Melisse
1104 Wilshire Blvd. (11th St,) 
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Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-395-0881 | Make Restaurant Reservations
Cuisine
Open
Dinner Tues.-Sat.Features
- Romantic setting
- Private room(s)
- Full bar
- Reservations suggested
- Valet parking
- Casual dressy
Wine
Great Wine List* Click here for rating key
 In a city where creative fine dining has always been elusive, we have to give a big round of applause to Josiah Citrin. He opened Mélisse in July 1999 with no backers, just his own talent and the support of his family. Years later, his energy has paid off and has put him at the top of the Los Angeles culinary map. The other good news is that the restaurant's dining room has been completely redecorated in a more contemporary and elegant style. A purplish-smoke tone shades the walls, lightened by beautiful beige chairs. Being half French (on his father's side), born and raised in Venice (California) and partially trained in Paris, Citrin has integrated the two cultures to create his own modern melody. To say that Citrin is not obsessed with securing the choicest produce and herbs is to not have seen him at the famous Santa Monica farmers market each Wednesday morning where, like clockwork, he meets with his network of producers. Don't expect anything too avant-garde on his menu, that's just not Citrin's modus operandi; nothing upstages the ingredients. Creamless cream of broccoli comes with burrata cheese raviolini; Japanese unagi pairs with Spanish onion-fennel compote. Want to have fun? Try the frogs' legs if they are available (or order them in advance). Truffle-crusted Dover sole filet is complemented by potato gnocchi, king oyster mushrooms and “sauce vin jaune” while roasted venison loin is served with braised red cabbage, yams, juniper-pecan praline and poivrade sauce. Vegetarians will be happy to know that they have a tasting menu all to themselves. You'd be remiss to pass on the wonderfully well-stocked cheese cart. Dessert choices are limited, but chocolate-lovers are not forgotten. The voyage through the impressive wine list, heavy with French selections, will be made easier with the sommelier; you will undoubtedly find the right pairing. |
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