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Providence
Categories: Restaurants American (New) Restaurants Seafood Restaurants Asian Fusion American (New), Seafood, Asian Fusion [Edit]
5955 Melrose AveLos Angeles, CA 90038
Neighborhood: Mid Wilshire
(323) 460-4170
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 6 pm - 10 pm
Fri 12:30 pm - 2 pm
Sat 5:30 pm - 10 pm
Sun 5:30 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy, Upscale
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Lauren M. said: "From the parking lot, the view is quite deceiving. But once inside, it's neatly decorated and inviting. I remember the food being good and some fabulous happy hour deals, but I am writing this review nearly two years later. So...once I…" read more »
1052 reviews for Providence
Review Highlights
"We tried the 9-course tasting menu with pairings."
(in 182 reviews)
"they do everything well from amuse bouche to desserts."
(in 176 reviews)
"Omg foie gras ravioli was aaaaaamazing."
(in 54 reviews)
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1052 reviews in English
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Review from David C.
El Monte, CA
2/8/2012
Warning: SALTY!!!
Everything I tried had a generous amount of salt already infused into the dish. The food was definitely unique and very good.
How do they get liquids into those delicate jelly packages? It is amazing! -
Review from Chau V.
Los Angeles, CA
2/7/2012 6 photos
4.5 stars and 1050 reviews.
Just by looking at that statistics, who wouldn't want to try Providence? I hesitated at first, but finally I was willing to spare the $ since I believed it would be worth it.
The caviar appetizer presentation was top notch. They served 3 different kinds of bread: white, wheat, and sour dough. I am not a fan for sour dough, so I tried only white and wheat ones, but my friends enjoyed their sour dough.
In addition, we ordered a foie gras ravioli to share since my research calls "the most common and delicious"
After appetizer, our waiter showed us a box of two white truffles. It was my first time to see it in real life since I only saw it on tv. Exciting!
Each of us ordered different things on the main entree menu. Providence is a sleek seafood restaurant so I believe they must have great seafood dishes. Only one friend of mine ordered steak, which turned out to melt in your mouth as well. Three other dishes were wild striped bass (long island), wild river king salmon, and wild john dory (new zealand). The fish fillet was soft and juicy.
Overall, my dining experience was very pleasant even though the paid amount hurt a little bit, just a little bit since I am still a student living off my parent's money.
After all, I do wish one day I would make lots of $$$, dine out, and try truffle. What they say: Truffle isn't exactly aphrodisiac but under certain circumstances it tends to make women more tender and men more likable. -
Review from Ralph O.
Chino Hills, CA
2/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
1048 reviews! Why not one more! We came here for the first the last Saturday night. Tasting menu versus a la carte menu? Tasting menu allows you to taste more dishes but the a la carte menu gives you more than just a taste of a dish you like. Which one? Why not both!? We chose from the a la carte menu for our meal but got the dessert tasting menu. We ordered between the two of us the chowda, Santa Barbara sea urchin, foie gras ravioli, charcoal grilled turbot for two, cheese cart and the six course dessert tasting menu.
The chowda was creamy and the clams had no sand which is a rare occurrence whenever we get clams.
The sea urchin was rich and smooth, I only wished I also ordered it with caviar as I think the caviar would've enhanced the flavor.
The ravioli was also rich and creamy with the pasta cooked al dente.
The turbot was my favorite part of the meal. We were shown the fish and vegetables in a pot before the bones were removed from the fish and the food was plated. The fish was cooked perfectly, it was moist and tender. I only wished they were able to make the skin more crispy. The vegetables were an assortment of baby vegetables such as onion, turnip or radish (not sure which one), peas and mushrooms. The vegetables were also cooked perfectly and eating the fish and vegetables together brought the food to a higher level. The Chef's display of the food on our plates was very beautiful. I would've taken a picture but we needed a flash and we decided not to do so as we didn't want to disturb our fellow diners.
We also got a half bottle of wine based on the sommelier's recommendation. It went perfect with our meal.
The cheese cart was good. I can't say that any of the cheeses we tried wowed us, but the condiments that came with the cheese taught me there is more than just bread and crackers that go well with cheese. There are also jams/jellies and dried fruit.
The six course dessert tasting menu was a first for us. The pumpkin dessert was my favorite, it was like a deconstructed pumpkin pie. The pomegranate dessert had a concentrated taste of pomegranate which was too much for me. Most of the other desserts I thought were too busy, too many items in the dessert. Too many items caused the desserts to have too many flavors in the dish which is the opposite of the dinner menu. I'm glad we tried the dessert tasting menu as it was a first for us and I would recommend it to people to try itbut I would not do it again.
The service was excellent, from the front desk to our waiter. Even though this is a high class restaurant, the staff didn't act like snobs and were very friendly. The staff also made sure the diners wouldn't feel embarrass because they suggested we take our leftovers home with us which is something you would be afraid to ask in a nice restaurant (if you do take your leftovers home watch the other people around you and see their look of surprise!) and I noticed that our waiter seemed to realize that not everyone who comes in doesn't have bottomless wallet so he took costs into consideration when discussing our order without actually talking about how much things costs. Not an easy thing to do!
The restaurant was elegantly decorated. The lighting varied depending on where you were seated. Some of the tables were pretty close together which is where we were seated. This is a upscale restaurant so you should get dressed up (guys, this means wear a jacket, I don't know how many came in without one), but no dress code is enforced. We saw a guy with jeans and sneakers.
Overall, we enjoyed our experience here and the food was one of the best meals we've had. The restaurant truly deserves its two Michelin star rating. I see that people compare Providence with Melisse. I ate at Melisse about 2 months ago and as much as I like Melisse I'd have to say that Providence is better. -
Review from Christy L.
Brea, CA
I took my bf this time for his birthday dinner because we've been wanting to come back again for the past 2 years. It was quite a memorable experience and we both enjoyed the food on our last visit.
The prix fix menu changes every so often but there are some items that stay the same. We ordered the 5 course menu plus two appetizers. Unless you're a light eater, I would get 2 appetizers along with the 5 course to feel full and satisfied at the end. Otherwise you might go home hungry.
Appetizer one:
-Foie gras ravioli with truffle
*HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Second time ordering this dish. Of all the other appetizer selections, the waiter even agreed that is their most popular appetizer.
-Ugly Bunch
*Only order if you love Uni. Don't let the name fool you. This is the most prettiest dish I've ever seen in my life! Love the decor and presentation. Bf is a big fan of Uni and he said this is by far the freshest and best Uni he has ever tried. I loved the savory Panna Cotta underneath which complimented the overall dish very well. Hmm, wish I knew the recipe for the Panna cotta!
5 COURSE: (not in the right order)
First they bring you a Chef's complimentary dish.
-Parsnip pork reduction soup
* At first I wasn't sure what to expect when they said "pork reduction" but quickly fell in love with it after the first sip. We both looked at each other with a surprised look. Amazing.
Course 1
-Mojito and Screwdriver Gelee
*I liked the screwdriver over the mojito. He felt the opposite. It was a great palette cleanser after sipping the soup.
Course 2:
-Gorgonzola cheese puff and Salmon skin chip in nori topped with trout and creme fraiche
*I could skip on the puff because it just tasted very cheesy. Nothing special in my opinion. As for the salmon skin chip, I could just eat that all day. It is something that can be topped with almost anything and will taste exciting no matter what.
Course 3:
-Scallop with light curry and squash
*The light curry sauce was one of my favorites.
Course 4:
-Bass with red carrot and turnip puree, ginger and some edible leaf (?)
*LOVED the turnip puree!! How on earth did they make the texture and taste whipped up so perfectly? After trying the red carrot and turnip puree, it has spoiled my taste for how vegetables are prepared.
Course 5:
-Kanpachi with jelly
*We had this one last time. Very fresh and delicious!
DESSERT
-Chocolate cake with Vanilla ice cream
Didn't enjoy this dessert at all. I preferred the last dessert that had a combination of sweet and tartiness. I just ate half of the chocolate cake and gave the rest to my bf to finish. We both agreed that dessert was a disappointment.
They also brought us a medley of Grey earl infused caramel, vanilla macarons and Habanero ginger candies. We both enjoyed the candies very much. That habanero just sneaks up on you after about 2 seconds of chewing on it. Awesome creation! As for the grey earl caramel, it was very different and something I see myself eating it with coffee. We are both not a huge fan of macarons.
Overall our meal was excellent minus the dessert. The price came out to around $160 a person including tax and tip. For special occasions, I would definitely come back here again. Next stop...French Laundry!Listed in: Best of Los Angeles
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/5/2010
Providence was one of the places on my wish list and figured that having a birthday party here would… Read more »
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Review from Andrew S.
Pasadena, CA
1/16/2012 Seated via OpenTable
I had high expectations for Providence, but was rather underwhelmed by the dining experience there. My dining companion and I both had the 5-course tasting menu with wine pairings.
I sat facing Melrose ave with lots of cars whizzing by--not exactly what I expect of a decent restaurant.
Another oddity: the soundtrack--I do like Beck but would prefer not to hear tracks off of Odelay while dining.
We thought that the decor was rather odd; it was some sort of underwater aquatic theme. The candle holder that took up about 20% of our small table and didn't seem to match anything in the whole place.
Three out of five wines were meh, the other two were good. Sometimes I couldn't figure out the intention behind the pairings, but possibly that is my fault.
The only dishes that were memorable: screwdriver cocktail in a spoon, blackened cod (yum!), some sort of chocolate dessert.
I'm in no hurry to return, as I'd like to give some other places a shot first, especially considering the cost of dining here. -
Review from Joy B.
Los Angeles, CA
2/5/2012
I dined at Providence for my birthday with a party of 7. I recommend the 9 course tasting menu. 2 of us 7 did the wine pairing. The sommelier was very informative and enthusiastic about each wine. The food was excellent and the service was outstanding. Definitely a place to go for a special occasion and a place to splurge ($$$$$).
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Review from T L.
Los Angeles, CA
1/23/2012
Wow...what a tasting menu...the wine pairing was exceptional.
Added bonus, we had the Chef's table...
If you are going to spend this type of money (over $200 per person) and it's a special occasion plan ahead and reserve the Chef's table and get the Chef's menu with wine pairing...
Now, mind you, I like crazy, funky, fusion, exciting food...this isn't it. The food isn't trendy or on the edge of the next big thing. This is food before Anthony Bourdain and Jose Andres. What it is is refined French-style cooking methods done well.
Worth repeating, repeating, repeating... -
Review from Theresa G.
San Diego, CA
1/26/2012
Me and my BF go here on special occasions because it really is a special place. I cant even begin to say how amazing the food AND service.
I always feel the minute we walk in the door we are being waited hand and foot. It always feels like we are the only ones in the restaurant.
Our last experience, we went to celebrate our anniversary, and let me just tell you that it blew me away with their service.
For example, We were seated in the middle of a room which I DIDNT mind because I was happy to be there and my bf only mentioned that we had a great corner table last time to me and I guess they might have heard because as soon as a table opened up they offered us a romantic corner table for just the two of us.
They also overheard me mention I was getting full so they offered to box up the rest of our courses. HOW NICE!
The food is hands down amazing. My favorite is the scallops! Yum! Everything is made to perfection and the flavors just dance in your mouth. I literally smiled every time I took a bite because not only do they present your dish in an art form but it tastes like something you have never tasted before I can promise you that.
Providence is worth every penny. I have been to places where the food is great but the service is HORRIBLE and I dont get to enjoy my food, but HERE you get to enjoy both. Go to Providence, and your standards will be raised when you go to other fine dining restaurants. -
Review from Iva C.
Rowland Heights, CA
1/18/2012
What else can I say that hasn't been said already? The place was amazing! Came here for my 30th birthday dinner and we all got the tasting menu with wine pairing and added the foie gras ravioli. Everything was amazing from the presentation, variety, creativity, plating, taste, amuse bouche....I could go on forever.
The wine pairings were good, but I've had better (pairings, that is).
This is definitely a place for a special night out.
And we even had a celebrity siting, Jason Segal at the next table. -
Review from Ratika N.
One of my favorite restaurants in LA...yes, it's a tad pricey but the only one I would say worth every penny. Service here is amazing,...this is one of the few places I've been in LA where the food and service is both 5 stars, yet it is unpretentious. If you are looking for an exquisite meal for a special occasion, look no further...providence fits the bill to the T.
The sommelier (Drew) is amazing...suggested a perfect wine for our meal. I love that he is pretty friendly and did listen to what we like and suggested a perfect wine within our budget.
We started off with amuse bouche, a frozen mojito and a screwdriver capsule. I loved the screwdriver. It had a dense, thick consistency and had an amazing flavor!
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Then came some amazing scallops with Japanese eggplant. I loved the presentations, every dish that came to our table looked exquisite. I wasn't wowed by the sea bass, it was good but nothing that made me jump with joy. The Japanese kanpachi was executed wonderfully,....loved every bite of it.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The Salmon with pork belly was another outstanding dish...it melted in my mouth. I also loved the veal..it was perfectly cooked.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
I ordered the 5 course tasting menu while my husband had the 9 course tasting menu. Between the 2, there was just the cheese course and the sea urchin dish in the 9 course meal dinner that wowed me. The sea urchin with soft scrambled eggs was truly amazing...It's a small portion, but every bite was exquisite!
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
The cheese server (Holly) was really nice and although she was supposed to give us just 3 cheeses, she ended up giving us 5 ( I guess liked that I said I love raw milk cheese!)....Tried a black truffle cheese from Italy and some amazing cheese from France. I wish they included this in the 5 course menu, would gladly give up the sea bass course for the cheese. I loved that although this was part of my husband 9 course tasting menu, they got me a plate so we could share....super nice!! They even gave me an extra dessert to try along with his dessert course.
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Overall, one of the best meals I've had in LA....the ambiance, the service and the exquisite food all made for a perfect night. I love Providence! -
Review from Veronique L.
Manhattan, NY
2/3/2012
Best restaurant in Los Angeles.
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Review from Nicholas B.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
1/21/2012 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
Going to providence we had a lot of high expectations. We weren't let down.
The chef sent out some complimentary appetizers which were fun and different.
We started with the dirty bunch which was a mixture of shellfish uncooked. I honestly liked this dish out of everything we had.
Then the quail egg came out. It tastes like butter...mmmm
Next we did the steak which was good but not amazing.
The staff was very attentive and the restaurant had a nice ambiance. A very cool experience. I would like to try the chef tasting menu next time, it might this place 5 stars . -
Review from Jesse L.
Reston, VA
2/2/2012
I went there while on a business trip in LA and this is where the boss took us for dinner one evening. It was UNBELIEVABLE. We did the tasting menu and the wine pairings couldn't have been more on point. It is VERY expensive, and I probably wouldn't have come on my own dime, but for a special occasion this would be the perfect place. I would definitely recommend to anybody!
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Review from Nicole M.
Poway, CA
2/7/2012
Yes, it took me a long time to finally post my review but here it is!! My husband took me here last year for our anniversary. We did the tasting menu and the wine pairings. It is VERY good but it is VERY expensive. We knew that coming in and only came to celebrate a very important anniversary...our 10 years! Because of that, this was the perfect place. I would definitely recommend to anybody!
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Review from Anthony F.
Los Angeles, CA
12/24/2011
Truly a perfect dining experience!!! The food is amazing and the service is great. I felt like I was eating art...in the best way possible.
Worth all of the hype--definitely try it! -
Review from Jemi A.
Tustin, CA
1/6/2012
There are many good reasons why Providence has over 1000 reviews from Yelpers everywhere. This is fine dining at its finest.
We opted for the five course tasting menu. Each little dish was absolutely superb. The chef here is truly gifted as he understands the careful balance of savory-sweet and texture. A truly amazing dining experience...!
The five course menu offers just little bites, so be forewarned not to come here if you are starving. Because my husband and I had eaten a huge lunch, we weren't that hungry for dinner and almost canceled our reservation here. Boy are we glad we decided to go anyway because despite our lack of hunger, each delectable course was perfection. -
Review from Leo C.
Saratoga, CA
12/30/2011 Seated via OpenTable
It definitely lived up to the hype... with a few qualms.
Service started out a bit odd, but definitely was on par with the price throughout the rest of the night. Servers always came with all the dishes at once, always folded our napkins as we left, and always kept our glasses full. Not much to complain about with the service.
We had a party of four, and all did the 9 course tasting. Per yelp's suggestion, shared 2 wine pairings-- our waiter mentioned that there is an additional charge to actually split glasses, so we just did 2 wine pairing orders and shared the glasses. Don't think I saw that mentioned here. I did feel a bit cheap doing this, but since we did not want to get drunk off our butts with so many wines, it was definitely the way to go. while i'm at it -- the wine pairings were GREAT. Definitely better than any I've had at other nice restaurants.
The food was...AMAZING. I have only been to a few Michelin (or former Michelin, since they don't do LA anymore) restaurants, but the food here definitely is the best if not in the top 3. I won't go into detail since the courses change and people have talked about them ad naseum here, but yeah.. they're good. Highlights for me included the sea urchin and the striped bass. Excellent, delicate, tasty. Even the cheese platter was fun, although it was a mistake for us to dare to try the stinkiest cheese. We were warned.
That brings me to the only negative point of the night -- our seating area. I'm not sure if this is a new patio area that was converted to be indoors, but we were seated along with a few other tables in a room that needed heat lamps. It was okay at first but definitely got colder throughout the night as people left, even with the heat lamps on. The temperature overall was a bit of a distraction, but not as bad as the noise... of cars whizzing by?? Very odd.. it was such a nice meal, such nice service, not to mention quite an expensive meal, and overall it was slightly ruined by the traffic noise. I'm not sure if there's anything they can do about it but next time I will definitely try to request to be seated in a different area.
Overall... if you're still reading this review.. that means you want to try it. And you should. Don't even doubt it!! -
Review from CN M.
Los Angeles, CA
1/29/2012
My husband and I went to providence last Friday for a special date! I have to say providence was one of the most unique experiences I have had so far. Food was absolutely phenomenon. I love the fact that you get wine tasting with every meal that comes to the table. The service is outstanding. food portions are just enough and I like the fact that there is a small break between each meal so you don't get full fast. I have been to another version of providence ( Gary Danko in SF and I loved it). I have to say as far as service and quality of food these two places are the same. The only reason I gave this place 4 star and not 5 was because I thought the price was too high. As I said, food is awesome and its a wonderful experience.GD cost us almost half the price with the same exact quality. BUT, Highly recommend it for your special night, enjoy!
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Review from Anthony N.
Playa del Rey, CA
***Providence's elegant and exquisite fine dining food stands above all other Los Angeles restaurants I have tried***
I've been fortunate enough to dine at a few very good fine dining spots in Chicago and the Bay Area and Providence is the one LA restaurant that comes the closest (along with the now closed Sona) to replicating the experience. The kitchen's strong attention to everything on the plate and their ambition to strive for both creative and perfectly realized flavors make it a restaurant that really stands out.
Their assorted bread includes three good options--a dense and chewy white roll, a buttery bacon bricohe and a crisp-on-the-outside-and-soft-on-the inside nori focaccia (the focaccia is a little too greasy).
The amuses were similar to my last visit and they were good. There was a screwdriver gel (which had a great burst of orange), a mojito cube, crispy rice paper, crispy and flavorful salmon skin, a crispy puff filled with flavorful creme fraiche and cured sea trout, a crispy mozzarella and tomato puff, a tomato water gel, and a tomato consomme (which had a good amount of fennel in it).
I started with the kanpachi sashimi, which came with pickled cucumbers, a black olive sauce, radishes, and crisps. The kanpachi was very fresh and soft. It was a light and refreshing dish. I liked the black olive sauce, which had a distinct olive flavor but was not overpowering or too salty. I also really liked the pickled cucumbers, which had the briny flavor of pickles but still the firmer texture of a cucumber.
For my entree, I had the scallops, which were accompanied by celery root puree, serrano ham and pickled apples. There was such an attention to detail with the ham and apples. Both ingredients were diced evenly. Each apple had been cooked evenly too so that each morsel had the same flavor and texture. The celery root puree was very creamy.
They also added a smoky accent to the dish, which gave the scallops a smoky flavor to go along with the sweet and sour apples and the lightly salty and meaty ham.
The scallops were nicely seared/caramelized on the outside and were moist; however, the scallops did not have the softness I have experienced with scallops at many other restaurants like Campanile, Saddle Peak Lodge or Scarpetta. It might be the size or type of scallops they use because I have yet to have a scallops dish at Providence that would be comparable to the best scallops I have had elsewhere even though the flavors they added to the scallops were exceptional.
For dessert, I went with the miso cheesecake, which was topped with a plum gelee, black sesame crumble, blueberries, and a sorbet. The miso cheesecake was creamy, light and refreshing. It had a nice salty flavor. The plum gelee was a good addition to the dish while the sorbet was mild and very creamy (and not icy). The blueberries were very good and flavorful. I really liked the black sesame crumble, which was crunchy and had a great sesame flavor.
Providence's desserts are typically extravagant though I have liked some more than others. My favorite here (hands down) would be their Italian french toast with balsamic strawberries, basil syrup and burrata cheese ice cream. I doubt I will find another dessert here (or anywhere else) that is as good as that one. Still, the miso cheesecake was also good and showcased the pastry chef's creativity and ambition for perfection.
The petits fours at the end of the meal included a very good chicory caramel, an intense passionfruit macaron and a fragrant Thai curry pate de fruit.
Service by Matt was great as always. He is incredibly professional, polite and knowledgeable about the menu; he is also very friendly and personable, which makes the service here very warm and welcoming (maybe surprising given the fine dining decor).
The decor is contemporary and elegant (with a simple and warm color scheme). It is a very nice room and a great setting for the very artistic and exquisite food.
Prices are high, but they are cheaper at lunch. Their lunch menu might not be as vast as their dinner menu, but there is no sacrifice when it comes to quality or creativity.
Providence is definitely my favorite fine dining restaurant in Los Angeles. While I have had some dishes at Providence that did not wow, I have had enough great food here (both savory and sweet, cold and hot) that will keep me coming back. If you are looking for an exceptional and wow LA fine dining restaurant, I would definitely take Providence over the others I've tried (Melisse, Spago, Hatfield's, etc.).
Free 2 hour parking is located on the side street just east of Providence.Listed in: Ranking Restaurants In The 09…, Ranking The 75 Best…, Ranking Michelin Starred…, Ranking Jonathan Gold's 99…, Ranking Jonathan Gold's 99…
6 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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10/9/2011
***Providence puts out exquisite food utilizing high quality ingredients; there are not many… Read more »
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Review from Lee L.
Long Beach, CA
1/28/2012
ok, it's pretty obvious by the reviews that this place is good. i just want to talk about my quail egg and the goodness that was inside it. SO GOOD. i don't remember all the ingredients unfortunately but the thing was a party in my mouth. the other standout was the cheese selection. the glorious cheese woman there, all i have to say to her is: yes yes yes. what i was surprised by and enjoyed was our waiter - unpretentious and funny. though the food was very fine dining i liked that the energy and diners of the place felt relaxed.
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Review from Wasin L.
Los Angeles, CA
While at work, my friend and I were talking about how we should go try some restaurants in which the executive chef there has been featured as a contender on Top Chef. We ended up talking about Michael Cimarusti. I've been hesitant to come try Providence for a while because one of my friend had insisted that Spago's food was better and so was it's presentation. I didn't like my Spago experiences, so I thought there would be no way for Providence to live up to my high expectations for a two star michelin restaurant. Boy, was I wrong.
Maybe it was because I had dinner with the right company this time, thank you Regina for coming out with me that day after work, but my dinner at Providence was the best dining experience I've had in the Los Angeles region. It might even be my favorite restaurant in LA now, now that Ortolan and Bastide have closed down. Chef Michael Cimarusti's menu is just fantastic. My only regret of the night was being misinformed by Yelp reviewers, and settling for the 9 course tasting menu rather than the 16 course chef tasting menu. Sigh, thinking about the wonderful dishes I missed out on makes me sad. Oh wells, looks like it means I'll have to make sure I come back here in the near future!
There's a misunderstanding that I do not like fusion restaurants. That's not the case. I do not like chefs that try too hard to make their dishes unique or stand out just to be weird and kooky. The ingredients and way of cooking must enhance the dish. And that's what Providence does successfully with every dish. I'm not going to go into detail with the dishes that are on the tasting menu (you can check out the pics though) because after over 1000 great reviews from fellow yelpers, you can find out about that on anyone else's post. I just want to give my compliments to the chef for doing a great job combining an oriental taste to American seafood. The seafood kept it's clean and fresh taste that I expect and enjoy from my seafood, yet whatever sauce or side that complimented the dish contrasted the dish well.
The amuse bouche here are creatively presented. It reminded me of tapa dishes that are created by Chef Jose Andres. The service here wasn't swanky at all, and that's what I liked about this place. I'm surprised to read about how people received attitude from their servers. The server I had was friendly and we were able to engage in a few conversations about the culinary arts and what the dishes and courses were about. The cocktails here are delicious but seemed a bit weak to me. The interior design of the restaurant was very intimate. I liked how they turned on the heater to just the right temperature, making it a very cozy dinner. Providence does a great job combining a bunch of great little things from various restaurants around the neighborhood but making it its own. -
Review from Casey R.
Bakersfield, CA
12/28/2011
I really enjoyed my experience at Providence. I was very excited about coming here for the first time and decided to make it even more special on my fiance and I's 8 year anniversary. We both knew already before coming that we were going to get the full tasting menu of 9 courses. We didn't care what was on it but knew from the reviews here on Yelp that we'd be missing out if we didn't get it.
From the very start the service was great. The restaurant was practically empty at the 6:30 reservation time we had made. It did start to fill up rather quickly after we were seated though. The main waiter we had was very knowledgeable of all the food and wine and could describe to us all the characteristics of each and what we could expect when we eat/drink it. My fiance also noticed there was a Veal course on the tasting menu we ordered. She doesn't eat Veal so they prepared a great salmon dish in it's place. All the wine pairing were also spot on with each dish
My favorite things of the night were the bacon brioche they serve before and during the meal. I also enjoyed the Furikake (seaweed) bread as well. My favorite dish of the evening was the egg dish with sea urchin. It was so rich and flavorful. It left me wanting to eat just that dish the rest of the night. Every dish was expertly prepared but not everything impressed me as I thought it would. Some dishes almost seemed over-thought and the flavors would get lost in the dish from the use of too many techniques or ingredients. Overall it was a great meal. However if I came back here I would probably order A La Carte. I felt myself wanting more meat and less seafood on the tasting menu. I love seafood but I got bored halfway through the tasting.
The ambiance is higher end but also understated. It has a darker dining room which is the norm in LA but did have enough lighting to actually be able to see your food and the person sitting across from you. I thought the murals on the wall were original but also brought the ambiance down to a more casual feel. This might have been their intention however.
The bill came out to $550 for two with a 20% tip. Not bad really for such a large tasting menu with wine pairing. However I was hoping they would live up to their 2 Michelin star rating from a few years back. I would say they are more of a single star restaurant now. -
Review from Michele W.
Santa Ana, CA
12/25/2011
Its very hard for me where to begin: I came here for Tasting Table's Dinner Tales, which highlighted the "best dishes" from past and present.
The experience was very very memorable. I loved the wine and food pairings. i feel like i've never had it right until I came here. I started out with appetizers blue crab cakes with sirracha mayo, and these little potato poppers, and what appeared to be bottomless champagne.
We then all migrated to the dining room, where we all had place cards and sat at 2 large tables- a great opportunity to mingle with other foodies.
They sat us down and served us 2 cocktails on spoons: one was a screwdriver in a gelatin casing and a frozen mojito. We also had bread: choice of bacon brioche, focaccia bread, and sourdough.
The menu was as such and hey also had wine pairings:
Santa Barbara Sea Urchin: in a small egg cooked with egg white and some bacon bits, it masked the briny salty flavor of the sea urchin which I'm usually not a fan of. I don't like bacon, but the flavor did enhance the dish in a good way for me. Did I mention it was served in a little egg shell? Very cute presentation.
Maine Lobster: cooked in between beets cooked 2 ways steamed, and in agar/gelatin. I don't usually like beets, but the delicate flavor complimentary the sweetness of the lobster. What took this dish to another level and made it the most memorable was the wine pairing- a Rose wine that seemed to bring the sweetness out of the tenderly cooked lobster. It was magic I will never forget.
Japanese Sword Squid with dehydrated olives
We were supposed to have Wild black sea bass, but because nature was unpredictable, we got wild blackish: it was sweet and tender.
Chocolate-Whiskey panna cotta with coconut milk encased in such a way I was able to break it and let it flow out and mix. It was nothing more than amazing.
Then we were served Petit fours with tea (or coffee).
Service was amazing, the staff was very friendly, and the ambiance was great. The food was complex and the flavors were delicate. They really showed me that they truly had bragging rights and why people tell me they really are the best of the best.
Now, if only I had the money to go there once a week, I would do the drive just to eat here. -
Review from Annie K.
12/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
This was by FAR one of the BEST meals I've had in LA:
We were promptly seated and began right away with cocktails. HOLY S... those drinks were effing strong. I had a "pina y pina" and I instantly got a good buzz goin, weird bitter after taste though... I wouldn't recommend it.
OF COURSE we had to have the tasting menu. Portions were small like most high end places....but don't let that fool you! I was STUFFED and couldn't even finish everything. Not to mention we thoroughly enjoyed the entire bottle of our favorite wine...hehe
Service was excellent, we were always checked up on and surprisingly they didn't charge for corkage. Now on to the food.
First off, the seaweed bread was interesting, I liked it, but stopped myself from the usual second serving of bread to save room for the 9 course menu.
I unfortunately can't remember the descriptions of each dish but here are some highlights:
ABSOLUTELY LOVED the plates with:
-salmon skin
-uni in the egg shell
-pork belly
-scallops
-cheese plate
-the macaroons are to DIE for....mmmmmm
Wasn't too much of a fan for:
-veal (personal preference...just don't like the taste/thought of eating veal)
-guava sauce (that was too overpowering for...i think it was the sea bass?)
We were one of the last parties still dining but it was a GREAT dining experience. I would DEFINITELY come back here and would recommend! We were seated near the enclosed patio area but the heaters were on and it stayed warm for the most part, so no complaints there. All of our servers were courteous and friendly and made sure we were taken care of. Can't wait to come back for this phenomenal food! -
Review from Julie K.
Los Angeles, CA
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
This is one of my recent favorites from fine dining. We ordered the full course from the menu, and we were so stuffed at the end of the night. My favorites were, of course, the seafood dishes. The scallops, especially were cooked to perfection. Not stringy at all. Many of the dishes were quite creative but not strange enough for me to avoid the adventure.
The service was friendly but not out of the ordinary. -
Review from Michael U.
Dublin, OH
Flawed compared to my prior visit - one of the 10 best meals of my life - but still putting out exemplary seafood at a relatively great (albeit expensive) price.
Highlight dishes as below, the rest with pictures in context in the blog:
"Uni in a farm fresh egg, Santa Barbara Sea Urchin, Herbes Fines, Brioche" - every bit as luxurious as its ingredients would indicate and finished with champagne beurre blanc and American caviar we were instructed to spoon deep in order to experience all the layers together and doing as we were told I can now say that of all the cut egg dishes I've experienced - from L'Arpege and Manresa to The French Laundry and Le Bernardin - Providence's remains my favorite if for no other reason than the beurre blanc/uni/yolk amalgram; a taste too decadent to describe and perfectly offset by the brine of the caviar.
"Rougie foie gras glazed with white wine and served with candied walnuts, roasted grapes, port gelee, and hearts of palm plus a side dish of grilled brioche" - Dense and well made with the liver's characteristic sapor nicely balanced by the sweetened wine glaze I particularly liked the rustic aspects of this preparation with the yellow rim of fat still attached and although the accoutrements were relatively standard the flavors were all on point with the grapes particularly wowing and the brioche every bit on par with the rest of the restaurant's top notch breads.
"Black sea bass, matsutake, rosemary" - a flawless slice of the tender and flaky fish with impressively crisp skin was its focal point but the dish was much more on closer inspection as the matsutakes revealed themselves in four forms; butter poached, shaved raw, dissolved into clarified butter, and finally as an effervescent foam. While a fan of Sea Bass in general and having admittedly been wowed by it at ink only two days prior I personally felt that this was one of the two best courses of the evening and even now it is a dish whose exemplary taste brings back fond memories of what high quality fish in the hands of a skilled chef can and should taste like.
"Unagi, celery root puree, bone marrow, smoked sesame." Starting first with the eel - fatty, slightly briny, and just a bit sweet even without the all-too-common BBQ treatment - this was without a doubt the finest quality unagi I have ever tasted and obviously knowing the quality of the fish the kitchen opted to pair it with a number of complimentary ingredients that not only helped to enhance the fish, but also that shined on their own - particularly the smoked sesame foam which served a stark contrast to the hefty marrow and slightly bitter celery root puree.
"Liberty Farms duck, cauliflower, braised rhubarb, Brussels sprouts." With the breast expectedly tasty and succulent while each accoutrement was equally well prepared and drizzled with foie gras gastrique as an added bonus what really put this dish over the top was a tiny sphere, approximately the size of a golf ball, deep fried and stuffed with duck confit - a particularly nice flavor when matched with the unctuous sprouts.
"Miso Cheesecake, sesame, plum, blueberries" would prove to be another surprisingly light dessert as the cheesecake itself was nearly as smooth as a pana cotta but with just enough grit and savoriness to make you aware that it was not. Complementing the cheesecake with the fruits noted above in the form of a blueberry gelee atop the cake and macerated blueberries strewn alongside with the juices trailing behind plus tart plum sorbet the flavors were all brought to a sharp point through the use of black sesame sauce and a soil of ground white and black sesame seeds. An intense dessert with both sweet and savory served up in balance this was precisely the sort of dessert I expected from Vasquez.Listed in: Most memorable meals.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/26/2009
See the Blog for full review.
The Los Angeles dining scene is not the same as San Francisco or New… Read more »
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Review from Tommy H.
Irvine, CA
12/7/2011 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
Cohesive menu, great wine pairings, generous portions.
We opted for the 9-course full tasting menu and shared a wine pairing. Each course was a delight and the really came together to make a great meal.
Some highlights:
- bacon brioche, comes complimentary with your meal and it's o so delicious. fluffy bread with bits of bacon, amazing.
- veal tenderloin, such a well cooked, tender piece of meat. i would order this course on it's own if it was offered on the a la carte menu.
- a soup in a shooter glass as part of the amuse bouche... I'm kicking myself right now for not being able to identify this amazing concoction. it was so savory and flavorful.
great dining experience here at Providence, the staff was very friendly, each course more like an entree, rater than a tasting menu. i was definitely left full and satisfied.
*parking may be a bit difficult in the surrounding areas, valet was $4. -
Review from Christine K.
San Diego, CA
12/7/2011 Seated via OpenTable 1 Check-in Here
Of all the fine dining restaurants I've been to, this one and Moto have been my two favorite. Moto was more about the interaction and atmosphere...its kind of a unique experience whereas providence is more of a quality of food, sophisticated experience.
The restaurant is dedicated to seafood and relatively easy to get a reservation at. We each did the standard 9 course tasting and shared a wine pairing. It was a good amount of food (more than bazaars 22 course tasting) and because I love seafood, the dishes were delicious.
Couple notes: I feel like they seat you based on how you're dressed. In the back room if you're casual and in the front spacey room if youre dressed up. Come dressed up. They dont really do anything for your birthday though it may be to preserve the atmosphere of the fine dining restaurant. Ive heard that french laundry sings to you though...but it may depend on who you are.
I believe it was $125 for food plus half the wine tasting came out to be around $200 with tax and tip per person. -
Review from Amy C.
West Hollywood, CA
12/8/2011
The food is just about as good as it gets.
They were 45 minutes late for our 9:00pm reservation, so to appease an angry hungry crowd, they gave us what seemed to be the fanciest jello shot around. It was essentially a jelly ball infused with alcohol - incredible. The amuse buche they served throughout the meal were fantastic.
Everything we ordered was made to perfection, except for one $75 fish that we asked to switch because it did not taste $75 dollars worth, and they did so without argument.
Beware the snobbery of the waiters. As one of out servers told us, "we aren't trying to appeal to the masses". Just know going in, they are serious about their food! -
Review from Whitney J.
New Orleans, LA
12/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Had the 14 course chef's tasting.... talk about inventive dishes! Too bad I didn't know about this place when I lived in L.A.
This spot is a good choice for a date or special occasion because the food (and the presentation) are exceptional. Great wine list too.
The food was really good but we (unfortunately) had to call it quits when it got to the dessert courses (there were 4) because we couldn't fit anymore food in. -
Review from John L.
San Jose, CA
12/28/2011
The food was like a dream. The textures blew my mind, and the flavors mesmerizing. It changed my perspective on fine dining and my concept on what culinary arts were. Innovation, creativity, and great quality. The service was splendid. The cheese cart put my taste bud's world upside down.
I have been to many 1 and 2 Michelin Star restaurants from Napa, San Francisco, to Las Vegas. So far, NONE have surpassed Providence. I plan on coming back very soon. Love you guys, never change. -
Review from Joleen Q.
12/11/2011
Next to Spago, probably the best restaurant I've ever been to. The service was impeccable... the staff would watch you (in a non-creepy way) to meet all your needs. I love places where they give you little tastes before and after.
The meal started off with little tasters of seaweed crackers topped with caviar and such in a beautiful box. It ended with a little platter of salty caramels, macaroons, etc.
This place is famous for seafood and it was presented beautifully. Bright, vivid colors of foams and sauces... everything was delicious including the wine. It ended up being about $300 for two.
Come here for a special occasion... everything will be perfect. -
Review from Mary S.
Los Angeles, CA
1/28/2012
Providence is as GOOD as it GETS in Los Angeles. Can't wait to see them get three stars.... You absolutely get what you pay for. Service is excellent and effortless. The tasting menu is worth every cent and it will fulfill all your senses and tastebuds. Stop reading this... GO book a reservation!
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Review from Teresa C.
San Gabriel, CA
11/29/2011
Providence, the LA queen of prix fixe tasting menus.
Fair: $95 @ five course
Good: $125 @ (12 courses) full tasting
Best: $175 @ (15 courses) chef's menu
If you're scared, just start with the five course but I have to say the 12 was fantastic. You will be stuffed, so be warned. Expect to spend a least two and half hours for the full tasting (we were there three). You really get to enjoy the flavours of each food dish- their uni is a good way to die, I think. K died his own way after having too much cheese (one course is of course the dessert cheeses on a cart).
Plating is lovely, although chef does seem to love foam. The seafood dishes were by far, the best. If you're an alcoholic foodie, the first serving of amuse bouche will make you oh so happy.
Michelin 2 star with great service (tiny bathroom) and fantastic food. A good way to end the year, if you haven't been here, you have to come try it. -
Review from Emily S.
11/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm a little disappointed in Providence. I recently came here with my friend Mike. He treated me to dinner here for my birthday.
We were able to make same day reservations for dinner. Thanks to yelp quick tips, we were able to find plenty of street parking on Cole Avenue.
Once we arrived we were promptly seated. Our waiter pulled my seat out for me, and placed a napkin on my lap. LOL. Then he told us what the specials for the night were.
He left... for a brief moment and came back to our table with a wooden box. Silly me, I thought there was chocolate in there. Or hand towels for us to wash our hands with. It was TRUFFLES! He handed them over to us to smell.
Our original intent was to try the 5 course tasting menu at Providence. But when we go there, I wasn't too impressed with what they were offering. If you want to know what they'll be serving on the tasting menu, you can view their menu online.
http://www.providencel...
Scroll down to "Providence Market Menu" and the ones with the asterisks are what they'll have for the 5 course tasting menu.
The Full Course tasting menu are all the items under "Providence Market Menu".
So, I ordered "chowda" and wild striped bass instead.
The chowda came with bacon and clams in a super creamy clam broth. The broth was thin. And .. it tasted like as if it were just regular lowfat cream you buy from the store. I didn't really like the clam chowder here. I like the clam chowder from Water Grill in DTLA more.
Next was the wild striped bass. The fish came half cooked half raw. I asked the waiter if this was how it was supposed to be, and he said it was. The bass came on top of a squash confit, with bacon. The bass was a bland. I didn't finish the whole thing... so I gave mine to Mike to finish. I've had better fish at at many other restaurants.
The dessert we had was a little too sweet.. but it was good! It was a Mango Panna Cotta.
I am disappointed in the food that was served at Providence. But, I am impressed by the service.
Thanks Mike! -
Review from Remo G.
Glendale, CA
1/8/2012
The food is intelligently-prepared, but a little on the conservative side in terms of taste... but certainly not in presentation. A fair value for the price... however at our last dining experience at Providence on September 6th, the young waiter had a temper tantrum in the back near the bathrooms in full earshot of the diners... complaining that the diners were not ordering expensive enough wine... and his dissatisfaction with same. I shot him a look that made clear he was embarrassing himself in front of the whole East dining room. Next time I want to drop a car payment on dinner... I will take my business somewhere where the staff take their jobs a little more seriously.
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Review from Lana K.
Staten Island, NY
1/27/2012
Based on reviews from Yelp and Open Table we got a last minute reservation. Upon arriving we did not realize that we will be seated in a private room which only had 4 tables. So I can't comment what the atmosphere was like in a main dinning room. We had the 6 course chef's pre-fix menu, entire bill including tip was about $480 for 2 ppl. The menu did have quality high end ingredients and interesting presentation but the meal was sadly lacking. For this kind of money I expected more. It does not compare to Daniel Restaurant in NYC. Overall it was a good experience but the flavors could have been better. Risotto with black truffles was great. Service was just ok. After having bread waiter didn't even remove the crumbs from the table.
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Review from DeathandFood b.
San Francisco, CA
12/2/2011
I was wanting to be amazed and blown away by the 15 course chef's menu instead I found myself comparing it unfavorably to similar meals at Eleven Madision Park and Fleur de Lys. Most dishes tasted good but some were very good but none reached greatness.
I had pick the place because I had been told about the all vegetarian tasting menu. I had also been told to request it in my reservation because they would need time to prep it. So when I made my online reservation I added a note about wanting the vegetarian tasting menu. I guess I should have called because when we arrived they could not do the 12 or 15 course menu as vegetarian only the five and as it was a special occasions I wanted to go balls to the wall and get one of the tasting menus. Instead the French Spouse got an all pescatarian meal while I was eat everything as I like to do.
At this price point I expect food that is comparable to Le Bernardin, EMP or French Laundry. I just did not find it to be that level. Some dishes were good especially the mushroom dish with mushrooms made into broth, foam, saboyan and left in the natural form. They must have just gotten a smoke gun because four our dishes used it but only 2 were successful uses. The other two dishes were overwhelmed by the smokiness.
The service was odd too. It was formal without has that classic flow and grace and instead just seemed really stiff as if the servers didn't really know what was going on. They didn't always seem to know what the dishes were even as they were explaining them.
It was a good meal but not very memorable and I probably wouldn't go back. -
Review from Jenny C.
Cerritos, CA
Updated - 1/3/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Came here last night and tried the Chef's tasting menu with 15 courses. Like my first time, everything was exceptional and beyond spectacular. Our server, Daniel, was very attentive and explained each dish very well. Because the Chef's tasting menu courses are always subject to change and aren't listed on the menu, I'll do my best to list the dishes we received (note I may have missed 1 or 2 dishes):
*Mojito + Screwdriver (starter?)
*Oyster + Oyster plant
*Miso-glazed abalone + Swordfish and chorizo
*Halibut with champagne gelatin
*Bacon-wrapped John dory with squash puree and black truffle
*Uni with butter sauce and marinated black truffle on top of bread
*Scallop with nori butter (seared in shell on a wooden plank)
*Unagi (eel) with bone marrow and chestnuts on top of root puree
*Seared salmon and onions with cauliflower puree
*Australian wagyu beef on butter sauce and assorted veggies with slices of black truffle
*Guava slice with guava sorbet and yogurt, yuzu, and sake drops
*Pomegranate gelatin with frozen pomegranate seeds, pomegranate tapioca, apple slices, and dried blood oranges (we opted out of the Cheese plate and received this instead)
*Mont blanc- white meringue with vanilla sorbet atop some bread and apricot jam
*Ginger sorbet with banana pudding, chocolate ganache, rice, and blueberries
*Box of mint orange jelle, passion fruit candy, and blackberry macaroons.
Some of the more noteworthy courses were the oyster+oysterplant (so much flavor in such a small bite!), swordfish and chorizo (amazing combination of flavors and perfectly grilled), scallop with nori butter (the seasoning was perfect and complemented the scallops very well), and the australian wagyu beef (definitely one of my top 3 of the night. it was cooked to medium rare but had no blood whatsoever, and it was so tender and melted in my mouth!). The dessert dishes were all spectacular also, but I especially enjoyed the guava and pomegranate courses since I love the tart and fruity flavors!
Overall, at $175/person, I would actually recommend the Chef's tasting menu over the 5- or 9-course tasting menus. Granted it's almost twice as expensive as the 5-course menu but you get 3 times as many courses and I think the dishes are more unique and delicious. Also, I'm sure the Chef uses the best ingredients of the day to decide what course to make so you'll get the best of the best!Listed in: Favorite LA Foodstops
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/12/2011
Oh Providence..How do I even begin except to say that this is hands-down my favorite fine-dining… Read more »
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Review from Míkéy L.
Los Angeles, CA
Providence. 2 Michelin Star restaurant. 4.5 stars on Yelp. Glowing reviews by Yelp friends and people I follow on Yelp. Even Mendostyles saved his Providence review to be his 700th.
With all these glowing reviews, my expectation for fantastic food was really HIGH!
There are only two restaurants whose food I LOVED and they aren't in the USA. One is Ristorante La Scala (http://www.lascala.ch/) in Rapperswil, Switzerland. The 2nd is The Quatre Saisons in The Hotel Cailler (http://www.hotel-caill...) in Gruyere, Switzerland. Just like the girl you've loved and lost, where you always think about her, those two places I fondly remember for their gastronomic excellence. These two places were the benchmark for Providence.
After dining here, I felt like Daedalous after he flew too close to the sun. Crash and burn...well not exactly, but not exactly the best gastronomic experience I've ever had.
I came here to celebrate the Yelper I Hate the Most, Emily S, big 3-0. I asked where she wanted to eat and she picked Providence. Damn, she's loves to be pampered on my dime O.o. I bet my birthday is going to be take out Chinese food that she bought using a Groupon. O.O
With all the glowing reviews, I agreed to dine here because I expected it to be AWESOME! So you're wondering how did it drop from being awesome to just getting 3 stars? Let me explain.
Dining Companion: 5 Stars. I have to give 5 stars to Emily S. She does make dining a fun experience. She can carry a conversation, make me laugh, be politically incorrect in a funny way, and make an evening that much more enjoyable. Cheers to her and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Service: This place had amazing service that you would expect from a 2 Michelin Star restaurant. Waiters were polite, speedy, and attentive. Emily S. is a camel when it comes to beverages and the waiter kept filling up her glass. She went to the bathroom several times to be amused by the fact that the wait staff had neatly folded her napkin. Immature minds are easily amused =)
Ingredients: Again 5 stars. Organic, imported, exotic...all the adjectives when it comes to ingredients you have at Providence. Some ingredients we didn't know so we had to Google them to get an explanation. But in the end, you know what you're consuming is good stuff.
Ambiance: 4 stars. First question. Why is this restaurant not in the nice area of town? 2nd question: what's up with the funky clamshell inspired decor on the walls? Other than those questions everything else was spectacular. Premium cutlery, expensive napkins, and they even have cloth towels instead of paper towels in the bathroom! Good stuff!
Food presentation: 5 Stars. Like art? Well just look at your food.
Flavor: 3 stars: This is where it gets tricky. Maybe it's the stuff we ordered b/c I was not wow'd. 90% of my grading is based on the flavor of the food. Will this food make me go YUM and crave it forever more? Unfortunately, what I ate that night was not up to that level. I ordered the Spahgetti alla Chittara ($26) and the Prime New York Steak (medium rare @ $51) and Emily ordered the Chowda ($15) and the Wild Striped Bass ($48). For dessert we shared the Cuatro Leches Panna Cotta ($12).
Let me just say that Emily didn't finish her entree. The Wild Striped Bass came with a Tahitian squash confit which was overly salty. She didn't want to finish it, but at $48 I was not going to let a single drop be left uneaten! The fish was bland and flavorless. She only ate half of it and like you expect from a place like this the serving size was small. So again, I played reliever and ate that too.
My spaghetti was tasty especially with the sword squid and and maine lobster. I felt that the sauce was doused with too much olive oil and made it feel a little greasy. The pasta itself felt freshly made and al dente. I was comparing this dish to Ristorante La Scala where I had an egg pasta with white sauce. That was delicious and I'm craving it as I type.
The steak was okay too. The steak itself was PREMIUM based on the marbling. Specks of fat in the meat and cut and cooked well. However, it wasn't the tastiest piece of beef I've had. Presented fantastically though. The emulsion of bone marrow and dijon mustard was overwhelming to tell you the truth. I tasted more mustard than bone marrow. The confit potatoes and the cipollini onions were fantastic. I love potatoes and onions!
For dessert the Cuatro Leches Panna Cotta was good. Maybe it's by design, but I felt that the passion fruit sorbet and mango puree were a little overwhelming for my tastebuds. The banana and the panna cotta themselves were good.
So on Robot Mikey's craving this food scale, would I crave the stuff I ordered last night again? Not really. However, like everything in life I have to try things twice. So on my next visit here, I'll try out the 9 course tasting menu with wine. Maybe that'll excite my taste buds.
