The smell of warm croissants, dark espresso roasting, and applewood smoked bacon is enough to drag anyone to brunch at Anisette Brasserie...and it does.

This French brasserie, created to look a cross between a Paris café in the 1890s and a Chicago bar in the 1940s with its high ceilings, tiled floors, and dark wood tables and lining, sucks you in with the décor (it does feel like an escape!). Only a few feet from the bustling 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, the best thing about Anisette is that it's dark setting transports you away from the bustling street, to wherever suits your fancy.

Food and service are another issue. I had heard from friends that the service at Anisette was a little uneven, and it's true. The servers also have their noses so high in the air I thought they might topple over. I've heard it's worse at dinner, but Sunday brunch was no easy ride either. I thought Eggs Benedict and Belgian Waffles were a splendid choice, however I didn't realize the waffles would take 30 minutes too long. They did send out a complimentary plate of Smoked Salmon in its apologetic absence, which interestingly enough turned out to be the best dish! The eggs and waffles were satisfying and good, but not blow you away fantastic; and my expectations were to be blown away to the land of Food Euphoria!

Overall, for an infant restaurant, Anisette is not bad at all, it just needs to be refined and tie up all the loose ends. I will go back in a couple months time and see how the dinner holds up with its impressive wine list. However, in the mean time, I'd prefer to make my trips there short and sweet; just sit at the bar (no wait), enjoy a strong Cappuccino and Pain au Chocolate, and take in the scene.

THE DETAILS: Anisette Brasserie
225 Santa Monica Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.395.3200

Story by Erin Landsberg.

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