(310) 314-6057

2900 31st St
Santa Monica, CA 90405 34.0189 -118.4512

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Sunpark, West LA

ARTINSTITUTE.EDU

Price:

$

Last updated 3.31.09

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Lunch Spot, Date Spot

Cuisine:

Californian

What People Are Saying About Bistro 31

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – White-oak chairs and white-oak flooring create the contemporary dining room's subdued decor. Both casual and special-occasion diners watch as student chefs do everything from wait tables to prepare meals in the glass-enclosed kitchen. Dishes feature vegetables balanced on potato bases and plates dotted with colorful sauces. The menu changes frequently, but may include seared sea scallops in passion-fruit buerre blanc, tequila-lime barbecue ribs, or classic coq a vin.

Editor's Tips

Parking:
During the day, metered parking is available on 31st Street, just outside the business park. After 7pm, park inside the business park, free of charge.
The Extras:
In addition to main courses, students need to master the art of dessert. Challenge them by ordering the flaming bananas Foster, prepared tableside for two or more. Don't be surprised if an instructor discreetly looks on.
ambiance
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. The menu is fun with fair prices and changes so there is always something you HAVE to try!
  2. If you want to try food from a fine dining restaurant without the snooty atmosphere and high prices, Bistro 31 is for you.
  3. The service is friendly and the atmosphere is very relaxed.
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. The food for dinner is excellent and the items varied, the pepper steaks, which they flambe tableside are a treat and the chocolate cake is a decadent, albeit a tad rich treat (just order some coffee with it).
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. The food for dinner is excellent and the items varied, the pepper steaks, which they flambe tableside are a treat and the chocolate cake is a decadent, albeit a tad rich treat (just order some coffee with it).
food quality
88.88999938964844% positive
  1. Prices are definitely below what they should be, because it is run by students, so the value in a great meal is great!
  2. The food for dinner is excellent and the items varied, the pepper steaks, which they flambe tableside are a treat and the chocolate cake is a decadent, albeit a tad rich treat (just order some coffee with it).
  3. great food, great prices
  4. The food is good, with very minimal mistakes, although there are some because after all the students are still learning.
  5. If you want a great inexpensive meal, I suggest Bistro 31.
  6. If you want to try food from a fine dining restaurant without the snooty atmosphere and high prices, Bistro 31 is for you.
  7. The food is surprisingly good considering its a student run restaurant.
  8. the shrimp appetizer is great too.
  9. The servers were really genuine and the food was excellent.
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. The menu is fun with fair prices and changes so there is always something you HAVE to try!
  2. was fortunate enough to enjoy Bistro 31's lunch menu.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. Bistro 31 is a great place to grab a quick lunch or make a night out of it with friends or a date.
  2. It a great place to eat and a great place to learn.
service
100.0% positive
  1. The service is friendly and the atmosphere is very relaxed.
  2. the service from the students is great considering most of them have no serving experience and they do try hard.
  3. The servers were really genuine and the food was excellent.
value
87.5% positive
  1. The menu is fun with fair prices and changes so there is always something you HAVE to try!
  2. great food, great prices
  3. If you want to try food from a fine dining restaurant without the snooty atmosphere and high prices, Bistro 31 is for you.
  4. Bistro 31 is perfect for the value seeker.
  5. the prices are so cheap its the perfect solution for this damn recession.
  6. If you want a great inexpensive meal, I suggest Bistro 31.
  7. Prices are definitely below what they should be, because it is run by students, so the value in a great meal is great!
  8. An insiders opinion- Overall a good value
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. Bistro 31 is a great place to grab a quick lunch or make a night out of it with friends or a date.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/21/09

Relaxing and GREAT PRICES/FOOD

by Eckoempire

I really enjoy dining at Bistro 31. It's nice to see young people working towards a career with such a hands on approach. The menu is fun with fair prices and changes so there is always something you HAVE to try! I would suggest that anyone who has not had to chance to eat here to GO!

  • Pros: Good Food, Good Prices, Nice People
  • Cons: Nothing
4 Star Rating: Recommended

04/09/09

Nice place in a good Neighborhood

by Chefbertrand

Bistro 31 at the Art institute has been around for the last 7 years. This is where you see the Bistro class at work. The students run the restaurant in both the front and the back. The students learn on the job experience while being here. Laerning about timeing, Presentation and teamwork. It a great place to eat and a great place to learn.

  • Pros: It great to see students at work toward thier carear
  • Cons: Space is limited as well as hours
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/02/09

Best deal in town! Insanely cheap fine dining experience and you can even bring your own wine! no corkage fee.

by chainadoll

Bistro 31 is a great place to grab a quick lunch or make a night out of it with friends or a date. The food is surprisingly good considering its a student run restaurant. the prices are so cheap its the perfect solution for this damn recession. my favorites are the spinach salad and steak flambe. the shrimp appetizer is great too. Even though its student run it is monitored by a French Chef and you know how meticulous they can be bout their food! Give it a try, you wont be sorry!

  • Pros: Cheap, BYOB, no corkage fee, parking, validation
  • Cons: nothing
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/27/09

Great priced cuisine

by CHEFKB

I was fortunate enough to enjoy Bistro 31's lunch menu. I thought the student servers and cooks did a great job. The servers were really genuine and the food was excellent. The prices were really low and reasonable. If you want a great inexpensive meal, I suggest Bistro 31.

  • Pros: Prices were excellent
  • Cons: Menu is limited
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/26/09

Hidden, but fantastic

by mdlgarciainla

Bistro 31 is the Art Institutes student run restaurant. It is open to the public three days a week and offers lunch and occasionally dinner. Here guests experience the culmination of these budding professional's work at bargain prices. While, the food served here is styled after fine dining bistro fare the cost of dining here would equal multiple trips to your local fine dining restaurant. Service is casual and friendly; most find it fantastic considering that many of these students have never served food before. If you're looking for something different you should give it a try. Students welcome feedback at Bistro 31. What's particularly special is that you are contributing to someone's education and getting a great dinner at the same time. Call and make reservations and don't forget to validate your parking ticket before you leave.

  • Pros: good food and great prices
  • Cons: not open everyday

The Details on Bistro 31

Place Categories:

  • excellent food
  • great place
  • great inexpensive meal
  • fun lunch menu
  • great service
  • great value
  • suggest bistro
  • rich treat
  • snooty atmosphere
  • perfect solution
  • good neighborhood
  • great dinner
  • great corkage fee
  • snooty high prices
  • great shrimp appetizer
  • great prices
Advertisement

Lists In Santa Monica

Recent Reviews In Santa Monica

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Sushi Roku

1401 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

California Chicken Cafe

2401 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Via Veneto

3009 Main St, Santa Monica, CA

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

STELLA ROSSA PIZZA BAR

2000 MAIN ST, SANTA MONICA, CA

Advertisement