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A Stunning Restaurant With Upscale Eats Heads To The Third Street Promenade
1212 (Rendering courtesy of Global Dining Inc.)
A sweeping, two-story restaurant aims to reinvigorate the local dining scene along Santa Monica's touristy promenade. The new restaurant—which takes its name from the address, 1212—will offer globally-inspired flavors with locally-sourced ingredients from a chef who has worked at revered restaurants in Vegas and New Orleans. Tentatively scheduled to open on the Third Street Promenade sometime next month, the restaurant will also bring a completely reworked design space to what was once the long-standing Pan-Asian spot Monsoon Café. The massive space will also feature two bars, a private events space and an area for live music.
The kitchen of 1212 will be run by Walter Greenwood, who previously spent time at the famed Commanders Palace in NOLA and the since-transformed Bartolotta at the Wynn in Vegas. Greenwood plans to regularly hit up the nearby Santa Monica farmers' markets for fresh, local ingredients, which he will use for internationally-minded dishes like scallop and sea urchin risotto and the slow-cooked, Louisiana-style pork of cochon de lait served in crepe tacos. They also plan to offer monthly communal tasting dinners to highlight the best of what's in season at the market.
Cocktails from the bars of 1212 will be designed by beverage director Fred Ghiassi, who has worked at Cassia and Baltaire, and will also feature local produce and house-made infusions.
The 10,000 square foot space will offer a main bar and dining area on the first floor, while a wrap-around balcony for excellent people-watching will offer a second bar, an area for music and more seating. The bow-truss ceiling will remain exposed and feature over 100 copper drop lights, while warm woods, colorful tiles and textured stone will be part of the design elements. There will also be patio seating and a huge glass façade in front that allows for plenty of natural light and a view of the occasional street performer on the Promenade.
1212 will be located at 1212 West Third St., Santa Monica, CA 90401 and will be open for lunch and dinner daily.
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