Summer House Santa Monica
Ahi tuna is turning up everywhere these days; even the café at ArcLight Cinemas does a respectable poke. But the most creative and successful take on tuna I had this year was at Summer House Santa Monica, where diced raw ahi and watermelon—tossed in a Thai chili sauce—share space on a guacamole-schmeared tortilla chip. A dollop of sour cream, sprinkle of lime salt, sprig of cilantro and garnish of lime wedges complete the presentation. The cubes of reddish-pink tuna and watermelon, looking like identical twins, are surprisingly compatible.
Summer House Santa Monica, 11825 Grand Park Ave., North Bethesda (in Pike & Rose); (301) 881-2381; www.summerhousesm.com
