Bryant Ng's Cassia Should Be Ready to Transform Santa Monica's Dining Scene By June

That Bryant Ng, Zoe Nathan, and Josh Loeb project slated for Santa Monica is coming together nicely. Called Cassia, the early rumors from last year pointed to a space that was over 5,500 square feet in size, including a bar and large patio. There was also talk of a wood-fired grill, plus lots and lots of wine, which should fit right into the current ethos of L.A. dining.

Now the restaurant seems close to hitting its early June anticipated opening. Craigslist is awash in details for anyone looking to snag a job at what should become one of Santa Monica’s hottest restaurants basically from the moment it opens. Everything Front of House is on the table (bartenders, servers, runners, expediters, etc.) and much of the Back of House is also up for grabs (dishwashers, plus prep and line cooks). And in true Nathan and Loeb form, the giving ownership team will be offering full health care benefits for anyone who works 30 hours or more.

Cassia represents a big, exciting return for Bryant and Kim Ng, whose downtown destination Spice Table was eventually bulldozed to make way for a transit project. Since then, the Ngs have been relatively quiet, while their Southeast Asian-influenced flavors have only continued to rise in popularity around town. This time, they’ll be going full farm-to-table (using the nearby Santa Monica Farmers Market, no doubt) and with a serious French edge, bringing a brasserie feel to the casual-ish environment.

Oh, and there’s also that Esters space, an on-site (but separate) wine bar overseen by Kathryn Coker and apparently featuring a bar menu that’s crafted by none other than Jeremy Fox from Rustic Canyon.