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Shutters On The Beach
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Santa Monica
1 Pico Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 458-0030
1 Pico Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 458-0030
Champagne Wednesdays
Join us in the lobby lounge at Shutters on the Beach…
Announced 1 week agoMore »
- Hours:
Mon-Sun. 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Mon-Sun. 6:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
$$$
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53 reviews for Shutters On The Beach
It's a little hidden, but a cute place to get a nightcap at the end of a date.
Also a great place for breakfast/brunch.
It's on the beach and it's nice to be able to take a little walk after ur meal.
Also a great place to take a date after dinner.
The Bad....
Baguette: Stale
Cadillac Margarita: Sugary
Service: Waiter was nice but the food/service took FOREVER!! I saw another table complain..and its always disappointing to order an appetizer and not have it arrive until the main course... I don't want to fill up on nasty individually packaged breadsticks (excellent bird food)
Par for the Course....
Oysters: big but poorly shucked
The good....
Instant seating and a great view of the beach
EXCELLENT fish tacos! I was SO SURPRISED! And they were only 1.50 a pop during happy hour. They pretty much made up for everything.
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Review for services on Sunday, August 9th, 2009:
My aunt planned a surprise birthday party for my mom 60th. We were looking for a good place to have this great party and decided on having it with Shutters because of the atmosphere. It is by the beach and my children loves the beach and it is close by.
Bruce at catering services was excellent in guiding us with the planning and the room called oceanside was adequate for a max party of 30 seating. The room was arranged with 3 round tables with 10 seating per table and a long table setup for the buffet brunch.
We ordered the "malibu" buffet brunch at USD 60 per adult and USD 25 per child. I placed an estimate of 28 people but 26 showed up cause my grandpa was sick the night before and couldn't come, my grandma stayed home to take care of him.
They still charged me for 28 people, but I did signed the agreement for the charge so no complain there. I even asked the supervisor if I can pack some food home for my grandparents. He said okay.
It was a nice day and the food yummy. Everyone seemed to enjoy the grilled chicken cobb salad and the pasta with shrimp. The salad was really tasty even my husband who doesn't usually like to eat salad took seconds. It all comes down to the bacons and the salad dressings.
Why 3 stars?
1. The waiters were so so. There were 4 of them plus the captain. They do not really pay attention. My dad was getting coffee for himself and trying to figure out how to work the coffee carafe. And one of my friend helped my dad out and finally they figured out how to pour coffee and even served the other guests.
The waiters didn't really help clear up the plates ... plates were stacking up in the middle of each tables. My friend had to clear her own plates twice.
They did not replenish the fruit and dessert tray until one of the guests asked.
2. I will call this the lox fiasco. I was not there but, this complain is from my dear aunt. She wanted to pack some lox on bagels for grandpa and grandma, but ended up one of the waiters came in the room and took the lox tray and told her that she cannot pack those home.
It was a baffling moment because I did asked the supervisor about packing food and he said we could and even gave us more boxes and bags than we needed. And there were only like 1/4 of a tray left or less ... if grandpa came he would have ate what was left on the tray cause he loves lox.
I personally on top of the 20% services charges forked out of pocket additional USD30 per each waiters plus the captain. So what the heck was the lox thing about really beats me.
We used the space for 3 hours from 11am to 2pm.
3. We had flowers arrangements for center pieces and had some beautiful orchids for the buffet table for display and also the beverage table. It took the bell hop half an hour to get it to the car ... I mean can't each waiter help take them to the car and I would have gave them additional tips just for the effort but no ... I guess they are too cool for tips or what?
4. Two guests were waiting for their car for a long time cause they left the party about 20 minutes before us and they were still there waiting. The valet parking was a terrible mess at around 2PM. How come such a hotel cannot handle a busy summer Sunday? Shouldn't they know that it was going to be very busy than any other day of the week?
So I give 1/2 star off for each of the mentioned points above.
We had a blast my mom was truly surprised!
Overall it is a great place to have a mini party ... but seriously the hotel should look at hiring attentive staffs for their food services. Don't let some bad apples spoil your reputation. A five star hotel can easily turn 3 because of some off polished staff members with no team spirit.
My boyfriend checked out a LA Times article and saw the Hell's Kitchen clip of this restuarant called "Shutters" a month ago and decided to surprise me with a little afternoon meal a few days ago. Our meal was uber expensive seafood, starting from their unique calamari and 1/2 dozen oysters to a salmon plate and mahi mahi tuna both accompanied with fresh greens from the farmer's market. Everything tasted great and was presented with a little mix of the simplicity and more attention to quality versus quantity. I'm sure this is the right place to bring a new date because everything from the tables to the wall color has got the cozy romantic feeling set off with soft lights and the ocean right outside. I was really soaking up that beauty of the meal in addition to the restuarant's atmosphere as we shared the vanilla berry dessert. I had a few tickles from imagining other guests being proposed to a lot. Honestly, you'll understand when you come for a meal, too. Just make sure that you remember you'll be paying the hefty price for a big lovely meal here. Otherwise, bon apetit.
Review of the restaurant (breakfast).
I stayed at the sister property next door: Hotel Casa Del Mar and our breakfast package for the week included eating at Shutters.
Whoever designed this place got the beach house look spot on. This is a really cool place to eat a pricey but quality breakfast in a perfect setting. The waitstaff was awesome and had great personality and I had almost every item on the menu throughout the course of the week and it was all great.
Eat here for the decor and atmosphere. Although, most of our fellow diners seemed to be "industry" types that love hearing themselves talk (definitely a negative.) But, the actor Jeff Bridges and his wife were sitting next to us on of the days so that was kind of cool.
Cool spot.
Went here to eat breakfast, but it took us so damn long to drive out in morning traffic, so my girlfriend and I had lunch instead.
Awesome view.
We sat outside, right near the window, and it was cool like the other side of the pillow.
Great view, the decor makes you feel like you are on the East Coast and you own a yacht and wear nothing but Izod and Nautica clothing.
The oysters we ordered were very fresh and I really dug the presentation.
My fish and chips were good but the size was kinda small.
I wanted to try some dessert but we wanted to make sure we would be hungry later.
Fat kids!!
Dope place, dope view, would come back if I was in the area.
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Cute restaurant with a very preppy, nautical color scheme and decor. My boyfriend planned a whole day for us for valentine's day to start with breakfast at shutters on the beach but we hit mucho traffico on the way there so we missed it but had lunch instead.
We started of with raw oysters because we're big fans (those that haven't tried you have to, come on, grow some pelotas). He got the fish and chips and I got the appetizer fish tacos. Portions are pretty small and it is a little pricey but the food is good and you couldn't get closer to the beach. Well actually, you could...by 5 or so feet.
Service was good, quiet and quaint restaurant.
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This review is on the restaurant, not the hotel, although I wouldn't mind returning to stay at the hotel sometime!
Sunday around noon, we arrived at LAX from Phoenix and were planning on taking a cab to Manhattan Beach to hang out for the day... but our plans changed when Jared called his brother. Instead of taking a cab, Michael and Lexie (my future brother-in-law and his fiance) were on their way to pick us up at the airport and take us to lunch.
Once in the car, they suggested a few places, Shutters being one of them. "Shutters is my vote," I exclaimed from the backseat. (The reason I wanted to go to Shutters is because I remembered reading about it in one of my cheesy girly beach reads... for that reason alone, I thought it sounded like a place to see and be seen, and after all, we were in LA!)
My vote won, and we headed over to Shutters. It was not what I pictured, but I liked it nonetheless. (It was actually smaller in size, more quaint, and cute than I'd imagined - which is a good thing!) We had a short wait during which we noticed Chad Lowe in the restaurant playing on his blackberry. (Yes, I get starstruck, but I usually don't stare or ask for autographs or pictures). I also noticed that in the bathroom, the spare toilet paper rolls are wrapped with beautiful turquoise ribbon that has 'Shutters on the Beach' written on it in white. What a nice touch! (I know, kind of random that I noticed that and I'm writing about it in my review, but I wanted to share that unique detail!)
Anyways, we were seated about 20 minutes later at a fantastic table - right against the window overlooking the beach. Lexie and I ordered the same thing: egg white omelettes with mushrooms and cheese, wheat toast, and sliced tomatoes. (We are both attempting to be on wedding diets, hence the healthy orders.) Jared went with a club sandwich I think, and Michael with eggs benedict. What I do recall for certain is that everyone enjoyed their meals... oh, and that Michael enjoyed his $7 tomato juice so much that he ordered a 2nd one. Yes, tomato juice at Shutters is $7. $7 and no free refills!
While I wasn't blown away by my experience at Shutters, I'm glad that we went there... and I'd for sure return on a future trip to LA - hopefully sooner than later!
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Cold winter night sitting in front of a warm fire, night cap in hand and feeling like a bazillion bucks.
I heart Shutters to death.
It's exactly what I want my dream house to look like. Soft, cozy,luxe and lovely. I'm not sure how they do it. But the place has immaculate lighting. Everyone looked so beautiful...trust me, it wasn't just the drinks talking.
This is surely not a place appropriate for a drunk "WOO HOO!!!" shouted from the top of your lungs. I also would not recommend ordering an Adios Mother F'R while you're at it. Don't get me wrong, I like both. But you know when in Rome....
"You know I was here for my last birthday," I said.
"Why are you whispering?" He whispered
"Am I?" Still whispering
"Ha Ha. yeah." He whispered
"Oh sorry. I just feel like I should be whispering." I whispered
"Why ? Is it a secret, Baby?" He whispered
"Uhm..I AIN'T YOUR BABY!" I shouted.
He didn't lose all cred. It's just that he used his "Baby" card waaaaay too early.
My glass of Pinot Noir (Kim Crawford) ALMOST slipped out of hand from shock. That would've been horrible, right?
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The best mojito in town? Perhaps...but most certainly one of the best locations to score one.
Located right on the boardwalk and a short stroll to the Santa Monica Pier, this lovely hotel, restaurant and bar is an icon to the beach elite tired of the Ivy and Crustacean. You can see the wealthiest among us chowing down on fine cuisine, sipping great drinks and hobnobbing with movie stars, porn celebrities and wannabes (all the wait staff). Don't worry though, you won't ever see me except for maybe perched provocatively on a bar stool, idly watching elegantly-dressed wedding parties playing barefoot in the sand while I slowly nurse an expensive but mighty tasty mojito, waiting to be discovered (not).
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Love to go to Shutter for sunday brunch, it is nothing about the food, but it is all about the location and the view. The food is 3.5, environment is 4, service is 3.5.
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I have only eaten dinner at the restaurant in this hotel. The restaurant is fabulous. It is right on the beach. The food is superb. The prices are reasonable. The sevice is excellent. They also have an extensive wine list with very good, yet reasonable wines. Plus all of this is set in a very quaint, comfortable hotel, RIGHT ON THE BEACH!
Beach, casual chic hotel with stellar food.
I like the lobby area because there are enough places for you to sit and lounge. This hotel also has low ceilings. Not a fan, but definitely creates that cozy warm feeling.
I've eaten at a lot of restaurants and hotels. So much so, that I feel like I have become desensitized to gourmet meals. While I don't think that I would have bad food at hotels or higher end restaurants, the foods I eat don't stand out to me anymore. They all seem to have fallen into the normal hotel standard fare. I'm getting a little bored. The food here isn't fancy. It's simple, rustic, and slightly jazzed up.
Basic chicken breast jazzed up with a side of risotto. Solid good. The sesame crusted swordfish stole the show. Simple and scrumptious. I wanted a second serving.
So here I am, once again, at the crossroads with the same old tired dessert options: chocolate molten cake and a scoop of vanilla ice cream and apple tartin a la mode. (Side rant: Why oh why do so many restaurants, and hotels offer the same desserts of warm chocolate cake & apple tartin? While I'm venting here, let's add to the list: cheesecake, tiramisu, creme brulee ,and red velvet cup/cake (at cafes). Bahhhh.
Mind you, I wouldn't push any of it away if offered to me. But those would never ever be a top choice especially if there are other alternatives. ) Anyway, so it's the same old story, but no complaints here because both were tasteful and gratifying. Even the food here is casual chic. I dig it.
And to prove it, peep the pix.
Parking - valet
Location - in a little nook of a road
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Never stayed here, but love swinging buy to grab brunch.
Love the eggs benedict, they cook the bacon just the way i like it...solid bloody mary as well...and of course the view doesn't hurt. :)
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This is the best hotel I stayed at in 2008. I was fortunate enough to stay here a few times and look forward to returning for some more this year. The setting is amazing, on the beach and still close to enough to the Santa Monica hot spots and not a bad drive to Hollywood.
The service is amazing, the food is good and the rooms trump it all. The pool area is nice (not huge) and at the west end has a fireplace so you can sit and watch the sunset. I've stayed here with my family and the kids had a great time, they provide all the necessary toys for a fun afternoon in the sand. We also rented bikes and rode down to Venice Beach, although don't rent from the hotel it's a lot cheaper at a rental shop about 1/4 mile north on the board walk.
The rooms are the best part for me, you don't feel like you're staying in a hotel room, there's a sense of feeling at home. The warm hardwood floors add to that and the cabinets have actual books in them. One of my business partners actually learned to juggle using a book from the bookcase. For me this is the best place to stay when on business in LA/Hollywood/Santa Monica.
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Great place to stay. I spent a month there. Chill on the balcony with a drink and watch sunset. Dive in the pool. Very relaxed atmosphere. Popular with celebrities.
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This spot is super nice and fancy...a bit to chic for me but I still like it. I usually go there for happy hour- since well thats all I can afford but its a perfect time. The drinks area is overlooking the beach and usually around that time the sun is setting.
You can also valet or take public parking-which they still take your car and its cheaper. The food is good but all I have ever had was appetizers.
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Very cozy and well situated on the beach. I was here for a wedding reception dinner recently.
One thing that needs to be noted is that this is a "strictly non-smoking" hotel. That means that not only can one not smoke on the outdoor patios but even if *nobody* else is by the outside fire pit you still cannot smoke there. A security guard will urgently come up and tell you. You cannot smoke in front of the hotel because that is a no-smoking Santa Monica beach. You have to go to a side ally next to a parking lot but you cannot bring your DRINK there. All of this seems quite a bit much and should be pointed out since this hotel markets strongly to European and Asian tourists. (who we all know smoke even more than all of us "closet smokers" here).
Santa Monica is all a bit insane about the "smoking" issue, would it be unfair to ask for one table off in a corner where smoking is allowed? If I am going to spend $22 for a glass of wine I would really like to sit, watch the sunset, and be undisturbed by a 23-year old security guard.
Very Nice 1920s Themed
Cape Cod
Style Wood Hotel right on Santa Monica Beach.
It Looks Old But Is Actually state of the Art new.
Great Place for Tourists to stay while in LA
Very Nice Rooms with a ocean view
If you are coming to LA and like the
beach this place is hard to beat.
Solid Choice
great Location & Vibe.
Two thumbs Way up!
Like most reviews here this is for the Coast Restaurant in the bottom floor that faces the Beach.
Started out as a peace full Bike down the Santa Monica Beach became a Mad dash to try to find a restroom and perhaps a meal.
Shutters didn't really look like the place for a couple of beach cruisers from the valley to use there restroom but I was at my breaking point. After parking the bike behind a Kayak, I found Coast, a cute little restaurant that looked like a cross between Williams and sonoma and a bar. Which actually was quite nice.
Seated right at the window, your about 3 feet under the sand. You get this voyeur feeling your spying on the people passing by. Which for some might be guilt free people watching.
Had the fish Tacos which where great but really small. and the Niçoise Ahi tuna Salad... not sure if it wasn't that good or maybe I'm used to salads that have lettuce in them. either way the tuna was good, the rest of the salad not so Good.
$25 Corkage fee! Ouch Id rather naw through the cork with my teeth then pay that price... My $9 bottle of "Sofia" (the only good cheap wine Coppola makes) stayed in my back back for latter.
So if you can make it here for sunset... or for a morning brunch, I'd say give it a try. other then that the Price at over $20 a plate for small portions isn't worth it if the view is nothing but a black night.
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thought shutters might have an outside bar area where we can take in the views of having an awesome location. but fail.
their bar is inside their restaurant and the only thing outside they had where you could drink was a covered gazebo. prices were reasonable - but cant say too much about the quality - we grabbed one drink and left.
no crowd. dead on a friday night, (lots of old people)but would love to come back and dine here during lunch.
sidenote - i was extremely turned off by the old ugly couple that were making out in the restaurant. barf. noone wants to see that in a restaurant. have some class and take it into a room ppl~!!!!!
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I have only been here for an occasional cocktail and appetizer and breakfast once. No complaints. I really just love the view to the ocean. Something about the cozy feel that makes me love it more. I have had great service here.
I have purchased a few things in the little gift shop--like they say great for gifts. Honestly.
On a couple of occasions I had to meet someone that was visiting in their room. I have to say the rooms are quite small for the price but i guess location location location is what it is all about.
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Such a great place for a business meeting in the middle of the day. As long as youre not distracted by people walkig by, the food is great, such an amazing atmosphere right along the beach. You get that stiff ocean breeze coming in the windows, and a great plate of food.
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Perfect for wedding!!!
Yeah. i was here for a wedding. We were by the pool where you can see the ocean right at the patio. The ceremony was set up right by the patio and ocean at the back. It's a bit windy, but it was very nice. The patio is medium size, and it fit around 60 people.
We went downstair to the reception area. It was quite nice and servers are very attentive. The inside is nicely decorated, and not really crowded. I think this place is perfect for medium size wedding.
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Shutters is absolutely gorgeous. Sunday Brunch at Coast downstairs is amazing. I spent the entire Sunday morning sipping mimosas on the patio with friends and could not have picked a better spot. Service was impeccable and atmosphere is completely peaceful and serene. If you are looking for a flashy, super trendy hotel (I was not), I wouldn't recommend this place. Definitely, highly recommended if you are going for a quiet, laid-back get-away.
I will absolutely be coming back here next time and probably every time I am back in Santa Monica.
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breakfast , brunch and lunch are my favourites here. Really good and excellent morning views of the beach and hot moms jogging past!
The scrambled eggs with smoked salmon are key.
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No idea about the food or hotel rooms, but I just went for drinks there last night and it was really, really nice.
We just hung in the lobby/chill out area which looks out right to the water which is really refreshing...even if it's dark and you just know it's there.
Also, I don't know when this guy is there, but there was a great piano player playing (we were there around 8ish on a Monday) that was really cool to have in the background for a change. And the couch that looks directly towards the ocean is super comfy.
Decor: Really really homey. Made me feel really relaxed and comfortable.
Drinks: Pretty good. Not a huge selection and all of them are $14 but the ones we had were both very well made.
Service. Pretty good. Not amazing though- the woman in the lobby was very good about not hounding us on wanting more drinks and stuff as we got to the bottom of our glasses but when it was time to get the check and go, she was no where to be found.
All in all, really cool for a post-dinner drink or two.
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Not only does this hotel have the best interior design, the nicest staff, but they also are letting me use their wireless for free even though I'm not even a guest right now. If you are planning on staying in LA and are willing to invest in a perfect LA experience, stay at this hotel.
This is a review of the lobby lounge and bar. If you can snag one of the three or four tables on the narrow balcony, do it. The view is great and there is something wonderfully decadent about sipping your greyhound while looking at the waves and the Santa Monica beach, without having to pay a fortune for a room there.
The couches are also comfy, I love the Adirondack feeling of the lobby. You can still see some of the great view while feeling you are at a resort away from it all.
Coast downstairs is a nice brunch spot although I preferred it when it was Pedals.
I was told once that you have not lived in LA until you've had the Shutters chocolate souffle cake. I thought it was a pretty strange comment at the time, especially since I grew up in LA. I still think it's an odd comment, even since trying the absolutely divine chocolate souffle cake. That said, the chocolate souffle cake (also known as the chocolate truffle cake) is a good metaphor for the low-key decadence that is Shutters on the Beach.
There are a few perks to my job as an event planner. One of them is getting to stay in places like this. I was given a corner room with a pool and ocean view. That's where the decadence began. The plush bed laden with pillows was as comfortable as it looked. The jetted bathtub with rain shower easily fit two people. There was a small flat screen TV in the bathroom...because, you know...the other flat screen TV in the room was so far away. Heh. There was even an ipod dock so I could listen to my tunes.
With the exception of our catty catering manager, the service was impeccable. They even customized the DVDs they left in the room for me ("Chocolat" and "The Wedding Planner")!
The food was excellent. Our Friday night dinner was a surf and turf barbecue with the food grilled right in front of us. The plated dinner the next night included table served butternut squash soup and two desserts on one plate! In the mornings, one of our servers routinely ran across to the cafe to get me a latte. Nice!
The decor of the hotel is a relaxed Cape Cod style. Very nice, but the boutique style hotel layout is a little confusing. Getting to the rooms is a task. Additionally, the ballrooms are simply that: Ballrooms. It's too bad they haven't found a way to take advantage of the beachfront location for the special events and meetings.
That said, I will always come back for the chocolate souffle cake.
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When I travel to LA on business- part of what makes it worthwhile is the ability to stay at this gorgeous property. Shutters on the Beach is located right on the beach- and walking distance to the Santa Monica Pier.
The property is beautiful- reminds me of a 1920's beach resort- white and dazzling in the sun. From the moment you pull up and release your car to the valet- you are taken care of in every way. The front desk staff is helpful offering to make reservations at their restaurant or to assist you with other things in the area.
Open the door to your room and you will be drawn into a luxurious experience. From the 4 poster bed, to the hardwood floors to the stocked bathroom you may never want to leave. There is a bathroom cabinet stocked with all the things to make your evening. Need a candle to light while you relax in the tub? It's there. Need some bath salts? Also there. Ahh- you may never want to leave. Even the basic rooms have the namesake shutters covering the window leading out to the balcony. Sit there and enjoy your coffee with the views and sounds of the Pacific.
Sure- there is a flat screen TV and all the business things that make working from this hotel easy. But take a minute to have a drink in the lobby during their daily happy hour around one of the fireplaces, look at the paintings depicting Santa Monica back in the 1930's or stroll along the beach and you will see the real value in this property.
Shutters is not for the faint of wallet. I am always glad that I am able to get a corporate rate when we go as the card rate starts around $450 a night and can go up from there if you want one of the ocean view suites. But for a special evening or if your company has a corporate rate- you should check it out. It is everything a luxury hotel should be . . . .and more.
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I was with a friend and we came to the lobby looking for some quick appetizers. We ordered from the bar menu, not from One Pico or Coast because I don't see our menu on their website. We had the braised beef short rib sliders with parmesan dusted shoestring fries and the manchego cheese and serrano ham platter. Both were good and I wish we had had more time to enjoy the food.
If there is any better reason you need to live in LA it's the beautiful winter time weather that we get to enjoy.
For instance having a late afternoon lunch at the exquisite Shutters Hotel Restaurant while watching the sunshine dance amongst the clouds and the lively boardwalk full of happy people basking in it's glory.
As I walk into the front lobby (after parking my car at the beach to save on the excruciating valet price of $25 dollars!) I'm noticing that people are staring at me almost as if I was famous or something.... hmmm what could it be? Oh yea that's right I'm still wearing my chef clothes so they're probably thinking I'm the chef that made there food...UM sorry folks I don't to hotel and restaurant cooking anymore, because I value my sanity.
Ok so go downstairs to the Ocean Room I think it was called but who cares it was nice and beautiful to the eye.
"Hey Lovejoy can you like get to the review"? Fine I ordered an overpriced Turkey burger which I think I definitely was ripped off for $15 dollars only because I use the same Seasoned Turkey Burgers that they use from Sysco Restaurant Supplies and Food and I make mines better but what ever their fries were homemade so that's a plus at least.
My two cousins ordered by far the worst Cobb Salad that I've ever seen. It came chopped of course but you couldn't see any egg, turkey, avocado I mean the salad was a disaster and the worst part was it didn't have any flavor. Now I don't if you've ever eaten with two high achieving, well traveled, successful black women over 50 but let me tell you they are not polite when that get bad food or service don't get me wrong the service was spectacular...Thanks Aaron but that salad should be crossed off the menu.
Anyway they sent there salads back an opted for the Salmon with Succotash! Can you say Mmmm , Mmmmm Good yea I said it that Salmon was perfectly cooked and seasoned.
So you're asking me....
would I go there again to eat? YES
will I go in the daytime so I can basque in the sun? YES
will i order the Cobb Salad? Fuck NO with a middle finger!
Shutters will always be my winter getaway spot, but damn do something about that valet!
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Had drinks and apps at the outside bar on a breezy friday night w/ my wife and friends, great time. They had my favorite beer Chimay and an excellent Pomegrito martini. The sliders are good, fish tacos won't disappoint, calamari hit the spot and the shrimp were big although slightly overcooked (gotta keep the critic in critic).
Great place to unwind agter a tough week.
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Quick- what show is this from...
"What? You took the shitter to Shutters"?
HAHA. well because of that line, my friend and I decided to grab drinks here on my birthday while soaking up the warm socal sun. Of course I had to take a dump there just because of that line, but overall the view and the hotel is awesome. I loved the patio/deck area filled with day traders with bedazzled matching tag heuer watches. My friend is convinced they were cheating on their spouses.
Drinks are steep at $14 a pop but you are paying for the view. The waitress we had was cute and very polite. You also get a free platter of kettle chips. I am all about the free stuff.
Great view, great service, and if it's good enough for Sean Macamara, its good enough for me!
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In the spirit of "High Fidelity," here's a mix tape of songs that would be on the soundtrack of my several stays at Shutters. Naturally, the playlist includes all great California rock bands.
1. "Break on Through (To The Other Side)" by The Doors - JFK to LAX
2. "Dani California" by Red Hot Chili Peppers - If California is Anthony Keidis' "priestess," then it's my mistress (shhh...don't tell NYC I've been cheating on it).
3. "Welcome to Paradise" by Green Day - Toto, this isn't Kansas anymore. Shutters feels like a movie mogul friend's luxury Santa Monica beach home that happens to be 15 minutes from LAX...and you're invited to stay a couple of nights in one of his seaside cottages ...You can chill, you can play, you can eat, you can drink...but don't break anything. And don't even think about sneaking a ride in the hotel's black Mercedes-Benz CLS parked out front.
4. "Peaceful, Easy Feeling" by The Eagles - I'm thinking to myself, "THIS is how to take an effing business trip,"..stretched out on my two-poster king sized pillow-topped bed...surrounded by bluish white-washed walls with built-in cabinets filled with a small library of weather-worn art books and classics...flat-screen TV and a DVD of "L.A. Story"...seashells and coral pieces that look like they were just plucked from the beach...and the cool, balmy ocean breeze filling the room. You get the picture.
5. "Up The Beach" by Jane's Addictions - slide open the shutter doors (hence, the name Shutters) and I got a partial, yet spacious view of the beautiful ocean. My balcony also happened to be facing their luxe hotel competitor Casa Del Mar. If Shutters decided to go mano y mano with them, I was close enough to launch water balloons at their guests from a homemade slingshot...hehe...just kidding.
6. "Good Vibrations" by the Beach Boys - A separate white marble bathroom with a pass through view of the ocean. It has a huge whirlpool tub, complete with spouting whale bath toy. I usually don't take baths unless I have a bath buddy...but how can I not resist immersing myself in this bliss and playing with my spouting whale? ;-)
7. "Summer Time" by Sublime - getting in some laps in the pool before dinner (As the song goes, "Summer time. The livin's easy...")
8. "Doctor My Eyes" by Jackson Browne - morning hangover after too many cocktails the night before
9. "A Man Needs a Maid" by Neil Young - friendly, respectful, and attentive maid service
10. "Nice to Know You" by Incubus - checking out of Shutters...oh well.
11. "Home Sweet Home" by Motley Crue - LAX to JFK
I know I'll be listening to this iPod playlist every time I'm jammed in the #1 train and want to take a mind trip to Shutters.
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I felt like I was staying at a fucking Holiday Inn. Saturday we woke up to the sounds of drilling and hammering in the room directly next door...at 7:45am. When we called the front desk to complain, they insisted that they don't do construction on Saturdays, and that we must be mistaken. They tell us this as we're sitting in our room, listening to what sounds like the filming of an episode of Extreme Make-over: Home Edition in the room next door. We insist that they look into it, and they finally call back and admit that, yes, there is work going on in the room next door. They apologize and say that if there is anything we can do, please let them know. I would've appreciated an offer, like, "Now that you're up, can we buy you breakfast?". Instead, we had to call back down and ask them to have that arranged.
THEN, at around 2:00 that same afternoon, a family with three small and very obnoxious children checked in. The infant was SCREAMING for almost an hour straight, while the other older kids were begging the father to take them to the pool. Finally the father had had enough, and barked back at them, "Be quiet before I beat you!!". Then of course the older kids started crying. I wanted to kill them. Finally they went to the pool and continued being loud out there (right outside of our window), and the infant continued to cry as it tried to drift off to sleep.
Then the last night we were there, our server forgot to put our order in for dinner. After we had waited patiently for what seemed like an eternity, we said something. By that time, though, we just had it wrapped up to take up to our room. Did they give us plates, napkins or silverware? Did they arrange for room service to bring that stuff up to us? No.
The place gives the impression that service is impeccable. That is very far from the truth. The good news for a place that struggles with service, however, is that there are ample opportunities to make up for it...which can redeem them in the end. Shutters took none of those opportunities.
My husband has been living there for a month for work. He (the company he works for) has dropped some serious cash there. You'd think they'd try to take care of guests like that. No customer service whatsoever.
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I've been to Coast, inside Shutters, a few times. Great, casual beachfront drinking and dining.
At the bar, the guys are helpful, friendly, attentive and funny. They mix great drinks and they'll make you whatever you want, with true enthusiasm.
Table service is very good but I like the bar a little more.
Raw bar is great: shrimp, oysters, etc - pricey of course but what a mortgage they must have.
One little complaint: the menu has a tortilla soup and lists 5 or 6 ingredients, all vegetarian. When the soup is delivered there is chicken in it. Dudes, you're in California. I don't eat chicken, and I generally expect that something with chicken IN IT will say so on the menu.
Overall this is a great place.
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A sweet ass hotel. My reaction upon walking into my room: my bag dropped from my shoulder and I actually said, "No. F-ing. Way." Glossy dark hardwood floors, a big fluffy 4-post bed with tons of pillows, bookshelves decorated with lovely seashells, art books, stocked with dvds & cds, behind the shutters a little balcony with cute cafe table & chairs, in the bathroom marble shower and countertops, and my favorite the big jacuzzi tub where I soaked in an awesome candlelit bubble bath! They even provide the candle! There's also a cabinet full of spa lotions and potions (that you pay for like a mini-bar).
I wish I would've had more time to enjoy their other enjoyables like their outdoor pool, massage / spa services, even just lounging by the fire in the lobby with a little nightcap. Next time. Hotel is close to tons of stuff to do and right on the beach but still quiet and peaceful inside.
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I did not know what to expect from my stay at Shutters. But upon walking into the room, i was transported into a cocoon of tranquility. The bed, the tub, the view, the ocean breeze were an intoxicating cocktail of relaxation. Tobin and I stayed here for his annual company holiday party. It didn't make sense to me why we wouldn't just drive back home after wards, but now i've been spoiled and wouldn't think of sleeping in my own bed next year.
After a hectic day of running around, we were able to relax and have champagne at sunset before heading downstairs to the company dinner. I'm a very picky bed critic and for once, this was a perfect balance of firm and feathery. The sheets were what you would expect, crisp and soft with piles of perfect pillows.
Treats including a tempting assortment of Ole Henricksen bath amenities, candles and other relaxing aides are available for purchase within the comfort of your room. The tub and bathroom area has french doors opening to the sleeping area, which in turn, opens to the outdoor deck. If you really wanted to soak by sun or moon light, you could have views to the outside from the suds in the tub.
We returned from hours of schmoozing, eating and dancing to be pleasantly surprised by turn down service which included the set up of a coffee maker with Starbucks coffee as well as fresh towels and a tidily made bed.
We had options of ordering breakfast "on the fly" as we were leaving early for a flight. This included a packaged breakfast easily transportable to the airport.
When the alarm sounded at 5am, I almost shed a tear that i had to peel myself out of bed and leave this wonderful place even before the sun rose. I guess there is always next year's company party....
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