Bottom line: Get the kitchen on track and this place would be packed every night with people coming to eat and drink. As it is, Saluté threatens to turn into a bar scene with snacks.


Saluté Wine Bar

RATING: *

LOCATION

2435 Main St., Santa Monica; (310) 450-3434; salutewinebar.com.

AMBIENCE

Loft-like wine bar with a hip, sociable vibe.

SERVICE

Disorganized and often slow.

PRICE

Salumi and cheese plates, $9 to $16; bruschetta, $6 to $12; pizza, $12 to $16; other items (salad, pasta, meats), $9 to $20; desserts, $8 to $14.

BEST DISHES

Salumi and cheese, marinated olives, burrata bruschetta, crispy braised duck leg with polenta and kale, affogato, chocolate caramel tart.

WINE LIST

Pitched to wine fans but not aficionados, could be more exciting. Corkage fee, $25.

DETAILS

Open 5:30 p.m. to midnight Monday to Thursday, until 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Full bar. Parking in adjacent lot, $5.

Rating is based on food, service and ambience, with price taken into account in relation to quality. ****: Outstanding on every level. ***: Excellent. **: Very good. *: Good. No star: Poor to satisfactory.



irene.virbila@latimes.com