Emeritus Restaurant Critic/Dining Class, Spring, 2024

HME EC E52, Section 9797
Class Curriculum (Syllabus) & Materials Info.

Link to Restaurant Review Form

Latest News: We picked a reviewer name:
SMCEmeritusRestaurantCritics

We will soon start posting reviews on Yelp, Google & Trip Advisor

Susan is in the process of creating the necessary accounts.

SPRING, 2024 CLASS RESTAURANT SCHEDULE

Week 1, 2/12/24, Mel's Drive-In, 1670 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica

Week 2, 2/19/24, No Class, President's Day

Week 3, 2/26/24, California Pizza Kitchen - 210 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica

Week 4, 3/4/24, Bossa Nova, 10982 Pico Blvd, Los Angeles

Week 5, 3/11/24, Berbere - 508 Santa Monica Blvd

Week 6, 3/18/24, CHANGED to Kreation Organic, 1023 Montana Ave, Santa Monica
(WAS: Blossom (Vietnamese cuisine) - 2821 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica)
Changed because Blossom is not open until 12)

Week 7, 3/25/24, Earth, Wind & Flour - 2222 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica

Week 8, 4/1/24, Massilia, 1445 4th Street, Santa Monica

4/8/24, NO CLASS, Spring Break

Week 9, 4/15/24, O'Brien's Irish Pub, 2226 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica

Week 10, 4/22/24, Burger Lounge - 213 Arizona Ave (b/t 3rd & 2nd) 

Week 11, 4/29/24, Gilbert's El Indio - Pico Blvd.

Week 12, 5/6/24, Holy Cow BBQ, 264 26th Street, Santa Monica, across from Country Mart

Week 13, 5/13/24, Cha Cha Chicken - 1906 Ocean Ave.

Week 14, 5/20/24, Maharaja Cuisine of India, 1321 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, 90024

Week 15, 5/27/24, NO CLASS, Memorial Day

Week 16, 6/3/24, Gjusta - 320 Sunset Avenue, Venice 90291

TENTATIVE SUMMER, 2024 CLASS RESTAURANT SCHEDULE

More Outdoor Restaurants to be added

Lazy Daisy, Pico Blvd.
Palace Chinese Restaurant, 11701 Wilshire Blvd, LA 90025
John O'Groats, Pico Blvd.
Factor's Deli
Nizam

FUTURE RESTAURANT POSSIBILITIES

Areas to Explore More: Brentwood, Main St SM, Culver City, Westwood, Marina del Rey, Malibu

Alfalfa - 2309 Main Street, 90405
Amandine - 12225 Wilshire Blvd., 90025 - Counter Ordering
Art's Table, Montana Ave, Santa Monica
Bagel Nosh - 1629 Wilshire Blvd. - Counter ordering
Baja Grill in the Marina
Benny's Tacos - 915 Wilshire Blvd., 90401 - Counter ordering
Brizo Bar & Restaurant, Marina del Rey
Brothers Sushi, Montana Ave
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, SM Pier
Butchers Daughter (Venice)
Cafe Laurent, 12034 Venice Blvd. in Mar Vista.
Cafe Zella, Wilshire Blvd.
California Pizza Kitchen at Barrington Place (if elevator works)
(The) Counter (Santa Monica)
Chez Jay, SM
Courtyard Kitchen - 1211 Montana Ave. - Table service
Crimson, Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica
Daily Grill, Colorado & 20th, Santa Monica
Din Tai Fung (Century City Taiwanese it is coming to Santa Monica place soon )
Dinah's [by Centinela and Sepulveda]--very good, free parking, separate checks, separate dining room in back
Eataly, Century City
Emporium Thai, 1275 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Georgian Hotel, Santa Monica
Gladstone's, PCH
Golden Bull
Gyu-Kaku, 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica
Habayit Israeli Restaurant, 11921 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, 90064
Habit Hamburger Grill
Heavy Handed, Main Street (Santa Monica burgers)
HiHo Cheeseburger - 1320 2nd Street  - Table service
Honeys Kettle Fried Chicken (Culver City)
Hop Li, Pico Blvd, West LA
Hurry Curry of Tokyo (Santa Monica)
Jackson SQUARE Market
Javan, 11500 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles 90025
Jenga, Culver City
Jinky's Cafe, 1447 2nd Street
Kai Ramen - 729 Montana Ave. - Table Service available
Kalaveras, Marina del Rey
King & Queen Cantina - 1401 Ocean/Santa Monica Blvd
Kitchen United Mix,1315 3rd. Street Promenade, Santa Monica
Kreation Organic - 1023 Montana Ave. - Table service
La Vecchia Cucina, Main Street, Santa Monica
Lares [on Pico near 28th]
Lazy Daisy Cafe, Pico Blvd, Santa Monica
Le Petit Chez Mimi, Colorado Ave, Santa Monica
Lemonade, 1661 Abbott Kinney, Venice
Literati Cafe - 12081 Wilshire Blvd., 90025 - Counter ordering
Lobster & Beer - 530 Wilshire Blvd.
Locanda Portofino (Santa Monica)
Mar Vista Taverna ( Greek)
Marie Callendar's, West LA
Marmalade, Santa Monica Blvd, SM
Mendocino Farms - 631 Wilshire Blvd., 90401 - Counter ordering
90403 (11am-10pm) - Table service
Mercedes Bar and Grill in the Marina
Metro, Culver City
Milo & Olive, Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica
Pampas Cafe, Culver City
Rae's diner on Pico--one of the few old fashioned diners left
Sage Cafe, Culver City
Santa Monica Seafood, 1000 Wilshire Blvd. - Table service
Silverlake Ramen - 1319 3rd St. Promenade
Snug Harbor, 2323 Wilshire Blvd.
Sol Agave - 1733 Ocean Ave - Table service
Solidarity, Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica
Tacos Por Favor, Olympic Blvd, Santa Monica
Tandoor India, Pico Blvd. Santa Monica
Tender Greens - 201 Arizona Ave/2nd St. - Counter ordering
Thyme - 1630 Ocean Park Blvd., 90405  - Counter ordering, Outdoors
Tocaya Organica - 507 Wilshire Blvd - Counter ordering
Tumbi Craft Indian Kitchen, Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica
Uovo - 1320 2nd Street - Table service
Uovo, Marina del Rey
Urth Caffe - 2327 Main St, 90405 - Counter ordering, Outdoors/no reservations accepted
Warehouse, Marina del Rey
Versailles, On Venice Blvd. near Motor. Cuban style food.
Zankou Chicken, Sepulveda Blvd, West LA

WINTER, 2024 CLASS RESTAURANT SCHEDULE

Week 1, 1/1/24, No Class, New Year's Day
Week 2, 1/8/24, Jaipur Cuisine of India,10916 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles
Week 3, 1/15/24 - No Class, Martin Luther King Day
Week 4, 1/22/24, Il Forno, Ocean Park near 29^th, Santa Monica
Week 5, 1/29/24, Tony P Dockside Grill, 4445 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey
Week 6, 2/5/24, Darya, 2130 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles 90025

FALL, 2023 CLASS RESTAURANT SCHEDULE

Week 1, 8/28/23, Chin Chin, 11740 San Vicente Blvd, Floor 2, Brentwood
Week 2, 9/4/23 NO CLASS/LABOR DAY
Week 3, 9/11/23, Barney's Beanery - 1351 3rd Street Promenade 
Week 4, 9/18/23, Cafe Gratitude, 512 Rose Ave. Venice 90291, 424.231.8000
Week 5, 9/25/23, Yom Kippur, Susan will not be there, but you can still meet.
Cha Cha Chicken - 1906 Ocean Ave. - Counter ordering, Outdoors
Week 6, 10/2/23, True Food Kitchen, 395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica
Week 7, 10/9/23, Bazille, Inside Nordstrom, Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica
Week 8, 10/16/23, NEW PLAN: The Auld Fella, 11831 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles
(OLD PLAN: Jaipur Cuisine of India,10916 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles,  90064)
Week 9, 10/23/23, SM Cheesecake Factory, Santa Monica Place Mall, 3rd Floor
Week 10, 10/30/23, Fromins. 1832 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, 90403
Week 11, 11/6/23, Cava, 1318 2nd Street (10:45am-10pm) - Counter ordering
Week 12, 11/13/23, Bludso's Barbecue, 1329 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica,
Week 13, 11/20/23, Casablanca Restaurant, 220 Lincoln Blvd., Venice, 90291,
Week 14, 11/27/23, Rosti Brentwood, 11740 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles
Week 15, 12/4/23, Ye Olde Kings Head, 116 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica  [can have afternoon tea for lunch]
Week 16, 12/11/23, NEW PLAN: Holiday party/potluck at Susan's house
(OLD PLAN: Darya, 2130 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles)

(The numbers to the left of the names represent student votes. Highlighted restaurants are ones we've been to.)
10 Thai Dishes - 2628 Wilshire Blvd., 90403 (11am-10pm) - Table service,
9 Crimson - 606 Broadway (9am-9pm) - Counter ordering, Large Open Space on Broadway, crowded on Ocean  Park & not enough space outdoors
8 Dan's Modern Chinese - 1403 2nd Street (11:30am-9pm) - Table service, Indoors only
7 Blue Daisy - 609 Broadway (8am-4pm) - Table service, Outdoors
6 Thyme - 1630 Ocean Park Blvd., 90405 (8am-4pm) - Counter ordering,
6 Pono Burger - 829 Broadway (11:30-8pm) - Table service, Outdoors
6 Urth Caffe - 2327 Main St, Santa Monica - Counter ordering, Outdoors/no reservations accepted
6 Z Garden Mediteranean Cuisine - 2350 Pico Blvd.
6 Fritto Misto - 620 SM Blvd/6th St (11:30am-5pm) - Table service, Outdoors
6 Rita's Gate of India - 1450 Fifth Street (11am-9pm) - Table service
5 Cheesecake Factory - SM Place Mall (11:30am-11pm) - Table service,
5 Rosti - 931 Montana Ave. (11:30am-9pm) - Table service, Outdoors
5 Sweet Green - 1517 Montana Ave. (10:30am-9pm) - Counter ordering, Patio
5 Kreation Organic - 1023 Montana Ave. (7am-9pm) - Table service
5 Berbere - 508 Santa Monica Blvd (11am-3pm)
5 Massilia - 4th Street (8am to late) - Table service 5 Uovo - 1320 2nd Street, SM
4 Kai Ramen - 729 Montana Ave. (11am-9pm) - Table Service available
4 Noma (Japanese) - 2031 Wilshire Blvd. (11:30am-9:30pm) - Table service
4 Burger Lounge - 213 Arizona Ave (b/t 3rd & 2nd) (11am-9pm) Counter ordering
4 Blossom (Vietnamese cuisine) - 2821 Ocean Park (11:30am-9pm)
4 True Food Kitchen - SM Place Mall (10am-10pm) - Table service
4 Bergamot Cafe - 2525 Michigan Avenue #A3, Santa Monica, CA 90404/at Bergamot Station
4 North Italia - 1441 2nd Street (11am-4pm) - Table service
4 Cava - 1318 2nd Street (10:45am-10pm) - Counter ordering
4 Courtyard Kitchen - 1211 Montana Ave. (8am-3pm) Table service
4 Amandine - 12225 Wilshire Blvd., 90025 (6am to 3:30pm) - Counter Ordering
4 Mendocino Farms - 631 Wilshire Blvd., 90401 (11am-9pm) - Counter ordering
4 Milo & Olive - 2723 Wilshire Blvd., 90403 (11am-10pm) - Table service
4 El Cholo - 1025 Wilshire Blvd. (opens 11:30am) - Table service
4 Benny's Tacos - 915 Wilshire Blvd., 90401 (10am-10pm) - Counter ordering
4 Lobster & Beer - 530 Wilshire Blvd. (11:30am-7pm)
3 Literati Cafe - 12081 Wilshire Blvd., 90025 (8am-2:30pm) - Counter ordering
3 Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers - 225 26th St · Brentwood Country Mart -
3 Bazille - Inside Nordstrom's/SM Place Mall (10am-7pm) - Table service
3 Gilbert's El Indio - Pico Blvd. (8am-9pm) - Table service
3 King & Queen Cantina - 1401 Ocean/Santa Monica Blvd (11am-10pm)
3 Earth, Wind & Flour - 2222 Wilshire Blvd. 90403 (11am-9pm)
3 Tocaya Organica - 507 Wilshire Blvd (10:30-10pm) - Counter ordering
3 SM Seafood - 1000 Wilshire Blvd. - (11:30am-8pm) Table service
3 Barney's Beanery - 1351 3rd Street Promenade  (11am-midnight) - Table service
3 Alfalfa - 2309 Main Street, 90405 (9am-8pm)
3 Jinky's - 1447 2nd Street (8am-3pm) - Table service
3 Bagel Nosh - 1629 Wilshire Blvd. (6:30-2:30) - Counter ordering
2 Silverlake Ramen - 1319 3rd St. Promenade (11:30am-9pm)
2 HiHo Cheeseburger - 1320 2nd Street (11:30am-10pm) - Table service
2 Gjusta - 320 Sunset Avenue, Venice 90291 (7am-2:30pm)
2 California Pizza Kitchen - 210 Wilshire Blvd. (11am-10pm) - Table service
1 Tender Greens - 201 Arizona Ave/2nd St. (10:30am-9pm) - Counter ordering
1 Fromin's - 1832 Wilshire Blvd (7am-8pm) - Table service
1 Tu Madre - 606 Broadway/6th Street. (Opens 11am) - Table service
1 Sol Agave - 1733 Ocean Ave (11am-9pm) - Table service
0 Cafe Gratitude - 512 Rose Ave, Venice, 90291 (10am-9pm) - Table service
0 Cha Cha Chicken - 1906 Ocean Ave. (10am-9pm) - Counter ordering

Where We Ate in Summer, 2023 (all outdoors)

Week 1, 6/26/23, Cheesecake Factory, 4142 Via Marina, Marina Del Rey
Week 2, 7/3/23, North Italia - 1441 2nd Street, Santa Monica (11am-4pm)
Week 3, 7/10/23, Back On the Beach, 445 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica
Week 4, 7/17/23, Brentwood Country Mart, 225 26th Street Santa Monica
Week 5, 7/24/23, A Votre Sante, 13016 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles

Where We Ate in Spring, 2023

Week 1, 2/13/23, First class, 11:30am, Tu Madre, Mexican restaurant at the corner of Broadway & 6th Street in Santa Monica
Week 2, 2/20/23, NO CLASS/President's Day
Week 3, 2/27/23, Rosti, 931 Montana Avenue, SM, (indoors)
Week 4, 3/6/23, Pono Burger, 829 Broadway, SM, (indoors)
Week 5, 3/13/23, Crimson, Broadway (indoors)
Week 6, 3/20/23, Thai Dishes, 2628 Wilshire Blvd, SM (indoors)
Week 7, 3/27/23, Fritto Misto, 620 Santa Monica Blvd, SM (private patio area)
Week 8, 4/3/23, Rita's Gate of India - 1450 Fifth Street (indoors)
4/10/23 No Class/Spring Break
Week 9, 4/17/23, Dan's Modern Chinese - 1403 2nd Street (indoors)
Week 10, 4/24/23, Blue Daisy - 609 Broadway (Outdoors)
Week 11, 5/1/23, Noma (Japanese) - 2031 Wilshire Blvd. (indoors)
Week 12, 5/8/23, Z Garden Mediteranean Cuisine - 2350 Pico Blvd. (Indoors)
Week 13, 5/15/23, Sweet Green - 1517 Montana Ave. (Patio)
Week 14, 5/22/23, Ritrovo Italian Restaurant in Playa del Rey. 6032 Seabluff Drive, Susan Absent
Week 15, 5/29/23, NO CLASS/Memorial Day
Week 16, 6/5/23, Last class, El Cholo, 1025 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica (outdoors)

Socalo, 1920 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica/CLOSED MONDAYS
Spumoni, 713 Montana Ave Santa Monica 310 393-2944, OPENS at NOON
Wood Ranch, Brentwood/Not open for lunch seating