Bar Etoile — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Was excited to come here for the steak and frites and also read about the cheese tart.

The inside is very curated and fancy and clean. Waitstaff service was mixed. Some were very attentive and helpful (the women working tonight including the hostess) but the male waiter who took my order disappeared. It was never communicated that the staff share tables and pool tips (until I asked).

I only drank half of my martini and no one ever asked if I wanted another or something different or if I liked it. It was just ignored on the table when literally everything else was changed out several times…

The cheese tart was interesting but not great. I also didn’t finish that and again, no one checked in with me about it.

I came here to get the steak and frites and the steak was prepared perfectly. Also already sliced and plated well. It was paired really nicely with refreshing herb butter and I also occasionally used the aioli that was on the side with the fries. The fries came out in a heaping bowl and were a tad salty. I love French fries and salt so it takes a lot to put me off potatoes but I couldn’t finish them.

I took a gamble on the chocolate tart after seeing it at another table and it was amazing. One of the best I have had!

Certain people did seem to warrant lots of attention. So, if you know the manager (or are greeted and hugged by him) you seem to get better service?

Just some real highs and lows. Not...

Bar Etoile is a very welcome new addition to Melrose Hill! We started by grabbing a quick martini at sunset at their beautiful bar, the light coming through the windows was gorgeous. The wine by the glass list is impressive - the Telquel Rosé is deep and complex and we couldn’t help but order a second glass - and the food menu is fantastic. Chef Travis’ signature “Caesar tartare” will turn any non tartare lover into a tartare diehard. The Gruyère tart is incredibly unique - like a savory cheesecake, never tasted anything like it. Another standout was the endive salad with a savory meringue on top, again, super unique and simple at the same time. Lastly, the rotisserie chicken was wonderful - rich flavors, a little smokey, with perfectly crisp skin. We ate it too fast to take a photo.

All in all, this is a place to come to for a regular mid week quick steak frites at the bar, or a place to celebrate a special occasion with friends while exploring the extensive, well curated wine list. Favorite...

What a lovely evening. Sous chef Joe squeezed us in on day 4 of service, a bustling Friday night at 8:30pm, to the chicest rounded-corner two-top nestled with the perfect vantage point of bar and restaurant.

Our order included Bub’s bread with house-cultured butter, the rockfish crudo, market gem lettuce salad, polenta with verjus braised leeks and steak-frites with a lovely Montpellier herb butter. Each dish was wonderfully balanced and paired nicely with our 4 different glasses of wine (we each tried two), our favorite being the cabernet franc.

But their dessert program…my goodness that may be the shining star, pun intended. A trio of strawberry sorbet sweetened with house-made lemon sugar, buttermilk vanilla affogato and chocolate tart with passionfruit and crème patisserie - compliments of the Étoile team - smoothly and softly ended an amazing meal.

Thank you to Joe along with owners Jill and Julian for an incredible experience and the warmest welcome. We will...