Restaurant week returns today and community members can find discounted multi-course menus today through Oct. 15.
Santa Monica has nearly 30 restaurants participating in the LA-based restaurant spectacular. The annual program encourages diners to explore restaurants and try new dishes through pre-set menus.
There are no tickets or passes required for Dine LA Restaurant Week. Simply dine out at a participating restaurant, ask for the Dine LA Restaurant Week menu, and try a new dish or enjoy an old favorite. Chefs are excited and preparing for a steady stream of customers.
“I think as a chef, part of why we get into kitchens is the thrill of the rush. DineLA brings a crowd and gives restaurants a good flow of business,” Executive Chef Victor Morales at Beachside Restaurant at Jamaica Bay Inn said. “It inspires me to create dishes that are thoughtful and entice our guests into exploring our cuisine. For this particular menu I went based on seasonality and fall flavors. We source as locally as possible while thinking globally on our dishes. Our cuisine can vary from Latin inspired to some Asian flavors and beyond. In essence still keeping it “L.A.” a giant culture pool.”
The event showcases some of the area’s culinary gems and the extra push to try something new is particularly welcome as the hospitality industry recovers from Covid lockdowns.
“Restaurants play a vital role in how our guests experience our hotel and Santa Monica. Being able to taste the best ingredients from local farms and ranches as well as fresh Pacific seafood really enhances any visit to Southern California,” Diego Ruiz de Porras, Director of Food and Beverage at Hotel Casa Del Mar said. “Our business is very rewarding but what makes it unique is the experience the guests can have. It is really easy to duplicate an experience in a guest room, you can buy the best TV, the best mattress, add great music and great lighting, it’s not rocket science. What makes the experience different in a hotel is the Food and Beverage. That’s our show. DineLA allows us to share this experience with our community and remain relevant.”
Dine LA Restaurant Week takes place twice a year and is often as fun for the chef as it is for the diner.
“We have been a part of DineLA since the very beginning and are always excited to have a chance to reach a new audience,” said Chef Raphael Lunetta of his namesake restaurant.
“It’s been a tough year, and we are excited to get back to some normalcy, Dine LA feels like a fun familiar time for new guests to try us out and our regulars to come back in,” he said. “We are especially excited this year, as it gives us a chance to open our night side dining room that has been closed since last April. We are going through a remodel of our dining room on the night side and will launch it officially in October.”
The menu options also provide diners with options that might not exist outside of the deal.
“dineLA is such an awesome, affordable opportunity for people to eat their way across the city, as well as support local restaurants while they’re still recovering from this pandemic,” said Tallula’s Executive Chef Brad Long. “We’re excited to be a part of this year’s celebration and we’ve put together a really fun, generous menu of our greatest hits. You get four different tacos to choose from, all of which come on fresh tortillas made with our very own masa, plus two other courses and snacks for only $35.”
DineLA has options for all types of eaters, even vegans.
"We have something for everyone – whether you’re a vegetarian, vegan, or a meat eater," Socalo's chef Susan Feniger said. "Including our DineLA exclusive dish Crispy Cauliflower with spicy aioli, tajin, lime, and peanuts, Vampiro Steak and Shrimp Tacos on a blue corn tortilla topped with griddled cheese and my favorite salsa macha, Chicken Poblano Enchiladas, Warm Guava Empanada with sorbet, and more. DineLA inspires locals and people visiting our amazing city to explore the diverse dining scene in LA so we want to showcase our best dishes so guests will want to return."
Santa Monica’s participating restaurants include:
1 Pico, 1212 Santa Monica, Art’s table, Blue Plate Oysterette, Blue Plate Taco, Blue Steak Restaurant & Lounge, Chinois On Main, Citrin, COAST, HiHo Cheeseburger, Il Forno, KazuNori, Local Kitchen & Wine Bar, Lunetta, Margo’s Plant-Based, Meat on Ocean, Melisse, Mercado Santa Monica, Papille Gustative, Piccolo Ristorante, Red O Taste Of Mexico, Socalo, SUGARFISH, Tallula’s, Terrazza, The Penthouse at The Huntley, Uovo and Water Grill.
For a full list visit https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/dinela
daniel@smdp.com
