Mélisse - Santa Monica

We were just here on Father’s Day and the food and service was incredible. We had a large group so we ordered a lot of different things and I can’t say anyone was disappointed. Instead of listing everything we ordered, the highlights for us were lobster bolognese and the dover sole. We tried most of the deserts and again everything was great. The only thing I can’t speak too is the cocktails/wine as none of us were drinking that night. Two things to be aware of. 1. This is a high end restaurant, so don’t get sticker shock about the price tag. 2. For the most part save a few items (chicken, rib eye, Dover sole, white asparagus the serving sizes are pretty small. I would come here again in a heart beat, and would definitely recommend it.

Booked a 3:30 table for Thanksgiving. Arrived promptly and before we were even given menus a gentleman approached our table and said, I am reminding you that you have 90 minutes at this table. It went downhill from there. For a restaurant owned by a two star Michelin chef, we received negative star service. My Mom was disappointed that she was not offered a black napkin despite her wearing black pants. Our server seemed in a hurry to get our order. She never offered us drinks, no wine list, no cocktail list. They have a full bar but after taking our drink order returned to say, We don 't make **** Marys. Had to ask for a wine list as one was not offered despite my saying we would like wine with dinner. My $18 glass of wine was a thimble poor at the discretion of the server (no portion control) and hardly 3 oz. Runners brought the food, dropped it and left. They placed the incorrect items at each place and had to be told who ordered what. Two of our entrees had to be sent back and only after a long wait for someone to come over and ask if everything is OK. My mom 's turkey appeared to have been sliced on a Deli meat slicer and was all uniform pieces that must have been waiting pre plated under a heat lamp. The top piece was so dessicated that it could not be cut. My prime rib was more than 50% fat, terribly undercooked despite my specifyling a temperature preference and was inedible. That meant my wife either had to consume her meal and wait for us to eat ours, or wait until we received replacements and let her food get cold. Completely unacceptable options for fine dining. All three plates should have been removed and re served together. Dessert was included in the $125 per person charge but we had to pay $21 additional for coffee which came much later than the desserts. Our meal was almost $600 including a non disclosed compulsory 20% service charge (meaning we had to pay sales tax on the service charge which was $85) and then they asked for an additional tip. We felt ripped off. My phone call and emails to three people at the restaurant have not been answered. To add insult to injury, when we got home, at 10:30 that night I received an email saying that we were going to be charged a cancellation fee because we did not cancel our reservation and were no shows. I replied to the email with our table and check number and also the name of our server saying that we had indeed eaten there and honored our reservation. This morning a $375 charge appeared on my credit card.

Had expected great food and service since it is affiliated with Melisse.Wrong on both counts .Service and food uninspired, most having been pre made. Staff going through the motions . This type of meal wants you to find restaurants where the food, staff and experience are inspired . This meal will give you a terrible memory, especially when you have to think where you could have eaten!

Josiah has done it again with his seasonal menu, he states his inspiration was drawn from his life experiences and his past. A beautiful experience that should be shared intimately. It’s best to do the tasting menu and experience everything he has for you.

Great atmosphere and wonderful dinner in an unassuming part of Santa Monica. Converted back part of the restaurant with lights and plants brings a magical atmosphere to an great menu.