Well we are back and had a fantastic time. Off the top of my head here's what we tried
1) Appetizers, breakfast and drinks at our hotel (Loews) Very Good
2) Lunch at a Mexican place at the end of the SM Pier - Good
3) Dinner at the Penthouse - Excellent (staff and patrons were awesome); drinks were awesome too; OMG the Coconut/Pineapple soup for dessert was soooo good!
4) Dinner at the Lobster - OK - was expecting some local seafood - they were pushing east coast lobster for $30/lb I had to laugh. I thought the place was grimy. Service was wonderful tho. I will not go back
5) Dinner at BOA!!! Against advice here, my husband loves steak and really wanted to go here and since it was within walking distance to hotel we went. Was not disappointed at all. I did have american kobe with a chimchirri rub - i asked for rare and got med rare but very very tasty and tender. My husband got a prime filet mignon with blue cheese and he said it was one of the best steaks he's had and he is a lover of Prime and Jap Kobe. It was the most expensive bill ($200 for 2) but didn't feel it was too much for what we got.
4) We spent Super Bowl at Barney's Beanery - we got there after kickoff to find an incredibly crowed noisy bar with slow service. We put our name in for a table and sat around 1/2 time where we couldnt' see the TV' but had a view of the street entertainer who was very good. The food was aweful (prob due to the busy-ness) waitress was very good but annoyed me a bit when she brought me another drink without me asking and was put off when I said I didn't want it.
Anyway so many places we wanted to go but didn't, but the photoshoot I went for wants me to come back again for another in a few months so we will get to try the others then! Thanks all for ur advice!

LOVE LOVE LOVE PAELLA! HAVEN'T HAD IT FOREVER!

Looks perfect!!! THANKYOU!

Reservations made with Fig and The Lobster! Altho the Rustic Canyon was close - we might end of switching out Fig with Rustic at the last minute. But I can't resist The Lobster - altho I am certain nothing organic sits in the pantry there :-)
just need a "Sit at the bar and drink and eat tapas/small plates" place. Hubby isn't a fan of sushi so it can't be a sole sushi place (if can get some Tuna Tatar i will be blissfully happy.

ok so the Penthouse @ Huntly is a definite for drinks & the view.

Thinking The Catch or The Lobster for dinner. Im still wondering why someone said NO to BOA. Reviews on Yelp (over 600) rate it 4 star, Interested n hearing reasoning for not recommending it.

No one recommended Melisse - we were on the fence with that looking a bit too french. We love fresh organic locally grown ingredients - but some of the dishes looked a bit funky for us ordinary east coasters.

Not thrilled with The Pint - don't want to have to BYOF to a place,

We haven't been to the West Cost in over 10 years. Hubby and I are going out (no kids) for a few days - staying @ Loews on the beach.

We are mid 40's but love to party - look and act young (according to East Coast standards) Not at all stuffy, but love a nice restaurant as well as a good bar for drinks and food. I say this because i don't want to stick out like the East Coasters we are :-)

Can you guys throw us some suggestions for the following (in Santa Monica or a short drive) Preference is to be able to see the water but not a deal breaker.
1) Nice dinner restaurant but not stuff and requires suits/ties. We don't like french. Thinking of BOA - would like a Steak and a Seafood suggestion. Nice atmosphere - can be a little loud - don't like close tables
2) Good place to watch the super bowl - thinking of Busby
3) Good bar that serves dinner at the bar

Looking forward to your suggestions!!!

p.s. I'm assuming for daytime jeans and a trendy t-shirt and fashionable shoes won't cause the fashion police to arrest us? Nite time, a simple black dress?