Came here on a Friday night to check out the Leftover Cuties! Loved it!!! It was super cool and we liked the crowd. It's a cool lounge area the only thing that's not so great is seats. If you want seats then come early! Our waitress was super friendly and overall we had a great time. Next time I will try their food. I would recommend this place if you have people visiting too. Great location and cozy atmosphere.
Review Source:This place is located in an ideal spot for people watching.
It's across from the pier, so you get a great view with your drink or meal.
The service here is spotty and understaffed.
If you have a lot of time to waste, then no worries.
They brought out my meal, then asked if I'd like some bread AFTER I had eaten...
It was somewhat off-putting.
I had an ahi tuna stack which was delicious.
I liked their combination of celery with cucumbers, it added a nice texture.
The price is a bit much for the amount of food you get, so I'd probably just stick to cocktails with a view.
This lounge is really nice. You have a great view of the beach and its really nice to drink and chill. We sat here for hours just people watching, or should I say people watching Raquel. Well when your with a 10 you have to deal with all the lookers and the extra  attention.
The service was very efficient, really nice. The seating super comfortable. Big chairs, comfy sofa's and lots of windows. The potato chips on the table were really crisp and salty. Guess that's why before you know it you've had several drinks.
What better then salty chips, alcohol and a few dozen oysters. The answer to that is NOTHING. Chill, drink, eat and relax on a Saturday afternoon.
I've been coming to this place for close to 10 years; Â It used to be my "go-to" first date spot back when I was pimping Match dot com. Â And it's quite well suited for that purpose: Cozy, intimate, romantic, and you can make a clean getaway if things don't go well. Â If things do go well, you've got the beach and Santa Monica pier to stroll around after some cocktails and quiet conversation. Â And if things go VERY well...you're in a hotel, dude.
The cocktails at CDM are pricey, but well made. Â I was first introduced to Chopin vodka here and have never turned back (Belvedere, you say? meh, no comparison). Â I also tried my first Cosmo here (in a weak metrosexual moment). Â And I liked it. Â However, I later learned that if you're a straight guy, Â you order your Cosmos with white cranberry juice (unless you're looking to get hit on). Â I mean, try to imagine Clint Eastwood with a pink martini in his hand (makes me shudder). Â But I digress..
The room at the Veranda is gigantic and plush, decorated like some film star's posh beach house; Â Tasteful but not stuffy or intimidating. Â There's a huge fireplace at the front, tables with ocean views at the rear, cushy sofas and wing backs in the middle, and these intimate built in sofa/bookshelf sectionals along one side (I call that area "The Library" and its my favorite spot).
The place turns into a bit of a scene on weekends, starting about 7pm, so if you want to come here and be part of it, arrive early unless you like standing. Â On Wednesday nights they have live Jazz (or at least they used to, check with the front desk). Â On Friday nights they feature this incredible hipster jazz band (The Leftover Cuties) that plays vintage covers and tasty original tunes. Â I've seen them twice now and have a huge crush on their lead singer. Â Checkout YouTube to catch a few of their music videos; Â They're the real deal.
The bar food at the Veranda is generally decent, but not amazing. Â My GF and I usually order a bottle of wine, their artisan cheese platter, and one or two appetizers and camp out for a few hours while we watch the Cuties (and the hotties, constantly pacing to and fro). Â
Note that if you're a restless soul and like to hit more than one place in an evening, CDM is located steps from Shutters and the Viceroy. Â The last time I was here, we had a martini at the Viceroy's Kubrick-esq Cameo bar, walked over to CDM and checked out the Cuties with some wine and cheese, then had dessert at the Shutters lobby (which also has live Jazz on Friday nights). Â A bit of big night for a guy from the 'burbs.
In terms of parking, I always valet park at CDM; Â The Veranda validates, but its still going to run you north of $10. Yes I know it sucks, but you're in Santa Monica, pal. Â Man up.
Note that the crowd at CDM is all over the place; Â Giggling club girls, aloof hipsters, serious suits, sun-drenched surfers, swaggering college bros, Paris Hilton posers, yuppie families with kids running around in oversized spa robes, and even middle aged old farts like me. Â And from time to time, you might even catch the occasional star sighting (or so I'm told). Â
For the fashion conscious: The place is reasonably casual, so you can dress how ever your mood strikes you (I've seen everything from Prada to flip flops/board shorts), but on Fri and Sat nights I'd suggest leaning on the dressy side, especially if you're on the prowl.
The long and short: Â If you don't mind spending a few bucks and you're in the mood for some jazz, ocean views, an attractive crowd, and a fruity drink, Â come here and check out the Cuties (and the cuties) some Friday night. Â I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
I started at the Veranda bar Friday night, listening to Leftover Cuties and sipping a Sicilian wine I can't name.. The memories that linger today are of marble steps, soft leather chairs, a trumpet solo and sea foam green tiles.. Casa del mar will be a silent obsession in the back of my mind until I can visit again.
Ambiance:
A big open space with several seating areas in front of and behind the bar. If you're lucky you can find a spot at one of the clusters of chairs and coffee tables in the center of the room. The steady, soulful sound of Jazz filled the air, accompanied by the constant murmur of dozens of conversations. I admired how such a large space could be dimly lit with a soft, golden, glow. My eyes wandered upwards at the vaulted ceiling with a grand, round, sky light in the center. My hands lingered over the worn leather seat, still cushioned and comfortable. As it's a hotel bar in Santa Monica, you have a range of dress from cocktail attire to north face jackets and jeans (though they were the minority).
Drinks:
Sorry this is where my review will be a bit lacking. I usually stick to wines. There were at least half a dozen (each) white and red options. They were around $11 to $15 a glass and I just had one which was solid but not memorable. I really think you come for the ambiance and music and just commit yourself to possibly paying a little extra for it.
Service:
We sat in the main center area. So our server was not too hard to flag down. When we moved for a closer seat to the jazz band she kindly picked up our drinks and transferred them for us. We got our bill easily enough too.
Overall:
I can't wait to go back and listen to more music by the Leftover Cuties. I kept stopping mid-sentence when they'd play another favorite of mine. Fools Rush In, a clever version of Poker Face, and their own songs-all amazing. I could spend my whole Friday night here: drinking wine and listening to heartache-inducing music. As I left, I dragged my feet, trying to take in all of the little details that make this hotel so beautiful. I want to revisit just to explore and discover more about the stairwells and banisters, small green mosaic tiles and photo booth.
When i come back, I'll savor a glass of wine, and drift away in this beautiful space where time slows down, life is lovely and my romance with the world is so palpable, it's the only date I need.
Dim lighting? Check!
Friendly and attentive staff? Check!
Underage girls running around in PJs???? Errrr. Check?
Yeah, it was a weird night, but I met up with some of my colleagues here the other night and I was impressed with the bar and how open it was, very nice looking.
The drinks weren't cheap and one of the waitresses threatened to kill me with her thighs... One out of two ain't that bad, I suppose. =)
The ambiance is what sells this place. They also feature live jazz music, however, I'd recommend not being a putz like me and sit somewhere where the voice of the the singer doesn't cause your ears to bleed.
I recently returned to the Veranda Bar after an extended absence. I was glad to be back. It was a quiet Sunday evening, and the place was half-empty. The few folks there were laying low, immersed in food, drinks, and conversation. Because the last set of storm had blown through earlier in the day, the views were great. It is exactly that grown-up, chilled-out vibe that always keeps me coming back.
My friend and I went for whiskey cocktails from the drink menu. They were delish, well-poured, and achieved the desired effect. Â The table-service was attentive and personable. The bartender, Michael, was solid as ever. It was a great evening.
I have got to get back for the live music - its so damn goo.
Please remember, this is a hotel. So spending $10-15 a drink, either a cocktail or a glass of wine is the norm. Still, the peace and ambience is tough to find elsewhere and make a once-in-a-while trip to the place worth it.
This is the wrong place if you're looking for a cool joint withawesome and inexpensive drinks  - try Copa d'Oro instead. Its really noisy, but won't break the bank, and def cool in its own right.
Great place to sit down for a few cocktails during happy hour. The service is wonderful, the view out the windows onto the beach is beautiful, and the drinks are delicious. It's not the cheapest place (happy hour drinks are $8, and regular drinks $12), but it's definitely nice.
Try the misdemeanor -- a great cocktail with Patron, pineapple juice, jalapenos, and lime.
Absolutely appalling disregard for customer satisfaction on this Sunday evening. We're still waiting for a drink. We sit next to the palms to enjoy a fine view of the pier, but we feel stranded in the desert, parched, drink-less for far too long -- too long considering the four star rating of this establishment.
When we ask for service, we eventually get it. When our drinks run dry, so again does the service. When we get up to leave, amazingly the service reappears and asks us if we're ready for our check.
We unfortunately order more drinks, and then the service disappears again. We're ready to leave now, and my date recommends we simply walk away. Where is our check?
I try to settle my bill with the bartender, but he insists I pay my invisible server. My date scoffs at his rudeness, and he audibly disses her for being impatient. Another customer approaches the bar asking to pay her table bill, but he tells her to take it up with the server. We leave wishing never to visit again.
I don't want to hear excuses about shift changes or that other customers distracted you. Please be attentive to all of your customers, thank them for their business, and apologize if you fuck up.
Definitely a lounge with classic LA textures, with plump pillows and lavish fabrics. Â The windows open to the Santa Monica vista, and it serves up a sense of languor that should please the most hardened beach bum.
Prices are high, but it's probably par for the course, given its place on the beach and the vibe it aims for.
Food is alright - solid but won't knock your socks off.
Brunch + Beach = the Veranda
The Veranda's Sunday Brunch is the perfect brunch by the beach. Â The windows of the dining area open up the lobby with the picturesque view of the Santa Monica beach, which light up the room with the hazy morning sun. Â This creates the quintessential Socal beach vibe. Â Note: the restaurant is not on the beach but it is near the beach. Â You get the view without the nappy beach hair and sand.
We came here on the 4th of July to celebrate my brother's and my summer birthdays with our extended family. Â The brunch is $29 per person but it includes an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert. Â We all left with full stomachs and ready to watch some fireworks later that night... after the afternoon hibernation.
Now for the food... most of the dishes were excellent but some, mainly the chicken soup with corn, asparagus, and brown rice, lacked flavor. Â I had the tomato salad, lemon ricotta pancakes, and the warm raspberry custard tart with blueberry sorbet. Â The tomato salad was light and simple, nothing crazy. Â The lemon ricotta pancakes were soft and fluffy and came with a yummy creme fraiche. Â The raspberry tart was good but I was so full that I couldn't finish it. Â My brother and his friends had the chicken soup, but I don't think any of them liked it. Â The soup was bland and there was more asparagus and brown rice than it needed. Â Do not order the soup! Â Some of the other notable dishes were the smoked salmon with cream cheese and bagel and a beastly burger. Â My brother really liked his King Salmon entree. Â I think as long as you don't order the chicken soup you will be good.
They also have mimosas or bellinis if you want to start off your day with some bubbly. Â You can get one glass for $8.99 or unlimited bubbly for $13.99. Â I chose the prosecco to go with my brunch. Â I left with a rosy glow... it's a good thing that I didn't get the unlimited.
The restaurant can be a little picky about the larger parties. Â They said that they usually do not allow more than 12 people but we had 15 so we had to split up the family into a kids' and an adults' tables. Â If you come to the restaurant you can see that the placement of the tables is more suited for smaller parties. Â
Also this restaurant may not be the best for young kids because of the relatively quiet atmosphere. Â As the oldest member of the kids' table I had to restore the order as some of my cousins got a little rambunctious at times. Â I felt more like a camp counselor than their older cousin.
The Veranda for Sunday Brunch was a nice way to spend some time with the family with some great views of Santa Monica. Â It felt like a little mini vacay from the usual busy LA lives we all lead. Â Enjoy your brunch guys!
Gorgeous space for lounging and catching up with friends. We stood most of the time, but there was ample seating in big comfy chairs. Also three different places to lounge -- in an off-shoot library-like room with its own tv, an area w/ the piano overlooking the ocean, and the main bar in the middle.
The drinks were pricey - $12 for a red bull vodka?! You pay for the fancier glass and atmosphere. Still, it's a nice place to hang out, watch the game, or grab a bite to eat in a chill setting without loud sports-rallying. The bar food menu looked good and decently priced. I'd be back to try their restaurant Catch, which was off to the side, had a good menu and looked even prettier.
Tried the bellini, it did not taste good. Â Bitter, and flat - so asked for the special watermelon mojito instead and that was almost as bad. Â As an app, I had half a dozen oyster on half shell, $12 and that was pretty decent. Great atmosphere, live jazz singer, drinks needs some work.
Review Source:I had a very nice Sunday Brunch sitting next to a wide glass window where you are able to see the Pier, waves crashing and people bicycling  on the outside.  The crowd seem to be very classy and the furniture was modern yet comfortable.  There are bookcases on one side of the lobby with a nice fireplace burning in the middle with lots of sofa's and wooden tables to accompany both hotel and outside guests.  The whole interior and lighting of this hotel felt soft and homely but also had a sophisticated touch. Â
The service we were offered was fast and very attentive. Â Our brunch was $29 per person which included one appetizer, one entree and a dessert buffet. Â We got the avocado lobster salad and smoked salmon platter as our appetizers. Â The salad's dressing was a good mixture of creamy mustard dressing and a strong kick of lemon which complemented the calamari and the lobster very well. Â The smoked salmon came with a big piece of seeded wheat bread (don't know the name of it) Â and a mashed tofu to top the onion and salmon on the bread. Â It was very delicious!
For the entree, we ordered the Lobster sandwich and Eggs benedict. Â Lobster sandwich was good but big enough to fill your stomach after eating just half. Â The eggs benedict came with potatoes and english muffin with a light hollandaise sauce. Â
I was excited to try the dessert buffet menu which was right next to our table. Â They had an assortment of cupcakes, mini eclairs, small pastries, ice cream with different toppings, meringue bites and mousse cups. Â The dessert bar looked very cute and tempting but the taste was completely childish. Â It definitely does not full fill a complex and mature taste palate. Â You wonder maybe this is why it's "unlimited". Â They need to work on advancing the dessert recipes for not just the presentation but more importantly the taste, texture and overall new recipes. Â
Our drinks were $6 each for a coke and iced tea. Â That was a big surprise when we go our bill!. Â Next time we would rather order the all you can drink "bubbly" champagnes for $8.99. Â
Considering the actual brunch is $29, it's not a bad price to have a Sunday brunch overlooking the sand and the ocean with a group of friends or just to bring a date. Â It's cozy and romantic but also casual enough to dress in shorts and a t shirt. Â The crowd is a bit older...mid 40's and above? Â but after all in this economy, not that many people are willing to pay $100 for 2 people eating brunch.
Lightening has struck twice! I knew better...I saw the first one crawl down the well and watched the disengaged bartender act as if it was an everyday normal occurrence. "What?" you ask. Yes, for the second time in a year I went to Casa Del Mar for drinks and yes, for the second time I saw a cockroach!
Imagine this, I am sitting there sipping my chilled $15.00 a glass Chardonnay chatting with my BFF about life when I become distracted by a guy grabbing a cocktail napkin and proceeding to smack it down on the bar. Now, I think that is odd...so I watch him go  behind the bar to look for the trash. He is greeted by a bartender who shows him where it is. I can see the look of disgust on this guy's face and I hear him exchange words with the bartender. Now, I am having flashbacks of a year ago when I spied the uninvited guest almost in the exact same spot as where the guy is. What transpired next is what slayed me and is prompting this re-write. The bartender as the balls to walk up to guy and say, "What bar or restaurant doesn't have them?!?!?" WTF!
$48 bottle of prosecco.
$12 dish of olives.
But we came for the view of the sunset and Santa Monica Pier. The service was perfect and the surroundings were beautiful. We lounged for hours! Definitely a classy hotel bar, yet casual enough for beach-front.
Validated valet parking is $7.
I had a friend visiting from New York that made an interesting observation that had eluded me until he pointed it out. He said, "You guys really like your hotel bars around here don't you?" What a revelation. I can't speak for everyone but, yes, I drink in hotels the majority of the time that I go out. Viceroy, Casa Del Mar, Loews, The Huntley, W Westwood, etc.
I really like this place because it does give off great vibes. It's like drinking in a living room in a friends mansion. There is good food and a good drink/ wine selection. Great place to come if you are trying to get to know someone as well since you don't have to compete for for airwaves with a loud DJ or drunk frat types. You do pay for the ambiance (happily) in the steeper than usual drink prices.
Had dinner here last night- but who am I kidding . . . . I always find the time to eat (or at least drink) at the Veranda Bar when I am in Santa Monica.
Located in the Casa Del Mar Hotel- the sweeping views of the ocean, the Mediterranean decor, the copper topped bar, and the Mosaic tile floor all let you know that this is not just any old bar on the beach. The crowd is upscale, and the people watching is top notch- even on a Sunday night.
The menu is limited but the best thing to order is the sushi as it comes from Catch- the high end seafood restaurant in the hotel. We stuck with rolls (go for any of the spicy versions- yellow tail, salmon) and forget the California rolls (small and not worth the money). You won't find any speciality rolls on the menu as the selection is limited but you probably won't notice as you will be looking out at the vista from the comfort of your cushy chair!
For dessert- what could be better than a plate of 5 freshly baked cookies (chocolate chip, oatmeal, peanut butter, snicker doodle and white chocolate) along with a bowl of ice cream?? Perfection.
Service is off and on. On this visit it was on- with friendly accommodating servers, and bartenders who loved to talk. We even had other patrons who ended up joining in on our good times. And be prepared to drop some coin- we spent $250 for two on sake, sushi, wine and cookies! (now that's an interesting combination!)
Go to snuggle up in front of the fireplace for a romantic night. Grab one of the "living room" areas to catch up with friends. Or sit at the window and watch all that beach living has to offer. The Veranda Bar is a class act!
This is a WONDERFUL place to meet friends for drinks/appetizers. The decor is breezy and tropical, the view is fantastic. I've had lunch at Catch several times and had drinks/appetizers at the Veranda
The only thing I must say is it smells in there sometimes... I don't know if it's the sewer or what? I've been there a number of occasions and always wonder what that weird smell is. . which comes/goes. . .
Only one way to describe this place: Cougariffic. Â As an adamant supporter of the cougar lifestyle, I decided to check this place out after school Friday with a friend. The caipirinhas are strong as hell and by 8pm I was lit. I went back at 10 before I returned to my car and it appeared that all the cougars had hunted their prey because the place was empty. So, I guess between the hours for 4-8pm is prime time for the cougars.
Review Source:I love this spot. I swing by here during mid-late afternoon with friends or even with my mom just to chill, hang out, have some munchies and a drink to get a nice little buzzy-buzz on and enjoy the awesome panoramic view of the ocean that's right in front of your face.
It's not pretentious, the service has always been good... like I said, I love coming here! It's awesome. :) Oh yeah~the drinks are always nice and consistent (-ly  strong! haha) and the food's fresh. Good stuff.
Oh yeah--get the blueberry mojito. It's delish~!
Went here with about twelve girls on a Friday for a little pre-drinking and good conversation before heading out for the night. Â The atmosphere is amazing...it reminds me a lot of the Gramercy Park Hotel in NYC but a bit brighter. Â The drinks were stellar, any martini they serve is a winner. Â They have a fairly extensive wine list too, but I would go for one of their specialty cocktails and walk on the adventurous side :)
So why the three star rating, instead of a four? Â 100% the service. Â You would think when you have a table that is taking up at least a fourth of your station, as a server you would at least ask if they would like to order another drink. Â No joke...the server actually asked if she could remove our empty glasses and ran away before we could order another!! Â Several of us had come straight from work and not eaten anything. Â We could not get her to take a app order if our lives depended on it.
The atmosphere itself deserved a five.
This isn't your typical hoity-toity hotel/bar. Â The decor is spanish colonial with a view onto Santa Monica beach. Â
The bar is comprised of everything from barstools to cozy couches were you can snuggle up to the massive fire and relax and whisper sweet nothings to your escort or your loved one for the evening. Â
They have fantastic appetizers and I love their pomegranate martinis. Â Be prepared to spend some cash though, this place ain't cheap. Â
Sometimes I have to pinch myself, with everything in life that goes on, I can say I am truly blessed to be able to go somewhere like this!
I love this place. Â I mean, love. Â In my rock star fantasy, where I have all the money in the world and live in a hotel, I would live at the Casa Del Mar so I could hang out at the Veranda Bar every day and night. Â
Sipping a glass of fabulous Red Zinfandel on a sofa overlooking the crashing waves of the Pacific? Â Yes please. Â Add a jazz combo or a piano? Â I'm in heaven.
Seriously, this is the place that makes you happy you're an adult. Â It's the place you always wanted to go when you were little. Â It's the very best place for a casual birthday gathering, or when you want to catch up with friends, or when you want to feel like a fancy lass or lad.
And this is also the place that makes you glad you live in Los Angeles, even after traffic and earthquakes and all that crap. Â I'm not kidding. Â Sure, they have fancy hotel bars in New York. Â But can you see the Pacific Ocean through the window? Â No, sorry. Â That's the trade-off.
I love it here! It's my bar of choice... It's very classy, and always busy! The appetizers are good, and amazing martinis, I personally love the pomagrante martini. and the blueberry mojito.
it sort of has a reputation for older men picking up younger women here, more than most bars anyway. the views are beautiful, the service smart. drinks can be pricey. Great place to come with either a date or a group of friends
Go there, you will be treated very well.
Two words: blueberry mojito. Â Freaking fabulous. Â
Unfortunately, I didn't order this drink myself, but I tasted someone else's, and it's to die for. Â It's supposedly one of their signature drinks, and I would literally come back just to have one of my own.
The decor is swanky and comfortable, and it's a great place to have some late night drinks with your entourage for the evening.
Very good service at the bar, and the lounge area overlooks the ocean-- very lovely. Park just past the hotel by the beach & you should find a spot after a few minutes.
The drinks were strong & tasty, which is good, since they averaged about $15 a glass. Not the right place for your average night out (well, not for me, anyway), but it's a memorable place that is just right for celebrating the right occasion.
Really classic and cool feel to it. Â The bar area is HUGE, which could be a good and bad thing. Â It definitely doesn't get full very often, but the problem is that even when there are a good amount of people, it always seems to look empty. Â
Also, since it is a fancy beach-front hotel, the drinks are a bit pricey. Â But it is definitely a cool and relaxed atmosphere. Â Unfortunately I never came here on a live-music nights. Â I'll have to check it out and report back!
Come here if you want to announce, "Hey peoples, I have a new suit/dress and I'm feeling old school classy with my martini!" Â This was a very old school couches-and-dark-wood Great Depression hotel with windy staircases. Â The bar is top notch, on the high end of the spectrum, more of a scotch/bourbon/martini bar than your sports club beer-by-the-pitcher. Â Specialty martinis are $13.
The Espresso Martini - Vodka and espresso shot, Godiva liqueur and Creme de Cacao - I'd come back just for that.
The loudest this place gets is a live jazz band but otherwise it's a mellow area to show off your trendy duds and people watch (or ocean watch through the huge plate glass window veranda on one side). Â You'll notice other people trying to impress each other with their opulence or drinking ability (or both). Â The ones who are there alone, even momentarily, will pull out their cellphones and pretend to text or surf the net to look busy and to prove to you they may have friends. Â It's kind of cute, their insecurity.
Finding this place can be tricky due to lots of one-way streets that go weird places, but the valet is easy to use.
Great bar but Oh My, I said Oh My, what a room. The whole place is spectacular, from the moment you walk in tot he vaulted entry, to climbing one of the slightly bending stairways and entering the main lobby.
This is a killer place for a date drink or grab those cushy sofas with a handful of friends.
This mellow  house rocks.
THE perfect place for a Sunday early evening cocktail. With the ocean in front of you and the sun setting overhead, what better spot to order your favorite drink of choice.
Mine for the evening: Lime at the Beach. A concoction of lime vodka, lemonade, and fresh lime served over ice in a highball glass. Very refreshing for a warm summer night.
To counter balance the sweetness, order a couple of appetizers: sushi, tuna burger, "stuffed" tater tots, cheese plate...its all there on the limited menu.
Most of all, just sit back, relax and enjoy a "typical" Santa Monica beach day.
This is the most classy and elegant hotel bar west of the 405. Â It's such a fascinating old-world delight that you forget you're in California until you peer out to the ocean and palm trees.
I went here several times (on the boss's dime of course) for after work drinks. Â I had a scotch (why, because this is one of those scotch kind of places), and just chillaxed on the sofa, tuned-out the boss, daydreamed away and enjoyed the surroundings. Â Nice!
Another great hotel bar in SM. If Viceroy is where you go to be seen and be fab, and Shutters is where you go to pretend you're in Cape Cod, than Casa del Mar is where you go to feel elegant, grown up and clubbish (country club, not dance club).
I love going here with a big group of friends or on a date; it's like a series of living rooms inside a huge room - lots of sofas, club chairs and tables in the main room, next to a fireplace. On the sides are smaller tables and on the far west wall are more tables next to big plate glass windows, overlooking the boardwalk and beach.
You can waltz in her day or night and kick back with a drink and appetizer. Dress how you like, but it's a fun place to dress up and feel at home. The drinks are average, the prices high and the service somewhat distant, but the ambiance makes up for it.
The rooms at Casa del Mar are nice also; some have little libraries of books you can buy, the ones I've stayed in were comfortable - but of course very pricey. Best if you're on an expense account.
On a Saturday night after 11, the place was buzzing and yet not too crowded. We were still able to find a nice table for two with a view of the Santa Monica Boardwalk.
Once settled into our wicker chairs, we surveyed the elegant surroundings of palm fronds, plush couches and warm lighting. The opulent 1920s architecture was right out of a Fitzgerald novel. At the next table a group of 30-something friends popped a couple of champagne bottles with glee.
After studying the specialty cocktail list I went for the lychee cocktail ($13). I've had a really good one before at Zazen (now Bite Sushi) in Venice. It was sweet with even a little lychee fruit as a garnish. But this one was bland in comparison. Very mild, not too sweet. No lychee garnish, just a sad little maraschino cherry resting at the bottom of the glass. Boo on presentation.
Next drink for me was the chocolate martini ($13), of course. One word: Disappointing! It arrived at our table looking not very chocolatey at all. A white creamy-looking drink with a swirl of chocolate syrup at the bottom of the glass. The menu says they put the usual vanilla Stoli and Godiva liqueur which is normally fine but it wasn't that potent or rich in flavor. Not like a good chocolate martini. And I don't know what else they added to it to make it curdle. After five minutes, I was looking at an unappealing site of curdled cream in my martini glass.
Although their specialty cockails are bleh and overpriced to boot, the Veranda Bar is still a great place to go if you want to impress a date. Once you waltz your date through the entrance, ascend the marble staircase and walk into that huge room overlooking the beach, you're golden. Afterward, you can end the evening with a romantic stroll along the beach toward the boardwalk.
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