 Josie Le Balch and her husband, general manager Frank Delzio, have worked at some of the Southland's most prestigious and hip spots. At their own place, Le Balch combines her French cooking heritage, her multicultural exposure and her years of practice with fish and game to deliver sophisticated cuisine with solid dishes. You get a balanced menu that will endure, but also the promise of daily specials based on her mood or market availability. Appetizers like sautéed frogs’ legs over celery root purée or the bacon-wrapped grilled quail will get you started. How about Lake Superior whitefish, Moroccan-style tagine of beef short ribs, or one of many innovative game dishes from Le Balch, who used to run the kitchen at Saddle Peak Lodge? The buffalo burger, filled with Gruyère and topped with foie gras and caramelized onions (it arrives with truffled fries) has become legendary. She might offer wild boar with a sherry sauce, and her venison can be refined (with a delicate fruit reduction) or rustic (a ragoût over polenta). And to wash it all down is a solid wine list, which was previously dominated by California but has evolved into more of a global affair with some intriguing selections priced under $50. Delzio is serious about wine, so let him surprise you with one of his finds. Don't pass up the chocolate bread pudding from pastry chef Jonna Jensen for dessert. Go for a drink in the cozy back room or have dinner at a table next to the fireplace and let romance take things from there.
|
Send to Phone 
Josie Restaurant is one of our 2012
| Top 10 LA American Restaurants
|
Splurging at top-rated restaurants is fun for special events, but where can you go for a good quality meal that won't break the bank? Gather the change out of your piggy bank and sofa cushions and take it to one of our selections for the best cheap eats in your area. Also, check out our picks for the Top 40 Cheap Eats in the U.S.
