Chloe

Past an unmarked red door next to the Hotel Carmel is where you'll find Chloe, the westside lounge from eastsides (at least Hollywood's) Laurie Mulstay and Ron Marino. Already known for bringing a saught after vibe to their places, Chloe rests somewhere between two: It has food as good as Magnolia (bacon-wrapped dates, mac and cheese, burgers), but it's not a restaurant; and it's not as much bar as The Bar. But there are some killer signature cocktails.

Mulstay calls it a modern take on a 1930s French lounge, filled with velvety animal print sofas, and server girls in fashionable gray uniforms with red sashes by local designer (and "Project Runway" contestant) Rami Kashou.

After settling in with your Sidecar, Pimm's Cup or Whiskey Cobbler (that's bourbon, Grand Marnier and fresh lemon), you'll sample small plates that are accessible but with a twist—the fries come with malt vinegar and sea salt, and you'll find ingredients like persimmon and pistachios that came from the Farmer's Market just up the street.

The overall vibe at the tiny, but radiant lounge is meant to inspire return visits; with a warm decor and neighborhood vibe. If the ex-New Yorkers who run Chloe's past success record is any indication (Magnolia is especially doing well), count on this Santa Monica gem to be around for many years.

Chloe / 1449 2nd St (btw Broadway & Santa Monica) / Santa Monica, CA 90401 / www.barchloe.com

Cora's Coffee Shoppe

Open since the 1920s, this old-school diner was retooled for the modern brunch crowd in 2001 complete with outside seating under an ivy covered patio.

The atmosphere is quaint and charming, the homemade jams are delicious, the coffees are Illy, the juices are fresh, and the ingredients are organic whenever appropriate.

My favorites are the orange pancakes with fresh blueberries (when available), Italian- style vegetable frittata, burrata capresse omelet and prosciutto and egg panino.


Parking:
The small parking lot directly behind Cora's is easy to miss; to get there, turn in off Ocean, just before the Seaview Motel.

Cora's Coffee Shoppe / 1802 Ocean Ave / Santa Monica, CA 90401 / 310.451.9562 / Cross Street: Pico Blvd / Hours: Thurs–Sat: 7 am–9 pm, Sun–Wed: 7 am–2:45 pm