Michael McCarty, owner of Michael’s, introduces the “NEW” Michael’s. The historic Santa Monica restaurant, known for farm-to-table cuisine, has a new look, lunch, dinner, bar bites, farm-to-glass cocktails program and specially curated contemporary art program, all tailored to today’s contemporary dining scene.
The new Michael’s features dishes from a newly installed pizza oven, a raw bar, a wide selection of small plates, pastas, sides and tasting menus. The bar bites menu has items like oysters, raclette, a Santa Monica Farmers’ Market sauté (fresh and savory) and a daily pizza selection. A special Happy Hour menu is also offered all night, with $6 small plates and cocktails.
With the new menu, Executive Chef John-Carlos Kuramoto brings the influences of his own Japanese and Mexican background, with items like Tuna Poke with apple, jalapeño, pine nuts and cilantro-ginger-soy dressing; a daily selection of tacos; and the addition of artisanal pizzas with zucchini (delish), house-made merguez sausage and the Michael’s burger (it’s their take on the famous In-n-Out Burger). Favorites are still on the menu, like Michael’s Jidori Chicken with Coleman Farms tarragon; Wild King Salmon with cilantro bacon; and Snake River Pork Chop with Honshimeji and garlic. My personal favorites are the Fall Risotto (vegan), The Maine Lobster couscous and the scallops. Eveyrthing is so fresh with different flavors across the board. I suggest noshing on a whole slew of small plates. See the whole menu here.
The new mixology bar features farm-to-glass cocktails using organic produce from Michael’s rooftop garden and a new wine list featuring a by-the-glass program with labels from around Cali, including Michael’s own The Malibu Vineyard Pinot Noir.
As part of the new Michael’s, the garden patio has been re-landscaped and re-decorated. A new art collection runs throughout the restaurant-all curated by artist Kim McCarty, Michael’s wife-features works by famous local artists and longtime friends of Michael’s including Peter Alexander, Lucas Reiner, Billy Al Bengston, Roger Herman, Dennis Hopper, William Berry, Elisabeth Kitchen, Julião Sarmento, Tony De Los Reyes, Ed Moses, Tony Berlant, Charles Arnoldi and Laddie John Dill.
