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    Holy Basil

    4.1 (58 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Recommended Reviews - Holy Basil

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    crab fried rice
    Yiping K.

    Reservation - Easy through OpenTable Parking - metered street parking not too difficult Ambiance - Small interior but they were able to squeeze 6 of us outside though the air vent was directly on us so it was a little chilly. Went again with smaller group of 3 and sat inside which was nicer though sun came in our eyes without shades. Service - Some people in the party were sensitive to spice but even though we asked, the server forgot to warn us about which dishes had higher spice levels and one friend had to switch plates with another. Food - Green mussel risotto was a highlight. It was unique and had a light curry flavor though higher proportion of rice. It looked a little darker and more sauce heavy the second time I came. Khao Soi was served with paccheri pasta and had some szechuan chili taste to it, definitely a unique take. Spelled Koi Soi on the menu? Crab fried rice was solid and came with a fish sauce. Tiger prawns were good though egg wasn't in the description so someone in my party couldn't eat it and thought it was a regular curry. The sauce covering the shells also made it messier to peel with hands. Also seemed to have some szechuan chili maybe? Pad Kee Mao with Moo Krob was also solid though this is the one with the high spice level for those less able to tolerate spice. Came a second time since others wanted to try and got: Nam Pla scallops - pretty spicy kick and highly acidic Nam Tok Tataki - favorite dish, tender beef carpaccio though was served in larger slices so it was harder to eat Moo Krob - 48 hour cured pork belly reminded me of Filipino lechon kawali, crispy outside and solid dish with acidic sauce that really helped balance the heavy meat with a more refreshing note

    Chilli chicken, schezwan sauce
    Talya R.

    VERY SPICY!! but very unique and delicious. I think this place was interesting because it juxtaposed elevated dishes with casual dining. I sort of wished the inside and service matched the elevated quality of the dishes though. The highlight for me was the chili chicken. It was so flavorful and different and I liked how it was crunchy but not overly heavy and fried and the chicken was perfectly cooked and juicy. The wagu meat on the noodles was another highlight however to me the noodles were just too damn spicy. That is how I feel about the whole meal, I wasn't able to fully enjoy everything due to the spice level. The crab fried rice was simple but every bite had crab mixed in which was really nice and this dish was less spicy. My table loved the green seafood risotto, it was super unique and tasty. We also did enjoy the scallops appetizer, they were very fresh and the sauce was spicy but tangy. Lastly the thai tea was perfect and helped with all the spice. I would go back but I just wish the dishes were less spicy, not sure if you can modify I would probably ask next time.

    Amy L.

    Food was good but I don't think it's worth the price compared to other Thai places you can get in LA. They also say the food is very spicy but I would say it's more on the mild to medium side, not anything like Thai spicy. My personal fav was the oxtail pasta and the pad kee Mao.

    Pad Kee Mao Noodle, Angus Beef ( Spicy )
    Tiffany L.

    I've been wanting to check out this place because every time I drive by, it always seems busy. I ordered a pad kee mao for takeout and was honestly disappointed. The portion was small for the price, and the noodles tasted much sweeter than other versions I've had elsewhere. On the positive side, the restaurant has a cute interior and seems like a nice spot for a date night. Overall, the food was okay, but it didn't stand out enough for me to return. I'd rather explore other Thai restaurants in the area.

    Trinny T.

    The food here is so so and portions are tiny. It faces west so the sun comes down to people's. Everything is so pricey. The two dishes I like are Risotto 5/5 it is spicy, curry like, what an interesting Asian fusion combination Beef salad 4/5. The previous photos with pork skins look more appealing. I was disappointed of how the dish looks right now. Other dishes are so average and not recommended. Kao soi 2/5. The pasta is not al dente, it is undercooked. I couldn't finish it. The beef short ribs were soft and juicy. Pork belly 2/5 for like $25-28 this dish is so costly and little. I get $16.99/lbs for delicious pork belly elsewhere. I will not come back for dinner. Maybe I'll try lunch. Parking here is mostly street though I walked because I live close.

    Duck
    Shanelle S.

    Delicious Thai spot with high quality ingredients! Came here for dinner with some friends on a Friday night and made a reservation in advance. Quentin was our server and did a great job, constantly checking in to fill up our waters and check if we needed anything. The SRF Picacha was my personal favorite for an app to share. The koi soi was the table favorite, and we also ordered the risotto, duck, and pad kee mao. The yum khao packed some heat. Overall, a great spot for a casual dinner with friends.

    Chilli chicken, schezwan sauce; Risotto; Pad Kee Mao Noodle, Angus Beef ( Spicy )
    Julia G.

    Arrived ~6:30pm on a Friday night without a reservation and were luckily able to get a table for 3 for 1 hour before the next reservation! Staff were really friendly and attentive, with the entire team saying "welcome!" whenever a new guest arrived and refilling water frequently. Free street parking was ample and easy to find after 6 pm. Indoor and outdoor seating available. We split 3 dishes which was plenty for 3 people and averaged ~$30 per dish with tax and tip. Chili chicken: Sweet and spicy, the star of the meal!! Risotto: A Thai take on risotto this dish featured mussels and green curry! It was the perfect comfort dish. Pad kee mao: The Wagyu was delicious and appreciated the fresh veggies. Would definitely recommend for a fun meal with friends!! Thank you Holy Basil!

    Nicole Diane M.

    The Vibe: An elevated, "cool kid" take on Thai food. The space is small but vibrant, featuring an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs work. The Standouts: The Scallops are bright, acidic, and incredibly fresh. The Thai Tea is a must-order. They were even kind enough to help us prep a birthday cake for a small fee. Elite Tips: Consistently ranked as some of the most "authentic yet progressive" Thai food in LA. It is excellent for a date night if you can snag a smaller table.

    Eggplant
    Laura P.

    Outstanding! I Loved the Thai Caesar salad, the sautéed eggplant, and the crab fried rice. Really unique takes on all of them. Bursting with flavor and spice! We enjoyed sitting at the table facing the chefs and watching them expertly cook each dish. The space is pretty small with a few tables outside; good to get a reservation as it fill up quickly. It gets pretty loud, better for smaller groups rather than larger groups.

    Fish with herbs
    Diane M.

    I am so glad to have tried Holy Basil. The menu options are super unique and innovative, but they are also extremely limited, which is why I knocked one star off to start. As someone who does not eat meat, my options were few, and everything has a high price tag even if you don't want the meat in it. The pumpkin and eggplant was very tasty. I think the eggplant could have been softer and better cooked through, and I wish that the dish had more pumpkin, but overall, the flavor was great. The green curry risotto is a must try, and I appreciated that they could bring mussels on the side. The dish tasted much better with the mussels. The fried fish was ok, not bad, not amazing, and too fried for my taste. The ambiance is cute, trendy, and intimate. Service was mixed, one server was great, while the other still seemed to be training. Overall a good experience, but I won't be running back given the limited menu.

    Eggplant and squash
    Jetrina M.

    We went here for dinner with a group of 5 on a Thursday evening. We made a reservation online. The dining area is quite small and our table was connected to another group of 4. Probably best for groups of 4 and less. Our waiter was really nice and gave feedback to our menu suggestions. He even suggested we order additional dishes which was appreciated. We ordered the risotto, pad kee mao, eggplant and squash, New York steak and the chili chicken plus 2 sides of white rice to share between 5 people. The sides of rice are huge and definitely shareable - we felt that all 5 of use could've shared one side of rice. All the dishes came out quickly except for the veggie dish (eggplant), we had finished most of the other dishes by the time this one came out. My favorite dish we ordered was the chili chicken, very flavorful and a nice size portion! The risotto and pad kee mao were on the spicy side but still flavorful. The risotto was more of a curry rice compared to an actual risotto, but it did have great flavor. Street parking only - metered parking available on Santa Monica in front of the restaurant and ends at 6 pm.

    Kevin S.

    I would not be surprised if Holy Basil ends up getting a Michelin star. The flavors are elevated, punchy, sweet, tangy, and delicious. Inside you'll find a small, cute setup, with an open kitchen where you can see the chefs working hard, and creating their masterful plates. Everything here is crafted with intention and is packed with flavor. The green curry mussel risotto, crab + uni bites, and steak chimichurri dishes are a must. Incredibly unique and flavorful. The crab fried rice is good, but not to the levels of the other three, in my opinion. So, that'll be the dish that I skip to try something else next time that I come. Service is swift and efficient. The place can't seat a lot of people, so they want to get you in and out. Understandable. And everyone is still friendly, knowledgable, and respectful. Holy Basil is pricier for the amount of food that comes on each plate, but you're paying for elevated Thai food. And that's exactly what you get here. So delicious.

    Cabbage Salad
    Crystal H.

    This location is very small. The kitchen is open and since we sat in the middle of the restaurant, we felt the air of the chilies cooking around us. We ordered the lohn, the beef tataki, cabbage salad (too spicy to enjoy), pad kee mao, and a Thai tea. We really enjoyed the lohn and the pad kee mao- comes with crispy pork belly. Need to order rice with the beef tataki. The Thai tea was very good, made with pistachio milk. The meal was very expensive for 2 people, and the dishes were rather small. It was pretty busy so make sure to make a reservation. Would come back next time but with a bigger group to order more things!

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    3 months ago

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    Aaron T.

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    2 months ago

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    10 months ago

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    5 months ago

    Cute place. Great open kitchen. Great food. Spice level on point. Great addition to the neighborhood.

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    5 months ago

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    2 months ago

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    2 months ago

    Food was great! Really loved the crab fried rice. Quentin was very helpful and explained the menu very well!

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    7 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    4 months ago

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    3 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    8 months ago

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    Wedchayan A.

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    4 months ago

    Interesting and tasty dishes. Not typical Thai. Well worth trying. Friendly and helpful staff.

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    10 months ago

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    7 months ago

    They have no phone number and they sent half our order, so there's absolutely no recourse to fix anything or get anything correct

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    7 months ago

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    Wedchayan A.

    So sorry Santa Monica is still new and menu will in crease

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    8 months ago

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    Page 2 of 2

    Ask the Community - Holy Basil

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    First time dining here, left impressed and happy…read more Parking in this area is tough and limited. You're lucky if you manage to find street parking. They offer a variety of coffees, milk teas, and other beverages. We sat outside on the patio. The seating area on the patio is also small and limited. In a span of two hours on a Sunday evening, I watched several to-go orders leave the kitchen. My friend ordered the veggie rolls, I didn't try them. I had the moo ping (Thai street food pork skewers ) and those were fantastic! You can almost have this as a meal. I didn't finish all the rice but would have been full if I had. I also got the pad kee mow chicken. I asked for this to be mildy spiced. My meal was brought to the table just minutes after I ordered. The portion on the pad kee mow is abundant. Everything was well seasoned, flavorful and authentic. The price point is fair, too. I'd love to return and try some soups on a future visit.

    This is such a cute little Thai café that was a short walking distance from the event we were…read moreattending at the Glorya Kaufman performing arts center. It is charming and small with both indoor and outdoor seating. This whole corridor is so charming and neighborhood friendly. The café itself was bright, chic, and cozy. We ordered the veggie rolls and the royal shrimp as our appetizers. They have a pretty extensive drink menu for a Thai restaurant, so I ordered the lychee milk tea and my friend ordered the house Thai iced tea. I got the Creamy Tom Kha Chicken Noodle soup with a side of brown rice, my friend ordered the Yellow Curry, and my other friend ordered the Soft Shell Crab Curry. Everything tasted really good. Nothing was too spicy, especially my dish -which I asked to be medium spicy- and my friend who can't do spicy foods was able to eat it too. The pricing was commensurate with the quality, locale, and atmosphere. I'm knocking off one star because it took a long time for someone to take our orders. I think they were waiting until our entire table was seated, but they could have at least taken our drink and appetizer orders while we waited for our third person to join us. But after that initial hiccup, Service was friendly and attentive. Would definitely come here again if we are in the area!

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