French Restaurants

West Hollywood’s Comme Ca gives Angelinos the experience of dining in a French bistro with West Coast flair. Chef David Myers opened the restaurant as a way to share his dream of the perfect brasserie experience with the dining public. House signature cocktails such as the Penicillin, Cool Louie, and El Ranchero are bar favorites when warming up for the meal to come. The menu features many French favorites like Fruits de Mer (Oysters on the half shell) and Escargots Persillade for Hor d’Oeuvres. Other meal openers include the Roasted Baby Beet Salad, Assiette de Fromage du Jour as well …

In the midst of L.A.'s preponderance of vegetarian-friendly and tofu-centric restaurants and a short way from trendy Melrose Avenue lies Animal: a fairly industrial-looking, minimalist locale with no sign. Arouse your inner carnivore with savory dishes such as the Foie Gras with Maple Sausage Gravy and a Biscuit, or for a slightly lighter fare, try the House Smoked Pork Belly with Lentil and Butterbean Salad. To finish off, prowl the dessert menu for the Bacon Chocolate Bars. Localvores and organic supporters can also take joy in their use of local and organically grown delicacies.

Opened in 1996 by Raphael Lunetta, JiRaffe quickly became a favorite in Santa Monica. Well over ten years later, this restaurant still remains one of the hottest restaurants in town. JiRaffe serves nightly specials using only the freshest produce, seafood, and meats, and maintains high standards in all aspects of its service. The menu changes constantly with the whims of Chef Lunetta’s creativity and the seasons, and straddles the line between traditional American cuisine and classic French fare. Bright spaces and large windows give JiRaffe a welcoming elegance reminiscent of Europe.

This French bistro only opened in September 2008, but has become an instant classic in downtown LA. The menu is concise but runs the gamut from simple rustic dishes like the Braised Beef to more elevated fare like the Terrine de Foie Gras, which is creatively served with a port wine gelee and brioche. Customers often rave about the housemade charcuterie as well. The dining room borders on industrial, with exposed piping in the ceiling and brick walls, but the soft lighting, close tables and warm service make it a cozy scene. For the real Paris experience, diners can also …

Since 1983, Wolfgang Puck’s Chinois on Main has been serving Asian Fusion cuisine to the hungry hordes in Santa Monica. The décor has not changed since the day the doors opened, but Chef Rena Mata presents a menu that features not only selections of dishes that made Chinois on Main famous, but some new additions as well. All dishes presents ingredients from the Far East, transformed into modern culinary masterpieces of daring and stimulating flavors. Dishes served family style include classics such as Whole Sizzling Catfish with ponzu, Shanghai Lobser, Mongolian Lamb with cilantro-mint vinaigrette, and the Famous Chinois Chicken …

Gordon Ramsay lends his name and influence to the London West Hollywood’s newest fine dining addition. Channeling the celebrity chef, Executive Chef Andy Cook combines the sublime pleasures of haute cuisine with the freshest California produce for an approachably refined taste. Diners can choose from an array of a la carte options, or can place themselves in the capable hands of Chef Cook’s team by opting for market specials and tasting menus that highlight the best of the seasons. The décor acts as an excellent platform for showcasing the menu, blending opulent gold and crystal with comfortable banquettes for an …

Delphine Eatery & Bar is both nostalgic and modern with its timeless take on old world Hollywood and fine cuisine. Located inside the W Hotel in Hollywood, this restaurant is both a local favorite as well as a dinning destination for visitors. Serving California Bistro fare for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and on the weekends, brunch as well, anytime of day Delphine Eatery & Bar can accommodate guests. Dishes run the gamut from sandwiches and an extensive raw bar, to Steak Frites and the self proclaimed Hollywood’s Best Burger. Located right next to The Pantages Theatre, the bar is a fine …

Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro is synonymous with a fun and fulfilling dining experience at The Grove in the heart of Los Angeles. With a diverse seasonal menu ranging from cheese and charcuterie to fresh seafood, prime cuts of steak, and even fondue, this successful L.A. establishment caters to the palates of all who walk through the doors. Enjoy a glass of wine and wonderful views of The Grove's lively fountain while you dine. Morels French Steakhouse offers more than 60 wines by the glass, and for those who truly enjoy a superb pairing of wine and cheese, Morels provides …

Near the Playhouse, in one of the quaintest districts in Pasadena, a rare jewel sparkles in the Crown City—Maison Akira. Step off the bustling Green Street into the foyer door and find yourself halfway around the world in an elegant restaurant just off Cours Mirabeau in Aix-en-Provence, France. Though distinctly French, a peaceful Zen-like esthetic pervades the atmosphere. That is because Maison Akira is home of the world-renowned chef Hirose Akira. His menu is like a symphony of truly beautiful French classics, made modern and dazzling with subtle Japanese influences, like his signature Miso-infused Chilean Sea Bass, which has made …

Cuistot of Palm Desert is an illustrious diamond in the rough. Renowned Chef Bernard Devrieux is a native of France dedicated to crafting the finest of old world French cuisine. This restaurant boasts a vast wine selection of over 650 international varieties and in-house sommelier. Embark on an exceptional dining experience with starters such as the Avocado Fan with warm goat cheese in a shallot, drizzled with olive oil and cracked black pepper dressing. Premium entrees include the Young Duck Oven Roasted with Spices, Roasted Rack of Lamb, and the California Roasted Quail Stuffed with Sweetbreads. Seafood lovers will rejoice …

For delectable fusion cuisine, blending flavors of the Pacific Rim, Provence, and Tuscany, travel no further than Restaurant Christine. Chef and Owner Christine Brown created an eclectic menu that is both unique and flavorful, incorporating Asian, Mediterranean and French influences to offer a wide variety of tastes. Located in Torrance near the foot of Rolling Hills, Restaurant Christine feels like a cozy Mediterranean villa, and provides a relaxed setting to enjoy a meal with friends and family or perhaps celebrate a special occasion. A reasonably priced wine list, friendly service, and excellent fare make Restaurant Christine an experience worth repeating.

CocoPalm embraces guests with a heady Havana experience starting with its greeters, Toucan twosome Ricky and Lucy, and continuing with the interior’s brilliantly hued artwork and Chef Felipe Castro’s flavorful Cuban and Spanish cuisine. Perched atop a hillside alongside the San Gabriel Valley in Pomona, 10 minutes east of Downtown Los Angeles, CocoPalm combines an enviable location with unparalleled valley views, which serve as stunning accompaniments to the savory cuisine and colorful décor of this popular restaurant. Whether a table for two or two hundred, CocoPalm is a destination restaurant seeking to wine, dine, and entertain it guests with generous …

Chameau offers exotic southern French and Moroccan cuisine while using the freshest ingredients. The menu is seasonal and changes every three months. This restaurant makes its own bread, handmade couscous from semolina, fresh yogurt, creams, and vinegars. Couscous is their specialty and is created in many variations. The atmosphere is very colorful with bright reds and blues that illuminate the restaurant. The décor is detailed with a Moroccan style. If guests would like to take a piece of this French-Moroccan cuisine home, marinated olives, harissa sauce, preserved lemon dip, eggplant dip, and argan oil are available for purchase.

On Melrose, along a popular strip of hip West Hollywood restaurants, Lucques retains its standing as an ideal spot for lunch, dinner, and drinks. In its eighth year, the restaurant excels with its short-list of savory French-Mediterranean cuisine combining subtle, yet distinct, flavors with fish, poultry, and meat. Executive Chef Suzanne Goin uses seasonal ingredients to create dishes that are inventive, fresh, and flavorful. While not extensive, the selections are sufficiently unique to appease finicky Angelenos and most likely tantalize them to return. The wine list is extensive and hand selected by co-owner Caroline Styne.

At Xiomara Melrose, Executive Chef and owner Xiomara Ardolina masterfully crafts exotic, Cuban-influenced dishes that pay homage to the home cooking she grew up with. A hint of fine dining mingles with authentic and flavorful Cuban traditions, resulting in such diverse dishes as Nicaraguan Skirt Steak with huitlacoche and blue cheese mashed potatoes, and Chino Latino Pan Seared Duck Breast atop a sautéed plantain and portobello mushroom with soy ginger cilantro sauce. Almost everything is house made, right down to the fresh squeezed cane juice in the famous mojitos. While situated in a prime location in the middle of Melrose …

Dining on the patio of Café Pinot gives guests a grand view of the urban skyline and the lush romantic Central Library garden located in Downtown LA. Enjoy warm afternoons and summer nights out on the terrace, while eating Café Pinot’s French-California cuisine. This restaurant is perfect for dining before an event at the Staples Center or the Music Center because of its close location. A delicious Café Pinot dish to try is the Three Mustard- Crusted Farm-Raised Rotisserie Chicken with crispy Pinot fries. If guests decide to have lunch at Café Pinot, then get the Pan-Seared Prime Hanger Steak …

Gaze out over the marina and allow your mind to drift lazily like the boats against the docks as you savor the fresh and tantalizing fare Executive Chef Niederkorn serves up daily. Only twenty minutes from the harried rush of LAX, Café Del Rey transports diners from the bustle of humanity to the calm oasis of a foreign seaside town. Chef Niederkorn presents elegantly prepared and simply adorned seafood dishes that shine by their own freshness and flavor. The Black Spaghetti is made with prawns, calamari, lobster, and bay scallops; and the Mediterranean Meatloaf is taken to another level by …

Located in Santa Monica, Melisse combines the sophistication of traditional French cuisine with contemporary American sensibilities, resulting in a truly elegant experience. The two-star Michelin rated restaurant features a menu reflecting seasonal and specialty items carefully selected and intricately prepared by Chef Josiah Citrin and his skilled kitchen staff. The Truffle Risotto carnaroli rice, mascarpone and shaved black truffles and the Broccoli & Quail Egg Agnolotti, young broccoli, brown butter and shaved black truffles are popular with guests. Dessert selections include Sticky Toffee Pudding and a classic Apple Tart. For an experience in refined French American cuisine, Melisse in Santa …

Classy meets comfortable at Whist, located at the Viceroy Santa Monica, a restaurant offering elegant Coastal Mediterranean cuisine for breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch. Not only do menu items offer variety, but in order to ensure individual levels of comfort guests are offered several choices in seating locations including the traditional formal dining room, casual poolside tables as well as private chef cabanas for a more intimate experience. Whist is an eatery known for its significantly stylish décor which fuses vintage and modern furnishings. The restaurant excitedly welcomes new Executive Chef, Tony DiSalvo to the team, who uses his vast …

Patina in Downtown Los Angeles holds the philosophy that a selection of fresh, quality ingredients is the most important factor to a good dish. This guides the kitchen staff in practice, as they creatively and skillfully fuse quality ingredients with exceptional technique and stunning presentation. The result is dishes such as Herb Steamed Wild Bass with yellow “brandywine” heirloom tomato broth, sauce vierge, braised scallions, and tomato fondue, and Scottish Pheasant with Savoy cabbage timbale, rustic bread dumplings and juniper berry reduction. The dining experience is peppered with details that make for a truly elegant meal, from the caviar and …