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    Brightside California Kitchen

    4.6 (55 reviews)
    Closed 7:30 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    Egg Benedict
    John D.

    Came on a Saturday afternoon for brunch, and was seated right away. It was a full house but seats were available. The service needs a lot of improvement. After 15 minutes of ordering our drinks, we had to remind the server to bring our water cups. Our coffee and tea didn't come till 20 minutes after ordering. The inside was nice and modern. The food portion was generous and was delicious. Overall, the service ruined our first and only experience here.

    Ceaser Caesar Salad
    Cindy R.

    Went to the brightside cafe for their new dinner menu and it was so good! Definitely a not so hidden hidden gem among more expensive places around the area. The food was not what you'd expect from a cafe style restaurant but more like a fancy steak house without the price tag. I tried a bit of everything and would recommend the braised short rib; so tender paired with creamy mashed potatoes and flavorful veggies. The waiters, Caeser and Marcus, checked on us often and helped keep the table clear of empty and done plates. The manager Jiver also came by to ask us what we thought about the menu and we gave everything a thumbs up! Definitely going to try the breakfast next :)

    Brown Butter Benedict, delicious!
    Tasha L.

    I never got to try this place back when it was Jinky's, but I'm so happy to have a solid brunch spot in downtown Santa Monica! Parking is easy with the P6 public garage on 2nd Street - it's free for the first 90 minutes. My coworkers and I stopped by for brunch and were all impressed with our experience. I ordered the Brown Butter Benedict with an iced latte on the side. I have a weak spot for hearty, savory breakfasts, and this Benedict really hit the spot. The combination of Canadian bacon, pulled pork, runny egg yolks, English muffin, and hollandaise resulted in the perfectly decadent bite every time. The staff were able to accommodate my request to sub out half of the potatoes for some arugula instead, which made me feel marginally better about devouring such a hearty meal. I don't always expect restaurant coffee drinks to be that great, but I really enjoyed my iced latte as well. I look forward to visiting this spot again!

    House coffee (free refills)
    Aileen H.

    We came on a rainy Saturday morning and stumbled upon live jazz day! The ambiance could not have been more perfect - cozy, relaxing and full with melody. Service was good. We ordered: 1. House coffee (free refills) 4/5 Decent. 2. Brioche French toast : 3.5/5 Too much cream on top. Couldn't taste the brioche texture. Felt mushy. 3. Southwestern burrito 4/5 Tasty but the fried chicken was a bit much flavor wise. It overpowered the rest of the ingredients. The food could use more finesse in terms of flavor and texture. Ambiance was excellent!

    Olivia C.

    Can't go wrong with Brightside California Kitchen! Came with two friends for brunch around noon on a Saturday. We were seated immediately and given menus. I ordered a mimosa ($9) and one of my friends got the mega size mimosa which was $4 extra. My other friend got a beer on tap. The menu is big enough where there's something for everyone. I ended up deciding on the steak and eggs only because picanha is my favorite steak. I have only seen this cut at Brazilian steakhouses. Can I say that this dish was cooked perfectly. The steak was medium rare and the chimichurri and butter sauce on top was perfect. The potatoes were also flavorful with their seasoning and were lightly fried. The over easy eggs were runny and perfect. The service was excellent. The tables and bathrooms are clean. Paid street parking but there's also a paid parking garage connected to Santa Monica Place that people can park in.

    Bloody Mary
    Greg I.

    Such a cute place, service was great and quick. I stopped as a random place with no plans but was hungry. My Bloody Mary was AMAZING I had to have 2. Food was good, could've used more potatoes but it was worth it. I ate my food too fast to take a picture lol

    Pulled Pork Sandwich and Brown Butter Benedict
    Tammy L.

    Juan is amazing! Very attentive and friendly. First time here and it's been a great impression. We got three dishes and it's great that you can add sides too. Plenty of seating so an open and wide ambiance!

    Benedict
    Irina N.

    Amazing breakfast in Santa Monica! We got the Benedict with salmon, omelette, cappuccino and OJ. The food was absolutely delicious, great portions with a yummy arugula side salad that comes with both dishes. Our server was kind and attentive. Highly recommend this place for a great meal with great service!

    Menu
    Amber J.

    This was the BEST smoked salmon bagel I've ever had in my life. All of the ingredients were really fresh, no complaints. Juan was our server and he was nice and attentive. There was a live singer and was not a wait when we arrived. I would recommend this place for everyone to visit. I'm looking forward to my next visit.​

    Berry French Toaat

    The food was amazing, Juan was so friendly and accomodating!! The French toast was next level

    Delicious drinks
    Tarena Z.

    This is a rebranded cafe that used to be called Jinky's cafe. The waffles were filling and tasty, more country style than light and fluffy. French toast was cooked just right. The fruit that came with it was fresh and high quality. The SaMo sandwich was a great Vegan option. Tasty and very filling! The vibe is relaxed and casual, feel free to wander in right off the beach. The music adds to the chill vibe; classic rock! The service was pretty quick, the staff were all attentive and happy to help all the customers.

    Channing B.

    We had the most amazing time & it was my friends birthday! This place made it so magical! The live guitar'st on Sunday bunch did a shout out & sang happy birthday & the kitchen made a birthday surprise pancake!! We LOVE this place! Great food and friendly staff! Clemente an amazing waiter and we had so much fun!!

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    29 days ago

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    2 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    2 months ago

    Food was great. Service was not. It was not super busy and yet we couldn't get water or attention timely.

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    1 month ago

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    5 months ago

    We got the Monte Cristo, Brioche Breakfast Sandwich, and Salmon Benedict. All were DELICIOUS. Service was prompt, courteous, and thorough.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Brightside California Kitchen Reviews in Other Languages

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    La Monique

    La Monique

    4.3
    (52 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    Takes reservations
    Romantic vibe

    We arrived on time for our reservation and were warmly greeted then promptly seated at a very nice…read moretable inside a very cozy and super stylish facility nested in the hotel. Greeted by our very kind waiter, we were served the most delicious toasted bread, butter(s) and rock salt from La Boulangerie. As a film nut, of course I ordered the Cinema Paradiso, this is a very imaginative cocktail recipe, like a an Old Fashioned but with a movie theater twist, kindly served with a pinch of candy kettle-corn at our table by the mixologist herself; what a playful and tasty delight! For starters, we are ordered the Mini-French-Onion Grilled Cheese and Hamachi Crudo. Both absolutely delicious. The Hamachi Crudo Leche de Tigre sauce is beyond perfect. The balance of flavors between charriness of the bread and melted cheeses, and tangy onion soup dip...just wow. Then the steak! Accompanied by a delicious Châteauneuf-du-Pape, we shared between two, a perfectly cooked (medium rare of course, don't be basic) N.Y. Strip (au poivre sauce on the side) with au gratin, and it came with nice little on the vine roasted tomatoes and a little leafy salad...like I told Chef when he came to our table post meal: "INCROYABLE!". Every-Single-Bite!! But, aside every dish being perfect and the service being above and beyond, what literally brought me to tears was the dessert. I haven't had "floating islands" since my mom used to make it many, many moons ago (unfortunately ma is now at early dementia), and when I tasted my first spoonful here, I couldn't hold back the tears, memories flooded and complimented by the preceding meal which was perfect...too many feels. Merci Beaucoup! For a VERY special culinary experience to all at La Monique. Please don't change a thing. I rarely ever make the effort to write a review, but this is very much worth every second. We'll be coming back for sure. Feel like I just discovered fire.

    I am absolutely shocked. After we left, they added $100 in tips to my bill without my authorization…read more-- I only discovered it later on my bank statement. This is completely unacceptable and feels like fraud. To make things worse, the food was completely average -- nothing special at all and definitely not worth the prices they charge. I've never experienced anything like this, even at the most basic places. This is beyond unprofessional and extremely disappointing. I would strongly advise others to double-check their receipts and statements after visiting this restaurant.

    Photos
    La Monique Dining Room
    La Monique Dining Room
    Escargot Poppers with garlic herb crème fraîche
    Escargot Poppers with garlic herb crème fraîche
    Miss Monique cocktail

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    Miss Monique cocktail
    Chelsea

    Chelsea

    4.6
    (206 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    Definitely worth trying .. especially happy hour .. no reason not to…read more Food, drinks, and service were all 5/5 .. shout out to Ty for top tier service The kimchi grilled cheese was the stand out. Seems weird but it really worked. Menu didn't say so but came with some really good tomato soup dip also. Love a good food surprise Drinks come next .. wow .. really unique and delicious. American Samurai and Shades of Pink .. both home runs The Sea Bass in coconut lemongrass deliciousness. A bit pricey but fair for Sea Bass and location. The portion was pretty large compared to other places. Excellent Tempura cauliflower.. this was good but the only thing I have any notes on .. I'd like a sauce .. it's has flavorful toppings and something like chili oil on the plate .. wish chili oil was more of a sauce .. but still was very good .. texture was perfect tho .. a little crunchier than traditional tempura which was nice Ambiance was charming .. cute little place .. a must try

    I checked out Chelsea during a happy hour with a friend and sat at the bar. We got lamb kebabs,…read morekimchi, grilled cheese, and fish tacos. The lamb kebabs were a bit gamey for my taste but I enjoyed the sauce that came with it. Fish tacos were flaky and well cooked but wished it was more flavorful. The kimchi grilled cheese felt pretty substantial and filling. The food was good but one dish didn't particularly stand out. The drinks on the other hand did. The shades of pink was a really good sippable drink that was perfect on a warm day. It wasn't too sweet and light enough to feel refreshing. The aloe & behold cocktail was delicious and got a hint of floral flavor that made it feel unique. The staff were great and attentive. The bathrooms were clean and had a cute aesthetic. The whole restaurant felt like a good date night place or a vibey place to go with coworkers. Street/meter parking was available but be wary of the neighborhoods which have parking restrictions.

    Photos
    Interior is stunning
    Interior is stunning
    Escargot mushrooms
    Escargot mushrooms
    Steak frites

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    Steak frites
    Holey Moley

    Holey Moley

    4.6
    (562 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$
    Walk-ins welcome
    Private events

    A very creative experience. Would recommend first-time users to set aside ample time (at least 3…read morehours) for the full experience at a comfortable tempo. There are 3 mini golf courses here. First one is very mediocre; the first thought that crossed my mind was that I've experienced better. The unique part of this place stood out in the next 2 courses which are both up on the next floor. It's unlike most mini golf courses bringing elements of luck, nostalgia and other games (the last course isn't really golfing). Had I known about these courses sooner, I would have skipped the first course entirely to spend more time here. There are places to sit such as couches and benches on this top floor if you feel like taking a break. There's also a karaoke room if you want to sing with your group. The food and drinks are all available on the same floor as the first course. It's very much a balcony bar vibe. The dining area goes from inside the building to the balcony giving it some al fresco feel.

    Fun place to go for a date night or with a group! My coworkers and I came here for a team outing…read moreand had a fun time. The decor is kitschy, on-theme, and intentional. The actual indoor mini golf is only 9 holes so it's just enough to have a bit of fun without it dragging on. Our server, Elvis, aka the Big Dill, was amazing! Loved his outfit and his energy. He was kind, energetic, and helpful from the get-go. Was very on top of getting us drinks and settled in asap. He let us know when all our food was ready as we were playing (we had everything pre-ordered) and was just attentive and great overall. The food itself was pretty mediocre, but I didn't have high expectations there so it was pretty on par (golf pun intended).

    Photos
    Entrance
    Entrance
    Holey Moley
    Entrance is on the main drag of Third Street Promenade

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    Entrance is on the main drag of Third Street Promenade
    The Mulberry

    The Mulberry

    4.0
    (129 reviews)
    3.5 mi

    I've been DYING to try The Mulberry, but this is definitely one of those places where you need to…read moreplan ahead and make a reservation! Since it's summer, I was so happy we sat on the patio instead of inside. We went around 7:45 PM and there was the perfect little breeze, which made the whole dinner even better. Everyone who works here is genuinely a vibe -- super chill, friendly, and welcoming. Alec was our server and we vibed from the jump! Now for the food because we ORDERED: Pacific oysters on the half shell -- honestly, you can skip these. Nothing wrong with them, but there are way more interesting things on the menu. Korean aguachile -- SO unique. The flounder was incredibly fresh and it came swimming in this cold kimchi broth that was tangy, refreshing, and almost gave me spicy water naengmyeon vibes. Crispy kimchi pancake -- a fan favorite at the table. The basil leaves layered on top added this unexpected burst of flavor, and there was a little mala element that gave the whole thing so much dimension. Chicken wings -- fried PERFECTLY. If you're only getting one thing from the small plates, I'd go with the wings. Chilled acorn noodles -- DO NOT SLEEP ON THESE!! Stone pot steak tartare -- my #1!!! The raw beef mixed into the rice was already amazing, but then you get that crispy rice at the bottom to soak up every last bit of flavor left in the bowl. So good. Beef short rib -- HOLY COW. Cooked to medium rare perfection. You absolutely need to order the assorted lettuces with it and make little wraps. One of the highlights of the entire meal. We finished with the strawberry bingsu and hotteok, which honestly made for the perfect dessert combo. Also, a little tip: corkage is only $30, so if you have a bottle of wine you've been saving or wanting to try, DEFINITELY bring it to dinner. Overall, vibes were HIGH. As a Korean, I loved seeing familiar Korean flavors used in ways that still felt creative and unexpected. The Mulberry gets the full recognition and stars it deserves from me, and I'll absolutely be back. The only thing that left us a little confused was the bill. There's a 20% service charge added, but it states that it isn't a tip and that they're a no-tipping establishment. We were also told that the service charge doesn't go directly to the staff, which made us wonder where exactly that 20% goes. I'd personally love a little more transparency around that. If you really appreciate your server, you can always ask if they have Venmo because Alec definitely deserved the love!

    My favorite dishes were the steak tartare with crispy rice and the hen mushrooms (salty but good…read moreflavor). I'd pass on the kimchi pancake. It's small but very thick and salty. Hottoek (fried pancake with brown sugar and sunflower filling) was not the best but it's worth trying especially if you haven't had it before. The ice cream and caramel sauce it comes with are very good. We went for our anniversary. They put a candle on our dessert plate but we did pay for the dessert. Parking options are 1) valet, 2) pay $10 to park at a nearby garage or lot, or 3) park on the street and walk a few blocks. Great service. Automatic 20% "fee" is added to

    Photos
    The Mulberry
    Salad, had too much white lettuce which was very bitter 7/10
    Salad, had too much white lettuce which was very bitter 7/10
    Acorn noodles

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    Acorn noodles
    Weary Livers

    Weary Livers

    4.7
    (101 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    Weary Livers is such a vibe. Dark, moody, and effortlessly cool the kind of place you go for one…read moredrink and end up staying awhile. The cocktails are crafted perfectly, strong but smooth, and the atmosphere feels intimate without trying too hard. It's got that hidden-gem energy. Great music, great crowd, and just an overall solid spot when you want something more elevated than the usual bar scene. Definitely one of my favorites.

    05/08/2025 Games and other things happening here. What drew…read moreme here is some e-mail list for different events. May 2025 is when I stopped in here for a minute. July 2026, I think there were watch parties here for FIFA games. These games are during work hours. Well, I decided to come here for a Singles Meetup. Where is everyone? The bartender showed me a menu which I could order food that will be delivered from The Brixton. Scan the QR code to order. "Sorry, we aren't accepting orders at the moment..." I guess I could finish my beer, pay my tab and go searching for something good to eat. She didn't know the Wi-Fi password neither because they changed the password. Why broadcast the guest Wi-Fi if you aren't going to make it available? There was no organizer for the meetup event. With only a handful of people here, do I want to wait for the karaoke session? It's time to go eat somewhere else.

    Photos
    Decorations year round? This is July
    Decorations year round? This is July
    Darts
    Darts
    Decorations year round? This is July

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    Decorations year round? This is July

    Brightside California Kitchen - cocktailbars - Updated August 2026

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