French 75 Orange County restaurateur opens first L.A. digs, a lively Parisian-style bistro with red leather booths, stamped tin ceilings. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly. (All major cards) 3400 W. Olive Ave., Burbank, 818.955.5100 $$ Map T21
La Creperie Café Café Savory crèpes, bistro fare and wine bar. All meals daily. (All major cards) 4911 E. Second St., Long Beach, 562.434.8499 $$ Map O17
More CALIFORNIA CUISINE
Bistro 45 Cal-French fare in stylish restaurant housed in Art Deco bungalow. One of L.A.’s top wine lists according to Wine Spectator. Lunch Tues.–Fri.; dinner Tues.–Sun. (All major cards) 45 S. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, 626.795.2478 $$$ Map Q20
Brass.~Cap. New Bruce Marder (Capo) venue offers take on French bistro classics. Dinner nightly. (All major cards) 100 W. Channel Road, Santa Monica, 310.454.4544 $$$ Map L7
Cafe des Artistes Classic bistro fare in bungalow and on romantic garden terrace. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly. (AE, MC, V) 1534 N. McCadden Place., Hollywood, 323.469.7300 $$ Map H13
Cafe Pinot Glass box of a restaurant adjacent to Central Library offers skyline views—from bottom up. Cal-French from Joachim Splichal. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly. (All major cards) 700 W. 5th St., downtown, 213.239.6500 $$$ Map H16
Camden House Hip newcomer. Red-hued dining room; patio dining; clubby bar and lounge. Asian–influenced cuisine from chef Olivier Rousselle. Lunch weekdays; dinner Mon.–Sat. (All major cards) 430 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.285.9848 $$$ Map J11
Cézanne Lovely, lauded formal Cal-French dining room at beachfront hotel. All meals daily. (All major cards) Le Merigot, A JW Marriott Beach Hotel & Spa, 1740 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, 310.395.9700 $$$ Map L8
Chez Mimi Three cozy cottages with fireplaces, two gardens for romantic alfresco dining; country French cuisine. Lunch, dinner Tues.–Sun. (All major cards) 246 26th St., Santa Monica, 310.393.0558 $$ Map K9
Crêpe Vine Parisian-style bistro and wine bar—and both sweet and savory crêpes, of course! Lunch, dinner daily; brunch weekends. (AE, DS, MC, V) 36 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, 626.796.7250 $$ Map Q19
La Cachette Lighter elegant French and French fusion cuisine in bustling hideaway. Lunch Tues.-Fri.; dinner Mon.-Sat. (AE, DC, MC) 10506 Santa Monica Blvd., Century City, 310.470.4992 $$$ Map J10
Le Petit Bistro Authentic fare, sidewalk seating. Dinner nightly. (All major cards) 631 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.289.9797 $$ Map I12
The Little Door Romantic patio behind wooden gate, cuisine from the south of France. Dinner nightly. (AE, MC, V) 8164 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.951.1210 $$$ Map I12
L’Orangerie Versailles-like venue with grand ambience and cuisine; closes Dec. 31. Wine cellar boasts 25,000 bottles. Dinner Tues.–Sat. (All major cards) 903 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.652.9770 $$$$ Map I12
Mélisse Contemporary Amer-French. Four-course prix-fixe menu; nine-course market tasting. Top cheese cart. Dinner Tues.–Sat. (All major cards) 1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.395.0881 $$$$ Map M8
Mimosa As authentic a French bistro as you’ll find in L.A. Marks 10th anniversary by adding “Bistro Moderne” fare and patio dining. Dinner Mon.-Sat. (All major cards) 8009 Beverly Blvd., L.A., 323.655.8895 $$ Map I12
Ortolan The room shimmers and so does the cuisine. Sautéed escargot and chorizo layered in a tall glass with garlic potato purée, tomato concasse and lettuce foam; Maine-et-Loire confit of pork belly on English pea purée with chanterelles, pea shoots and gnocchi. Dinner Mon.–Sat. (AE, MC, V) 8338 W. 3rd St., L.A., 323.653.3300 $$$ Map I12
Pastis Looks, feels, like a bistro in Avignon; roast duck with lavender and honey. Dinner nightly. (All major cards) 8114 Beverly Blvd., L.A., 323.655.8822 $$ Map I12
Patina Joachim Splichal’s flagship at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Jumbo scallops with potato gnocchi and sea urchin foam is the stuff of culinary dreams. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly. (AE, DC, MC, V) 111 Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.3331 $$$$ Map H17
Pinot Bistro Patina spinoff in San Fernando Valley; seasonal menu. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly. (All major cards) 12969 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, 818.990.0500 $$ Map A2
Sona Soothing minimalist environment from amazing chef David Myers and his wife, pastry chef Michelle. Harmony and spontaneity are themes on and off the plate. Dinner Tues.–Sat. (All major cards) 401 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.659.7708 $$$$ Map I12
a Creperie Café Café Savory crèpes, bistro fare and wine bar. All meals daily. (All major cards) 4911 E. Second St., Long Beach, 562.434.8499 $$ Map O17