Charlie Kabob

Charlie Kebab (chain)

Santa Monica Place Food Court, 3rd floor

$

Charlie Kebab is now my go-to fast lunch spot. It is a Persian restaurant with several made-to-order kebabs, rice, and other dishes. For a light lunch I like to order the lamb pita sandwich which comes with all the fixings. I omit mayo and add the yogurt sauce. The pita is absolutely crammed with meat and vegetables and really fills me up. I love the flavors and the quick service. They also have cups of water already prepared and are happy to serve those to you if you don't get a drink.

Atmosphere (outdoors on the patio of the food court, you can see part of the ocean over the buildings)

Taste

Menu Variety (lots IF you like Persian or Greek food)

Cafe Bellagio

Cafe Bellagio

3rd & Santa Monica - The center of the street restaurant shop with the giant ice cream cone

$

I was really craving a sandwich for lunch today but my choices were slim. I didn't want anything fancy, or super greasy. Honestly I should've just brought my lunch..but I didn't, so I had to buy. I wandered down the street and came across Cafe Bellagio. I thought they only served gelato--but apparently they have a full lunch (and breakfast) menu. The restaurant has some indoor and some outdoor seats. The orders take a little bit of time to come out, but there is plenty of people watching while you wait. The food is pretty good--I couldn't taste the Giadineria that was supposedly on my sandwich but the plain ham and cheese was still delicious. The bread was really fresh and not the kind of panini that cuts up your mouth because it is too toasty. Cafe Bellagio is also a pretty good deal for lunch--mine was less than $10 for chips, a drink and the sandwich.

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Skip or Hit? Hit

Wolfgang Puck Express

Wolfgang Puck Express (Chain)

3rd St & Arizona, hidden upstairs in the food court with McDonalds

$

Wolfgang Puck Express is in the food court on third street. This stuffy, dimly lit building shares the restaurant space with the likes of Subway and McDonalds. The inside is nothing to write home about so try to grab a place on the only slightly nicer patio. Wolfgang's is easily the nicest restaurant in the group. It serves entrees originally created by the famous chef with top quality ingredients on real china. The food tastes good, I had the personal Wild Mushroom Pizza and was big enough for two meals, but of course I ate it in one. I can't compare it to the real thing as I have never had it. A good place to grab lunch and you want something a little different but relatively quick.

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Hit or Skip: Hit if you need something quick and different or if your kids insist that they will only eat at McDonalds, you can go here

Sarku Japan

Sarku Japan - Chain

Food Court, 3rd Floor, Santa Monica Place (3rd & Broadway)

$

Sarku Japan has a relatively small menu. They offer bento boxes with teriyaki, tempura, California rolls and salad, a few types of sushi and a few other teriyaki entrées. I thought this place was okay but kind of just average food court fair. The flavors were bland but the portion was large. There was a crowd in the line which is why I chose it in the first place but that just led to slower service. The upside is that there is lots of indoor/outdoor food court seating. If you can, grab a spot on the outside patio overlooking the ocean.

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Hit or Skip: Skip

La Sandia

La Sandia (small chain, also own nearby restaurant Zengo)

3rd Floor, Santa Monica Place (Broadway and 3rd)

$$

La Sandia is an upscale Mexican restaurant in the newly renovated Santa Monica Place mall. There are two beautiful patios set aside from the food court and relatively private. The menu has all the Mexican favorites with a twist. I ordered the asada tacos with grilled pineapple salsa. The grilled pineapple added a delicious flavor combination really kicking the tacos up a step. My dining guest had the el pastor tacos that came with a very spicy habenero salsa. I was pretty impressed with the food and I would eat there again.

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Hit or Skip: Hit

New Series - Downtown Santa Monica

All of a sudden I have reason to be dining for lunch in downtown Santa Monica. Eventually I'll probably start cooking again and bringing in leftovers--but until then, and for the days that I eat out, I'm going to start a new series on this blog. The new series will cover any restaurant in and around the 3rd St. Promenade area where I dine. This new series will cover some chain restaurants. The idea is that you could use this new series as reference for finding a good place to eat while you're shopping around the area or if you're just visiting from out of town. The intent is to offer quicker reviews and choices with the same 5-star rating system except I'll rate several different areas. The new Layout will be as follows:

Restaurant Name (listed here I'll mention if it is a chain or not)

Location (while I will provide the address, I'll try to also provide landmarks or street corners)

Price

Short Review

Atmosphere (5 star rating)

Food, taste etc (5 star rating)

Variety on menu (5 star rating)

Hit or Skip (5 star rating)

All these reviews will be tagged under "New Series - Downtown Santa Monica"