Aestus Turns Off the Lights in Santa Monica This Sunday

Aestus in Santa Monica will close as of Sunday, bringing to an end the 18 month run of one of the Westside's most beautiful mid-century modern restaurants.

After opening back in January 2015, Aestus seemed to be cruising along, occupying a niche as a slightly more upscale neighborhood restaurant draped in wood tones and good lighting. The place kept lunch through dinner hours and worked a strong brunch, alongside a bar program helmed by standout Marissa Grasmick (The Varnish). Opening chef Alex Ageneau lasted a year there, before moving on to Petrossian and being replaced by Andrew Betita.

All of that will end on Sunday, as owner/wine director Kevin O'Connor has decided to move on. A new Italian concept will take the place of Aestus, backed (eventually) by a new ownership team and chef, though there's no firm look at what that concept will eventually be. Want your last taste of Aestus? You'll have to do dinner tonight, tomorrow, or Sunday.