A new and fabulous spot in Santa Monica-- Tar & Roses
It's always terribly exciting when a new spot opens on the Westside of LA. Especially when it is atmospheric and delicious. Unfortunately, rare!! We were so taken with Tar & Roses that we went twice in one week without reservations. That's right. Because it is new and all Westsiders burn out on the handful of dining options we have, when you call for a reservation they (without sniffy snobbery) tell you they've got a 5:30 or a 10pm available. Here's the move, for a party of two, show up at around 7pm, do not get discouraged when the host staff tells you the wait for the bar will be two hours. Settle on the benches in the front part of the restaurant, enjoy a glass of wine and then be ushered to seats at the bar within a half hour (our experience on our two visits).
Once seated at the bar, feast upon the array of bruschettas made before your eyes (we loved the salt cod brandade, the straight up tomato and burrata, and the selection of the cheeses). Other stand outs on the menu are the ricotta gnocci, shellfish pot, and pork chop. Skip the broccoli side dish-- too oily. And the octopus was a wee weird. The strawberry crostata dessert with honeycomb ice cream was declared one of the best desserts ever.
And there you have it. Go this weekend.