Here’s your first full look inside 1212, the globally-focused Santa Monica restaurant opening Friday along the Third Street Promenade. With a glassy front and room for lots of diners, the place hopes to become an anchor tenant to the rapidly changing tourist thoroughfare.

Inside the tall, bi-level restaurant, guests are encouraged to lounge deep inside long banquettes, or on the second floor, overlooking the action. There’s plenty of wood and low lighting to go around, plus an upstairs lounge space, separate bars, and a front patio right out in the thick of things — all told, that's 10,000 square feet of prime real estate inside the former Monsoon.

On the food front, chef Walter Greenwood is plotting everything from pork crepe tacos to sea urchin risotto, spread across a menu that feels familiar without being stodgy. There are shared plates with duck confit, alongside playful takes on simple dishes like bacon and eggs. A full bar is being overseen by Fred Ghiassi, who previously spent time at Cassia.

1212 opens Friday for dinner only, with reservations required for the first few weeks. Starting Saturday, the restaurant opens for lunch as well.

1212

1212 W. Third St.Santa Monica, CA

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