Clock Out of Work and Find Favorite Plates at Lunetta in Santa Monica
Stop for a second and consider how much time you spend in a day at your job.
Maybe you have a part-time gig and you show up when you’re needed. Or maybe you have the role of hustler/entrepreneur in which every hour where you have your eyes open are considered working hours. Whichever one you may be, I think it’s safe to say that when the evening rolls around hunger will ensue. If that happens and you’re in Los Angeles, then there’s a restaurant you should visit in order to reward yourself for all your hard work. It’s Lunetta in Santa Monica.
Lunetta is situated on Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica with its sister restaurant, Lunetta All Day, just a few steps away. The evening concept opens its doors to guests and reveals a dimly lit interior that invites all who enter to relax into the restaurant’s atmosphere while scanning over their menu. It’s not difficult to do, especially if you find yourself arriving after work like I did with my close friend, Maria. A few moments with the menu and a very humorous conversation with the waiter put us in the best position to order food.
As the food arrived to the table with an inviting scent to follow, it didn’t take long for our forks to pierce each item in eager anticipation of what was to come. Splitting each plate and claiming ownership of the ones we loved, it would be no surprise if things took an aggressive turn. I was extremely pleased with the starters we ordered. The Grilled Nectarines ($10), Wood Grilled Spanish Octopus ($18), and the Crab Gnocchi ($15) took center stage. A pair of grilled nectarines were wrapped with a crispy prosciutto and showered with shaved Manchego cheese. What could be considered unusual on first thought, meat wrapped around fruit, was surprisingly perfect. A beautiful combination, the thin and salted meat was delicious around the still juicy fruit. While the cheese could easily be incorporated alongside each fork, it was honestly not necessary. There were moments where I forgot it was on the plate because it didn’t contribute much to the overall flavor as I would have hoped. I wasn’t mad that it was there, but I also didn’t pay it much attention when given the chance.
Disregarding the Manchego cheese, I jumped into the grilled octopus. In a small skillet were a handful of delicate leafy greens, cherry tomatoes, butter beans, topped with tomatillo salsa. I really enjoyed the chargrilled flavor across the tender and chewy octopus, but I loved the combination of the seafood paired with the vegetables most. The smoky taste against the light leaves and the citrus from the tomatoes made this a plate I fought over. The last of the starters was the gnocchi. This was such a great instance where the smell of the dish draws you to have a bite. Small rounds of gnocchi were covered with a herb tomato nage (broth). I really fell in love with how soft and tender the gnocchi were and how they were swimming in such a dynamic sauce. It was a rich broth that I couldn’t help but grab spoon after spoon until it was all gone.
This is when the entrées arrived.
Maria had the Crispy Herb Jidori Brick Chicken ($28) and I went with a Caramelized Pork Chop ($29). As pretty as the chicken was with a sprinkle of Cherokee heirloom tomato salsa on top of it, I found it to be a simple chicken dish. It didn’t carry an exciting seasoning that some of the other dishes had, nor did it incorporate the salsa in a way that would make it taste memorable. Instead there was chicken and there was a salsa. Two independent components that were nice, but nothing worth a second order. In spite of the disappointment I had with the initial taste of the chicken, it wasn’t my order so I didn’t have to care much beyond the single forkful that I had. Instead I diverted my attention to my pork.
The caramelized pork chop was served with wild rice and pickled apples all in a cider reduction. This was a great dish to have because the meat was thick and juicy and the caramel across the exterior was just the right amount of sweetness. It was a complete contrast from Maria’s chicken and one that I was excited to continue eating. The serving was a good portion making it more than filling. Pairing it with the rice was the perfect companion making the dish feel and taste complete.
Last but not lease was dessert.
Manjari Chocolate Crème Brulee ($10) and the Sticky Toffee Pudding ($10). With crème brulee being one of my favorite desserts, I thought this would be the winner of the night. While I liked the velvety chocolate and the fresh strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries it wasn’t as strong or exciting of a crème brulee as would have hoped. It was nice, but that was about it. The toffee pudding looked like it would be a forgettable dish, but to my surprise it was the best of the night. The pudding came with a vanilla ice cream, candied pecans, and a toffee sauce. The pudding from start to finish was soft, incredibly sweet, and captivating. The ice cream only soaked into the pudding bringing out the nutty toffee flavor that made it impossible to leave anything on the plate.
Having a few plates of starters, entrees, and desserts at Lunetta in Santa Monica is a nice way to spend the evening after a day of work or hustling. While a few items aren’t as strong as others, there are those that come ready to impress and win you over after long day of working. Whatever way you chose to end your busy day, there’s a good chance that dining a Lunetta will be a good choice.
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Address: 2420 Pico Boulevard Santa Monica, CA 90405
Phone: (310) 581-9888
Hours: Tuesday through Friday — 6:00pm to 11:00pm, Saturday — 5:00pm to 11:00pm, and Closed Sunday and Monday
Social: Website, Facebook, and Instagram.
