We almost didn’t go back to La Monique Santa Monica. Our first dinner there, on Valentine’s Day 2026, was kind of a letdown. This past Saturday, my husband and I had a babysitter, a gift certificate, and no real expectations, so we gave it one more shot. I’m so glad we did.
La Monique is a 14-table French brasserie inside Oceana Santa Monica, LXR Hotels & Resorts, on Ocean Avenue. Here’s how we found it, what went wrong the first time, and everything we ate the second time around.
What to order at La Monique:
- Shiso Peche cocktail
- Escargot poppers
- Mini French onion grilled cheese
- Dover sole with beurre blanc (big enough to split)
- Chocolate soufflé (order it ahead of time)
How an Uber Driver Sent Us to La Monique
Funny story. A while ago, we decided to take our girls on their first Waymo ride. We took a Waymo to the Regent Hotel in Santa Monica to have dinner at ORLA (here’s how that dinner went). When we tried to Waymo back, there were no cars available, so we had to Uber. We weren’t thrilled about that.
Our Uber driver picked us up from the hotel and started talking to us about great restaurants. It turned out he was a foodie too. We had fun bouncing restaurants off each other, and then he told us he was about to start working at a new upscale French restaurant opening at the Oceana Hotel.
Before that, we had never given the Oceana much thought. No one ever really talked about it. He said it was going to be really nice, so we told him we’d try it when it opened.
Valentine’s Day: Not Our Night
La Monique Santa Monica eventually opened, and the first time we were able to go was Valentine’s Day 2026. Our foodie Uber driver was working there as a server by then, and he came over to say hi, which was sweet. But it was super busy that night, and we weren’t super impressed. I wrote about it in La Monique Valentine’s Day: Room vs. Service.
We both agreed that Valentine’s Day dinner isn’t a real representation of any restaurant, so we kept telling each other we’d go back.
Round Two at La Monique
Many months later, we bid on a La Monique gift certificate at a silent auction for our kids’ school. We had a babysitter lined up for Saturday and decided, “What the heck, let’s go to La Monique.”
We made the reservation about a week in advance. This is a tiny restaurant, so reservations are a must. They kept confirming with us before our reservation, so I know they have people on a waitlist for tables. We asked to be in his section, and we were.
We were pleasantly surprised this time because it was a totally different vibe. The restaurant was still full, but everyone was much more relaxed. Plus, everyone was so nice, and no one rushed our dinner. Best of all, he was lovely, as always, and he even remembered us.
Cocktails at La Monique Santa Monica
We started with cocktails. I had the Shiso Peche and my husband had the Furansu. They were great. Just lovely! Their cocktails are unique and special, so I could spend an entire evening just having hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and dessert here.
Bread and Truffle Butter
First, they bring piping hot fresh bread with truffle butter.
Escargot Poppers
We followed the restaurant’s recommendation and got the escargot poppers. My husband and I are not escargot lovers, but I loved this dish. My husband said it was good, but he’s still weirded out knowing he’s eating escargot.
Their take on escargot is creative, easy, and fun to eat. They’re poppers, and the shell holds the best garlic butter sauce. You pour the sauce onto the popper and then pop it in your mouth. It’s great!
Hamachi Crudo
Next was the Hamachi Crudo. Very fresh, very good, and very light. No notes. Just a very good Hamachi Crudo.
Mini French Onion Grilled Cheese
We also ordered the Mini French Onion Grilled Cheese. Of course this is going to be good. Who doesn’t love grilled cheese? Then they give you a tiny side of French onion soup to dip it in. Of course it’s great!
Dover Sole With Beurre Blanc
For our main course, we split the Dover sole with beurre blanc, which came with rice pilaf. It was great, and it was also large enough to split.
We also ordered a side of garlic sautéed spinach, which never came. That was totally fine because we were so full, so we made sure to cancel it.
Chocolate Soufflé
For dessert, we had the chocolate soufflé, and it was amazing. Just perfect. It came with a vanilla sauce and fresh cream. I’ve had chocolate soufflés my whole life growing up, and this is one of the best I’ve ever had.
Make sure you order it ahead of time, because it takes a while to make.
Is La Monique Santa Monica Kid-Friendly?
During our dinner, our waiter asked us why it took so long for us to come back to the restaurant. We told him it was tough to get a babysitter. He then told us that if we wanted to bring the kiddos, we could eat outside on their patio. It’s the same menu as the dining room, plus they have a kids menu.
Still, I wouldn’t waste it on your kids, because this is a great spot for a date night, and I’d keep it that way. Besides, we have plenty of family spots in Santa Monica for nights with the girls. For more kid-free ideas, here are the restaurants we go to for date night.
La Monique Santa Monica vs. Muse
Last month we went to Muse, and normally I’d put Muse as one of the best restaurants to go to on the Westside. After this dinner, though, La Monique Santa Monica is definitely tied with them.
Our Verdict on La Monique Santa Monica
In the end, the evening was a win for us. Overall, we loved this night out. Really great food, great ambiance, and such a nice evening. I highly recommend La Monique for a date night, and it’s going to be one of the restaurants we recommend when people ask us where to go for dinner.
Good to Know
Where is La Monique Santa Monica?
Inside Oceana Santa Monica, LXR Hotels & Resorts, at 849 Ocean Avenue. It’s open for dinner, but check the hours on La Monique’s page on the Oceana website before you go.
Do you need a reservation at La Monique Santa Monica?
Yes, because it’s tiny. We booked about a week ahead for a Saturday night.
How much does La Monique Santa Monica cost?
Our dinner for two came to about $329 before tip. That covered two cocktails, three small plates, a shared Dover sole, and the chocolate soufflé.
Is there parking at La Monique Santa Monica?
It’s valet at the hotel, and as far as we know, that’s the only option.
What should you wear?
Dress nice, but not fancy. That said, it’s not a super casual place. The servers wear white blazers and it’s definitely upscale, so dress like you would for Spago or another nice restaurant.
Read More on Culinary Passages
- La Monique Valentine’s Day: Room vs. Service
- Muse Santa Monica Review: What We Love and What to Skip
- Restaurants Without Kids: Where We Actually Go for Date Night
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- Shoreside Restaurant & Bar Santa Monica: 6 Things I Loved (and 2 I Didn’t)
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