Summer House Santa Monica Review

We were in town for DePaul parents' weekend and took our daughter there for dinner. Love the atmosphere-- has a great Hamptons summer house vibe that was executed down to the smallest detail. The service was excellent and the food was well-priced and very tasty. We had the guacamole appetizer and it was very fresh. Our entrees included the skirt steak, the trout and the filet mignon. Everything was cooked perfectly and flavored well. The chimichurri served with the skirt steak was some of the best I've had and the truffle mashed potatoes that came with the filet were awesome. We were too full for dessert, but their baked goods looked amazing. We'll definitely make this a regular stop for future trips to Chicago.

Nice place but extremely crowded and loud for brunch. Food is good.

I like calamari here, fav ones in city. Also the trout and tomato bisque!

Went on a Saturday night, walked in and inquired about wait time. Was told 45 minutes, then another 30 minutes, then another 5 minutes after that. We ended up leaving after waiting almost 2 hours. Completely unacceptable as we would ve gone elsewhere if your staff could have been honest about wait times from the get go. Will not be returning, nor recommending.

This place always has great food, and a beautiful scenery for lunch.

I love the atmosphere at this restaurant. It is, literally, so summery. Also, the food is pretty good (some things are hit or miss) and the service is great. I always recommend it when going out with friends for a week night. They have amazing salmon and the bakery section is awesome too.

Food was absolutely delicious! Customer service was impeccable, very considerate and made sure everyone was pleased. Did not like that the table we were sitting on was lop sided & water cups had a weird smell to them. Also did not like that we arrived at 3 but could not get anything from dinner menu because dinner is at 4. Overall, I would recommend it and would go again!

Turkey burger was very good. Atmosphere was great. Server was nice and personable. I'd go back

Wonderful place! Food was great, service was excellent. Nice and clean and everyone was respectful wearing masks when necessary.

Great local establishment. Bakery, Bar and restaurant. Good good and drinks superb. Great decor and atmosphere. Recommend.

Called the day before and made a reservation. Arrived 10 minutes before scheduled reservation time. The hostess could not locate our reservation. I showed her my call log to prove that I called and made a reservation. The hostess argued that I didn't call the correct number. I showed her the number on Google maps and she eventually admitted that I had called the correct number. My wife also called the number from her cell and verified that it was the correct location. The hostess was not apologetic at all. Just argumentative and trying to blame me the customer instead of admitted their mistake.

Not sure if my rating it five stars is appropriate and am kind of embarrassed about my reason to rate it five stars but... Because during covid, this place, with its wonderful theme of a California summer house, is actually OPEN for indoor dining in the middle of the most depressing times...during a pandemic! and while it poses some danger to those who choose to visit this restaurant, it provides a great escape and a refreshing experience for those wanting to take a mental break right now. While risky, I applaud this restaurant for leaving it up to the people to decide if they want to "spice up" their miserable lives during these awful covid times, in lieu of some risk of getting sick . I hope this post isn't misconstrued as being twisted; I'm just saying that this place is great for giving an alternative option for those who are sick of being in locked down! The open ceiling arrangement provides a less risky seating during this pandemic!

View is wonderful, i like go there. But food is joke. Kinda pricey, but it doesn t worth. I really don t recommend about food. Last time I got lobster and prime steak. It was really bad. Maybe should go there only for drinks and views

First time going there and the ambiance was great! Loved the light and airy feel of it. We had some appetizers which were good and a few drinks. Server was great even though I think we were sitting there longer than they probably wanted us. The best part of it was the relaxed feeling but I'm not sure I would go back I did feel like it was a bit over priced. Definitely fun to check out.

Want to try Californian cuisine without going to California, try summer house. The ambiance is fantastic. Great place for groups, couples and just hanging out. The food is delicious. The share plates are good path to go. Definitely have some Rose with dinner. Dessert has it's own counter and lots to choose from. Staff is attentive without being intrusive. I would recommend get reservations ahead of time.

Good for weekend brunch, fresh atmosphere but food was just ok... not very impressive.

The wait was kind of long, but it was fine sitting at bar. Dinner was well worth the wait!

Great cocktails and a beautiful ambiance makes the perfect gathering spot.

Loving the decor, friendly stuff and food is well beyond your expectations!!! Highly recommended!

Great food. Beautiful restaurant. All around awesome.

Fun environment and nice spot for brunch/lunch. Food was good but pricey. Service was only ok.

$16 for Brussels sprouts is a joke. My chicken sandwich tasted like Wendy s. The fries are an insult to potatoes everywhere. A restaurant for the eyes not the mouth.

Kind of a noisy place and very boogy but the food was very well thought out for the price

Food was delicious. Such an incredible vibe. Brick chicken was delicious and the burger with sweet potato fries was solid

Amazing service and food , especially Jaqueline. Had our new years eve and best friends wifes Bday party and got the most highest possible service.

Cool atmosphere, good service, quality food and cocktails. Great for small or larger groups.

I took one bite of the crispy katsu-style chicken and saw the face of God.

One of those places that ONLY looks good. They re trying to make the most out of this place. Chairs are way too close to each other, terrible service and terrible quality food. And never going back again.

Atmosphere was really nice. The food was extremely bland.

Great food and excellent service. The burger was light but delicious.

The ambiance is really awesome. When you go in it feels like you enter a different world. The place is filled with natural light and has plants hanging from the ceiling. The food is very tasty and reasonably priced. I recommend the breakfast tostadas.

Beautiful spot, really feel like you're transported out of the city. Food is just ok. Drinks are great!

Amazing spot in Lincoln park such a fun airy environment and the food is amazing!! check it out!

Food is definitely overpriced. I got 3 small tacos for I believe $16. Wine was also all overpriced by the glass. I think the cheapest for a 6pz pour was $9?

As long as you know going into it that it s expensive! Really nice ambiance there though.

Great food, great atmosphere and excellent friendly service.

The food were good but it wasn't as good as their baked goods. A large selection of cookies! The malted chocolate chip cookie is giant and the best! We had a very long wait despite having reservation the first time there, they gave us a free appetizer with watermelon on it. It was surprisingly very good!! The second time we were sat right away with reservation. Neither time I got to sit under the sunroof though. It was my reason to go there to feel like I'm in a warmer place.

I liked the people, really enjoyed the vibe but everything I got had a heavy hand of salt so I really couldn t enjoy it and the lobster I got in my pasta dish was so rubbery and chewing i couldn't taste the lobster. Overall I would give it 3 star reasoning being the lobster was not good at all and the heavy hand in salt. Maybe better luck next time.

1st lettuce entertain you restaurant were the service was sub par

American food at this spot - super tasty. it was so delicious. certainly worth a return visit. it has a nice interior.

Felt like we were within range to hear the waves coming in at Santa Monica beach. Wonderful service, craftsmen in the kitchen!

This place was amazing. The staff is great the food is amazing and it's so bright this was the perfect Sunday brunch spot. I enjoyed it so much and I can not wait to go back and try dinner. They have an amazing rice crispy chocolate chip cookie you should try while here.

Came in for some brunch and it was excellent! The place is large and has a great atmosphere. The food was delicious. Our server was Matt and he made the visit even better with great service and a sense of humor. Thanks again Matt, we will be back!

Loving the decor, friendly stuff and food is well beyond your expectations!!! Highly recommended!

Great place! I was here for my birthday dinner and I am glad I came. Staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. The food was very good as well. I had the salmon for dinner. Very good. Also, the dessert is nice as well. We will be back!

Amazing service and great food. Even better, they are really good about food allergies and can accommodate those sensitive to cross contamination.

Our friends took us to lunch at the most cozzie place in Chicago

Really cool atmosphere and the food was delicious- a little pricey for a casual dinner

This is my new favorite restaurant. This place is so cool. Great food. Shabby chic atmosphere. Loved it.

Reviewing ORD location. Based on overhead posted ingredients list, ordered the Cobb salad. Buyer beware. Not blue cheese dressing, but vinagrette with blue cheese crumbles. Salad showered with corn. Neither vinagrette nor corn were listed as ingredients.

I wouldn't make a big deal about it except the poor patron in front of me had an allergy to corn and it wasn't listed as an ingredient list, and myself and myself and then two people behind me were looking for a low carb option on the menu. The overhead menu omissions are not a fault of the staff, they are a fault of corporate management. A salad with chicken set me back $21.

At ORD, choosing Farmer's fridge for half the price and transparent ingredient listings.

Loved the restaurant decor and cocktails. Food was really bad. Came lukewarm and potatos were hard and cold. Pretty bland and not worth the 45 minute wait. Service was pretty good, actually felt bad for the server having to serve food which most people would return.

Delicious food, attentive staff, laidback atmosphere...

Overall, the food was a disappointment. Nothing special. Roasted mushroom and roasted cauliflower were both too bland. Fried chicken was too sweet and too oily. The sauce with the fried chicken was spicy honey which again had no spice, it was just sweet. Chicken tacos were also bland - chicken tasted burnt, was dry and had no taste. The desert was the saving grace. 5 stars for the dessert.

Love the atmosphere, the outdoor vibe is great, can't wait to keep coming this summer! The menu is light fare and fabulous, but I do wish there were bigger portion or more meatier type dishes, perhaps I already forgot how good it is!

Service was just fantastic. Food was devine....would recommend this restaurant to everyone. Kicking myself for not grabbing a cookie from the bakery afterwards.

Great atmosphere, great food, great alcohol. Oh! And I love their sweet potato fries!

Very nice atmosphere and ambiance. The food was delicious. Location was nice. For Sunday brunch, book ahead! The place can get busy and a reservation can help you avoid a 45 minute wait. Check out yelp for deals!

Summer House was decent but after a second visit I felt it was not particularly special. I don't think I would care to visit again, I think I would consider visiting again if someone else was covering the bill but only after exhausting other options. The food was okay, not cheap, though not breaking the bank expensive either. My portions were fair but one of my friend's dish was very sad looking. I was a bit puzzled by the differences in portion sizes for similar dishes. Deliciousness to cost was definitely lacking.

As far as service, we were seated promptly and our server was very friendly and on point with everything.

I do love the space and the atmosphere overall. A bit of a shame since I was so excited for it.

Very summery atmosphere, delicious breakfast options

Decor and open space really makes you feel like you're in California. Celebrated a brunch here with the bride-to-be and treated to dessert on the house.

UPDATE: hadn't been here in a while but raved about it to some friends so we brought them here over the weekend and I had to take my rating down a star. Service was great and food was still good, but definitely not as good as it used to be. The calamari used to be tossed in sauce and now it comes on the side which was a huge bummer. Also the burrata used to be served with the most amazing tomato jam and now it was served with...nothing! Just a piece of burrata with olive oil and bread. Not huge differences but these were our two favorite dishes that kept us coming back so these downgrades were disappointing. :(

This place is fantastic!!! I'm surprised at the rating it has. the food is amazing (particularly the burrata, calamari, biscuits, and Halibut). The service is always fantastic! But I recommend reservations bc they're always super busy.

From the first moment you enter this restaurant team give you a pleasant feeling. Very comfortable stuff, it is a happy place to pass time with buddies or with your date. very good meals, skillful chief cook and stuff, honest pay and professional service. Warmly recommended.

Great atmosphere, great food. Great way to beat the blues in this brightly lit lively eatery.

I loved the atmosphere of this place. I felt like I was back at home in California sitting on the beach with some wine and appetizers.

I got the rose and a mimosa. My boyfriend got the spiked lemonade, which was dangerous because you can't take the alcohol but it hits you after 2-3 drinks of it.

I ordered the avocado toasts with shoestring fries and my boyfriend got the steak with chimichurri sauce and fries. We also started with Ahi Tuna and watermelon tostada. This was absolutely delicious. My avocado toast was amazing. I loved how there was a poached egg on top. The toast was smothered in avocado so the portions are generous.

If you check in on yelp you can receive a free dessert. I got the chocolate brownie to go.

Service was amazing. Our waiter checked up on us regularly. We parked a block away and street parking is free on Sundays.

The cucumber soup was light and refreshing, the prickly pear cocktail was well balanced in flavor, and the halibut was perfectly cooked. I'll definitely come back for more!

HomeChef salmon tastes better. The pizza was sad. Bad service. Not recommended.