Emeritus Restaurant Critic/Dining Class, Winter, 2025

HME EC E52, Section 9800
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.

FALL, 2024 CLASS RESTAURANT SCHEDULE

Week 1, 8/26/24, Rosti Tuscan Kitchen, Montana Ave, Santa Monica
(NOTE: This is a repeat, but we liked it so much that it's worth another visit, plus we will sit outside this time. It was raining last time we tried it.)

Week 2, 9/2/24, NO CLASS, LABOR DAY

Week 3, 9/9/24, NEW PLAN: Fritto Misto, 620 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica
WE WILL NOT BE GOING TO Benny's Tacos - 915 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica

Week 4, 9/16/24, NEW PLAN: Versailles Cuban Food,10319 Venice Blvd, LA
WE WILL NOT BE GOING TO Courtyard Kitchen - 1211 Montana Ave. Santa Monica

Week 5, 9/23/24, Marmalade, 525 Santa Monica Blvd Suite 120, Santa Monica

Week 6, 9/30/24, California Pizza Kitchen at Barrington Place, 11677 San Vicente Blvd, Brentwood

Week 7, 10/7/24, Mendocino Farms - 631 Wilshire Blvd., 90401 - Counter ordering

Week 8, 10/14/24, Crimson, 2901 Ocean Park Blvd #127, Santa Monica

Week 9, 10/21/24, Curious Palate, Santa Monica Place, 3rd floor

Week 10, 10/28/24, Bagel Nosh - 1629 Wilshire Blvd. - Counter ordering

Week 11, 11/4/24, Great White, 1604 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA 

Week 12, 11/11/24, NO CLASS, VETERAN'S DAY

Week13, 11/18/24, Zankou Chicken, 1716 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90025

Week 14, 11/25/24, Hop Li, 10974, Pico Blvd, West LA

Week 15, 12/2/24, Nizam of India, 10871 West Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Week 16, 12/9/24, Pot Luck Holiday Party at Susan's house in Santa Monica
                              Details to be announced.

Tentative Winter, 2025 Restaurant Schedule

Jaipur, Pico Blvd.

Desvelados Mexican Cantina, 1416 4th St, Santa Monica

Helms Bakery

North Italia, 2nd Street, Santa Monica

Cafe Laurent, 12034 Venice Blvd. in Mar Vista.

Rose Cafe, Venice

Areas to explore more: Brentwood, Main St SM, Culver City, Westwood, Marina del Rey, Malibu

Alfalfa - 2309 Main Street, 90405
Albright, 258 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Amandine - 12225 Wilshire Blvd., 90025 - Counter Ordering
Baja Grill in the Marina
Brothers Sushi, Montana Ave
Brunel's Italian Restaurant, Washington Blvd.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, SM Pier
Butchers Daughter, Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice
Cafe Zella, Wilshire Blvd.
(The) Counter (Santa Monica)
California Pizza Kitchen, Marina del Rey
Carasau, Culver City
Chez Jay, SM
Din Tai Fung (Century City Taiwanese it is coming to Santa Monica place soon )
Dinah's [by Centinela and Sepulveda]--Culver City, very good, free parking, separate checks, separate dining room in back
DRUNKEN FISH SUSHI ( 12222 Wilshire Blvd)
Eataly, Century City
Emporium Thai, 1275 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Factor's Deli
Farmer's Daughter, Abbott Kinney, Venice
Feast from the East, Westwood Blvd
Fig, Santa Monica
Georgian Hotel, Santa Monica
Gladstone's, PCH
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)
Helms Bakery, Culver City
HiHo Cheeseburger - 1320 2nd Street  - Table service
Hillstone, Santa Monica
The Hive, Marina del Rey
The Hive, Broadway, Santa Monica
Holy Cow, Pico Blvd.
Honeys Kettle Fried Chicken (Culver City)
Hurry Curry of Tokyo (Santa Monica)
Indonesian
J. Nichols KItchen, Marina del Rey
Jackson SQUARE Market
Javan, 11500 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles 90025
Jenga, Culver City
Jinky's Cafe, 205 Broadway, Santa Monica
Kai Ramen - 729 Montana Ave. - Table Service available
Kalaveras, Marina del Rey
Killer Sushi
King & Queen Cantina - 1401 Ocean/Santa Monica Blvd
Kitchen United Mix,1315 3rd. Street Promenade, Santa Monica
Lares [on Pico near 28th]
La Serenata, Pico Blvd.
Layla, Westwood Blvd (MIddle Eastern)
Laziz Grill, West LA (Persian)
Lazy Daisy, Westwood (Nice patio)
Le Petit Chez Mimi, Colorado Ave, Santa Monica
Lemonade, 1661 Abbott Kinney, Venice
Library Ale House, Main Street, Santa Monica
Literati Cafe - 12081 Wilshire Blvd., 90025 - Counter ordering
Lobster & Beer - 530 Wilshire Blvd.
Locanda Portofino (Santa Monica)
Lunetta, Pico Blvd.
Marie Callendar's, West LA
MARU SUSHI AND RAMEN, 331 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica
Mercedes Bar and Grill, Marina del Rey or Venice (Cuban)
Metro, Culver City
Milo & Olive, Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica
Mr. Sate, Palms
Pampas Cafe, Venice Blvd & Overland, Culver City (Brazilian)
SM Pier Restaurants
Rae's diner on Pico--one of the few old fashioned diners left
Rutts
Santa Monica Seafood, 1000 Wilshire Blvd. - Table service
Shoop's European Market & Cafe, Main St, Santa Monica
Silverlake Ramen - 1319 3rd St. Promenade
Simpang Asia, West LA
Snug Harbor, 2323 Wilshire Blvd.
Society Kitchen, Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica
Somewhere, Culver City
Sunnin, Westwood Blvd, (Lebanese)
Sweet Maple
Tacos Por Favor, Olympic Blvd, Santa Monica
Tandoor India, Pico Blvd. Santa Monica
Teleferic, San Vicente Blvd, Brentwood
Tender Greens - 201 Arizona Ave/2nd St. - Counter ordering
Thyme - 1630 Ocean Park Blvd., 90405  - Counter ordering, Outdoors
Tigawok (Chinese Food), 2224 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Tocaya Organica - 507 Wilshire Blvd - Counter ordering
Tumbi Craft Indian Kitchen, Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica
Tuscan Sun, West LA
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
Yard House, Marina del Rey

SUMMER, 2024 CLASS RESTAURANT SCHEDULE

Week 1, 6/17/24, Art's Table, 1002 Montana Ave, Santa Monica
Week 2, 6/24/24, Lazy Daisy Cafe, 2300 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica
Week 3, 7/1/24, Brizo Bar & Restaurant, 4360 Via Marina, Marina del Rey
Week 4, 7/8/24, John O'Groats, 10516 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Week 5, 7/15/24, Sol Agave, 1733 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica
Week 6, 7/22/24, Palace Chinese Restaurant, 11701 Wilshire Blvd, LA 90025

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, Changed to India's Oven,11645 Wilshire Blvd, 2nd floor
Los Angeles
Week 15, 5/27/24, NO CLASS, Memorial Day
Week 16, 6/3/24, Gjusta - 320 Sunset Avenue, Venice 90291

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)

Mar Vista Taverna ( Greek)/CLOSED MONDAYS
Prima Cantina, Montana Ave, Santa Monica/OPENS AT NOON
Socalo, 1920 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica/CLOSED MONDAYS
Solidarity Polish Restaurant/CLOSED MONDAYS
Spumoni, 713 Montana Ave Santa Monica 310 393-2944, OPENS at NOON
Wood Ranch, Brentwood/Not open for lunch seating