Novel Cafe -- 2901 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA; 2507 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA; 2127 Lincoln Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA
It takes more than an “organic” sign plastered on windows and menus for a restaurant to make it in Los Angeles these days. Restaurant-goers are more savvy, more in the know than they once were, thanks to review sites and social media dedicated to educating the masses on the wisdom of all that is foodie-ism. Now-a-days it takes something more, shall I say…Novel.
Bad puns aside, the Novel Café in Santa Monica offers today’s elite eaters something a lot of restaurants tend to forget whilst chasing after flavor fads – a seat amongst friends. While it might sound strange that a restaurant offers something other than a great dining experience (which they do, with that laid-back, laissez-faire ambience guests look for in a cozy café spot) hear me out on this one:
This place serves everything – and I mean everything – under the sweet SoCal sun. From the obligatory organic coffee and gourmet café sandwiches and an almost intimidating list of salads (17 entrée salads!) to Spicy Seafood Pasta, Bul-Go-Gi Beef Tacos and a BBQ Goat Cheese Bacon Burger, everyone in the group will find something they enjoy. Think about it, not only will your vegan and gluten free friends be able to find something to eat, but they’ll actually find something they want to eat. (Anyone else tired of saying “I guess I’ll just have a house salad…”?) And that will leave more time for actually spending time with each other (which is kind of the reason you went out in the first place, right?) rather than vainly picking apart a menu for half an hour.
With a unique yet just-as-inclusive menu at each location, guests can dine at a different spot each time to experience something new. After all, “Novel” is not just in the name, it’s the way they play the game.
Owner and executive chef James Schenk opened his restaurant Destino in May of 2000. Since that time, his restaurant has changed South American cuisine. With its full bar and inviting dining area, Destino has a huge menu that is guaranteed to please. Served with a distinctive, “Nuervo,” Flair, Destino offers diners an authentic menu that everyone will enjoy.
Start your dining experience off with a cheese platter, or go for the Anticuchos. Snack on a plate of plantain chips, or munch on sautéed kale.
Seafood lovers will not be able to resist the Conchitas a la Parmesana featuring Massachusetts day boat scallops, black garlic, and fresh parmesan cheese. Order the Chili Relleno with Estancia Farms Sirloin, cheddar, olives, chipotle, and citrus crème fraiche.
Empanadas are a classic South American dish and Destino does not disappoint. Go for the Aiji de Gallina featuring grilled chicken, an Aji Panca reduction, and Don Alfonso olives, or go vegetarian with hearts of palm, Aji Amarillo and Grana Padano.
Try Platos Grandes and your taste buds will be in for a treat. Choose from Lomo Saltado or try the Sea Bass. The Parrillada Platter is a feast for the eyes and mouth and comes with Churrasco, house made pork Chorizo and pork belly.
For something out of this world, you cannot go past the Camarones. Served with corn and goat cheese salsa and Maseca chips, the sautéed Tiger Prawns are incredibly filling.
If you saved room for desert, you will not want to miss the Lucama Cheesecake. Made with a gluten-free cookie crust, this South American take on a global favorite comes with Popped Amaranth and a Panela reduction. If you cannot decide, order the Desert Sampler.
Come in for dinner or have your event catered by the best South American restaurant in San Francisco, Destino.
It takes more than an “organic” sign plastered on windows and menus for a restaurant to make it in Los Angeles these days. Restaurant-goers are more savvy, more in the know than they once were, thanks to review sites and social media dedicated to educating the masses on the wisdom of all that is foodie-ism. Now-a-days it takes something more, shall I say…Novel.
Bad puns aside, the Novel Café in Santa Monica offers today’s elite eaters something a lot of restaurants tend to forget whilst chasing after flavor fads – a seat amongst friends. While it might sound strange that a restaurant offers something other than a great dining experience (which they do, with that laid-back, laissez-faire ambience guests look for in a cozy café spot) hear me out on this one:
This place serves everything – and I mean everything – under the sweet SoCal sun. From the obligatory organic coffee and gourmet café sandwiches and an almost intimidating list of salads (17 entrée salads!) to Spicy Seafood Pasta, Bul-Go-Gi Beef Tacos and a BBQ Goat Cheese Bacon Burger, everyone in the group will find something they enjoy. Think about it, not only will your vegan and gluten free friends be able to find something to eat, but they’ll actually find something they want to eat. (Anyone else tired of saying “I guess I’ll just have a house salad…”?) And that will leave more time for actually spending time with each other (which is kind of the reason you went out in the first place, right?) rather than vainly picking apart a menu for half an hour.
With a unique yet just-as-inclusive menu at each location, guests can dine at a different spot each time to experience something new. After all, “Novel” is not just in the name, it’s the way they play the game.
Owner and executive chef James Schenk opened his restaurant Destino in May of 2000. Since that time, his restaurant has changed South American cuisine. With its full bar and inviting dining area, Destino has a huge menu that is guaranteed to please. Served with a distinctive, “Nuervo,” Flair, Destino offers diners an authentic menu that everyone will enjoy.
Start your dining experience off with a cheese platter, or go for the Anticuchos. Snack on a plate of plantain chips, or munch on sautéed kale.
Seafood lovers will not be able to resist the Conchitas a la Parmesana featuring Massachusetts day boat scallops, black garlic, and fresh parmesan cheese. Order the Chili Relleno with Estancia Farms Sirloin, cheddar, olives, chipotle, and citrus crème fraiche.
Empanadas are a classic South American dish and Destino does not disappoint. Go for the Aiji de Gallina featuring grilled chicken, an Aji Panca reduction, and Don Alfonso olives, or go vegetarian with hearts of palm, Aji Amarillo and Grana Padano.
Try Platos Grandes and your taste buds will be in for a treat. Choose from Lomo Saltado or try the Sea Bass. The Parrillada Platter is a feast for the eyes and mouth and comes with Churrasco, house made pork Chorizo and pork belly.
For something out of this world, you cannot go past the Camarones. Served with corn and goat cheese salsa and Maseca chips, the sautéed Tiger Prawns are incredibly filling.
If you saved room for desert, you will not want to miss the Lucama Cheesecake. Made with a gluten-free cookie crust, this South American take on a global favorite comes with Popped Amaranth and a Panela reduction. If you cannot decide, order the Desert Sampler.
Come in for dinner or have your event catered by the best South American restaurant in San Francisco, Destino.
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