The Bottom Line
[CLOSED As of 2012, this restaurant is no more]
La Cachette and its executive chef/proprietor Jean Francois Meteigner have been fixtures in the French cuisine scene in LA for years. With some adjustments here and there--a prime location on Santa Monica's Ocean Avenue and a new 2011 menu including small tapas dishes--the cozily ambianced eatery just keeps getting better and more interesting.Pros
- Knowledgeable, accessible, enthusiastic staff
- One of the top places for classic French cuisine with creative Spanish and California accents
- The atmosphere is casual and warm but the food is the still the foodie-worthy real deal
Cons
- Street parking or valet parking.
Description
- Open Tue.-Fri., 12 p.m-10 p.m.; Sat. 5 p.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sun. 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Closed Mondays.
- Their Kids Menu includes a choice of fried chicken tenders with fries, beef slider with fries and penne Alfredo or marinara.
- Their wine corkage fee is $15 for the first bottle and $25 for second bottle and beyond.
- On Sunday dinners, the corkage fee is $1 for the first two bottles.
- They offer a special multi-course Valentine's menu from 6 to 10 p.m. between February 11 and 14.
Guide Review - La Cachette French Bistro in Santa Monica, Los Angeles
Simply put, I really like La Cachette's style. I hadn't been back to this authentically restau Français (French restaurant) in years since it moved from its West LA/Beverly Glen location to its current Santa Monica placement.
Its candlelit (albeit with faux candles) atmosphere is anything but stuffy. The vibe is charming, warm and casual--a perfect place for a cozy date or to catch up with old friends. The pleasant and passionate waitstaff add to the vibe. Our server was literally bursting with energy and excitement over the bistro's new tapas/small plates menu. And it's those little things that make a big difference.
The new (as of 2011) tapas menu is an eclectic's dream come true. It presents a French twist on some Spanish dishes (and of course French dishes as well). The menu promises different tastes for all sorts of palates, in the form of cold and hot selections running from about $4 to $13.
Cold items include the traditional Persian cucumber, dill and Greek yogurt salad, and a calamari and bell pepper salad with Olives. My favorite cold small plate was the unusual but delicious sliced organic kiwi with pesto. I would never have thought to pair those two ingredients but chef Jean Francois Meteigner does so with great results.
Another extremely memorable and surprising cold dish is the fillet of anchovies with Piquillo salad. The idea of anchovies is usually a culinary turn-off for me. They're served here with no reservations--skin and all. So, if you can get me to eat (and adore) an anchovy dish it's really saying something. These were fresh and beautifully balanced with the peppers.
Chef Meteigner's dishes are creative but still maintain a level of tradition. In the competitive era of cooking shows, I have found that some restaurants go a bit too far in their attempts to be out-there. I am relieved to say that this isn't one of them.
The only dish I would reserve a bit of criticism for--as a foie gras fanatic--was the sauteed foie gras with corn apple grits creme brulee. The two components of the dish eaten separately were extremely tasty. But together, I found that the sweetness of the corn creme brulee dimmed the luster of the foie gras.
Nevertheless, other small hot dishes like the homemade Spanish sausage with saffron rice were lovely. This one is hearty like a meal in itself but nicely, conservatively portioned. The duck confit with mixed cabbage, lentils and vinegar was cooked as perfectly as one could hope to cook a duck.
Whether you're ordering loads of petite dishes from the tapas menu or standard sized mains like Provencal bouillabaisse with market fish, mussels, clams and scallops, or lamb stew with Merguez sausage, couscous, root vegetables and Harissa broth, be sure to save room for the best and biggest Ile Flottante (the traditional French 'floating island' dessert with Creme Anglaise and meringue) dessert. It's one big, sweet slice of heaven.
La Cachette Bistro
1733 Ocean Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-434-9509
