La Monique

This place is located inside of the Oceana hotel in Santa Monica. For starters, it’s very quaint so not a lot of tables but I loved the intimacy of it. The interior design is off the charts. Whoever they hired to decorate is incredibly talented. We went for Valentine’s Day and it was a pre-fixed menu but everything was delicious. I want to come back for the regular menu. I almost couldn’t eat my dinner because I gorged on the bread and truffle butter. Great date night spot. Def make a reservation.

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

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.

We had an incredible evening at La Monique. The food and ambiance is absolutely perfect. Our server Brian really made the evening. He is attentive, patient and knowledgeable. I can’t explain how nice it felt to be so taken care of. In LA it’s harder and harder to find this combo of quality food, and even better service. Cannot recommend this spot enough!

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!