From Santa Monica to the heart of Hollywood, eating your way down an 11-mile stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard.

by Brent Miller

Choosing a restaurant to dine at in this city can be as complicated as buying a new car. Simply put, you need to choose a make (the geographical location of where you’d like to eat), a model (the kind of food you have a taste for), a price range (the amount you’d like to spend) and, finally, the specific vehicle you’d like to drive home (the restaurant). All things considered, we decided to indulge in a little in-town road trip for our Dining Guide, wending our way along Santa Monica Boulevard, through West L.A., Beverly Hills and WeHo, before ending up in Hollywood—11 miles traveled and lots of great food eaten.

Sushi Roku
1401 Ocean Ave.
Santa Monica
www.sushiroku.com

A restaurant that, by definition, can be considered a chain, however, minus the often favorable chain-like prices and stale environments. Found in Las Vegas, Pasadena, West Hollywood and Santa Monica, Sushi Roku remains at the top of its game when competing in an arguably saturated sushi market. Southern Californians love the nutritional value sushi has to offer and have created a demand for it comparable to the demand for a Starbucks on every block. Sushi Roku offers great food, a trendy environment, average service and, more often than not, an aesthetically pleasing crowd.

Third Street Promenade
Santa Monica
www.thirdstreetpromenade.org

The heart of downtown Santa Monica is the perfect place to spend the day shopping, seeing a movie, people watching or, most importantly, grabbing a quick bite to eat. I prefer lunch to breakfast or dinner on this lively strip of establishments. Broadway Deli or Barney’s Beanery are two of my favorites, offering a large selection of choices and seating in an outdoor patio. However, there are many more places to choose from. Simply park in one of the local garages and walk the strip. It’s a must-see stop for anyone visiting the Los Angeles area.

Over Under Sports Grill
1333 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica
(310) 899–0076

Everything you would expect from a little dive sports bar. The floor is cement; the walls are a light green; two pool tables exist in the back and there’s a connecting music venue, 14 Below, for those who are looking to turn lunch and the afternoon game into a long night out. The scent of beer permeates the air, the menu consists of sandwiches and appetizers and the laid-back atmosphere brings the Midwest to the West Coast.

Il Grano
11359 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles
(310) 477-7886

Chef/owner Sal Marino takes pride in changing the menu monthly to take advantage of “whatever swims in the ocean and grows on Mother Earth.” Although the prices are a bit high, the homemade pasta and famed heirloom tomato gazpacho are worth it. The ambiance is sort of old-school modern. The stark white walls take away from the typical warmness Italy offers. The service is good, and the food is excellent. This is definitely a stop worth making as you drive east down the boulevard.

Jack N’ Jill
510 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica
www.eatatjacknjills.com

Stop by for breakfast or lunch—both are worth the trip. Since this beach outpost of the Beverly Hills favorite opened three years ago, Westside eaters have enjoyed the excellent food, casual atmosphere and all-day breakfast menu in their own backyard. The menu is large yet original, with a selection that flirts with some of your comfort-food favorites. I’m a big fan of fresh squeezed juices—not only do they have them, but they take it to the next level and offer fresh squeezed lemonade. If you have a sweet tooth, make sure to satisfy it with their chocolate pecan pancakes: a tasty way to start your day!

The Peninsula of Beverly Hills
9882 Little Santa Monica Blvd.
Beverly Hills
www.beverlyhills.peninsula.com

Often times we forget to take advantage of the wonderful hotel properties that exist in Southern California. The Belvedere restaurant inside the Peninsula is a favorite lunch spot among many Hollywood elite. Its outdoor patio and sophisticated menu encompass all the positives of living in Los Angeles. However, unlike many L.A. eateries, this restaurant has a slightly more business/upscale feel, obviously due to the hotel influence. Regardless, it’s an ideal destination when in need of great food, excellent service and a positively groomed environment.

Crustacean
9646 Little Santa Monica Blvd.
Beverly Hills
www.anfamily.com

Only 11 years young, this Beverly Hills favorite is famous for its award-winning, Euro-Vietnamese design featuring a “walk on water” entrance. The garlic noodles, tiger prawns and Chilean sea bass are personal favorites. But the most interesting and equally notable edge to this venue is its “secret” kitchen inside the kitchen that only the An family is able to enter. It’s the place where a treasure trove of family recipes are protected. With excellent food, great service, pleasant atmosphere and prices that are comparable to other west-of-Doheny eateries, this is a stop to make!

Papa Jakes Sub Shop
9527 Little Santa Monica Blvd.
Beverly Hills
(310) 276-7823

With arguably one of the best Philly cheese steaks in town, Jakes brings sub sandwich favorites from the East Coast to the heart of Beverly Hills. With only a few stools and a counter, the ambiance is that of a one-stop shop, while the food is simple yet tasty and made at the speed of any fast food establishment.

Hugo’s Restaurant
8401 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood
www.hugosrestaurant.com

Recently remodeled, this popular West Hollywood eatery offers an eclectic menu of healthy favorites. Although it’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, I find the first of three to be most satisfying. The prices are reasonable, the atmosphere is casual, and the service tends to be consistent. Not necessarily a trendy spot, but a satisfying one that is sure to leave you full.

Il Forno Caldo
9705 Little Santa Monica Blvd.
Beverly Hills
(310) 777-0040

A cozy, laid-back, casual yet moderately noisy place to have lunch, this little Italian favorite is reasonable in price and quality of food. While you shouldn’t go out of your way to visit, it’s certainly worth stopping to break for lunch. Some claim the pizza is their favorite, while others prefer the well-known paninis. I’ve had both and felt they were good, but lacked creativity and flavor.

Marix Tex Mex
1108 North Flores St.
West Hollywood
www.marixtexmex.com

A notable crowd pleaser, this cozy Mexican establishment continues to pack them in. While the menu is typical, the attractive staff and tasty margaritas keep people coming back for more. The ambiance is casual and a bit loud at times. However, the noise is simply the recognizable sound of those having a good time.

Tintos
7511 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood
(323) 512-3095

This family-owned and operated gem specializes in authentic Spanish tapas and typical recipes from Barcelona and the Balearic Islands. The atmosphere is intimate and European in feel, while the staff is sweet and engaging. The homemade sangria is tasty, and I highly recommend sitting at the bar while enjoying it. The seats are the most comfortable in town, so sit a spell before heading off to your final destination, Osteria/Pizzeria Mozza.

Osteria/Pizzeria Mozza
641 N. Highland Ave.
Los Angeles
www.mozza-la.com

We didn’t feel our journey would be complete without veering off the boulevard one major block south to this dining destination. After searching nearly a year for the perfect crust, Nancy Silverton and Mario Batali come together to bring Angelenos the best-tasting pizza in town. The only drawback is trying to get a reservation. While they’re usually booked several weeks in advance, I highly recommend walking in, putting your name on the list and wait for a seat at the bar.