The Penthouse at the Huntley Hotel

Eighteen stories above Santa Monica, the Penthouse at the Huntley offers a wraparound view of the Promenade and the Pacific Ocean, plus a luxe white interior and chandeliers. In short: The restaurant is picture-perfect. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the crowd-pleasing menu is surprisingly well-executed and perfect for a night when food is only half the equation. I enjoyed the spicy tuna crispy rice and winter chicory salad on a recent visit here, though the Penthouse also knows how to do steak and pasta like nobody’s business. A meal here after dark can get pricey, but the chance to enjoy a long evening with a loved one—or even a group of friends—at this ultra-romantic Santa Monica eatery with breathtaking ocean views is more than worth the cost of admission.