nutritious junk

So, sometimes, I get a little bored with product reviews and excited when I try a new restaurant (which is sadly not as often as I would like, thanks recession!).  Since it was the anniversary of my birth last tuesday, my lovely friends bought me lunch at a restuarant called "R+D Kitchen" located on the trendy Montana Ave in Santa Monica, CA. The joint is actaully owned by the folks that own Houston's. Actually, the "R" and "D" stands for research and development actually for the company's other restaurants. I thought this was a one of a kind gem, but after some research, I figured it had three other locations.  The place is decorated beautifully, and dare I break the rules of english, it was "cool-y" . It looks like a garage and the windows actually roll down like they do on garages.  They have a swank look bar and interesting bathrooms (with face-flattering lighting, ladies!). Before I give your more of my analysis, I would like to mention that ever since culinary school, where I learned the whole anatomy of the way restaurants work, I've been nit-picky with all food service establishments (yes, even hospital cafeterias).  The waitors where chefs jacket, which as a trained "chef" (i dont feel like im a real chef, but whatever), I find a little offensive. Waitors are actors! Nothing against waitors, they need to make money, but most of them are trying to make it big (especially in LA) and most never did those long, stressful hours we chef's did in culinary school. So call me weird, but I dont feel they should sport chefs coat. Plus, its confusing! The cool thing is that they only have ten items on the menu. Some might feel its a little restricted, but it really has different things for most people's taste preferences. Frankly, when I go to delis where the menu resembles an encylopedia, I can never decide on what to order and usally settle on something less than delicious. Their menu does change every so often, but they usually always have their infamous burger and veggie burger.  So I ordered a nice, medium-rare, filet minon (my fellow yoga students would karmically murder me). It was very delcious although I felt a bit guilty chomping on it in front of my vegan friend eating chinese avocado salad in front of me. However another friend of mine ordered a salmon that although tasted delicious on the outside, was completely rare on the inside (and this is NOT a sushi joint). Now the cocktails.....I dont remember them! No, I kid you! Since my liver is about the size of an ipod shuffle, I just took a few sips from my friends' cocktails. One of my friends ordered a bellini which was "alright" but it was my other friend's "lemon drop" that really made my heart skip.  It had a little pomegranate in it which made into a delcious, pink-lemonade-y drink!  This place is both casual but formal enough that showing up in a dress and heels doesnt make you look "stuck-up".  Although I found some faults, I would definetly reommed a visit if you live or are visiting the Los Angeles area.  I'd recommend you tell the hostess your a casting director, you know, the waitors will treat you like a god.