New LA restaurants

[lizziee]

The Los Angeles restaurant scene is heating up with some fine dining options just opening or about to open.

Bastide, the elegant French restaurant, is scheduled to open this evening. The chef is Alain Giraud, formerly of Citrus and Lavande. It has not taken any reservations in advance, so there is no pre-existing waiting list.

According to the LA Times," There will be three prix-fixe menus: a traditional five-course menu for $60, a five-course fig menu for $70, and the seven-course Bastide menu for $90. A vegetarian menu is also available upon request. The restaurant will be open for dinner Monday through Friday with two seatings a night, closed on Saturday and Sunday for private parties." Bringing your own wine will not be allowed.

Bastide, 8475 Melrose Place, (323) 651-5950.

Another restaurant set to open is Sona from the husband and wife team, David and Michelle Myers. David Myers was the chef at Jaan in Raffles' L'Ermitage Hotel and Michelle is former executive pastry chef at Patina.

SONA - 401 La Cienga Blvd.

David Rosoff, formerly GM at Michael's, is opening a new restaurant around November 12 called Opaline.

Neil Fraser who was the chef at Boxer and Jimmy's is also expected to open a restaurant in this general area.

[monkeymay]

Hubby and I are supposed to be going to an Opaline tasting very soon.

Will let you know how things look.

Do you have your reservation at Bastide yet?

[lizziee]

monkeymay,

Will probably go to Bastide in the next couple of weeks.

Does anyone know the reasoning behind closing the restaurant on Saturday nights?

[monkeymay]

No idea, maybe Pytka wants it for his own private nights for entertaining. Or booking studio events exclusively.

[tissue]

Don't understand why Bastide won't let you bring your own wine...

[hollywood]

Don't understand why Bastide won't let you bring your own wine...

Not only that, they are only going to sell French wine. A place after Plotnicki's heart.

[tissue]

Well if they are only selling French wine and you can't bring your own then I hope that they have a fair mark up.

Bah!

[lizziee]

I feel sorry for Alain Giraud. He really is a wonderful chef, but it seems as if Pytka is using Bastide as his private club.

I am afraid to even think what they will charge for wine. Remember Pytka is the guy who is willing to spend $10,000 for a bottle of wine!!!!

[mixmaster b]

When I called, they told me wines could be paired with the $90 tasing menu for $45--it seems very reasonable. The list might be a different story...

[hollywood]

Just got an email that Wine Expo in Santa Monica is having a champagne tasting and tasting menu at Joe's in Venice on December 29. $185 per person all inclusive. Call Wine Expo to reserve.