Shangri La Santa Monica - Poolside - Restaurant Review
The essence of food on Ocean Blvd in Santa Monica falls into the realm of life lived and life taken. With the reinterpretation of the Hotel Shangri-La on the corner of Arizona, the tell tale sign in the reinvigoration lies in the paradox of the senses.The food, sampled over lunch, tells a motley story but the actual lines of the hotel speak for themselves from the efferverscent private guest hotel bar, Suite 700, to the redesigned and ultra modern poolside cabanas. Judging from the enthusiasm of the owners who bring a multi-tude of expertise to the table, the Hotel Shangri-La is a home but not a home, cool but not over-bearing, sleek yet old school...a place where art and commerce can truly mix.
Lunch at the Shangri-La Poolside, in a hip open bungalow with black chandeliers, is that great getaway from the production office for the executive. It is a whip of fresh air with the ambience to boot.
Beginning with the grilled flat bread ensconced in heirloom tomatoes, black truffle puree and barrata, the spiciness of combination is just right and the serving plentiful as practical application forces the necessity to eat the portion like a pizza slice or a taco. Just make sure the timing's right. The paradox to this is the heavenly served hamachi, which is smooth enough on the tongue, despite the irony of watermelon, avocado and cilantro wisping deliciously on its back.
The salads allowed for a light heartiness to keep the energy running all day. The beauty of the Beets N' Bresola as a melding of two tastes of tangy and tart allow for a very balanced symmetry leading into the luscious lobster cobb. Overflowing with shellfish meat and smoothly prepared with blue cheese viniagrette and a smattering of sweet onions, the beauty was tasted with care.Passion is the key to any meal and the precious thought of Executive Chef Dakota Weiss shines through in her tendencies to not only serve with an artistic aesthetic but to also actually feeding the client to satisfaction. This adds to a discussed “organic dichotomy” which flows throughout the hotel.The owners also integrate their electronica record label So Sweet in the aspect of what the hotel brings. The Thursday and Friday late nights swell with music and style around the nestled bungalows which seem to offer that ever elusive balance of intimacy and energy. That's what it is all about. As Hotel Shangri-La's prestige as an ultra hip spot for the sophisticated grows, its legend will continue.