Michael’s is the almost-middle-aged mainstay of Santa Monica. Like plenty of 39-year-olds, Michael’s has gone through a few stages (some of which were boring), but with a new chef who’s younger than the actual restaurant, Michael’s is back on our radar. The atmosphere can’t be beat - the garden patio is an excellent place to hang, and the owner will definitely come past to say hi while you eat - but the food leans a little heavy and sweet. This could just be growing pains, so we’ll be back to see if anything changes.