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Santa Monica’s Historic Golden Bull Acquired By Westside Restaurateur Mark Verge

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He’s working with current ownership to keep the longtime seaside chophouse intact

The Golden Bull in Santa Monica
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Farley Elliott is the Senior Editor at Eater LA and the author of Los Angeles Street Food: A History From Tamaleros to Taco Trucks. He covers restaurants in every form, from breaking news to the culture, people, and history that surrounds LA's dining landscape.

Timeless Santa Monica restaurant hideaway The Golden Bull is up for some new life, thanks to serial restaurateur Mark Verge. But don’t worry, he won’t be changing the place too much.

Locals in Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades love the tucked-away Golden Bull for its classic vibes, steakhouse menu, and proximity to the beach. The restaurant sits just around the corner from Tallula’s off PCH, and has been in operation since 1950. The latticework, wide red booths, and expansive menu that includes chops, pastas, and early bird menu have come to define the spot as a laid-back hangout for the upscale enclave.

Verge is the founder of Westside Rentals, a gig that offered him enough money and business acumen to jump into the bar and restaurant scene to co-found 213 Hospitality with Cedd Moses (Cole’s, Las Perlas, Seven Grand, etc.). He’s also branched out on his own to bring a number of properties to life, from Margo’s to Ashland Hill to Art’s Table in Santa Monica. Now he’s keeping the Westside streak alive with a takeover of the nearly 70-year-old Golden Bull.

Reps for Verge say The Golden Bull will remain intact (that means no name change, and no super-drastic menu redo are planned). In a statement to Eater, Verge says:

I grew up right up the street and this place has been in my life for as long as I can remember. I’m looking forward to being part of such a legendary establishment.

The handover is already underway, with small changes coming next year.