1 Pico

1 Pico Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-587-1717
shuttersonthebeach.com/dining/1-pico

By GINA KERNAN | Managing Director

Just outside Pacific Palisades’ door step is one of Southern California’s premier beachfront dining destinations, 1 Pico, known for coastal California cuisine at its finest.

Located inside of the luxurious Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica, it is the epitome of fine dining in a laid back but upscale hotel setting. From the valet service when you arrive to the outdoor courtyard filled with twinkling lights, hanging lanterns and the lush oversized coral tree, you are greeted with impeccable service and a feeling that you are home.

Upon entering 1 Pico you can’t help but be in awe of the gorgeous panoramic ocean vistas and the charming view of the Santa Monica Pier with its roller coaster and Ferris wheel, an especially fun treat to see lit up at night.

With several dining options to choose from inside Shutters on the Beach, you can’t go wrong with 1 Pico—my favorite.

As you enter, you are greeted by the hostess and full-time bartender whipping up fun concoctions like the classic Barrel Aged Old Fashioned with Woodinville Bourbon, brown sugar, orange bitters and angostura bitters or the Lost in Chile, with Ketel One, Lillet Rose, St Germain, lime, mint, acai and red jalapeno for a zesty kick.

1 Pico also has a refined selection of wine and beer to choose from, including both domestic and international options as well as several spirit-free refreshments and a collection of Little West pressed juices, including my favorite, the Go Big, with beet, kale, carrot, apple, wheatgrass, lemon and ginger.

Welcomed by the warm and stately oversized fireplace in the center of the restaurant, mini canoes hang from the ceiling while porthole mirrors, seashells and ocean touches surround you in classic beach house decor. The ambiance is spacious but warm and inviting in an elegant Hamptons vibe.

The scene is eclectic with families, couples and individuals dining throughout. I love that the attire ranges from business to smart casual to elegant, as the restaurant caters to locals, tourists, and those special occasions and romantic dinners.

With a recently revamped menu helmed by Executive Chef Sean Runyon, 1 Pico offers simply grilled dishes from fervent farmers, enlightened anglers and responsible ranchers to provide the finest quality ingredients to guests. With popular dishes such as the Amberjack, Elysian Farms Lamb or Loch Duart Salmon, the menu is mouthwatering.

1 Pico’s Amberjack is aqua farmed from Japan and truly a delicacy. Located on the island of Shikoku, Ehime is famous for its warm waters and dedicated fish farmers who reportedly even have conversations with their finned friends daily to promote their development. The result is an enticing meaty filet with a slightly sweet and mellow unami of yellowtail crossed with macherel.

The Elysian Farms lamb is sought after by world-class chefs and is the finest lamb available in the United States. Born and raised in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains under a commitment to regenerative stewardship of the land, the lamb graze free with year-round access to fertile fields, and the result is the most exquisite taste and texture.

While I normally prefer my salmon wild caught, The Loch Duart Salmon is sustainably grown in the cold, clear waters of Northwest Scotland. The fish are lean, healthy and bred from the world’s last remaining 100% Scottish Broodstock with a diet consisting of roe. The resulting flavor is that of true wild salmon, savory and rich.

On this night we opted to start with the Hamachi Crudo served with aji Amarillo, pink peppercorn, shallot and cilantro that melted in our mouths with every bite.

We then dived in for a mix of surf and turf with a Rib Eye Cap, an eight-ounce, medium-rare cap from Midwest Farms, Iowa, and the sashimi-grade Hokkaido Scallops sustainably farmed from the Sea of Okhotsk, Japan.

Both items perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. The scallops come four to an order, excellently seared with a crisp golden exterior and a tender interior for a delicate balance of flavor. Served with 1 Pico’s classic three sauces to choose from, including a molasses vinaigrette, black truffle aioli or, my favorite, the jalapeno chimichurri, for a light kick of flavor.

We ended our evening with the truly sinful salted caramel popcorn sundae with exactly what it sounds like: caramel popcorn clumps, brownie squares, caramel ice cream topped with whipped cream. The only thing missing—according to my 5-year-old desert connoisseur—a cherry on top.

A perfect dining experience that checks all the boxes for service, ambience, food and location. Be sure to make a reservation, as some nights do get busy, to assure a memorable dining experience.