RESTAURANTS Marina Plastic Surgery

CASA DEL MAR (BAR AT THE HOTEL)

Review: he Veranda lobby lounge in the hotel, Casa del Mar. Very comfortable tables/chairs, relaxing atmosphere w/ fireplaces, good ocean view. Great for casual dinner, no need for reservations- just walk in and seat yourself.

Cuisine: California

Address: 1910 Ocean Front Walk – Santa Monica, CA 90401

Phone: (310) 581-5533

Prices: $8 to $20

Website: www.hotelcasadelmar.com/

MERCEDES GRILL

Review: Cuban style food with a California twist and a relaxed atmosphere.

Cuisine: American, Latin Asian, Vegetarian

Address: 14 Washington Blvd – Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

Phone: (310) 577-0035

Prices: $8 to $20

ONE PICO (AT SHUTTERS)

Review: Striking views of the Pacific Ocean, Northern Hills, and Blazing sunsets with a roaring fire and classic American Cuisine featuring steaks, chops, fish and seafood.

Cuisine: Classic American

Address: One Pico Blvd – Santa Monica, CA 90405

Phone: (310) 587-1717

Prices: $51 and over

Website: www.shuttersonthebeach.com

TONY P’S

Review: Causal Marina Del Rey eatery ideal for dockside drinks, sports coverage and nautical noshes. This sports bar meets seafood restaurant offers somewhat more formal dining in the spacious indoor area, as well as casual dining on the dockside patio. In the bar, 27 big-screen TVs show nearly every sporting event imaginable. The menu offers a little of everything, like spaghetti in marinara sauce, New England clam chowder and happy hour favorites like onion rings and quesadillas.

Cuisine: American

Address: 4445 Admiralty Way – Marina Del Rey, CA 90292-5415

Phone: (310) 823-4534

Prices: Inexpensive

THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY

Review: The Cheesecake Factory is a unique, upscale casual dining restaurant offering over 200 menu selections including Appetizers, Specialty Salads, Pastas, and Pizzas, as well as great Steaks and Chops.

Cuisine: American

Address: 4142 Via Marina – Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

Phone: (310) 306-3344

Prices: $20 to $30

Website: www.thecheesecakefactory.com

SHANGHAI REDS

Review: Shanghai Reds is located right on the marina, with a koi pond and a waterfall, and it’s a great place for a surf-and-turf dinner or the best-value brunch this side of the airport.

Cuisine: American

Address: 13813 Fiji Way – Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

Phone: (310) 823-4522

Prices: $15 to $20

PACO’S TACOS CANTINA (RESTAURANT W/BAR)

Review: Tacos, burritos, enchiladas, chili rellenos, tostada salads, beans, rice & home made tortilla’s (chicken, shredded beef, pork or asada) Prices are $10 for a combination plate (2 items, with beans & rice and tortillas (flour or corn)). Generous portions as well (chips and salsa are awesome) Dine in or take out (the one on Manchester has a bar)

Cuisine: Mexican

Address: 6212 W. Manchester Ave. – Los Angeles, CA 90045

Phone: (310) 645-8692

Prices: $10 to $15

EL CHOLO MEXICAN RESTAURANTS

Review: This “well-respected” Mexican chain with the original “treasure on Western” dating to 1931 is not so much a restaurant as an “LA legend”; the “unforgettable seasonal green corn tamales”, “delicious rolled tacos” and “even better margaritas” are worth the “excruciating waits for a table”, the “ambiance is lovely” and the “great happy hours” attract “lots of eye candy.”

Cuisine: Mexican

Address: 1025 Wilshire Boulevard – Santa Monica, CA 90401

Phone: (310) 899-1106

Prices: $8 to $14

Website: www.elcholo.com

EL TORRITO

Review: Located at Fisherman’s Wharf, just minutes from the office. Offering great food, at great prices, with a superb waterfront view!

Cuisine: Mexican

Address: 13715 Fiji Way – Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

Phone: (310) 823-8941

Prices: $8 to $14

SUSHI ROKU

Review: Really good sushi, good sake selection, cool atmosphere. Enjoy your meal at the Sushi bar, a bamboo dining table, or the outdoor patio overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Cuisine: Japanese

Address: 1401 Ocean Ave. – Santa Monica, CA 90401

Phone: (310) 458-4771

Prices: $31 to $50

Website: www.innovativedining.com

ALEJO’S PRESTO TRATTORIA

Review: Pasta, pizza, seafood & wine (spaghetti, ravioli’s, fettuccini, shrimp, chicken, etc) Pasta’s are excellent. Huge portions – one order can feed two people. Dine-in or take out.

Cuisine: Italian

Address: 4002 Lincoln Blvd. – Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

Phone: (310) 822-0095

Prices: $9 to $15

JOHNNY’S NEW YORK PIZZA

Review: Pizza, sandwiches, salads, calzones (create your own calzone/pizza or choose from their own creations). Generous portions. Dine-in, take out and delivery.

Cuisine: Italian

Address: 2805 Abbot Kinney Blvd – Venice, CA 90292

Phone: (310) 821-1224

Prices: $10 to $15

VIA VENETO

Review: Excellent, consistently authentic Italian food. Extensive wine list. Loud/ lively atmosphere. We would recommend the tuna tartare or the rabbit ravioli as an appetizer, and the spaghetti bottarga or the branzino as a main. They always have about 20 specials not on the menu.

Cuisine: Italian

Address: 3009 Main St – Santa Monica, CA 90405

Phone: (310) 399-1843

Prices: $30 to $40

C & O TRATTORIA

Review: Italian. Great food, huge portions plus reasonably priced. Fun atmosphere. The waiters sing “That’s amore” and toast patrons with wine during dinner.

Cuisine: Italian

Address: 31 Washington Blvd. – Venice, CA 90292

Phone: (310) 823-9491

Prices: $8 to $20

Website: www.candorestaurants.com