Mélisse

Santa Monica, US

A restaurant in a restaurant. Very modern, very meta. Mélisse is like an epicurean’s inner sanctum, found tucked away behind a door within Citrin, the Californian restaurant from namesake chef and local lad, Josiah Citrin. A homely, nook-like refuge for 14 diners, it works as the gastronomic ying to the breezy yang of Citrin. That’s not to say it’s stuffy fine dining though – tones are not hushed; music is an eclectic ‘shuffle’ of old vinyls. At the wheel is Scotland-born Ian Scaramuzza, who’s worked with some of Britain and America’s biggest names: Claud Bosi, Andrew Fairlie, Corey Lee. His tasting menu –  an 18-course symphony fuelled by California’s finest suppliers – plucks from experiences with them all, marrying global flavours with classic and contemporary technique. Examples include smoked quail with girolles and bacon gastrique, Wagyu steamed buns with daikon, uni with yuzu honey and playful Tirami-choux. Stunning food with attitude; excellent wine list to boot.

Key Information

• Tasting menu from $295
• Dinner: Wed – Sat
• +1 310 395 0881
• Visit Mélisse's Website

Location

1104 Wilshire Blvd, Mid-City , Santa Monica, California, CA 90401