Stylish restaurants in the area include Jiraffe, Melisse and Chinois on Main. I can't describe any as pretentious, although some of the patrons can be. The staff in each are not arrogant, which is always a plus in my book, and most of these places politely get the annoying cell phone in a restaurant users to can it.

Open since 1983, Wolfgang Puck’s Santa Monica staple Chinois On Main serves what they call Chinese-French fusion cuisine. They’ve got limited outdoor seating available - reserve here. RESERVE A TABLE WITH

Lastly, ten Santa Monica restaurants also received a Michelin Plate award: Birdie G’s, Cassia, Chinois on Main, Citrin, Elephante, Fia, The Lobster, Lunetta, Michael’s, and Milo + Olive were honored.

Celebrated for its dining, Santa Monica is home to restaurants helmed by such renowned chefs as Wolfgang Puck (Chinois on Main) and Josiah Citrin (Citrin and Mélisse, which have one and two Michelin stars, respectively), as well as such celebrated spots as Rustic Canyon (Californian cuisine), Pasjoli (French), and Shunji (Japanese). For a more casual but still exceptional meal, drop by Cobi's (Thai/Malaysian) or Colapasta (Italian). Many local chefs buy their produce at the bounteous Wednesday and Saturday morning downtown Farmers Market, which ranks with the country’s very best.

Wine-centric restaurants always tend to lean towards France or Italy so we’re always delighted when restauranteurs break rank. Consider this more creatively Asian than traditionally Asian which is probably not a surprise since Chinois on Main was opened in the 1980s when the American culinary world began to get a little more experimental. Wolfgang Puck’s great achievement here is that Chinois on Main has managed to stay fresh and inventive, crafting intriguing dishes and offering thoughtful wines to pair.

Chinois on Main, the second restaurant that Wolfgang Puck opened way back in 1983, has always been a perennial favorite on the Westside of Los Angeles. Located on Main Street in Santa Monica, Chinois was one of SoCal's first Asian Fusion eateries, melding Chinese, Korean and Thai flavors with Puck's signature California-French tastes. Classic menu items include Shanghai lobster with curry sauce and crispy spinach, Whole Sizzling Catfish and Szechuan Beef.

Since 1983, Wolfgang Puck’s Chinois on Main has been serving Asian Fusion cuisine to the hungry hordes in Santa Monica. The décor has not changed since the day the doors opened, but Chef Rena Mata presents a menu that features not only selections of dishes that made Chinois on Main famous, but some new additions as well. All dishes presents ingredients from the Far East, transformed into modern culinary masterpieces of daring and stimulating flavors.

Culinary icon, Wolfgang Puck, founded Chinois on Main with designer Barbara Lazaroff in 1983, helping to popularize Asian fusion. This airy, art-lined restaurant with skylights and a bold orchid-lined window remains vital with help from longtime chef Rene Mata. Chinois chicken salad, grilled Szechwan beef with spicy shallot cilantro sauce and Shanghai lobster with curry sauce and crispy spinach have all survived the test of time.

to work with Wolfgang Puck at Chinois on Main and with Joachim Splichal at Patina. With his love of French cooking, he launched JiRaffe in 1996 with childhood friend and chef Raphael Lunetta. Citrin left JiRaffe a few years later to open his dream fine-dining restaurant, Mélisse, with formal, tableside service, a move that was against trend at the time, which he says was veering away from fine dining.

We are there for a Moot Court tournament at Pepperdine Law, so we won't have all day, every day to go around. However, we do have some time open on Thursday night, Friday during the day, Saturday night, and possibly Sunday afternoon. We do have a rental car, but I was hoping to stay within a reasonable distance from our hotel in Santa Monica (right by the pier).

Since opening in 1983, Chinois on Main has boldly combined Chinese tradition and fresh California ingredients with contemporary French techniques and introduced the world to Asian fusion cuisine. Today, Chinois remains a culinary landmark, with rich history, personality and unsurpassed hospitality.

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. Executive Chef Rene Mata utilizes French techniques and Chinese traditions at this elegant fusion restaurant. The restaurant uses only the freshest and finest local Californian ingredients.

Four more Santa Monica restaurants are included in the guide – Chinois on Main, The Lobster, Lunetta and Michael’s. These restaurants are denoted with a Michelin Plate, indicating good cooking, fresh ingredients, capably prepared, or – simply a good meal.

For a guide to where to stay in Santa Monica and beyond check out my guide to Where To Stay in Los Angeles. This guide is filled with fantastic hotels on the west side and beyond. You can check rates, compare amenities, and land a great deal.

Papille Gustative is a cozy spot that offers a rotating menu of creative and delicious dishes, emphasizing local and seasonal ingredients. Vamos Vamos, on the other hand, transports diners to Latin America with its bold and flavorful dishes.

Chinois On Main, one of Wolfgang Puck’s first restaurants, offers a fusion of French and Chinese cuisine. The colorful and exotic interior complements the Asian dishes made with California’s fresh produce and French culinary techniques.

While locals are already well aware of the City’s culinary prowess, these awards are valuable for attracting foodies from afar and take on greater importance in light of the City’s need for a rebound in tourism revenues.

Ten Santa Monica restaurants also received a Michelin Plate award: Birdie G’s, Cassia, Chinois on Main, Citrin, Elephante, Fia, The Lobster, Lunetta, Michael’s, and Milo + Olive were honored.

Michelin Plate awards were bestowed on 10 of the cities' restaurants: Birdie G's, Cassia, Chinois on Main, Citrin, Elephante, Fia, The Lobster, Lunetta, Michael's, and Milo + Olive.