Looking for a restaurant that has great food and fantastic ambiance? Then cast your gaze upwards to Westside’s very own Penthouse at the top of the Huntley Hotel. Though the Penthouse restaurant has been at this location since 2006 it’s sometimes hard for longtime Santa Monica residents not to think of it as the former Topper’s—that lackluster Mexican restaurant with watered down drinks and cheesy karaoke. Take heart Westsiders, the Penthouse, with its intimate cabanas, creative cocktails and stellar victuals, is a sumptuous dining treasure.
While the restaurant’s décor is appealing with its palette of white drapes and tablecloths, dark leather chairs, silver accents, warm amber candles and 360-degree breathtaking views, it’s the food that delights. Here Executive Chef Seth Greenberg creates marvelous faire using fresh, local 
produce from Weiser Farms and other Santa Monica vendors at the Farmer’s Market.
“I try to stay as local as I can and get as much as I can from the farmer’s market,†explains Greenberg. “I like to see whatever the farmer’s are excited about because the availability of the product is what drives the menu.†Greenberg’s Classic French background influences the fare, but most of the cooking is new technique, the essence being a progressive American style with a slight underlying French influence.
His pasta dishes such as the Pappardelle Chicken Ragout with preserved tomatoes, Parmesan and young basil and the hand made Cortina with Korubuta pork ragu and rapini are soulful, hearty comfort foods without ever being too heavy or too rich.
If you are a fish fan you simply have to try the New Zealand Snapper. Filleted and served with crispy skin and a light aromatic grilled artichoke and pinenut gremolata this dish will satiate while still allowing some wiggle room for desert.
Good choice starters include the wild shrimp served with creamy grits and fried organic egg, the crispy duck confit with shaved apple, wild arugula, cilantro and black pepper gastrique or the open-faced grilled mozzarella cheese with Niman Ranch Guanciale, Harissa and fried egg. But honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of Greenberg’s culinary masterpieces.
It’s fitting that the Penthouse restaurant is high above the city because Chef Greenberg’s courses are like a little slice of heaven.
For more info check out: www.thehuntleyhotel.com/penthouse-restaurant.php
