Restaurant Review – Summer House Santa Monica

Located in Lincoln Park, Summer House Santa Monica presents an escape to the warmth and laid-back vibes of the West Coast. The California-inspired menu highlights simple, market-driven ingredients with a focus on local & sustainable farming. Chef Ben Goodnick highlights seasonal specialties made from scratch, with locally sourced produce and fresh ingredients, along with market-driven pastas, artisan pizzas, and antipasti. Summer House Santa Monica offers a taste of summer any time of the year! 

What better way to start your California adventure than with Guacamole & House-Made Chips? The California treat has a Hass avocado, Pico de Gallo, tomatillo salsa, and ranchero sauce. Or a Handmade Burratta with local cherry tomatoes, avocado, and arugula pesto. The Parmesan Fries are also highly recommended by reviewers. Raw starters with that California vibe include Ahi Tuna & Watermelon Tartare, which is paired with guacamole, Thai chili, and house-made chips. Mexican Shellfish Ceviche has fresh avocado, tomato-lime jugo, tajin crackers, house-made chips, and shellfish. 

Currently, the menu’s seasonal specials include Rossa Pizza, a tasty combination of spicy tomato sauce, fresh herbs, and arugula salad, a Malibu Peanut Noodle Salad, with sesame, lime, and sweet peppers, and Wood Grilled Hawaiian Ahi Tuna Sandwich, with spicy mayo, avocado, ponzu, and pickled ginger.

Fresh, unique vegetable offerings include a Wood-Grilled Heirloom Globe Artichoke with herb remoulade, Caramelized Brussel Sprouts with balsamic vinegar and parmigiano reggiano, and Wood-Grilled Shishito Peppers with a sweet soy glaze, shichimi togarashi seasoning, and toasted sesame. 

The restaurant is also known for its salads, including a Knife and Fork Caesar, with hearts of romaine, garlic croutons, and parmesan. Other unique salads include a Shaved Brussels Sprouts with manchego cheese, bacon, avocado, toasted almonds, and peas, with a mustard vinaigrette, and a Wilshire Blvd Cobb with grilled chicken, egg, corn, cucumber, tomato, point reyes blue cheese, bacon, and celery, dressed with an herb vinaigrette.

Entrees include a Loch Duart Salmon, with a sweet chili glaze, and served with herb mashed potatoes, and Crispy Fish Tacos, made with local corn tortilla, crunchy slaw, chipotle crema, and salsa verde.

Pizzas are a must-have, according to online reviewers. Each day, the restaurant handcrafts dough with California milled flour, filtered water, sea salt, and fresh yeast, and rests it for 18 hours to ensure a crisp crust and unique flavor. Try an Organic Sausage & Fennel with fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, and fennel pollen, or a Hobbs Pepperoni with fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, and parmesan. Spicy Salumi & Burratta pairs garlic, fresh mozzarella, whipped burratta, and tomato sauce.

The restaurant also boasts several unique desserts, including a Banana’s Foster Waffle, with house-made crispy waffle pieces, toffee sauce, bananas, vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream. 

Weekend brunches are replete with traditional items and Cali-Mex specialties, including Breakfast cilantro with pulled chicken, silky black beans, ranchero sauce, jack cheese, and sunny-side-up eggs. Mexican Hash Browns include two sunny-side-up eggs, with tomato salsa, Oaxaca cheese, avocado, and cilantro.

Summer House Santa Monica is located at 1954 N Halsted St. Limited indoor dining and patio table reservations are available.  Hours are Monday – Thursday: 11am – 10pm, Friday: 11am– 11pm, Saturday: 9am-11pm and Sunday: 9am– 9pm.  Brunch is served on Saturday & Sunday: 9am –3pm. Per government mandate, all persons are required to wear a mask, to be removed only while seated at your table. For more information, click here.