Santa Monica's Hinterland Is Small On Space But Big On Flavor

Housed in the old Joe's Diner's spot on Main Street, Hinterland recently opened in Santa Monica.  The space is very small, surrounded by brick walls and tiny booths.  Diners can also sit at a few tables on the outside front patio or on stools at the bar.

Chef Max DiMare heads up the kitchen, or in this case the counter where dishes are prepped and grilled in front of customers.  The menu has a wide variety of dishes including avocado toast with smoked salmon, octopus Greek salad, charcuterie board, cheese board, oysters,  grilled prawns and mussels for appetizers.

Main dishes include a grilled country cut pork chop, pan roasted chicken, grilled salmon and shrimp and grits.  Side dishes include summer succotash, fries with chili mayonnaise, a pickled vegetable board and charred peppers with burrata.

Desserts include a chocolate peanut butter banana bread pudding, blueberry panna cotta and a chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich.

Specialty cocktails include the Kinney Club with vermouth, Dolan Blanc, lemon and grapefruit bitters and the Painted Maiden with sake, yuzu juice and honey.

Hinterland is owned by musician Joe Jonas and restaurateurs Matthew Hechter, Marcus Childress, and Chris Brandon.