‘Immersive Dining Experience’ MUSE Opens on West Channel Road

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

MUSE Santa Monica opened its West Channel Road doors on August 16, offering diners a culinary experience that blends contemporary French dining with “artistic sophistication.”

Situated next to Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica Canyon, MUSE Chef and Owner Fardad Khayami aims to redefine traditional French cuisine with innovative techniques at the restaurant, crafting “lighter” dishes and making use of the “freshest” local produce.

“The vision behind MUSE is rooted in Fardad Khayami’s formative college years at the University of Southern California, where he and his roommates, including David Gelland—now bar director for MUSE—created ‘Museum,’ an exclusive underground restaurant featuring rotating cuisines and gallery installations,” according to a press release. “This campus speakeasy quickly became a sensation, serving 3,000 students and amassing a waitlist of 6,000. The commitment to enhancing the dining experience in flavor and ambiance continues to shape MUSE.”

MUSE showcases “beautiful” produce, wine, cocktails and art in its “chic” restaurant, designed by Los Angeles- and Paris-based Marc Ange Design Studio. In a statement, Marc Ange described the restaurant as an “intimate experience” and “ode to art” that Angelenos crave.  

“The space stands out for its artistic integration, featuring unique sculptural lighting, millwork, furniture and accessories designed by Marc Ange that harmoniously complement a rotating display of museum-quality artworks,” the press release read. “The artful impact extends beyond just the food and wine—every element of the interiors contributes to an immersive dining experience.”

The debut exhibition showcases the works of Catalan-Spanish painter Joan Miró. 

Khayami has curated an à la carte four-course menu for the restaurant in collaboration with Executive Chef Jason Gonzales, formerly of Juliet in Culver City, and guided by General Manager and Wine Director Matthew Rogel, formerly of Evan Funke’s Felix Trattoria.

The dining experience—designed to be “intimate,” with seating for 35 guests, including four at the bar—kicks off with canapés and salads, followed up with pasta and risotto dishes, and finishes with a selection of main courses. 

“We cannot wait to serve our guests,” Khayami shared in a statement. “It is going to be very apparent that this restaurant is an undiluted expression of our love for food, wine, cocktails, art and hospitality.” 

MUSE—located at 108 West Channel Road—is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 5 to 10 p.m. Reservations can be made through Resy.