The Penthouse

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1111 2nd St (at California Boulevard)
Santa Monica, CA 90403

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(310) 394-5454
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The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
The Penthouse - Santa Monica, CA
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Reviews
( 34 )
( 5 )
( 12 )
( 9 )
( 9 )

Best

Fun place to go. Also, lovely in the afternoon when it is not that crowded and has a great view. The food is also quite good.

Worst

Located on the top floor of the Huntley hotel, the Penthouse hosts the best ocean and city views in a Santa Monica restaurant. Period. I've been bringing friends and family visit...

Never got to eat!!! 3/2/2007

The service is horrible. We personally came here on Thursday night to make our reservation for Saturday night. The hostess confirmed our reservation for 7.30pm. When we did show up on that Saturday night at 7.33pm she said that she had already cancelled our reservation because she ?didn't think we would show up?. Oh yes, she really did say that to us. We then told her that our reservation was for 7.30pm and 3 minutes didn't seem like a big deal. She said that she thought it was for 7.15pm (but the look on her face made us doubt that story). Nevertheless, she said that she can get us a table ""in about 15-20 minutes"". After standing around the bar area for 45 minutes, we were ready to leave. I will never go back to that place again....where not so intelligent hostesses can't tell time or just plain don?t care. Pros: View Cons: Everything else more
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The Penthouse needs SOME MAJOR WORK! 3/1/2007

My friends and I were very excited to try it out. We went last night for dinner and the place looks great, very reminiscent of the Viceroy. The service was decent, not spectacular by any means. We had to ask to get our water filled up. They screwed up a wine order. No biggie, they've only been open for 2 weeks and have to work out the quirks. I'm still trying to figure out why the chef wants to put stale popcorn (yes popcorn) onto tuna ceviche. Very odd and was just not good. Our entrees were all pretty good though.. The salmon was excellent. We passed on dessert but I couldn't help but notice that popcorn reappeared on one of the desserts!! GET OVER THE POPCORN. Or at least have it be fresh and not stale. It was very pricey and all in all just OK. Pros: The killer view Cons: The service, food is just ok more
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Great design and views ruined by TERRIBLE service 2/24/2007

Unfortunately the great design and amazing views at the newly refurbished (and renamed) Penthouse can't make up for its terrible service. My wife and I went for an afternoon drink today, and to call the service sluggish would be a gross understatement. We were told by the hostess to take any table and that table service was available. We sat at a recently vacated table, and waited about 10+ minutes without so much as a hello from several passing waiters. We finally went back to the hostess to ask her to send someone. Twice. No one came. If you're thinking, oh well, maybe it was really busy, it wasn't. The restaurant was at most one-third full. Then we asked the waitress serving the next table to help us (twice). Still nada. During this whole time, a mess of dirty dishes sat on our table unbussed. Finally, we went to the bar and paid $25 (!) for two cocktails, which were 80% tonic water. (And if you prefer a less expensive option like, say, beer on draught, you're outta luck. If you'll settle for an ale in a bottle, Newcastle is your only option. Sigh.) Later, when the waitress made her one and only stop at our table in the course of an hour, we shared our dismay. She told us it was the bartender's fault. It's great to blame the poor service on your coworkers, but that doesn't really solve anything from the customer point-of-view, now does it? Whatever. I shant be returning. Pros: Great views. Sleek, but warm new design. Cons: TERRIBLE service. Overpriced. more
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great anyday of the week....went for drinks during the week and dinner on Sat night...AMAZING 2/21/2007

TO BEGIN...THE BAR.....WOW....HUGE WITH AMAZING GIRLS ALL OVER TAKING ORDERS IN CUTE UNIFORMS MAKING ZESTY MOJITOS. Pros: FOOD DECOR AMBIANCE VIEW BAR more
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Gorgeous views, delicious food 2/21/2007

I went to the Penthouse with three friends for dinner and it was absolutely amazing. When I walked in, I was especially impressed by the large, modern open fireplace and the overall interior design. Everything looks so fresh and inspiring. Pros: Views, Food more
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Unbelievable views, delicious food, gorgeous crowd - what more can you ask for? 2/20/2007

i had dinner at this place the week that it opened and it is amazing. the views of the ocean at sunset are mind blowing and once the sun goes down, the sparkling city lights mesmerizing. i went for an intimate dinner for two with my boyfriend and we tucked into a corner table and shared delicious crabcakes, he had the signature scallops that were perfectly cooked and i had the surf and turf that takes decadent to a new level. we had the pudding cupcakes for dessert ,which have now ruined me for all other cupcakes. i have been back a few times and have also spotted a few celebs canoodling in those big, leather wingback chairs by the fireplace. i can't wait to go back with girlfriends to reserve one of the oh-so -hard-to-get cabanas and judging by the way this place was buzzing on my last visit, you should make reservations now to get a table for next month! Pros: awesome spot more
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Finally a hip bar and restaurant in Santa Monica! 2/20/2007

I made reservations for dinner at Penthouse on Friday night after reading about it on Daily Candy. I loved this place! The decor is very cool, with candles everywhere and a giant fireplace that gives the restaurant and lounge a lot warmth. Our waiter was awesome, and recommended the steak and the chicken -- both were delicious. After dinner, the bar/lounge area was really happening, so we lounged there for a couple more hours, enjoying the music and the cocktails. Very cool vibe. I'd like to try it during the day for brunch or lunch because everyone was raving about how spectacular the views are during the day. I'm so glad that there's finally a cool spot in Santa Monica that has great food. I highly recommend this place either for a romantic dinner or dinner with a group of friends. A++ Pros: Amazing food, great ambience, de-lish cocktails more
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Spectacular View 2/20/2007

All I can say is, wow! What a cozy experience we all had having cocktails by the fireplace looking out at the spectacular view of the city and the sea. The Penthouse is so cool and hip, trendy and vibrant. Check out the view of the stars through the reflector ceilings and feel the cool and inviting ocean breeze on warm and balmy days. We sat in a cozy cabana, allowing for privacy and great people watching at the same time. The food is amazing (the Green Crunch and Tuna Tartar are to die for and the Bone in Filet is an absolute must). We then moved over to the bar in the round,dimly lit enough to see your menu but low enough to enjoy all the fabulous candles glowing all around the restaurant. What a romantic and cozy atmosphere (like you were home but buzzling at the same time. The ambience is both warm and inviting, yet dazzling and alive. You can have a drink and watch the sunset, enjoy fine dining with breathtaking views or, end the evening with desert and drinks listening to fabulous music or quiet conversation by the fireplace. The service was impeccable and the waiters were so attentive like they were serving us in our dining room at home.The Penthouse is sophisticated, classy and elegant in a hip and trendy way. Definitely the place to be. We loved it. Pros: Spectacular view, warm and cozy ambiance, amazing food. more
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Super hot atmosphere, great specialty drinks and AMAZING food! 2/20/2007

I went to Penthouse last week for dinner -- I was blown away! I read about this restaurant in Daily Candy and had to go see for myself - - I was totally impressed. The whole hotel is absolutely gorgeous, but the restaurant was like no other in LA. My husband and I first had a cocktail by this fireplace and got a chance to look at the stars -- there is a retractable roof that's spectacular. Then we sat down for dinner -- everyone was so nice. I had the Green Crunch salad to start and my husband had the tuna tartar -- both delicious. For dinner I had this unbelievable breast of chicken on top of mash potatos and my husband had the lamb -- we would both love to eat there again. The dessert was out of this world too. If you live in LA, or are coming to visit, the Penthouse is a must! Pros: Everything! more
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Best view in Santa Monica but needs some fine tuning... 2/19/2007

My girlfriend and I stayed at the Huntley this weekend and was very impressed. It definitely one of the nicest places to stay in Santa Monica for the money. Anyway, The Penthouse...the view and decor is definitely amazing. BEST VIEW IN TOWN! We had two meals there. One for breakfast and one for lunch...plus a midday cocktail once. The food is average at best. Breakfast was lacking in that it was actually lacking. I had the eggs benedict and there was no english muffin! I though to myself..(ok, maybe their trying to do something hip) but then 5 minutes later a lady at a table next to us had english muffins on hers. I mean, come on, I think that would be pretty obvious before they sent that out. Oh, and lunch, they never put my order in so it took 45 minutes for me to get my sandwich...yes, a sandwich! The wait staff seemed overwhelmed and very unconcerned about what was going on. There definitely needs to be some fine tuning at this place. It's new so I will give them the benefit of the doubt and probably come back for the amazing views. Plus, I've heard good things about the dinner. The one bright spot for this place is the amazing and friendly bartenders they have. If you have to come here make it during the day on a weekday just for cocktails at the bar. Come try this place, it's gonna get better but remember you are in LA so with it comes the LA prices and snobby wait staff. Pros: View, Hotel, Bartenders Cons: Unorganized, Unfriendly waitstaff, Prices more
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Best hotspot on the westside 2/19/2007

In one word, The Penthouse is amazing!! My boyfriend took me there to celebrate my birthday. Not only was the restaurant absolutely beautiful (the all white decor), the food was delicious. I ate the scallops and flatbread (amazing) and my boyfriend had the steak. I swear the steak tasted better than BOA! Also, the service was impeccable. Everyone is so attentive and kind. It is definitely the hottest place to go in LA. I cannot wait to go back there with my girlfriends! more
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awesome view, amazing drinks, try Kat's Sangria 2/19/2007

This Duffer's guy review is totally lame! The guy is an idiot. The place is totally AMAZING Pros: view, the food more
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They ruined one of the best places in Santa Monica 2/17/2007

""The Penthouse,"" was previously known as Toppers. Toppers was a fantastic bar/restaurant. Easily the best happy-hour in Los Angeles, great happy-hour entrees and dinner entrees with a striking view of Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Bay. However, ten months ago Toppers closed down for ""remodeling."" It opened five days ago. I am shocked and appalled at how much they screwed this place up. Pros: You can leave Cons: Everything more
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The truth about The Penthouse... 2/15/2007

I had lunch at this place with my girlfriend on Valentine's Day. Upon arriving, the valet staff was very friendly. You have to enter the hotel lobby and take the elevator to the 18th floor to get to the restaurant. The lobby, however, is not like any other I've seen. It rivals the Standard in Downtown LA and makes the W Hotel look like a Motel 6! Let me just say, the building is old and historic, but the decor is very modern, trendy yet inviting. I figured the restaurant was just as nice, but to my surprise...it was better! Best ambience of any ""modern"" restaurant I've seen in LA. The place has large windows that capture great views of the beach, Palisades, LAX, and even Downtown LA. It has awesome private cabanas with a white chandelier hanging over each table. Very cool looking place. For lunch we each ordered the chicken club sandwich. The avocado, sauteed peppers, bacon, swiss on a soft Ciabatta-like bread was the best sandwich I've had in a long time. The entree came with a side of fries, all for $15 each. The ambience was great, the food was excellent, and the service was very accomodating. No complaints. BOTTOM LINE: If you like the Standard, and the W Hotel decor with a great view of the beach, you must try the Penthouse at the Huntley Hotel! Pros: Good food, great views, amazing ambience Cons: None for me more
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Menu for The Penthouse


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Owner Message

  • At The Penthouse, LA dining and nightlife soars to breathtaking new heights. Venture into a Santa Monica restaurant and ultra lounge that pulses with excitement 18 stories above the California shore. Contemporary cuisine and creative cocktails blend with a surge of style and celebrity, sweeping through the intimate cabanas and fireside hangouts. And while many will come to witness the scene, it's the stunning 360? views through a sweeping wall of windows that of?fers this destination's greatest spectacle. From the Pacific Ocean to the Malibu beach and cliffs to the bright lights of Hollywood, you are truly above it all. This is The Penthouse, a Huntley Hotel treasure that satisfies your taste for fine American dining while indulging your sense of adventure in an exhilarating ultra lounge atmosphere. Come rise into The Penthouse for a signature LA experience.

Editorial

  • Situated on the top floor of the Huntley Hotel, this all-day destination treats guests to panoramic views of the Pacific and beyond--on a clear day you can see as far south as LAX and as far east...

  • 10/8/2008 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Daily Breakfast 7am-11am; Daily Lunch 11am-3pm; Sun-Thu Dinner 6pm-10pm; Fri-Sat Dinner 6pm-11pm, Late Night Menu until 2am; Sun Brunch 11am-2:30pm; Mon-Fri Happy Hour 4pm-7pm
  • Payments: American Express
  • Neighborhoods: West LA, Wilshire Montana
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