April 30, 2010 --Santa Monica Place announced on Thursday that “an inventive hybrid of a wine bar and beer garden designed to bring the best of Sonoma wine country to Santa Monica” will be part of the rooftop dining experience at the redesigned mall set to open on Aug. 6. Called Sonoma Wine Garden, the Jeremy Umland restaurant is the sixth “chef-driven” eatery announced for the mall’s Dining Deck.

According to a press release from Santa Monica Place owner Macerich, Sonoma Wine Garden will “create a unique indoor-outdoor feel.” It will feature a rustic wine cellar ambiance with a wine bottle chandelier. An outdoor bar will be surrounded by olive trees, herb beds and organic plantings that will create “an urban wine country feel in the heart of the city.”

The menu will feature small plates for sharing, fresh pastas and a cheese and charcuterie selection. The wine selection will offer a “Best of Sonoma" list, as well as a variety of other choices. There will also be an extensive “wines by the glass” list and a house white and red served on tap.

Other restaurants that have been announced for the rooftop are Ozumo, a contemporary Japanese cuisine restaurant; two concepts from restaurateur Richard Sandoval, Zengo and La Sandia; plus Pizza Antica and Chris Yeo’s XINO Restaurant + Lounge.

“Dedicating an entire level of the property to food experiences is something new and exciting in department-store anchored shopping center design,” said Doug Roscoe, senior manager for Santa Monica Place. “Sonoma Wine Garden adds a wonderful concept to the mix on our Dining Deck and its urban garden setting will be a real oasis in the city.”

Last fall, nine casual food service names were announced for the Dining Deck. They are Charlie Kabob, Chick n’ Ribs, Fatburger, Manchu Wok, Pinches Tacos, Sarku Japan, Stefano’s Pizza, Sushi Itto and Wetzel’s Pretzels. Also planned for the area is a gourmet food market. (" Santa Monica Place Gourmet Market," March 3, 2010)

The 550,000-square-foot renovated Santa Monica Place will feature Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom as its anchor stores.