Another Go at a Santa Monica Corner

Yet another restaurant has opened on the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and 10th Street in Santa Monica. What was once called Ma Facon and subsequently Severino has been transformed into a restaurant called 1000 Wilshire; its phone number is (213) 395-6003. It is a lively looking place, all pink and green and cozy banquettes, with a large bar, a pianist and one of the most eclectic menus I have seen in a while.

Examples? Well, for starters how about oysters served with gorgonzola, lime and cilantro sauce with garlic followed by spicy veal szechuan risotto? (The latter did not thrill me.) But there were very nice salads (including a respectable Caesar), good onion rings with the steak, a fine veal chop served with grilled radicchio. The service is pleasant--but a bit unsteady.

And for the moment none of that matters. Recognizing that the first month is often a bit rocky, the restaurant is having a “preview.” Until the end of the year 1000 Wilshre is offering a 25% discount on all its food (at regular prices the entrees run $8-$22). With an attitude like that, this corner may finally have a restaurant that will last.