"Melisse is a Santa Monica mainstay, a deeply fancy restaurant that’s been around in one form or another for over 20 years. A meal here is spectacular, but let’s get one thing out of the way: dinner here costs $800 for two people. Minimum. So, if you’re planning to eat here, you’re probably operating under some very specific circumstances (engagement, lottery win, final day on the job with access to the company card). Once you sit down in the intimate but not stuffy dining room, expect around ten courses (although many have multiple plates or bites involved), attentive servers who fully appreciate how special the night is, and, best of all, absolutely delicious food." - arden shore, brant cox, nikko duren, sylvio martins