EVENTS

from Santa Monica Official Visitors Guide Digital - Fall 2021

NIGHT MOODS

Paired to Perfection

Drink and dine like a local with these top picks of dishes and sips from a Santa Monica wine expert.

BY SHELLEY LEVITT

CHRISTIAN NAVARRO HAS GROWN ACCUSTOMED to being asked for recommendations of where to eat and what to drink. After all, he’s the president and principal of Wally’s, the luxury wine retailer and restaurant operation, which has locations in Beverly Hills and Santa Monica. Navarro favors spots that offer comfort and fresh ingredients, and wines that have a long family tradition. In his own words, he shares his top sips and bites in Santa Monica.

The Lobster

1602 Ocean Ave., 310-458-9294, thelobster.com An absolute icon in the Santa Monica dining scene. With its picturesque view overlooking the Pacific Ocean and incredible selection of seafood, it’s Barbara County. Their stunning Cuvée Fleur chardonnay is an exclusive bottling for Wally’s and is named after my beloved French bulldog, Fleur. It’s full of bright citrus and floral flavors with a soft, supple texture.

hard not to fall in love.

DISH: Grilled Maine Lobster WINE: 2018 The Hilt Chardonnay Cuvée Fleur Coming from the family behind Screaming Eagle, The Hilt produces some of the finest wines in Santa

GRILLED MAINE LOBSTER, THE LOBSTER CHRISTIAN NAVARRO La Vecchia Cucina

2654 Main St., 310-399-7979, lavecchiacucina.com

HiHo Cheeseburger

1320 Second St., 310-469-7250, hiho.la After opening in 2017, this quickly became one of my favorite burger spots in L.A. I can’t get enough of their New Zealand Wagyu, great fries and terrific milkshakes. For over 20 years, this Italian neighborhood restaurant has been a perfect, cozy hideaway where guests can enjoy a true taste of Italy. Combining family recipes from

Sicily with fresh local ingredients, the chef creates an indulgent menu of authentic favorites.

DISH: Double Cheeseburger WINE: 2018 Turley Zinfandel Juvenile For decades, Turley has been recognized as making some of the best zinfandel in California. The 2018 Juvenile Zin greets you with luscious ripe berry aromas and delivers flavors of spice, white pepper, plum and red fruit.

DISH: Rigatoni Bolognese WINE: 2017 Volpaia Chianti Classico Pure and focused, displaying aromas of black fruit, tobacco, leather, earth and soft wild herbs, this Chianti from a Tuscan superstar is elegant yet powerful.