In the past several months, four new restaurants and one refurbished nightclub have opened/re-opened on Santa Monica Boulevard. I visited them all, dined in two of them, and here are my opinions.

Tender Greens – 8759 Santa Monica Blvd. This establishment specializes in salads. Not just salads, but gastronomic creations.  I have not dined there yet, but everyone I talked with is extremely enthusiastic about the menu, decor, and service.

Caffe’ Primo has finally opened its new location in the shopping center that fronts the Ramada. I have not eaten at this location yet, but the sleek decor, fine menu, and attentive staff will draw me in soon.

Baby Blues – 7953 Santa Monica Blvd.,  is undoubtedly going to make the location a success, finally! The joint serves very tasty pulled pork, brisket, ribs, catfish, shrimp, and chicken, to name a few items from their big menu. Some people have a problem with the BBQ sauces, as they are a North Carolina recipe that is vinegar based, rather than sweet tomato based.  I liked them fine, but must admit that I still craved the thick, sweet tomato based sauce that I am used to. I took  most of my meal to go, and sauced it up at home. The side dishes are quite good, especially the greens. The full bar is a great addition also, especially when you are waiting for a table, which you will probably do unless you go early. Service is cheerful and rapid.  Portions are large, prices are medium expensive, (about $25.00/person not incl. beverages)

Mexico Restaurant – 8512 Santa Monica Blvd. This establishment, (formerly the old Benvenuto Cafe) is a paradox to me. A normal-sized Margarita cost me $15.00. Not Patron, mind you, but Cuervo Silver, I believe. It was a good drink, but I fastened my seat belt  in anticipation of the rest of the evening. For our main courses, while squinting  at the menu in the darkness,  I ordered the Chiles Rellenos, and my friend ordered Chicken Mole’. We munched through 2 baskets of chips and all of the three flavors of excellent salsa on the table before our food arrived.

I have never experienced Nouvelle Mexican Cuisine before, but there it reposed in front of me, two rellenos the size of my thumb, scattered with salsa and goat cheese. No beans, no rice, no nada. My friend’s 1/2 chicken must have been raised in a prison camp, it was so tiny. Both my mini rellenos and the teeny chicken mole were extremely tasty, but I had become convinced that this was going to be a MacDonalds evening, where I go to the drive-through afterwards to get full.

To drown our appetites, my friend and I ordered more Margaritas; I ordered a peach one this time for, I believe, $13.00  which, maybe because it was blended,  came in a much smaller glass than the original Margarita that I had ordered previously. Over all, for $60.00 apiece, we got slightly tipsy and ate delicious appetizers. I don’t think that West Hollywood will stand for this kind of restaurant, but I might be wrong…

Micky’s – After about 18 months and tons of speculation, the New and Improved Micky’s has finally opened its doors. And the club is beautiful, with lights embedded in the bar-tops, a great new patio with its own little bar,  and a fabulous lounge upstairs. The gorgeous stable of dancers is cool too. However, I am a little put off with the nightly cover charges, and the exorbitant drink prices, so I will do what everyone else does, spend my drinking money elsewhere, and go there to dance, if I get around to it.

Try these places out! Let me know your reactions!