The sudden onset of snow after 70 degree weather is giving Whitney Young students the winter blues… If you need a little pick me up and a reminder that summer isn’t as far away as you think, head on over to Summer House Santa Monica on Halsted. The restaurant’s white wood detailing and hanging plants will instantly transport you to your dream vacation home. Lilly Holmes of ‘17 says, “It’s so bright and the decor is fresh.” Sloane Kistinger of ‘17 says, “I genuinely feel like I’m on vacation when I’m at Summer House… A vacation with really great food.”

If the interior design of the restaurant isn’t summery enough, the food certainly is. Some Whitney Young student favorites are the tuna tostada appetizer, the kale-lemonade and the spicy calamari. The tuna tostada appetizer is a mouth-watering combination of watermelon, tuna, spicy mayo, and cilantro on a mini tortilla chip. The kale-lemonade is lemonade revamped. The kale provides a healthy twist on your traditional lemonade without masking the lemonade taste. The best part? You get a trendy green drink to snap pictures of. The spicy calamari never met a person that didn’t love it. The calamari is fried to perfection, topped with spicy red pepper flakes, and accompanied by a heaping pile of warm spicy mayo. Quinn Gorman of ‘17 says, “I have a passion for the calamari. It’s unreal.”

If that doesn’t sound like your dream meal, the menu is filled with endless options for picky eaters. The fried chicken with honey butter and the chicken taco platter are perfect for those with plainer taste-buds. Another classic menu item is the amazing french fries. Rabid french fry fanatic, Daniella Rafaeli of ‘17, swears by them saying, “They’re the best french fries across the city.”

Another Summer House staple is the restaurant’s dessert bar. If you don’t have time for an entire sit-down meal, head on over to the desserts bar for delicacies like blondies, smore’s, snickerdoodle and peanut butter cookies. Sydney Schwartz of ‘17 is a frequent diner and says, “the food is amazing and the cookies at the front are addicting.”

There you have it, folks, Summer House is a ten out of ten across the board. At least, on the Whitney Young student board. If you still aren’t convinced, go check it out for yourself! Happy munching!

Photo Courtesy of Maggie Rivas