Gigi’s Restaurant: A Charming New French Bistro in LA

Los Angeles County restaurants are again welcoming diners indoors. Along with this great news is the opening of Gigi’s, a classic French bistro tucked away in the heart of Hollywood’s Sycamore District.

Evoking the old-school Hollywood glamour of the storied Musso and Frank Grill on Hollywood Boulevard, the atmosphere at Gigi’s is both polished and convivial. The restaurant’s spacious 60-seat dining room with high ceilings, marble flooring from France, and plush green mohair banquettes lends itself to an authentic French bistro experience. Showcasing a hand-painted mural by local artist Andie Dinkin that envelops the walls, the striking illustrations create an aura of ageless sophistication, which serves as a warm backdrop to a wonderful culinary experience.

 

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The illuminated 18-seat bar is the centrepiece – a great place to sip luscious craft cocktails like the Eloise, made with French gin, or a Carribbean Tiki Hi-Ball, made with aged French rum. The menu also features an impressive French/California wine list, which diners can peruse while enjoying appetizers such as croquettes with pork confit, Comté, and aioli; hand-chopped steak tartare; escargot in puff pastry; or scallops served with a peppercorn granita, among others.

 

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Of course, patrons will have to wait to imbibe these wonderful offerings at the bar until the pandemic situation further improves.

The menu by Chef Matt Bollinger, who cooked at Jean-Georges and Trois Familia, draws from French cuisine while incorporating the tastes and flavours of California cuisine. Starting with the artisan bread and divine butter, they had me at “Bonjour”. Here you will dine on main courses like steak-frites with peppercorn sauce cooked to perfection, roasted Chicken with herbs, accompanied by pommes Anna – a staple in French cooking; vadouvan-curried mussels, served with cilantro and a baguette, or whole-roasted branzino in a rich brown butter/lemon and caper sauce among other delicious choices.

 

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Desserts are not to be missed, including French classics like pot de crème and my personal favorite – molten chocolate cake.

At Gigi’s I found what I had been seeking – the combination of impeccable service, a chic and cosy ambiance, and delicious food that any foodie would crave. For an authentic French bistro experience, it doesn’t get much better than this.

Gigi’s Hollywood
904 N. Sycamore Avenue
Los Angeles, CA
www.gigi’s.la

 

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