La Monique — Restaurant in Santa Monica

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.

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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.” 

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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...

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...

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...