First look: French-inspired Cadet to open Saturday in Santa Monica

Cadet, a new restaurant by Counter cofounder and Freddy Smalls owner Jeff Weinstein will open in Santa Monica Saturday. The new French countryside-inspired restaurant takes over the space formerly occupied by Shack.

Chef Kris Tominaga (the Hart and the Hunter) will serve a selection of tartines, including white anchovy with radish, butter, bottarga and smoked pepper, and a version topped with beef tartare, Roquefort, marrow butter, chive and smoked oil.

There’s also smoked lardo, grilled rabbit boulettes, oxtail and onion soup, littleneck clams and more. A wood-fired grill will also play prominently on the menu with wood-roasted Dungeness crab, wood-grilled Porterhouse steak and wood-grilled pork collar.

There will also be a full bar with signature cocktails, wine and beer.

Cadet will be open Sunday to Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. The restaurant plans to start offering brunch and lunch soon.

2518 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 828-3300