Nathalie Seaver-Taste and Style

Los Angeles-Figaro Bistro: Am I in Paris?

One of the dreamiest and romantic happy hours ever -- in a set decorator's imagining of a cozy Paris hideaway featuring low, mismatched vintage couches, flickering candleight from silver candleabras, frites, a generous cheeseplate, sparkling wine carafs (and much more on a lovely special menu). Sweet.

And be prepared to wait -- locals stand waiting to enjoy this delightful end of day respite on Vermont Avenue.

figarobistrot.com

1802 North Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 662-1587 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (323) 662-1587

I stumbled opon a lovely restaurant in Paris...

 
 

Walked by this cute little spot when I was in a fun, artistic neighborhood in the 13th, called  Butte aux Cailles. Naturally, I had to stop in and sample their cuisine!

Indian Summer called for a chilled  bottle of wine (French but with a wacky English name). It arrived in an unexpected ice bucket, setting the tone for a delightful,  informal meal.

 

...their baby squid sauteed with piment d'espelette was spectacular. That spice  is magical--and rarely used in the U.S., so I was eager to enjoy this mysterious blend of special red pepper flavor. It was put to good use here, adding a lovely, earthy zip to the seafood.

 

 
 
This little place is the opposite of  traditional French restaurants with career waiters in white and black.   The service here is friendly and relaxed with casually dressed young women taking our orders with professional ease.  The appealing and imaginative menu is unpretentious, yet refined  and offers inspired Global/French comfort food. 

Chez NathalieAddress. 45 rue Vandrezanne, 75013 Paris, France. Tel: 01 45 80 20 42.

http://www.cheznathalie.fr/

Guilty Pleasure: Fried Oysters

I don't indulge very often, but I will admit to having a weakness for fried oysters, especially in the hands of an able chef.  Here are two of my faves in Los Angeles:

Lazy Ox Canteen
241 S San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213.626.5299   

sorry photo isn't in focus !

I've been a fan of  chef Josef Centano since he was at the dearly departed Meson G and then when he did his amazing stint at Opus -- who can forget his original,  memorable conjurings there?   So it was with great delight that I learned he was opening a restaurant last year in Little Tokyo, a few blocks away from my design studio.  I went early on and here, very good Fried Oysters with a roasted pepper aioli.  While we were waiting, we were served some crispy cancha, a type of toasted Peruvian corn, seasoned with lime and salt...which we could have probably kept eating all night!

Even though the food still is earthy and inspired, I haven't been back much.   The  "college Bar /dark wood" decor they've chosen just amplifies the noisy chaos of the place as more people arrive.  I know it's supposed to be casual, but these days when I go out I don't want to shout across the table... but that's me: the place is always packed.

 

Mako

225 S Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90212 

310-288-8338        

 
I order this dish every single timeI go to this exceptional restaurant where chef  Mako consistently turns out artful and flavorful Asian-French fusion delights. Why?  Because it is so perfectly cooked and addictively good.  The oysters are one of those appetizers you finish and think --maybe I'll order another one and just make that the whole meal...

Listed as Crispy Oysters, they sit in a delicate creamy pesto with a tangy dollop of  something mysterious and delicious on top...tapenade, maybe?

In the many years I've enjoyed this place, the food has been stellar each time --with friendly service, and reasonable pricing.  It's also quiet and a good place if you actually need to also speak during your meal. 

I'm only focusing on the noise element at both of these restaurants  because these days,  I'm not going out nearly as often.  So when I do -- and  it's usually after a long day at work -- I'm looking to unwind and enjoy my meal in a serene setting.  As a side note: while simple and elegant, Mako might be due for a little  makeover in the decor department which has a 90's vibe that could benefit from a little newness.       

Mako seems to be a best kept secret for locals but most friends I introduce to this restaurant,have usually never heard of it.  Which is a shame.  In a town full of new and trendy always getting the attention, this place deserves to be on top ten lists..it certainly is on mine!   

 

Paris: First stop, Brasserie Lipp

... starting with two important food groups

and then a little poireaux bathed in a hot, grainy vinaigrette

The perfectly poached leeks are light, yet substantial and taste almost meaty.  The little croutons add a nice buttery crunch and marry well with the tangy mustard based sauce. 

This is the quintesssential Paris Bistro starter -- and here it is perfect.

 

Made a quick detour to Southampton for a very special birthday bash

In a a little pavilion off the beaten path ...

Veuve Cliquot flowing freely during cocktails before dinner

A few waiters serve the 3rd course:
 

And then a little dessert:

Dancing followed, with a new set of guests...

The world of high finance and philanthropy creates a delicious party

Wine Find: Cava Pere Ventura Brut Rose

Stopped in one of my favorite wine bars in L.A., Lou on Vine street the other night -- a great place to start or wrap up an evening for a sip of something fab with a great nibble or dessert.

The find that eveningt:

From Spain:  Pere Ventura Cava Brut Rose.

I almost didn't order it --I mean really, cava?  But then I remembered I was at Lou and anything there has to be good.

Well, wow.  Any under whelming comparisons disappeared when I tasted the  rosy bubbly -- crisp  and dry with strong strawberry notes.  A very nice surprise to include on the list very good sparklers.

 
Worth the search online at around $15

 

L.A.- Chaya Downtown stunning chandelier

Chaya restaurant  downtown is lovely and welcoming but what catches the eye immediately is the huge and vibrant chandelier -- it's about 8 feet across.

 

Then, one is drawn to the the candy rainbow of colors and that the piece is so precisely contructed and carefully balanced.  It takes a moment to understand that the piece is an assemblage of everyday plastic objects: clothes pins, paper cups, scrub brushes, sunglasses, tape dispensers, bottles, handles and more.  

It is the work of British artist Stuart Haygarth :

 "My work is about giving banal and overlooked objects a new significance ( assembling them) in a way that transforms their meaning"

I found it elegant and mesmerizing. 

Urban Noodle - Downtown L.A.

I was sad to learn  that Warung downtown closed, as it was one of the best Pan Asian places downtown.

In its place is Urban Noodle. 

Wasn't sure about this choice when I had lunch there with a friend recently.

No matter how good, I always  feel like I am cheating when I have any form of pasta. 

Despite this mindset,  Urban Noodle won me over with its myriad of healthy and flavorful choices.

My friend had won-ton soup:

 
 Boring you say? To the contrary, the steaming broth was light with great depth of flavor and  the  freshly made  won-tons were terrific.  Hiding underneath the generous portions were additional skinny noodles, so the surrounding  perfectly tender broccoli made it seem very healthy indeed!

I had Curry Seafood Soup and it was amazing --tasting like one of my favorite Chinese dishes, Singapore Noodles.

Sorry the picture is not quite in focus!

It's medium-hot curry soup brimming with shrimp, calamari and dense dish dumplings with bean sprouts and rice noodles. 

And I probably was cheating with this  velvety selection --  I'm pretty sure it was laced with sinfully rich coconut milk. I'm here to admit it was worth every perfumed spoonful! 

The restaurant gives very generous portions and I happily took some home to cheat at lunch again the next day. 

This place is a nice discovery -- not necessarily for everyday but worth keeping in mind for delicious comfort food and a great choice for take-out, too.

Tip: There  is an indoor parking lot on Main, just South of 4th Street,  offering parking for $3.50 at lunchtime if you stay under an hour and half. 

URBAN NOODLE

118 W 4th Street
Between Spring and Main
Old Bank District
Los Angeles, CA 90013

 213-626-0662   
www.urbannoodlela.com

The cheese platter extraordinaire: Bistro LQ

I had a spectacular meal at Vermont a couple of years ago when Chef Laurent Quenioux was a guest chef for a week.  I made note to follow his next move.

 Recently had dinner at his 6 month old restaurant, Bistro LQ .  It is a pretty room with an elegant,  relaxed vibe. Soothing lights highlight a row of white orchids on a cool blue wall.   White tables set with blue water glasses echo that color combo .  And love the hint of cucumber in the "tap" water.  Lovely.
 

 

That night the only dish on the menu was Chocroute Garni.  Hadn't had that classic French Fall specialty in a long time. And here, it was great.

Feathery, warm -- and not too salty -- sauerkraut piled with a generous medley of sausages including boudin noir, andouillete, slow cooked pork, pork belly and more.  Paired with a Gruner Veltliner: Perfect.

 Once a month, they're offering One Dish Menus of classic, French Fall meals. Next up in December: Cassoulet.

 This is just a tease, though. I fell in love with their impressive cheese cart.

It is an art installation beneath a dreamy cheesecloth:

It is served with delightful  a row of tiny jars filled with various condiments including caramelized onions, fig jam, quince jelly, red pepper coulis, and a bowl of hazelnuts:

Loved the tiny fresh baked breads on a skewer, too:

I I

They offer a small, medium and large plate and take direction from you for the picks. We were three and this plate was just right:

The entire restaurant was filled with people speaking French and thoroughly reveling in this fine French fare.

I can't wait to go back  and try an assortment of their half portions (what a great idea) off the regular menu ...and end the meal with a selection from that fabulous cheese cart.

BistroLQ

8009 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 951-1088

http://www.bistrolq.com

 

 

 

Vinoteque/Los Angeles

A couple of years ago when Vinoteque first opened in their former Culver City location, I liked their creative policy allowing you to pick a wine from their extensive bottle list  and drink it by the glass if you committed to 2 glasses.  Once that bottle was opened, a TV screen would display the name of  the special bottle now open for others to taste by the glass, as well.  Not sure I was thrilled with  a huge monitor as part of the decor but appreciated the very user-friendly policy behind it.

But I confess, the location was way out of territory for me coming from downtown and I never made it back.

When I heard Vinoteque had reopened on Melrose -- that alone tempted me to give it a try. 

They took over what long ago was the Tommy Tang location near Gardner.  Right away it projects a completely different vibe.  In Culver City, the decor could be described as, er...Bunker/Lounge.

Here, the entrance  finds you in a pretty garden setting that feels very Mediterranean on the side of the restaurant.  It's lush and bathed in pretty ambient lighting.  Plants growing in boxes against the brick walls are herbs and veggies used in the kitchen -- sweet.    

I took a quick look at the interior looking for my friends but since they hadn't arrived yet ( I'll admit I am a pushover for a  lush and comfy al fresco patio), I settled outside in an especially appealing corner banquette in the back, strewn with cushy pillows.  Also was happy to be far away from that garish monitor hanging over the bar.

The Wine bar's transformation does not end with the atmosphere. The menu is completely updated with a new chef and what a good change it is.

The food offerings have a global feel with all sorts of sophisticated and delicious small bites including this  enticing "all" charcuterie platter:

We were three and it was the perfect size to share but you can get smaller versions, too. 

Also good: The lamb meatballs, the roasted bone marrow crostini  -  an acquired taste but I love and not always easy to find.

On the wine list,  the by glass menu is short and the bottle list is several pages long, encouraging you to opt for exploring something intriguing with the 2 glasses deal -- easy enough if you go with a friend.

The interior seemed perfectly fine with an impressive, curved sculptural wine rack but it is the back garden that makes me  want to go back soon with friends to share more goodies.   

Vinoteque

7469 Melrose Avenue

Los Angeles, CA. 90046

310-860-6060

http://www.vinotequela.com