Welcome to 2011.. This is the year your going to get out and try new places and new foods. This is a special edition where I'm reviewing Santa Monica Place! If you haven't seen or heard about it, they tore down the old mall at the south end of the 3rd street promenade and built a modern open air structure. Unlike the Promenade itself, this isn't built just for the tourists. This is a great local spot not just for the high end retail stores, but it hosts a variety of fantastic restaurants!
Santa Monica Place -- Great views, spectacular happy hours and foods from around the world! 
Parking:
The Mall Itself:
Here is a brief Run down of the different Restaurant in Santa Monica Place
Ozumo -- UNBELIEVABLE HAPPY HOUR DEALS, FANTASTIC SUSHI + SKEWERS! SUPER RELAXING ATMOSPHERE
STATS
Restaurant: Ozumo 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica CA 90401 | 424.214.5130
BRIEF RUNDOWN
It was a blackboard eats special that brought us here. (www.blackboardeats.com) It is in the far corner from the ocean of the 3rd story food level. We came here with some friends for some happy hour treats. We we taken back by the relaxing, open atmosphere inside. It has a great bar/lounge area separate from their main dining. With nice big bench style stool, you can belly up to the bar and get quick drink service :) I suggest going here during happy hour. They have an exclusive happy hour food and drink menu including small bites. Small bites are great because you can order many different foods for good prices. Almost everything on the Happy hour menu us worth ordering and under $10 ..My favorite? listed below
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Fried Calamari: Miso marinated Monterey Calamari tempura served with a good spicy tartar sauce
Restaurant: Sonoma Wine Garden 395 Santa Monica Place Suite 300, Santa Monica CA 90401 | 424.214.4560
BRIEF RUNDOWN
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Raw Oysters: Sonoma, Carlsbad, British Columbia $3.5
STATS
Restaurant: Zengo 395 Santa Monica Place , Santa Monica CA 90401
BRIEF RUNDOWN
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-- Scallops al mojo de ajo bacon-corn-edamame salsa / roasted garlic soy / aioli $14
XINO (New take on classic Chinese Cuisine) Blue Stove (Located IN Nordstroms) la SANDIA (Upscale Modern Mexican Cuisine) and their first rate food court)
TILL NEXT TIME..TASTY EATING!
Welcome to 2011.. This is the year your going to get out and try new places and new foods. This is a special edition where I'm reviewing Santa Monica Place! If you haven't seen or heard about it, they tore down the old mall at the south end of the 3rd street promenade and built a modern open air structure. Unlike the Promenade itself, this isn't built just for the tourists. This is a great local spot not just for the high end retail stores, but it hosts a variety of fantastic restaurants!
Santa Monica Place -- Great views, spectacular happy hours and foods from around the world!
Parking:
The parking structure here is like something out of the future. Besides having the out dated digital sign w/ the # of available spots on each level, there are lights that line the ceiling of the structure that show a green light if the space is available and red if it is taken..no more getting pissed when a friggin Mini is parked in the space hidden by the SUV that you thought was empty. Also If you happen to have forgot where you parked, There is a machine on each level that allows you to type in your license plate and it will find you car and tell you where it is. No joke it actually shows you a picture of the back of your car...kind creepy...kinda cool you can usually enter from 4th, 2nd Colorado or Broadway. I have seen some entrances closed when they are really busy, just circle it and you will find a entrance
The Mall Itself:
Except for the stores, the whole mall is based outside. Everything is based around a center courtyard that opens up to the promenade. The last time I was they had someone plying the electric violin in the center. It was really cool. The center courtyard had several escalators which take you to the three different levels. The third level is where most of the restaurants are.
Here is a brief Run down of the different Restaurant in Santa Monica Place
Ozumo -- UNBELIEVABLE HAPPY HOUR DEALS, FANTASTIC SUSHI + SKEWERS! SUPER RELAXING ATMOSPHERE
STATS
Restaurant: Ozumo 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica CA 90401 | 424.214.5130
Category: Japanese sushi + BBQ
Situation: HAPPY HOUR, Date, Outdoor patio drinks w/ friends
Reservations: yes, but not necessary
Website: http://www.ozumo.com/santamonica/
Price: happy hour $$, normal menu $$$
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BRIEF RUNDOWN
It was a blackboard eats special that brought us here. (www.blackboardeats.com) It is in the far corner from the ocean of the 3rd story food level. We came here with some friends for some happy hour treats. We we taken back by the relaxing, open atmosphere inside. It has a great bar/lounge area separate from their main dining. With nice big bench style stool, you can belly up to the bar and get quick drink service :) I suggest going here during happy hour. They have an exclusive happy hour food and drink menu including small bites. Small bites are great because you can order many different foods for good prices. Almost everything on the Happy hour menu us worth ordering and under $10 ..My favorite? listed below
______________________________________________________
Fried Calamari: Miso marinated Monterey Calamari tempura served with a good spicy tartar sauce
Tempura Shrimp: Giant battered and fried shrimp... simple and delicious!
Salmon Skewers: A MUST! maybe the best salmon I've ever had. Caramelized salmon cubes in a soy and Molasses sauce and served on a skewer with scallions
California Roll: A great simple classic with delicious crab done right
Albacore Jalapeno sushi roll: fresh spicy albacore, w/ freshly sliced jalapeno on top
Garlic Edamame: Tasty as it sounds!
Great Happy hour deals on Sapporo draft and Sake
They also have comfy outdoor seating with waiter service weather permitting!
STATS
Restaurant: Sonoma Wine Garden 395 Santa Monica Place Suite 300, Santa Monica CA 90401 | 424.214.4560
Category: French/ Wine Inspired
Situation: HAPPY HOUR, Date, Drinks w/ friends, Visiting Family
Reservations: yes for formal dining room seating
Website: http://www.sonomawinegarden.com/
Price: $$$
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BRIEF RUNDOWN
Food looks good. They have a great outdoor bar and dining with a nice view. Going to have to revisit this one. Gotta be honest, I went in for a drink during happy hour but never ordered food. They have Weekday and Weekend Brunch and small bites...my favorite.
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Raw Oysters: Sonoma, Carlsbad, British Columbia $3.5
Truffle Fries: With Parmesan and garden parsley $7
Roasted Root Vegetable: carrot, parsnip, turnip and celery root $6
STATS
Restaurant: Zengo 395 Santa Monica Place , Santa Monica CA 90401
Category: Latin /Asian Blend
Situation: Visiting Family or Friends
Reservations: yes but not needed for small party's
Website: http://www.richardsandoval.com/zengosm/index.htm
Price: $$$
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BRIEF RUNDOWN
This was my first dining experience at Santa Monica Place, and I wasn't impressed. This is a tourist trap that has great outdoor seating and promenade views. If you have people visiting from out of town or your not picking up the check, I'd maybe give it a try for Happy Hour Snacks. Sushi, Ceviche, Sea food, Short Ribs etc. A lot of options but not quite worth the money. I did enjoy the scallops though
________________________________________________________
-- Scallops al mojo de ajo bacon-corn-edamame salsa / roasted garlic soy / aioli $14
XINO (New take on classic Chinese Cuisine) Blue Stove (Located IN Nordstroms) la SANDIA (Upscale Modern Mexican Cuisine) and their first rate food court)
TILL NEXT TIME..TASTY EATING!
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