Michael's Restaurant

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(310) 451-0843

1147 3rd Street
Santa Monica, CA 90403 34.01874 -118.49977

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Neighborhoods: Wilshire Montana, West LA

http://www.michaelssantamonic…

Years in business

Established in 1979

Hours:

M-F 12pm-2:30pm, 6pm-10pm, Sa 6pm-10pm, Su Closed

Last updated 1.10.12

Category:

Wine Bars, Californian, Traditional American

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Michael's Restaurant

The Owner

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – When owner Michael McCarty opened his namesake establishment in 1979, it was like a whirlwind through the city's restaurant scene. The chefs in his kitchen were pioneers of what came to be known as California cuisine. Walk through the dining room, with its '80s flashback decor, and revel in the atmosphere of the lush garden patio. – – The Food – What was groundbreaking in 1979 is classic in the new millennium. The kitchen still showcases the fresh, local ingredients that are hallmarks of California cuisine. The starters are filled with unique flavor…

Editor's Tips

Fun Fact:
Such famous chefs as Ken Frank, and Mark Peel and Nancy Silverton all put in time behind the stoves at Michael's.
Look Good:
To sample the food of another early pioneer of California cuisine, head to Berkeley's Chez Panisse.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “Amazing service, food and ambience”
  2. “Went with boyfriend for romantic dinner.”
  3. “Went for my hubby's birthday and sat outside- overall romantic atmosphere and attentative service.”
  4. “Michael's a great place for a romantic dinner but it more on the expnsive side.”
dessert
50.0% positive
  1. “The service, although friendly, was rather slow - especially around dessert time.”
  2. “We were seated right away (9pm reservation), service was all you could ask for (Mark), food was great, wine was a tough selection from a thorough list, and dessert was like sex on a plate.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “We were seated right away (9pm reservation), service was all you could ask for (Mark), food was great, wine was a tough selection from a thorough list, and dessert was like sex on a plate.”
  2. “Nice Ambience, decent food But some great coffee”
food quality
93.8599967956543% positive
  1. “Be forewarned: it's a pricey night out, but you should never use that as an excuse to keep yourself from the best food.”
  2. “The food was great and I wouldn't mind spending the money if the service matched the price.”
  3. “The food was good, but not worth suffering the service.”
  4. “Nice Ambience, decent food But some great coffee”
  5. “The oysters were delicious, the heirloom tomatoes were FABULOUS, the salmon was yummy, and the rack of lamb was good.”
  6. “The food is overly rich, a white truffle orzo would have been delicious except for the half bottle of truffle oil added.”
  7. “The food was decent but the presentation was lovely.”
  8. “Everything about this place was awesome -- the outside dining area, the food (Snake River kurobuta pork.”
  9. “Menu was tasty meats and seafoods.”
  10. “We were seated right away (9pm reservation), service was all you could ask for (Mark), food was great, wine was a tough selection from a thorough list, and dessert was like sex on a plate.”
  11. “Amazing service, food and ambience”
  12. “do not pretend to be a gourmet, but I do know when I'm dining on wonderful food.”
  13. “The food was quite good - but I wasn't blown away by it.”
  14. “The food was excellent in taste, but portions were extremely small.”
  15. “Nice food with a lovely setting”
  16. “Great food as usual.”
  17. “Yes, the patio is very nice, but the food and service was mediocre.”
  18. “It is only a few times in life when you eat food so good that you ask to see the menu and write down the name of the chef.”
  19. “However, I informed the Michael's staff and they got us out of there in 45 minutes flat, still with the same wonderful service and food.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “We were seated right away (9pm reservation), service was all you could ask for (Mark), food was great, wine was a tough selection from a thorough list, and dessert was like sex on a plate.”
  2. “It is only a few times in life when you eat food so good that you ask to see the menu and write down the name of the chef.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “Michael's a great place for a romantic dinner but it more on the expnsive side.”
service
70.2400016784668% positive
  1. “but more deserved is praise for their dedication to providing great service to even their slightly crazed customers!”
  2. “Yes, the patio is very nice, but the food and service was mediocre.”
  3. “Don't get why people love the patio so much.”
  4. “We were seated right away (9pm reservation), service was all you could ask for (Mark), food was great, wine was a tough selection from a thorough list, and dessert was like sex on a plate.”
  5. “The food was good, but not worth suffering the service.”
  6. “The service was friendly and helpful.”
  7. “Went for my hubby's birthday and sat outside- overall romantic atmosphere and attentative service.”
  8. “For what the prices are, the service was pretty bad.”
  9. “Amazing service, food and ambience”
  10. “Waiters were rude and quite frankly for a place like this I was shocked!”
  11. “The food was great and I wouldn't mind spending the money if the service matched the price.”
  12. “The service, although friendly, was rather slow - especially around dessert time.”
  13. “Absolute gem, with a tree-filled patio and impeccable service.”
  14. “However, I informed the Michael's staff and they got us out of there in 45 minutes flat, still with the same wonderful service and food.”
value
64.28999900817871% positive
  1. “The food was great and I wouldn't mind spending the money if the service matched the price.”
  2. “I'd have been disappointed if I was paying full price.”
  3. “The food was good, but not worth suffering the service.”
  4. “With all of the fantastic restaurants in this city, nobody needs to put up with this crap, especially at those prices !”
  5. “Be forewarned: it's a pricey night out, but you should never use that as an excuse to keep yourself from the best food.”
  6. “For what the prices are, the service was pretty bad.”
  7. “The food was excellent in taste, but portions were extremely small.”
wait time
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. “However, I informed the Michael's staff and they got us out of there in 45 minutes flat, still with the same wonderful service and food.”
  2. “The service, although friendly, was rather slow - especially around dessert time.”
  3. “Great fine dining in 45 minutes?”
3 Star Rating: Average

08/22/11

Great date resto

by robertwhite16

I was a bit nervous to bring my girlfriend to this place. It has mixed reviews, it's either you'll love it or you'll hate it. I was hoping she'll love it, it's our anniversary and had to do something special for her. I made reservation to be sure to be seated right away, we weren't disappointed. The waiter who served us was nice, friendly and accommodating. The food was great, it was served hot and fresh. The serving is too small though for my appetite, but just perfect for my girlfriend's. It was a great date. I'm not sure if we just got lucky that night. We should try it again to find out..maybe on our next anniversary. I still have a year to save for this expensive dinner.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

09/12/10

the best scallops I've ever had

by Amber5050

This is one of my favorite restaurants, though I can't come often because its pretty pricey. Michael is sometimes at the restaurant and greets you in. The wine expert is so helpful and the service is impeccable. The dress code and crowd demand a more formal attire, but the decor is so nice inside that jeans and a shirt would stick out like a sore thumb.

I love scallops and I've tried scallops at so many restaurant (some very expensive places included) and the scallops at Micahel's are phenomenal! They were so succulent, and had just a little bit of a candied top/sauce.

Yes, the menu is pricey. Plan on spending $100/person, but for a special occasion, its worth every penny.

3 Star Rating: Average

06/04/09

Nice Ambience, decent food But some great coffee

by Nirali2009

Michael's a great place for a romantic dinner but it more on the expnsive side. The food was decent but the presentation was lovely.

Also, I must say being a coffee enthusiast the place served a great cup of coffee ! Idid some research and its called weaver's coffee - I would definitely reccomend trying the coffee there....

  • Pros: Nice patio and great ambience
  • Cons: Expensive
2 Star Rating: Below Average

07/10/08

Nothing memorable...

by traveler9

There's really nothing terribly wrong with Michael's, but nothing stood out. Aging decor, plastic seats on the patio. I do not pretend to be a gourmet, but I do know when I'm dining on wonderful food. This restaurant does not provide that. I had the poached lobster, which was just ok, and probably the smallest piece of lobster I've ever had in my life...for $ 46.00! Nothing was served with it. Nothing! No potato, no green vegetable....just alone on the plate. The waiter was adequate, but very full of himself, which is epidemic in LA. Yes, the patio is very nice, but the food and service was mediocre. It seems to be existing solely on it's former glory. My husband and I left the place hungry, which was easy to do when you receive very little food. When you spend hundreds of dollars on a meal, you have the right to expect to be wowed!

  • Pros: The decor...
  • Cons: Uninspired food....
1 Star Rating: Poor

11/16/07

Would not recommend!

by stella21

For what the prices are, the service was pretty bad. One of my favorite things to do is to go out and have a nice dinner. Of course it is at a cost but when I went to Michael's I was shocked at how we were treated. There was hardly any attention towards us from our waiter. It was like he was too good for us. I felt like we were being judged because we weren't in "suits" on a business dinner. The food was great and I wouldn't mind spending the money if the service matched the price. The decor was also very outdated and made the whole experience a huge waste.

The Details on Michael's Restaurant

Place Categories:

  • great food
  • helpful attentative service
  • mediocre service
  • romantic dinner
  • fantastic restaurant
  • awful place
  • great coffee
  • good ahi tuna appetizer
  • decent but
  • praise more deserved
  • good rack of lamb
  • uncomfortable lawn chairs
  • recommend seared foie gras
  • memorable nothing
  • delicious oysters
  • delicious white truffle orzo
  • dreadful paintings
  • rude waiters
  • great fine
  • romantic atmosphere
  • amazing ambience
  • worst restaurant experience
  • worst dining experience
  • love people
  • tasty menu
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