Rustic Canyon Wine Bar and Seasonal Kitchen is a neighborhood restaurant and wine bar located in Santa Monica. The regularly changing menu consists of Farmers' Market-inspired dishes along with a unique selection of boutique wineries from around the world. Rustic Canyon offers twenty options by the glass that rotate on a regular basis and an expanding list of small production offerings by the bottle. Every time you visit there will be something new to try!
(For party reservations larger than 5 people please contact the restaurant directly)
"This one had been on my short list for a while and it was well worth the wait. Excellent food -- especially dug the green pozole. Delicious wines and cocktails. Attentive service. Really great experience all around."
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, hot spot, special occasion
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"Way too loud, and always has been. We had an 8:45 eservation and were told at 9:15 that out table still wasn't ready as the guests were lingering after tehor dessert. When we decided to just eat in the bar, we were told that a table had opened up, at 9:30. We plaed our orders within 15 minutes, and didn't get our entrees until way later. Tehy did comp us a couple of appetizers, yet we weren't finished with dinner until at least 11 pm. It was so dark we had to ask for a light to see the menu. Another diner saw our flashlight and thgouht we'd brought it and told us how smart we were to do so beacause he couldn't read the menu either, and none of us are in the elderly age range. The service was nice, but they really just kept apologizing."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Very friendly and thoughtful throughout. Greeted by manager, server asked if we were going to the theater. Martini was first rate. Food was uniformly good. Prices were reasonable."
Dined on 04/18/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups
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"Rustic Canyon is a good special-occasion restaurant in Santa Monica that doesn't venture into Melisse territory. Took my CPA fiancee there to celebrate the end of tax season. It was perfect for that kind of occasion. The food is good, not excellent. The service is great. It feels warm and intimate and definitely special, but every time I leave I remember that there's something keeping this place from being top-notch amazing."
Dined on 04/15/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"The crowd here is generally 40s and up, and the prices are pretty up there. They have a $21 cheese plate, with 4 small servings of cheese that are not very well known."
Dined on 04/15/2013
2005
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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"New Executive Chef does not disappoint! After reading reviews & experiencing too many "vibrant" restaurants lately, I'd requested a booth although just my husband & myself-I wasn't hopeful but after a short wait at the bar (just long enough to be served our drinks, we were seated in a cozy booth (not sure how you'd squeeze 4 in however ;) Started with the Parmesan Puff (rich, creamy & delicious), followed by the cipollini onion kohlrabi soup (unctuous!) & prime rib eye (perfectly medium rare). Hubby had crispy beggar's purse stuffed with beet greens, ricotta & pine nuts (fabulous) and perfectly seared halibut. Shared banana cream pie, tasty but the custard was an unappetizing grey color. Service was leisurely, perfect 4 us, hate 2B rushed"
Dined on 04/14/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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"The service was exemplary. Our orders were delayed due to some mix up in the kitchen. So the manager personally came to apologize and brought 2 desserts on the house. And since it was one of our birthdays, they even brought an extra ice cream serving with a candle. The food, of course, was delicious. The burseel sprouts, prawn, burger, potato croquettes, kale salad. All excellent."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Maybe because it was Easter Sunday it was not quite as good as last visit. I'm being picky, but cocktail not quite as well-balanced and service inconsistent. Still love the food and would return!"
Dined on 03/31/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Inventive, but very tasty/great food. Nice selection of wines by the glass. As a single diner, I appreciate a well rounded selection. The server was knowledgable, fun and very attentive, as was the rest of the waitstaff.I would not hesitate to recommend Rustic Canyon.Thanks"
Dined on 03/22/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list
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"Rustic Canyon was one of my favorite dining places but has slipped with the decision to do away with espresso coffee. I don't get how they can justify this backward step - we were told that it was to enable hard liquor shelf space. Lame excuse."
Dined on 03/17/2013
2013
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"Rustic Canyon Wine Bar & Seasonal Kitchen exceeded my expectations. The food was amazing, and the burger met and exceeded the hype it gets from burger coinsures. The noise level was pretty high, I don’t mind it at all but if you are the type that likes a quiet meal keep this in mind. If I could only give you two suggestions they would be as follows. Order the burger, it is amazing. Tip your bus boy, they do all the work, you will see them 3-5 times during your meal whereas you will see your server 1-2. All around great dinner spot that I will suggest to anyone."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Fantastic! We are fortunate to live nearby and just stop in rather frequently. The food is wonderful, fresh and flavorful. They have a great wine list and everyone knows their stuff there. They have the best burger and fries in the world (I'm working on expanding my list...) fresh fish, pasta, vegetables. Can't say enough about this restaurant. I will always keep them on my top 10 list."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"I've been wanting to visit Rustic Canyon for some time, and glad I finally went. Had to make a reservation about a week in advance, but was very happy that I was seated promptly when I arrived. It's always lame to make a res and then have to wait despite being on-time. The service was good, but as dinner went on, the place got busier and the kitchen backed up. This meant that our last few items took a while to come out, but we drank wine and enjoyed ourselves and it wasn't a problem.
I found the small plates to be much tastier than the bigger plates. The burger is great but not as good as I had hoped. A bit overhyped. The spicy prawns were great, as was the buratta and broccoli salad. Banana ice cream dessert was a hit."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"Second time here and Rustic Canyon did not disappoint. We were seated shortly after our reservation time in a packed house and I am impressed they can manage the timing so closely. We lingered for well over two hours enjoying beverages through coffee. The wine pours are generous, beer selection intriguing. We particularly enjoyed the clam pozole and burrata with broccoli as starters. Their signature burger was delicious, as was the ribeye and roast chicken. A shared dessert of a chocolate olive oil tart was a sweet finish to a wonderful meal! Will visit again next time I am in town!"
Dined on 03/08/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"The brussel sprouts were excellent. The burger was worth its reputation. I especially enojoyed the small plates and snacks (esp the potato croquettes). The desserts were OK."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"Rustic Canyon has been fabulous since the day it opened, and the other night was even better. Every morsel is outstanding, and the service couldn't be more attentive and/or nicer. Absolutely the BEST."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"As a San Francisco transplant I found this to be one of the best LA experiences since I moved down here two years ago. The wine ;ist knocked my socks off and left me wanting to return with someone on an expense account. Kale salad with dates was amazing as was the chicken adn baby carrots with a subtle curry sauce. Can't wait to return."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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"We arrived, with reservations, at 6:00PM and were seated at a booth. There were four of us and no way was the booth large enough for four. We started with small plates, scampi (not so good and very overcooked), pork belly (very good) beets (outstanding). Large plates followed. The rib eye was very good and cooked perfectly (as expected for the price). The two ladies ordered steelhead. One was OK but one, we all agreed, was so salty that it was barely edible. Lastley, the burger, it was very good but didn't beat out Plan Check. The fries were great. The cheese plate, at $21, was just plain PERFECT, the cheese selections provided something for every taste, I would highly recommend it. Deserts were also outstanding. Overall, cramped and pricey"
Dined on 03/07/2013
2013
Special Features: notable wine list
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"I generally love the food at rustic canyon but my farro dish with mushrooms and poached egg was a bit bland and I was veryyyy disappointed in the dessert menu - not "rustic" at all with caramelized bacon and olive oil chocolate cake - I hope it was the pastry chef's night off as my poppy seed tuile with lemon curd was way too sweet and very disappointing - bring back the delicious crostades and chocolate tart!!"
Dined on 02/17/2013
2000
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"Rustic Canyon is amazing! It explains why they are always booked out! The food is delicious, amazing burgers! The service is impeccable! I had mentioned in my booking that it was my boyfriends birthday and had asked to sit on the side of the restaurant where it was a bit quieter. Not only did they do this but they also brought us a free appetizer (crudo) and a free dessert with a candle (Creme brûlée) to celebrate his birthday. It made it a really great night for the birthday celebrations!"
Dined on 02/11/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion
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"We always enjoy our trips to Rustic Canyon, from the delicious pre-dinner olive plate right on down to the thoughtful, seasonally appropriate and always yummy desserts. The whole wheat cake with apple was amazing on this trip. We were also big fans of the butternut squash soup with chesnut. Highly recommended!"
Dined on 02/09/2013
2003
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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"The atmosphere is lively and friendly. The service is quick, attentive, and they're able to accommodate special requests (like bringing out the food quickly so we could make our theater performance). The food is superb. What can I say? One of the great restaurants on the West Side."
Dined on 02/07/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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"This was my first time at Rustic Canyon and I would say it was just average! we had a drink at the tiny bar before dinner and the bartender was also just average in terms of service. My friend ordered a johnny walker scotch and they didn't carry it. She was very surprised. I ordered a martini and it was brought to me in a tiny wine glass which looked very "cheap" and I felt that it was tasteless from a restaurant of this caliber. I've never seen anything like it . The dinner menu only had 4 entree selections and the rest of the food items were appetizers. the food quality was good and the presentation was easy on the eye. The server was again average. I'm glad I finally ate here and I probably would not return real"
Dined on 02/05/2013
2011
Special Features: notable wine list
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"Enjoyed the second visit more than the first. Went on a Monday for burgers, both of which were excellent (Tarentaise and Rustic Canyon burgers). Spaghetti Chitarra with clams was lively and spicy.
We spent three hours at our table and never felt rushed. A very nice evening."
Dined on 01/28/2013
2007
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"Go here for the burger and you will not be disappointed. The rest of the menu is less spectacular, though nothing we had was bad and some things were creative. The staff is friendly, though not particularly knowledgeable about wine. Tables are nicely spaced.
Would definitely return for a Monday night burger & beer."
Dined on 01/12/2013
2007
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