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1 Pico represents everything that’s wonderful about beachside dining — it has an elegant but relaxed beach resort vibe, fresh Californian cuisine, an excellent wine list and unbelievable views of the Pacific Ocean. Located inside Shutters on the Beach, the open and airy restaurant serves a seasonal market menu is full of simple seaside treats (grilled octopus, Maine lobster club, ahi tuna) and landlubber specialties (heirloom tomato gazpacho, braise beef short rib). The beachside Santa Monica location attracts both visitors and locals looking for a fine meal in a breezy, oceanfront setting.
Our Inspector's Highlights
- It’s got fabulous views of the beach. The restaurant has windows—that are often kept wide open—that face all directions making the view a major draw.
- Service at 1 Pico is attentive and friendly. Servers confidently answer questions about the menu and wine and are happy to make recommendations.
- The cheese course at 1 Pico features some of the world’s best-loved cheeses with all the proper accompaniments. Your server will present you with a dessert menu, which includes the current selection of about a dozen cheeses. On a recent visit, some of the choices were Coach Farm triple crème goat cheese from New York state; Fiscalini cheddar from California, Rogue Creamery’s Smoky Blue from Oregon and a fine Pecorino Romano from Italy. You’ll pick your three favorites, which will be served along with crostini, candied dates and membrillo quince paste.
Things to Know
- 1 Pico is on the Pacific Ocean within the hotel Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica. The beachy resort neighbors some of town’s major hot spots such as the Venice Beach basketball courts and the Santa Monica Pier — try to book a table with views of the colorful Ferris wheel.
- You don’t always need a reservation but it’s probably a good idea to make one. The restaurant can get busy at night, especially if there are groups staying at the hotel.
- The beachy vibe at 1 Pico doesn’t require formal outfits, but the dress code is more smart-casual than flip-flops-and-shorts. Be sure to bring some walking shoes — you can hit the beach for a post-dinner stroll or meander down to the Santa Monica Pier for more entertainment options.
The Food
- The seasonal market menu at 1 Pico changes but always centers around simple beachside dining with dishes like the ones below.
- The lunch menu offers starters such as tuna tartare, grilled calamari and a soup like roasted cauliflower with black truffle croutons. There’s a variety of entrée salads — tuna Niçoise and grilled shrimp — as well as sandwiches, like the lobster club and burgers made from lamb or beef. You’ll also find a few pasta dishes and entrées including grilled salmon, scallops and snapper.
- Dinner includes many of the same selections, plus you can order a filet, aged rib eye or a Wagyu New York strip steak cooked to order. Other meats might include a braised lamb shank or Sonoma chicken breast with lentils and kale.
- Inventive side dishes such as heirloom carrots with harissa, Brussels sprouts with shallots and butternut squash, and potato purée with horseradish crème fraîche are available to complete your meal.
The Look
- The breezy dining room features whitewashed walls, exposed beams on the vaulted ceiling.
- Hanging lantern-style light fixtures, porthole mirrors and the blue and white color scheme, along with the large fireplace right inside topped with candles and seashells add to the seafaring theme.
- Overhead, mini canoes suspended from the white beaded add a touch of whimsy.
- Tables are topped with light blue cloths and flanked by plush armless chairs. With its panoramic views of the beach and blue ocean, 1 Pico epitomizes the Santa Monica experience.
