Cafe Montana
Santa Monica, CA 90403-1877
Phone: (310) 829-3990
- Price:
- $$
- Cross Street:
- Between 15th Street and 16th Street
- Hours:
- Daily 8am-10pm
Editorial Review for Cafe Montana – by Allyson Goldin
In Short
Stylish locals crowd into this romantic corner cafe for weekend brunch and weeknight dinner. Icicle lights trim the ceiling, doubling their glitter in the restaurant's street-facing walls, which are made entirely of glass. An open kitchen reveals chefs fussing over sauces while orange splashes of fire rise from the grill. The California fare takes inspiration from all over the world but with mixed results--dishes look pretty but flavors are hit or miss. You'll find a variety of seafood, pasta, and grilled meat dishes.
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Insider Tips
When to GoBeat the breakfast rush by arriving when the cafe opens at 8am.
ParkingParking is limited to the strip mall lot behind the building, but the residential streets aren't restricted (aside from street cleaning), and the meters offer two-hour parking.
Know Before You GoIf you're hoping for a quiet romantic dinner, consider a midweek date.
User Reviews for Cafe Montana
11/18/2008 Posted by JonVegas
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.
11/12/2008 Posted by shacajuncooking
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!!!!!
