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SHERMAN OAKS. Excellent French cuisine and reasonable prices are standard at this casual cafe, where high ceilings, exposed brick walls, and fresh-cut flowers add a touch of romance. Featured dishes include California-inspired seafood and pasta entrees, including ahi tuna and braised short ribs. A $2 corkage fee and a "bring your own wine" policy allow you to have a marvelous French dinner for fewer francs than you might anticipate. Expect a crowd, especially on weekends.
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LONG BEACH. French natives Andre and Valerie Angles bring their knowledge of authentic Continental cuisine to their cozy restaurant. Seasonal menus include dishes like phyllo-wrapped chicken and artfully prepared pheasant, but perhaps the most popular dishes are duck a l'orange and braised lamb with Provencal mashed potatoes. Highly recommended dessert soufflés are flavored with items like Grand Marnier and chocolate, and the wine selection is at once affordable and extensive.
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Julienne
2649 Mission St, San Marino, CA 91108 · 626-441-2299
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SAN MARINO. A favorite with romantics, this cafe offers intimate terrace seating as well as a more traditional dining room. The intriguing international menu changes seasonally, and might include parmesan-crusted swordfish with lemon caper sauce, and grilled chicken and roasted corn tostada. Breakfast is popular, with items like salmon hash and bread pudding French toast making regular appearances. But the desserts are the biggest draw – freshly baked cookies, scones, cakes, and tarts are all tempting, or try the chocolate zinfandel pate. Most items are available for take out at the gourmet shop.
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La Cachette
10506 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025 · 310-470-4992
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BEVERLY HILLS. Chef-owner Jean François Meteigner's delightful, award-winning hideaway is quite a find, especially for those who enjoy fine dining but not the associated calories. Light French cuisine – made with considerably less butter, cream, and oil – is nonetheless exceptionally flavorful. To start, try foie gras prepared two ways, or sample seared fresh sardines with sour cream and caviar. Entrees include sautéed sweetbreads with lemon glaze and seared venison chop in blueberry sauce. Desserts make use of seasonal fruits and also include decidedly decadent chocolate creations. Excellent wine list.
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LONG BEACH. Bustling like a true Parisian bistro, this charming spot is a hit with locals, due mainly to an extensive menu of sweet and savory crepes. Whether you're in the mood for a Rusticana crepe (ham and mushrooms in an oregano-white wine-cream sauce) or a Royal (Nutella and strawberries), La Crêperie Café has the right combination of flavors and ingredients to tempt your tastebuds. For something different, look to the selection of paninis, pastas, and chicken, steak, and seafood entrees.
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Mélisse
1104 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401 · 310-395-0881
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SANTA MONICA. Traditional French decor and high-end tableware complement the cuisine at Mélisse and foster elegant, memorable dining. The menu changes frequently to take advantage of seasonal produce, and entrées may include dry-aged cote de boeuf roti for two with potato-leek torte or roasted squab with seared foie gras and citrus jus. For dessert, try a chocolate soufflé or crème brulee. The wine list is exceptional, and several selections are available by the glass. Dinner tasting menu $95 with no wine pairings; carte blanche menu $145 without wine pairings.
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Mistral
13422 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 · 818-981-6650
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SHERMAN OAKS. Before traditional bistro fare was so fashionable, this delightful restaurant was plying guests with incredible cuisine. Today, it remains a local favorite – and one that most locals don't want you to know about! Steak frites, roasted chicken with potato puree, ahi tuna tartare, and of course, onion soup are a sampling of the menu's comforting classics. Dark, romantic atmosphere distinguishes the restaurant – the only indication that you're still in the States is that you leave via Ventura Boulevard!
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Ortolan
8338 W 3rd St, West Hollywood, CA 90048 · 323-653-3300
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WEST HOLLYWOOD. Extravagant preparations and a striking space help this WeHo establishment stand out from the rest. Whether you opt for the 11-course prix fixe dinner (entire table only; wine pairings available) or choose something from the à la carte menu, you'll encounter creations like egg and caviar cooked in hot ash, seared escargot, cauliflower panna cotta with black truffle, or roast squab with macaroni gratin. The main dining room is elegant and quiet; snag a seat at the 24-foot-long communal table in the lounge if you're looking for a livelier experience. If you're vigilant, you may even catch sight of actress Jeri Ryan, a co-owner along with fiancé and chef Christophe Émé.
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Pinot Bistro
12969 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604 · 818-990-0500
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STUDIO CITY. Much-celebrated by critics and diners, this Patina offspring is a popular spot for California-French feasts in the Valley. Its classic bistro fare is served amid warm, stylish surroundings and includes fresh oysters, coq au vin, and grilled ahi tuna. Although you're guaranteed to enjoy the fabulous cuisine, make sure to save room for dessert. You'll thank yourself for the foresight.
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Sona
401 N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90048 · 310-659-7708
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WEST HOLLYWOOD. This elegant, hip, and modern New French spot delights diners with 6- and 9-course tasting menus, as well as an extensive à la carte offering of first-, second-, and third-course plates. Make your way past the burbling water sculpture and granite decanting station to your table, and prepare to savor dishes like Maine lobster risotto, Tahitian shrimp with chorizo onion marmalade, and venison with blackberry jelly. Sweet treats include sweet-and-sour lemon verbena cheesecake and watermelon basil seed granita. Wine pairings are available for each tasting menu.
Looking for a restaurant? We've explored the options, checked with critics, and pounded the pavement to offer only the best. Recommendations come complete with contact information and a brief description highlighting the important features of the restaurant. Fit our choices to your mood, or let us guide your tastes. You'll likely find a few places that not even locals know about.
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