The Bottom Line
Pros
- Beautiful, romantic atmosphere that makes you feel like you're in Provence
- Consistently tasty dishes
- Late night dining options
- Great for large parties
- Extensive wine selection (and wine bar)
Cons
- Only open for dinner
- Can be a bit pricey
Description
- Restaurant hours: Sun.-Thu., 6-10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat, 6-11 p.m.
- Wine bar hours: Fri.-Sat., 6 p.m.-1 a.m.
- On Sunday nights they offer an exclusively French Moroccan menu ('French Moroccan Sunday Specials') with a prix fixe option
- Late night menu items are served from 10 p.m. until closing Sun.-Thu. and 11 p.m. to closing Fri.-Sat.
Guide Review - The Little Door French Restaurant in Los Angeles
There are certain standby/staples on the LA restaurant scene. If you want great steak you go to Mastro's or Musso's. For Spanish tapas it's La Paella. And for French food with a Moroccan twist you go to The Little Door.
You can sit inside in the piano room or the blue room. But, the best seats in the house are arguably outdoors where candlelight dining is a charming and special experience you (and your date--let's face it, it's a date place) won't forget.
I've enjoyed many a warm night seated outside at a table or at the cute little wine bar. At the latter, I remember ordering a lovely Cote du Rhones accompanied by their unbelievably rich and dreamy duck foie gras Torchon with strawberries and balsamic reduction. Be warned, this combination can really fill you up to extreme levels if you don't share it with someone--looks can be deceiving.
The crowd is chic and European and fortunately you won't generally find the flashy and obnoxious Sunset Strip set here. More often you'll see large parties that may recall, for example, a scene in Stealing Beauty
The casual wine bar is a great place to get an education in French vintages as there are plenty of wine-by-the-glass options. The selection also encompasses domestic choices like pinot noirs from Ojai and red blends from the Central Coast.
One of my favorite dishes is the poached wild king salmon steak with saffron aioli sauce and braised vegetables. If you're more of a red meat eater, be aware that The Little Door does duck and lamb to perfection. In the former category, a must-try is the roasted duck breast and duck leg confit with honey, lemon and lavender sauce, and basmati rice and steamed asparagus.
I once had the delight of tasting one of my favorite desserts in LA here--a fig tart. Unfortunately, I see that it is off the menu (hopefully only temporarily). However, I'd probably be just as happy sampling the Moroccan cookies, oranges and dates in orange blossom water served with a refreshing mint tea.
The Little Door is my European exotic oasis in LA. It's a true long-standing gem.
8164 W. Third St.
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(between Crescent Heights and La Jolla)
323-951-1210
