Michael Mina’s Egyptian-Mediterranean Restaurant Opens in Santa Monica

Inside, the 270-Seat Restaurant’s Interior Draws Inspiration From Greek and Egyptian Coastal Aesthetics

Renowned chef Michael Mina has opened his newest culinary venture, Orla, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant that delves into Mina’s Egyptian roots. 

Located at the Regent Santa Monica Beach hotel, Orla offers an experience that combines Mina’s distinctive high-end techniques with flavors from the Mediterranean and the Middle East, creating an homage to his Egyptian heritage.

Originally from Cairo, Mina moved to Washington state as a young child. His career, launched in New York at Chef Charlie Palmer’s Aureole, has since included iconic restaurants such as San Francisco’s Aqua, which established him as a powerhouse in fine dining. Today, Mina’s MINA Group oversees more than 30 restaurants globally, spanning cuisines from American to Japanese to Italian. However, Orla marks a personal and culinary return to his heritage.

Orla’s menu, crafted by Mina and Executive Chef Jacob Solomon, a Los Angeles native, showcases Mina’s take on Egyptian-Mediterranean fare, with items like caviar-topped fateer and charcoal-grilled octopus with saffron broth, as reported by The Los Angeles Times. The “kebab platter,” designed for two, features filet mignon, lamb kofta, and chicken dolmas, presented with traditional Middle Eastern dips and rice, as reported by LA Magazine. 

Inside, the 270-seat restaurant’s interior draws inspiration from Greek and Egyptian coastal aesthetics. Its main dining room features a handcrafted mosaic octopus floor and ocean views, designed by the AvroKO firm. For Mina, the ambiance is integral to creating an immersive dining experience, a vision shared by Strategic Hotels, which partnered with him on the restaurant’s development. The hotel’s transformation from the former Loews to the Regent signals a commitment to luxury and culinary innovation that complements Orla’s unique appeal.

For Mina, Orla represents the culmination of years of exploration into Egyptian cuisine, a journey he also captured in his recent cookbook, My Egypt: Cooking from My Roots (LA Magazine). As Orla opens its doors in Santa Monica, Mina’s lifelong ambition to showcase his heritage is now a centerpiece of his culinary empire.

in Dining, News
Related Posts

More Commercial Uses Could Be Coming to RAND Building

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Amendment Unlocks New Opportunities, Secures $5.5 Million in Community Benefits The Santa Monica Planning Commission unanimously approved an amendment to...

(Video) ‘World’s Strongest Man’ Champion Pulls Big Blue Bus for 30 feet

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

World-class strongman Martins Licis pulled a 34,680‑pound, 35-feet long, battery electric bus through the Pier to set off Pier 360...

Proposed Rebuilding Authority for Wildfire Recovery Sparks Local Control Debate

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Plan Aims to Streamline Rebuilding but Raises Questions Over Community Input A proposed “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” to oversee recovery from...

Marquez Students Rebuild Robots Destroyed in Fire, Shine at National and World Competitions

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Community and Coaches Rally Behind Young Innovators Elementary students from Marquez Charter Elementary School rebuilt their robots after they were...

Second Victim Killed Alongside LAPD Sergeant in Brentwood 405 Crash Identified

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Authorities Confirm Garcia, 34, Died at the Scene, GoFundMe Launched  Authorities have identified the civilian who was killed alongside a...

Why Nordstrom Says It’s Closing Its Santa Monica Place Location

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

A Nordstrom spokesperson explained the closure as a strategic realignment Nordstrom confirmed its decision to close its Santa Monica store...

(Video) Marina del Rey Bids Farewell to Beloved Sports Bar After Nearly Three Decades

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Tony P’s Had its Last Day of Service on Sunday After Standing as a Community Hub by the Marina del...

People are Using Palisades for “Disaster Tours.” Local Officials Are Trying to Stop Them

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

A new motion introduced to City Council requests a coordinated strategy from LADOT, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the...

LAUSD Approves $604 Million Plan to Rebuild Fire-Damaged Palisades Schools

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

The reconstruction, set to conclude by the end of 2028, aims to restore facilities for approximately 3,620 students across the...

Free Virtual Planetarium Shows Coming to SMC in July

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

The virtual format is in place as construction of the new SMC Planetarium and Observatory nears completion The Santa Monica...

Six-Bed Mar Vista Hilltop Home Under Construction Lists for $5.3M

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

The private backyard is complete with a pool, spa, fire pit, built-in BBQ, and areas for outdoor dining A stunning...

(Video) Getty Villa Reopens Six Months After Dodging Destruction of Palisades Wildfires

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

With the reopening also comes a new exhibit, “The Kingdom of Pylos” Getty Villa Reopens Six Months After Dodging Destruction...

Three-Bed Palisades Highlands Townhouse Hits Market for $1.7M

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

The Mediterranean-style property, located at 1529 Michael Lane, is part of a 71-unit community A remodeled 1,919-square-foot townhouse in the...

LAPD Updates Immigration FAQ to Clarify Enforcement Role

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

The document, available in English and Spanish, outlines the department’s policies and limits regarding immigration status The Los Angeles Police...

Three Santa Monica College Student Films Selected for International Film Festival

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

The LA Shorts International Film Festival, the city’s longest-running shorts festival, screens over 350 films annually and draws 10,000 attendees...