RESTAURANT REVIEW: Longitude Bar + Restaurant

530 Pico Boulevard (inside Le Meridien Delfina hotel)  |  Santa Monica, CA 90405  |  (310) 399-9344  | www.lemeridiendelfina.com  |  Price : $$

We dove into our cocktails like the guests splashing around in the Le Méridien Hotel pool. The signature drinks featured citrus-based concoctions designed to quench, sweet elixirs certain to titillate and spicy brews sure to awaken.

I went for the one encompassing all three: the Heat of Passion. This pineapple-forward cocktail features Blanco Tequila, fresh lime and agave with just a pinch of cayenne. Delicious. My drinking – and dining – partner, BJ, ordered the Paloma – a citrusy “sparkling Margarita.”

With our appetites stimulated, you would think we were ready to make a move into the dinner course. Not yet. The atmosphere was cozy and conversation inducing, the curated soundtrack chill.

The menu layout categorized our options: “Get Started,” “Get Going,” “Get Fulfilled,” and “Get On Board.” We got on board with the Surf Board, featuring a very palatable array of supple selections from the sea.

The Sushi Grade Hawaiian Tuna was seared to pink perfection and laid out like a deck of cards atop thinly sliced pickles. The Charred Octopus with celery leaf and potato tasted dry and would have benefitted from lemon and olive oil. We both agree the Blackened Mahi Mahi was the standout in the fish trio.

When not properly done, the blackening process can result in a dried-out piece of flesh; this, however, was not the case. The fish was like buttah. It had a kick to it too. This is where the palate-cooling Ginger and Cucumber Salad came in handy. We weren’t quite sure what to do with the ramekin of olive tapenade in the center. It seemed to be an incongruent addition to the platter.

Now we were ready to “Get Fulfilled.” BJ opted for the 8-ounce Prime Filet Mignon plated beautifully with Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and organic farmer’s market vegetables sitting in a puddle of pan reduction. I gathered from his utterance – “It just melts…”  – it was a succulent and rewarding selection.

I went against the grain by ordering an Asian dish in a non-Asian restaurant. The Crispy Duck Leg was flavorful yet a little saltier than necessary. There was a certain sweetness to the sauce but not quite enough to balance out the saltiness. The black rice was topped with wilted greens.

You know where we were headed when we ordered from The “Naughty Board.” We each made a selection with every intention of sharing. I was so satisfied with the tartness and textures of my Meyer Lemon Curd, Blueberry and Toasted Meringue I was unwilling to part with more than a bite. BJ was equally pleased with and possessive of his Blood Orange Panna Cotta.