La Monique

Beautiful and cozy new French restaurant inside the Oceana hotel. The decor is so unique, it gives a warm and intimate atmosphere. The bartenders were so friendly, they really made me feel welcomed and the experience felt special. I don’t drink alcohol, but the mocktails were excellent my favorite was the ‘ La vie en Rose’ delicious fusion of raspberry with rose. The escargots, gratin dauphinois and the bread with lavender butter were delicious, everything was flavorful!

Probably the best dining experience I’ve ever had! The food was authentic French Cuisine and it was amazing! The service we received from our waiter Miles and the other Wait Staff was First Class. Chef David even came out to welcome us and discuss our menu selections, as did the owner Jim. Everything about our dining experience had the perfect personal touch. The ambiance made me feel like I had traveled to Paris, which I loved. La Monique exceeded all my expectations!

La Monique is the place where “I went to Rose Bar throughout my 20s, then moved back to L.A., hit it big—and this is my living room.” It’s sexy in a quiet-luxury way: a carafe of tulips beside a wedding photo. The food speaks—hamachi with a salsa verde you’d put on everything, a house tequila cocktail that’s fresh and unexpected, ratatouille with just the right heat. And just when it could take itself too seriously, it doesn’t: dessert is soft serve with broken pavlova. La Monique is the energy of the It Girl—effortless, confident, and always in on the secret.

I was greeted by two beautiful and friendly hosts upon arrival. As a walk-in party of one, I was seated at the bar, an intimate setup with only five bar stools. The restaurant itself is stunning yet cozy, accommodating around 35 to 45 guests. The ambiance exudes a modern Gatsby allure blended with natural textures and warm, low lighting that instantly makes you feel comfortable and indulged. My bartender, Shannon, was absolutely lovely, personable, attentive, and knowledgeable. She guided me through the menu and recommended some excellent selections. I began with the Sunset Reverie Tequila Cocktail, a refreshingly bright and balanced drink with subtle citrus notes, the perfect way to start the evening. I ordered the complimentary bread service, featuring a freshly baked Jyann Isaac baguette served with whipped butter. The bread was beautifully crusty on the outside and pillowy soft inside, simple perfection. An unexpected delight followed: the amuse-bouche, which the restaurant changes biweekly. Tonight’s was a duck confit tart topped with basil pesto and sundried tomato-rich, aromatic, and bursting with layered flavor. For my entrée, I ordered the Farmer’s Asparagus Risotto. The texture was luxuriously velvety, accented by tender asparagus and a delicate crunch from the crispy prosciutto. While the portion was on the smaller side for the $41 price point, the flavor was exceptional. At Shannon’s suggestion, I ended with the Mac Monique Sandwich Dessert, which I did not need but indulged in every bite, three pistachio macarons filled with pistachio gelato, each bite light, nutty, and perfectly baked. Every element, from the plating to the coasters, placemats, and glassware, reflected meticulous attention to detail and an appreciation for aesthetic presentation. La Monique is an ideal spot for an intimate date night or a small celebratory dinner. The space feels exclusive yet welcoming. Reservations are highly recommended. Cheers to La Monique!

My friend and I wanted to check out the gorgeous looking bar and it did not disappoint. The restaurant is small and intimate and there are just five seats at the bar. Speakeasy vibes. They could probably squeeze a few more in if they wanted to. Overall a super pleasant experience. Service was excellent and the cocktails were on point. I had the NY steak with au poivre sauce and it was delicious. The meal was preceded by amuse-bouche and bread as you might expect from a French restaurant. Everything was 🤌🏼.

La Monique is such a beautiful new addition to the Santa Monica dining scene. It's tucked inside the Oceana Hotel, which is already gorgeous on its own, but this restaurant takes things to another level. Every detail feels intentional, from the design to the staff uniforms, to the plateware and utensils. It's clear that nothing was overlooked. The place was lively and full on a Wednesday night, with a great crowd that gave it an amazing energy. The service was excellent. Everyone was friendly, attentive, and professional without hovering, and it really set the tone for an amazing evening. We started with a few appetizers, and every single one was delicious. The French onion grilled cheese was rich and comforting with a divine dipping sauce. The escargot poppers were a fun and flavorful twist on a French classic. The butternut squash agnolotti had that perfect mix of savory and sweet. The shrimp cocktail was also spot on, perfectly chilled with a great classic cocktail sauce. For entrées, the A5 Wagyu and the Chicken for Two were both incredible. Everything was cooked perfectly and full of flavor. Dessert was hard to choose because they all looked amazing, but we went with the pistachio macaron ice cream sandwich, which turned out to be the perfect ending to the meal. All in all, La Monique feels like one of the most exciting new restaurants to open in Santa Monica in a long time. It's beautiful, the food is fantastic, and the people who work there make the whole experience even better. The Oceana Hotel itself is also stunning, and every staff member we met throughout the evening was kind, helpful, and genuinely happy to be there.

Excellent food, service, atmosphere. High end, and classy. What more could you ask for? Had the duck and steak frites, both superb. They are accommodating to allergies. The owner of the Oceana came up to greet us. 10/10

A truly unique dining experience that LA has been missing in recent years. The food and service were outstanding and the decor and atmosphere are like nothing else in LA.