"Let’s get one thing out of the way: decades-old, tasting menu-only French restaurant will cost $800 for two people at minimum. So, if you’re eating here, alert your bank. That said, this decades-old Santa Monica mainstay isn't some stuffy time capsule—the soundtrack runs from David Bowie to Frank Sinatra and the sommelier won’t judge you for choosing a bottle under $100. Melisse’s tasting menu changes nightly, but you can expect dishes like scallop carpaccio, a tiny pea tart, or an oyster topped with smoked vinegar jelly. Plus, everybody gets excited when the champagne cart gets wheeled out. Reservations are released a month in advance, and we'd suggest booking at least two to three weeks before your dinner. There’s a strict no-cancellation or rescheduling policy, and if either occurs, you’ll be charged full price. Get access to exclusive reservations at this spot with Chase Sapphire Reserve. New cardmembers get $300 in annual dining statement credits." - brant cox, cathy park, sylvio martins