Santa Monica Restaurant Week Returns for its 7th Year
Santa Monica Restaurants Highlight the City’s Healthy Dining Scene With Persimmon-Themed Dishes During Annual Celebration
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (January 7, 2019) – Santa Monica Travel & Tourism’s (SMTT) signature culinary program, Santa Monica Restaurant Week, returns to the city January 7-13, 2019. Back for its seventh year, Santa Monica Restaurant Week 2019 will accentuate the city’s progressive dining scene by featuring Santa Monica’s top restaurants, a new custom ingredient and a $500 social media giveaway.
In conjunction with California Restaurant Month, and to celebrate Santa Monica’s status as a health-conscious culinary destination, nearly 30 Santa Monica restaurants will offer specially-crafted dishes, all created to highlight the generous health benefits of this year’s featured ingredient – the persimmon.
The persimmon, an orange-colored fruit rife with health benefits, is full of vitamins A, B and C. The versatile fruit also contains key minerals and fiber, which promote heart health, reduce inflammation, support healthy vision and keep the digestive system healthy. Colorful persimmons are found readily at Santa Monica’s four weekly farmers markets October through early January. Laura Ramirez of JJ’s Lone Daughter Ranch is one of the many farmers who grow and sell the fruit.
“There are two distinct varieties of persimmon found here,” Ramirez explained. “The fuyu variety is flat and sweet like an apple while the hachiya is cone shaped and sweet like honey. It’s an old-fashioned fruit with a very unique flavor.”
During Santa Monica Restaurant Week, diners can harness the extensive health benefits – and flavors – of the persimmon while enjoying dishes such as Persimmon Sorbetto at Caffé Bella, Crunchy Kale and Persimmon Salad at Massilia, and Roasted Persimmon Tartine at Upper West. Additional participating restaurants include: Dolcenero Gelato, El Cholo Santa Monica, Élephante Beach House, Esters Wine Shop & Bar, FIG Restaurant, Funnel Cakes on the Pier, Inotheke, Kye’s, Lunetta, Malbec Argentinean Cuisine, Meat on Ocean, Red O, Seaside on the Pier, Stella Barra Pizzeria, Sushi Roku, The Curious Palate, The Independence, The Penthouse, The Veranda, Tiato, True Food Kitchen, and Water Grill.
“SMTT is thrilled to have such a diverse selection of restaurants joining us for this year’s Santa Monica Restaurant Week.” said Misti Kerns, President/CEO of SMTT. “The culinary program provides an opportunity to highlight the city’s innovative chefs, year-round access to the finest produce available, and our community’s commitment to sustainable, organic and healthy ingredients.”
Throughout the week, diners will have the chance to win a $500 dining certificate by sharing Santa Monica Restaurant Week photos on social media using the hashtag #SMRestaurantWeek.
For more information on Santa Monica Restaurant Week prizes, participating restaurants and detailed menu descriptions, visit SantaMonica.com/RestaurantWeek.
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About Santa Monica Travel & Tourism
Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT) is a non-profit organization designed to increase visitor expenditures, tourism revenues and local employment opportunities through the promotion of Santa Monica as a travel destination. For travel and accommodation information or a free copy of the official Visitors Guide, the public can write to the Santa Monica Visitor Center, 2427 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405; call (800) 544-5319 or (310) 393-7593; visit santamonica.com; or email info@santamonica.com. Follow SMTT on Twitter @GoSantaMonica or become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/visitsantamonica.
Contact: Lauren Salisbury
Santa Monica Travel & Tourism
310.319.6263
lsalisbury@santamonica.com
