Cuisine:

• French
• Californian
• Mediterranean
• Diner
• Waterfront dining

Ocean & Vine Description:
Located in the Loews Santa Monica Beach hotel.
For a relaxing, slow lunch, go early or late; at peak hours, this is a busy power-lunch spot, but be sure to take advantage of the complimentary valet parking.
Ocean & Vine begins a different chapter in dining for the Loews Santa Monica. The former Lavande with Alain Giraud has been successfully transformed into a restaurant with contemporary style and maintains, of course, the same great views of the ocean and the Ferris wheel of the Santa Monica pier. Modern paintings and mobiles adorn the walls while a centered fire pit filled with white glass brings life to the room. The eclectic dishes don't really bring unity to the menu: salads to mussels, the delicious Hawaiian tuna with spaghetti squash with a brown sugar reduction, clam chowder to cheese fondue, and seared foie gras for appetizers. The main courses are more cohesive with the perfectly cooked tiger shrimps in a vermouth broth, seared sea scallops, a disappointing opakapaka with fruit salsa (we are not sure it is the best accompaniment), rack of lamb or a duck breast with grits. Interesting wine selections served in three quantities (four, eight or sixteen ounces) may be paired with your meal. The pastry chef has had a long love affair with chocolate but his cherry tart and ice cream is delicious. If there is room, have your desserts or a drink around the fire. And don't be discouraged by the hotel's driveway which is lacking charm and atmosphere; you would be missing a very pleasant time at Ocean & Vine.


Be the first one to rate and write a review for this Ocean & Vine restaurant!