Met up with two classmates whom I haven’t seen for a long time since graduation. We decided to check out Fraiche for some good food and wine. Fraiche was all hyped up since it was opened last year, a la “best new restaurant in LA” from magazines etc etc. I’ve heard mixed review of the place from people around me, some friends love it while some just found it ok. The menu is half French half Italian. I found the menu’s description of the dishes don’t sound very inventive or inspiring — they sound like stuff you’ve seen at other restaurants. However, it’s the restaurant’s execution that counts. Afterall Wilson had an “interesting menu” and my dining experience there was so disappointing.
My friends weren’t so hungry (they ate so little~) so we shared one appetizer and two main courses. I felt like I ate most of the food, no complain there.
Appetizer: Baby Beets with hazelnuts, mache, house made ricotta.
A favorite of the night! The baby beets were sweeter than regular beets which I love. And beet and hazelnut gotta be my new favorite combination, they taste really great together. The ricotta was fresh tasting. I really love this dish.
Rigatoni – Lamb Bolognese with rosemary
It was a bit normal tasting but was well executed.
Monkfish “Francaise” with spinach, white wine, potato puree and shallots. Comes in 3 pieces, so one for each of us. I found the sauce to be a bit too salty for my taste. It’s not particularly memorable either, don’t think I’ll order it again.
Perhaps due to the fact that we found the dishes somewhat unsatisfying, we went all out for the desserts.
Paris-Brest – almond Praline, Chantilly cream, saffron golden raisin sauce. Beautiful presentation! A good cream puff. The saffron golden raisin sauce was very tasty, its sourness balanced the sweetness of the cream and the golden sugar thing on top.
Forgot the name of the yogurt dessert, it’s light and refreshing. Gianduja Semifredo – frozen custard of hazelnut and chocolate, whipped creme fraiche.
Overall I like the food but wasn’t blown away. Perhaps we didn’t order the right dishes? I definitely love the baby beats though. I do want to go back and try their other dishes, like the lamb or steak. Just not in hurry.
Fraiche
9411 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 839-6800
Wonderful pictures (especially the monkfish one)!! Can I ask what kind of camera you use and whether you feel too conspicuous when you take the pictures? I just started a food blog (kind of) and sometimes I feel very awkward taking pictures, even if it is just with my small camera, or even my camera phone! Is this something you just get used to eventually?
Thanks in advance!!
So the desserts kinda redeem your impression of the place? Baby beets sounds really tempting!
btw, you already know that the next Michelin Asia will be doing Hong Kong?
Hi Tien, thanks for your compliment. The camera I used was Canon Powershot SD 950. Yeah it takes awhile to get used to not feeling shy or self-conscious about it for us, especially at nicer/more chichi type! But sometimes the servers would joke and be nice about it so that made it easier.
Seat, Yes I’m very curious about the HK Michelin guide. I can’t imagine how they would rated Chinese food. A lot of people say Michelin guide has strong preference for French and high end Japanese cuisine over any other type of cuisines and it does shows on their rating. So I hope not all the stars restaurants that will be in the HK Michelin guide would be French/Japanese restaurant!
The baby beet salad at Fraiche is one of my FAVORITE first courses in LA. The ricotta, the beets, the hazelnuts… perfection! I have tried the lamb before and was impressed — not gamey in the least.
Ok thanks! I guess I just need more practice — so I better just start eating out more.
Re: the HK Michelin guide – I read somewhere that reviewers were spotted at the Mandarin Oriental and Intercontinental Grand Stamford and some other high end hotel restaurants. We’ll see what they choose …