mid-range french bistro

[veee]

one of my favorite restaurants in chicago was Le Bouchon. cozy little french bistro that never got too crowded and had great food for reasonable prices (<$20).

anything similar to that in LA? preferably on the westside?

[TailbackU]

What about Figaro Cafe in Los Feliz? Sitting on the tightly squeezed tables outside really feels like you're in a bistro in Paris. Their roasted chicken is very good, so are the fries.

[sarahbeths]

I second Meet, which my French friend really liked. Madame Chou Chou's perfectly fits the bill, and the decor on the patio is unbeatable. L'Epicure doesn't have the exact ambiance down, but some of the food is pretty good. The potato leek soup on a cold winter day was one of my best food experiences of the past year!

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Madame Chou Chou
2518 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405

[veee]

thanks for all the recommendations!

we've been to comme ca and the food was great. but not that cozy, kinda loud, and i don't remember the prices being that great.

we've also been to la cachette... but it was during LA Dine week so maybe we need to go back. i don't remember it being anything to write home about.

i did not realize that Culver City had this french connection!! we are right by there... so we'll have to try those places out next!

has anyone been to Soleil?

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Soleil
1386 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024

[paprkutr]

Le Petit Bistro on La Cienega just north of Melrose.

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Le Petit Cafe
2842 Colorado Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90404

[globalgourmet]

I agree with Le Petit Bistro above. Very reasonable and most times you will hear some tables speaking in French, a hearty endorsement.

Also, Cafe des Aristes at 1534 N Mccadden Pl in Hollywood. The chef, Jean Pierre, is Alsatian and the food reflects that.

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Le Petit Cafe
2842 Colorado Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90404

[maudies5]

Cafe des Artistes, I believe, served its last meal tonight. Closed.

[Will Owen]

Sorry to see that. That did however remind me of one of my other favorite places, Le Petit Café on Colorado in Santa Monica, also Alsatian. Daytime parking usually requires about a block's walk because of a shared lot, but when the other businesses are closed there's more available. Lunch food is largely California French, evenings more French Alsatian. I usually spend a bit less than $20 for lunch, with one glass of wine; I've not paid for the two dinners I've had there, but I remember the menu looked quite reasonable. Very jolly atmosphere and good if not spectacular food.

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Le Petit Cafe
2842 Colorado Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90404

[coffeebrownies]

What about, and the name escapes me, the little place on Robertson, just south of Wilshire on the east side of the street?

[maudies5]

Bar Bouchon.

[goodhealthgourmet]

Bar Bouchon is in the Montage Hotel on N. Canon, 2 blocks north of Wilshire.

[maudies5]

Bar Bouchon is what I posted and unfortunately didn't have time to expand my comments. I think it is a terrific mid-range French bistro. Important to note that the Bar Bouchon is downstairs and should not be confused with the more upscale Bistrot Bouchon upstairs. The Bar Bouchon does not accept reservations. A recent lunch there was very satisfying. The steamed mussels at $13.00 was as good as it gets. Great bloody mary. Sweet service. Note: Don't valet park. There is a City of BH parking lot right next to the restaurant on Canon or Beverly Dr. If you blink, you'll miss it. Save yourself $8.00 and self park.

[goodhealthgourmet]

got it - thought you were answering coffeebrownies as that's where your post landed :)

[Emme]

i meant to second this suggestion as well. i've actually had 3 or 4 first dates at Bar Bouchon. great people watching, great options for food and drink. agree service is great as well. lovely raw bar. oeuf en meurette; aubergine caviar, tartare de thon, and the apple tart are things i've enjoyed or been with an enjoyer... highly recommend for good food, good service, and non-pressured location/ambience for a first date.

[Emme]

are you thinking of Maison Richard? if so, it moved to Melrose and Stanley...

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Maison Richard Restaurant
707 Stanley Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046

[goodhealthgourmet]

What about, and the name escapes me, the little place on Robertson, just south of Wilshire on the east side of the street?
~~~~~~~~~
Cafe Fabien?

[Bruin2]

No longer there.

[goodhealthgourmet]

thanks - i've never been there, and i'm rarely in that neighborhood these days. was just wondering if that's what cb was referring to.

[coffeebrownies]

I am afraid I was thinking of the late Cafe Flore.....didn't realize it had closed.

[fbchase]

RH at the Andaz hotel on the Sunset Strip.

[New Trial]

There are several options, including Meet, L'Epicerie and Le Saint Amour in Culver City, La Cachette Bistro and Madame Chou Chou in Santa Monica and Lilly's in Venice. Slightly more ambitious (and way too noisy and crowded) is Comme Ca on Melrose near La Cienega.

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Lilly's French Cafe & Bar
1031 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291

Comme CA
8479 Melrose Ave West, Hollywood, CA

Le Saint Amour
9725 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

L'Epicerie Market
9900 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

Madame Chou Chou
2518 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Meet French Bistro
9727 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

[westsidegal]

i love la cachette bistro, but i have never gotten out of there anywhere near the OP's budget.
lilly's, on the other hand, has always been much easier on my pocketbook.

[TonyC]

Culver City is "thee" mid-range French bistro epicenter. Hate to go there, but it's just inevitable if you want some half decent loup de mer, etc.

[Will Owen]

Actually like CC a lot. Living in Pasadena as I do, you'd think it'd be unhandy, but it's really just 30+ miles, and if your dog has cancer you'll probably need to come here anyway. Nice place, love to stop by Surfas, and Le Saint-Amour is well along to becoming my home from home. I can hardly wait for the train to start running! Then I'll be here all the time.

[carter]

As a resident of Sherman Oaks, I too like CC and its French connection, but especially Le Saint Amour.
The access is not that bad, in that you don't need freeways to get there.
Going on the weekends is even easier.
The patio at LSA, as it would be next door at Meet, is very delightful in proper weather, as experienced two weeks ago.
I also can't wait for the Expo line to open, across the street from surfas!!!

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Le Saint Amour
9725 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232