My go-to’s are Cassia and Tar and Roses, but what others are great to try?
Well, neither of those are underrated. My go to restaurants are Rustic Canyon, Birdie G’s, Locanda Portofino, R+D, Chinois. All are always excellent (I think R+D maybe now has the chef from Bandera, because their food has gone up, way up)
Both are pretty highly rated, I believe, though I find Cassia to be much more deserving of the rating. Cassia rarely misfires, whereas T/R can soar or crash depending on the dish.
Here are some of my picks for underrated in SaMo:
Heroic Italian
Takuma (been a while, though)
Fia
echigo sushi
Tumbi
Ghisallo
Thyme cafe
Blossam
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cobi’s
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I’m a big fan of Crudo e nudo.
Also a bit confused by the thread title since those place are pretty well-known, I think.
Colapasta. Terrific on my last visit 1-2 wks ago.
Kappo Osen.
Haven’t been to La Puglia in awhile, but I really enjoyed their pastries and their bread.
Totally unchanged on our last visit a few days ago (aside from the soboro gohan being a bit “drier” than usual). 
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off topic, but does anyone know if the pig tail at cassia is a permanent pandemic/supply chain casualty?
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Who knows, but all the charcuterie is off the menu too. I hope they come back someday.
Not sure you would say underrated but sometimes overlooked
Charcoal
Plant Food & Wine
Chinois
Galley (for clams)
Not sure how picky the OP is about location, but Charcoal is not technically in Santa Monica, right?
Back on the Beach Cafe is properly rated as mediocre, but can’t beat the location, so the best tasting orders: Huevos Rancheros, Yogurt Sundae (it’s basically parfait).
Only place I’d add that hasn’t been said in this thread is Goodboybob. And I guess Tartine, though that’s probably properly rated as really good. Also had solid first passes at Yagul Cafe and Papi Tacos but TBD
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Correct, just south at Washington.
Just in case the OP was confused why they couldn’t find a Charcoal in Santa Monica proper. 
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Plant Food & Wine is also in Venice, not SM
Pour one out for Izzy’s, which I have never eaten in before midnight. Closed for good per Eater.
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I should be sad about Izzy’s closing given its nostalgia value and round-the-clock operating hours (a genuine rarity in SM), but the food has been consistently bad for so long it’s hard to mourn its passing.
In middle school, our art teacher used to take us to there for lunch as a year-end reward. That is the last time I recall the food being edible. Since then, even when eating there thoroughly impaired in the middle of the night, one noticed the lack of quality.
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thank you all for suggestions!
im realizing now I should’ve just said, “what are best restaurants to eat at in Santa Monica besides cassia/tar roses” but this is a great list