AIR FOOD
Santa Monica, California
(203)
Santa Monica, California
(203)
203 customer reviews
Rachel O.
Fantastic food. And there's a screen where you can watch what is being made in the kitchen.
Reviewed on Yelp
D X.
This French spot is calm and cozy despite being surrounded by bars and downtown craziness. Lovely French cuisine is served in a casual way. Traditional dishes such as steak Tartare, escargot, beef bourguignon are all expertly prepared. No alcohol so byob wine. Great food, great music, great evening. Definitely check it out!! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Jeff F.
Wow. Great dinner and such a cool little restaurant. Food was perfect and service was even better. Didn't realize it was BYOB (for now) but had time to run out and get a bottle of wine (no corkage fee). The escargot was way better than what a snail should be (like for real, who decided to eat snails) and the CREME BRÛLÉE (don't judge me, my keyboard autocorrected those accent marks) was soo good. There's a TV showing the Chef in action which is very Top Chef of them. Loved it and will definitely be back. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Brian L.
Run, I mean RUN to this restaurant before it becomes too well known! It's only been open for 2 months (and closed for 10 days of those months due to a stove malfunction) and its already getting buzz. The two owners, a chef and front-of-the-house manager, are both from Paris and are passionate about food.The menu is pretty traditional French cuisine featuring French onion soup, steak tartar, L'entrecote, lamb shank, escargot, risotto, fresh fish specials and the like. BUT these dishes are expertly prepared (they have a tv monitor in the tiny dining room that seats maybe 25 people) that shows the chef at work or you can just slightly turn your head if you're not facing the kitchen and watch as the chef does his magic in the open kitchen.On the night my wife and I dined we ordered French onion soup and escargot as starters along with the cheese naan. The French onion soup was "good" but not great. Yes there was plenty of gruyere cheese on top and chocked full of onions (and plenty hot which sometimes restaurants fail to do) but we felt the broth lacked body...perhaps not enough burgundy wine or stock. Still quite good. The escargot was as good as we've had anywhere including what my mom has prepared which is saying a lot.The cheese naan was an amazing surprise: more like an empenada filled with cheese. Two perfectly hot, doughy disks resembling more like pita bread that were gooey with molten cheese: almost a meal in itself.Our entrees were L'entrecote and lamb shank. the L'entrecote was prepared perfectly and tender as can be. It was served with quartered red potatoes sauteed and crisp on the outside/tender on the inside. My only critique would be maybe a little less salt. The meat was of such a high quality that it really didn't need much seasoning.The lamb shank was good but left us questioning what was missing. It was probably too "firm" and didn't have the kind of infused flavor that you would expect from a slow, long cooked cut of meat. I have prepared lamb shank many times and I've found that in addition to braising the shanks with wine, garlic, spices, carrots, onions and celery for at least an hour, you need to place the braising pan in an oven and slow cook it for another 2~3 hours to allow the flavors to infuse and the meat to tenderize. The profiteroles were a crowning achievement to the evening: homemade puff pastry with vanilla ice cream and doused with plenty of molten bittersweet chocolate at tableside. Very delicious and satisfying.They do not have a liquor license and offer no corkage on the first bottle/$15.00 on the second bottle...quite a deal in today's market! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Arjan R.
This place is an absolute gem!! It's worth every ounce of energy getting to! Everything from the food to detailed service was absolutely incredible! It was one of my favorite dining experiences I've ever had. The flavors in every dish was just out of this world! The detailed interior and decoration was so pleasing to the eye. This place has such a vibrancy! I don't write reviews unless I'm blown away by the establishment! This place deserves your service and dinning reservations! My favorite was the cheese plate, my mouth was literally in heaven with every bit of each cheese I devoured! I just want to thank the staff and everyone who runs this beautiful gem! I will be back and can't wait to tell all my friends about this place! Can't wait to come back!! Thank you ! -Arjan More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Stacy C.
We had the restaurant to ourselves the night we dined here and I seriously hope that changes, because this is the best meal I have eaten in LA in some time. I recently dined at a 2x Michelin star restaurant in Marseille and this DTLA gem could stand right next to L'Arome, maybe even above!We ordered the veggie tartine and the labneh to begin....followed by the cheese platter with fresh, crusty sliced baguette. Each starter was a delicious burst of flavors and colors. The cheese platter was HUGE and insanely good, with a variation of cheese I have never heard of nor tasted! On to the mains...we ordered the lobster risotto with shrimp, the beef bourguignon (6 hours simmered in red wine) and the linguine con pepe. We cleaned every plate put before us with ease...everything to temperature and presented beautifully. The risotto was a major standout! Did I mention there's a live camera on the chef's table in the kitchen which is broadcasting his every move in the dining room so we can all follow along? It was really fun to see this master at work!The chef sent us a chocolate lava cake a'la mode on the house! How lucky were we? I simply cannot wait to go back to L'Appart! Je'taime! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Vincent A.
Great staff/deco/food! They know how to offer the best of both worlds mixing french and american food. Definitely recommended, test their brunch as well
Reviewed on Yelp
Sarah H.
This is a small cozy restaurant in the heart of DTLA, beautifully decorated with Moroccan/Shabby chic accents and flare. The best part is the food: WOW! The quality is supreme! Every dish we ordered was an absolute treat. The salmon is TO DIE for- I don't think I've ever tried a better salmon! It is cooked to perfection and served with delicious vegetables and fish egg on top. Every bite will take you to a journey of perfectly orchestrated flavors. The Boeuf Bourguignon is cooked slowly for 8 hours and as soon as you taste it, you'll definitely feel the slow cook , comforting flavors coming together with every bite.Escargot- ok, let me tell you that this was my first time eating them , and I was BLOWN AWAY! They are cooked with butter and parsley and every bite is divine and boiling hot! I couldn't stop eating them! It was the best place to try Snails for the first time. I'm in love!All in all, I feel like this is an upscale gourmet restaurant with very cheap price.The service is supreme! The waitress was the kindest and explained every dish thoroughly. The chef came a few times to our table to make sure everything is good. They treated us with free cup of wines to start and free coffees to end the night. We felt SO MUCH love! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Emily S.
I came here for Sunday dinner with a friend. It's located in busy DTLA but unlike most trendy restaurants in LA that feel impersonal and cycle through waiters, Air Food has warm, welcoming and homey vibes. We were chatting with one of the owners who served us and was so kind.We ordered the labneh and the kale salad, which were delicious and presentation was beautiful (perfect for your Instagram story). The labneh comes with hot, freshly made pita bread that you dip with. All of the dishes are freshly made and you can watch them make it on the television screen, where they're streaming them making your food in real time! Such a cool concept.We also got the linguine. The pasta tastes like a warm hug feels -- so lovely and comforting. It's simple but so good.The owner and chef surprised us with creme brûlée on the house, which was phenomenal. My friend and I left immediately thinking about who we wanted to bring back here.You don't find these sort of homey restaurants in LA, maybe in Paris or other parts of Europe, but it's so rare to find that sort of hospitality here. The food, especially the dinner prices, are totally fair and affordable. I almost didn't want to recommend this place or post it to my social media because it's a hidden gem and once people find out about it, it'll get busier for sure. But I wish the owners the best of luck and really want this place to succeed! Thank you for a lovely meal. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
David F.
Small restaurant in downtown. Fresh products.The chef cook on the tv , so you can see your plate " a la minute ".I am happy to eat the meat tartare (beef) and the hann bread.The price is ok for the quality
Reviewed on Yelp
Eduardo S.
I have to say this is a truly French cusine restaurant! I must say the experience you get by watching your food being cooked on a screen until you get it to the table is amazing, the food took me back to Paris , is definitely a place to check it out , not expensive and great service . LOVED IT
Reviewed on Yelp
Kamal M.
I can't believe it. I was sad for months when AirFood closed in Santa Monica. Top 3 best restaurant in LA. I thought how could this be? Fast forward a year later and they moved to downtown...a few blocks away from me. It's like the heavens opened up and gave back the city of LA a great gift. Welcome back AirFood. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Camille C.
I can't get enough. Eccentric, yet very familiar dishes. I ordered more than I can actually eat, but it all looks so appetizing. . Will definitely be coming back to taste the rest of the things in the menu! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Cody O.
Honestly I'm so sad to see this place is closed now. My husband and I went with a friend and the both of them are from france, so they were excited to have a french meal. We were greeted with kindness and they explained everything so wonderfully. The water at idea was incredible especially since i'm not a drinker, i was able to try different kinds of waters from all over. Another one of my favorite things about this place is that they had cameras inside the kitchen that were broadcasting the chefs cooking live. We were able to watch our food being created. it was amazing. We were lucky enough to meet the owner (is was also from france) and we praised him for having such a unique and cute restaurant. An amazing mix between classic french cuisine and gastronomy cooking. We left with full stomachs and happy faces. I only with we could go back. As i said this review is LONG overdue but i just wanted to again show my love for this place and for those who were working there. If you have moved to a new location I'd love to know More...
Reviewed on Yelp
eliandro pazin
Otima comida
Reviewed on Google Maps
Candela Fernandez Reino
Muy recomendable. Las mejores hamburguesas y un servicio estupendo.
Reviewed on Google Maps
Bram Criel
Good service
Reviewed on Google Maps
Vanessa Cohen
Très bon restaurant français.
Reviewed on Google Maps
Olga Abramova
Lovely service. Food is good. Wine is amazing
Reviewed on Google Maps
Itchy R buckle
Beer and chips yummy
Reviewed on Google Maps
Lauren Aidan
Le restaurant a répondu à toutes nos attentes ! ( les serveurs et cuisiner aussi ! ) Incontournable pour un voyage à Santa Monica ... On y retournera sans hésiter !
Reviewed on Google Maps
Emanuele magro
Buonissimo i prezzi non sono alla mano ma vale quello che mangi top fantastico
Reviewed on Google Maps
Kenneth Q.
This place was extremely clean I loved the fact the the French fries are not called French fries and they had another option besides ketchup! And also it's a freaking water bar ! And I love water !!! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
André Tremblay
Excellent service and food.
Reviewed on Google Maps
Jon Mac
Just had a wonderful dinner with my girlfriend. I had escargot followed by Le Tournedos, she had Le Bœuf Bourguignon and roasted cauliflower. Amazing water menu and wine selection. Dessert of Lemon Tart Meringue. Excellent service. Will be going back!! More...
Reviewed on Google Maps
Stefan G.
Very nice place. I just loved the veggie burger - my little niece not so much but therefore sho did love the fries.The service was friendly and the chef was preparing the food right in front of us. He did take the time to answer my questions about the ingredients of the veggie patty More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Barbara Bishop
The new lunch menu is amazing!! I had a difficult time trying to decide what to have, I wanted everything! I finally chose the super-fresh Endive Salad and a downright cravable French-style Mac and Cheese. Divine!
Reviewed on Facebook
Samantha Taylor
Delicious. Loved that they have French Onion soup I can eat as a vegetarian and it was delectable. Really like this place. Interesting selection of waters from around the world. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
May Jazmin
Incredible! Just had the most private lovely time at this place. The food was outstanding, staff was covetous and knowledgeable. The chef was an artist. Trendy yet not ostentatious, classy yet modern, this place is hard to describe as it was a very unique experience. We will be back. More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Pilou Š Allais
Merci pour la réactivité et le bon goût de votre établissement �
Reviewed on Facebook
Baptiste Piriou
SO GOOD. Merci !!
Reviewed on Facebook
Julien Briau
This is a great restaurant! Excellent food and service
Reviewed on Facebook
Sean Dantin
Greatest creations with Parisian touch.
Reviewed on Facebook
Daisy Bourez
It's a beautiful restaurant with a really tasty food! And a friendly staff!
Reviewed on Facebook
Yotam Alboher
Great service , Amazing food ! ( the baked salmon ) and great desserts !
Reviewed on Facebook
Anna Ngl
If you are looking for an unique experience, and an amazing ambience, Air Food is THE place TO BE. More than "food", a journey !!!
Reviewed on Facebook
Marie Andree Hatswell
Brilliant food with an amazing young french chef, give it a try 5 *
Reviewed on Facebook
Marie-Isabel Bernardo
Excellent selections of Still & sparkling water! Tuna burger is my new fave! Merci monsieur!
Reviewed on Facebook
Slavomíra Raškovič
Amazing, excellent food and really nice staff! Just come here when you would like to eat something special and spend relaxing evening in Santa Monica :)
Reviewed on Facebook
Lorene Catala Boisvert
Delicious original organic food, unique menu, very nice warm and welcoming atmosphere: a little gem in Santa Monica! Plus you can see what the chef is doing on a screen: amazing way to share your art, Thierry! :-)
Reviewed on Facebook
Benjamin François
Spectacular food, friendly staff, menus constantly updated. What's not to love?
Reviewed on Facebook
Mona Mohan
Great food, great ambience and enthusiastic service! Absolutely loved the water tasting!
Reviewed on Facebook
Romain Sylvian
The best spot for French food in Los Angeles. Love it!
Reviewed on Facebook
Franck Pierron
I just love having foie gras with a rosé wine at their terrasse....just a simple but perfect moment
Reviewed on Facebook
Sandrine Lydie Derycz Choupay
Amazing dishes made with quality ingredients prepared with Love and Passion #Frenchtouch #Frenchsavoirfaire #madeinfrance #àlafrançaise #frenchchef #chefinaction #streetarts #waterstory #55bottles #blackwater #ambiancesympa #bravo #airfoodculture #gem #santamonica
Reviewed on Facebook
Maleny Guzman
Delicious food and friendly staff. My brother and I loved our yummy burgers. We will be back! �
Reviewed on Facebook
Tracy Z.
I got the tuna burger and it was great. It came with avocado and usually when I get a burger from somewhere it often puts the avocado on sparely but it came with a ton load which I love! The server was sweet and so was the chef. The had dozens of waters from many countries which I found intriguing! I didn't get the chance to order any but I will next time I come. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Peter D.
Had the burger combo for $15. Burger was gourmet - amazing. And right by the beach. Service was also great. Our server was Elisa - she was fantastic. Best place for a burger after a long day at the beach, or a high quality lunch for a good price. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Lam M.
This place is easy to miss on a busy street but it's really a hidden gem. My friends took me here for an early birthday dinner and we had a great experience. We started off ordering the foie gras and the french onion soup to share and both were superb. I'd be willing to come back just to have the french onion soup. For the main dish, three of us ordered the burger and one of my friends ordered the filet mignon. The burger was juicy but the blue cheese was a bit overpowering. We still enjoyed it. We also had a side of fries and really enjoyed that as well. The staff were very friendly and we had a really good time. They even brought out 2 mini desserts since they overheard that we were celebrating my birthday. How nice is that!Stop by here if you are looking for a nice restaurant to dine at after a nice day at the pier / beach! They also have a huge selection of sparkling water / imported water so if you are into that, this is the place to go. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Matt C.
Not huge into the water tasting, but the rest of the food was a great deal and tasty! I was impressed by the vibe and selection for the price. French and delish and affordable on the promenade, who'd have thunk it. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
