They started us with grapes coated with goat cheese and pistachio crumbs.
![](http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z306/burumun/more%20LA/grapes.jpg)
![](http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z306/burumun/more%20LA/amusebouche.jpg)
The Egg Caviar was good. Poached egg with cauliflower puree and caviar.
![](http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z306/burumun/more%20LA/eggcaviar.jpg)
The sweet onion-parmesan soup, on the other hand, was excellent. They bring out the bowl with the jumbo lump crab cake, then pour the soup on the table.
![](http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z306/burumun/more%20LA/parmsoup.jpg)
One of the entrees we got was the veal and spare ribs. The veal was good and tender, but the spare ribs we thought were on the tough and dry side .... definitely have had better.
![](http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z306/burumun/more%20LA/veal.jpg)
![](http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z306/burumun/more%20LA/rouget.jpg)
We felt underwhelmed by our main courses ... and when our waitress asked we let her know so. Pretty soon after, the manager (I guess) came by our table and asked what was wrong. We let him know that the ribs were tough and dry. We also said though that to be fair we will come back and give them another try with the Carte Blanche tasting menu. He apologized and said that usually people are blown away, thanked us for letting him know and asked to give them another chance, then took our dessert order and said that the dessert will be on him.
After our meal, I didn't know what to expect for the dessert, but the Passionfruit Parfait we got was actually excellent! This contains frozen passionfruit souffle, topped with coconut sorbet and pistachio tuile, then drenched with lemongrass milk.
![](http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z306/burumun/more%20LA/passionparfait.jpg)
Right now, I can't say I'm in love with the place, although I am in love with that dessert. I've been to Bouley in New York, and as far as 2-star restaurants go, Bouley was much better. And right now I also like Providence better. But, admitting that I didn't order anything from the Seasonal specials, and didn't get the tasting menu (which I always do at Providence), I don't want to discount this place yet. They're up for another test.
1104 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 395-0881
![Melisse on Urbanspoon](http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/71701/minilink.gif)
Wow, I've just been navigating through your reviews when I should be at work. But you've gone to so many places on my try list. I like the way you conduct your reviews, similar to me, and always with many photos.
ReplyDeleteYour review of Melisse seemed fair and even-handed. You refused to be swayed too much by the two-star ratings and managed to stay objective. I'll have to check it out one of these day.
Your experience at Melisse sounds a lot like what I thought after dining there a la carte. I thought the carte blanche menu was more indicative of what the kitchen can do. And my girlfriend and I both love that passionfruit parfait.
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ReplyDeleteWe are going there for dinner this weekend. Hope that our experience is good, given your reservations about it...
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