Boa Steakhouse

I live not to far from the La BOA. i took my friend who was wearing nice short to eat. we checked to see if it was ok before we let them park the car. as we were waiting for our table they told us we could not eat there. i would never recommend that place. i called BOA Santa Monica and ask if shorts were ok they said no problem. we drove over and the lady held a table for me so he could get severed right away. The food was amazing.. along with the staff.

Pros: the steak is OMG..

Posted 10/10/09

We had a fantastic meal- the food was all wonderful (especially the foie gras and the goat cheese baklava!!). But the overall dining experience was what topped off the night. We had great recommendations from Scott and Jonathan on everything from wine to oysters.

Posted 05/28/09

BOA has got to be by far one of my favorite places to Dine. I love it all, from the food, drinks, Atmosphere, everything. The employees are very knowledgeable about the food and Wine selections, not to mention friendly and attentive. Definitely a great place everyone should check out at least once, its the perfect place to grab a cocktail w/friends and or a date.

Pros: Gorgeous Location

Posted 04/28/09

I have dinned at Boa a hand full of times and have always enjoyed myself. The food is always good and always unique. I recently brought wife and two new associates in for dinner with out reservations. The 4 of us were seated in Boa's lounge/ bar area. At first I was a little apprehensive due to the casual setting and close quarters, but was quickly relieved when we were greeted by our waitress, Emily. She made perfect suggestions for both food and wine, was friendly, fun, attentive and if I may, cute as a button. It was my best Boa experience yet. If not for the outstanding food, enormous wine list or beautiful location, check it out for the best waitress in Santa Monica.

Posted 10/08/08

The service: Waiter (B), Attendants (A), Hostess (B-)
Food: (A++) Everything was steaming hot. My husband had the New York and loved it. I had the steak with Cajun shrimp, it was excellent. However, the ultimate was the ratatouille. It's to die for. If you go please try it, you won?t regret it.
Atmosphere: (B) A little crowded but comfortable nonetheless.
Location: (A+) Across the street you have beautiful Santa Monica Beach, what more could you ask for.

Posted 09/16/08

My boyfriend made reservations at Boa Steakhouse for my birthday. The restaurant was pretty empty at 3pm on a Saturday, which gave our party of six, a sense of privacy. The decor was nice consisting of brown pillowy walls, twig room dividers and interesting lights. Boa Steakhouse was quite impressive with attentive service, delicious dishes along with notable cocktails including the Oaxacan martini, Mc Strawberry Shortcake and the Boa Infusion.

We opted for the Seafood Appetizer Platter consisting of crab legs, half a lobster, oysters and more. The platter was enough for four people.

I ordered the 40-day old aged NY strip steak, which was to die for. My brothers ordered Porterhouse steaks, which were huge!

Overall, our experience at Boa was great and our waiter even served us cheese fries on the house =) I'm definitely going there again sometime soon.

Pros: Attentive service, steaks to die for and de-lish martinis

Cons: Little nat flying around our table

Posted 09/14/08

My experience at Boa Steakhouse went from bad to worse to absolutely appalling. First, we made reservations that apparently didn?t translate into getting a table anytime near when we were schedule to be seated. So we spent a good $100.00 in the bar. Once we were finally seated the service was horrible. The bread man came around and placed a dinner roll I could buy at Albertsons on my plate but it fell off onto the table. He picked it up, and instead of giving me another one from the basket ? placed it on my plate. The food was not prepare properly and frankly ? mediocre. The m.o. of this laughable Santa Monica trend is inexpensive food (i.e. cotton candy passed off as desert) marketed as chic cuisine. Then came the shocker ? the bill. Now, I have been to Melisse and have no problem shelling out the cash for a great dinning experience (one that Melisse has delivered every time. Boa on the other hand should be ashamed of themselves. But then, someone has to pay the rent on that fantastic piece of property.

Posted 08/10/08

Great Hang out. Cool vibe. I will Definately go back. Large portions and great service. No wait and the meal was as promised.

Pros: The view of water

Posted 07/26/08

The food was decent (although I'm not sure it warrants the exorbitant cost) but the service COMPLETELY ruined my experience. The busboys took away most of our party's plates without people being done eating their food. No questions asked...just food taken away. The bus-boys were also waiting like hawks for us to get up and leave which is unacceptable when we're dropping $800 down for meals for 8 people. Ridiculous. I even spoke with the Maitre d' and all he did was make excuses for them. Completely unacceptable. I would NEVER, EVER dine here again.

Pros: Steak was pretty good.

Cons: Service was horrible.

Posted 07/17/08

This is my first time writing a review...we went to Boa with some high expectations because its supposed to be a steak house like Arnie Mortons or Ruths Chris right? Well, the decor was quite nice and so was the ambient but the food was lacking. Starting from the appetizers super salty tuna tar tar and the carpaccio which came like a ball of raw ground up burger meat..quite gross. The sides were awful, overcooked soggy vegetables and tasteless mashed potatoes. The steaks were asked to be prepared medium one was rare and the other one well done. As far as the drinks? How can you mess up a glass of wine? As far as the service it was decent, food was overpriced to say the least especially for what we were served. Want a great steak go to Mastros, Mortons or Ruths Chris.

Pros: Ambience

Cons: Everything else

Posted 04/13/08

Went there for dinner tonight. The food was wonderful. Loved the the lobster mashed potatoes and are steaks were prepared to our liking. The service was great and our waiter was very attentive. For dessert we got the chocolate chip cookies which were very tasty. The atmosphere was very trendy and I loved how our tables were far enough apart that you didn't have to listen to your neighbors conversations or stick your butt in their face while they were eating and you were trying to sit down.

Pros: Great steak. Great service.

Cons: Too noisy.

Posted 03/07/08

Its really bad when a steahouse can NOT make a steak properly.

I would not have minded the $400 tab if the food was acutally good, unfortunately the mac n' cheese was the good thing we had that night.

bad food, bad service, & not worth it

Pros: Decorated well

Cons: everything else

Posted 02/14/08

I took a date to Boa on Saturday night and enjoyed it very much.

I had the 40 day ny steak medium rare. In the very center of the steak it was a little too rare but other than that one by one inch piece it was prepared perfectly.

They have some steak rubs that they offer on the side which were tasty but I didn't care for putting it on my steak...it was too good for that!

My date had the bone in filet and if I go back to this restaurant I would order that steak instead because I did like it even more than my own.

The restaurant is indeed trendy. The tables are far apart and the open atmosphere does make it loud but the vibe is very friendly and fun. It's a see and be seen kind of place so dress sharp and get to know your neighbors by flashing them your pearly whites and they'll do the same.

Some of these reviews said the staff were not friendly or professional...I couldn't disagree more. They were very friendly and provided superior service.

From the moment I made reservations to the moment I left everyone that worked for this restaurant was very polite and professional.

The only reason I can't give a perfect rating to this restaurant is because I've had a better steak before...but given that I've eaten in many steak houses and I've only had one steak better than the one I had saturday night, it's saying a lot for this restaurant.

Pros: Excellent service, great food, trendy date spot

Cons: Can be a little bit loud

Posted 12/16/07

I had the pleasure of going for a business lunch with the whole sales team and we were smartly assigned outside where we were loud!!! The service was excellent. Even the young hostess made it a point to go out of her way to help since we had a huge party. The only thing better than the service was the food. After going all the way and ordering delicious oysters and the amazing goat cheese baklavi, enjoying the tender filet, and juicy mushrooms, I was even suprised with the dessert. The smores and cotton candy made me feel like a kid again. Nothing like leaving a 5 Star Restaurant with STICKY HANDS!!!

Pros: Kansas City Filet, The Service, The Dessert, Location!!

Cons: Can not think of any

Posted 09/23/07

This has to be one of my favorite places in LA. I have been and dined at all three locations. BOA-Vegas for my birthday this past June and the West Hollywood location in March and more recently at the Santa Monica location. I have to say the best one would hands down be the Santa Monica location. I had the best entree it was a filet stuffed with cajun shrimp inside and a cajun cream sauce on the side. It was perfectly cooked and so enjoyable I didn't want to finish as fast as I did. The glass wine selection was very nice and versatile as well. I love the decor and I would love to see more of the same type of ambience found in more restaurants. I see it slowly transitioning to more restaurants, but the sleak yet eccentric and retro-mod environment turns the steakhouse into a great dimly lit place to enjoy an evening. I will go back many more times again to see what new proteins they will be serving. I wish this restaurant much luck in their business, as I see they are doing quite well now and very successful. I look forward to what's to come.

Pros: Great food and wine selections. Great pairings.

Cons: Reservations even take time to be sat. Long waiting times.

Posted 09/11/07

Ok, you in the restaurant biz can understand getting a table that's dominated by that one person that is just determined to make a scene. Maybe they weren't hugged enough as a child or get little attention from the opposite gender. Or perhaps, get sh*t on at work all day or want to look assertive in front of their coworkers.
User jlyon9756 is such a person. She came in for lunch on the 16th and ordered a medium petite filet along with 4 other coworkers who all had different steaks with different temps. As far as I'm concerned I was prompt, nice, informative and got all the temps right on the ticket. When her steak came out unfortunately, it was overcooked...more medium well. I was near by, she shoves the steak in my face and in a sarcastic tone says, "Is this Medium Rare?" I'm empathetic, say no, apologize and offer to cook her another right away. She agrees as long as it doesn't, "take to long!" The petite is prime and a thick cut, even for 8oz. So I told her it was going to take at least 15 minutes. She scoffs, "fine!" As I'm walking back to the kitchen I hear her immediately, melodramatically complaining to her friends.
I return to the kitchen, check my pad and see I wrote medium and it's medium on the kitchen ticket but she asked me if it was medium rare. Huh...must have written it down wrong. So I refire it medium rare. As predicted it takes 15 minutes. Before I'm able to get it out she's all ready complaining to the manager and demanding it free. Before it arrives she remarks you better get it right this time or else don't even bother.
So she slices into it and viola... a perfect medium rare......she looks at me, "This isn't medium!!!!" I say, but I thought you wanted it Medium Rare! "No I said MEDIUM!" Mean while her poor coworkers are just embarrassed and feel bad for me, but don't or cant say anything because I think she's their boss.
Boa Is a great place to have lunch with a lot of affordable options! The service is friendly and unpretentious.

Posted 09/03/07

I had never been to BOA but I heard that they do a half priced bottle of wine spcial on Sunday nights so I thought I would check it out. The atmosphere was great, not too loud for a lazy Sunday, perfect for that bottle of wine. The coup de grace was the steak?I got the 40-day dry aged upon the waiter?s suggestion. It was fantastic!

Pros: food

Cons: prices

Posted 08/23/07

I took a work group out to a celebratory late lunch on a weekday about a week ago; restaurant was not busy (maybe 3 other tables), some annoying infomercial-like vodka bartender class going on {rather loudly}; took 20 minutes to get our appetizers, and then had to send our steaks back 3 times and they still couldn't get medium rare right - either overly done or so undercooked as to be black & blue. When they came back, the rest of the food on the plate was cold. Astonishing that a place billed as a steakhouse couldn't grill a steak as well as my teenage son! Although the manager offered to make it right by inviting me back again, I just couldn't imagine ever wanting to try it again -- I mean, if it was bad on a slow day, imagine what it would be like on a busy weekend night?

Cons: Ambience and location can't overcome a badly cooked steak

Posted 08/15/07

I went to Boa for the second time last night. I sat on the patio this time and there is nothing like dining outside in Santa Monica. The steak was fantastc and I was impressed, yet again, by the farmer?s market vegetables, it?s good to know that the food you are getting is fresh and local. The service was spot on too. All in all a great night.

Posted 08/06/07

i started out really liking this place. i ended up not likingit at all. the servers are rude and ignore you.

Posted 06/22/07

I was visiting friends in LA from Chicago and they took me to BOA. It was awesome, it felt like a steakhouse for a younger generation. It wasn't overly masculine like Chicago steakhouse, I have never been to a place like it before. On top of that, the food was great. I had the petit filet and it was totally worth the price. I will definately come here again whenever I visit.

Pros: Ambience, Location

Cons: Long lines

Posted 06/10/07

Good wine selection with wise staff good at knowing the fine line between reccommendation and annoying. I had the 40 day aged NY strip, which is in my top steaks I have had ever. My service was professional and attentive with focus on generating a common consensus between waitor and customer on what they really want. The atmosphere is strong but subtle, relaxing but socially formal. The salmon, lamb, and even the au gratin potato were all something to write to mom about. This is the sort of place to go in order to impress and depressurize.

Have fun.

Pros: Food, atmosphere, staff

Cons: googling tourist, expensive

Posted 06/10/07

Upon a recommendation from a family member's friend, we opted to try the restaurant. We were seated promptly and they accomodated the stroller for my niece - a great start - until we got our waiter. Mind you the restaurant was not busy by any means - it took the waiter what vaguely felt like forever to get our drinks and to return and take our order. We felt that he was avoiding the "not-so-chic family" - he had a superiority complex - as if he was doing us a favor when he brought us the food. Getting another drink was like pulling teeth - he made asking for salt and pepper seem like such a daunting task - seriously, it's just salt and pepper and just a glass of water. He gave short , snippy answers and made existence seem so rough. Go for the decor and nothing else. Also, I don't agree with the fact that the same company owns Sushi Roku (trendy sushi - not worth it) across the street - it's monopoly of good property.

Pros: view of the beach

Cons: waitstaff

Posted 05/05/07

The prime steaks are always good here, my favorite is the Bone in Filet (amazing flavor) ( only draw back it's fatty near the bone like any "bone in" meat).... The Chef's must go crazy working in a steakhouse but do wonders changing it's Foie Gras & Fresh Fish nightly and occasionally sprinkling in some impressive and tasty specials(spicy slaw with dungenous crab or live spiny lobster) ...service is great but the personality of the restaurant varies from server to server (which is a bonus as well)... ambience is a combination of hip, trendy, beautiful decor and a "hustle bustle" atmosphere but that's what IDG brings to everyone of it's concepts.....Desserts are great (S'mores & Salted Phylo w/ a Nutel Mouuse with housemade ice creams & sorbets to mention a few)..... But really the key to this steakhouse is it's amazing wine list: 40+ by the glass(including Caymus, Brown Brothers,Gaja & Baron Pichon) and a list that rotates classic producers with botique wines from around the globe...occasionally they're out of the bottles I like, especially on Sundays but hey it's half off wine night so I can't complain....Luckily the management team @ BOA is well versed in wine to provide that helpig hand through the list (Not having to tip a sommelier is a nice bonus)....Overall this is one of the best steakhouses in town if not the best.

Pros: Great food....Fantastic wine list

Cons: Fast paced for a steakhouse

Posted 03/20/07

I have eaten here a half dozen times mostly at the request of clients and I am systematically underwhelmed most times, of the 6 times one was excellent the rest were very average for a high end steak house (cold fries, tough meat once, the oddity that is the sauces). Given the choice I would rather eat at several other steak houses in LA

Pros: Service, ambience

Cons: better options out there

Posted 02/20/07

Not to much to say about this place. The food was okay. Definitely not memorable but not bad. It's a very busy and crowded atmosphere like most trendy LA restaurants. The one bright spot was the very friendly wait staff which is always refreshing in LA. Oh, and try and make reservations for early in the evening...before seven, or they might be out of most of the seafood.

Pros: Service

Cons: Loud, Crowded and Pricey...

Posted 02/18/07

At first we were skeptical about how this place can stand out above the rest of the trendy eateries in Los Angeles. But, as we were greeted by the warm, friendly staff and service with impeccable service, we definitely became converts!! The icing on the cake?? They surprised us with a most thoughtful, delicious dessert with a chocolate-drizzled message saying..."Happy Anniversary". Now, that's definitely a step above the rest!

Pros: Service, Food

Posted 01/23/07

I was a little hesitant after seeing some of the not so positive reviews, but I've been to Boa twice in the last month and both trips have been absolutely fantastic. The restaurant is pricey, but you get what you pay for...

Pros: Steak, Steak, Appetizers

Cons: $$

Posted 10/29/06

I had a great brie and chicken sandwich here, nothing too exciting but it was good, and an excellent glass of pinot grigio, but WOW was the restaurant cold! I started out on the patio and moved inside, and it was colder inside than out! Also, the cheesecake was ok, but just ok...

Pros: Location, view, ambiance

Cons: Freezing cold, food wasn't spectacular.

Posted 09/11/06

After a negative experience with service at Boa in Santa Monica I found the management extremely responsive.

Pros: Great food, attentive management

Cons: Poor service

Posted 08/29/06

I made reservations for my boyfriend's birthday and requested the best table in the house... we got there and got seated right away which was so awesome!!! They gave us a table with ocean view! Everything that we odered was just SUPERB. For appetizers we got the PRIME STEAK TARTAR (amazing blend of flavors and spices!) and the FOIE GRAS with seasonal spices (just absolutely delicious!). For our main course he got the NEW YORK STEAK (their signature steak that was aged for 40 days... now we know why it's their signature dish!!!), and I got the LAMB T-BONE with the FOIE GRAS BUTTER RUB (it was so tasty and tender!) we chose 3 side dishes that just complemented the meat dishes we have. We got the asparagus, corn and garlic mash potatoes. For his birthday dessert, he picked the chocolate chip cookies with vanilla ice cream. I thought it was a nice touch to scribble "Happy Birthday Doug!" on the plate! Their mojitos are not to be missed, although it could use a little more alcohol. Over all, the dining experience was phenomenal. The service was very good, from the hostess to the waitress and everything in between. Sometimes when the restaurant is trendy and the interior design is great, something has to give. It seems to me that BOA is not just trendy but have the complete package of ambiance, service and most importantly FOOD! Okay, if I must say something that is less than great is that it's noisy but that seems to be a problem with most restaurant that have great interiors, alot of hard surfaces makes for a very noisy place but it's very forgivable.

This is a very recommendable place that I would surely go back to again! Not for an everyday lunch or dinner kind of thing, a little pricey for that but for special nights or a splurgy weekend, it's perfect!

Pros: FOOD

Cons: noisy

Posted 08/24/06

CANT GO WRONG HERE. THERE'S NO BETTER PLACE TO HAVE STEAK THAN HERE, IT'S ....................... (DELISH.),, OH THE HOMEMADE ROLLS.AND THE GRILLED JUMBO SHRIMP , SO PERFECT............ EAT IN OR PICK UP TO GO AS I DO OFTEN DO ,VERY MANAGERS KEVIN AND SCOTT ARE FABOULOUS.ALWAYS THERE TO BE OF SERVICE. I TAKE ALL MY OUT OF TOWNERS HERE FOR STEAK. JUST CAN NOT GO WRONG. IT'S BETTER THAN THE WEST HOLLYWOOD LOCATION. AND THAT ONE IS GOOD TO.

Pros: BEST MEAT ON THE WEST SIDE . CONSISTENT

Cons: (MAYBE )? PRICEY FOR SOME. ITS SO WORTH THE ENTIRE MEAL

Posted 07/27/06

Look i don't mind this place being trendy, but the waiters are rumpled and moody, the tables are so large (and it's so noisy) you have to scream across them, and you can get the same old okay food for this price (or less) at tons of other great places in L.A. In the end you just look around the restaurant and think what an opportunity missed - everything is just a little lacking.

Pros: the ocean looks nice at sunset

Cons: no class

Posted 07/23/06

Because the restaurant is so open, the bar area is a great spot to eat and meet people. The steaks are super and the atomosphere is energetic and sophisticated. Sunday nights offer half off wines or so I have heard.

Pros: trendy, great steaks, fun environment

Posted 06/23/06

I am appalled by all the negative reviews on Boa. As an avid cook and notorious "foodie" I consider myself to know great cuisine and I have eaten in high end restaurants in the States and Europe since I was a child. I wait tables myself and have very high service standards. Everything about this place surpasses my expectations every time. I visit L.A. every summer and make sure to dine there while on vacation. It is always the highlight of my trip! THANK YOU, BOA!!!!

Pros: Fun menu, fabulous cocktails- try the negroni!

Cons: pricey

Posted 06/16/06

Terrific steak, stellar wine list, funky atmosphere (lively but cozy). Overall a splendid experience.

Posted 04/25/06

We live on the westside and have been going to Boa on Sunset since it opened. Just wanted to thank Boa for opening in Santa Monica. It is the only true Steakhouse in SM and does have the best steak in town. The Caesar salad is amazing and the we always are given great suggestions for wine. Keep up the great work. Your fans.

Pros: Best Steak, Great Wine List, Location

Posted 03/26/06

The food here was really great. I thought the steak was amazing. Go all out on protein and carbs when coming here.

Pros: Food, Service, Steak

Cons: Noisy

Posted 03/02/06

Went to Boa Friday night, and once again - horrendous service at the hostess stand. Long story short, I called to let them know we were running 5 mins late. To our surprise, they had "lost" our reservation. When I explained who we had spoke with and that we did indeed have a reservation - she firmly explained that "nobody who works there would make that mistake". A hour, rude remarks and a snotty, unhelpful attitude later, she found us a table.
The waiter ended up being great - as well as the manager who tried to help smooth things over by being friendly and bringing us a couple appetizers.
Steaks were cooked perfectly. But the horrible attitude from the front was a bit too much for us. Such a bummer because the place really is great.

Pros: great waiters, great food, fun

Cons: horrible front staff

Posted 02/26/06

We had a wonderful dinner last night (Sunday night) -- the food was amazing and the 1/2 price wine (we had a Lancaster Meritage from Alexander Valley) was a bonus. We were very impressed by the wine list and the waiter was very knowledgeable. The steaks were perfectly cooked and we love the mac 'n cheese. We will definitely come back! Thank you.

Pros: Wine list, Food

Cons: Loud, Cold inside

Posted 01/15/06

Went with friends for dinner, and the accoustics are TERRIBLE. I found myself cupping my ear to hear my friend across the table, as well as raisng my voice so he could here me. The food was average for a steak house, much better places in LA. My waitress was horrible. I asked her for the best steaks and she gave me a few ideas. Then I asked which are her favorites and she said she is a VEGETARIAN, never touches the stuff I was also shocked when the bill came and the two glasses of wine that I ordered were $98!! It appears as if the waitress took it in her owns hands to offer me there most expensive wine by the glass without telling me the actuall price, the manager was very professional and took it off our bill. But this left a terrible taste in my mouth.

Pros: location

Cons: NOISE, SERVICE

Posted 01/09/06

We go quite often and it never misses. Sunday nights are special- wines half price. Service is friendly and efficient. Interior is lovely.

Posted 12/04/05

Steaks:
Get the petit filet. They even serve cotton candy for dessert!!

Cocktails:
Ask for the Brazilian Iced Tea or the Agua Luca lychee martini. It is incredible. It's nice to see an account with cachaca. Most LA restaurants aren't aware but BOA is. They're bartenders are familiar with this Brazilian spirit as well as many other unique cocktails.

Pros: Food, Brazilian iced tea, location

Cons: parking can be tough

Posted 11/17/05

Came to the restaurant on a slow Sunday night at 7:00pm for my 30th Birthday. They seated us next to the door in an empty restaurant. They reluctantly reseated us and then we asked to move to a more comfortable table and was given an "OK". Then we were asked to move back because more important people had reserved that table. Didn't care that it was my birthday or that we were planning to spend at least $100 per person. So we walked out, they didn't even try to stop us.

Pros: location

Cons: attitude, Overpriced

Posted 10/10/05

I must have walked past this place 100 times before trying it. I shouldn't have given in. There are so many other great steak places that are tried and true. The employees were very rude, as if they were a part of something very special and new. Yea right. This place is a joke. The location makes half the customers tourists, giving the employees a superiority complex. The food was whatever. This is Los Angeles, and there is too much good food for any local to ever consider coming back.

Cons: rude, loud, small

Posted 10/06/05