Brick + Mortar

New neighborhood favorite: Brick + Mortar.

Although originally Salute, this new restaurant and bar, Brick + Mortar, hasn’t begun to show signs of slowing down yet! Set slightly back off of Main Street in Santa Monica, Brick + Mortar is a rustic space, complete with wood beam ceilings, exposed brick, and comfortable tufted leather booths. This gastropub, which opened in January 2012, features specialty pizzas, as well as some other delicious dishes (cheeseburger, tuna tartar, half roasted chicken) and just steps from my apartment, has become one of my favorites.

When I first tried this restaurant with my friend and coworker Katrina, we ordered the cheese board, as well as the proscuitto and arugula pizza. Now, my all-time favorite proscuitto pizza is from Stella Rosa, located in my building at 2000 Main Street (review to come), however this pizza gives Stella a run for its money.

Katrina and I ordered two glasses of wine, along with our appetizer and entrée, and waited for everything to begin arriving. The cheese board consisted of four large portions of cheeses, toasted baguette, mixed nuts and fruit spread.

My only complaint was that the bread was tough to eat because it wasn’t sliced completely through, and when we asked for honey to go with our cheeses we had to ask three different times before they actually brought it.

Regardless, my wine was tasty and when the pizza arrived all was forgotten after the first bite. The pizza consists of buffalo mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan cheese, topped with proscuitto and fresh arugula ($14). The three cheeses compliment each other nicely, and the fresh arugula helps to cut the saltiness/heaviness of the proscuitto. All and all the meal was very good, minus the issues with our waitress.

Since going with Katrina I have been back several times, although mainly for drinking, not eating. This past Sunday, Chris and I woke up starving, and decided to go grab some brunch. Although attempting to go to M Street, one of our Fav spots that also happens to be in my building, we saw the line around the corner and opted to head elsewhere. I wanted to eat outside, and I wanted a breakfast sandwich (high maintenance much?) so we decided on Brick + Mortar. We arrived and were immediately seated at a two person table outside. We were handed our menus, however I had clearly already decided on what I was having, so as Chris perused, I eased dropped on the hilarious conversation happening next to us. (Obviously 20 minutes into sitting next to this couple we realized Chris knew them, and we later ended up joining them and their other friends for a drink afterwards).

Chris and I both ordered the breakfast sandwich, and eagerly waited for our
food to arrive. The sandwich was topped with bacon, a fried egg, cheddar cheese, greens, and a wonderful aioli that completed the sandwich ($11) (I have no idea what the sauce actually consisted of… but it was heavenly)! Even the roasted purple potatoes served with it were tasty. With bottomless brunch mimosas ($15) it’s a hard place to pass up! In fact, when I went last Tuesday with my girlfriend for a quick bite, pizzas were ½ off, and $2 off of drafts. They have a Wednesday night special as well. Although the service is still a little rocky, I would absolutely recommend trying Brick + Mortar next time you’re looking for affordable food and a great
atmosphere.