After nearly ten years of bringing Southeast Asian cuisine to Santa Monica, Cassia is set to close its doors on February 22. The restaurant, part of the Rustic Canyon Family group, has been a fixture in the dining scene, recognized for its unique blend of Asian flavors with Californian influences. This destination for food aficionados is known for its dishes like kaya toast and beef rendang, credited with bringing a fresh perspective to the area's culinary landscape.
In a statement to LA Eater, the Cassia team, including owners Bryant Ng and Kim Luu-Ng, cited "rising costs of operating a large-scale restaurant, but also entertainment industry strikes, and now fires" as reasons for the closure. They acknowledged the challenges that establishments like theirs face, adding, "We are not unique, but it's been a challenge for sure."
The restaurant's history is marked by high praise, including a three-star review from former New York Times critic Pete Wells—significant as the first such review outside the New York Metropolitan area. Despite the impending closure, the dinecassia Instagram post shared a heartfelt farewell, expressing deep regret over the decision and gratitude for the support they’ve received throughout the years. "It’s a deeply personal and profound loss for many of us at Cassia," the post reads, emphasizing the personal connections and memories forged within its walls.
While Santa Monica and the larger Los Angeles food community will feel the absence of a beloved establishment, life in the area's vibrant restaurant scene goes on. The remaining members of the Rustic Canyon Family, such as Birdie G's and Milo and Olive, continue to serve their patrons, enduring as bastions of culinary inventiveness and quality, as per LA Eater.
