Lunetta All Day

Lunetta All Day Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant: Chef Raphael Lunetta offers an all-day menu at his Santa Monica eatery. The simple, smart décor with touches of navy blue reminds us of the Hamptons. There is a petite, dog-friendly patio in the back, while the inside features banquettes along the walls, tables, a marble bar and a section for to-go orders with a bakery display case.

Likes: Ample free parking behind the restaurant.
Dislikes: Dinner hours end on the early side (9 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 3 p.m. on Sundays).

Food & Drinks: Breakfast starts off with a few egg dishes, of course, as well as lemon ricotta buttermilk pancakes and Greek yogurt and house-made granola parfait. If you opt for one of the sandwiches, like the Reuben or roasted turkey, you can substitute gluten-free brioche or millet bread. (The sandwiches also come with a choice of green salad or fresh-cut Kennebec fries.) The restaurant's location close to the Saturday farmers market in Virginia Avenue Park ensures that local, organic produce will make appearances on the plate. Salads (Niçoise, Caesar, etc.) allow for some customization with add-ons of a free-range egg, albacore tuna, grilled Jidori chicken breast or grass-fed skirt steak. Heartier options include house-made meatballs with Snake River grass-fed beef, grilled fish with cucumber relish and wood-grilled Jidori chicken in a chunky tomatillo sauce. At dinner, we like the appetizers of homemade barbecue mesquite chicken wings, rock shrimp ceviche served with fresh guacamole and lime chips, and avocado toast --- very Californian. Lunetta wants his restaurant to have a homey feel, hence the "campfire" trout topped with lemon caper. Another tasty temptation is the caramelized pork chop served with purple kale and wild rice. Finish with freshly baked goodies like banana chocolate chip loaf, zucchini pecan loaf or apricot ginger scones ---- or take them home for later! There are also pressed juices and a curated list of coffees, tea, craft beer on tap, wine and seasonal cocktails. Lunetta, a more formal dining room located next door, serves seasonal California fare.