If Santa Monica were a house, Milo and Olive would be its sunny breakfast nook, although much more than breakfast takes place here. Zoe Nathan and Josh Loeb's bakery and pizza spot is barely even a restaurant — a bakery counter, some seating along a bar that faces the kitchen, and two communal tables make up the entire place. Naturally, you should always expect to wait for a seat, but dining well in one of the city's most convivial spaces is worth the inconvenience. At breakfast, grits and eggs and greens and sausage, a smashing breakfast pizza, great coffee and some seriously fantastic pastries are on offer. At lunch and dinner, the pizza — bread-centric, crispy and addictive — reigns supreme, but there are also plenty of farmers market–driven small plates, as well as hearty pastas, to divert you if need be. The salads are lovingly compiled as well. A common mistake here is to fill up before dessert. Don't do it — Nathan is one of the best bakers around, and choosing a treat from the bakery case at the end of your meal is one of the sweetest parts, literally and figuratively, of eating here. 2723 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. (310) 453-6776, miloandolive.com. Daily, 8 a.m.-11 p.m.; bakery opens at 7 a.m. Entrees $11-$20. Beer and wine.

 

Besha Rodell's Introduction

Anne Fishbein's Photography

The Google Map

 

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A-Frame
Alma
Angelini Osteria
Animal
Attari Sandwich Shop
Bäco Mercat
Bar Amá
The Bazaar
Bestia
BierBeisl
Bludso's
Cacao Mexicatessen
Canelé
La Casita Mexicana
Cemitas Poblanas Elviritas
Chichen Itza
Chung King
Cole's
Coni'Seafood
Cube Cafe & Marketplace
Din Tai Fung
Eva
Father's Office
Fred 62
Gjelina
Golden Deli
Go's Mart
Il Grano
Guelaguetza
Guisados
Hatfield's
Ha Tien Quan
Hawkins House of Burgers
Hayat's Kitchen
El Huarache Azteca
Huckleberry
The Hungry Cat
ink.
Jar
Jitlada
JTYH Heavy Noodle II
Kang Ho Dong Baekjong
Kiriko
Kiyokawa
Kogi Truck
Krua Siri
L&E Oyster Bar
Langer's
Little Dom's
Lucques
Ludo Truck
Lukshon
Mariscos Jalisco
Matsuhisa
Meals by Genet
Mélisse
Milo and Olive
Mo-Chica
Musso & Frank
Nem Nuong Ninh Hoa
Nickel Diner
Night + Market
Oinkster
Osteria Mozza
Pann's
Pa-Ord Noodle
El Parian
Park's BBQ
Philippe the Original
Picca
Pink's
Pizzeria Mozza
Playa
Pollo a la Brasa
Providence
R&R Soul Food
Ración
Red Medicine
Ricky's Fish Tacos
Rivera
Rocio's Moles de los Dioses
Salt's Cure
Sapp Coffee Shop
Savoy Kitchen
Sea Harbour
Shanghai No. 1 Village Seafood
Soban
Son of a Gun
Sotto
Spago
The Spice Table
Superba Snack Bar
Tacos Leo
The Tasting Kitchen
Tavern
Tsujita LA
Vincenti Ristorante
Wurstküche
Zam Zam Market

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