Tar & RosesConsistently GoodNever disappoints, efficient service ,great food, in a great neighborhood space. Hope they keep it real and success does not spoil the good thing....5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMI gave the ambience 3 starsI gave the ambience 3 stars because it has limited seating and we were stuck near the kitchen. However, the food was fabulous!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst Time Diner + I'm a FanIt was really dough to get reservations here but I finally succeeded. It was worth the weight. I enjoyed the oxtail dumplings for an appetizer, my dining partner had the short ribs which were awesome. I thought they were even better than the Hanger steak, which we both had. I thought the steak serving was a wee bit on the small side, and it wasn't served piping hot. Still good, though. The honey-vanilla ice cream and expresso dripped ice cream were delicious. Interesting wine list. We enjoyed the back room which was a little quieter --smaller seating area. The front seemed pretty lively and loud when we left. I'll be back.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMmostly really goodhad a mushroom dish, grilled octopus salad, grilled cauliflower and toffee pudding for dessert. all were delicious, especially the mushrooms and toffee pudding. ate on the patio which I didn't even know existed until that night. quite pleasant unless you have a big, noisy party of 8 young girls near you celebrating a birthday! restaurant is pricey but good.5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulousService is great--they provide real recommendations and not the standard "every thing is good". But, seriously--everything really is good. Order the Red Snapper--increidble presentation and delicious!5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderfulThis place is terrific. Wished we lived in California so that we could visit there again. Incredible food, service and ambiance.4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMDefinitely a foodie's paradise!Definitely a foodie's paradise! The restaurant had so many unique dishes and presentation, while the ambience was outstanding. The staff is very attentive and friendly. Overall, great experience!4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMSo happy to finally have triedSo happy to finally have tried Tar and Roses. Food and ambiance were fantastic!4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was innovative and delicious,Food was innovative and delicious, staff very friendly and helpful.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was outstanding, excellentFood was outstanding, excellent wine choices from Spain, Portugal and Italy. Our server was extremely honest and his recommendations were spot on, already planning a trip back next time my travels take me to LA4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMReal deal cooking going onReal deal cooking going on in that kitchen, great atmosphere...teh ricotta-strawberry dessert was Paris-level cuisine.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMSensational Moments of FlavorThis was my 2nd meal at Tar & Roses and it was just as good if not better than the first! The selection of small plates makes for a phenomenal experience. I described it to some friends the next day as "religiously good." Specifically the plates that sound like minor details were a huge hit like the fantastic roasted carrots. I can't wait to come back.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMCheck this place out!Fantastic food! Get the octopus salad. Atmosphere was great but try to sit on the back porch if possible!4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMUnbelievable restaurant!!Everything was delicious and interesting. Service was impeccable. I want to come back all the time!4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was the best rib eyeThis was the best rib eye I have ever had. My guest agreed. The place is incredibly popular. For the first time in my life we were asked to vacate the table (at 1 hour 45 minutes) and offered a drink in the bar. This is not Paris. Be advised. I will go back though - soon!4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMI am so particular and thisI am so particular and this is always great!!!! Truly, I can't recommend it highly enough. In fact, I do tell people about Tar and Roses all the time.4/1/2013 12:00:00 AMAfter reading the review online,After reading the review online, honestly, I had high hope for the restaurant before I went. Ambiance was nice. Food was nicely presented but the taste was overrated. We had the oxtail dumpling -too greasy for our liking. The fried snapper was too dry. The Soba noodle came with the snapper did not really go well with the fish and was too salty.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMDisappointedWe were disappointed this visit as we pre-ordered the Rib Rack Supper for four and were only served half as much food as we received the last time we ordered this dinner. Only three people made it to dinner and we barely had enough food!3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was the best meal thatThis was the best meal that I had in a long time. The food was superb from the deep fried fish to the peas. Service was exceptional too! I will definitely be back here to dine again.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMI brought three friends whoI brought three friends who are never satisfied with their meals or service. Nice people but never quite good enough. Places I really like - meh.
They want to be able to drop in at Tar &Roses. For the well prepared food and excellent service.
Not a spontaneous reservation kind of place. So sad for them.3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent service. GreatExcellent service. Great place for small plates. 2 out of 6 we ordered were a bit too salty. Best dish was the beet salad. Good wine list with good choice of Italian wines.3/25/2013 12:00:00 AMBest in Santa MonicaGreat food experience. You will not be disappointed if you dine here. The Thai snapper was phenomenal. The service was great too. Best restaurant in Santa Monica.3/25/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing food - everythingAmazing food - everything was perfect. Notable mentions are the dry-aged rib eye and strawberry ricotta crostata with honeycomb ice cream. Both things we'll be dreaming about until our next visit!!3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMA perfect choiceWe dined here with friends during a long layover at LAX. What a perfect decision!
The food was fantastic and our server was spot on.
Must have the snapper, it was such a crowd pleaser and two other tables of people stopped by to discuss and ask if it tasted as good as it looked.
Honestly, the best chicken that I've ever eaten. We are so sad to live so far away but hopefully will return the next time we are in town!3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMAs usual, Tar & Roses diningAs usual, Tar & Roses dining was excellent. Service was exceptional. We included friends from LA, Boston, and NYC and all were equally impressed.
Thank you Johnnie and staff for a wonderful evening!3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMFood is fantastic! The oxtailFood is fantastic! The oxtail dumplings and bone marrow are a definite must!3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved the whole experience.Loved the whole experience. Wonderful inventive dishes and great service. Fun place to try new dishes.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMWish we had listened to ourWish we had listened to our waitress more with recommendations. Loved many of the dishes. Once a large table located by ours, left we could hear. Loved service!3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything was very good onEverything was very good on the menu but the bacon popcorn was amazing!3/12/2013 12:00:00 AMOur waitress, Sarah, was phenomenalOur waitress, Sarah, was phenomenal. We took every single one of her recommendations. THE BEST.3/12/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was excellent hereThe food was excellent here & we found the waiter very good to give advice & knew a lot about the food!3/10/2013 12:00:00 AMSuch delicious little platesSuch delicious little plates of heaven. I love the sunchokes - roasted and crisp - and it is so pleasant dining in the new addition - can't wait to return!2/10/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious small seasonal bitesDelicious small seasonal bites at this attractive venue with knowledgeable staff.1/20/2013 12:00:00 AMSat in the back brick "patio"Sat in the back brick "patio" - quieter than in the front, but still lively. Most enjoyable evening.12/20/2012 12:00:00 AMDelicious and UniqueI love the point of view of the chef here. The food is prepared in unique ways, is delicious and they offer 'small' and large plates. This is a great way to enjoy the variety of dishes without filling up on large main courses. The servers are knowledgeable and nonintrusive. When my friends and I had held the table for quite a long time (we were enjoying the atmosphere and were catching-up) the house offered us each a glass of wine if we would retire to the seating area in the front to finish our visit. It was a thoughtful way to deal with a delicate situation and everyone was satisfied!1/1/0001 4:00:00 PM