Manchego

Manchego has long been a go-to date spot on Main Street in Santa Monica, and we can see why. This Spanish tapas restaurant keeps things dark, moody, and romantic. The tiny dining room is pitch-black, with flickering candles illuminating blue tiles on the wall and generous pours of rioja. But while the ambiance is dialed in, the food is just okay. There are some nice bites on the menu, like the crispy mushroom croquettes and nuggets of crispy pork belly with a sweet quince jam, but dishes like jamón-wrapped dates or roasted brussel sprouts mostly register as fuel to keep the small talk going.