A2 Rating Scale (out of 5):
THE BASICS:
WHAT: CASSIA – Husband/Wife team Bryan and Kim Ng (formerly of Spice Table) new Asian influenced Seafood restaurant.
WHERE: Santa Monica – at the bottom of an awesome new Art Deco Building.
WHEN: Dinner (but closed on Mondays).
THE DISH:
WHAT TO ORDER: Starting without a seafood platter would be like…well it would just be wrong. For ONLY $45 for a small, you get 6 oysters ($19 alone), 1 looooong crab leg, 6 Vietnamese Sunbathing Prawns ($19 alone—and get your napkins ready and fill your water cups because they live up to their name in spice and are me-ssy) and bowls full of the Raw Spicy Bay Scallops ($18 alone) and Smoked Salmon Dip ($14 alone). Oh, and 2 bomb pieces of bread to eat the salmon spread with. Did someone not check the math here or is this just the best deal in town? The clay oven bread and spread (we got the Young Organic Soybean Purée – $12) is necessary if anything for the LAFA bread alone. We can’t even put into words how perfectly warm and soft yet crispy these slivers of heaven are. And the Laksa ($18) is a bomb coconut seafood soup that is totally worth turning your napkin into that embarrassing bib or splattering that shit all over your white blouse (oops). Also, the Vietnamese Coffee Pudding ($10) was the perfect way to end the meal (especially if you plan on going out after). It comes with 2 coconut shortbread cookies and gives you that kick of caffeine to go on with your night.
WHAT TO SKIP: I (Alie) love a good dirty martini but the Cassia Dirty Martini ($13) just DID-NOT do it for me. To be fair, they did warn me that it had a spicier taste to it and happily accommodated me switching to a rosé (obvi) when I took one sip and pushed the glass to the far end of the table.
WHAT TO KNOW: The restaurant has the Rustic Canyon Group (Huckleberry Café, Milo & Olive & Sweet Rose Creamery) behind it so you know it’s bound to be good. Also, that shit books up fast so make your rezzie well in advance.
WHERE TO SIT & WHO TO SIT WITH: The restaurant is divided into 5 distinct sections so you’re sure to find something to accommodate every sitch. Whether you’re there with your parents (try the wine room or the patio), a date (maybe up front, seafood bar, bistro area, or patio as well), some friends (take your pick) or a big group (they have a private party room in the back that seats approx. 20) — there are no bad chairs in the house.
WHAT TO WEAR: The restaurant took the time to get all done up and look cute and so should you. Not saying whip out your slutty attire (no one wants that — plus are we the only ones who can’t eat a good meal in a skin tight dress?) but do yourself and others around you a favor and put some thought into your appearance.
WHAT’S THE VIBE: Bumpin’
WHO YOU’LL SEE: Couples, First dates, families, friends, all of it…
EDDR LIFE LESSON: Seafood platter. Just do it. Always.
A2 FINAL THOUGHT: We can’t wait to make our next trip to SM and try all the other shit on the menu we couldn’t afford the first time. Anyone want to take us??
Heading to the dry cleaners post Laksa and not mad about it,
A2
