Simonette: Sometimes happy hour turns into an entire evening you didn't expect.
That's what happened when I visited Simonette in Culver City on a Friday evening.
Located inside Palihotel Culver City, Simonette is one of those spots that feels tucked away in a way that makes discovering it part of the experience. The hotel is nestled into the neighborhood, and once you're there, you get this cute, intimate, open-air setting surrounded by trees and twinkling lights.
It was warm that evening, and at one point, I was sitting outside watching leaves fall through the trees while the lights continued to shine above us.
It was really pretty.
The space itself is small, but not in a way that feels uncomfortable. It's more intimate, and I actually liked that. You're naturally a little closer to the people around you, and it creates an environment where conversation feels easy. Maybe that's part of what makes a place like Simonette work, the space encourages you to be present and enjoy what's happening around you.
Now, let's talk about parking because this is something you should know before you go.
We had a 4:30 reservation, but because I wasn't familiar with the parking situation, we didn't arrive until around 5:15. Simonette offers valet parking for $17, or you can find other parking options around the area, including parking near the Culver City Stairs or Trader Joe's and walking over.
And honestly, after spending the evening in Culver City, I didn't mind the walking at all.
The whole area had such a community feel. People were walking around, meeting friends, grabbing food and enjoying their Friday evening. My friend and I ended up walking around afterward too, and there was so much to see and explore.
Even though we were late, Simonette still accommodated us, which I really appreciated. I would definitely recommend making reservations, especially if you already know you want to experience the restaurant.
Once we sat down, I ordered a martini because, of course. 😂
And then came the food.
The food was the star of the evening for me.
I ordered the Burger Parisienne with caramelized onion, American cheese and sauce bordelaise. That burger was drenched in sauce, and when I tell you I ate it like a slice of cake, I mean exactly that. The sauce, caramelized onion and cheese all worked together beautifully.
We also had the boquerones deviled eggs with white anchovy, olives and chives. If you're someone who enjoys anchovies, I definitely recommend giving these a try. The combination was really good and different enough to stand out.
And the pommes frites?
Parmesan and aioli.
That aioli made those fries come alive.
Across the board, I really enjoyed the food.
The service was another highlight. Shoutout to Timothy aka HIMOTHY lol, who was at the front greeting guests. His energy and hospitality were unmatched. He had the kind of presence that makes you understand why someone is positioned at the front of a restaurant, he immediately made a good impression.
While I was there, I also got a little glimpse into the story behind Simonette and where the name came from. I learned that Simonette is named after the owner's wife, but naturally, hearing that little piece of the story just made me want to know more.
And that's where my curiosity kicked in.
I want to come back and sit down with the owners themselves and hear the history of Simonette directly from the source. I want to know how it all started, what inspired the space and what they envisioned when they created it.
Because that's what makes a place more interesting to me.
I don't just want to know what I'm eating. I want to know the story behind why the table exists in the first place.
Would I go back?
Absolutely.
The food was delicious, the atmosphere was beautiful, the service was welcoming, and Culver City itself gave me a reason to keep exploring.
What started as happy hour turned into a really beautiful Friday evening, and I'm already looking forward to coming back for the rest of the story.
Food brings us to the table, but the stories keep us coming back. 🤎
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