Trevor Hay
Trevor Hay directed the world premieres of An American Story for Actor and Orchestra, Abe Lincoln’s Piano, Hershey Felder as Franz Liszt in Musik, Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin, Our Great Tchaikovsky, and A Paris Love Story. He is associate director for Mona Golabek’s The Pianist of Willesden Lane, George Gershwin Alone, and Maestro. Former member of the historic Old Globe Theatre in San Diego where, at the age of nine, his first position was selling Old Globe memorabilia. Over the next 32 years, Mr. Hay went on to various aspects of production on more than 80 presentations.
Solidarity
Solidarity Solidarity is a family owned Polish Restaurant in the heart of Santa Monica. We introduce our customers to authentic Polish and European cuisine using fresh local ingredients and traditional recipes. Address: 1414 Lincoln Boulevard Santa Monica, CA 90401 Website
Massilia
Massilia Massilia is a Marseille-inspired brasserie with culinary influences from the South of France, Italy, Spain & North Africa. Address: 1445 4th Street Santa Monica, CA 90401 Website
Orto
Orto Growing up in northern Italy, my family cooked at home and had the most extraordinary experiences with ingredients grown in our backyard, paired with the wines my chef/restaurateur stepfather would bring back from regions throughout Italy. I fell in love with food as a child watching my stepfather, once nominated a top chef in Italy, work in restaurant kitchens and floors. It’s no surprise that when I came to California in 1991 to study finance, I quickly gravitated back to the restaurant business, and have worked in Italian restaurants here ever since. Moving to Santa Monica and experiencing the Farmers Market inspired me to start Orto – Italian for “vegetable garden” – where I meld local ingredients and organic herbs grown here at the restaurant to create traditional Italian recipes. At our bar you’ll find a cocktail list created from fresh herbs and premium spirits, and our wine list focuses on sustainable and organic producers. Address: 502 Santa Monica Boulevard Santa Monica, CA 90401 Website
La Puglia
La Puglia The authentic Southern Italian Food Experience From Breakfast to Dinner. Address: 1621 Wilshire Blvd Santa Monica, CA 90401 Website
Pono Burger
Pono Burger The Hawaiian word “Pono” means being in perfect alignment with all things in the universe; this beautiful word captures the beauty of the Hawaiian culture and paradise. Like the Hawaiian word “aloha” with countless meanings, “Pono” is a Hawaiian word that is difficult to fully define but emcompasses what we stand for – Doing Things The Right Way. Address: 829 Broadway Santa Monica, CA 90401 Website
Cassia
CAssia Cassia is a critically-acclaimed Southeast Asian brasserie in downtown Santa Monica that largely celebrates Chef Bryant Ng’s Chinese-Singaporean roots, with some playful nods to French cuisine and his wife Kim Luu-Ng’s Vietnamese heritage. Since opening in 2015, Cassia has earned a James Beard semifinalist nomination for “Outstanding Restaurant” (2023) and “Best New Restaurant” (2016), been featured in Los Angeles Times’ “101 Best Restaurants” list every year and in the MICHELIN Guide California (2021-2023), and garnered acclaim from New York Times, Bon Appétit, GQ and more. Bryant was also a 2022 James Beard Finalist for “Best Chef – California” and a semifinalist in 2017. Address: 1314 7th St Santa Monica, CA 90401 Website
Bodega Wine Bar
Bodega Since 2006, Bodega has been a comfortable neighborhood spot to relax and share wine with friends. Now that we are serving some of the best coffee on the west side, that experience is available all day. Address: 814 Broadway Santa Monica, CA 90401 Website
Esters Wine Shop and Bar
ESTERS Esters is a chic wine bar and shop in downtown Santa Monica that feels like a neighborhood clubhouse for drinking, eating and socializing. In 2023 and 2024, we were named a James Beard Award semifinalist for “Outstanding Bar.” We’re totally nuts about planet-friendly wines from small producers – both classic wines and “thinking outside the box” wines. Our shelves are stocked with hundreds of bottles from all over the world, and our cellar is deep with Burgundy. But do not fear, Martini lovers, we have a full bar as well! Yes, we love our seasonal cocktails (and mocktails). Of course, along with the millions of drinks, we offer simple, delicious food. Inspired by our favorite bistros and wine bars in Spain and France, we serve an all-day menu of farmers’ market-driven dishes, snacks and cheeses that pair with wine, including a daily happy hour. Address: 1314 Seventh Street Santa Monica, CA 90401 Website
El Cholo
El Cholo LA’s very first Mexican restaurant. Since first opening our doors in 1923, El Cholo has operated as a family-owned business and today, the restaurants are run by Ron Salisbury, grandson of the founders. Many of these stories below are direct from Ron and a remembrance to the time of surviving as a restaurant for almost a century. Our legacy at El Cholo lies in its commitment to quality ingredients, long family history, loyal employees (some with over 40 years) and our dear devoted clientele. Through prohibition, the LA Riots, true Hollywood glamour and into the the 2000’s, El Cholo continues to bring back memories for our guests. Address: 1025 Wilshire Blvd Santa Monica, CA 90401 Website