March 28, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Ox & Son In Santa Monica Inspired By Midwest Roots

Ox & Son is heavily influenced by executive chef Brad Miller’s upbringing in Ottawa, Illinois.
Ox & Son is heavily influenced by executive chef Brad Miller’s upbringing in Ottawa, Illinois.

The debut of modern American restaurant Ox & Son last month introduced new flavors and unique dishes to neighborhood locals and Westside visitors. As the newest restaurant on the restaurant-centric Montana Ave., Ox & Son is the result of the desire to create an eatery that served high-class fare within a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.

Located in the place of the former Cafe Montana, Ox & Son takes full advantage of its Southern California location and utilizes local farmers markets to obtain optimal seasonal ingredients.

“The cuisine I make is very L.A.,” executive chef Brad Miller said. “All of the ingredients and products we use are locally sourced, and my recipes are influenced by the vast culture we have here in L.A.”

With Miller as the mastermind of both the menu and the overall restaurant concept, Ox & Son was heavily influenced by Miller’s upbringing.

“We started with the idea of making a restaurant that would have high quality technique, elevated food/beverage, but in a casual fun atmosphere,” Miller explained. “The name and general vibe was inspired by where I grew up in the Midwest: I named the restaurant after my father, Gary ‘Ox’ Miller, a butcher from Ottawa, Illinois. We want this restaurant concept to have neighborhood, family-oriented feel and a welcoming atmosphere.”

The steak is a popular menu item at Ox & Son.
The steak is a popular menu item at Ox & Son.

Chef Miller aims to give American comfort classics inventive, modernized spins: according to the chef, Ox & Son is the fusion of Los Angeles’ fresh produce, the SoCal restaurant scene, and a butcher’s son from the Midwest.

“My creative process is inspired by eating at local, authentic restaurants throughout L.A.,” Miller said. “For example, just the other day I was eating Red Roast Pork in Koreatown, and it influenced a dish I’ve been tweaking over the past week.”

Miller pays close attention to his clientele and the likability of his dishes, catering to the desires of his guests.

“It’s important to me that I come up with new ideas and techniques each season,” Miller said. “I rarely repeat the same dish that I did the year before, and if I do, it’s because people are looking forward to that dish at that time of year.”

According to general manager Brandon Bernstein, “the amazing food” is one of his favorite parts about working as a staff member at the restaurant.

“The Chicken Fried Duck Confit and the Sticky Pig Cheeks are my personal favorites and also two of our highest sellers,” Bernstein said. “As if duck confit wasn’t already amazing, this incredibly talented Chef that I get to work with has taken it a step further and fried it in a similar manner to fried chicken and then plated it over a bed of Napa cabbage slaw.”

Bernstein said that the Uni & Eggs were also a popular dish so far, as the menu item boasts “great quality of uni” and “unsurprisingly sells like crazy.”

Ox & Son also offers a separate veggie and gluten-free menu for those with special dietary needs in order to provide even more convenience for its guests. An extensive wine and beer menu is available as well, which features sparkling, white, rose, and red wine as well as draft beers and bottled beers.

Even more prominent than the creative fare, however, is the basis on which the restaurant was founded on: the close-knit atmosphere.

According to Miller, the dining experience should be “all about enjoying who you’re there to eat with” in addition to the food itself.

“Everybody we work with here is very family-oriented,” Bernstein said. “It’s so nice coming into work knowing that we all have each other’s backs and that everybody works just as hard as the next person. To me, the family environment that we created here really stands out to be the true testament of this restaurant.”

Ox & Son is located at 1534 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. For more information, call  310.829.3990 or visit  oxandson.com.

in Dining
Related Posts

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

West Hollywood Barista and Founder Claims Top Honor at US Barista Championship

March 20, 2024

March 20, 2024

Be Bright Coffee Takes Top Honors at Prestigious Competition The founder of Be Bright Coffee in West Hollywood has won...

After Four Years, Vespertine’s Avant-Garde Culinary Experience Returns to Culver City

March 20, 2024

March 20, 2024

Chef Jordan Kahn’s Michelin Two-Star Eatery Finally Reopens in April  After a four-year hiatus, Vespertine, the avant-garde culinary experience helmed...

Erewhon Partners with Sofia Richie Grainge With Premium Cherry Smoothie

March 20, 2024

March 20, 2024

Sofia’s Sweet Cherry Smoothie Exclusively at Erewhon Tonic Bars Erewhon, the purveyor of organic and sustainable foods, is extending its...

The Auld Fella: Brentwood and Culver City’s St. Patrick’s Weekend Destination

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Join the Craic at The Auld Fella’s Celebrations: Dining, Drinking, Shenanigans If you are looking for an epic St. Patrick’s...

MICHELIN Guide Unveils 10 New Culinary Stars in California, Anticipating 2024 Selections

March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024

9 Los Angeles Area and Beverly Hills Restaurants Featured as New Additions The prestigious MICHELIN Guide has announced the addition...

Chef Roy Choi Brings Tacos Por Vida to LA With Soft Opening in Palms

March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024

The Lines Are Already Growing at This Newest Roy Choi Taco Stand Celebrated chef Roy Choi is celebrating the debut...

Sweet Lady Jane’s Santa Monica Flagship Faces Temporary Closure: New Owners Offer Solution for Cake Lovers

March 8, 2024

March 8, 2024

Montana Avenue’s Sweet Lady Jane Bakery Temporarily Shut, Julie Ngu Working to Reopen and Get Cake to Fans By Dolores...

Predict the Runtime, Win Delicious Rewards! Shake Shack’s Star-Studded Game for Tinseltown’s Biggest Night

March 7, 2024

March 7, 2024

Shake Shack’s Ultimate Award Show Guessing Game, and You Get the Prizes Get ready for a star-studded evening of predictions...

Wolfgang Puck to Wow Celebs at 30th Annual Oscars Governor’s Ball with Luxurious Feast

March 6, 2024

March 6, 2024

Chef Discusses His Three-Decade Legacy and Teases Decadent Desserts at the Oscars Chef and restauranteur Wolfgang Puck will serve a...

Sweet Lady Jane Bakery Returns with Surprise Soft Opening in Santa Monica on Monday

March 4, 2024

March 4, 2024

Exclusive: Four Other Locations Will Start to Reopen This Week  Things are moving fast with the reopening of the beloved...

CJ Foods Manufacturing Recalls Trader Joe’s Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings Over Plastic Contamination

March 4, 2024

March 4, 2024

62,000 pounds of dumplings recalled after reports of hard plastic in the product CJ Foods Manufacturing Beaumont Corporation is initiating...

Regarding Her Dinner at Hatchet Hall is Part of Planned Women’s History Month Celebration

February 28, 2024

February 28, 2024

Events Showcase Women-Led Farms, Vineyards, and Chefs, Supporting ‘Regarding Her’ Nonprofit Hatchet Hall, the renowned Culver City restaurant, invited patrons...

Leap Day Brings Once-in-Four-Year Deals at Popular Restaurants All Day Long

February 28, 2024

February 28, 2024

Krispy Kreme, Dunkin’, and More Roll Out Special Offers to Mark the Occasion Leap Day, that rare additional day occurring...

Sweet Lady Jane’s Social Media Tease Continues As Locations Sport Hiring Notices

February 28, 2024

February 28, 2024

Mysterious Posts Leave Fans Eager for the Return, But Questions Linger By Dolores Quintana After resurfacing on social media, the...