Petit Paris Le Petit Paris

Le Petit Paris Awards

French restaurateurs Fanny and David Rolland bring French cuisine to downtown Los Angeles in a grand décor.
Openings: Dinner Wed.-Sun., Brunch Sat.-Sun.

Features

Le Petit Paris, Los Angeles, CA


Le Petit Paris Restaurant Review:


About the restaurant: It took much more time than expected for French restaurateurs Fanny and David Rolland to open Le Petit Paris in downtown LA's beautiful and historic circa-1913 El Dorado building. It's understandable when you see the space: 10,300 square feet, 22 feet from floor to ceiling, a mezzanine level, two bars, 14 majestic pillars, a 26-step grand staircase and a patio. The restaurant's logo is the Eiffel Tower, so Fanny, who was in charge of the décor, is paying homage to La Grande Dame with giant black and white photos at the entrance, light sconces throughout and the placemats. Various design elements --- we love the red velvet sofas --- create a different atmosphere for each of the many seating areas, so return visits won't feel repetitive.

Food & Drinks: The French couple, who also have two restaurants in Cannes (Miramar Plage on La Croisette and the original Le Petit Paris), have, of course, asked their chef to create a French menu. It's like the venue: large, with many options. Start with the goat cheese millefeuille, which is melted goat cheese inserted into a sliced caramelized apple, the sea bass ceviche, the signature salad (mixed greens, potatoes, bacon, poached egg and smoked duck breast in an old-fashioned vinaigrette) or the charcuterie plate. A must-have is one of the crispy crust pizzas. There are also sections dedicated to truffles and lobster. We liked the way the spiced roasted cod was presented with its purée. The lamb shank is cooked for 48 hours and served on Israeli couscous with candied pears and peach. If you want to share something with your dinner companion, order the 34-ounce, dry-aged côte de boeuf or a rack of lamb. Then comes cheese, bien-sûr, with a selection that varies depending on what arrives from France. The pastry chef does not need to take any more lessons: the Grand Marnier soufflé and the fraisier are just perfect. Coming for lunch? The tables downstairs are not dressed with white tablecloths, and you can enjoy dishes such as a croque-monsieur, tuna tartare or vegetables pappardelles. Browse the adjacent La Boutique shop carrying some of the desserts, as well as French items ranging from olive oils to candles to designer plates. The wine list is short, with mainly French wines backed up by a few Californian and Italian labels; plus, the bartenders will create whatever cocktails you desire.