violet (CLOSED)

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3221 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Santa Monica, CA 90405

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(310) 453-9113
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violet (CLOSED) - Santa Monica, CA
violet (CLOSED) - Santa Monica, CA
Reviews
( 21 )
( 9 )
( 9 )
( 5 )
( 3 )

Best

Let me preface this review by noting how many restaurants in the city of Los Angeles that I've tried; from five-star dining to the smallest hole in the wall, I've visited almost e...

Worst

I can overlook the bad parking situation (no valet / limited metered spots), I can overlook the mediocre service (we were forgot about, took 40 min to get food and when we got it,...

PERFECT- PERFECT- PERFECT FOR ALL OCASSIONS 5/16/2007

rachel7900 Provided by Partner
I had a important business lunch and had to pick a westwood/ santa monica spot ? no foodie I knew had a good recommendation that wasn?t ? og just go to the Viceroy.? After finding Violet online, I took a gamble and it payed ? bit shabby on the outside, but once in it was simple chic decor and perfect for a client lunch or dinner w friends. The service was wonderful ? they even slid us under the wire as the kitchen was closing and did not rush us in anyway. The presentation was excellent, everyone (including my boss) raved about the food, and the bread was freshly baked a big plus in the landscape of stale sourdough business lunch landscape. Altogether it was a top tier dining experience without the drama and pretense (or high prices) of your standard top tier restaurant. Lastly, while although prior comments complained about portion size, and I find tapas bothersome ? the three large men I dined with could barely polish off their plates. Pros: Perfect for dates with your lover or your boss Cons: none at all more
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Still reeling 4/12/2007

johndeders Provided by Partner
In a word: harmonius. That would be the most accurate descriptor for the culinary experience that is Violet. Don't be fooled by the soft name, this restaurant's dishes are just as in your face, rock-n-roll awesome as the chef/owner who humbly busses at the joint. Correction: Jared (the buff, tatted up yet softspoken guy) does far more than pick up empty plates; he circles the dining room, catering to each and every guest as though they were his family. The "little dish" style allows for a unique freedom to choose your own gastronomical adventure... and I can't imagine anyone going wrong, what with the depth and quality of each recipe. My friend and I were satied, but pleasatnly so, thanks to the delicate, light nature of the food. Tip: you can order most wines by the half-glass, allowing you to pair your plates with your palate pleasing poizon of preference. (Say THAT five times, fast!) Also- don't worry if you're too full for desert. The check comes with a sweet surprise! A+ more
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Good selection of wine at lower price, great selection of food to taste. Good for 4 people. 3/31/2007

paperfold Provided by Partner
Loved pork with white chocolate sauce. Mushroom ravioli. Short Ribs were okay, not super. Our waiter was friendly and knowledgeable. I'll be going back there often for sure. Pros: Food. Wine. Great Sunday brunch. Cons: Could have more intimate setting. more
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Love this place!!!! 2/24/2007

carolineg814 Provided by Partner
The food here is excellent - the service - friendly, inviting, and professional. I recommend this to anyone who loves to eat good food, yet likes small portions - tapas style plates. I have had lunch here, and dinner serveral times with my boyfriend, and girlfriends. The Sunday night pre-fix menu is fantastic - with the bottomless glass option for only $10.00 - a dining experience hard to beat. I have enjoyed every single meal here - and highly recommend it. Pros: Food, Friendly Service, Wine Selection, Valet Parking Cons: If you like to self-park, may be hard to find more
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A Wonderful Dining Experience! 2/15/2007

foodiemcfood Provided by Partner
With so many dining options on Valentine?s Day my partner and I choose to celebrate at Violet restaurant in Santa Monica ? and we were DELIGHTED! The chef prepared an amazing tasting menu that was not only delicious but affordable too. The service was upbeat and gracious but not obtrusive. The Lamb Bolognaise was fantastic ? the best I have ever had! I will defiantly be back to this friendly neighborhood spot. Pros: Perfect Size, Great Service more
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well planned restaurant 2/9/2007

sundance90049 Provided by Partner
i wanted to like this place. perfect size and concept but i have been disappointed. the service has been unfriendly, not rude, just unfriendly. even from the owner/chef. dining alone i still spent as much as i would expect at a full plate place. the risotta i had recently was really a pilaf and the mushrooms were bitter, the onions undercooked. 7:30 Saturday night and the place was half filled. i hope Jared takes notice of his critics. more
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good mac and cheese 1/25/2007

pinays Provided by Partner
i went for the first time on a sunday and the chef prepares a prix fixe menu for $25 and for $10, you get all you can drink wine. btw, all the servings are small (or, i guess, just right -- i keep on forgetting that supersizing does not make regular meals "small"). when i went, diners had the following choices: 1) cauliflower soup or a salad with goat cheese; 2) risotto with asparagus/serrano ham or swordfish; 3) cheese plate or apple tart a la mode. i had the soup, which was ok (the salad was aabout a size of a half dollar!). i had the swordfish, which i thought was dry. my friend who had the risotto loved it. i had the apple tart, which was pretty good. we also ordered an extra mac and cheese, which i enjoyed! would i go back? sure, the price is affordable and the all you can drink wine is a plus. just beware that there are hits and misses with the food. more
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Fabulous Tapas! 1/23/2007

katianna Provided by Partner
Perfect Portions...Not too big .....not too small....just right. Loved loved loved the succulent swordfish. The mushroom raviolis are bursting with flavor and melt in your mouth. The milk and cookies are a fun touch. -Kat Pros: Food, service more
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Lovely Sunday Dinners 1/21/2007

martinikitty13 Provided by Partner
I checked out the Sunday prix fixe dinner at Violet recently and it's quite a deal - $25 for 3 courses, $10 for all you can drink wine (only one choice of wine, however). I admit, however, I was more excited about the concept than the actual food (which was good, but not particularly extraordinary). The best thing was what we ordered a la carte - the mac & cheese (very flavorful and rich); the next best was the yummy apple tart with gelato (just a lovely small bite of perfect sweetness and crispness). The cauliflower soup (ok, a bit bland) and the asparagus/ham risotto (again pretty good, but could have used more ham and pepper) were not very memorable. I would still however try this place again to see what is offered on their normal menu. Note, the prices are quite good; the portions are on the small side. Pros: Great prices & Sunday Dinner Concept more
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Small Plates Rock! 1/8/2007

bighja Provided by Partner
2 of us had dinner last Friday and a great experience. A nice crowd, atmoshere and I really liked the wine bar. The different choices on the small plates were very good, satisfied all my cravings. Service was nice, as was our greeting when we walked in. I can't wait to return. more
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Trendy, Small Portions, High Price 1/2/2007

jmagcity Provided by Partner
I went to Violet a while back with a friend of mine. I had never heard of the place, but she said it was good, so we went. It has a nice atmosphere. We met the owner and he seems very nice. The food was good, but I'm not into the whole small portions fad, particularly given that for just a little bit of food you're paying just a little less than a full meal elsewhere. For what I would consider appetizers and a couple of drinks, we spent over $60. Not particularly appealing in my eyes. I think you can find better quality and value elsewhere. Pros: Decent Food Cons: Trendy, Small Portions, High Price more
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Too Loud 10/23/2006

alisonkramer Provided by Partner
This place has one of those "scream at your dinner guest" atmospheres that restaurants purposefully create to make the place seem more lively. Besides that, the food was quite good, (short ribs, mac n' cheese, brocolli soup all rich and delicious) although the plates were incredibly small portioned. No bar, and sort of scene-y. Don't know if i'd go back. Pros: Food Cons: Ambience, Prices more
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Best Small Plates in Town! 8/24/2006

stfoods Provided by Partner
We had heard about Violet from a friend of ours and decided to check it out on a whim. We walked in with no reservation and the (cutie) chef/owner was so kind as to take us in right away. The food was amazing! I have been to several small plate restaurants around town but this one by far was the best and priced accordingly. We WILL be back...I think this is my new favorite place in all of Los Angeles and I highly recommend it. Pros: mac n cheese; lively; great prices more
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Overrated Wannabe 8/16/2006

jaysonlouie67 Provided by Partner
At first glance you would think this would be a cool place. We stepped in and no one was there but asked if we had reservations. It is tapas style (but with american food-so it doesnt work), so prepare to spend $50 per person and leave hungry. 3 of our 6 dishes came out first and were semi-cold, and the rest came out 30 minutes later. I have had better ravioli from the trader joes across the street from the place. The waitress never came back until we asked for the check. We waited around for 20 minutes from them to being the check. The owner/chef strutted around in true religion jeans, and looked more suited to be a waiter at the saddleranch on sunset. He was very arrogant and snooty and only made his way to certain tables to ask how the food was. Cool place and location, if only the service and food were decent. more
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So unbelieveably mediocre. like someone's bad wedding. 7/24/2006

babyskates Provided by Partner
i took my sister and boyfriend here. we made a reservation on a sunday night (price fixed) and the place was _EMPTY_. two other tables of diners were our only companions, and all those folks were senior citizens. my sister commented that her skirt made her feel overdressed. the entree was seared tuna, which was actually cooked way too much. it was more like thick white flaky canned tuna than the red-centered steak we expected. oh, last thing: fig-centered dessert. we had a fig tree growing up, and even the cat wouldn't eat figs. not everyone is a fig fan, get it? the poor little valet boy probably made $2 that night. Pros: an available parking meter out front, next to the valet stand (poor guy) Cons: such terrible food, really a pity. more
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Cozy and Tasty 7/23/2006

elisehwall Provided by Partner
My friend and I visited Violet one night after going out and since we did not have a reservation, sat at the bar. The service was good, although the waiter/bartender seemed more interested in the wine than we were... The salt was a bit heavy and the portions were just right. Chef Jared Simons came out to greet his patrons and I am pretty sure we scared him off when he realized my friend was interested in more than just the cuisine! Pros: Chef, Interesting Menu Cons: Size more
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Amazing atmosphere - spectacular food and outstanding customer service! 7/5/2006

lsnively21 Provided by Partner
We had 6 people for a Birthday celebration! The food was some of the best in Los Angeles! The chef really knows what he's doing! The overall service was outstanding -it felt like we had rented out the place we had so much attention! good recommendations and overall a must do experience! I will definitely go back! Pros: great food and atmosphere Cons: none that i can think of more
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Yummy Mac and Cheese 5/7/2006

tj1972 Provided by Partner
All of the small plates we ordered were delicious, but the mac and cheese was definitely a favorite. The service was great and the cookies and milk with the check is an adorable touch. Would definitely recommend. Pros: Reasonable prices, Good Wine List, Valet Parking Cons: Wine and Beer Only more
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Sweet Violet 1/29/2006

garnishgirly Provided by Partner
My friends and I went into Violet for their amazing Sunday Night Dinner Deal! It is a three course tasting menu for $25 and we all paired it with a delicious glass of bottomless wine for $10! It is not only a fantastic deal but the food and ambiance were all in sync with each other. What a great way to spend a Sunday night with your friends. A must try is the Macaroni with Gruyere Cheese, Serrano Ham and Leeks - Heaven! Pros: food, wine list, ambiance more
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A little bit of purple pleasure! 1/29/2006

8allday Provided by Partner
Violet is definitely one of my new favorite restaurants!. I have heard about cutie chef Jared Simons for months and I recently went to see what all the buzz is about. The place is simple and welcoming, the crowd mixed with young/older, families and couples/small groups of friends - all having great time wining and dining!...which produces a bit more noise than preferred, but it definitely does not hinder the wonderful food and wine experience to be had a Violet. The shortribs, mac&cheese, grilled Caesar, and seared scallops are among my favorites...but all of the small plates are tasty! I loved being able to build my own wine flights from the smart selection of wines by-the-pour to pair with my many small courses. Oh, and when you see Chef Jared cruising the dining room, it is obvious why he is often noted as one of LA's hottest chefs. Trust me. more
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Menu for violet (CLOSED)


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Additional information
  • Hours: Tue-Fri 11:30am-2pm, 6pm-close Sat-Sun 5:30pm-close
  • Payments: Master Card, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Pico, West LA
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