leave room for dessert, like the chocolate hazelnut bread pudding or the classic tiramisu." - Samantha Leal
