Any true Angeleno can tell you that the lack of Westside rooftop bars is downright upsetting. Why spend an afternoon inside when the California sun is shining and palm trees are gracefully swaying in the breeze? Thankfully, restaurateur Nick Mathers, who’s launched L.A. gems Eveleigh, Goldie’s and Little Ruby, is here with a solution: Élephante Beach House, a coastal-chic eatery with views as good as its wine selection. The best part? It just opened on July 10, so it’s not chock-full of tourists or drunken college kids… at least not yet. Join us in a virtual tour of our new favorite hot spot and see for yourself why it’s the perfect place to catch up over rosé with girlfriends, host a party (ahem, our birthday is right around the corner) or enjoy a luxe date night.
Cocktails, Ocean Views and Cacio e Pepe Pizza Await You at Santa Monica’s New Rooftop Oasis
The Space
Inspired by Mathers’s passion for travel, Élephante includes thoughtfully intermingled worldly touches, like tigerwood floors and handwoven plates and baskets made by African and Balinese artisans. Equal parts chic and understated, every inch of the restaurant and its three bars is beautifully curated down to the tabletops (Carrara marble) and bathroom soap (Aesop). The effect is a ’Grammable sanctuary that will make you want to turn brunch into an all-day affair.
The Food
Élephante’s Italian-leaning seasonal menu is as vibrant as its view (with only slightly more calories). Start with the whipped eggplant, bigeye tuna crudo or, if you’re looking for something more substantial, the mascarpone and prosecco arancini. The watermelon and radish salad is the ideal palate cleanser on a warm summer day, but it’s executive chef Thomas Lim’s homemade lobster spaghetti and gemelli with Dungeness crab that are the true standouts of the menu. Oh, did we mention the cacio e pepe pizza? Yep. Your favorite pasta is officially a pizza. Finish up with a chocolate torta with salted caramel and mascarpone.
The Drinks
Keeping with the breezy decor and Italian-inspired cuisine, the beach club’s cocktail and wine list is refreshing and traditional with a twist. Two of the most sippable are the Marco Polo mule with Japanese whiskey and the always-delicious Aperol spritz. Also on the menu is an orange wine and 11 other varietals we’d love to taste test—not to mention the wide array of Italian shaken or stirred cocktails.
The Patio
The real gem of this beachside haunt is the outdoor patio, where the panoramic ocean views will remind you why you put up with all that Westside traffic. Grab a cocktail and catch the sunset or soak up some vitamin D while trying to think of a clever palm-tree-related Insta caption. Just don’t forget the SPF.
Nice try, DTLA, but when it comes to chic rooftop spots, Santa Monica just took the lead.
Élephante, 1332 Second St., Santa Monica; 424-320-2384 or elephantela.com
