Melisse
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone: (310) 395-0881
- Price:
- $$$$
- Cross Street:
- 11th Street
- Specialties:
- Fine Dining, French Food, Wine List
- Best of Citysearch:
- French Food 2006
- Hours:
- Tue-Thu 6pm-9:30pm, Fri 6pm-10pm, Sat 5:45pm-10pm
Editorial Review for Melisse – by Laura Reiley
The Scene
Between the dark green-suited waiters and the hosts, the staff's food knowledge is staggering. Perhaps this is because Chef Josiah Citrin makes frequent appearances in the dining room to chat. Every meal is carefully administered and adroitly explained--equally welcome if you're a couple seeking romance or a larger party paying homage to the kitchen.
The Food
Surfer-dude-turned-uberchef Citrin has an uncanny way with vegetables and bright, herb-inflected flavors. The Santa Monica restaurant, named for the French word for lemon balm, brings local farm-fresh produce to center stage. Mandarin tomato soup floats a tiny brunoise of summer vegetables and a sweet garlic flan; a ragout of summer pole beans is gussied up with toasted almonds and orange tomatoes, and is paired with a crisp basmati rice cake; and supple white-corn ravioli is infused with the earthy flavor of summer truffles.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Save MoneyA tasting menu allows you to sample two or three items per course for $95 per person.
ParkingIf you don't want to valet, residential parking north of Wilshire or metered parking on Wilshire are the best bets.
User Reviews for Melisse
10/05/2008 Posted by Karunina
I gave them my credit card number because this dinner was a gift for 2 friends of mine. They took 704$ instead of 600$ as I told on the form. They refuse to refund the difference and I've asked to my legal protection to help me
08/30/2008 Posted by adev1974
I know why Melisse received Michelin 2 stars. The food is excellent. On our first wedding anniversary, my wife and I decided to try the restaurant. The service is very uneven – I would implore Michelin to try to the restaurant on multiple occasions – especially a Saturday night. We had the chef’s tasting menu, with a wine pairing. The sommelier is a complete *******; he provided little information on each wine that was paired with a course, and poured the wine flight on our last course while my wife was away from the table – just inexcusable. I asked for a listing of the wines that we had with each course – he indicated he was too busy tonight, but that “I leave a card” and he could email me the listing – for a 2 star Michelin, this is inexcusable - not to mention downright rude. The chef is a great at what he does – but obviously doesn’t have the business talent to recruit the proper folks to run the front of the house. I’d have to recommend folks steer clear of Melisse – Wolfgang Puck operates a class organization, as well as a number of others in LA. Hopefully when Keller returns to Beverly Hills, the service level Keller provides as well as the attention to detail will provide some competition to the French food of Melisse.
Users Like You Also Viewed
Little Dom's
2128 Hillhurst Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90027
