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Categories: French, Vegetarian
Neighborhood: Mid-City WestMon-Thu. 6:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Fri. 6:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Sat. 6:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Sun. 6:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
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Hands down, the Little Door is my girlfriends favorite restaurant in Los Angeles.
We're always seated promptly and receive great attentive service.
They start you off with some amazing bread and olive oil, we always go through about 2 or even 3 plates of it. Mmmmmm.
The mussel appetizers are delicious and they give you a generous amount of them.
The monkfish, the ribeye, the scallops, all out of this world. You cant go wrong with any of them. Like seriously. Oh my god I'm getting hungry just thinking about them.
The monkfish is perfectly cooked, flakey and tender.
The ribeye is seasoned to perfection and just melts in your mouth.
They only give you five scallops but they're also delicious. (still want more though).
We usually finish off with the flourless chocolate cake and once again, MMMMMMMMMM.
My girlfriend and I went to the Little Door for my birthday. She wanted to take me somewhere interesting and special for my 30th, and she'd heard a lot of good reviews from friends so she made a reservation for 8 PM (on a Saturday, my birthday.) We were excited about trying a new place that had come highly recommended.
However, we immediately raised our eyebrows when we were seated. We were put in an area with bench/banquette seating where the tables are terribly close to each other. As in, the tiny blonde next to us could barely squeeze out of the banquette to use the restroom. We had to push our table over so she could pass.
Also, the close quarters made it feel, erm, less than romantic. There was a bored engaged couple to our left (the tiny coed had a giant diamond engagement ring), and a scared-looking, even-younger couple to my right. Neither couple looked like they were enjoying themselves. I suspect the blonde goes to Little Door once a week--she looked that disinterested. Like a previous review mentioned, it felt like we were on a double date with some very boring/bored strangers, and it made it hard to enjoy ourselves and have a private conversation.
Furthermore, service was very slow throughout the meal, and our server seemed very detached. At a spendy place like Little Door, you expect a higher level of attention and care from the server but we simply felt forgotten at several points during the meal. He did not offer any suggestions or show any personality at all. It seemed like he was rushing between tables and didn't care about us.
The food was okay--fresh, well-prepared, normal portions--but neither of us were wowed by our selections. We both had fish entrees and they were lackluster. I love French food but this was just so-so. The flavors were unremarkable. My girlfriend was a little bit bothered by her dish too--she doesn't eat meat except for fish and it seemed like her meal might contain some bacon or pancetta that was not mentioned on the menu.
We finished our meal and sat there uncomfortably, listening to the bored couples chatting around us. Once again, it took a while for the server to appear and offer us dessert.
Now, by the end of the meal, we were a little bit annoyed with the service, and my girlfriend's stomach was a little upset from the thought that she might've eaten pork, so when he presented the dessert menu on a nifty chalkboard, we were ambivalent about choosing a dessert. The server did not make any recommendations and we shrugged and he went to get our check.
While he was fetching our check (which took at least five minutes--sheesh) my girlfriend looked very grumpy. I asked her what was wrong and she said that they were supposed to do something special for my birthday. The hostess who had taken her reservations said they would make me a special dessert and surprise me with it. Nothing appeared so she went to talk to one of the staff members. They told her that we'd have to order something for dessert first, and then they were going to decorate whatever we ordered (which kind of ruins a "surprise," don't you think? If I had to order it?)
My girlfriend was understandably miffed that this procedure wasn't explained to her when she made the reservation. Finally a hostess came over and apologized for the misunderstanding, and asked if we wanted to order a dessert after all, but by then, we were tired of the whole affair and just wanted to go home.
All in all, a very disappointing experience at a place we wanted to love.
BIRTHDAY DINNER HERE! :D Omgggggg I haven't had French food in such a long time (...since France...actually). How I miss it soooo.
I went with my parents, who went immediately to Little Next Door despite my protests of, "No! That's NOT the restaurant!!!" We were seated pretty promptly in the piano room. We went right when it opened, so it was empty and really cozy. :) I love the ambiance of the place (my parents, on the other hand, do not appreciate French food or culture. Cry).
I couldn't decide between the lamb and the sea scallops, but the waiter immediately assured me that his favorite was the Pistachio Crusted Seared Day Boat Sea Scallop with a Saffron Sauce (he actually said, "The scallops, for sure" instead of that long rant). My mom had the Roasted Black Cod with a Preserved Lemon Sauce, and my dad the Lamb Shank Tajine with Quince and Spicy Baby Okras.
The lamb was amazingly tender, the fish perfectly roasted, and the scallops impeccably pan-seared. The tastes were so fresh and the meats amazingly tender. Mmm it was good. And it was filling. The portions weren't huge, but it was enough to make you fairly content, especially after a piece or two of that fresh bread they serve with their own blend of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and some spices.
The bill came to be about $150 including tax and tip. Pricey, but worth it. The service was kind, the food was what's to be expected, and the experience amazing. :)
...LOVE.
There is no disputing that the Little Door's ambiance is panty dropping. Don't even try!
Look, I don't sugar coat anything- So, with that said, here's a tip- If you are a douche bag with zero personality, charisma, sex appeal, maybe you have some kind of obsession with your mom that didn't love you enough as a child or pent up resentment towards your father that didn't support your one dream to be a male ballerina and instead pushed you in to joining the football team and you now live a lie but are still desperate to find love- take a dumb chick here and she just might think you have taste and possibly, for a split moment (just a split moment), you might actually forget to mention your super cool collection of different colored Adidas shoes that you sport to appear more Euro and worldly and think of something interesting to talk about.
You see, the French have taste when it comes to ambiance. The entire restaurant is hidden in the first place, so that itself is pretty cool, and upon entering the big door ( 'Little Door' is a misleading name) you are surrounded by a gorgeous candle lit garden style patio. The indoor seating is almost connected to the patio as well, with big open french doors adorned with soft romantic material framing the view. Like I said, panty dropping and slightly feminine (might be good for lesbians as well, but only lipstick- no flannel).
As for the food, I've only tried the tuna tartar. It was good, but not great. Tasca, down the street wins that constest... mmm, Tasca's tuna tartar with black truffle oil and taro root chips.... However, my company loved their dishes, so once again, Little Door doesn't disappoint.
As for the service... tip 2- Be French. Serious, if you are French you will have no trouble getting a reservation or a great seat, and the service will be fantastic. No guarantees for zee Americans. No, I'm kidding I bet the service is great regardless- but the French thing will definitely help when making a last minute reservation.
Now, for the prices. I will have to sell blood today and possibly dress up as a transexual man and stroll down Santa Monica Boulevard, but you get what you pay for.
Au voir!
I really want to give this place 4 stars or even 5. But my constructive criticism gives it only 3.
Not bad, can be better.
This French restaurant is refreshing and very unexpected for a first time customer.
Food: Is great, I always get the muscles/clams dish & the fillet Mignon is to die for, creme brule for dessert is very good as well.
Portions are on the smaller side but hey, I think it's classier this way.
Service: Hit and miss - Several visits the service was great, the last time everything went wrong.
It took a while until they sat us down.
We made a reservation for OUTSIDE patio, upon our arrival, we had to wait forever till we got seated INSIDE, we refused and had to wait 30 more minutes to be seated at the outside patio.
It took a while before the server showed up and even more time before we got our food.
We waited forever for the server so we could ask for dessert menu and finally I had to go look for him all over the place for the check!
Great!I lost more calories than I gained that night!
Decor: Not tacky & really authentic!
It looks like an old winery garden, just seeing the place will get you hungry.
Space & room: First experience was a dining heaven, private table & great atmosphere. Other times, specially last time we had a 5 inch gap between our table and a rude russian whore smoking a whole pack of cigarettes with her russian hustler or client who complains about everything that moves and criticizes us, thinking I don't understand russian! Extremely cramped!
Parking: Street or Valet. Good luck with the street!
Most servers are actors who fake a French accent pretty well!
Bottom line, defiantly a great place to dine in, but if you smart, come on a weekday, before or after dinner.
Price: quite expansive if you're not loaded, yet nothing out of the ordinary, that's LA you live in.
Yalla Au revoir!
I just love it here. I love the wine, the food, the ambiance. This might be my favorite restaurant in Los Angeles. This and Crustaceans top my list.
I celebrated my birthday here last year and the food was very good, the wine was nice and bold and the service was superb.
I almost forgot to mention that it's a bit pricey but definitely worth it.
I LOVE THIS PLACE.
My boyfriend and I went here for our four year anniversary. The restaurant is adorable, as soon as you walk in, you feel you are transported out of LA. We sat 'outside' on the patio (if you look up the ceiling is interwoven trees and vines). Demurely lit tables fill the restaurant, but even on a packed Thursday night, I did not feel annoyed or interrupted at all during our meal.
Waiter was incredibly knowledgeable and suggested wonderful dishes that truly felt like the best suggestions.
I started with the Duck Foie Gras (torchon style) and had the Lamb Shank on the special menu. I ate the entire thing, the Lamb was literally falling off of the bone, slow roasted, and no knife needed. It came out in a clay pot and when the top was removed, the simmering flavors suck you in - everything else becomes a little hazy. I finished with the Strawberry Rhubarb tart, which was excellent. Just thinking about it now makes my mouth water.
My boyfriend had the almond encrusted goat cheese dish with the figs and then the ribeye - both of which were fantastic. So much flavor in the ribeye, and such a huge portion too. He finished with the cobbler.
Desserts may change each night, because they come by with a chalkboard on which the desserts are scrawled in chalk.
I never felt rushed or patronized, two things that happen frequently in LA restaurants.
Perfect for a special occasion or a place to go for appetizers and a glass of wine. Great to get away from LA without leaving the city.
I would go back again, in a heartbeat.
Only downside, it's a bit pricey, but worth the plunge.
Food: super yummy! had the prosciutto with figs for appetizers which was very yummy. for entrees had the lamb shank and rib eye. the lamb shank was hugeeee. i think i took three or four bites and i was full and i wasn't even halfway done with my meal. the cous cous was pretty good but im not a fan of cous cous. the rib eye was very flavorful. good food and good portions!
Ambiance: so pretty and romantic! it was dim with those christmas lights everywhere. the restaurant is very unique with different themes for each dining area. wasnt too loud but wasnt super quiet either.
Staff: friendly and helpful
Price: $$$
This review is only for the bar.
Came here last night after attending my first Yelp event at Benefit Cosmetics. What a pleasure it was to finally meet the ladies of Yelp. I'll give my proper shout outs with a review of the event.
After having a girly party of make up and cocktails, Dee C. and I were aching for some yummy wine and maybe some light nibbles. The Little Door was only a few blocks away from the event so it was the perfect spot to get our drink on.
It's so lovely here. This is the restaurant to fall in love. Open the door and you enter into, what I consider, a secret garden. One of the most romantic settings I've seen in a restaurant. But... I'm on a girly date so romance was not quite exactly our intent. We want wine. Not just some ghetto Charles Shaw piss water but liquid gold. The kind of wine that Gods drink.
Looking over the wine list (book!) I noticed a 2006 Du Pape for a buck fifteen...
Me: "Wow... This one sounds tasty but it's pricy."
Dee: "Well, we don't have to eat."
LOL..... A girl after my own heart....
A wonderful evening of fabulous wine with a beautiful gal.
Life is good.
Oh... Before I forget... The staff is uber friendly and very accommodating. I have to minus 1 star for the bartender's clumsiness. He spilled a lil wine on Dee's silk top! I have to give props tho. He immediately offered to have it dry cleaned and was profusely apologetic. Luckily, it wasn't a major spill so it didn't ruin the evening.
I keep hearing about the bad service here but I have to admit I've been here a few times and have… Read more »
This place is SUPER cute and SUPER romantic without the stuffiness! Easily made reservations a few days before and easily found parking on the street. We were seated in the corner next to the trees, and the whole ambiance was just so cute. Dim, romantic, and easy to have conversation...I would definitely take a date here! Everyone was also dressed up LA style!
Ordered figs, lamb, and the rib-eye. I was very satisfied with the quality of food, very impressed with the service. The portions were more than generous and I just loved this place! I'm definitely going to bookmark this on my opentable!
This might not be a fair review since I did not actually eat the food. But, based mostly on atmosphere, I thought this was a cool venue. Wearing jeans, the owner invited us in from the sidewalk. He spoke a bit en francais to my friend from Paris, and subsequently took us over to sit at the bar. He ordered two samples of his own apertif, "sweet but with a kick." We sat and talked, glancing occasionally at the yummy, solemn bartender in the back; the less gorgeous one was a bit more professional and attentive... Either way, we thought it was cool that the owner himself invited us in as if it were his home and also gave us a free sample of something--which he seemed to do for several people as time passed.
The apertif was as described, although with each additional sip, it grew gross (but I'm not a seasoned drinker).
The ambiance itself was great. We were in the part with the open sky, so it sucked that people were smoking (though ventilation was decent), but it was beautiful to admire the contrast of the wooden bar, the white-linen tables, and the ceiling of flowers. Plus, as long as you weren't eating a $40+ dish, the prices on alcohol were not that unreasonable... around $6-$10 for a beer (though no Bud here).
Go for a romantic dinner or just a glass of wine... or beer.
Romantic, cute restaurant practically hidden from the public. I think we drove past it about 10 times before finally realizing it. Once we got inside my entire mood changed, I felt so relaxed and swept off my feet. This is definitely the place for couples that are looking for a romantic retreat. The lighting is perfect, dim and intimate and decor not overwhelming. I was relieved to find that the crowd was not stuck up and the hostess unwelcoming. No need to show up over dressed.
I do have to agree with another review; I did not give it 5 stars because of the seating. I don't know if it was a busy night or what but I was basically sitting RIGHT next to another couple, we might as well have been on a double date.
The food was different, I am not too familiar with french cuisine so I have nothing to compare it to but it was yummy! Of course, after a few drinks you don't really care about the food...
Certainly overrated. I went based on a recommendation from a foodie from Switzerland and took my sister on a mini-date there. We ordered a little bit off of each course and wasn't really impressed by any of it.
Lamb, Risotto, Rib Eye, Salads, all just edible. However, then came the dessert, and I have to say, if it weren't for the dessert, this place would've gotten only two stars.
I'd go back just to eat dessert there all the time!
I am so sorry, bt I need to b very honest here...
This place is cute, no doubt!
Romantic... Mmmm a little except for the seating it actually is very close quarters. We were lucky there was not too many people around at the time otherwise having a private may I say adult convo would b pretty tacky to say the least. However, it seems nice enough to have brunch with friends in the outside patio. BE WARNED THAT IS THE SMOKING SECTION!!!
The service is great, but then again why not it cost a pretty penny!
The food was good, bt u really can't go wrong with halibut.... I thought you couldn't go wrong with muscles either until I came here. THE MUSCLES ARE PRETTY TASTELESS! My BF & I were so desperate for flavor that we dipped them into the lemon juice that we later found out is to wash your hands after having the muscles LOL! OMG that was too funny!!! GHETTO? Ahh... Yeah, NO! DESPERATE 2 make it work more like it!
Like I said, the place is OK. I have to b brutally honest with my yelpers & say coming here should not b Theee spot u take her to. BUT can b the cute chick experience amongst friends or co-workers.
I've eaten at TLD a couple of times. Once for my bday and another for Valentine's day a few years ago.
TLD has a romantic ambience. A little inconspicuous door leads to a garden atmosphere with strings of dim lights. The space takes advantage of the heavenly atmosphere of summer evenings.
The food is pretty good. The most memorable to me were the mediterranean-style appetizer platter, and the three different flavors of creme brulee.
The restaurant has a good wine selection as well.
I found the service a little pretentious, and during busy evenings, servers were not attentive.
Yes, this is an incredibly romantic place to bring a date for a special occasion.
The food isn't all that good, and it was overpriced. I was very pleased with the dessert menu though. There was a great selection.
Note that the restaurant does not have a full bar (no liquor license), but a great selection of wines.
Lamb dishes are really very good, lots of attention to flavors and sauces.
Ambiance is excellent with much of the restaurant under natural awnings of vines and other plants.
Our server (Jason) transformed our evening by his knowledge and well-placed recommendations.
This is my 100th review, so I saved it for a special dinner at The Little Door, where my boyfriend took me for graduation :-)
We entered the restaurant through a little wooden door in a stone wall; it was like a secret entrance, and behind it was a completely different place -- and it was. Their patio was beautiful: wall-climbing plants, tiled fountain, little statues, blue wooden chairs, white tablecloths. The building in the back contained indoor seating, but we decided to be outside. (Later we checked out the inside and it was amazing as well)
We started off with Spicy Ahi Tuna Tartar. The fish was very fresh (but not very spicy), topped with chopped green olives, and it came with very thin toast. I got the Roasted Duck with polenta. Duck entrees are known to be fatty, and sometimes it's too much for me, but this one was made right. First, the sauce was really good. The duck breast was thinly sliced and very lean. I actually preferred the leg with its crispy skin. For dessert, we got the Chocolate Pot au Creme, which is chocolate mousse, topped with a little bit of caramel and served with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. I had a lot of trouble deciding for each course what to pick because everything seemed really good, and my expectations were confirmed.
Presentation of the food was great, and the service was immaculate. This restaurant gets 5 stars from me!
The food at this restaurant is really great. I wanna give it a 4.5 just because the seating is so squishy. I felt like I was eating with strangers. But it wasn't really like I was eating with complete strangers because my neighbor was Natalie Portman, and I obviously knew who she was. I just felt strange sticking my derriere in her face when I tried to get up to go to the restroom.
I took my mom here for her birthday last year, and it made for a really great night. I had the pheasant with tagliatelle. I was skeptical because I'd never had pheasant, but it was extremely tasty. The noodles were perfect and buttery.
I came here in celebration of UCLA graduation and boy was it crowded. I made reservations for 7:30 pm, arrived at 7 and didn't get seated until almost 9!! If there wouldn't have been so much hype, I would have left.
This is a great date place, very trendy, very LA kind of scene. The Little Door seems very authentically french; maybe because the hostess is on the snooty side and speaks with a thick french accent, and because there is practically a cloud of cigarette smoke over the entire restaurant (at least in the front room).
As soon as we sat down, we were served bread and this amazing olive oil dip. It was unique and delightful. We ordered the ahi tuna tartar and the calmari for starters and as an entree, I had the scallops. The ahi tuna and the scallops were the best i've ever had! I also found their extensive wine list to be quite impressive, and I was thrilled to pair my meal with a glass of Chianti Classico.
Everything was excellent: the service, food, and ambience. I thought the portions were perfect and I left feeling perfectly satisfied, and not ridiculously stuffed or hungry. I highly recommend The Little Door and cannot wait until I come here again.
Took the girlfriend here to celebrate her graduation. First, the ambiance is absolutely great. We sat outside, and despite being just feet away from a street, it was like a whole different world. The soothing music, the plants, everything just worked really well.
The service was amazing. No matter how hard I tried I could never get my water glass to empty, it was always refilled. The waiter came at just the right time, just the right amount of times, it was like he knew when we were ready for the next course or to order.
The complimentary bread they gave wasn't that good. It would have been good if it was fresher, but it wasn't... As an appetizer we got the spicy Ahi Tuna Tartar. It came on these triangle crust-less bread pieces that were really delicious. Just slightly toasted, perfect for the Tuna. The tuna itself was clearly very fresh. Not very spicy (actually not spicy at all) but worked really well. For the main course I got the grilled Filet Mignon. The meat was perfectly cooked with absolutely no fat on it (just the way I like it). It came with a peppercorn sauce that I would have preferred to be more peppery, but was rather more subtle. Great compliment to the streak. The sides were some vegetables and potatoes, all fresh and top notch.
The girl got the roasted duck. Now I'm not a huge fan of duck, but this was hands down the best duck I have ever had. Again, I haven't had much duck, but if they all tasted like this, I'd be ordering it much more often. It was full of flavor, not too chewy, and with a slightly crisp crust. Delicious!
For dessert we got some sort of chocolate mouse thing... It had a layer of caramel on top with a couple berries and a scoop of good old fashioned vanilla ice-cream. The chocolate seemed to sweet, but I at it all up (despite the fact that I was barely fitting into my pants). The ice-cream was good and the berries really complimented everything.
I'd definitely recommend for a romantic date or a special celebration. My only regret is not sitting in the back room with the fireplace....
I'm always looking for somewhere quaint to take associates for meetings, or friends to dinner. The Little Door is that perfect spot for meeting, having a drink, and enjoying a lovely dinner.
When you step inside, you truly leave Los Angeles behind. I coordinate a great deal of beauty events here and when clients are visiting from NY or elsewhere, it's a great place to say "It's a wrap" together.
Food is outstnding - hosts and service team are on their game, Filet is wonderful and the wine selections - muah.
Thank you Little Door for such outstanding service every time.
Billy Lowe
Hair & Beauty Director
This place is all about the ambiance. You walk in through, you guessed it...a little door, and what appears before you is a quaint, intimate, and charming outdoor dining area (actually there are three separate dining areas, all delightfully different) . I arrived a bit early for my 9:15 reservation, so was ushered to the bar and told to "chill out for a bit' before my table was ready. I sipped a glass of bubbly and participated in a bit of intimate conversation, and before I knew it, an hour had passed and I hadn't yet been seated. After inquiring with the hostesses, I was informed that I looked like I was enjoying myself at the bar and so they left me alone. Yeah right, obviously they had forgotten about me, but I didn't mind. It was true... I was enjoying myself.
After being seated I scanned the heavy leather-bound menu and decided on the Roasted Trio of Beet Salad with Pistachio Crusted Goat Cheese and the Duo of Roasted Duck Breast and Leg Confit with Lavender and Honey. The beet salad was fresh and delicious, and the warm crusted goat cheese was scrumptious.( I'm going to steal that recipe). Simple, yet gourmet. The Duck was yummy as well, cooked perfectly and not fatty at all. However, everything on the plate was a tad salty for my taste. Sadly, a common trend of French Chefs. Overall though, the food was classic and unpretentious.
No complaints on the service (besides forgetting to seat me), but I was in no hurry and well, you know... "When in Rome"......
I'll definitely be back. Perhaps sooner than later. ;-)
Here's a tip, the door isn't actually little. Use the door at the front entrance. If someone tells you that you are supposed to use that little door in the back alley, don't. It's for dogs, not for the general public.
Otherwise, this is a great place to take a date or go out with your friends for a nice dinner in Hollywood. They've got a great chef, lots of great wine, and a solid menu to keep you going for most of the night. Be sure to make a reservation.
I have to write about The Little Door because this is one of my favorite restaurants. Ambiance (check), good food (check), great wines (check), French accents (check). Let me sum this up as I've read devastating reviews... if you don't like the French and you don't like French inspired food... this is not for you. It is true that service is not the fastest, but one must realize that the dinners here should be prolonged with conversation and drinks. I have also never experienced bad service either, from the host to the table.
Their salads and entrees are exquisite, coupled with a nice wine - this is a recommended spot from dates to birthday celebrations. Be advised that you should reserve... oh, and dress up... if you want 5-star service, put on a decent attire.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in LA. It has a Moroccan vibe and amazing hot mint tea (definitely have some after dinner, a lil sweet and soooooo minty). All the food I've ever sampled there has been amazing. Even with your hopes up it will exceed your expectations every time. The menu is gourmet quality and consistently delicious. I like the lamb chops and anything that comes with the potatoes au gratin (rich but not too rich and creamy, i would describe them as perfect).
Sure, this place is pricey, but if you're looking for a nice restaurant to go out to dinner for a special occasion, or just want a treat, this place is great. If a guy brought me here on a date I would be thoroughly impressed.
Reservations are definitely recommended and even with them you might have to wait a few minutes for your table, but the bar is nice and this isn't the type of place you go if you're in a rush. Savor your drink, enjoy the ambiance. This place is oozing with ambiance. It's romantic but not so romantic you can't go with your parents (I always go with my mom, dad, and sister for birthdays).
I took my girlfriend here on her birthday, and I gotta say, the ambience for this restaurant is amazing. The entrance to the restaurant is just this non-descript door, but once you enter, it feels warm and inviting with all the greenery and interior decor. The thing I love about this place is the different rooms in the restaurant, each one is unique in itself and just a great romantic restaurant.
The service was impeccable, and the waiter we had was very patient and attentive to us. We started off with the Mezze appetizer- an assortment of Mediterranean breads and falafels. Very delicious. My girlfriend ordered the pistachio crusted seared scallops and I ordered the black olive tapenade rack of lamb. The scallops were cooked well, and she loved the peach sauce. The lamb was cooked medium rare, which made it taste very tender and well marinated. We ended the night with a very rich flourless chocolate cake, which was very good, and we ended up taking home because we were so full.
Overall, I really liked the atmosphere and the food was really delicious. A nice romantic place to take a date. Be sure to make reservations!
This place was absolutely amazing. I've heard a lot of good things about this place, so decided to try it out. I remember reading on their website that it was a hidden paradise, and it really was. we opened the door and it was like we stepped into a secret garden. if you guys have been to Il cielo, then you would know what i mean. the garden area reminded me of that, except it was more secluded. it was romantic, and it felt like we had our private space.
I ordered the loup de mer, something our waiter recommended, and my boyfriend ordered the duo of duck - duck breast and leg. to my surprise, the fish was cooked perfectly. it retained the seafood taste of fish. It was flaky, which meant it wasnt overcooked, the skin was kept on but not too crispy, it was perfectly seasoned, perfect balance of salt and buttery goodness. the mashed potato the fish was rested on top was smooth, well seasoned, and just melted in my mouth. it was the one of the best fish dishes i've had.
for dessert, we had a walnut chocolate tart. it was deliciously sinful. so much chocolate, it was pure evil. It definitely hit the spot, but too much of it can just be overwhelming. if i had to have the whole thing for myself, i dont think i'd be able to finish it. and I ALWAYS finish dessert!!
it was an amazing experience, one of the best.
PS DO be careful though, if you choose to sit outside the patio, people smoke - because it's technically outside. so if you're not a smoker and hate smoke...do request to sit inside or at least at the winter garden
Ah, mon amour! This is a true hidden gem that very few folks are aware of that live in the Los Angeles area. Yes, little door has the most romantic atmosphere of any restaurant I've personally ever been to in LA; from the French waiters to the lights in the tree and the charming patio.
The scallops are huge and possibly the best I've ever had! Great for a couple or a double date where you have atmosphere and its quiet enough to have good conversations w/out yelling unlike some crowded/noisy restaurants in West Hollywood.
If you're looking to treat someone special for a night they'll never forget, this is your place. Extensive wine list to boot! Yes, bring your wallet but as I said, it's a special occasion place.
Bon Appétit
I came here last weekend to celebrate my one year anniversary and it was truly unforgettable. We ordered:
Alaskan Halibut w/ Bouillabaisse Broth and Aioli Sauce
Roasted Monk Fish Filet and Saffron Sauce
+ glass of wine
Our bill came out to be $100.25.
The fish were both, the best I've ever had. Fresh, hand-selected produce makes all the difference in the world. The Aioli Sauce was so delicious, it literally took me 1.5 hour to finish my halibut. I wanted to savor each bite ( literally ). Also, their baguette bread was really good. I especially like their unique seasoning. Instead of the typical vinegar w/ olive oil. They added all kinds of stuff including thymes, basil, along w/ the vinegar and oil. Really good.
Just to reiterate again, as so many yelpers have mentioned, the ambience was wonderful. We chose to sit indoors, adjacent to the fire place, with the dim room and fur covered chairs, mirrors on opposite end, all contributed to the atmosphere.
The service was immaculate, even the guy came out with an authentic french accent. This truly adds the the experience.
The reason I could not have rated this place 5 stars was because of the parking. Parking stinks. We parked a couple blocks away, and even still most residential streets required permits. The whole time we were wondering if we got a ticket.
You must try this place. Perfect for dates and couples.
Ambience is fabulous- kinda romantic, kinda relaxing, kinda casual, kinda like you're not in LA. The food is good- a nice french menu with a mediterranean twist. My favorite is the couscous "royale" with lamb. Love the clay pot it comes in as well.
A better assessment of my rating of The Little Door would be: Atmosphere - 5, Food - 3. I loved the romantic atmosphere of The Little Door, its a great place to take a date, have a glass wine, and share a dessert. Their food however, I wasn't too impressed with. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't too memorable either. The prices are decent considering the local organic produce the Chef uses (or advertises that he uses), but I still wasn't impressed with the dishes I have tried.
Well maybe my expectations wasn't that high since I went to The Little Next Door and it wasn't as hot as I thought it would be. The Little Door was a little it better that is why it gets four stars!
You might miss it but since The Little Next Door is right next to it yodu just have to go into this big brown door to get into The Little Door. Once inside if you are sitting in the front, that is considered to be a smoking area. Towards the back of the place is non smoking. This place is very dimly lit and lots of candles around the table. Very personal and nice. Something that I didn't believe from the yelpers.
OK lets get down to business we had a table of 5 for my birthday dinner and we sat on little blue chairs and a wooden table. Very cute and something different for once. The bread was paired with vinegar sauce mixed with olive oil. More vinegar than the oil.
Also ordered two bottles of red wine, Merlot. The bottles were a little bit pricey and we ordered the cheapest bottle which was around $45 or $48.00 I'm not quite sure but that was the cheapest. There were a few bottles that were $100.00 for Merlot. But yea...we aren't trying to blow all our money on just wine. I did enjoy the wine a lot and it was just a nice pairing with the food that we were eating.
I had : The Duck that everyone was saying was good. It was delicious but a little bit dry. I did like how it was sliced and the sauce was literally on the side where you can dip your duck into it. So that was pretty good. Also the duck had a little bit of pepper on it as well. The rice was maybe a hand size of rice which wasn't that much at all but it did taste pretty good.
I also was able to try their special lamb shank which came in a cute ceramic shaped plate. I'll post the pictures of it later. It also came with this little grain rice which tasted very well with the lamb.
My other friend had the halibut which wasn't that great so I wouldn't suggest to eat this dish.
Another friend had rib eye and that was neatly sliced as well and it came with potatoes and a small tiny bit of vegetables. The rib eye was really nice and juicy red which tasted very good.
For dessert we had Creme brulee(think I spelled that wrong) in Vanilla with two blackberries on top. The sugar was quite crispy and I love when that happens. I don't like it when it is soggy. So this was good.
Overall I had an enjoyable birthday dinner and everyone in my party liked there food except for the halibut. So if you want to blow quite a bit of money this is the place to try. Just at least once. This place reminds me of Disneyland in Pirates of the Caribbean ride, where that restaurant is inside. Pretty much looks very similar to that.
Our total dinner was $330.00 for a table with 5 people and two bottles of wine. Not that bad, I've been to more expensive places before so this wasn't at all bad. Oh yea and the service was very good.
One tip: I forgot to mention this but if you see the soup where it says seafood in it.....for $18.00 do not get it because the soup has no seafood in it. It pretty much just smells like fish sauce in tomatoes based soup. Not at all what I had expect. Also halibut wasn't that great. But the other dishes are quite good.
This place is worth a try just if you go out on a date or something. :)
Among the traffic and turbulence that is the beloved City of Angels, lies a bowered sanctuary known as The Little Door. My party and I convened in their shadowed courtyard, enclosed with high walls like an alcove in The Secret Garden. Shady trees with ornate, spindled trunks climbed up the walls. Small, hidden paintings of Provencal settings were scattered around below eye level. We were fortunate to land a great table, situated between the entrance and the bar. Here's what I had:
Diego Fernandez, Monastrell 2006 - Perhaps a Spanish cousin to a Zinfandel. Soothing and with a slight attitude , I had a glass of this on my own, then split a bottle with friends.
Assorted Cheese Plate - Six incredibly delicious cheeses, some soft for spreading, and some not. The presentation here was beautiful. Garnished with prunes and candied walnuts, this dish comes also with a basket of walnut bread lightly toasted.
Fresh Bread - A traditional white French roll and an olive loaf inhabit the basket. Kalamata olives have a deep influence on the later.
Artichoke Dip - Very surprising; a full artichoke, served cold, with cheese, tomato and onions in the center. This would have been fantastic warm, but it wasn't all that good as is.
The bartender, Michael (I think his name is Micheal; he was the taller of the two barmen) gave absolutely excellent service. He also gave great recommendations, and helped me to located my bill when the server could not be found. I wasn't too pleased with the service at the table. It was a challenge to sometimes get his attention, extra bread wasn't brought to the table when requested, et cetera. Being that this is a high end establishment, I would hope the service would have been more polished. The bartender, though, was amazing.
They do provide valet, but I found a block of free parking on 1st Street one block up, between Crescent Heights and Kilkea Drive. I am eager to try their deli/patisserie right next door, as well as a few other fun places nearby.
My boyfriend took me here after picking me up from the airport and we had the nicest time. We sat outside and it had such a great ambiance to it.
We decided to bring our own wine because the BF used to work at a winery and has an array of wines at home. So we brought a bottle of what he knew would be something I would like.
The bar staff was so great in opening up our wine, and prepping it for you. I'd think that some establishments would frown upon this, but these guys treated our wine just as if it was their own.
We got seated and he had the filet and i had the monk fish. Since I don't eat red meat, i can't quite tell you how his steak was ... but he did say it was delish. My fish on the otherhand was so tasty. We didn't opt for dessert and decided to go to Al Gelato after our dinner.
We were wonderfully entertained by an artist painting on a lighted canvas as well.
It was a wonderful night. The people were pretty, stylish, and gave off a good vibe.
I'm in love with this place. It's so cute. It's expencive but the food was worth it. Best three course meal I've ever had in a long time. Ending it off with a black English tea. 3
"Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore."
FINALLY, after half a dozen times of eating at the Little NEXT Door, I get to eat at The Little Door. You wouldn't know it was a restaurant if you were just walking down the street. But through these two mysterious doors on some random wall is a magnificent new world!
A friend and I went on a Saturday evening around 6pm and when we walked through the double doors, we were immersed in a beautifully dim, romantic setting. There were hanging lights strung across the top of the ceiling, small chitter-chatter among the guests that were already eating; just an overall charming atmosphere.
The food was fantastic! We had the duck foie gras plate for our appetizer, seafood/duck dishes for our main entrees, and two glasses of white wine that our waiter recommended. The meats were very tender and the seafood tasted very fresh. All the sauces complimented each other well.
The funniest thing happened after we finished our meal. The waiter snuck up on us from behind and shot out this HUGE CHALKBOARD with all the desserts listed and asked if we wanted anything. I nearly chocked on my wine when he did that. Unfortunately, we didn't have any more room for it, but I would suggest giving the desserts a try (as I ALWAYS do with every place).
Fellas, this is a great place to bring a date. Trust me- she (or he) will love it! =)
Does one really need to talk about the food when reviewing The Little Door? I mean really? Does it matter? Not to me it doesn't.
THIS IS THE MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT IN LOS ANGELES. NOTHING COMPARES, NOTHING COMES CLOSE. THIS IS WHERE YOU SHOULD TAKE HER.
For my money I'd say sit outside in the garden patio (smoking is allowed out there so if you're anti-smoke then sit inside).
Words could never describe it's romance, being there is like being whisked away to a wonderland. If she doesn't love you yet, she will sometime between the appetizers and the dinner.
Food is good here, maybe an LA gourmet 7 out of 10, but it doesn't matter. If you are trying to woo her and if she is a romantic, then just go here and you will win.
I came here with my boyfriend for a romantic dinner. I was so excited to try this restaurant after seeing it in so many magazines and then being reported as THE most romantic restaurant. Super over hyped! How is this the most romantic restaurant in Los Angeles?! I feel like you get the same atmosphere at most expensive restaurants. The place was super loud and over crowded.
I liked the $50 appetizer, it eats for four. We could have just both ate this for our dinner and been full. it had 12 different small dishes and comes with a variety basket of bread. We were stuffed by the time our entree came out. My boyfriend's pork tenderloin, was super dry and unedible.
The oddest thing about the restaurant is that they have only have one bathroom each, especially with a full wine bar and all that dinner seating.
I would say save the money and take your date somewhere else.
$200 for the both of us, without alcohol
loved it... my date got us a private spot in the back and i loved the set up!
Very romantic!
BUT... the music was too loud and didn't fit the mood. (girls moaning sexually lol)
Food was good and we barley finished the $50 appetizer and he got us a bottle of wine. Im sure it was $$$$$$$$$$
Once the main meal came we couldn't even start it because the appetizer filled us up so we took it home.
They didn't rush us out when they closed we still got to stay and enjoy our dinner until we were done.
My date was not as impressed as he heard it was rated the BEST romantic place... i agree it was not the top of the line but was good :)
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