From The Fairmont Miramar Hotel Santa Monica Best Nearby Californian (Restaurants) (10 Overall Closest) Metro: Los Angeles, CA JiRaffe (Restaurants - Californian) 502 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica  CA  90401 • 310-917-6671 Distance: ~0.39 mi         Description: SANTA MONICA. JiRaffe specializes in Californian-French cuisine as interpreted by chef-owner Raphael Lunetta. The two-level dining room is elegant yet comfortable, perfect for feasting on a seasonal menu that may include starters like roasted tomato tart with caramelized onion confit or roasted rabbit with herbed polenta. Entrees often include several seafood selections: pepper-crusted ahi with soba noodles or crispy salmon with parsnip puree, for example. For dessert, try Meyer lemon soufflé with blackberries. Knowledgeable, courteous service is a plus. The Lobster (Restaurants - Californian) 1602 Ocean Ave at Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica  CA  90401 • 310-458-9294 Distance: ~0.60 mi User Rating: 6.5 / 10         Description: SANTA MONICA. This long-standing seafood restaurant – first opened in 1925 and now reborn in an impressive new structure – specializes in fresh-from-the-sea catches and affords a prime location for observing the pier and marveling at the sunset. Try anything offered, from lobster to crab Louis or white sea bass. The menu changes daily, so the variety of finfish and shellfish is always in delicious flux. A perfect place to celebrate a special occasion or to meet after work for drinks and appetizers. Coast (Restaurants - Californian) 1 Pico Blvd Shutters on the Beach Hotel, Santa Monica  CA  90405 • 310-587-1707 Distance: ~0.90 mi         Description: SANTA MONICA. Located directly off the beach, this lovely hotel restaurant draws folks with its stellar location and a striking decor that features abundant light and windows, not to mention a fresh, white-painted interior. Blue accents, framed black-and-white photos, and a relaxing patio also help set the scene. The restaurant, open all day, treats diners to a raw bar and plies them with sandwiches, salads, and pizzas. Main course fare includes broiled or grilled fish, a flat iron steak, baby back ribs, pan-fried pork chops, and pastas. An à la carte brunch offers lots of fresh options too. Sam's By the Beach (Restaurants - Californian) 108 W Channel Rd, Santa Monica  CA  90402 • 310-230-9100 Distance: ~1.31 mi User Rating: 8.5 / 10         Description: SANTA MONICA. The owner of this local favorite near the water lets his Syrian roots inform the menu, which irresistibly blends Mediterranean and Californian flavors. Popular entrees include roasted lamb shank, seafood risotto, and smoked quail stuffed with apple and goat cheese, resplendent in a port wine sauce. You'll always find plenty of fresh fish on the menu – consider the ever-changing tasting menu to try as many as possible. While a Middle Eastern streak runs through entrees, the desserts – including crème brûlée – are definitely French. Chinois on Main (Restaurants - Californian) 2709 Main St, Santa Monica  CA  90405 • 310-392-9025 Distance: ~1.54 mi         Description: SANTA MONICA. One of culinary superstar Wolfgang Puck's many SoCal restaurants, Chinois on Main is a perennial LA favorite. The menu features Asian-inspired cuisine prepared with French flair and California sensibility. Notable menu items include roasted squab with pinot noir-huckleberry sauce, wonton-wrapped sea bass with Riesling sauce, and Shanghai lobster with ginger-curry sauce. Enticing desserts include a caramelized apple spring roll with ginger ice cream, lemon tart with lemon gelato and blueberry compote, and macadamia nut tart with roasted pineapple and rum raisin ice cream. Joe's (Restaurants - Californian) 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice  CA  90291 • 310-399-5811 • 310-392-5655 Distance: ~2.40 mi         Description: VENICE. Chef-owner Joe Miller's restaurant consistently tops the lists of LA hot spots thanks to a modern, sleek dining room, a patio for al fresco dining, and a separate bar for pre- or post-dinner drinks. Inventive Californian cuisine features fresh seasonal produce prepared with skill and creativity. Highlights include soft shell crab with morels and corn, porcini mushroom ravioli, roasted salmon with yellow squash risotto, roast beef with crispy artichokes, and crepenette of pork. Lemon Moon (Restaurants - Californian) 12200 W Olympic Blvd Westside Media Center, Los Angeles  CA  90064 • 310-442-9191 Distance: ~2.83 mi         Description: WEST LOS ANGELES. Light, healthy, and quick, Lemon Moon is popular with local office workers for its Mediterranean-inspired salads and sandwiches. Opt for an exotic soup, like butternut squash puree, to accompany your choice of savory salads – Madras curried chicken, roasted beets and orange segments, rock shrimp ceviche, and roasted eggplant with feta and kalamata olives, for example. Don't forget about breakfast, when treats like herb-roasted vegetable omelets and an Italian egg bake with mozzarella, eggplant marinara, and basil are made evident. Poquito Más (Restaurants - Californian) 2215 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles  CA  90025 • 310-474-1998 Distance: ~4.38 mi         Description: WEST LOS ANGELES. For a quick, healthy, inexpensive Cali-Mexican meal, this mini-chain is one of the best options around. Favorite menu items include ahi tacos, vegetarian burritos, huge quesadillas, and famous tostadas, all of which include fresh, house-made tortillas. Don't forget to complement your choice with a freshly prepared salsa from the salsa bar. Tortilla soup is in high demand on cooler days, and there's a special children's menu, too. Clementine (Restaurants - Californian) 1751 Ensley Ave, Los Angeles  CA  90024 • 310-552-1080 Distance: ~5.48 mi         Description: BEVERLY HILLS. If you find yourself in this part of the city in the a.m., Clementine is the place to go. On-the-clock regulars love breakfast pastries and the Clementine breakfast sandwich – poached egg, shaved ham, and cheese on a biscuit. If you're in the mood for a more leisurely meal, then homemade granola, eggs Benedict, or a bagel with cream cheese and house-cured gravlax suit quite well. A variety of freshly baked cookies, scones, and muffins are available for take-out, as are a range of dinner entrees to heat up at home. Afternoon tea is $18.95 per person. The Restaurant at Hotel Bel-Air (Restaurants - Californian) 701 Stone Canyon Rd, Los Angeles  CA  90077 • 310-472-5234 • 800-648-4097 Distance: ~5.75 mi         Description: BEL AIR. Boasting elegant style and service in a world-class hotel, this LA favorite is a top choice for any meal. The beautiful dining room is relaxed and serene, ideal for enjoying a lunchtime club sandwich fashioned of lobster, bacon, avocado, and tomato. The dinner menu is opulent too, from its caviar, foie gras, and oyster appetizers to entrees like mustard-crusted salmon, a grilled filet mignon, and rack of lamb. Perfect for a power lunch or a romantic dinner. For extra-special occasions, reserve the chef's table. Copyright ©2001 10Best Inc. All rights reserved.