CÉZANNE Casual Elegance

Le Merigot Beach Hotel & Spa 1740 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica (310) 395-9700

 

Located in the bosom of the beachside JW resort, Cézanne is a 5-Star Diamond Award-winner (2004).  A vibrant restaurant that goes for conviviality and brightness over intimacy and moody lighting, it is well suited to a girls-night-out or a relaxed date.  The atmosphere is casual without compromising the elegance and one is able to get a sophisticated meal at decent prices without having to adopt a stuffy attitude.

 

Although the room, adorned with replicas of the namesake, is unmistakably “hotel dining room,” the advantages are clear in its spaciousness and the unrushed pace.  Luxurious wood paneling, cloudy booths, oversized chandeliers, and the live piano make this an experience that demands you take your time with the meal.

 

Before creating culinary art at Cézanne, Executive Chef Desi Szonntagh was the Executive Sous Chef at the acclaimed Terrace Restaurant at Hotel Bel-Air and also served at renowned establishments like Shutters on the Beach, Tatou in Tokyo and La Boheme in New York City.  At his new home, Szonntagh is inspired by Provence and flirts with contemporary Mediterranean and Pacific Rim touches. 

 

Szonntagh’s signature dish is a spicy Ahi Tuna tartare which, although not spicy enough, is buttery and finely accented with a dollop of caviar.  The Dungeness crab and artichoke salad delivers a healthy portion of crabmeat and is a subtle and refreshing starter.  The Entrecote au Poivre is a New York steak in a green peppercorn mustard sauce, cooked to perfection so that the meat is juicy and crunchy on the outside.  It is accompanied by the sort of delicious sautéed potatoes that will make even your companion pick from your plate.  While they offer an extensive wine list and even feature a selected vintner each month, do not miss their classic Stoli martini, something simple yet easy to mess up.  Here it is shaken to perfection and worthy of a medal.  The Moroccan rack of lamb with Provencal lamb stew and riso pasta is succulent and bursting with flavor.  Chocolate Lava Cake for dessert is served with mixed berries and some delightful pistachio ice cream that deserves to be served on its own as a dessert. 

 

On Thursdays, Cézanne offers Bistro Nights where you can enjoy a Los Angeles version of the famous Parisian L’Entrecote: a house salad, broiled New York Steak with mushroom bordelaise sauce and fresh pomme frites for only $25.  On Fridays and Saturdays, enjoy a Vintner Dinner where you are offered unlimited complimentary wine tasting with the purchase of an entrée while Sommelier George Skorka is available to discuss wine pairings and the featured vintner of the month.  For those seeking lighter fare, Cezanne also offers a new tapas menu to accompany that chilled classic martini we’re planning on going back for!