Le Comptoir — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Avoid this place at all costs. Comically overpriced. Deeply uninspired food with nonsensical wine pairings; both of which end up being served at room temperature. Dishes and wine were not explained. Prepare to arrive on time, be ushered to the hotel lobby, and then wait for 30 minutes with no information.

This chef is obviously passionate, wildly confident, and one hell of a salesman (he got me really excited for the meal!) with an end product that doesn’t match the pitch. He seems to be resting on his laurels from when La Comptoir was a hot pop up in 2015 (?). He is either not receiving or unwilling to accept real feedback, and is very clearly working in an echo chamber.

The website describes the restaurant as one that “challenges the white tablecloth notion of fine dining” but the execution feels like a restaurant stuck in the middle, and struggling to find its identity. Example: a vegetable plate using home grown seasonal vegetables sounds great… why is that plate 42 touches (this was communicated to us)? And why are we using tweezers? If these vegetables were actually fresh and actually from the garden: they should speak for themselves. This should be simple. By the time this dish came out it was room temperature, and any life these vegetables had was long gone.

I’ve had the privilege of some truly incredible dining experiences: Alinea (), Grace (), Schwa (*)… I typically don’t leave reviews when things are bad but I’ve never paid so much for a meal ($1100) [markedly more than the aforementioned restaurants] and woke up the next morning feeling so fleeced.

I’m leaving this objective feedback in the hopes that this place can turn it around, because while this experience as it stands is deeply underwhelming, it could be something special if they can deliver on the concept that their...

We were absolutely blown away by Le Comptoir. We're trying to work our way through the newly-minted Michelin list in Los Angeles and were excited to try a place we hadn't heard of before. The ambiance is amazing, with a counter seating around 8 people right in front of the small kitchen where you can see the care put into each course. The menu is very focused around fresh produce, and several specials that depend on what is fresh and delicious that day (we really loved this aspect and how much the team cared about each ingredient). While some might be offput by the mostly vegetarian menu, you will not be disappointed by the masterful preparation and quality.

We did find that the meat dishes were not quite as finessed as the vegetables (which is their specialty so that makes sense) but they were still very solid. We had such a great time talking with the team throughout the meal, and opted for the very generous and reasonably priced wine pairing which was full of very interesting picks we enjoyed a lot. One of the best meals we've had in a long time also happens to be one of the most affordable high quality tasting menus in LA, which makes this an absolute can't-miss in my mind. The price can drive up if you choose a lot of supplements, but after trying all of them with sharing, the main menu is where the star dishes are anyway - so you won't be missing out if you stick to the book in my opinion.

Reservations can be tough to get, so plan in advance - you...

Le Comptoir is not just a restaurant. Chef Gary Menes brings you an experience that combines impeccable taste with an at-home feel as you enjoy the masterpieces he brings out in an eight-course journey. You are one of 10 people seated facing the kitchen where the magic happens. Chef begins by introducing himself and his team (Josh and Jonathan, both of whom have been with Chef for 8+ years). The cooking and plating takes place right in front of your eyes. You can ask questions, all of which are answered with patience. All the dishes are exceptional and keep changing daily. The menu is vegetarian forward but several of the dishes can be substituted for fish/meat options (cooked to perfection) for additional charge. If you are a party of two or more, I recommend one person get the standard veggie dish and the other get the meat/fish option. The wine pairing is great and all the wines are picked out by the chef to go with each course. Often times during the meal, I saw Chef Gary wash the dishes himself while his apprentices were serving us, which blew my mind. I did not expect to get a lesson in management and kindness when I made my reservation. My husband and I have been to several Michelin star restaurants, including Eleven Madison Park in NYC. But all of them pale in comparison to Le Comptoir. It is the best dining experience we have ever had and probably will have for...