Remember that kitschy Mexican dive Toppers, that place you took out-of-towners for a couple of cheap beers, marginal Margaritas and free nachos for happy hour? Those bad/sad memories will be forever altered as soon as you step into the gauzy, elegant yet beachy Penthouse atop the Huntley Hotel (designed by Thomas Schoos, of Koi and NY Tao renown.) Open just over a month, the Penthouse is packing them in for happy hour, dinner and partying late into the evening with its white wood and black leather interior and killer skyscraper view of the entire Santa Monica Bay. Dinner reservations are a bit scarce on the weekends, so if you have to settle for simply appetizers, the ahi tuna, cheese plate and shrimp cocktail suffice quite nicely.
The Penthouse, 1111 2nd St., Santa Monica 310.393-8080
