French Restaurants

Cuistot of Palm Desert is an illustrious diamond in the rough. Renowned Chef Bernard Devrieux is a native of France dedicated to crafting the finest of old world French cuisine. This restaurant boasts a vast wine selection of over 650 international varieties and in-house sommelier. Embark on an exceptional dining experience with starters such as the Avocado Fan with warm goat cheese in a shallot, drizzled with olive oil and cracked black pepper dressing. Premium entrees include the Young Duck Oven Roasted with Spices, Roasted Rack of Lamb, and the California Roasted Quail Stuffed with Sweetbreads. Seafood lovers will rejoice … Learn More »

Stepping into Melvyn's Restaurant in Palm Springs is like stepping back in time. Known as an A-list celebrity hot spot during the 1940’s and 1950’s, Melvyn's Restaurant at the legendary Ingleside Inn has the feel of old Hollywood glamour. Entrees pay homage to classic American meals: Oysters Rockefeller, Steak Diane, Bananas Foster, Strawberries Romanoff, and many more. The walls are adorned in giant portraits of the beloved classic stars of yesteryear. Melvyn’s Restaurant offers an extensive wine list with a variety of local and international selections. The adjoining piano bar features the melodic sounds of classics like Frank Sinatra and … Learn More »

Patina in Downtown Los Angeles holds the philosophy that a selection of fresh, quality ingredients is the most important factor to a good dish. This guides the kitchen staff in practice, as they creatively and skillfully fuse quality ingredients with exceptional technique and stunning presentation. The result is dishes such as Herb Steamed Wild Bass with yellow “brandywine” heirloom tomato broth, sauce vierge, braised scallions, and tomato fondue, and Scottish Pheasant with Savoy cabbage timbale, rustic bread dumplings and juniper berry reduction. The dining experience is peppered with details that make for a truly elegant meal, from the caviar and … Learn More »

Near the Playhouse, in one of the quaintest districts in Pasadena, a rare jewel sparkles in the Crown City—Maison Akira. Step off the bustling Green Street into the foyer door and find yourself halfway around the world in an elegant restaurant just off Cours Mirabeau in Aix-en-Provence, France. Though distinctly French, a peaceful Zen-like esthetic pervades the atmosphere. That is because Maison Akira is home of the world-renowned chef Hirose Akira. His menu is like a symphony of truly beautiful French classics, made modern and dazzling with subtle Japanese influences, like his signature Miso-infused Chilean Sea Bass, which has made … Learn More »

Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro is synonymous with a fun and fulfilling dining experience at The Grove in the heart of Los Angeles. With a diverse seasonal menu ranging from cheese and charcuterie to fresh seafood, prime cuts of steak, and even fondue, this successful L.A. establishment caters to the palates of all who walk through the doors. Enjoy a glass of wine and wonderful views of The Grove's lively fountain while you dine. Morels French Steakhouse offers more than 60 wines by the glass, and for those who truly enjoy a superb pairing of wine and cheese, Morels provides … Learn More »

Joe’s is an intimate, neighborhood spot in Venice Beach serving delectable French-California cuisine. The restaurant’s namesake and Chef, Joe Miller, offers and innovative, seasonal menu with dishes such as Kurobuta Pork Loin & Red Roasted Pork Belly with autumn shell beans, roasted onion, and tamarind mustard jus, and Porcini Mushroom Ravioli with wild mushrooms, reggiano parmesan broth, and white truffles. The restaurant’s wine list offers a collection of quality vintages from small boutique wineries, housed in the newly renovated 2,000 bottle wine cellar. The dining room offers a comfortable yet upscale setting, while the outdoor patio, complete with a calming … Learn More »

Dining on the patio of Café Pinot gives guests a grand view of the urban skyline and the lush romantic Central Library garden located in Downtown LA. Enjoy warm afternoons and summer nights out on the terrace, while eating Café Pinot’s French-California cuisine. This restaurant is perfect for dining before an event at the Staples Center or the Music Center because of its close location. A delicious Café Pinot dish to try is the Three Mustard- Crusted Farm-Raised Rotisserie Chicken with crispy Pinot fries. If guests decide to have lunch at Café Pinot, then get the Pan-Seared Prime Hanger Steak … Learn More »

On Melrose, along a popular strip of hip West Hollywood restaurants, Lucques retains its standing as an ideal spot for lunch, dinner, and drinks. In its eighth year, the restaurant excels with its short-list of savory French-Mediterranean cuisine combining subtle, yet distinct, flavors with fish, poultry, and meat. Executive Chef Suzanne Goin uses seasonal ingredients to create dishes that are inventive, fresh, and flavorful. While not extensive, the selections are sufficiently unique to appease finicky Angelenos and most likely tantalize them to return. The wine list is extensive and hand selected by co-owner Caroline Styne. Learn More »

This French bistro only opened in September 2008, but has become an instant classic in downtown LA. The menu is concise but runs the gamut from simple rustic dishes like the Braised Beef to more elevated fare like the Terrine de Foie Gras, which is creatively served with a port wine gelee and brioche. Customers often rave about the housemade charcuterie as well. The dining room borders on industrial, with exposed piping in the ceiling and brick walls, but the soft lighting, close tables and warm service make it a cozy scene. For the real Paris experience, diners can also … Learn More »

Step-out of the modern world and into the old country style of Europe. Chef Nicolas T. Peter strives to incorporate local and organic ingredients, ensuring that his menu is healthy, seasonal, and ripe with flavor. The menu consists of French-Mediterranean fusion cuisine. Start off with the “Little Door Mezze Royale” Assorted Mediterranean Appetizers which includes tuna tartare, goat cheese, merguez sausage and grilled scallops. Also try such entrees as the Grilled Filet Mignon with a Tarragon and Green Goat Cheese, Merguez Sausage and Grilled Scallops. With healthy tasty options, you can’t go wrong with eating here. Learn More »

Gaze out over the marina and allow your mind to drift lazily like the boats against the docks as you savor the fresh and tantalizing fare Executive Chef Niederkorn serves up daily. Only twenty minutes from the harried rush of LAX, Café Del Rey transports diners from the bustle of humanity to the calm oasis of a foreign seaside town. Chef Niederkorn presents elegantly prepared and simply adorned seafood dishes that shine by their own freshness and flavor. The Black Spaghetti is made with prawns, calamari, lobster, and bay scallops; and the Mediterranean Meatloaf is taken to another level by … Learn More »

Classy meets comfortable at Whist, located at the Viceroy Santa Monica, a restaurant offering elegant Coastal Mediterranean cuisine for breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch. Not only do menu items offer variety, but in order to ensure individual levels of comfort guests are offered several choices in seating locations including the traditional formal dining room, casual poolside tables as well as private chef cabanas for a more intimate experience. Whist is an eatery known for its significantly stylish décor which fuses vintage and modern furnishings. The restaurant excitedly welcomes new Executive Chef, Tony DiSalvo to the team, who uses his vast … Learn More »

Opened in 1996 by Raphael Lunetta, JiRaffe quickly became a favorite in Santa Monica. Well over ten years later, this restaurant still remains one of the hottest restaurants in town. JiRaffe serves nightly specials using only the freshest produce, seafood, and meats, and maintains high standards in all aspects of its service. The menu changes constantly with the whims of Chef Lunetta’s creativity and the seasons, and straddles the line between traditional American cuisine and classic French fare. Bright spaces and large windows give JiRaffe a welcoming elegance reminiscent of Europe. Learn More »

For delectable fusion cuisine, blending flavors of the Pacific Rim, Provence, and Tuscany, travel no further than Restaurant Christine. Chef and Owner Christine Brown created an eclectic menu that is both unique and flavorful, incorporating Asian, Mediterranean and French influences to offer a wide variety of tastes. Located in Torrance near the foot of Rolling Hills, Restaurant Christine feels like a cozy Mediterranean villa, and provides a relaxed setting to enjoy a meal with friends and family or perhaps celebrate a special occasion. A reasonably priced wine list, friendly service, and excellent fare make Restaurant Christine an experience worth repeating. Learn More »

Whether you’re staying at the Le Merigot Hotel and Spa or are simply searching out a fabulous dining experience, Cezanne is the restaurant to visit. Parisian charm and elegance is served up in abundance here, along with a captivating menu of fine French fare. Massive glass-molded chandeliers, plush upholstered bench seats, and impressive architectural features all make for a subtly dramatic atmosphere complemented by similarly stunning cuisine. Come for breakfast, lunch, or dinner any day of the week and savor your very own bite of French goodness at Cezanne, in Santa Monica. Learn More »

The mere sight of Bistro du Soleil’s exterior peaks the appetite. A slight wedge of a building splashed in country yellow and blue, Bistro du Soleil evokes the comfort of a French cottage in the easygoing beach community of Playa Del Rey. The menu features a number of French Classics, splashed with some So-Cal twists. Patrons can choose between French Onion Soup or Black Bean with lime and sour cream. Brie cheese is nestled atop juicy bistro burgers or slipped into pear quesadillas. Bistro du Soleil provides a touch of Europe in a comfortable beach setting. The food teeters between … Learn More »

Gemell’s Restaurant has been serving the citizens of Dana Point fine French cuisine for over a decade. Owner and Executive Chef Byron Gemmell is one of Orange Counties culinary elite, and his namesake restaurant reflects his depth of experience and knowledge with the dishes the serves that keep guests returning time and again. Patrons rave about the Lobster Bisque, Lamb, and Chocolate Soufflé, but with a full lunch menu, and Sunday Brunch as well, the dinner menu is not the only star in Gemell’s sky. The cozy dining room is the perfect venue for a meal with that special someone, … Learn More »

Canelé’s pedigree will impress those on both the east coast and the west, with Chef Corina Weibel hailing from Campanile and Lucques, and General Manager Jane Choi hailing from Balthazar and Pastis in New York City. Together, they have created a charming and intimate space, where simple, unfussy bistro food and a reasonable and carefully selected wine list team up to offer guests a flavorful respite. Think comforting dishes such as roast chicken with sweet corn, potatoes, and summer squash; seared beef tenderloin with bordelaise sauce, pommes frites, and creamed spinach; and salt-roasted branzino with parsley, celery salad, and capers. … Learn More »

CocoPalm embraces guests with a heady Havana experience starting with its greeters, Toucan twosome Ricky and Lucy, and continuing with the interior’s brilliantly hued artwork and Chef Felipe Castro’s flavorful Cuban and Spanish cuisine. Perched atop a hillside alongside the San Gabriel Valley in Pomona, 10 minutes east of Downtown Los Angeles, CocoPalm combines an enviable location with unparalleled valley views, which serve as stunning accompaniments to the savory cuisine and colorful décor of this popular restaurant. Whether a table for two or two hundred, CocoPalm is a destination restaurant seeking to wine, dine, and entertain it guests with generous … Learn More »

Pinot Provence is a comfortable setting for fine dining French cuisine. Warm, chic, and reminiscent of the South of France, Pinot Provence offers Breakfast, lunch, dinner and a mouthwatering dessert menu. Chef Joseph Petrie showcases such desserts like the Burnt Sugar Pot de Crème and a selection of dessert cocktails for any occasion. Learn More »