Help: Melisse or Hatfields?

[SebastianRedSox]

Dear Awesome Chowhound Hive Mind,

If it was between the two, would you opt the full tasting Menu at Hatfields (I've never been) OR the full Carte Blanche Tasting Menu at Melisse (have been a few times and liked very, very much but always had the 5 course).

So the basic question here: is it worth it to try Hatfields out or would it be more worth to go back and get the full awesome experience at Melisse?

Many Thanks

[jfdoug]

I would do the Melisse Carte Blanche menu.. I have been to both Hatfields and Melisse several times.. Hatfields, though good, is not in the same class as Melisse...

[foodiemahoodie]

Melisse by far.

[ramenbound]

While I would say Hatfield's for almost any other comparison, Melisse Carte Blanche Tasting would have to be considered a singularly unique dining experience - tough to match anywhere in LA especially given scaling down of Bastide, shuttering of Sona, and recent closure of DR at the Langham.

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Sona
401 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90048

Bastide Restaurant
8475 Melrose Place, West Hollywood, CA 90069

[ipsedixit]

I would do the Melisse Carte Blanche menu. It's one of the true gems of Los Angeles.

Hatfields is great, don't get me wrong, but the Carte Blanche menu is just on a different level.

It's like with Red Sox 3d basemen. Beltre is good, had a great first half and everything, but c'mon Wade Boggs is just on a different level ...

[catcaper]

Another vote for Melisse and the Carte Blanche menu. I agree that Hatfields is great and thier tasting menu is well executed but the Carte Blanche menu at Melisse wins hands down. Plus I enjoy the overall dining experience better at Melisse than Hatfields.

[carter]

Are you referring to the fact that Wade is no longer playing ball, or exactly what?!!!
Personally, I really prefer Hatfields, with food being the same(ish), yet the atmosphere being much more comfortable.
Melisse is way too formal/stuffy for me.