Une Grande Dame chez Melisse

French actress Line Renaud between chef Josiah Citrin and Sophie Gayot

Line Renaud, one of the most revered and talented French actresses, is undoubtedly France’s favorite lady. Line has accomplished so much in her career that it would be impossible to list all of her appearances, but her role last year as an authoritarian mother in the comedy ‘Bienvenue Chez les Ch’tis‘ made her even more loveable to all. At 81, she’s still going strong. Last week, she was in Los Angeles, before touring throughout France for the play, “Très Chère Mathilde,” Michèle Fitoussi’s French adaptation of the work of American playwright Israel Horovitz. Despite her busy schedule, she still found the time to spend hours at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Beverly Hills at the bed of French crooner Johnny Hallyday talking sweetly to him while he was in a coma.

During her stay in the City of Angels, chef Josiah Citrin cooked for her and her friends at his Santa Monica restaurant Melisse. After lobster Bolognese, Wagyu beef tartare with potato millefeuille, mixed organic green salad, seasonal vegetable salad for appetizers; and truffle crusted Dover sole, Scottish partridge with foie gras, Wagyu beef filet mignon and Liberty Farms duck breast and confit for main courses, we all concluded that it was perfect. Add to that the new décor, the homemade breads, the cheese cart, the service and the wine list and it all adds up to one of Los Angeles great fine dining experiences. It’s no wonder that we put Melisse on our Top 10 Special Occasion Restaurants list.

I forgot to tell you that Line is as delightful as can be, as are Citrin’s desserts, (sticky toffee pudding, chocolate/chocolate/chocolate, caramelized pineapple)!