La Monique Review: French Tradition Meets Santa Monica Soul
- Food Journal Magazine
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
There is a rare kind of beauty that happens when a dining room captures the exact mood of its surrounding city. You sit down, taking in the soft light and the thoughtful details, and you find yourself wondering: is this just dinner, or something more? This is the exact feeling you get when you step into La Monique.
Located inside Oceana Santa Monica, La Monique in Santa Monica operates as more than just a name. It is both a restaurant and the muse at the very heart of the establishment. Serving as a modern French brasserie, it effortlessly blends timeless European traditions with a distinctly coastal soul. Food Journal Magazine visited to see if this marriage of classic technique and local discovery truly lives up to the anticipation.
An Intimate Jewel Box by the Sea
The atmosphere at La Monique immediately sets the tone for an exceptional evening. The coastal spirit guides everything here, from the precision of the seafood to the shimmer of the bar energy. The dining room feels curated for delight. It acts as an intimate jewel box wrapped in deep, sophisticated tones and accented by discerning art.
Soft light falls across the tables, making the night feel rare and deeply personal. It does not feel like a stiff, traditional dining room. Instead, it feels vibrant and alive, pulling the relaxed elegance of Santa Monica right through its doors. Whether you are interested in browsing the wine list, which expertly pairs European heritage with exciting local discoveries or thirsty for a cocktail that should linger perfectly on the lips, the space invites you to slow down and savor the moment.
The Culinary Visionary: Chef David Fricaud
To understand the magic happening on the plates at La Monique, you must look to the kitchen. Chef David Fricaud brings over two decades of experience in Michelin-starred kitchens to this coastal brasserie. A French native, Fricaud realized his passion for cooking at the tender age of nine. He honed his foundational skills at the LTP Saint Joseph l'Amandier culinary school in France, sparking a career that would take him across the globe.
His impressive pedigree speaks volumes about his technical prowess and creative vision.
Many recognize Fricaud as a Top Chef France 2010 semifinalist. His international journey includes notable posts as chef de cuisine at Méridien in Abu Dhabi, sous chef at the prestigious Concorde-Lafayette Hotel in Paris, and executive chef at Publicis Drugstore, where he led a massive brigade of over thirty chefs.
Southern California diners might already know his work. Fricaud previously served as executive chef for the French general consulate in Beverly Hills. Just before joining La Monique, he served as the executive chef at Scarpetta at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. There, he managed a massive culinary team and drove remarkable success through highly innovative menu development.
Now, Fricaud brings that sophisticated understanding of classical techniques to Santa Monica. He masterfully marries time-honored French brasserie traditions with modern culinary innovation, creating a menu that feels both deeply comforting and wonderfully fresh.
Tasting La Monique: A Symphony of Senses
Our tasting journey highlighted Chef Fricaud’s dedicated approach to seasonal produce, premium meats, and coastal seafood. Each dish showcased a deliberate balance of flavor and presentation.
Reimagined Starters
We began our evening with the Escargot Poppers. This dish takes a notoriously traditional French staple and turns it into a playful, accessible bite. Served with a vibrant garlic herb crème fraîche, the poppers offer a satisfying textural contrast. The rich, earthy flavor of the escargot pairs beautifully with the bright, herbaceous notes of the cream, setting a high standard for the meal ahead.
Next arrived the Butternut Squash Agnolotti. The pasta was delicate and perfectly formed, capturing the sweet, nutty essence of the squash. Bathed in a luscious sage brown butter, the dish felt like a warm, comforting embrace. The fragrant sage cut through the richness of the butter, leaving a clean and deeply satisfying finish on the palate.
Masterful Mains
For the main courses, we explored both the land and the sea. La Monique boasts a dedicated steak program featuring dry-aged cuts and premium wagyu, and the Steak Frites Au Poivre did not disappoint. Chef Fricaud uses a grilled Wagyu flat iron for this dish, cooking it to an absolute flawless medium-rare. The sauce au poivre delivered a robust, peppery bite that elevated the rich marbling of the wagyu. Paired with perfectly crisp frites, it represents the absolute pinnacle of brasserie dining.
Our seafood selection, the Dover Sole à la Plancha, showcased coastal precision. Served with a fluffy rice pilaf and a classic grenobloise sauce, the fish was exceptionally tender. The capers, lemon, and browned butter in the grenobloise sauce provided a bright, tangy counterpoint to the delicate, flaky sole.
The Grand Finale: Mac Monique
No brasserie experience feels complete without a proper dessert. We finished our evening with the signature 'Mac Monique'. To simply call this dessert "amazing" feels like an understatement.
This creation features a massive, perfectly baked pistachio macaron paired with a remarkably smooth pistachio gelato. The macaron shells offered that highly sought-after delicate crunch, giving way to a slightly chewy, intensely flavored center. The gelato provided a cool, creamy contrast that amplified the nutty sweetness. It was an elegant, evocative end to a virtually flawless meal.
Plan Your Visit
Open every day from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM, La Monique invites you to step into its jewel box dining room. Whether you come for the expertly prepared Wagyu, the brilliant Escargot Poppers, or simply a shimmering cocktail by the sea, you will leave knowing you experienced something truly special.
The Hotel Oceana in Santa Monica: An Exclusive Oceanfront Sanctuary
After you savor the final bite of your dessert at La Monique, the true brilliance of this property can reveal itself. You do not need to call a car or navigate city traffic. Instead, you simply step out of the restaurant's intimate jewel box and have the opportunity to retreat into your own private oceanfront sanctuary. From what I have researched, Oceana Santa Monica surrounds you with a uniquely localized experience that feels flawlessly personalized from the moment you arrive.
Holistic Wellness and Coastal Serenity
Beyond the magnificent suites, Oceana operates with a core mission of supporting holistic wellness. The center of the property features a lush, vibrant courtyard that invites you to slow down. You can unwind poolside on oversized daybeds, letting the rejuvenating air of Santa Monica wash over you.
When you seek deeper relaxation, the property offers an array of luxury tailored spa treatments. You can indulge in customized facials, therapeutic massages, and specialized salon services designed to restore your balance. I also imagine the hotel staff can also connect you with discerningly curated outings to explore the best of Santa Monica's opulent attractions.
If you prefer an active escape, Oceana provides exceptional movement and fitness options. You can work out in the tech-forward fitness studio, or request sessions with A-list personal trainers. For a more scenic routine, you can join an oceanfront yoga class or borrow the resort's complimentary beach cruisers to ride along the scenic coastal paths. Whether you seek ultimate adventure or absolute quiet, Oceana delivers an unforgettable extension of the luxury you first tasted at La Monique.
Check out La Monique and let me know what you think!
I hope your hungry!
Matthew Tropp | FJM
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