The west side has a beautiful new urban eclectic dining spot called Estate Restaurant + Bar on 1519 Wilshire Blvd. This elegant grand new space with its leveled seating arrangement brings an upscale but relaxed new option to Santa Monica. Chef Hisashi Yoshiara brings farm-to-table cuisine with a worldly twist thanks to the chef’s expansive European training.
The vibrant menu includes items presented and done in a new way, a way I have never tried. My favorite dish on the menu was the warm melt-in-your-mouth Miso Glazed Japanese Eggplant presented like sushi rolls. My second favorite bite was the large Natural Canadian Scallop wrapped in a crunchy netting from Nova Scotia. My third favorite appetizer was the tender BBQ Pork Short Rib with roasted Fuji apple glaze and a container of red cabbage slaw that could be thrown on top. These items are all perfect to share.
Estate even has Wok Dishes like Ramen, Fried Rice, and Pad Thai. Since they were out of the highly coveted Alaskan Black Cod for my main dish, the Whole Branzino ‘Aqua Pazza’ with Mediterranean sea bass from Greece was a winning choice while my mother enjoyed the Van Well Farms Rib Eye Medallion with smashed red creamer potatoes and grilled asparagus artfully displayed like a tower on the plate. The whole Branzino fish was served with head and tail, but prepared so you can eat the inside without the bones. The flavorful medley of vegetables that covered and surrounded the Branzino added natural robust flavors to my favorite fish.
Other items you may wish to sample are the Bacon Wrapped Pork Chops, New Zealand Lamb Chops, the Double Pork Chop “Heluka” served with roasted smashed kambocha pumpkin, or the Crispy Calamari Salad served with Kenter Canyon hand picked baby mizuna, glass noodles and cilantro serrano dressing. The Tuna Crispy Wonton Tacos were also good, and the Shrimp “Mojito” appetizer sounded interesting.
To enhance your experience, Mixologist Greg Bryson, known for his rediscovery of the classic American craft cocktail, entices guests with kitchen inspired flavor profiles sourcing the finest ingredients! To Melon Back mixes vodka, watermelon, mint, and lemon while Matcha Piccu mixes gin, lemongrass, matcha green tea, and fresh lemon juice. The long ebony wood bar space spanning almost 30 feet with small side couches seems like a perfect meeting spot for business or a pre-dinner drink.
You know you have found a gem when LA’s Estate shows you food options in ways you never considered and makes you love food you would typically never order. This place was packed on a Wednesday night buzzing with happy patrons. We also happened to run into a writer and PR friend who also caught word of the foodie creations at the grand Estate.
1519 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90403
(310) 394-7722
All photos courtesy of Melissa Curtin.
One thought on “Santa Monica gets a new gem – Estate Restaurant and Bar”