M Street Kitchen

M Street Kitchen is my favorite restaurant in Santa Monica. Now I'm not from the there but this is my favorite restaurant if I am in the area. 

To start with there is a parking lot underneath the building and there is street parking if necessary. That right there is a plus for me because I hate looking for parking or the lack thereof. 

The ambiance is perfect on the few occasions that I have visited. The staff have all been very friendly and helpful. You can enjoy sitting inside and outside. Outside they are sure to sit you near a heating lamp which creates the perfect environment for a romantic night or an evening with friends.

Next there was the menu I have gone in the evening for happy hour and in the morning for brunch and breakfast; both menus offer a variety of food without overwhelming you. They offer your basic items but don't be fooled there is nothing basic about the taste. Each and every single item taste fresh and especially made just for you. The wait time for our food was appropriate with the meals. 

As we sat down water was brought to us which was perfect because it gives you time to think of a drink you may want without feeling so thirsty and rushing to decide what you want. You get your own glass bottle for your table and more if necessary.

Now to start we had the Nachos, which were topped with chicken, cheese, guacamole, cilantro,  and a tomato sauce. They were everyone's favorite right out of the gate. 

Pulled Chicken Nachitos 

 For all those like me who love California roll but don't always have it readily available, theirs was pretty good. 

California Roll

 Next was the Organic tomato gazpacho, which is a treat to say. This was a tomato based soup served cold. Now I think it would have gone perfect with a grilled cheese but it was good anyways. 

Organic Tomato Gazpacho

The cheeseburger was the star of the show for some. It was the best thing many had eaten, the meat was tender, juicy and tasted fresh. Now a burger for me can be tricky because a lot of restaurants overcook the meat, but they got it just right. With plenty of cheese and just big enough to fit into my mouth. It is worth ordering this delectable little morsel. 

The Cheeseburger

 For me however my Pièce de résistance  was the fried chicken. Now some of you may be thinking why would you go with the fried chicken of all things on the menu. I  will tell you why because so many people get it wrong. Friend chicken can be dry, it can be oily, it can be all together wrong. But not at M Street. I mean the chicken was perfectly hot, moist all around, perfectly crispy. It was fried chicken done right.  The cole slaw was a good side dish but the biscuit was heaven on a plate. Now on the side you get honey and a poblano honey butter and that my friend was perfect on anything. You know what I mean that one sauce that goes great with everything. Well the Paula Deen in me came out and I wanted butter on everything. 

Country-fried chicken

 They also offer a wide variety of drink but if you love Sangria like my wife does I recommend the white one. I didn't try red but I like the white and I don't like Sangria so that says a lot. 

White Sangria

 Needless to say if I am in the area rest assured that I will be eating at M Street Kitchen. Happy Eating to everyone.

M Street Kitchen 

200 Main Street Santa Monica, CA

(310) 396-9145

Christmas 2012

Christmas Dinner was a family affair. You have food and you have presents what more could you want. Peace and happiness in the world? I'm asking too much, yeah I know.

Growing up Christmas Eve was the big day. I don't know if it's the same for others, but for our family Christmas wasn't a big deal. You see for us we spend Christmas Eve making this big meal and eat in the afternoon with any family that comes over to exchange presents.

I remember going to other houses and getting dressed up when I was younger. We would walk in with presents and hand them out and then people would offer us a meal and of course you say yes. Unless, now here's the kicker, unless you have made plans to eat at someone else's house. As a kid I hated that part because you're hungry all day you can't eat and then you have to drive around to people's houses that smell like heaven, torture.

Finally when you arrive at the house which your parents have agreed to eat at you feel like you can inhale and breath in all the wonderful smells. You exchange presents and then bam plates are handed to you. You don't even have to sit at a table because there are so many people and not enough seats. I would just find a nice spot on a couch where my drink was easily accessible. That was awesome for me. Once we were done eating you would hang out with the kid closest to you in age and wait to either go home or for midnight to open presents.

Once morning came along it was time for opening presents and that was Christmas for me. Now that I'm older and cook the meals and we no longer visit anyone its all about the meals. My parents have stopped trying to guess what I want so a few days before they ask what I want and I usually order it online or drag them with me to the store so they hand the nice person their credit card.

Now for the rundown of our wonderful meal. For dinner I went non-traditional, because I just hate being predictable and I like trying new things.

Every holiday everyone whines for the last couple of hours before the meal that they're hungry and when will the food be ready. So this time I made nachos as an appetizer. Using festive red and green chips a layer of beans, a layer of cheese, another of chips, a layer of beans, cheese, chicken and more cheese. Lastly was the sour cream and guacamole.


Next was a blue cheese, pecan salad with a red wine vinegrette.

Along with Caprese. 

Then came the main course, potato salad, chorizo with a pesto sauce, forbidden rice, honey glazed ham and garlic bread.

Potato Salad

Forbidden Rice

Garlic Bread

Unfortunately, the family was so hungry that a few items were unavailable for pictures.  

Honey glazed ham

So until I see you again in a few days when the next meal is served, enjoy your left overs.