Former USC Pop-Up Kings Open Art-Filled Muse Restaurant in Santa Monica

In 2022, a group of University of Southern California friends produced a pop-up that showcased rotating cuisines and fine art. Called Museum, it quickly became a sensation that served nearly 3,000 students over its tenure. That same year, Eater sent a direct message requesting a seat at Museum, to which co-founder Fardad Khayami replied, “We’ve put you on our (6,000 person) waitlist and will reach out shortly when we have an opening, which is currently four months.”

This week, the 24-year-old self-trained chef Khayami will convert their popular pop-up into a full-service restaurant in Santa Monica with a slight variation on its original name. Muse debuts on Friday, August 16 in the H.wood Group’s shuttered Mason supper club with European fare in an intimate modern Art Deco-laced room. The space will be filled with handpicked art that seats 35 plus another four at the bar.

Khayami will be collaborating with seasoned industry professionals, including Juliet chef Jason Gonzalez and Matthew Rogel, previously of Felix Trattoria, who will serve as general manager and wine director. One glance at the menu shows classics from France and Italy, with heirloom tomatoes and a Comte fondue, a lobster pomme souffle topped with caviar, and brioche puff pastry for the table. The team will also prepare veal bonbons, eggplant cappelletti, a wild-caught fish of the day with beurre blanc and herby tarragon pistou, and a Provencal-style rack of lamb. The menu’s only Southern California-flavored curveball is the hamachi with yuzu olive oil and Calabrian chile coulis.

The a la carte menu is divided into four sections, allowing diners to choose their own adventure within its staple categories. Though prices are not listed for the current menu, a spokesperson says diners can expect to spend an average of $125 a person.

Rogel’s bottle and glass selections include Italian, Spanish, and French winemakers. Gelland designed the Au Soleil cocktail with vodka, saffron, and clarified apricot. Khayami’s former roommate David Gelland is the bar director and he developed a concoction titled the Barbarossa that uses mezcal, Brucato Orchards Amaro, Vermouth di Torino, and cacao. Muse will also rotate art exhibits. For the opening, visitors will notice work by Catalan-Spanish painter Joan Miró. Marc Ange Design Studio designed the space, lighting, and furniture. By September, Muse will also offer a 12-person private dining room.

Muse is open Wednesday to Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 108 W. Channel Road, Santa Monica, CA, 90402. Find reservations on Resy.