"Bonjour! We discovered that typically French bistro, hedging on bohemian design by pure luck strolling down the street. Curiosity enticed us to make a reservation a few days later. We were welcomed by a smily hostess guided to our table. Having read the menu on the door, we pretty much knew what we would order, however our local guest had to peruse the menu. We decided to order a large charcuterie board while we were discussing the items. Promptly we were made aware of the daily specials. The charcuterie and cheese board was covered by some slices of salami that reminded me of the Jesus de Lyon, some. Good country style pâté, some delicious Prosciutto, three cheeses, a bleu d’Auvergne(may be fourme d’Ambert some conté, and a less desirable brie looking cheese, and of course there were the north American accoutrements of jam, walnuts, raisins but no cornichon(bizarre! . A basket of acceptable sliced baguette did the trick. We shared the delicious appetizer special composed of « al dente »green asparagus and hot smoked trout filet well balanced with a vinaigrette. The red beet/goat cheese salad lacked some wholeness: the red wine dressing lacked acidity and it doesn’t help the beets now days have lost their dark colour and much of their flavour due to seed manipulation. (May be some chopped garlic and parsley would have been welcomed . The beef Bourguignon stole the show, excellent large piece of beef shoulder nicely slowly braised in the red wine sauce with mashed russet potatoes and baby carrots(didn’t notice the mushroom, lardons and pearl onions the bouillabaisse… we are so far away from the Mediterranean Sea…it had to be reinvented and it was, I would have appreciated more than one kind of fish, the sliced insipid fennel(it has no taste when you cook it, that is not the fault of the chef, mind you, probably another manipulation from Monsanto may be a few drop of pastis would have played the trick, and saffron, what saffron?? The only disappointment was the Muscovy duck leg confit, I couldn’t check the pedigree of that duck, but that scrawny leg might have been from a Mulard duck instead, the fat wasn’t crispy and the meat firm and dry (was there enough duck fat for the confit process? We sampled the three desserts: crème brûlée, was good, probably made with half half cream instead of the 35% cream and no vanilla beans, the chocolate mousse ,could have been more airy, the lemon tart, I would have liked more of a lemony punch, maybe by incorporating some lemon zest when you emulsify the cream. A wine bistro..It was indeed! A very well assembled wine list, moderatly priced, good selection of Bordeaux and Burgundy wineries and surprisingly a few Beaujolais(Morton, Fleury… In all a good experience.A bientôt !"
Los Angeles
