There was just something a little off about the service here that made us feel like the night was disingenuous - We stopped by Citrin on a Saturday night to celebrate a birthday. They have valet parking up front or you can easily find street parking on the next block over. The staff were able to seat us right away - our server welcomed us and we were able to get our drinks and food order in (dine LA) within 10 minutes. Let's discuss the service before the food: 1. Our server asked us how our drinks were and I really did not like mine. It was overly sweet and just left a bad taste, so I asked for them to water down with soda water and he noticeably hesitated 2. We really enjoyed the housemade ketchup but when we asked for more, he noticeably hesitated again 3. And maybe the most awkward of the night, we went to the restroom and they were out of toilet paper. We notified the front and someone went to refill asap, but when I went to use the restroom, she waited for us to finish. Maybe she wanted to clean up, but it was just super awkward knowing that she was standing out there by the door and waiting - even more awkward as we were all standing in the tiny restroom washing our hands and making small talk. We thought maybe she was going to open the door for us, but she just slid by us when we left. 4. One person in my group experienced some stomach bugs after the meal and she was the only one who ordered the egg caviar (which she noted was raw when she was eating. Also totally not worth it - would not recommend with the extra $35 add on). When we called to inform them, they told us the manager would call us back and ghosted us lol Now the food: we ordered the dine LA package and really enjoyed the food for the most part (drinks not included). The amuse bouche was a lovely way to start the night; the kampachi was flavorful and fresh; the rockfish second course was slightly salty but paired nice with the sauce; and the sirloin was cooked nicely and paired with the most delicious lemon glazed carrot. Some notes on the table order, like I mentioned before, the egg caviar was a single egg and raw and the wagyu add-on was of not the greatest quality. I will note that the cut you get really depends on luck (or is it who you are): we all noted that the man sitting at the table next to us got a significantly larger sirloin cut than we all did (and he was eating the dine LA package as well). Dessert was fine but the yuzu pie was warmer than expected and the whole dish was too creamy instead of that tart you expect from yuzu flavored desserts. Overall, it was okay and I can see how they attract a crowd for a Michelin restaurant with a $99 ish DineLA menu...though I wouldn't go back due to the service. read more

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Overall, the food was beautiful, but majority of our savory dishes were juuuust over salted and there was an issue with our experience, but I appreciate that the manager tried to make up for it. We ordered all our food at the beginning and the amuse bouche, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd course all came out about 15-20 mins after we both out our utensils down and the busser cleared it. However, our issue came for our dessert. We noticed that we were waiting some time... even to the point that the tables next to us left (and they came in after us)! We asked the server how much longer it would take for the dessert, and instead of apologizing that we've already waited some time, he kind of rudely says, "I'll check on it." The manager then comes and lets us know there was an issue with the printer (turns out we waited 45 mins). And dessert was good, but definitely tainted by such a wait. Because the manager let us know that's he's happy to remediate the issue, we asked for the mushroom risotto, since that was a dish we were eyeing but didn't get. After another 20 mins, the dish comes out but it's super undercooked. It's not crunchy, but definitely way more chewing than necessary for a risotto. So though the manager tried to remediate, the food wasn't up to par. In all, underwhelming for a Michelin star restaurant and the price tag. read more

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I chose to go to Citrin for Dine LA week when they were offering a 4-course tasting menu for $99. Citrin has 1 Michelin star as of February 2025 for their high quality cooking, however my overall experience at Citrin was lackluster mainly due to the service. I made a dinner reservation at 8:30 and when we arrived at the restaurant it was very clear they were running behind on reservations. We finally were seated around 8:50 and the waiter gave us some time to peruse the menu. My group all ordered cocktails and our meal from the Dine LA menu. I chose the Hamachi crudo, Lobster Bolognese (Upgraded for $35), and roasted duck. The last course was a preset dessert. On top of the courses, Citrin also serves you an oyster shooter and bread rolls as part of the meal. The oyster was fresh and one of the best I've ever had. Hamachi Crudo - This dish was beautifully presented with slices of Hamachi rolled into a rose shape. The vinaigrette adds a nice acidity to the dish with a slight hint of sweetness. Lobster Bolognese - This is one of Citrin's signature dishes, I chose to upgrade my 2nd course for an additional $35 so I could try this dish. The capellini is tightly rolled up with the lobster sauce set on top. The waiter recommended we slice up the pasta in cross sections and eat it like slicing a piece of meat. The overall taste was good but I wanted more lobster in the dish. Duck - The duck was my favorite dish of the meal. The plate is full of different flavors and I had to savor my last few bites wishing I had more. By the time we had been served 2 of the courses it was already 10:20pm. I surely thought we would finish dinner before 11:00pm, but I was wrong. The time it took to be served between each course was around 20-30 minutes. The server at one point commented the kitchen was running behind, however even getting our check seemed to take forever. By the time we had paid for our meal it was 11:30. Overall, the experience at Citrin really hindered my rating of the restaurant. I wouldn't recommend anyone go to this restaurant unless they have the patience of a Saint and 3 hours to spare for dinner. read more

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This 1 Michelin star restaurant is located in an unassuming building on the corner of 11th and Wilshire in Santa Monica. Named after the Chef's last name, the restaurant gave off a comfortable and modern vibe. We were there on a Tuesday night to celebrate my birthday. Nathan, our server provided us with excellent service. The food was delicious. This is what we ordered: 1. Black sea bass 2. Steak 3. Chocolate soufflé The basil brioche was very good ! It was filled with herbs, savoriness and softness. The bread was simply divine! I loved it . All the food was well cooked and well prepared. They hit all the marks in terms of texture, flavor and presentation. I highly recommend this restaurant for a quality meal. read more

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I visited this place yesterday, and I absolutely loved the food presentation--the plates were amazing. as well as the staff; as for the fish I ate, I had never tasted anything like it anywhere before. read more

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What a meal!! First the ambience is amazing. You are definitely in for a treat once you step in. We were guided to our table and it seems as if we were never left alone longer than a few moments. The bread rolls were amazing and we split the salad which was phenomenal, but our entrees!!! I had the marrow crusted steak which was incredible!!! At first I wasn't sure if it was going to be nearly enough and then I ended up struggling to finish it! My wife had the lamb and it was DELICIOUS!! Topped if off with a wonderful desert. The bill is not for the faint of heart but you get what you pay for! Absolutely will be back! read more

A restaurant that is 100% worth its Michelin star. Came here earlier this year to try their Tasting Menu during LA restaurant week (which was honestly how we discovered them). They had spoiled guests that week with a special tasting menu for only $99/person, and we got to try a good sample of their menu. Everything we tasted was as delicious as you would expect - well-prepared with the freshest ingredients. The Kampachi Crudo, Maine Lobster Bolognese, and Prime Brandt Beef were our notable favorites. So full of flavor and made even better with the wine pairing. Reservations are a must. You might be able to get bar seating with a walk-in, but if you want to sit down and have a full dining experience, make a reservation. Just be prepared to wait a bit as they are not the most timely with honoring the reservation time. Valet parking is an option, and I would plan for it. Street parking is rough. After trying their LA Restaurant week, I would 100% return to try their regular tasting menu anytime. read more

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Food was incredible. We went there for the DineLA restaurant week. Everything was delicious. Our server was incredibly sweet and very knowledgeable about the food and wine. The ambiance was nice and quiet. read more

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My wife and I celebrated our anniversary at Citrin for DineLA and overall--it was an incredible experience with one minor hiccup that was more than made up for thanks to the exceptional service. We had an 8:45 PM reservation and were told to wait, which we totally understood given how popular the restaurant is--especially during DineLA. We grabbed seats at the bar and ordered two drinks: Comfortably Numb for me - a beautifully balanced cocktail with a fruity, citrusy profile that didn't overpower with alcohol. Midnight Margaritas for my wife - a playful twist on the classic with just the right tart punch and a smooth finish. Both drinks were straight-up bangers. While waiting, we noticed another couple who arrived after us got seated first. A little frustrating, especially since only one other party was also waiting. I brought it up to the front-of-house manager, Fabian, and he immediately took ownership. He was kind, professional, and apologetic. He came back shortly after and sat us himself, checking in regularly throughout the evening to make sure our experience was back on track. Huge shout-out to Fabian--his service was nothing short of top-tier and made the night feel special again. Now the food. Oh man... Tomato Gazpacho - bright, silky, and finished with a roasted cherry tomato that brought out such deep, sweet flavor. A refreshing opener. Lobster Tagliatelle - rich, delicate, and topped with a light foam that didn't overpower the seafood. Every bite was buttery and luxurious. Beef Duo - hands down the star of the evening. Perfectly cooked filet, tender short rib, carrot purée, and a reduction sauce that was chef's kiss good. Stone Fruit Dessert Plate - a beautifully plated finale with seasonal fruit, panna cotta, and sorbet. Sweet, tart, and refreshing--presentation was elegant and on point. (See pics!) read more

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By far the worst Michelin 1 star dining experience. No dress code. Next door was wearing red converse. Wine didn't come before the appetizer. Waiter interrupted me to ask me to taste wine while I was in the middle of enjoying the appetizer. When i cheered with my bf to drink, once again interrupted by "excuse me" to take away our plates. Waiter insisted to try each other's first course without giving extra plates or bowls for soup and pasta. Soup tastes like watered down can food. Waiter who still served the bread after we refused bread service even though its included in the fixed menu didn't understand when i said "i'm good on the bread." bc he appears to speak espanol only. Gave us a poker card for our to go order of the desserts bc they cant keep track? Waiters were lost to deliver dishes to which table. Mastro's service is way better. Javier's clientele, restaurant size and organization are way better. This is not a Michelin star level especially on Christmas eve. We've been to Melisse. This is very disappointing. read more

I'll start by saying that it's Not my favorite 1 starred Michelin restaurant for sure. We went for my wife's birthday, Service was good but I wouldn't say impressive or distinguished, it was good service overall. Plates are innovative but not great when it comes to flavor. We had the egg caviar served in an actual egg shell but I didn't like the egg with caviar combo it's just didn't sit well with me, the lobster bolognese was not good from my opinion so was the risotto. We didn't get the dirty chicken but we got the Rin eye steak which was good but I won't go back for it or crave it. Overall the food didn't resonate with me and I wouldn't remember or long any of the plates I tried. The atmosphere was good, the music was off though. I wouldn't be here anytime soon as there was nothing really special, I'd rather go to another Michelin restaurants if I have the urge to fine dine. read more

Citrin - Truffle Risotto - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Heard great things about Citrin so came for a visit during LA restaurant week. Great tasting menu. Upgraded to the lobster bolognese, and it was the highlight of the meal. Unique in its presentation with a bubbly, creamy foam on top, and they told us to eat it like a steak. Absolutely delicious. Made reservations here for 9pm, and I think there must've been an issue with the guest turnover because we didn't get seated for another 45 minutes after our reservation time. However, the GM and the sommelier were very accommodating and even gave us a couple glasses of champagne for the inconvenience. Busy area, but they have valet. Highly recommend. read more

Citrin - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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I've been curious about Citrin and finally tried this place during the most recent Dine LA! Overall, the food was well-made, but not nearly filling enough for a 4-course dinner. Every dish was nicely presented, but the portions were so tiny. The lobster bolognese might be worth trying once, but the $35 supplement seemed too high; I wonder if it would've been a better value to get it as an a la carte dish. I got the duck as an entree; the duck itself was nicely seared and flavorful, but it was a small portion and some of the accompaniments seemed a bit random. The Red Berry "Vacherin" dessert was the best and most memorable part of the meal. The plating was beautiful and I enjoyed the combination of flavors and textures. Service was friendly and professional, and at the level expected of a Michelin-star restaurant. The staff checked on us frequently and were quick to clear out our tables and bring the next dish. Parking wasn't too bad on a weeknight. I found free street parking just a short block away. read more

Definitely did not meet or exceed my expectations of a 2 star Michelin menu and service.. and let me tell you why. Upon being seated it took 20 minutes to have our order taken. Mind you, it was Halloween night and we were one of only six patrons, and our menus were off to the side and closed, which at other places signals that we are ready to order, but maybe not here. None of these dishes blew me away and in fact they were quite mediocre. The truffle egg was a $150 supplement that I wish I never opted for. It was like eating a one-egg breakfast at dinner that was just topped with shaved truffle. The capellini in the lobster bolognese could've been easily mistaken for cup of noodles noodle had I eaten it with my eyes closed. We are well away from the season of summer and yet there were still summer legumes on the menu in the poisson du jour. which just tasted like beans and mush fish with salty chanterelle mushrooms. I'm sorry but beans, I don't care if legumes should have a place on a 2 star Michelin tasting menu.. the only flavorful dish was the veal which came with a single tortellini. Just one. The saving grace of my experience was the dessert, which was quite enjoyable and better than most Michelin tasting menu desserts that i have tried. However they knew it was our anniversary and the only regard towards it was a candle held together by a singular piece of marzipan on a dish that was already a part of our order lol. we were debating the cheese supplement as dessert and we made the hostess aware of this and at first she said she would check in with us around the third course to see if we still wanted it, but at the end of taking our order she assumed that it was our selection and said she would bring us the dessert wine with the cheese, and we were too taken aback to correct her. Which is ok, but does not seem she was really paying attention to detail or just oddly nervous. And lastly, we were told we were getting our cheese boxed up to go, and even told to take it out of the fridge for 15 mins before enjoying it at home, however the hostess let us walk out the door without reminding us of this or presenting it to us, leaving our barely enjoyed $45 cheese behind. As a patron I am not going to chase and hound over something that was supposed to be boxed up and taken home. But these are important details that did not meet expectations. Overall this place does not embody that of a Michelin restaurant let alone one with a star. read more

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Nate K was a phenomenal server last night. Service/conversation very impressive. I have been coming here about every year or every other year since 2013, when it was still Melisse. This is the best restaurant in LA and quite possibly the world. My favorite restaurant. I've eaten in Napa, Vegas, and nyc. And Citrin/melisse tops them all. We are so fortunate to have a restaurant of this caliber here in LA. Ate outside and forgot I was even outside. The heaters work great. Flavor of food, fantastic as always. read more

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This review is at the very least for the incredible servers. Each and every one of them bring such an elevated classy dining experience to the table (no pun intended). 5/5 lighting and ambiance. Easy street parking that's not too far to walk in heels for. 5/5 recommendations. Would each everything my waitress recommended again. Tomato soup, lobster bolognese, steak, duck (forgive my lack of description as I'm usually not a fancy pants eater). Restaurant closed at 9pm technically but we were there until 11:15 without feeling an ounce of rushed (seated around 8:45 and meals started dropping at 9). Really beautiful and worth the money experience. read more

Citrin - Lobster Bolognese - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Happy Hour in a Michelin star restaurant is an excellent way to sample items from the dinner menu. This was certainly the case at Citrin. We arrived about 10 minutes before the 5:30 pm opening time, and the door was locked -- not a problem for us, but others after us seemed upset that they couldn't enter early. Once the door opened, we took two seats at the bar for Citrin's "Glass Over". The bar area is warm and welcoming. For our drinks, we enjoyed a Midnight Margarita (5/5 $13) and Just What I Needed (4/5 $13 HH). We selected the Lobster Bolognaise (4/5 $19 HH) and Duck Ragout (5/5 $19 HH). Service was excellent. read more

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I came here with my family to celebrate a couple of birthdays and we ended up staying 4 hours for a 4 course meal. The food itself was decent, the space itself looked chic, but the speed at which the kitchen was serving food was unacceptable. What baffled me is that we all ordered from the set menu so it's not like we were ordering anything outlandish that should've tripped the kitchen up. I could see that the waiters were visibly embarrassed about how long we were waiting between courses, but there were no accommodations made to apologize for it. Overall it was an unforgettable meal, not because of the food, but because it was the longest we've ever waited for our food at a restaurant. If you do decide to come here, bring some good entertainment because you might be waiting a while. read more

This is not your typical Michelin star restaurant. The music brings life to the whole place. You feel you are almost at a day party with friends. Everyone there has a vibrant energy that captivates you and your guest. The service was impeccable. Hats off to Kaelan. He was kind, helpful and kept the energy up. Ask to sit in his section. Obviously the reason you are reading is because of the food. The price point is amazing. I've been to quite a few Michelin star restaurants and these prices are pretty affordable compared to others. The portion size is decent too. All in all an excellent meal that will leave you with leftovers. I plan to eat some of the chicken for breakfast. You mist grab the dirty chicken dish. read more

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The following is an honest account of our recent experience at Citrin. Much of the information in the reviews below regarding the food quality seems fair and true and Im not here to take away from what are likely well deserved praises. Below is a brief but true account of what we experienced during a celebration of our friend's birthday with out party of seven. Quick Reference: Ambience: Very nice, modern yet elegant, calming, low noise levels, intimate and somewhat private feel. Drinks: Excellent. Many unique choices and well crafted. Food: Excellent. However, portions are too small to feel satisfied and when paying a premium, you should want your guests leaving satisfied Bathrooms: Very clean, nicely decorated. Staff: Friendly but socially uncouth in certain ways. Never, and I mean Never speak over someone who is in the middle of a sentence. Kitchen: Make sure food is served in proper order and sync. No one should have to wait 15 mins before the others receive their food. Bar: Look around and pay attention to your guests who may be waiting to be attended to. No one should have to wait OVER 45 mins Manager: Don't ever make your guests feel they have to argue with you and take responsibility when your staff even possibly may have erred. Make sure they are satisfied that you understood the issue, that you applied good judgement and left them feeling restored. Longer Detail: True that the atmosphere was lovely, felt somewhat private, modern, not noisy, and was comfortable. Bartenders offered a variety of interesting and delicious cocktails and spirits. However, as I waited at the bar for my group to arrive, I was not asked not once if needed anything else, including the check, and that was over a 45 minute period roughly. I had to raise my voice a bit to get someone's attention before I could pay my bill and join my guests. The table was fine and the staff was friendly and quickly took our order. What was not okay is that the staff would continually interrupt us mid-sentence and speak right over us rather than to wait a moment for a pause. This happened over and over again and I finally complained to a staff member, asking her to make sure the rest of the staff knew not to continue with such unsophisticated and disrespectful behavior. I don't imagine anyone else here would enjoy being interrupted so obnoxiously as we were. I blame the manager who is either not paying attention to his staff interactions with guests or shares the very same low standards of etiquette. Entree's arrived at different times. Yes, of seven total guests, it took approximately fifteen minutes before I had to summon the waiter to inform them that we had only received half of the dishes, which precluded the ones that had their food, from eating without others being served. I had to hail the waiter and inform them of the obvious problem. She apologized and in an effort to avoid blame, tried to suggest that she thought we wanted the order delivery in that manner as if the first few entrees were like appetizers. This is absolutely untrue. They were all entrees and should have arrived simultaneously, OBVIOUSLY. The manager never apologized when he learned of the situation nor took any responsibility. As a manager he seemed to lack good intervention and problem solving skills. I informed him that we had placed an order for our entrees and ordered. one extra one (steak) to share in addition to our own. Thats it. Nothing in that request means bring us 4 entrees and delay the other 4. By the time the remaining food arrived, some of the first entrees were no longer warm. I should have taken a picture to share of the half served table. The food is delicious. Thats is absolutely true although the portions are very much on the meager or small side so if you are hungry I recommend you think twice before ordering anything other than the burger which seems substantial. Bill was approx. just over 3k and about 1k of that was champagne so this is expected. What was not expected was the poor service. If you have a Michelin rated restaurant, you'd better nail it! I mean every detail better be addressed with the highest standards applying. How else are you rightly being distinguished from the masses, or deserving of such exclusive esteem??? I hope this was helpful. read more

My friend and I were here for a birthday dinner and we both went with the tasting menu. We loved the amuse bouche and the basil brioche bread. The gentlemen serving us the bread was very generous and kind. Our first courses were the Kombu Cured Hamachi Crudo and Stonington Maine Scallop; those were awesome! Our second courses were the Lobster Bolognese and the Potato Crusted Alaskan Halibut, which were good as well. The third courses were Bone Marrow-Crust Filet of Beef and Koji Aged Liberty Duck Breast. The meats were tender and the dishes were unique. However, for our dessert courses, we wanted to see if it was okay to substitute their tasting menu options for another dessert on the à la carte menu. Initially, our waitress went to the back to confirm that it was okay to substitute the dessert because all the à la carte dessert options were the same price. When she came back, she said it was not possible. We still really wanted to try the Grand Marnier Soufflé, so we ordered two strawberry pavlovas to complete the tasting menu and the Grand Marnier Soufflé in addition to our tasting menu. When the desserts came out, the chocolate soufflé was served instead of the Grand Marnier soufflé. When we pointed it out that we had ordered the Grand Marnier soufflé, our waitress responded "I could've sworn you said chocolate." Neither of us like chocolate so there was never a question about ordering the chocolate soufflé. It rubbed us the wrong way when she said that she could have sworn she heard us say chocolate. I don't think it's about what she heard, it is more about what we wanted. For a fine dining restaurant, this response was unacceptable and even if it innocuous, her statement felt like a passive way of telling us that we were wrong. She offered us the option of just eating the chocolate soufflé since it was already on the table and after our first bite, we found what appeared to be a coarse piece of hair presumably from a pastry brush. When we told and showed her the hair, she said she would look into it. When she came back, she confirmed that it was the pastry brush and playfully laughed off the situation. It was disheartening to see the way she responded to that situation because we could have ingested without knowing since Citrin's ambience is quite dim. We felt that she was not taking our concern seriously. For the palette cleanser at the end of the night, there was cherimoya with mandarin sorbet and a dark chocolate with a caramel center. Our waitress mentioned to my friend that even though we don't like chocolate, it was worth a try. My friend ended up not eating the chocolate. I, however, did take a small bite of my piece and left the rest in my bowl. When my friend went to the restroom, the waitress came back to check on us and made a comment about how she saw that there was a missing piece of chocolate. I pointed out that I only took a small bite, but she made it seem as though she was surprised that the chocolate was eaten. These events by itself may seem trivial and harmless, but combined made us feel like we weren't taken seriously. This is, after all, a Michelin star restaurant. It isn't just about the food that is highlighted, it is also about the service. She could've apologized for the misunderstanding or acknowledged that the hair from the pastry brush was an oversight and move on. Instead, our concerns were dismissed. To sum up, the food was awesome, the ambiance was interesting, but the service was not satisfactory. read more

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Worth it. Yes it's pricey but the chicken and the lobster bolognese are worth it 100%. Service is what'd you expect from a place with a Star and the servers are knowledgeable and fun conversations. read more

Although the restaurant has a Michelin star, the service could be a little better. The guys are trying, that's good, but the design in the backyard is creepy,to say the least. Otherwise, no complaints. The food isn't bad, some dishes were excellent. read more

Citrin - Not bad - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

A Michelin star is meant to reward excellence in food, service, and atmosphere. Unfortunately, this restaurant misses on all three. The food feels trapped in the past. The lobster pasta with foam was groundbreaking, perhaps, in the late 1990s. Concepts that once felt daring now land as dated, self-serious, and oddly unresolved. A salad presented on a plate with hands serving you says more about the chef's ego than about taste or restraint (this was a sad one, as the salad was fantastic). Service was incredibly uncomfortable rather than attentive. There was an unsettling, surveillance-like energy throughout the meal; staff whispered audibly, and it often felt as though we were being discussed rather than cared for. Hospitality should feel warm; here it felt clinical, paranoid, and judgmental. The room itself reinforces the problem. A large painted portrait of the chef looms over the space which reads less refined than self-congratulatory. It's hard not to feel that the restaurant is more invested in its chef's history than in execution. I respect the chef's career! He's clearly well-connected, but a Michelin star should reflect what's happening now, not what they once represented or who someone knows. As it stands, this felt like a relic of a chef coasting on reputation. Makes me sad, as I was really excited to go here! Maybe it was an off night? Didn't feel like it. This was the worst michelin experience I've had so far. read more

Citrin - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

This is tough. I'd give 3.5 stars and only 3 if it was out of only Michelin restaurants. 4 is a stretch. I've eaten at quite a lot of Michelin restaurants all over the world, so I have a decent frame of reference, I think. The service here was okay. Our waitress was kind and knowledgeable, but the rest of the service was difficult. We were brought the hamachi crudo but only spoons, then asked for a fork and were brought one when it was a plate for the table, for instance. We were brought bread, but they didn't bring the butter until we asked. It was tough to track anyone down when we were missing things. And the wine pours are, quite frankly, embarassingly small. As for the food, the caviar egg is outstanding. The hamachi crudo was almost flavorless. The halibut was beautiful and pretty good and the risotto was good, not great. The steak and the duck were stars of the show. The bread was mediocre at best. The dessert was fantastic. But for Michelin, I expect far better service, a better pour, and a better experience. The people dining next to us got on a face time call and we could barely hear and this was tolerated. I'm glad I tried it, but I don't think I would return. read more

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Michelin rated sister restaurant of Melisse which is located in the bottom level. Came here to celebrate my parents' anniversary and they had a little printed sign congratulating them. The ambiance is darkly lit with modern decor. Tasting menu is $165 as of March 2024 and includes four plates with the option for up charges. Everyone at the table must order the pre-fixe. Credit cards accepted. Valet parking available or you can opt for metered street parking. There were young kids in the restaurant. Service was alright - our waiter forgot that we told him that we only needed two wine glasses and instead brought out four in addition to some other minor complaints, so I took a star off for lack of attention to detail that other Michelin places have. Otherwise, the food was good, with my favorite being the dessert course. Some thoughts on what we tried below: Asparagus panna cotta - the amuse bouche was fun to eat and incorporated both asparagus and white asparagus. It was creamy and cool. Basil brioche - this came with French butter from Normandy. You could choose this or the French roll. The bread wasn't warm but the flavor was unique, if the color a bit too on the leprechaun green side Lobster bolognese - this is a molded pasta with butter foam on top (not your traditional pasta). Our waiter recommended just cutting into it like a bar, and it was fun to eat, if a bit cold. Egg caviar kit - my dad absolutely loved this. It's $25 extra but the caviar carefully placed into an egg shell was such a novel concept White asparagus - another upcharge, but also worth it if you like morels. The brown buttery sauce on the bottom was umami and delicious. Scallops - both my sister and mom opted for this. It was tasty and very tender. Crudo - this came with a generous amount of five pieces. It had some foliage on top which looked very aesthetic. Red mullet - my mom got this and the fish was cooked perfectly. The skin was crispy while the meat was flaky - she liked this a lot. Lamb - this is recommended to be cooked medium rare, and I agree with that assessment. It was very tender with the right amount of fat for a juicy burst of flavor and salt. Duo of beef - this comes with beef cheek and another cut. My sister preferred the lamb over the beef, which I agreed with. Cherimoya - both my parents got this since they prefer a lighter dessert. It's a tropical flavor and the restaurant added little candles for them to blow out. Chocolate cake - this had a chocolate filling and came with ice cream on the side. I love the combination of hot and cold in a dessert, and felt like it was the right level of sweetness. read more

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Celebrated the second anniversary of my son and daughter-in-law here at this Michelin 2023 awardee restaurant and we all enjoyed it and truly made the occasion very special. They even had a little Happy Anniversary note on their table when they found out about the occasion and they were given a cake to share, which I thought a very nice gesture. Entering to that red door ( on 11th side of street) sets the mood of the evening. I was greeted nicely by the hostess and felt welcome and seated to the table right away while waiting for my son and DIL. The ambiance was nice, totally more modern than the last time I remember it, and was so happy we were given the booth table. Food was amazing as expected of a Michelin star awardee chef owner and everything was thoroughly enjoyed by all 3 of us. From the appetizers all the way to their cocktails and desserts! Service was excellent! When I told the hostess I couldn't read the menu because I forgot my readers, she came back to give me readers and made sure to let me know they were sanitized. When I was asking for a particular way of how I wanted my cocktail , our waiter said "I got you" and indeed he did so perfectly the way I wanted it! There is a valet parking available on the 11th street. read more

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We came for our anniversary as a special occasion dinner multi-course dinner. Our reservation was at 6PM and we were seated promptly. There's street parking but also valet if you don't want to look for street parking. Overall food was good - very decadent and rich. Definitely not something for everyday but if you're a fan of fat and butter, you'll definitely enjoy. - Favorites: Dirty Chicken (really for four, not two - also incredibly rich), Cocktails (had mocktails too) - Okay: Ode to Manresa (fresh!), Pear "Pavlova" (barely any meringue), Egg Caviar (tiny), Lobster Bolognese read more

Went for wedding anniversary dinner on Saturday and my husband ended up with food poisoning. I really appreciated that they warmly acknowledged our anniversary, and it's nice ambience, but that's about it. We both got the pre fix menu, and an additional bread basket. I opted for a cocktail to start, and the $75 wine pairing, but my husband had one cocktail. First course: I had the tomato soup (delicious) and husband had the tuna. His tuna must have been the culprit because I did not try this one (thankfully) but he described it as unpleasantly warm and slightly gray in color (see pic). Second course: we opted for the lobster supplement but it was highly disappointing since it only had a lobster essence without any discernible lobster meat or flavor. Third course: we both got the steak and short rib entree - ordered at different temperatures but both came out overcooked and lukewarm. I understand that prix fixe portions are small, but the "short rib" was the size of a grape. At least the dessert was unique but tasty. Our server was nice, but on a few occasions cleared our glasses while there was a visible amount of still cocktail/wine remaining. We have dined at many Michelin starred establishments and when you are spending over 3 hours and several hundreds of dollars on a meal, you expect better. The experience enough was underwhelming, but the fact that my husband got sick afterwards- I just can't get past that. read more

Citrin - The likely cause of food poisoning - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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Checked out the dine LA menu. Ultimately, I felt that the service at this place is Michelin level, and the food is at or slightly below Michelin level flavor wise. unfortunately the courses for the dine LA menu were small and we left hungry. Ambiance is what you would expect from a Michelin place. They're probably other better restaurants in LA area to try. read more

Tried their DineLA menu. First of all, I want to say the food was very good. I paid the supplement fee and had the egg caviar.. so Yum! The wait staff were nice. Only thing I'd change are the portions and wait in between course. Maybe they forgot to add the word "tasting" abd it was a busy night. read more

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We visited the 1 star Michelin Citrin restaurant out here in Santa Monica and we were not disappointed. Michael was our server and he was very professional and very familiar with the menu. The food was unique and in a league on its own. Small portions with bursting flavors on your palate. They had extended the "Dine in LA" menu for another week, which we were able to enjoy on top of choosing other dishes in their regular menu. We had clean utensils each time a new dish came. We were surprised with a complimentary oyster appetizer, which made up for the $5 hot water charge. Thank you for such a memorable and elegant evening. read more

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I took my husband here for his birthday dinner and it was exceptionally good. Every single thing we were served was fantastic and the service was excellent. We got the 4 course meal with the wine pairing. My husband got the lobster Bolognese for his meal and I got the duck. Both were amazing and the sauce on the duck was unparalleled. The mushroom soup appetizer we got was also very good as was the fish. Everything was excellent - it's easy to see why it has a Michelin star! read more

I came here during Dine LA with a fellow foodie friend. We had reservations at 6:45 on a Sunday in February and were seated right away on the patio. It was a little chilly and unfortunately they were not able to move a heater closer to the table. They did turn up a nearby heater which ended up needing to be changed out halfway through the meal. The ambience was nice and the service was very kind and professional. I'm not currently drinking alcohol or eating undercooked/raw food, and the server acknowledged this dietary restriction upfront. We did have a mishap for our drink orders. I ordered a mocktail while my friend ordered a cocktail. When the drinks arrived, we couldn't remember the names of our drinks but we asked several times which was alcoholic and which was non-alcoholic. I had a few sips before our server came up to inform us that the drinks were mixed up. They apologized several times and brought out new drinks for us. Overall the food was truly tasty, and the presentation was beautiful. As an amuse bouche, we were served a blanched oyster. I had originally requested for the alternative - a soup, which initially was offered to me but had to switch since there was not any soup made. I was assured the oyster was cooked through. For my courses, I chose the shellfish and Meyer lemon panna cotta, lobster bolognese (DineLA upgrade), and the duck. The seafood panna cotta was such a surprise! It was light and flavorful and the creaminess of the panna cotta balanced well with the seafood medley. I was apprehensive to order this dish since I had never had a seafood panna cotta before, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I did have to eat around the roe as modifications were not welcome. I loved the lobster bolognese. The kitchen recommended slicing the bolognese rather than mixing it up with the truffle foam. What a delight!! I did notice though that, based on other yelpers' photos, the amount of foam they give you definitely varies. Ours was on the lighter side compared to others' experiences. I also truly enjoyed the duck, cooked to medium. The dessert (the "vacherin") was perfect. Very light to top the meal. I loved the ice cream with the graham cracker. Also, I can't forget the basil brioche - so fluffy and tasty. One last issue - the bathroom was not as cleanly as I would expect from a nice restaurant. The single use hand towels were overflowing the waste bin, one of the stalls didn't have a light on (completely dark) and was out of seat liners, and the other stall had a large puddle. I rated this as 3.5, mainly due to the inconveniences. read more

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OMG the food is amazing!! Shoutout to Fabian he made the whole experience even better. I'm obsessed with the ambience, the vibe, the layout literally everything about this place is perfection. From start to finish, it felt like a treat. Definitely coming back! read more

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Highly recommend walking in for Citrin's happy hour bar seating (5:30-7, Tues-Sat) to try the menu at half off with the same great service. Go right when it opens to ensure you get a seat! Loved the Melisse burger, duck ragout, and egg caviar. A great way to experience Citrin without the full price commitment. read more

Citrin - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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The fact that a happy hour exists at a Michelin Star restaurant blows me away. I had the "Just What I Needed" cocktail, and WOW this was an excellent mix! Just the right amount of flavor, sweetness, and alcohol. I also tried their burger which was also really good in terms of flavor, and also cooked to nice medium rare. Service was a little on the slow side to get started, but overall the experience and vibe was a 10/10! A nice touch was that you have the option to have your bags placed in their storage closet. Could definitely see myself coming here for a drink or two after work! read more

Citrin - Just What I Needed - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Monica, California

We tried the Dine LA menu and paid extra to upgrade the dishes, but the flavors didn't live up to what you'd expect from a fine-dining experience. While the presentation and format followed the style of high-end French cuisine, the taste itself did not. It felt like fairly ordinary food dressed up with sophisticated plating and then sold at a premium price. This level of quality has unfortunately lowered my expectations for Mélisse, the neighboring Michelin two-star restaurant. On top of that, the restroom conditions were extremely disappointing. read more

My friend and I had a lovely dinner at Citrin over the weekend! Start to finish, excellent service above and beyond plus just delicious eats. Michelin star experience exemplified well. $15 Valet right outside the front door of the restaurant. Sexy and chic ambiance upon walking in, you'll find the host stand on the left of the entrance. They have some of the best non-alcoholic cocktails around. The price reflects the quality - $16 a pop for no liqs, oof. It's interesting because that is the alcoholic beverage price, as well...But I must say they are really darn tasty and beautifully presented. I wish they would have their descriptions on the menu with all the other drinks. Our meal started with an incredibly refreshing amuse bouche with tiny tomatoes and watermelon. Definitely a nice palate cleanser holding onto summer vibes. I had their Butternut Squash Soup with pumpkin seed hash and a nice sized dollop of whipped black truffle maple. This soup was to die for. Creamy with bits of squash throughout and just the best flavoring when stirred in with the truffle maple. So many nomz. We also had the Kaluga Caviar topped on the soft poached egg filled with cauliflower mousseline and lemon chive creme. We did the DineLA Menu and there was a $35 surcharge for this, but it's an award winning dish! And for good reason, really creamy and delicious. I then had their Wil Mushroom Ristto with Mascarpone which was presented on such a cool & unique plate. The rice was perfectly done al dente and the tastes perfectly melded together. I love risotto and it was out of this world! The Rosemary Lamb Jus was so impeccably done. Perhaps the most perfect lamb I've ever had, nicely rolled and cooked to perfection. Finally, full of food, I had as many bites as I could muster of their turtle cake dessert. Again beautifully plated, just like every dish, and tasty to the max. Loved everything at Citrin and supremely impressed with the ideal staff. read more

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The food is amazing. Maybe the best in town. The service is perfect, elegant, prompt and the very definition of professional. The atmosphere is elegant, classy and quiet. Perfect for a date or a business dinner. A true 5 star experience! read more