During the last week of October, the entire OnlyInYourState editorial staff met in Southern California for work. With so many incredible culinary destinations to choose from, how do you possibly decide where to go, especially with so many different tastes and diet preferences to keep in mind? I don’t know how she did it, but our conference organizer found one of the best culinary gems in the city for one of our team dinners: 1212 Santa Monica. With a variety of mouthwatering dishes, there was something for everyone here – all 15 of us.
Welcome to 1212 Santa Monica, a stunning restaurant tucked along the 3rd Street Promenade that proves you can have it all: an incredible atmosphere, mouthwatering food, and top-notch drinks and dessert.
1212 Santa Monica/Facebook
The open, two-story space is warm and inviting, a perfect place for a large group dinner. With a mixture of modern and traditional design elements, including more than 100 copper droplights hanging from the ceiling, we felt instantly welcomed.
1212 Santa Monica/Facebook
We could only imagine how incredible the 10,000-square-foot space with virtually no obstructed views would be for a larger celebration – a wedding or rehearsal dinner, retirement party, corporate event – or even a concert.
1212 Santa Monica/Facebook The restaurant’s first floor is home to the main bar and dining area, and upstairs, a wrap-around balcony offers additional seating with a secondary dining and bar area functioning as a private event space and after-hours lounge.
Ready to start with a drink? A curated beer and wine list accompanies a series of unique cocktails – my personal favorite was the Mambo Splash, made with Cruzan coconut rum, fresh orange juice, pineapple juice, and house-made sour.
1212 Santa Monica/Facebook Other favorites from our party included the 1212 Moscow Mule and the Getting Foggy, made with del maguey vida mezcal, house-made pomegranate molasses, agave nectar, fresh lime juice, pomegranate seeds, and lava salt.
Appetizers are best enjoyed with a large group, and the pink hummus, truffle fries, and popcorn shrimp certainly did not disappoint.
1212 Santa Monica/Facebook
I ordered the pear and gorgonzola ravioli, prepared with butter, sage, and Parmigiano sauce, topped with roasted pecan nuts and guanciale, while other pasta dishes enjoyed by our party included the French Gnocchi Pomodoro and the Wild Boar Pappardelle (pictured).
1212 Santa Monica/Facebook
The carnivores at our table loved the prime-cut filet mignon with truffle mashed potatoes, asparagus, and a homemade chianti wine glaze, but no one at our table left the meal unsatisfied.
1212 Santa Monica/Facebook
We visited for dinner, of course, but if I ever find myself in the area again, I would love to visit for brunch, served every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Featuring a variety of breakfast favorites like pancakes and egg benedict as well as tasty crostini, salads, pasta, and more, the brunch menu looks absolutely delicious.
1212 Santa Monica/Facebook
So, what are you waiting for? Whether you visit for dinner, drinks, or weekend brunch, you’re sure to enjoy this can’t-miss culinary experience. Add 1212 Santa Monica to your dining bucket list immediately – you won’t regret it, trust us.
1212 Santa Monica/Facebook
For more information about this incredible restaurant, visit the 1212 Santa Monica website or follow them on Facebook. Have you ever dined at 1212 Santa Monica? Tell us about it in the comments, or use our nomination form to share other must-try culinary destinations across Southern California.
1212 Santa Monica/Facebook
The restaurant’s first floor is home to the main bar and dining area, and upstairs, a wrap-around balcony offers additional seating with a secondary dining and bar area functioning as a private event space and after-hours lounge.
Other favorites from our party included the 1212 Moscow Mule and the Getting Foggy, made with del maguey vida mezcal, house-made pomegranate molasses, agave nectar, fresh lime juice, pomegranate seeds, and lava salt.
To discover more incredible boots-on-the-ground adventures across America from our team of local travel experts, check out all of the articles in OnlyInYourState’s Everyday Explorers series. What destinations would you like to see featured next on OnlyInYourState’s Everyday Explorers? Tell us where we should go on our nominations page.
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Address: 1212 3rd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA
