Zengo

Carnitas Hash

Zengo
395 Santa Monica Place
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Brunch: $35 for 2 hours of ALL YOU CAN EAT AND DRINK on Weekends and select weekday holidays
Menu

Review:
Do you like Chego? SugarFish? Don Antonio's? Bottomless mimosa brunch at Overland Cafe? What if I told you there was a brunch where you had two hours to eat and drink as much as you possibly could from a  fusion menu from all of the above?

Not sure which will explode first- your mind or your stomach- at least you will be able to rest assured that no matter what you do after, your bill will only be $35/person. I know you are asking, "well, what is good?" and truth-be-told, it almost doesn't matter. You can order whatever you want. As many times as you want. Heck, you could order the entire menu, finish practically none of it, and STILL only find yourself $35 out. But fret not: It is good. In fact, it's damn good.

Meatballs

Located on the roof of the Santa Monica mall, Zengo brilliantly secured the lot with a patio and a view. If you want to sit outside you'll have to make res or sit at the bar, but feh, no matter where you sit everything looks and tastes just as great so don't stress.

OTC Tip: If there is ONE DISH that you MUST GET and order TWO OR THREE because it is THAT GOOD, it is the Carnitas Hash (caramelized onion, plantain, poached egg). If you like stuffing and love savory bread pudding, then you won't want anything else on the menu. This is, quite possibly, the best dish I've had in MONTHS. And when I say months, I mean THIS YEAR.

Bloody Mary, Bellini, Mimosa

Ticket:

1. Shrimp-Vegetable Potstickers
2. House-Made Meatballs
3. Kaffir Chilaquiles
4. Bacon Fried Rice
5. Grilled Achiote Salmon
6. Crispy Tofu
7. Plantains
8. Thai Chicken Empanadas

The Potstickers I'd do again, along with the Carnitas Hash. Everything was great, but next time we're going to order the other half of the menu and try the sushi, sliders, ceviche, satay, and omelet. Note that you'll likely want to cab it there or have a DD, because as many rounds of delicious bloodies, mango mimosas, and lychee bellini as you can pack in to your belly in two hours will render you rather useless behind the wheel.

I think I've found my favorite brunch place. And now you have too.

Bamboo Izakaya

Caterpillar roll, Baked Crab roll, Xmas roll

Bamboo Izakaya
1541 Ocean Ave
Santa Monica, 90401
Menu

What: Japanese tapas. Sushi. Full bar.
Who: Girl groups, dates, guys who dig sake while watching sports.
Happy Hour: 2:30-5:30pm EVERY DAY
OTC Tip: The pork belly skewer is the best. Order several.

Review:
Everyone loves a good comeback.

Bamboo Izakaya sits across from the pier in Santa Monica, and habits its neighbor The Ivy's old abode. With a covered patio that spans a good portion of the block, Izakaya always seems to have plenty of room, which is a definite welcome to the local Lobster, Ivy, Blue Plate Taco, and Sushi Roku overflow.

If something looks familiar, it's because Izakaya was once located in the Santa Monica mall on the third floor and under the name Ozumo (closed). In search for more traffic, Ozumo moved to quite possibly the busiest intersection in SM. Good for them, and even better for us.

Pork Belly, Salmon, Bacon-wrapped Enoki

As you know, I'm a huge-ass fan of everything sushi and an even bigger obsessor for all things on a skewer. This is where Izakaya sings - with a range of small bites on a stick, you can frequent ground chicken, new york beef, bacon-wrapped mushroom, PORK BELLY, shisito, sausage, etc all in one meal. And with full-on flavor, a hint of coaled char, and just enough per order to leave room for a special sushi roll, a bowl of edamame, or the cheeseburger croquettes (what? If you find out, let me know), Izakaya does Japanese-pub right.

Impressively, Izakaya opened with a full bar, which means that you can booze as you bite, and considering the ever-flowing reality show that is Ocean Ave, you might never leave. And that's OK, since it's practically summer and we all need a figure-approving lunch/dinner/late-night spot to round out our evenings.