Calabra — Restaurant in Santa Monica

We had a 2:30PM reservation for lunch. We got there on time, but no one there to seat us for a long time. A dry & rude woman shows up and directs us to a lounge area with low tables (a foot high and a foot wide). We tell her we're there to eat lunch, not have drinks, and we need a large surface area at a proper table for plates, etc. She told us none are available. We said but we made a reservation for lunch; she just ignored us. So, we asked how long before a proper table became available. She said she could not tell. We asked again, how long it might be (e.g., 30 mins, 1 hr, 2 hrs,...). She said she could not tell. So, we asked for a manager. A guy showed up and we repeated the same thing, and he repeated the same thing as she did. Then he said "let me check". He came back and said good news, we have a lunch table. We were encouraged. But he led us to the bar area (not dining areas) and sat us at a very small table there with a lot of traffic passing behind us, and bar chairs right behind us banging into the back of our seats whenever bar guests moved. And, BTW, no views at all where we sat. This is a rooftop place and advertises views. Two stars because food was good (though expensive). We will NEVER go back there again. Avoid this...

We loved it. Everything. We went on a Friday night.

Table and host: 5/5 We reached on time and the host took us to the table. It was a low table and we did not like the feel for it. So we asked the host to find us something else and we can wait at the bar until then. Host was polite gentleman and escorted us to the bar.

Food and drinks: 5/5 Soo yumm. The cauliflower small dish was so tasty with the right amount of spices. My date tried the scallops and we loved it. I had the lamb chops. Wow. Lamb was rubbed with amazing slices. I was denied a “stake knife” and it truly was cooked so nicely that a heavy duty stake knife wasn’t needed. Regular knife cut through the meat delightfully. Mezcal Montenegro drink’s taste was very unique. Loved it.

Service: 3/5 Our server felt a little rushed but wasn’t bad. Just not impressive compared to everything else.

Ambiance and vibe: 5/5 Views of the pool, city, and people was perfect. Exactly the way we like it. Walking around the restaurant and then walking around on the first level in proper lobby and Palmer bar was also great.

We are coming back here for more date nights to try new dishes...

Disappointing, lacklustre service. Comparing this to elephante and Erwin rooftop (or Petite Hermitage which is sky levels beyond), the food was just ok and zero points to the server who missed that it was a birthday din (didn't expect him to break out champagne but a nearby birthday table def seemed better served) I'm not sure why Forbes chose this patio: you can't see anything when sitting down (Erwin and Elefante offer much more picturesque views)..its decor is derivative borderline sterile woodsy but with mysteriously uncomfortable seating..We started out at a remote enclave by the pool but it was freezing and we couldn't see anything of a view, ended up against a wall by the bar (it is incredibly awkward to eat anything while sitting in these obtuse chairs, they would be great for a sound bath or a pedicure)... "trending" is only as good if the food and service holds up . the metze plate is nice but not innovative at all...and I definitely was not impressed by our server. (Even our host mentioned the birthday note attached to the reservation). Not an experience that inspires me to come back with...