Tower 8

I do not know why this restaurant bothers to advertise. I have lived in Santa Monica for several years and decided to check out Tower 8 because I live in the North of Montana neighborhood. Well, that was a mistake. As soon as we entered the Oceana, the hostess promptly informed us that the restaurant only serves guests of the hotel. Really? I had never heard that before. Certainly not par for the course for other restaurants, like the Fairmont or the Huntley. Though I did not have the privilege of dining at Tower 8, I can assure I will never go back or patronize the hotel ever.

All boutique hotels would be lucky to have a restaurant as good as this one. My family has had a very extended stay at the Oceana Hotel. Tower 8 is for guests only. I say, «Lucky Us!!» Even though the price point is high, the quality of the food and outstanding service make it worthwhile.
Thanks to the staff, the beautiful view, and the excellent food, I am happy to award 5 stars.

Incredible meal. The tasting menu is really phenomenal. The chef is very, very creative. You can taste the quality and freshness of the ingredients. The chef does a great job of mixing interesting favors together. The food is very tasty and light. It is an awesome meal. One of the best meals in LA. Quiet restaurant without the scene.

I heard many great things about this restaurant lately. Chef Citrin of Melisse restaurant recently took over the menu and I was excited to try it. I have been fortunate enough to dine at Melisse a few times over the years and the experience was amazing. When I arrived at Tower 8 I was refused service! It seems this restaurant is only open for hotel guests. I was really disappointed.

The wife and I didn’t make Valentine’s dinner plans. With a 15-​month-​old baby in tow, we weren’t too hopeful about having a nice sit-​down dinner anywhere. After booking our hotel stay at the Oceana, the concierge asked if we would dine with them at Tower 8. On a whim, we asked if our baby would be a problem. Wow. Where in L.A., if not the world, can you get a family-​friendly atmosphere combined with a 2 Michelin-​starred chef’s menu? Josiah Citrin, of Melisse fame, prepared the 4-​course tasting menu. Sure, I know he wasn’t back there slaving over the stove. But his touch was clearly there, from the ahi tuna tartar to the filet of beef to the lovely dessert. Even the mac ‘n’ cheese on the kids menu was stellar. Our server (Cher) was on the mark when we requested a wine pairing, and she was just exceptional in every way. Now if only we could go back there without having to stay at the hotel. BTW, dinner was $ 65 per adult.

Three excellent dinners here. Farmers market products, Josiah Citron’s wonderfully creative cuisine, relaxed atmosphere make a killer combo. Relatively short menu covering the spectrum from small plates to full entrees, good wine selection. Undiscovered at this point. BUMMER EDIT now open only to folks staying in hotel.

There are no words to express the disdain I have for this miserable excuse for hospitality! I’ve enjoyed more than a few overpriced decent meals at this establishment due to the empty and quiet ambience. However, my experience tonight cannot be politely expressed but I will refrain from the vulgarity that it surely deserves. How would you describe a hotel restaurant that turns away a 9 month pregnant woman and her 75 year old father-​in-​law after walking 5 blocks for a quiet meal… oh but «you are not guests?!»…” The restaurant is for guests only!” To our objection that we’ve eaten here many times before, we were told that the restaurant was remodeled and awaiting the correct permits for outside patrons? Really!!! I call BS! After our party left graciously, I returned to voice my outrage for their pitifully hospitality that turns away 9 month old pregnant women. The excuse this time…“Sorry, it’s our policy”.
I’ve got a policy too.
Do NOT attempt to dine here unless you are a guest, appreciate a good lie, and have no expectation of hospitality.

Menu was created by Melisse chef Josiah Citrin. I had the burger which was very good and the deconstructed banana split was awesome! The service is great, but takes the kitchen awhile to get the food out.

In case you were wondering, Tower 8 takes its name from the lifeguard tower that’s a few hundred feet to the west of the restaurant. The restaurant has been open for perhaps six weeks and doesn’t (yet) seem to be on anyone’s radar. We came for a Saturday dinner and were one of perhaps three or four tables that were occupied. The food here is quite good, although a little pricey. The small space is charmingly decorated and features killer views of the beach and ocean across the street. If you come while the sun is setting, you’ll feel as if all is well with the world.
Looking at the list of wines by the glass, I was put off by the high prices (~ $ 22). If you order a glass of white and then a glass of red, the beverage meter will be rotating pretty fast. The restaurant seems to be serving wines that retail for around $ 35. These are carefully chosen bottles that you’re not likely to stumble across at Von’s. I figure that Tower 8 is multiplying their wholesale price by 4 when they calculate the bottle price and then dividing by 4 again if you order a single glass.
I ordered the Mirror Pond Pale Ale ($ 8) from the Deschutes Brewery. I thought that it was malty, like an Oktoberfest beer. I was delighted with this choice! According to the brewery web site, the beer pairs well with Grilled Pear and Goat Cheese Pizza. The next time I’m at Tower 8, I’ll see whether the kitchen can make me one.
For dinner, I started with the salad that’s described on the menu as follows: «Tuscan Kale, Red Onion, Fennel, Radish, grilled Shrimp, Lemon Raisin Vinaigrette $ 17». The portion was very generous and the salad was absolutely delicious. I then moved to the Paso Prime grass-​fed burger, which was made with first-​rate beef. The burger comes with grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, cheese and Secret Sauce. The secret sauce tasted like 1000 Island dressing to me; I actively disliked it. Most of the sauce was on the bun (a sort of brioche-​like bun), which I put aside. The bun-​less burger was fine.
The service was informal and friendly, and a bit amateurish. I’m fine with that!
Conclusion: The restaurant strives for the high-​end informal style and pretty much achieves what it sets out to do. Prices are high by Bay Area standards but not out of whack for this part of the world.

Boyfriend and I ended up here because we stayed at the Oceana hotel (which was awesome, by the way). We had two meals here: Light lunch and Breakfast the next morning.
Allow me to say, the service is impeccable and you can tell that they really take care to make sure everything about your meal is perfect — from taste to appearance.
Lunch:
Vodka Soda: I can’t remember what vodka they used, but it was strong. At first I just thought they I got a super weak drink, because I couldn’t taste anything but the orange wedge and the soda water. Then I started getting really buzzed. Success!
Mojito: This drink took what felt like 20 minutes. Then we looked over and noticed them inspecting every mint leaf with painstaking care. The mojito was made so well and looked so gorgeous when we got it. Easily the best mojito we’ve ever gotten. Totally worth the wait.
Calamari: Every ingredient was fresh and delicious.
Tuna Tartare: I wish this item was bigger. I could eat five of these. Entirely by myself.
Breakfast:
This was done buffet style (although you could order other things off the menu if you wanted). They had 2 different types of freshly squeezed juice, coffee, a multitude of different types of hot tea, fresh greek yogurt, pastries, muffins, different types of cheese, tomatoes, bagels and toast, granola, bacon, sausage, eggs, oatmeal… there might have been more, but I can’t remember it all.
The quality of food wasn’t as good as it was at lunch, but still delicious. The bacon was thick cut and the pastries… well I ALMOST smuggled some in my purse… just sayin.
Alright alright… so the food and service was off the chain, but for those of you who still aren’t convinced of the 5 star rating, I would also have to add the the layout of the restaurant is pretty great. It is an open restaurant with a fantastic view of the beach and Ocean. It somehow maintains a homey feeling despite the beach vibe they’re clearly going for. …and lastly, when it’s absolutely beautiful out (like it was when we went), they leave all the doors and windows open.
In my opinion, its as good as it gets. :)

This restaurant is in the Oceana hotel.
Its priced as though its fine dining but doesnt live up to expectations. Food is decent but for the price I expect a whole lot more.
They do a nice breakfast buffet… a little steep at $ 30 but I will say the fruit is very fresh and have a decent selection of hot entrees. I especially like some of their made to order options.
On the other hand, dinner is a let down. Nearly $ 50 for a mix of appetizers & small plates. They were good, but $ 50? Thats a little pricey given that I didnt even hanve liquor or a full size entrée.
If you are a guest at the hotel, its an option but if you are willing to pay these prices you can get much better food elsewhere.

The old «Hideaways» space at Oceana Hotel has re-​opened as «Tower 8» featuring a complete re-​model (pink is out and pale blue is in) and a new menu by Josiah Citrin!
We tried the crab bites, the grilled calamari and the grilled shrimp/​kale salad. All were fresh, well prepared and delicious. Service was a little slow but friendly. Nice, quiet atmosphere and ocean views.
I will be back to try that Cuban Sandwich.