This perpetually lively eatery (which first opened on Santa Monica’s Montana Avenue) serves some of its pastas dalla forma—a preparation method in which the noodles are tossed in gigantic cheese wheels and arrive steaming, fragrant, and irresistibly cheesy. (Warning: The practice isn’t executed tableside, so if you want a peek, sneak over to the dining room’s back corner for a look-see.) For a simple, straightforward dish that truly showcases the perfection of Forma’s al dente noodles and the flavors of the cheese, ask for the Chitarra Cacio e Pepe—a combo of black pepper, extra-virgin olive oil, and slightly sharp, salty, melty Pecorino Romano. Don’t overlook the cheese bar either—there’s an overwhelming array of options, from pungent goat Cheddar to Caciotta al Tartufo (a nutty, sour, sweet, and truffle-flecked cheese made from cow’s milk).How to book: Reservations are available online.

Now with two locations on Montana Avenue and Venice’s Main Street, Forma is a Westside dining destination with two major reasons on the menu to visit: their beautifully plated cheese and charcuterie boards, and their pasta dishes tossed in giant wheels of Parmesan, pecorino romano and other types of hard Italian cheese. In the sea of Montana Avenue’s so-so chain restaurants and the countless mediocre Italian eateries dotting the Westside, Forma stands out as a go-to upscale neighborhood spot for a date, get-together with friends or any other special-ish occasion.

Pasta is served here dalla forma, meaning it's cooked, then dipped into a cheese wheel and stirred up until it's coated with melted cheese before serving. Catering to a higher-end crowd, Forma specializes in cheeses, pastas, and pizzas. It also serves small plates like fresh mozzarella knots, arancini balls, and crispy artichokes prepared Roman style.

Montana Avenue is like the most popular member of your grandma’s Bridge club: loves to flaunt her wealth, and knows too much about everyone in the neighborhood. She’s not exactly your ideal dinner guest, just like Montana is not your ideal dinner destination. But Forma is a modern space that gives you a reason to be in this part of town.

Named after their star ingredient "Formaggio" (cheese), Forma offers a diverse, contemporary Italian menu in a modern setting with a collection of small plates and entrees, wine, beer and cheese tasting options. Along with their cheese bar which features an extensive selection of cheeses from all over the world, they serve pastas or risotto "Dalla Forma," which is when freshly cooked pasta is then finished in large cheese wheels prior to being served. Along with the pasta Dalla Forma options like the Carbonara, Cacio e pepe and tortellini with truffle, other menu favorites include the char-grilled Spanish octopus and filet mignon tartare.

With two locations on the Westside, Forma Restaurant is a hidden gem that both Santa Monica and Venice locals flock to. Though it’s fine to go straight to the pasta at some Italian restaurants, the appetizers at Forma shouldn’t be skipped. Those who prefer a light start to the meal will enjoy the wild red snapper ceviche and green on greens veggie dish, but the fried pizza dough with burrata is an indulgent starter that needs to be tried at least once.

Featuring a full cheese bar, Forma Santa Monica is an upscale and modern Italian restaurant that offers decadent pastas and impressive entrees. Though they don’t serve cocktails, the intimate atmosphere at Forma makes for the perfect place to sip on some renowned vino. To start off, make sure you order some cheeses from the cheese bar and expose your palette to the wonders that are available in regards to gourmet cheese.

Yes; phone only Try this dish: Crispy chicken sandwich The Misfit is right on the corner of historic Santa Monica Boulevard and the Third Street Promenade, so it’s the perfect pit stop during any shopping excursion. It serves classic comfort food with California twists, sourcing many ingredients from local farmers’ markets. It also boasts one of the best happy hours in town: pop in from 12 to 7 p.m.

Located on Montana Avenue, Forma Restaurant & Cheese Bar is serving genuinely authentic Italian food and fine wine. The imported Italian cheeses, handmade pastas, grilled proteins, and wood-fired pizzas are just a few of the highlights at Forma. Swing by during happy hour for discounted wine and beer selections (as well as cocktail deals) at the Venice and Santa Monica locations.

Walking into Forma feels like stepping into a piece of Italy. The decor is tastefully refined, with plush walls, marble tables, and sleek metallic accents. This iconic Italian eatery serving "Dalla Forma" (pasta finished in a cheese wheel) was founded by two seasoned hospitality professionals from Los Angeles — Executive Chef Piero Topputo and General Manager Mario Sabatini.

Consider Forma if you're on the Westside and looking for pasta cooked in a bowl of cheese. A forma is what these cheese wheels are called, and dalla forma refers to when a dish is completed by being cooked within the wheel. They have a handful of pasta dishes that incorporate this method, on top of their other pasta offerings.

Dig into Santa Monica’s fresh, local bounty at Fairmont Miramar. Taste the best ingredients, prepared masterfully to harmonize and highlight bright flavors, tantalizing aromas and sensual textures. Indulge in anything from casual eats by the pool to fine dining at FIG, our award-winning signature restaurant.

The words “forma di formaggio” refer to the “whole cheese.” Well, Forma takes cheese to a new level. In fact, our favorite dish Cacio e Pepe is quite literally noodles spun around on a three foot wide block of cheese. The cheese block becomes a mixing bowl, pulling cheese into the noodles on every spin.

Named after its star ingredient – formaggio (cheese) – the menu features pastas served dalla forma, which means dishes are finished in large cheese wheels before being served. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Forma Restaurant (@formarestaurant) on Sep 7, 2018 at 12:20pm PDT

If you want to be near the sea, the best solution is to move along the coast. Here you will find Santa Monica, one of the top tourist destinations in California!. Location of numerous movies and TV series, you will find the famous Santa Monica Pier and great beaches.

Forma is a great way to close out this list because of its unique main point: its cheese bar!. As you might expect from a place that touts its cheese bar, the wine list is substantial. The wine by the glass is robust, but there’s no incorrect choice to be made here.

This modern trattoria has an incredible cheese menu, but the real showstoppers are the giant wheels of parmigiano reggiano, pecorino, and more in which pastas are tossed tableside for an ultra-decadent experience. (photo: Forma Facebook)

1610 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90403Phone: 424-231-2868 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Forma Venice (@formarestaurant)