LA West Elite Event At Seasons 52

What an awesome event to get back into the swing of things. It’s been a couple of years since I last attended an event and I almost forgot how entertaining and the experiences I gain from these wonderful social gatherings.
Fortunately for my friend Jenny, +1s were allowed to this event and she had a blast. This place was quite swanky and the tasting of food didn’t disappoint. I would like to thank our table mates who were very gracious and more than happy to let us have first dibs on the dishes that came to our table. You guys are awesome!
We were treated to the following appetizers:
Shrimp Cocktail: served with parsley, lemon, and cocktail sauce — shrimp were huge, fresh, and had a nice texture.
Double Hummus & Crisp Sea Salt Lavish: minted edamame hummus, roasted pepper hummus with crisp pita chips (I decided to not try this. Why, it skips my memory at the moment)
Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms: topped with a Parmesan-​panko crust — I enjoyed this even with it’s simple, but strong flavored ingredients
Tuna & Avocado Sushi Roll: wrapped in soy mama nori, wasabi, with natural pickled ginger — Unfortunately Sushi is done to abundance in L.A. I thought it was good, but didn’t knock me off my feet
Chicken Quesadillas: with grilled chicken, pico de gallo, and melted cheese on a crusted tortilla — I liked this as the tortilla had a different texture because it was crispier than what I’m used to
Kona Crusted Grilled Lamb Lollipops — pretty self explanatory. I’m not a huge fan of Lamb or Goat as I feel that the meat is a bit «gamy» to my personal taste. My friend Jenny told me, if done correctly, it shouldn’t have a gamy taste to it at all. This was my favorite taste of the night. The meat was seasoned just right and cooked to perfection. It had a very subtle hint of it being Lamb at the end. I wish I had more of this.
Ripe Plum Tomato Flatbread: also with fresh basil leaves, melted mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese
Fig & Goat Cheese Flatbread: applewood smoked bacon, sweet cipollini arugula, 15 year balsamic, and fresh mint
— Both flatbreads were surprisingly good especially with the simple ingredients matched together. Thanks to Unilocal,I now like Goat cheese and properly cooked Lamb
Overall, the restaurant served some pretty awesome food, quite an upscale atmosphere, and great staff.
Thanks again Brittany for the awesome event.

This was my first Unilocal/​Elite event, and I must confess that I felt less than «elite.» There was a pretty good turnout of Elites and their +1’s, but the food was depressingly sparse. I suppose we’re put in a situation in which «beggars can’t be choosers» since it’s a complimentary event, but we do have some sort of position of power as a room full of foodies and faux food critics (or do we?).
We were presented a menu of appetizers with some pretty impressive selections, but I gather that each table only received just about half of the options available. That would’ve been fine if we’d been notified of that early on because it put a damper on our expectations. I also wish we could’ve known ahead of time which table served what (if the servers even knew that) because I don’t eat meat and was stuck with a table that had the lamb dish when I would’ve liked to have tried the tomato flatbread and sushi.
The food was decent enough, but not remarkably good — I don’t think there’s a particular dish I’d rave about or convince my friends to come back with me to try. I certainly didn’t think that one piece each from the four dishes presented to our tables was sufficient for our presumed dinner appetite. Sure, they filled up our glasses with wine at the beginning of the event, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to stuff a bunch of hungry foodies with free alcohol and then don’t give them enough food to soak it up — that sounds like a recipe for a stampede of petulant drunks to me. I guess they strategically got us buzzed by 8p before they kicked us out, unsatisfied and disoriented.
The service was nice, but not notably so. Aside from the event itself, one of my biggest qualms about this place is that the lighting is uncomfortably dim in sharp contrast of the glare of daylight. I can definitely see how the ocean view could be lovely during the day, but the indoor lighting was too dark to see much more than your dinner partners’ silhouettes.
Maybe I was too hangry to enjoy my experience, but I certainly wouldn’t pay the $$$ that this restaurant costs when I could be much better satisfied at Joe’s Pizza across the street for $.
Sorry, Brittany, please don’t blacklist me from future Elite events for my honesty!

After being wait listed all year for Elite events, I was finally approved for my first Elite Event of 2013. The event was really well planned by Britney B, and I had always wanted to try Seasons 52 so was particularly excited when I got the «You’re In!» email.
The place is gorgeous with an astounding tropical view of the Santa Monica ocean located just a couple blocks away. After checking in, we were led to a private dining area for our party and were given a tote bag and coupon for free flatbread for our next visit. They also served us different types of wine and/​or beer which we could choose.
The food then came out on plates, enough for one per person at our 8 people table. The restaurant is known for «fresh, flavorful food» like tapas, and we were served about 6 of their appetizers. Among the highlights were lamb lollipops, which our table agreed was the best dish served, stuffed mushrooms, tuna and avocado sushi, and fig and goat cheese flatbread. The flatbread dishes originally didn’t show up, but our waiter was kind enough to make an order for us separately which was a very nice treat as he didn’t have to do that. However, we didn’t receive the chocolate dessert which they said they had run out of. Other tables didn’t receive the flatbread either, which is supposedly their signature dish.
All in all, though, thanks to the décor and the food quality it was still a wonderful event. And with the refills of wine we mostly left happy and very satisfied.

Many thanks to Brittany B and Erica and her team at Seasons 52 for such an awesome event! It was such a great opportunity to check out a new restaurant right in our own backyards.
The drinks: there was plenty of wine flowing throughout the evening — a sustainable Sauvignon Blanc from Honig in Napa, a Monastrell from Wrongo Dongo in Spain’s Jumilla region, and a Garnacha from Alto Moncayo in Spain’s Campo de Borja. We sampled the white first. Crisp and ice cold, it turned out to be our favorite of the night.
The food: Ask anyone — the hands-​down favorite was definitely the kona crusted grilled lamb lollipops. With a sweet and smoky rub reminiscent of a good kalbi marinade, these lollipops were tender and juicy and perfectly medium-​rare — an impressive feat for a restaurant serving 100 Unilocalers at a time.
Other noteworthy dishes included the Double Hummus with Crisp Sea Salt Lavash (with mint & edamame hummus!), hot and crispy Chicken Quesadillas, and Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms under parmesan-​panko crust. Can you tell I have an affinity toward hot apps?
Our table almost missed out on the flatbread pizzas but luckily the staff set things right and we were able to try them both. The fig and goat cheese flatbread was pretty good. I liked the sweet balsamic glaze that was drizzled over the top; it really tied together the hodge-​podge of toppings. The tomato flatbread reminded me of a margherita pizza, in a good way, although the flatbread itself was a bit dry and cracker-​like. Both tasted great paired with the Garnacha.
This was my 6^th Elite event, and while every event is different, I appreciated that the staff (and kitchen) at Seasons 52 were able to accommodate a party of 100 for sit-​down, family-​style table service. Despite the minor hiccup our table encountered, we had a fabulous time and met new friends, bonding over taking pictures of food.
You can bet we’ll be returning to Seasons 52 soon to sample more of their 475 calorie or less menu! Thanks for hosting us and thanks again to Brittany B for coordinating everything!

**LAMB LOLLIPOPS AND SAUVIGNON BLANC**
LOVED THIS EVENT!
PARKING
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Valet, parking lot, or street.
AMBIANCE
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Nice upscale décor.
Great bar area.
Attentive staff.
FOOD
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DOUBLE HUMMUS & CRISP SEA SALT LAVOSH
Minted edamame hummus and roasted red pepper hummus was delicious. I could eat this all day.
RATING: ⁴⁄₅
SPINACH STUFFED MUSHROOMS
With a Parmesan-​panko crust? I inhaled.
RATING: ⁴⁄₅
TUNA & AVOCADO SUSHI ROLL
Wrapped in soy mame nori, wasabi, and natural pickled ginger was my least favorite out of the bunch. Too much rice.
RATING: ³⁄₅
KONA CRUSTED GRILLED LAMB LOLLIPOPS
These were the super stars. Absolutely loved these! Very flavorful.
RATING: ⁴⁄₅
FIG & GOAT CHEESE FLATBREAD
Smoked bacon, sweet cipollini, arugula, 15 year old balsamic, and fresh mint combined was divine! I would say my second favorite of the evening!
RATING: ⁴⁄₅
Staff refilled our HONIG SAUVIGNON BLANC (Napa) wine glasses generously. One of the best wines I’ve ever had at a YEE! THANK YOU! :)
Shouts out to our wonderful table: Jenn, Matt, Bridget, Tracy, Tuyet, Nicole, and Gary! YAY!
And of course, a big THANK YOU to our wonderful Brittany B. for another amazing event!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Thank you Brittany for another fabulous event! You make us all feel so important and special.
We arrived early and tried to find street parking, but in Santa Monica, it’s just best to either Valet park or park in one of the parking structures. We valet parked. $ 7.00 with validation.
We arrived early, and so we just sat around the bar, which was cozy and the bartenders were very friendly.
Once the event opened up, we were told to find a table from the back and we found a nice spot, but it was so dark in this private room (for the event), I had to use the flash mode in my camera/​phone, which made the food look a bit harsh, when in fact, the food was delicious!
Mark, our drink server was most attentive and when we had 2 latecomers arrive to our table, who missed out on the 3 first courses, Mark made sure he was able to get some for our latecomers. Bravo Mark!
My plus 1, both ordered the granache wine and we loved it!
My favorite dish was by far the Kono Lamb Lollipops!
I loved the spinach stuffed mushrooms as well!
The chicken quesadillas were my least favorite. Seasons 52 is proud of their «concept» of grilling and wine pairngs, and I was a bit disappointed. I have had better elsewhere.
The lavash crackers with the hummus? Just ok. The lavash crackers were a bit too flour tasting.
The shrimp cocktail? I would of preferred the shrimp to be grilled! Shrimp was fresh, but bland, and the cocktail sauce, nothing special.
The sushi: tuna and avocado roll? This was just OK. This is not a sushi restaurant, but a restaurant that specializes in grilled food! A seared tuna over avocado on a flatbread would of been better.
The two flatbreads: plum tomato and cheese. Kind of bland. I loved the fig and olive flatbread!
The overall experience of the food was a 4 star, but the ambience, the staff, the organizers, and beautiful setting of the restaurant makes it a 5 star evening!!!
I loved meeting my dinner mates! Everyone was so nice, friendly and social!
I am always so impressed with each Unilocal elite event I have attended.
Will I go back to Seasons 52 again? YES! I want to try more of the grilled specialties!

Thanks to my Elite friend who invited me to this Unilocal Elite event. LOVE IT~
Great choice on the location. We have our own «private room».
The Service: The staffs are super friendly. However, they might be a little bit under staff. There is
The Food: We are able to taste 3 different kind of wines and 8 different kind of dishes.
The Parking: Valet parking or parking structure at Santa Monica Place
It is fun to dine with other foodies. No one will think we are weird when we take pictures of the food~ :D
This definitely motivates me to become an Elite in 2014!
Happy Eating & Happy Unilocaling~

My first Unilocal elite dining event!
Having arrived early, my +1 and I grabbed some vino at the bar and took in the wonderful ocean view from our seats. That’s what I’m talking about for a Monday night!
Appetizer tastings at Seasons 52:
* A. OK — Double hummus (edamame, roasted red pepper) with crisp sea salt lavash
* GET — Spinach stuffed mushrooms = parmesan-​panko crust
* A. OK — Tuna & avocado sushi roll = the rice was a bit hard…
* A. OK — Chicken quesadillas = melty lil bite size quesadillas.
* GET — Kona-​crusted lamb lollipops = me no likey lamb yet LOVED this!!! Perfectly seasoned and grilled lamb tasted so succulent! Not gamey at all. Our table loved this.
* A. OK — Plum tomato flatbread = fresh basil and mozza.
* GET — Fig & goat cheese flatbread = wow, the applewood smoked bacon and 15-​year old balsamic made this very tasty dish.
* NON — Shrimp cocktail = we didn’t get any.
VINO:
* GET — King Estate’s pinot gris
* GET — Pranqster beer
WOA:
— Valet parking $ 7 or street parking
Fabulous job Brittany B. (and a big congrats!)
Hello to new Unilocal friends!~ So nice to meet y’all.

I finally mustered up the courage to attend my first Unilocal event after being an Elite for 4 years! I have to say that I really missed out in the past four years. I was able to come to this event because they allowed a friend to attend with us, even if they are not Unilocal Elite members.
We arrived at 6:30 at Seasons 52 and told the hostess that we were there for the Unilocal event. They indicated that we were at the bar. We hung around and shortly found an exit to the patio where people were registering for the event.
Brittany, our very graceful host told us that they were filling in the tables from the

I have heard all about Seasons 52 in the past and have been meaning to try it for quite sometime… Seasons 52 is known for offering food that is both fresh, flavorful and under 475 calories. Because they offer appropriately portioned food without all the added calories you can leave full, happy without having the loosen your belt!
The space was beautiful, very high end and the staff was very attentive. They offered us an array of fabulous food that ranged from some fantastic flatbreads that didn’t lack in flavor, to beautifully charred lamb chops even a tuna and avocado sushi roll! They kept the wine flowing until the end of the event!
Like every LA West Elite Event community manager Brit B and her assistants kicked butt and made sure everything ran smoothly, and ensured everyone had a fantastic time and left full!