Melisse

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Dine in LA week is up again and we decide to go to Melisse in Santa Monica. A new restaurant for me but others had been there numerous times. The special prix fixe menu ran $99 plus.  No wines included. The only way I can do these type of dinners is when Dine In LA Week is on. 

Melisse is a very comfortable, art deco inspired restaurant.  Lots of black and white. I noticed that almost all the tables and booths are set for 4 people. There was one larger table in the middle under a drop light that was set for 6.  They had small upholstered stools to set your purses on. The start up service was excellent.  The sommelier carried his tasting cup with him and used it to taste the bottle we ordered off the menu. It has been awhile since I have seen that done.

We started out with Dungeness crab, sorrel, horseradish, jicama and salmon pearls (caviar) amuse bouche. Flavors were excellent.  This was served to everyone having the special dinner.

For the next course I chose the Yuzu scented wild New Zealand snapper with celtuce (celery like) Fugu persimmon, radish and uni.  Snapper was raw and very thinly sliced with the rest of the ingredients piled on top. Beautiful presentation and the flavors again were excellent.

The third course I chose was a white fish, escarole, parsnip, chanterelles, fennel and apple broth. Forgot what they said the  fish was but it was cooked perfectly with a nice crisp skin. Again presentation and taste were spot on.

Main course for me was farm raised Millbrook Farms vension. Three different cuts of vension with red beets, red cabbage, pears and foie gras sauce..  This is farm raised venison so there were no gamey flavors here. Sauce was rich and decadent.  The presentation and taste were like the other dishes. No complaints about that at all.

Dessert was served on a small cup with a disc of melted sugar that had hardened on top. Inside was orange, kiwi and white chocolate. Also a tray of "mini" cookies.

Other dishes offered on this menu were poached egg with caviar. Add $25  Risotto with shaved black truffles. Add $50. A potato leek soup with oyster. Wagu beef.

We ordered a bottle a Godme Pere et Fils, Verzenay, Grand Cru Brut Rose. Stan brought a 2004 Bollinger La Grande Animee Rose Brut. Bob provided a 2001 Chateau Lynch Bages, Paulliac and I had a 2009 Roar, Pison Vineyards Pinot.  All wines were excellent and we finished all 4 bottles ( have no idea how much was "tasted" by the sommelier in the back room).   The Lynch Bages was decanted and still took a few hours to blossom.

Service to begin with was excellent. but as the evening went on the service went off.  The kept the our bottles away from the table. At first they were really good about keeping the glasses topped off but then we had to start  looking around for the waiter. The sommelier was long gone taking care of others. Our glasses sat empty for way to long.  

Corkage is $50 per bottle for the first two bottles and then $75 a bottle after that. If you buy a bottle off their wine list then you do get one bottle of your own at no corkage.  So my $99 dinner special cost me $200 with tax and tip.

The owner / chef Josiah Citrin came around to check on us. Nice touch. At least he was interested in his guests.

In comparing Providence which I have done on 3 separate Dine in LA weeks  I will give the nod to Providence.   Melisse's  ambiance is definitely better.  But I prefer the food and the service at Providence.  Both restaurants are out of my league for regular dining.

For my next Dine in LA week we might try Spago's.