MES AMIS: FRENCH BISTRO MEETS HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR IN THIS LOS ANGELES RESTAURANT
The Cost -$58 per person
The Atmosphere – French elegance meets Hollywood glamour is the way that I’d describe the atmosphere at Mes Amis. The restaurant has a modern French feel to it with marble table tops and bistro-style chairs that jive well with the aspects of old Hollywood like the very high ceilings, large gold mirrors, and gorgeous bar. The restaurant is quite large but is still a fantastic place for a romantic dinner or a meal with a larger group. You’ll fit in better if you dress up for a night out on the town when visiting Mes Amis in the evening but you can also stroll in wearing a polo and jeans and be seated. Reservations are accepted and are highly recommended.
After opening Bon Temps, which closed during the pandemic, in LA’s Arts District in 2019. Chef Lincoln Carson led the kitchen at Mes Amis, which opened in May of 2022, until he departed just seven months later. The restaurant, which served high-end French-style cuisine using locally sourced produce from the Southern California area under Chef Carson, will move into 2023 with a new chef and a new menu, both of which have yet to be announced as of the time of this article. Here’s a look at what our meal looked like during Chef Carson’s tenure, which may or may not resemble the restaurant’s menu moving forward.
The Order – Chicken Liver Mousse Napoleon, Black Truffle Risotto, Smoked Liberty Duck Breast, and Brussels Sprouts.
The Fantastic – The Black Truffle Risotto was the best dish of the evening. Arriving at the table in an individual-sized circular steel pot, the first thing you notice is the small mound of sliced black trumpet mushrooms and Iberico ham that top the center of the risotto. The first bite into the entrée revealed a wonderful truffle flavor that was at the same time both rich and delicate. The flavor was only made better with the addition of the mushrooms and Spanish ham, which also added layers of texture. The black truffle risotto was a beautifully done dish that should not be missed by any mushroom fan.
The Great – The other three dishes that were ordered all received our Great rating, meaning that we would be happy to order them again and again, but we stop short of calling them a must-order. The first one up was the Chicken Live Mousse Napoleon, which was the only appetizer ordered. The creative play on the typical French dessert featured layers of chicken liver mousse separated by layers of puff pastry. It was served alongside three small piles of prune jam which was quite good. At the end of the day, this sweet and savory appetizer was an absolute delight and earned some major points for its uniqueness.
The second entrée that was ordered was the Smoked Liberty Duck Breast which centered around two long, decent-sized pieces of duck breast. The duck, which had a very nice smokey flavor, was accompanied by a wild blueberry jus, parsnip puree, and some Swiss chard. I really enjoyed the duck meat, the parsnip puree, and the Swiss chard, which didn’t have the bitterness that I was expecting from it. While the blueberry jus was good, it wasn’t mind-blowing. The overall dish was very enjoyable though its $39 price tag did not make it a great value.
The side dish that was ordered to accompany the duck was the Brussels sprouts. A huge, shareable portion of the vegetable came out with a dollop of crème fraiche on top. The Brussels sprouts were perfectly fried and the crème fraiche, which had a hint of mustard, was a nice addition. There was also a green apple and pesto sauce on the bottom of the dish which was lovely and did not actually have a strong green apple or pesto taste to it. It was a great side that I’d gladly order again.
The Verdict – Mes Amis, under Chef Carson at least, was not an inexpensive place to dine but the entire experience rose to the level of the meal’s price tag. While the future of the restaurant’s menu is a bit uncertain at the current moment, I hope that the new team can keep some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes on the menu. With a beautiful dining setting that certainly won’t change, one can only hope that Mes Amis reopens with great food that can easily justify a return for former patrons and a first visit for new ones.