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If you're going to go out to dinner in Santa Monica, this is definitely a place you need to try. Every item that we ordered was great. Service was very attentive. Definitely will be coming back.
We came here for dinner with a group. Dim date night ambiance inside. We had to wait about 15-20 or so minutes until our table was ready which was mildly annoying since we had made a reservation. Our waiter was great and timed out all our dishes nicely. We ordered quite a lot! -The oxtail dumplings are a must get. Such a delicious bite. Highlight of the meal honestly. -Singaporean crab cake was just okay. -Wood roasted bone marrow was also just okay, it's your standard bone marrow dish. -Maitake mushrooms were tasty -Charred baby broccoli was tasty -Whole fried snapper for two: Quiiiite the presentation, we're talking a whole fried fish served standing up on the table. Make sure the eyes aren't facing anyone who is vegetarian lol. It was good but a little tricky at times to take apart and eat. But it was good and definitely a showstopper when it comes to the presentation. Great for sharing as a group. -Shellfish pot was pretty good. Nice selection of seafood. -Lamb Shank: I loved this. Rich and tender meat. Especially loved the pairing of the pomegranates with it. Great meal!
Everything was really good, except the lamb kabob skewer was mostly fat so they kindly replaced it with the oxtail dumplings which were amazing. The short ribs for a very tender and soft. The Duck was very good and lean. The hanger steak was my favorite. Very busy fully packed on a Wednesday early evening.
The service at Tar & Roses is beyond amazing. They are so incredibly attentive and pleasant. And the food is pretty spectacular too. The waiter was so accomodating --we were a large group of 8 and he laid out the options of either ordering family style or personal mains (but sharing the rest) -- we opted fully for family style which was nice because we got to try most of the dishes! All of the veggie dishes were delish. The only shocking moment was when they brought out the snapper -- the full fish, head, eyes, teeth and all -- it was very delicious however and it came with this delicious chimichurri. The cheesy mashed potatoes were a standout for me -- very very cheezy!! They do not have cocktails but have an extensive wine menu -- we got three bottles, two rose's (the Santa Barbara wine was soo good) and one skin contact (orange) -- they were all very good!! Dessert was limited to three items so we got them all, sticky toffee pudding, strawberry galette and a dark chocolate mousse with ice cream. The sticky toffee pudding, which would have been my last choice was actually the best out of all of them!! Soooo good I could have eaten a whole vat of it!! LOL. Overall was very pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food and the service -- I will definitely be coming back.
We came here for our anniversary. The service was great, but the food wasn't quite as good as we hoped. The oxtail dumplings were tasty and were our favorite dish, but the main courses were just okay. The snapper came with an overpowering sauce and wasn't worth the price. The hangar steak was dry and lacked seasoning, but the sides were good.
On are recent trip to LA, I met my friend C at Tar & Roses. It was a short Uber ride from the Fairmont Miramar where I was staying for a work conference to the restaurant. On a nice day, it's probably a 20 minute walk. We sat at the bar which by the way only serves wine and beer. No cocktails. There are lots of interesting items on the menu. On the recommendation of our server, we ordered a few different appetizers and side dishes and one main to split. Appetizers: Oxtail Dumplings x 2 (because they were so delish!) Spaghetti Carbonara Yellowtail Crudo Sides: Cheesy Whipped Potatoes Grilled Corn Main: Hanger Steak Desserts: Sticky Toffee Pudding Chocolate "Tar" Bar My favorite of the appetizers were the oxtail dumplings. They were so good that halfway thru the appetizers, C asked our waiter for a second order of the dumplings. The spaghetti carbonara is really rich with a soft egg and parmesan. Ours had a little kick to it as there was quite a bit of black pepper. Both C and I were big fans of the side dishes. Total comfort food. The cheesy in the whipped potatoes is gruyere. The grilled corn is an Asian take on Mexican corn/elote. At Tar & Roses it's made with coconut crème, fish sauce, cheese, cilantro and peanuts. For the main course, we split the hanger steak which was served at a perfect medium rare. Delicious! We managed to leave room for dessert and decided to try both the Sticky Toffee Pudding and the Chocolate "Tar" Bar. The "Tar" bar is a dark chocolate ganache bar served with hazelnuts and salted caramel ice cream. After both desserts we were officially stuffed. I will definitely come back the next time I'm in town to try the other items on the menu. The couple next to us ordered the whole fried snapper for two. It looked amazing and they told us that they come into T&R all the time for the snapper.
Food - menu divide to four types, snacks, small, veggies, and Large. Ordered the yellowtail crudo and the dry aged ribeye for 2. Service - dine in so service is good. We sat at the bar since there was no availability and our reservation was late but we got hungry so we settled for the bar. Ambiance - this place is at the corner of Santa Monica and 6th. Unassuming from the outside but it's quite good inside. Kinda French meets rustic? But cozy and good settings! Overall, i would recommend to try at least once. And been told that they change their menu often. Not sure how often. Verdict - twas a good dining experience. Get your reservation on.
Delicious, rebellious yet polished, and relaxing. I've been to T & R twice within the past 12 months and both times found it refreshing and even surprising. I hadn't thought of this as a Wine Bar, though they definitely have a solid variety here. There are plenty of dishes to choose from, and in my experience, it's best to go with a few other people so there's more to sample. Party of 3 worked wonderfully with just enough for everyone to explore. Party of 4 was a bit complicated and harder to sufficiently share each particular dish (especially the small plates). Both times enjoyed the Chicken Liver Mousse and the Oxtail Dumplings. Wildly different and fun. If I had to choose one, I'd go for the Dumplings because they are such a complete and savory bite to behold. The Mousse is good -- I think I liked more the first time. The spaghetti carbonara is a bounty of flavors - and super creamy, like you'd expect. A great dish to pass around especially because it's so rich. The wood-roasted bone marrow is rich in fatty goodness and worth a try. The cheesy mashed potatoes are impossible not to like, though the veggie star really is the brussel sprouts. Crisp pancetta, chestnuts, and mustard vinaigrette gently scorched to bring out the flavors. There were three dessert options when I last visited a few weeks ago: We went for the strawberry crostata (x2). Very similar to galette, this was a wonderful way to send us off.
The food here was genuinely excellent. every dish we ordered was flavorful, fresh, and honestly worth the hype. I really wanted to leave a glowing review because the kitchen absolutely delivered. That said, the service was incredibly frustrating. I understand it was Valentine's Day, and as someone who also works in the service industry, I tried to be patient and empathetic all night. I know holidays are chaotic. But our server was inattentive, dismissive, and overall made the experience way more annoying than it needed to be. I won't say where we were sitting because I don't want this server to get in trouble. Could've been a bad night for him. But you gotta lock in. At one point, he verballed the dessert options so quickly and with such an irritated tone that we just decided to cancel dessert altogether because he genuinely sounded fed up with us being there. It completely changed the vibe of the night. Ironically, the food runner was the one keeping everything together. He was kind, attentive, and actually seemed to care, so I ended up tipping him cash separately because I wanted to make sure he got something for his effort. I'd still come back for the food, but I really hope the service experience improves because it took away from what could've been a great night.
This is my favorite restaurant. I would give this place 10 stars if I could. It's the place my wife and I go to for our anniversaries and for good reason. It's really that good. The following is a review from our visit on a recent Saturday night, but references previous visits. The service here is top notch. The servers are attentive and the bus boys come by and replace plates and cutlery between courses. The place has a nice romantic vibe to it. Great place for a date. The food is unbelievably good. I would strongly recommend the oxtail dumplings, balsamic glazed ribs (so tender and delicious), octopus skewers (didn't think octopus could taste so good), and the yellowtail crudo (love the citrus sauce). The dry aged ribeye for two is perfectly cooked to a medium rare just the way we like it with a nice crust on top. Even the accompanying arugula salad is tasty. The desserts here never change which is great. We always get the chocolate tar bar and strawberry crostrata. Love them. The ONLY thing we were hoping for but didn't get was the honeycomb ice cream with the crostrata. We were served vanilla ice cream instead, which was good, but not great like the honeycomb ice cream. Final thoughts. My wife wants the restaurant to bring back the charcuterie plate from the pre-pandemic era. With that said, if you're ever in the Santa Monica area, I would highly recommend this restaurant. Just make sure to secure reservations, before coming here. It's gets busy pretty fast.
Make reservations on OpenTable and try this place. Plenty of meters Street parking. Food was so creative- especially the English peas!! we sat in the patio and the ambiance was lovely. It was a bit chilly but they had heating lamps. Service was friendly.
Second time at Tar & Roses for my birthday dinner and I was excited to dive deeper into the menu after only trying the pre order Singaporean chili crab and a few lighter apps on my first visit. We started with the oxtail dumplings since they seem to be one of the most hyped dishes here, but honestly... they were just mid for me. Not bad, just didn't really live up to the hype. The whole fried snapper was easily the star of the night though. Perfectly crispy outside, flaky inside, and the dipping sauce absolutely makes the dish. The shellfish pot was also excellent -- rich, flavorful, and great for sharing, but I do wish they gave a little more grilled toast with it because you'll want every last drop of the broth. The ribeye was solid and cooked perfectly, but nothing particularly memorable compared to other steak spots around LA. For dessert, definitely get the strawberry galette. The crust was buttery and delicious, and it was the perfect ending to the meal.
Came to this place for our anniversary because we heard such great things about it. The ambience was very chill dark with mellow, red and yellow mood lighting. The service is great the server really sold us on the bottle of wine. The whole fried snapper was my favorite dish and the oxtail came as a close second. Everything was delicious and there wasn't a single thing I didn't enjoy. I would rank this place in 9/10 for sure. Perfect for a date night or Business dinner because it's not terribly expensive if you don't add a bottle of wine.
The food and the wine are incredible here. We came here right before we got engaged in 2018, and what I wanted for our 6th anniversary was to come back, and we did in September! The mains that are wood-fired are delicate and delicious. I appreciate all the bold wine pairings, especially with meat. Wood-roasted bone marrow was incredible! The duck breast was moist and sweet! My husband got the lamb shank, which was by far the best with bold Middle Eastern flavors like zhoug and labneh. You must try! read more
4 months ago
I read the many excellent reviews and decided to try TR out(right across from Santa Monica library). It's a smaller place but all the outdoor seats were open and I liked the cozy corner seat with a great heat lamp(sometimes at other restaurants they don't work or too far from the table). So I really enjoyed the ambience, there are some sketchy people walking by but that's to be expected and nobody tried to interfere with my dinner. Service by waiter David was excellent. He was very knowledgeable and attentive. I really enjoyed the "Codebreaker"craft beer from Long Beach. I decided on the popular oxtail dumplings which were great but could have been a few more of them . The entree hangar steak was also excellent with the asparagus spears and perfectly cooked medium rare. Overall, TR was a wonderful eating experience. Highly recommended. read more
2 days ago
If you're going to go out to dinner in Santa Monica, this is definitely a place you need to try. Every item that we ordered was great. Service was very attentive. Definitely will be coming back. read more
5 months ago
We came here for dinner with a group. Dim date night ambiance inside. We had to wait about 15-20 or so minutes until our table was ready which was mildly annoying since we had made a reservation. Our waiter was great and timed out all our dishes nicely. We ordered quite a lot! -The oxtail dumplings are a must get. Such a delicious bite. Highlight of the meal honestly. -Singaporean crab cake was just okay. -Wood roasted bone marrow was also just okay, it's your standard bone marrow dish. -Maitake mushrooms were tasty -Charred baby broccoli was tasty -Whole fried snapper for two: Quiiiite the presentation, we're talking a whole fried fish served standing up on the table. Make sure the eyes aren't facing anyone who is vegetarian lol. It was good but a little tricky at times to take apart and eat. But it was good and definitely a showstopper when it comes to the presentation. Great for sharing as a group. -Shellfish pot was pretty good. Nice selection of seafood. -Lamb Shank: I loved this. Rich and tender meat. Especially loved the pairing of the pomegranates with it. Great meal! read more
Everything was really good, except the lamb kabob skewer was mostly fat so they kindly replaced it with the oxtail dumplings which were amazing. The short ribs for a very tender and soft. The Duck was very good and lean. The hanger steak was my favorite. Very busy fully packed on a Wednesday early evening. read more
The service at Tar & Roses is beyond amazing. They are so incredibly attentive and pleasant. And the food is pretty spectacular too. The waiter was so accomodating --we were a large group of 8 and he laid out the options of either ordering family style or personal mains (but sharing the rest) -- we opted fully for family style which was nice because we got to try most of the dishes! All of the veggie dishes were delish. The only shocking moment was when they brought out the snapper -- the full fish, head, eyes, teeth and all -- it was very delicious however and it came with this delicious chimichurri. The cheesy mashed potatoes were a standout for me -- very very cheezy!! They do not have cocktails but have an extensive wine menu -- we got three bottles, two rose's (the Santa Barbara wine was soo good) and one skin contact (orange) -- they were all very good!! Dessert was limited to three items so we got them all, sticky toffee pudding, strawberry galette and a dark chocolate mousse with ice cream. The sticky toffee pudding, which would have been my last choice was actually the best out of all of them!! Soooo good I could have eaten a whole vat of it!! LOL. Overall was very pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food and the service -- I will definitely be coming back. read more
16 days ago
We came here for our anniversary. The service was great, but the food wasn't quite as good as we hoped. The oxtail dumplings were tasty and were our favorite dish, but the main courses were just okay. The snapper came with an overpowering sauce and wasn't worth the price. The hangar steak was dry and lacked seasoning, but the sides were good. read more
On are recent trip to LA, I met my friend C at Tar & Roses. It was a short Uber ride from the Fairmont Miramar where I was staying for a work conference to the restaurant. On a nice day, it's probably a 20 minute walk. We sat at the bar which by the way only serves wine and beer. No cocktails. There are lots of interesting items on the menu. On the recommendation of our server, we ordered a few different appetizers and side dishes and one main to split. Appetizers: Oxtail Dumplings x 2 (because they were so delish!) Spaghetti Carbonara Yellowtail Crudo Sides: Cheesy Whipped Potatoes Grilled Corn Main: Hanger Steak Desserts: Sticky Toffee Pudding Chocolate "Tar" Bar My favorite of the appetizers were the oxtail dumplings. They were so good that halfway thru the appetizers, C asked our waiter for a second order of the dumplings. The spaghetti carbonara is really rich with a soft egg and parmesan. Ours had a little kick to it as there was quite a bit of black pepper. Both C and I were big fans of the side dishes. Total comfort food. The cheesy in the whipped potatoes is gruyere. The grilled corn is an Asian take on Mexican corn/elote. At Tar & Roses it's made with coconut crème, fish sauce, cheese, cilantro and peanuts. For the main course, we split the hanger steak which was served at a perfect medium rare. Delicious! We managed to leave room for dessert and decided to try both the Sticky Toffee Pudding and the Chocolate "Tar" Bar. The "Tar" bar is a dark chocolate ganache bar served with hazelnuts and salted caramel ice cream. After both desserts we were officially stuffed. I will definitely come back the next time I'm in town to try the other items on the menu. The couple next to us ordered the whole fried snapper for two. It looked amazing and they told us that they come into T&R all the time for the snapper. read more
Food - menu divide to four types, snacks, small, veggies, and Large. Ordered the yellowtail crudo and the dry aged ribeye for 2. Service - dine in so service is good. We sat at the bar since there was no availability and our reservation was late but we got hungry so we settled for the bar. Ambiance - this place is at the corner of Santa Monica and 6th. Unassuming from the outside but it's quite good inside. Kinda French meets rustic? But cozy and good settings! Overall, i would recommend to try at least once. And been told that they change their menu often. Not sure how often. Verdict - twas a good dining experience. Get your reservation on. read more
Delicious, rebellious yet polished, and relaxing. I've been to T & R twice within the past 12 months and both times found it refreshing and even surprising. I hadn't thought of this as a Wine Bar, though they definitely have a solid variety here. There are plenty of dishes to choose from, and in my experience, it's best to go with a few other people so there's more to sample. Party of 3 worked wonderfully with just enough for everyone to explore. Party of 4 was a bit complicated and harder to sufficiently share each particular dish (especially the small plates). Both times enjoyed the Chicken Liver Mousse and the Oxtail Dumplings. Wildly different and fun. If I had to choose one, I'd go for the Dumplings because they are such a complete and savory bite to behold. The Mousse is good -- I think I liked more the first time. The spaghetti carbonara is a bounty of flavors - and super creamy, like you'd expect. A great dish to pass around especially because it's so rich. The wood-roasted bone marrow is rich in fatty goodness and worth a try. The cheesy mashed potatoes are impossible not to like, though the veggie star really is the brussel sprouts. Crisp pancetta, chestnuts, and mustard vinaigrette gently scorched to bring out the flavors. There were three dessert options when I last visited a few weeks ago: We went for the strawberry crostata (x2). Very similar to galette, this was a wonderful way to send us off. read more
4 months ago
The food here was genuinely excellent. every dish we ordered was flavorful, fresh, and honestly worth the hype. I really wanted to leave a glowing review because the kitchen absolutely delivered. That said, the service was incredibly frustrating. I understand it was Valentine's Day, and as someone who also works in the service industry, I tried to be patient and empathetic all night. I know holidays are chaotic. But our server was inattentive, dismissive, and overall made the experience way more annoying than it needed to be. I won't say where we were sitting because I don't want this server to get in trouble. Could've been a bad night for him. But you gotta lock in. At one point, he verballed the dessert options so quickly and with such an irritated tone that we just decided to cancel dessert altogether because he genuinely sounded fed up with us being there. It completely changed the vibe of the night. Ironically, the food runner was the one keeping everything together. He was kind, attentive, and actually seemed to care, so I ended up tipping him cash separately because I wanted to make sure he got something for his effort. I'd still come back for the food, but I really hope the service experience improves because it took away from what could've been a great night. read more
Business owner information
Andrew K.
Dominique, I’m so sorry to hear about your poor service experience.…
This is my favorite restaurant. I would give this place 10 stars if I could. It's the place my wife and I go to for our anniversaries and for good reason. It's really that good. The following is a review from our visit on a recent Saturday night, but references previous visits. The service here is top notch. The servers are attentive and the bus boys come by and replace plates and cutlery between courses. The place has a nice romantic vibe to it. Great place for a date. The food is unbelievably good. I would strongly recommend the oxtail dumplings, balsamic glazed ribs (so tender and delicious), octopus skewers (didn't think octopus could taste so good), and the yellowtail crudo (love the citrus sauce). The dry aged ribeye for two is perfectly cooked to a medium rare just the way we like it with a nice crust on top. Even the accompanying arugula salad is tasty. The desserts here never change which is great. We always get the chocolate tar bar and strawberry crostrata. Love them. The ONLY thing we were hoping for but didn't get was the honeycomb ice cream with the crostrata. We were served vanilla ice cream instead, which was good, but not great like the honeycomb ice cream. Final thoughts. My wife wants the restaurant to bring back the charcuterie plate from the pre-pandemic era. With that said, if you're ever in the Santa Monica area, I would highly recommend this restaurant. Just make sure to secure reservations, before coming here. It's gets busy pretty fast. read more
Make reservations on OpenTable and try this place. Plenty of meters Street parking. Food was so creative- especially the English peas!! we sat in the patio and the ambiance was lovely. It was a bit chilly but they had heating lamps. Service was friendly. read more
5 months ago
Second time at Tar & Roses for my birthday dinner and I was excited to dive deeper into the menu after only trying the pre order Singaporean chili crab and a few lighter apps on my first visit. We started with the oxtail dumplings since they seem to be one of the most hyped dishes here, but honestly... they were just mid for me. Not bad, just didn't really live up to the hype. The whole fried snapper was easily the star of the night though. Perfectly crispy outside, flaky inside, and the dipping sauce absolutely makes the dish. The shellfish pot was also excellent -- rich, flavorful, and great for sharing, but I do wish they gave a little more grilled toast with it because you'll want every last drop of the broth. The ribeye was solid and cooked perfectly, but nothing particularly memorable compared to other steak spots around LA. For dessert, definitely get the strawberry galette. The crust was buttery and delicious, and it was the perfect ending to the meal. read more
Came to this place for our anniversary because we heard such great things about it. The ambience was very chill dark with mellow, red and yellow mood lighting. The service is great the server really sold us on the bottle of wine. The whole fried snapper was my favorite dish and the oxtail came as a close second. Everything was delicious and there wasn't a single thing I didn't enjoy. I would rank this place in 9/10 for sure. Perfect for a date night or Business dinner because it's not terribly expensive if you don't add a bottle of wine. read more
11 months ago
Can't believe I hadn't been here before! Such a great restaurant. Lovely ambiance, great service, and genuinely delicious food. The whole red snapper is a MUST! one of the best I have had. Oxtail dumplings are also a must, they were so tasty. Loved the brussels, bone marrow, cheesy potatoes, and ribs as well! read more
11 months ago
First time here and we enjoyed all the food we ordered. We enjoyed the crudo, ribeye for two, (cheesy) potatoes and the Strawberry Ricotta Crostada. Service was good. However, the server asked if we are celebrating anything. My husband said it's for my bday (this was around my birthday) yet, they didn't do anything. We'd much rather they never asked at all. I guess we just got used to if they ask, they help you celebrate it. We had dinner reservations but really getting hungry and so we just opted to eat at the bar, where they can sit us sooner. And we did enjoy the bar area. Ambiance is nice and cozy: read more
2 months ago
Food was great! Came here with a big group so we were able to try lots of things. Highlights: snapper, tomato and cucumber burrata salad, and lamb skewers. read more
3 months ago
Such a great experience! Excellent service by Kelly. Food quality was delicious! Had been meaning to try this place for a while and it measured up! Burrata salad, ahi crudo as apa, duck and hot pot for entrees with grilled corn. And strawberry dessert. Great vibe and music too! read more
This was my second time at Tar & Roses and it was amazing. This time we were seated at the patio are which was a great experience. They put the heater on because I am always cold. Our waiter was so attentive and friendly. We shared the snapper which I totally recommend. The fried cauliflower is definitely a must try. I was very happy with my meal. I didn't have space for dessert but I did have chamomile tea. This is a great place to come with friends read more
The ambiance is nice for date night with a romantic lighting in the dining room and seating outside on a spacious patio situated along the side walk. The service was good with the right amount of attentiveness. Our waiter indicated what the popular items were on the menu which is helpful. The food was good and wine was excellent! read more
Once again, My manager left me in charge of choosing a nice place for a team dinner and I was super excited to pick Tar and Roses for our outing. Made a reservation for 6pm for 5 of us, and were immediately escorted to the back patio. It was absolutely perfect for the summer night. To start, we had the hamachi crudo, crabcake, and oxtail dumplings. All were very good. For mains, I had the rib eye for two and baby broccoli. They were good also. They mentioned that the steak was sous vide so when i asked for rare, they told me it wouldnt be perfectly rare. A bit of a bummer, but was seasoned great. Dessert was tasty as well! I ended with a glass of port. I love grahams port, soi was a happy camper. All in all a nice dinner at tar and roses. They kicked us out of our table after 2 hours, which was a bit of a bummer. But it was a nice meal other than that. read more
Enjoyed a delightful dinner on Saturday at Tar & Roses. The menu is full of unique selections. We ordered the oxtail dumplings, Singapore crab cake, hanger steak and black cod. Each dish was complex in taste and the courses were timed perfectly. Our server was Katie and although she was new to the company you would never know. She was warm, hospitable and attentive. When she found out we were celebrating my birthday she provided one of their signature desserts with a candle. Would highly recommend this restaurant! read more
A friend and I come here just for their what we feel is their 5 STAR Dish: Whole Fried Snapper w/ Cold Soba Noodles w/ Dipping Sauce. This fish is made for 2-4 depending on how many other things you order and how much you/ your group eats. We ordered two "Snacks" w/ this and we had leftovers which I took home. My go to here is the Oxtail Dumplings with San Bai Su, Chili and Green Onion. They had more of a kick than usual but still delicious. Their Chicken Liver Mousse with Pickled Blackberry, Arugula w/ Honeycomb and Toast was a nice surprise! I liked the combination of the blackberry and honeycomb for sure. It was good but not The Spotted Pig in NYC good. RIP. For dessert, there were 3 choices. It was a verbal menu so I apologize if I don't have the dessert right but it was some sort of chocolate ganache? on a coconut crust with hazelnuts with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream. The combination of all made this yummy. I wished the coconut crust was a bit more coconutty! I washed that down w/ an iced Americano which was perfect! It was good but I wouldn't need to order that again. If you like seafood, go for the snapper! Other notes: There is metered street parking. My friend got a ticket as she forgot to run out and put more money in it. There is also pay for parking at the Santa Monica Public Library which is less than a block away. It only cost me $2.00 for about 2 hours. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible. Bathroom is on the same floor. My only complaint which is why I took one star off is that we were seated right by the entrance and the sun was shining bright in my eyes for awhile. There was no shade to pull down and make this easier. I didn't bring sunglasses so I got stuck wearing my friend's for awhile which helped a little but made the dining experience a little uncomfortable. read more
3 months ago
My mom and I had a fantastic dinner at Tar & Roses. Everything we ordered was delicious, and we loved the small plates because it allowed us to try so many different dishes. Great food, great atmosphere, and a wonderful dining experience from start to finish. We can't wait to come back! read more
If I could give 4.5 stars I would! The service was amazing from beginning to end. We started off with the balsamic glazed ribs (recommended by our server) & the oxtail dumplings. The ribs were very tender and had a sweet and savory flavor like sticky balsamic. I liked that they took the bone off the ribs but the meat seemed too fatty to me. They tasted very similar to Din Tai Fung's ribs but these were a cut below. Although they were tasty but I wish the flavor was a little more enhanced and the meat was a little less fatty. We also got the broccolini as a vegetable which was crunchy and a refreshing dish for the table. The lemon ricotta gnocchi were decent. The flavors didn't really dance on your tongue that way you'd want it to. It tasted a bit muted. I think they could've punched up the lemon flavor for sure! The gnocchi was tasty and cooked right. The oxtail dumplings were my FAVORITE appetizer. Now these are a flavor bomb of joy. The meat inside was packed with flavor and the added touch of spice on top rounded it out well. I can't even describe it because it was so good haha. I'd come back for these! The entree we got was the black cod. Whenever I see black cod on a menu, I have to order it. It was delicate and flaky plus I loved the garlic chips on top of it. It came with a lemon grass risotto which I was a bit apprehensive about because I don't LOVE lemongrass but thankfully it wasn't too overpowering and paired extremely well with the fish. We ended with the strawberry crostata which I'm so mad I didn't take a picture but I was so excited that I dove right in. This dessert was top tier! It's in a flaky almost pie like crust with strawberries and custard. OUTSTANDING DESSERT. I couldn't get neough! read more
The ambiance is loud but cozy. Wine covers the wall on the left when you enter. The staff is super attentive and friendly! Jason was our waiter and was excellent in his recommendations, ensuring us he wouldn't let us order too much! He even gave me a taste of a wine he recommended for me. The chicken was great and the couscous I could not stop eating. The crab cake was a knockout with the gochuchang, and the lamb shank my husband thoroughly enjoyed. We had the table on the left and found it to be cozy and not cold despite being right next to the door/draft. Can't wait to come back next time we're in town. read more
10 months ago
We made a last‑minute reservation and could only get a table on the patio. When we arrived, we asked if there were any tables available inside. The staff kindly explained that none were open at the moment, but if one became available, they'd be happy to move us. True to their word, they moved us not once, but twice, first from the patio to an indoor table, and then again when a better spot opened up away from the restrooms. Each transition was handled with genuine courtesy and without the slightest hint of attitude, which is rare at higher‑end restaurants. Their thoughtfulness made the evening feel even more special, especially since it was a birthday celebration. The food itself was delicious, layered with flavor, depth, and creativity. I've dined at many upscale places where the ambiance outshines the cuisine, but here the dishes truly delivered. Overall, the combination of attentive service and exceptional food made this dinner one to remember. read more
3 months ago
Tar and Roses is bigger than it first seems. Seating available not only what meets the eye but also along the bar, more seating in the back pass the washrooms and an extension to the restaurant seating is outside. The noise level is more on the louder side but still low enough to hear your table. We got the Singaporean crab cake which I would recommend. It comes with one crab cake but enough to split with two people. We got the whole fish that was fun to eat. Made us feel like we were playing janga or battle ship as we dig chunks of the fish on each end. The sauce of all our food was delicious. Brussel sprouts were also delicious with beacon, chestnut and drizzled with a mustard sauce. What a mix and a delight this place is. Next time you're in Santa Monica, check out this gem! read more
Business owner information
Andrew K.
Grace,…
Wow, Tar & Roses never disappoints when we come here! This is now our 3rd time coming, but this is the first time the menu has really changed since our initial visit. My in-laws were in town so we wanted to treat them to one of our favorite restaurants. This was our first time being seated inside. Usually we've been in the courtyard area, but it was nice to explore another part of the restaurant. It's a little noisy at times, but still manageable to hear. For appetizers / small plates we got oxtail dumplings, yellowtail crudo and lemon ricotta gnocchi. The food came out quickly after we ordered and everything tasted amazing. For large dishes and veggies we all ended up getting the Hanger Steak lol and got wood roasted artichoke and cauliflower. Everything was absolutely delicious! The steak had some much flavor and every vegetable tasted amazing. The steak came with asparagus, a tomato slice and kale I think. I had a Cabernet Sauvignon that paired really well with the meat. The artichoke and cauliflower were also really good. My husband and I are not big artichoke people, but anything Tar & Roses is serving I have trust in that it will be really good at the very least. The artichoke was beyond good and I enjoyed every bit and flavor that came from it. If I could have artichokes like that all the time I would definitely eat them more often. For dessert we all ordered the strawberry crostata with ice cream. We get this dessert every time we come here and it's always wonderful. This places never misses - I cannot recommend enough! read more
Business owner information
Andrew K.
Jenai,…
The oxtail dumplings are a MUST! It had great flavor and texture. Every bite was a burst of happiness. The shell fish pot was really good too. It was savory, warm and had a hint of curry spice. I loved the flavor of the miso eggplant but a piece I tasted was undercooked. I would skip the lettuce cups. They were just ok. The bread pudding dessert was another winner for me. It was warm, sweet, full of spice and not too big portion wise for an end of the meal dish. Service was excellent. The ambiance was chic, intimate, and dark. This restaurant is located about 6 blocks from the beach. Parking can be challenging so factor in time for that. Overall, a treat! read more
This is easily one of the best tasting restaurants in Santa Monica. It's a fine dining experience without breaking the bank if you still want to treat yourself. You must order the oxtail dumplings! The four-piece appetizer is delicious and isn't like anything you can typically find. Heck, I'll come back here and order multiple dishes of it as my meal as apparently, that's what some people do! I was debating the duck breast and was so happy I had ordered it. It was perfectly chewy sitting between hazelnuts on top and of a blanket of brussel sprouts and polenta below. We also ordered the black cod on risotto and an acorn squash side that came with burrata and molasses - three things you'd never imagine together and oh, man do the flavors work well! That was more than enough food, but it was so delicious that we wanted to try the Strawberry Ricotta Crostata because why not? The inside has more of a hip night out with friends vibe as there's music and can be a bit louder. The indoor patio has more of a nice restaurant feel for a date. Highly recommend! read more
Business owner information
Andrew K.
Krys,…
1 year ago
Easily one of the top 5 meals I've had in Los Angeles. This is my second time and it's better than the first. We also ran late and called ahead and let them know and they happily accommodated us which I loved. I don't even know where to start. The wait staffs recommendations were spot on (insane refreshing spin on the grilled corn side and the beet yogurt dip). Everything was so bright, intentional and delicious. Dessert is a must you can't skip it. Ambiance was great, good combo of a popular place with welcoming vibes. I send everyone I can there. read more
2 years ago
My wife and I went to Tar and Roses for her birthday last night and we absolutely loved it! Service was excellent and we recommend ordering the Bone Marrow, Lamb Shank and Strawberry Ricotta Crostata dessert. The Duck Breast was good but not as balanced of a dish - it could have used more Brussels sprouts so I do see why the server suggested ordering a vegetable dish. The Lamb Shank was the best we've ever had - it is served on sweet potato puree, was perfectly cooked, with 3 pita breads to eat with and top with Greek yogurt (labneh) and their delicious hot sauce (zhoug or sahawiq). The strawberry ricotta dessert was served on a baked crostata that had a croissant-like crispness to it. The honeycomb ice cream it came with was a perfect pairing and I could eat tubs and tubs of it! We devoured this dessert and wanted more! Overall, I highly recommend Tar & Roses - they have many small dishes to try, or a whole fried snapper for two or dry aged ribeye for two that they're famous for as well! I would park in one of the parking structures near 3rd St Promenade which has the first 90 minutes free. read more
Business owner information
Andrew K.
Michael,…
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More info about Tar & Roses
602 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Directions
(310) 587-0700
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https://tarandroses.com/#reservations_open_table
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Ask the Community - Tar & Roses
What oil is used on the fried snapper?
What's up with the name of this place? Tar and roses reminds me of the description of Nebbiolo wine -- which I love. Is it related?
BINGO, you got it!
What happened to the bruschetta board? Tar & Roses, by far, had the best selections for their board!
Tar & Roses changes their menu regularly based on what is in session
What time does the kitchen close? My reservation's at 9:15, don't wanna go there just for drinks
The kitchen closes when they have finished everyone’s meals. We only take reservations for dinner, so rest assured if you come on time we will be here for you! We seat for dinner until 10pm Friday and Saturday and 9pm Monday-Thursday
Do you have gluten free options?
There are many items on our menu that don’t have gluten, or can be modified as such, but we do not create dishes specifically to be gluten free or have alternatives such as pasta etc that aren’t gluten.
Are you open for Thanksgiving Dinner? Is the menu available yet?
Thanks for asking, we are closed on Thanksgiving.
How much is corkage now and do you still honor your policy if you buy one off the list, corkage is waived for one bottle?
Thanks for asking! Our corkage is $40/ bottle, with a 2 bottle limit per table. We will waive corkage with bottle purchase still as well, 1 for 1!
Are the meat and cheese platters back? I love the choices !
Thank you, but we are not bringing them back quite yet.
Do you still serve the venison loin?
Hi Phil, thank you for asking! We are not serving Venison currently, as we generally add that to the menu in the fall/winter. Come try our new lamb loin dish though!!
How's parking? What are the options for self park?
The restaurant has valet parking. Additionally, street parking is on every street, depending upon availability.
No more pig tails?
I have been there a few times lately and do not recall seeing pigtails on their menu. This is still one of my favorite restaurants because I love the large platters for appetizers and the whole deep fried fish.
Is there a dress code?
Hi Toya, The community is correct, we do not have a dress code. You are welcome to wear whatever…
Can two people eat at the bar without reservations?
Certainly! We offer our full dining experience at the counter.
Do you allow dogs in the outdoor seating area?
We love dogs, however only ADA approved service dogs are allowed anywhere in the restaurant.
Can this restaurant accomodate a group of 40 on a Sunday afternoon?
Hi Jo, We can accommodate parties of that size, however we are a dinner only restaurant starting…
Do they have high chairs for an infant?
M S, We do not have high chairs, however you can bring whatever accommodations you need. If you…
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
276 reviews that are not currently recommended
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