Cafe Montana

11/18/08

Great place for lunch! AMAZING place for dinner!!

by JonVegas at Citysearch

Having recently moved into the Santa Monica area, I have found myself at Cafe Montana with increasing frequency. I met a friend for lunch there at her suggestion, and was quite pleasently surprised. I'm a big guy and a salad isn't usually enough for me, but when their Grilled Vegetable Salad came out I was sure that I would be ok. I had it with the chicken added, and could not finish it. Unbelievably good, and not something that equals three hours on the treadmill to get rid of. My friend also had a salad, the Chicken Bella if I'm not mistaken. This salad is the reason she lunches there, she informed me. I tasted the pesto dressing and was quite impressed.

I asked the waiter, who was quite a character ;-), if salads were all that they did well. He assured me that the fish speacials at dinner would, and I quote, "Knock my socks off!"

About a week later, I decided to test his recommendation. To preface, I am a salmon lover, and have had amazing peices of it from NYC to Seattle. The grilled salmon that they prepared for me equaled any fish that I have eaten at any five star restaurant, anywhere. The suace that came with my dish was a lovely tomato basil salsa, with a citrus butter (that I requested on the side), but I'm told that the sauces are changed nightly. The sides were completely delicious, and ample to satisfy my appetite, including both potatoes and vegetables. They even have a pretty fun selection of wines to pair dinner with.

For a place that I can walk to, I guess it does knock my socks off. Congrats to the brains behind this little gem in a glass box!

And with the extensive menu, you better believe that I'll be back to try each and every item. Next time, I'm having the risotto with blackened prawns and saffron sauce that the couple next to me was devouring! ;-)

• Pros: Location. Great food. Easy!
• Cons: No full bar. No abundance of single women.

11/12/08

My FAVORITE resturant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by shacajuncooking at Citysearch

I can't think of a place that has won me over time and time again like Cafe Montana. My wife and I had dinner there on Saturday night and I was BLOWN away. They have this prawn and mango salad that I can't stop thinking about and now they have perfected a filet! The owner came to our table and chatted for a few minuets and the service was top notch. I miss places like this in Santa Monica and can't recomend it enough. Save room for the mixed berry crumble!!!!!

07/15/08

A good brunch or lunch stop

by kiercemartin at Citysearch

This is a pretty popular place, and chances are you'll have to wait for a table if you try to go for a weekend brunch, but there's a reason it's popular. They serve up pretty consistent food, and the staff is super friendly. It's definitely not life-changing, but certainly good enough for a stop through. My favorite are the chicken enchiladas. They are a for sure can't miss.