A true neighborhood favorite is more than just a restaurant. It becomes woven into the community’s fabric and identity. These reliable spots feature simple, consistently well-prepared food. The casual atmosphere, efficient operations, and cheerful staff define them. Lunetta All Day is one such restaurant in Santa Monica. Lunetta recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Owner and Chef Raphael Lunetta is a local icon and restaurateur. He is a product of Santa Monica High School and a distinguished community leader. Lunetta operated the prestigious JiRaffe for nearly 20 years. He later opened his namesake restaurant. Executive Chef and Partner Emilio Cuyuch has been with the establishment since opening day.
Lunetta offers three distinctly different environments to suit any mood. The outdoor patio is a vibrant, garden-like setting adjacent to the restaurant. It is perfect for people-watching and enjoying the weather. Inside, the main dining area is bright and modern. A white marble bar gives it a classic French cafe feel. The next-door dining room offers a formal experience. Its walls are lined with Renaissance black-and-white drawings mixed with contemporary SoCal scenes.
Lemon ricotta pancakes ($15) are one of Lunetta’s most popular brunch offerings. The pancakes are exceptionally light and fluffy, earning descriptions like “bouncy pillows.” This texture comes from the addition of ricotta cheese, which increases moisture without weighing down the batter as buttermilk might. Served with powdered sugar and fresh berries, the dish is finished with a lemon zest that balances sweetness with a hint of tang.
You’ll find the Catalonian dish, Pan con Tomate ($4), at many eateries along Las Ramblas in Barcelona. It is a popular tapa. This dish is simply grilled bread topped with diced tomatoes. Lunettta uses a grilled baguette, heirloom tomatoes from the Farmers Market, and shaved Jamón Serrano. This elevates it to a memorable appetizer.
The Polenta and Egg ($18) features a creamy polenta base, combined with shaved ham, shiitake mushrooms, arugula, and blistered cherry tomatoes. The flavors and textures worked well together, creating a balanced dish.
Lunetta uses shaved white ham, a less filling option over Canadian Bacon, on its Eggs Benedict Ham ($22). Both the chicken and the pancakes were well prepared in the Crispy Chicken with Pancakes ($23). The maple syrup was an interesting riff on fried chicken and waffles. The dish has a nice balance of savory and sweet.
While the local Santa Monicans know about Lunetta, it’s definitely worth a visit if you don’t live in the area. One of my visits was just prior to attending Cirque du Soleil at the nearby Santa Monica Pier. Free parking is available behind the restaurant.
Lunetta All Day – 2420 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica
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