La Monique

I really wanted to love La Monique because the decor is absolutely gorgeous, and that’s honestly the main reason I chose to come here. The ambiance inside the Oceana Hotel is stunning. Unfortunately, the host experience completely threw things off. When I arrived the hostess asked for my name and when she repeated it, her facial expression and tone noticeably changed. I gave her the benefit of the doubt I was a little late and assumed maybe she was just busy ??? but the interaction felt uncomfortable from the start. She told me there would be a wait which was totally fine. However, she then tried to seat me outside on the patio to wait even though it was cold. I declined because I didn’t want to be forgotten out there especially since she had already said the bar was full and I couldn’t wait there. I chose to sit in the lobby instead What really stood out was that shortly after, a group of four girls walked in were told there would also be a wait, and were immediately offered space by the bar to wait despite me being told moments earlier that this wasn’t an option. That inconsistency felt unprofessional and honestly disappointing. Eventually, a man who appeared to be a manager came by and let me know my table was almost ready which I appreciated. The food itself was good, nothing memorable enough to outweigh the experience. Beautiful space, but the lack of consistency and class in the front of house service really took away from what could have been a great dining experience.

La Monique impressed me far beyond expectation, but what truly defined the experience was the service. Chrystian set a standard that few places reach. He was thoughtful without hovering, deeply knowledgeable, and carried himself with a level of professionalism and warmth that made the entire evening feel effortless. Every detail was handled with intention, and it was clear he takes real pride in what he does. Watching the room, I couldn’t help but notice how fortunate we were to have him—his presence elevated the meal in a way that made the value undeniable. This is the kind of service that turns a great restaurant into an unforgettable one. A standout, five-star experience in every sense.

Devine! The new new in Santa Monica does not disappoint from the gorgeous decor delicious menu and most importantly, the incredibly thoughtful and caring team! Huge, thanks to Aaron, Truman, Brian, Samir, Alaya, and all the others who truly make for a memorable dining experience!

A new opened spot is here! Remember here has a dress code. We were actually kicked out by wearing shorts. (LOL🤣) but outdoor sitting was not bad at all. Because of so, I had met the best server and had a fantastic dining experience. If you’re looking for a dinner spot on the Westside that’s equal parts glamour and comfort — perfect for a stylish outing or special occasion — La Monique in Santa Monica absolutely delivers. ——— First impressions & ambiance Located at 849 Ocean Ave inside the Oceana Santa Monica, this new French-brasserie “jewel-box” is designed to impress.  The décor blends Hollywood-Regency drama (emeralds, velvets, reflective ceilings) with coastal ease — so you feel fancy, but not out of place.  It’s intimate (just ~44 seats) and feels like a destination: both for locals craving something refined and travelers drawn to a memorable meal.  As one Yelp review highlights: “Awesome vibe on the west side and great drinks. Best steak frites I’ve had in a long time.”  ⸻ The food & drinks Cuisine: Rooted in classic French technique, with strong brasserie vibes and some coastal/surf-city inflection.  Menu highlights: • Seafood towers & “Le Plateau Royal” (lobster, shrimp, oysters, crab, caviar) — for when you want indulgence.  • A dedicated steak program — including A5 Wagyu, dry-aged cuts, and traditional French sauces (béarnaise, au poivre).  • Signature item: Le Grand Poulet (roasted/braised chicken with truffle jus) — elegant yet approachable.  • Lighter-style plates: tuna carpaccio, escargot poppers, handmade pasta.  Drinks: • Cocktails that are playful and elevated: e.g., “Miss Monique” (clarified Tito’s Cosmopolitan + cherry‐nutmeg foam + rose-water mist) or “Message in the Bottle” (coffee-infused rum, banana liqueur, chocolate bitters).  • Wine list focused on French producers, but with Italian/Portuguese/California selections too.  ⸻ Why it stands out • Location: Steps from the beach in Santa Monica. You get the Pacific breeze, Westside energy, and a refined atmosphere. • Design & atmosphere: There’s a sense of occasion without being unbearably formal. Ideal for a memorable evening (date night, celebration, late dinner). • Cuisine ambition: It’s not just “French inspired”; the chef is a semi-finalist of Top Chef France and brings real credibility.  ⸻ Things to know / good to plan • Reservations recommended, especially for weekend evenings. • Dress: smart‐casual with a touch of polish seems appropriate given the setting. • For your budget: With steaks and premium seafood towers featured, this is on the higher end of dining. • If you’re already in Santa Monica for lighter fare or coffee, this one is for when you want to elevate the meal. • As someone with a neutral-pastel aesthetic (as you mentioned), this spot could be perfect for Instagram: the interiors + plating + cocktails all photograph beautifully. ⸻ My verdict If I were writing a Yelp/Google style summary: 5/5 stars — From the moment you step in, La Monique feels like a little escape: French Riviera charm meets West Coast ease. The design is stunning, the service attentive, and the food hits both the indulgent and the refined. Whether you’re going for the steak, the seafood tower, or one of their creative cocktails — this place has it. A fantastic choice for a special evening out in Santa Monica.

Dreamy date spot and the best espresso martini on the Westside. We just had drinks (and the delicious bread with lavender butter) but would definitely come back for dinner as everything that walked by looked delicious. It’s a splurge but looks worth it. *I believe our bartenders name was Samir and he was awesome.

We just had the most memorable date night at La Monique. Upon entering we were blown away with the chic design and artwork. We sat at the bar with Samir which is highly recommended if you want special treatment and to have more fun talking with the bartender/server. Plus he added to the French experience of the menu and ambiance. The drinks are special and delicious and the food is beyond reproach. It was hard to decide what to order, but everything was amazing and we look forward to coming back to order everything we didn’t have room for.

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!

This restaurant certainly knows how to make an entrance. With gold mirrored ceilings, green velvet furniture, and enough animal print and feathered lighting to make a jungle disco blush, the atmosphere is nothing short of seductively theatrical. It’s a fabulous spot for cocktails—luxurious, moody, and perfect for pretending you’re far more glamorous than your bank account suggests. The service staff deserve their own round of applause. They were everywhere at once: catching spills before they happened, refilling glasses with psychic precision, and appearing tableside the moment anyone so much as thought about ordering more. Dinner, however, is where the production loses a bit of sparkle. While beautifully dressed, the food feels overhyped and priced as if it, too, were wearing gold mirrors. A delightful destination for drinks and ambiance, but I’d recommend approaching the dinner menu with tempered expectations.

Thanksgiving dinner at La Monique was an exclusive affair--just me, myself, and I, arguing over who picked up the check, Persian Style. Fantastic new French restaurant in Los Angeles. Great food, friendly service and beautiful ambiance.

La Monique is one of those rare restaurants that transports you the moment you walk through the door. Though the space is small, it is breathtaking--stunning in a way that makes you feel like you've stepped into another city, another state... maybe even another era. It's intimate, romantic, and designed with such intention that it sets the tone for an unforgettable meal. Service was flawless. Christian was our waiter, and he delivered the perfect balance of warmth, professionalism, and genuine enthusiasm for the food. It felt like we were being hosted, not just served. The food? Impeccable across the board. Even the sides were standouts--delicious enough to be entrées in their own right. The arugula and beet salad was the best I've ever had: bright, refreshing, and layered with flavor. The spaghetti pomodoro was beyond perfection, and the butternut squash agnolotti was the perfect taste of fall--so flavorful it could silence a table mid-conversation. And then came dessert. Just when we thought the meal couldn't get better, the pistachio ice cream macarons arrived...and wow. They are a must-order. Dreamy. Delicate. Unforgettable. La Monique is the kind of restaurant that doesn't just serve food--it creates a full experience. A place that lingers with you long after you leave. Already planning my next visit.

So beautifully done it's our new favorite spot. Perfect service, I've been twice. Micheal was my waiter and Michelle is simply the best. The Ribeye was delicious and I highly recommend the any of the deserts. The interior designer here is a genius.

restaurant is located inside the hotel. There's valet and plenty street parking. The interior design is absolutely insane! It is a very intimate restaurant. The staff were so attentive and friendly. Definitely recommend getting a cocktail or two! The portions are one the smaller side but packed with flavor! Definitely recommend ordering the tartar!

Such a nice experience from start to finish. The lady at the front desk who checks you in was so kind. Service was excellent. Thorough, attentive and knowledgeable and passionate about the food. Steak was cooked perfectly. Im a fan of traditional escargots but the chefs take was interesting and worth to try. Cozy vibe inside. Not too busy yet, they're fairly new. Would highly recommend and definitely go back

From walking into the hotel..charming with the fall touches, to going to a chic entrance to the restaurant, you feel transported immediately. Just a warm atmosphere and great service. This place has been only open under 2 weeks and they did not skip a beat. The escargot poppers were to die for. Just not pretty to take a picture of. Salmon and agnolotti were solid dishes and the crepe sushi with a new spin on dessert. Great service by Miles even with a fun forbidden rice story. Definitely will be coming back for the caviar service.

The Good: The space is gorgeous -- elegant lighting, art, and ambiance that promise a great experience. Service was friendly, but the food completely missed the mark. The Not So Good: Escargot came sitting on fake plastic grass that stuck to the shells. You should never put something not edible on a plate. That's a hazard. Caesar salad was really bad, pappardelle bolognese tasted canned with zero depth of flavor, and the pasta was shredding apart. The Wagyu flat iron was tough with overpowering peppercorn sauce, and fries arrived cold. The New York steak was fine but forgettable. Mac and cheese had a strange plasticky flavor if a plastic spatula was melted into sauce, and the broccoli never even showed up. The bread was the best thing we had. Drinks were overpriced, and the wine list was unreasonably a ripoff. For a bill that hit the thousands, it just wasn't worth it. Gorgeous space, but the kitchen and pricing need a serious reset. Super unfortunate, had high hopes for this place, but they're not gonna make it like this.

4.5 stars! Beautiful restaurant, decor and ambiance. We got the Pacific Loot cocktail and my bf got the coffee infused drink with banana and cinnamon which was amazing! The bread is complimentary and delicious! We got the chopped salad, the butternut squash pasta both delicious and the steak frites, which was ok. The ratatouille and Mac and cheese were delicious! Service was great and it's a beautiful cozy place. I'd like to go back and try the fish & some different things.

Amazing! Food, Service and Ambiance was amazing! Highly recommend the caviar, beef carpaccio, truffle fries. The hamachi was good but a bit sweet for my liking. Caviar was on of the best ones Ive had so delicious! We had a time and we were a party of 8! Drinks are fire! Honestly service is what made the cherry on top! tier!

Yolet was a great server, the restaurant is beautiful and the food was very good! We sat by the window which gave a nice view of the ocean! Highly recommend!

Food was excellent, service was great. The drink in a box was a bit of a let down, but the vibe and decor were on point. Be ready to spend $$$$$$$

10/10!!! La Monique is inside the most beautiful hotel in Santa Monica. The space is stunning, no detail missed. It has a very classy vibe without being stuffy. The crowd and staff were also upscale, sophisticated and so pleasant- we wanted to stay all night! The cocktails were creative and definitely picture-worthy. The food was equally as good. Everything was beautifully plated and perfectly done. The escargot poppers are the best I've ever had! So crispy, buttery, and garlicky. I was also obsessed with the mini French onion grilled cheese.

Hands down, best restaurant in Santa Monica. Hard to believe they have this impact after not even being open for a month. Food, service and ambiance can not be missed. Do yourself and get the escargot and duck. Thank me tomorrow.

Such a great dining experiment their opening night!! My wife and I were, ah hem... their first customers and they nicely greeted us to applause. The service was amazing, only to be exceeded by the quality and taste of the food. The hotel owner kindly introduced himself, just like the restaurant executive team. I highly, highly recommend spending the evening with wonderful cuisine and an amazing staff. Please enjoy a cocktail (or two) and have the night of your life. Such a great dining experience.

First what an incredible atmosphere! The cozy intimate upscale dining space allows you to be just one of a few guests which makes the service impeccable. The bar scene allows you to get a glimpse of Santa Monica nightlife with incredible tasty cocktails some of which come out of a smoky box or make you feel you are drinking something straight from a cinematic experience. The food is out of this world. Our group had a wide range of guests from meat connoisseurs to vegetarians and vegans and everybody enjoyed the absolute wide range of options that were available. The escargot poppers were so tasty and innovative and the butternut squash agnolotti was delicious. The petit filet was cooked perfectly. Chef David was so personable and friendly and came to greet us at our table. All the servers were so attentive to every detail. You definitely cannot leave without having the dessert! All of them are fantastic! Can't wait to bring more people back.

Staying at the Oceana hotel and stumbled across this place. Really nice intimate setting, great food and service. I'll definitely be back.

So happy to finally have a restaurant on the westside where ambience, food and service are all a 10/10. Definitely my new go-to spot.

I was served by the most beautiful people that I have met in my life.... The best way to spend our priceless time of our life! they flew the Michelin star chef straight from Las Vegas! The best Escargots and extremely juicy the best dessert with the butter as well. It's amazing.

Sat at the bar. Ordered steak tartar and a gin martini. Samir and Jasmine were amazing and the food was out of this world. If you can get a reservation at this place (good luck) worth the time and the money. Reminded me of Bordeaux and sweet memories with my husband.

The ambiance is amazing and the staff is really great. The food was excellent. Every dish was just as good as it looked. Can't wait to go back!

Best Vibes on westside. Escargot Poppers are a must and finally a great cocktail bar.

The atmosphere is French chic! The drinks were absolutely palate pleasing! I had the Miss Monique and the Sunset Reverie, unfortunately my phone was dead so I got no pictures but Samir at the bar was amazing and gave great recommendations! For dinner I had the salmon and it came w roe and a phenomenal tzatziki sauce! KISS to the chef

Awesome vibe on the west side and great drinks. Best steak frites I've had in a long time. Looking forward to coming back.