Found in the historic Brentwood Country Mart in Santa Monica, Farmshop is a restaurant and market that aims to showcase the very best of Californian cuisine and ingredients. The brainchild of Jeff Cerciello, a chef who’s worked everywhere from El Bulli to French Laundry, Farmshop is a distillation of everything he’s picked up during his illustrious career. All manner of local farmers and producers (bakers, cheesemongers, butchers, wine makers, and more) make an appearance on Farmshops’s menus and shelves. In fact, it’s safe to say that the retail side of the operation is total foodie nirvana, offering everything from artisanal cheese and freshly-baked pastries to organic wine. Basically, there are more foodie buzzwords here than you can shake a traditionally-cured sausage at. It’s a marvel.

The spacious restaurant, meanwhile, with its open kitchen and wall-sized black and white farm photos, has rough wooden pillars and exposed light bulbs hanging from ropes. There’s a decidedly rustic feel to it. And the dishes are simple, elegant and demonstrate a real love for the ingredients they use.

Open from breakfast through to dinner, there really isn’t a bad time of day to visit. Although the later in the day you go, the more chance you can explore the extensive drinks list. When it comes to wine, the list is full of Californian bottles, with big Chardonnays and rounded Pinot Noirs making a stellar appearance. And craft beer enthusiasts will love sampling their way through the veritable A-Z of Californian microbreweries that Farmshop’s got on offer.