Anisette Brasserie

We've heard this business is closed. Have updated information?

(310) 395-3200

225 Santa Monica Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401 34.0152 -118.4969

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Downtown, West LA

Price:

$$$

Last updated 9.06.10

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Breakfast, Late Night Dining, Notable Chef, Historic Setting, People Watching, Lunch Spot, Date Spot, Dine At The Bar

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

French

Notable Chef:

Alain Giraud

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Anisette Brasserie

Featured Review

Martha Burr

Contributor

In Short – Former four-star chef Alain Giraud has partnered with Mike Garrett and Tommy Stoilkovich (Falcon, Voda) to open a quintessential French brasserie with a Santa Monica Farmer's Market-driven twist. Parisian-born Giraud traveled through France for design ideas and furnishings including antique mirrors, mosaic tiled floors, aged wood fixtures, and a zinc bar, which springboards aesthetically off the building's historic architecture. Dinner menu highlights include classic dishes like steak tartare, roast chicken and sweetbreads, plus seasonal offerings and separate menus for…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
Scoring a table (or even a seat at the bar) on weekends can be almost impossible--better to make a reservation at least a day in advance or stop by on a weekday.
The Extras:
Stop by for brunch on Sundays from 10am to 5pm.
ambiance
50.0% positive
  1. “The physical space is nice, they did a good job with the decor.”
  2. “would NEVER live in a new house or apartment building, I buy vintage clothes with some new pieces thrown in here and there, and I don't like the sterile atmosphere of most new restaurants.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “Also we finished with the Pots de Creme (vanilla with little lemon madeline cookies on the side) which also was excellent.”
  2. “asked whether he recommends the hot chocolate.”
  3. “but the chocolate and ice cream was good tho.”
  4. “The goat cheese was very rich and tasted across between brie and a piece of cheesecake from the( cheesecake factory), arugula was on the top.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “good wine list.”
  2. “the wine was great and the service was pleasant, although our server didn't seem that enthused to be working there.”
  3. “liked the high ceiling and the wines along the wall.”
  4. “Wanted a little more from Giraud both overall great space , the bar is beautiful.”
  5. “Great food, wine, service!”
  6. “love their cocktails.”
food quality
80.0% positive
  1. “Great food, wine, service!”
  2. “Very good food, loved the moulles and frittes.”
  3. “The food was rich with flavor allowing me to enjoy every bite.”
  4. “The menu is classical bistro food, the service is good.”
  5. “Our server was very knowledgeable about the food and gave great recommendations.”
  6. “My girlfriend order the french onion soup which is usually one of our favorites.”
  7. “The food was great.”
  8. “The pastries were actually quite good.”
  9. “just got home from Basalt Colorado on Saturday and had the best ever french onion soup which cost me about $6.00.”
  10. “Had the salmon benedict and while the taste was actually pretty good.”
  11. “The steak was full of gristle and looked absolutely horrible.”
  12. “Very traditional French bistro menu and though the service was hit or miss, the food was quite good.”
  13. “Although some dishes may seem a bit pricey for their portions (like the duck hash), I think the prices are reasonable considering the quality of the dishes and the extraordinary tastes I experienced.”
  14. “Fresh oysters, beef daube which was great, which our server, Sean, recommended.”
  15. “the burger was actually quite good, but again too salty.”
  16. “Good food, service has room for improvement”
  17. “We had lunch: if you like beef tartar you won't be disappointed.”
  18. “The warm yolk spilled out on everything once it was cut and every bite in that dish became so perfect to the palate.”
  19. “Had the Anisette Omelette which was also cold and even though I had requested the eggs cooked medium, they were hard and way overdone, served with cold soggy toast.”
  20. “It's a little pricey but you won't mind if you love things French and you love really great food.”
  21. “Beautiful space, excellent food ( the presentation can be a bit too precious at times) and impeccable service.”
  22. “Great space and food”
  23. “I've since become a regular and have very little complaints about service or the food (once too my fries weren't quite right, and if you don't have a reservation for dinner the wait for walk in's is not pretty).”
  24. “Authentic French brasserie food at reasonable prices.”
  25. “The Tuna "starter" was awful, pretty much not even edible - the taste was off, and the bread was as hard as a brick.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “Very traditional French bistro menu and though the service was hit or miss, the food was quite good.”
  2. “the gnocchi was actually quite good, but the menu description was misleading--the flavors were more leeks, black pepper, and a hint of fennel, not truffle.”
  3. “The menu is classical bistro food, the service is good.”
service
92.8600025177002% positive
  1. “Beautiful space, excellent food ( the presentation can be a bit too precious at times) and impeccable service.”
  2. “As one of the early diners for Anisette's first public dinner service, I can report Anisette does not disappoint.”
  3. “Our server was very knowledgeable about the food and gave great recommendations.”
  4. “I've since become a regular and have very little complaints about service or the food (once too my fries weren't quite right, and if you don't have a reservation for dinner the wait for walk in's is not pretty).”
  5. “Good food, service has room for improvement”
  6. “the wine was great and the service was pleasant, although our server didn't seem that enthused to be working there.”
  7. “Fresh oysters, beef daube which was great, which our server, Sean, recommended.”
  8. “The menu is classical bistro food, the service is good.”
  9. “particularly, our french servers made excellent recommendations.”
  10. “service was great.”
  11. “The service was nice and prompt.”
  12. “Great food, wine, service!”
  13. “Very traditional French bistro menu and though the service was hit or miss, the food was quite good.”
  14. “the oysters were great and the bartender attentive.”
value
87.5% positive
  1. “Although some dishes may seem a bit pricey for their portions (like the duck hash), I think the prices are reasonable considering the quality of the dishes and the extraordinary tastes I experienced.”
  2. “Authentic French brasserie food at reasonable prices.”
  3. “It's a little pricey but you won't mind if you love things French and you love really great food.”
  4. “think of it this way: if the apple tatin is ten times better than any apple tatin I have ever had, then it is worth paying $10 for the experience of tasting something that good.”
3 Star Rating: Average

04/01/10

Anisette didn't quite live up to the hype...

by BeachGirl67

I went to Anisette last night for my birthday with my boyfrirend & parents. As mentioned in other reviews the service was hit & miss. After being seated the waiter came over to ask about water but then quickly disappeared before asking us if we wanted cocktails or wine!! Once he returned upstairs we had to flag him down to have him take our drink order. I also ordered a salad which came in about 2 minutes, even before our drinks! Then when we wanted to order dinner we again had to flag him down.

When looking over the menu, I have to say I was greatly disappointed to see that there was no lamb on the menu...except as the Sunday special. This is very different from what is shown on their online menu on the website. I guess a lot of items have been removed & that was too bad! I was so looking forward to rack of lamb! So I ordered the Wed Special, Beef Bourguignon (a la Julia Child). It was very tasty, with all the right elements, but I have to say the meat was not as tender as I would have expected (I had to use a knife) and it seems like it was made the day before or maybe the day before that!! My boyfriend had the same dish & thought the same thing! My mother had the Sea Bass which was excellent. Moist & very delicious. My dad had the 10 oz (supposed) rib eye without the bone. I say supposed because this did not look like any rib eye I'd ever seen & I thought maybe they gave him the flat iron by mistake. The steak was full of gristle and looked absolutely horrible. My dad make the best of it though. When mentioned to the waiter my dad was very cordial about it & I tried to speak up but the waiter insisted it was a rib eye. Im still not so sure - out of 10oz, 5oz was left on the plate - inedible! On the flip side, the pomme frites that came with it were excellent, as was the garlic aioli that my dad got on the side. They should serve their fries with the aioli always! We had the house caraf of Cotes du Rhone which was very good. Also we finished with the Pots de Creme (vanilla with little lemon madeline cookies on the side) which also was excellent.

Would I go back once more? Yes. Maybe on a Sunday when I can get the lamb!

  • Pros: Good wine, good atmosphere
  • Cons: hit & miss service
1 Star Rating: Poor

02/28/10

Great if you like speed-dining

by PC Eats

Last night was my fourth visit to Anisette Brasserie. Since past visits had been fairly good, we made a reservation to celebrate an anniversary. What a tremendous disappointment.

It seems since the last time we ate at Anisette, the management has adopted the 'hurry-up-and-eat' business model.

We placed our wine order and the waiter promptly returned to uncork and pour. Minutes later, he was back, interrupting an obvious toast. Rather than have the good sense to discreetly disappear, he stood there and stared at us. Feeling pressured, we ordered an appetizer. When asked what we wanted as a main course, we told the waiter that we hadn't yet decided. He informed us that we had to order the appetizer and main course all at once, saying something about the chef wanting it that way.

Not to bore you with the details, but I had to fend off three busboys who were in a rush to clear my salad plate before I had even finished. Our waiter kept returning to check on us, but we both felt he was anxious to get us out of there so that they could seat more guests. From the upstairs section, I had a clear view of the entryway, and only once did it appear there were people waiting to be seated, yet there were empty tables available upstairs where we were eating.

The waitstaff were simply doing what management tells them to do, so I don't blame them for doing their jobs and trying to flip tables quickly. I do find fault with any dining establishment in this category that finds it necessary to adopt a diner mentality and rush patrons through their meals.

Needless to say, we won't be returning to Anisette. There are too many other restaurants in the area that understand customers are willing to pay a little more to have a pleasant and unhurried dining experience. Anisette missed the mark on this one.

  • Pros: Decor, ambience
  • Cons: Service
3 Star Rating: Average

01/17/10

Good food, service has room for improvement

by xteen

Very traditional French bistro menu and though the service was hit or miss, the food was quite good. This place absolutely filled a void needed in Santa Monica. Be forewarned - no valet.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

12/11/09

Great vibe!

by jamiez

we sat at the bar...I love the vibe there...the oysters were great and the bartender attentive...been back a few more times already...I love their cocktails...reminds me of my fav restaurant in NYC so I love being there!!

  • Pros: drinks!!
  • Cons: pricey!
4 Star Rating: Recommended

03/26/09

Great space and food

by iomegadrive

The food was great. Had the steak tartare for an app, and had the steak frites. Both were awesome.

The space is really cool, but once it begins to fill up, it's time to start raising your voice.

I would recommend booking ahead, since it looked like there were some walk ups who had to be turned away.

  • Pros: Food, drinks, setting
  • Cons: Gets quite loud QUICK.

The Details on Anisette Brasserie

Place Categories:

  • great good food
  • great service
  • great physical space
  • superb wine recommendations
  • pretty good thrilling taste
  • order french onion soup
  • great oysters
  • quite good burger
  • very knowledgeable server
  • great beef daube
  • love restaurant
  • recommend booking
  • love vibe
  • not pretty wait
  • inedible plate
  • amazing apple tatin
  • awesome escape
  • good brunch
  • good sense
  • full anticipation
  • like nothing
  • love cocktails
  • great wine
  • reasonable prices
  • excellent creme
Advertisement

Featured In

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