A2 Rating Scale (out of 5):
WHERE: Not a trick question; corner of 7th and Santa Monica Blvd
WHEN: din din
THE DISH:
WHAT TO ORDER: COCKTAILS ($14). The ‘Principal Bartender’ Brighid knows the craft. If you sit at the bar and she happens to be tending, she will happily school you… and if you play dumb like we did (I don’t know if I (Alex) like Gin?) she will give you a little something to wet your whistle and get the buzz ignited. The C Street (tequila, blackberries, Thai basil, peppercorn syrup & lime), Country Line (gin, grapefruit, Sriracha, lemongrass, ginger & torahs salt) and the ole’ Dirty Martini were all good life choices. We also should have each gotten an order of the Bay Scallops ($13) with watermelon, avocado, onion, mint and taro chips… it was the strangest thing, the whole bowl was empty in like 2 minutes? Oopsies. Also, not to be forgotten was the peach crumble. I (Alie) was hesitant to get this as I’m not a big fruity dessert person but it was AHHHH-MAZING.
WHAT TO SKIP: The Lobster & Burrata Toast ($18) is sure to get your attention… on the menu… unfortunately the flavors and textures fell short, leaving us boggled as to how and why with those two headliners. And although we preferred the Grilled Corn ($10) with basil pesto and chili flakes OVER the Fried Smashed Potatoes ($9) with sea urchin aioli; we’d switch both up if you find us back.
ABOUT THAT BAR SCENE: When our table still wasn’t ready 15 minutes and 25 photos after our reservation time (excuse me- do you know who we are?), we decided to sit at the bar and get that first drink in… and then we never left. Talented bartenders, entertaining bar backs (gotcha with that photo evidence), the 3 lonely girls to our right trying to get-it-in with those bar boys and the couple (or possibly new Tinder match) to our left eating each others faces. Less kissy, more talky… we are trying to eavesdrop here. And trying to keep our food down. Kthanks. Whatever it was, the scene sucked us in and we were some of the last people in the place.
WHERE TO SIT: If you’re following along here, you know where…
WHAT TO KNOW: Chef and owner Andrew Kirschner first made a name for himself when he opened the beloved Tar & Roses (embarrassed to say we still need to give this place a go).
WHAT TO WEAR: Obviously that sexy sailor costume you wore to the Playboy Mansion back in 09′. Nahhh. We went Army chic and Safari casual (it was one of those try on 20 outfits and then WTF am I wearing kind-of-nights). Just wear whatever feels right and if it involves nautical prints or boat shoes you may have a cool themed insta pic ahead of you (or a tacky one depending on your insta skills, good-luck dear friends).
EDDR LIFE LESSON: People are watching you. Proceed with caution.
A2 FINAL THOUGHT: While the drinks were on point and the staff was friendly and entertaining, the food could use some help. If we do make it back, we’ll be ordering all new things.
Anchors up,
A2
SMYC ↔ 620 Santa Monica Blvd, SM, CA 90401 ↔ 310-587-3330
eat.drink.dish.repeat. 