Capo

Capo has all the hallmarks of a secret club for the social elite, including its location in a small, signless, one-story building on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. And it is, in fact, frequented by the Westside’s affluent locals. What’s more, this chic little 16-table haunt (entered by swishing through a red velvet curtain) serves only dinner, and only five nights per week. The name translates as "chef" from Italian, and the food is California cooking with an Italian twist. Its membership in the "Slow Food" movement virtually guarantees that only the freshest and most authentic ingredients available will make it onto your plate. Offerings include pastas (either fresh, stuffed pasta or pastas made from imported durum wheat), and entrées such as blue-fin tuna tartar and a porcini mushroom soup.