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(310) 839-6800
Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica,
CA
90403
34.0301
-118.4912
Neighborhoods: Wilshire Montana, West LA
Price:
$$$
Last updated 1.24.11
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Late Night Dining, Outdoor Dining, Date Spot, Notable Wine List
General Info:
Open 7 Days
Cuisine:
What People Are Saying About Fraiche
Featured Review
Alison Kramer
Contributor
In Short – With exposed cobblestone walls and warm wood paneling, the indoor-outdoor space celebrates the rural, hospitable charm of Southern Italy and France. The restaurant's name--meaning fresh in French--parallels its market-driven menu of herb-laden seafood, pastas, and meat dishes. Signature plates include fruits de mer, a braised rabbit and artichoke tortellini and roasted veal cheek with semolina and pickled lipstick peppers. Bountiful plates of handcrafted charcuterie are also available.
Editor's Tips
- Where to Sit:
- Sit near the open kitchen, and the red bandana-clad chefs will gladly chat you up about the cuisine. Those seeking more intimacy should head outside to the garden patio. Bar menu served until 12am
- Parking:
- Covered parking is available just west of the restaurant on Cardiff Avenue. Cost is free for the first two hours, and one dollar for each hour thereafter.
- What to Drink:
- Organized mostly by region of Italy and France, the extensive wine list offers over 200 bottles and two dozen by the glass. Bar is open daily until 1am.
- Where to Sit:
- Sit near the open kitchen, and the red bandana-clad chefs will gladly chat you up about the cuisine. Those seeking more intimacy should head outside to the garden patio. Bar menu served until 12am.
03/11/11
Disappointing Service
by sromnaggie
I saw this place on the food networks "Best Thing I Ever Ate" when Giada said her favorite dessert of all time could be found here.
Since the show, the place has taken on new management.
I came in town from out of state to visit friends and decided I had to try this place. I couldn't wait.
It looked beautiful when I arrived, but was told they weren't serving anymore (about 9:30 pm, the website and window said 10:30, with the bar open until 12am)
I said I just wanted dessert, so the host said we could do that and seated my friends and me. There were these two stuffy french men who came from the kitchen (The new manager staff) and approached our table. They just stood there. Starring down at us. One finally asked if he could help us. I asked for a dessert menu, and he said "I'm done." with his french accent. In his Rock and Republic jeans. It was just weird. We all starred at him blankly and he replied, "The kitchen is closed." I just said, "We were told we could still get dessert?" THEN he slyly walks off. A lady comes to our table and was extremely rude. "Our kitchen is closed, you can get drinks at the bar, but you can't sit in the dining area." As if we just waltzed right in and sat ourselves down?? We were told we could get dessert!!! So awkward.
Well, we finally made our way to the lounge and were served our stinking dessert. WHICH was good, but rather small, and I couldn't even pay attention to the food because of the french managers peering at us the rest of the night. How strange.
01/11/10
Lovely
by LaMaria
Go for the Farro salad and the fish. High quality wine menu!
It's so typical for people to complain about service at a French restaurant.
- Pros: Monkfish "Francaise"
08/16/09
Horrible Staff----Good Food
by bigbellyboy
This is the third time my Wifey and I have tried this place. May NOT be back.
Let me just say, the food is VERY good. But why did I smile at the Manager (dude in suit) while we were sitting at the bar and get a snarl??
Why did it take shouting and waiving my arms and asking the bussboy to tap the bartender's shoulder to get a second round. When it took us 15 minutes to get the first.
Why spend money in a place that feel as gracious as a towyard downtown at 3am??????
Can't survive on GOOD food alone.
Maybe a staff meeting would help. It should go like this: "Smile, and say hello." Oh. , and "Hey guys welcome, what can I get for you?"
good luck
- Pros: Food-------Flatiron Steak WOW
- Cons: STAFF
05/23/09
owner is out!
by thyrdiopen
Heard it through the grapevine. Terri, the hospitible and charming Maitre'd that everyone raves about, is finally out. The rumor is that he was forced out by the other owners because of his attitude. No longer at Fraiche, no longer at Riva. Its about time! I live around the corner and have boycotted the place since my first dissappointing visit. I am excited to go back as I remember the food being excellent.
- Pros: owner is out!
- Cons: owner was there for too long
