République Café Bakery & République Restaurant — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Detailed Review – Dinner for Four at République

Excessive Noise

We had dinner for four, and the first issue was the overwhelming noise level. The space is architecturally interesting, but acoustically unrefined. Conversations at our table were difficult — we often had to raise our voices just to hear one another. For a restaurant positioned in the upper tier of modern bistronomy, the ambiance should support relaxed conversation and comfort. Here, the atmosphere was closer to a crowded hall than a composed dining room.

Misaligned Recommendation

Shortly after we were seated, our server recommended we order around four dishes per person to “fully enjoy the menu.” While this wasn’t presented forcefully, it came before any effort to understand our preferences or expectations. We had intended to order a main course and a glass of wine each. In a refined bistronomic setting, recommendations should arise from attentive dialogue — not default scripts. The suggestion felt automatic and out of touch.

A Superficial Take on French Bistronomy

République markets itself as a high-end French-inspired bistro, but the experience felt like a stylized version lacking the essentials. Dishes we ordered fell short in flavor and originality.

Setting Out of Sync with the Price Point

We were seated on a wooden bench, surrounded by café-style chairs — functional, but not comfortable. In upscale bistronomy, the dining room plays a quiet but essential role: comfort, attention to detail, a feeling of being welcomed and considered. Here, the experience felt impersonal, and the furnishings detracted from the impression of care.

Pricing That Feels Disconnected from the Experience

Some menu items were priced in ways that raised real questions. A sole meunière listed at $89, for instance, set a tone of exclusivity that wasn’t reflected in the rest of the experience. The wine list was equally steep.

A particularly telling detail: bread was not included, but offered à la carte — $15 for a half baguette. In France, bread is a cultural constant: simple, good, and always present at the table. Charging a premium for it not only breaks with this spirit, it contributes to the sense that here, hospitality has been replaced by calculated branding.

For four guests following the server’s recommendation of four plates each, here’s what you can expect: • Minimum $600 for food • $100–$300 for wine • Plus 10% tax, 20% tip, and a 4% surcharge I’ll let you do the math.

4% “Service Charge” Creates Discomfort

At the end of the meal, a 4% “service charge” was added to help cover employee health and medical benefits. While the intent may be understandable, the method feels misplaced. In a serious restaurant — especially one evoking French standards — fair compensation for staff should be baked into the business model, not presented as a moral choice for the guest.

What’s more, the wording (“please let our staff know if you’d like this charge removed”) subtly implies that opting out makes you the problem. That’s not hospitality — it’s passing accountability to the diner.

To Sum Up: As the meal went on, an unease settled in — the sense that we were being sold a polished narrative, rather than a grounded, thoughtful experience. République trades on its image, its location, and the romanticism attached to French cuisine — while offering little of what truly defines...

I’ve visited République five times now, always with a reservation, and today, on June 19, I finally decided to share my honest experience.

Let me begin with what truly deserves recognition: Gracie, our server. She is exceptional. On my previous visit, which happened to be my birthday two and a half months ago, Gracie remembered me and my preferences — including how I like my Aperol with a more concentrated flavor. Today, she greeted me with a warm smile and said she remembered. That level of care and attentiveness touched me deeply. Gracie isn’t just serving tables — she creates connection, she pays attention, she makes you feel welcome and valued. If I could give 5 stars just to Gracie, I would. She is the reason I keep coming back to this restaurant.

But unfortunately, one star goes to the host, Sadé, whose treatment of me and my guests has been consistently upsetting — not once, but twice.

On my birthday visit and again today, I experienced the same unacceptable pattern: although I had a reservation, I arrived with my guests and was completely ignored while at least five other parties — who arrived after us — were seated immediately. I asked politely why we were still waiting and received eye rolls, cold tones, and a general attitude that made it clear I wasn’t welcome. The way Sadé spoke to me was rude and dismissive — no smile, no warmth, no basic hospitality.

Today, it happened again. Once more, we were left waiting while others were seated instantly. I asked Sadé if she could take a photo of us before her break, and her tone was so curt and unpleasant that I instantly regretted asking. When she came back after her break and offered to take the photo, I declined — because her energy and facial expression made it clear she wasn’t doing it from a place of kindness.

As I was leaving, I asked for her name. She asked why. I explained that I would be writing a review. Only then did her demeanor change — she smiled, asked where I was from, and mentioned she was from London. But that doesn’t undo the treatment I received. Hospitality should not be conditional. It should not depend on whether or not a guest is about to leave a review. It should be a standard — offered to everyone, every time.

I manage a restaurant myself. I understand how exhausting hospitality can be. But I also know the difference between a tired employee and one who makes guests feel unwelcome. And I know how unacceptable that is.

I can’t help but wonder if Sadé assumed I was just a tourist because of my accent — and thought it was acceptable to treat me differently. But high-quality service should never be based on whether a guest is local or just visiting. And if I have an accent, if I’m an immigrant, or if I come from a different background — that should never mean I deserve less hospitality. While Americans with fluent English were greeted with smiles, warmth, and attention, I felt overlooked and unwelcome. Every guest who chooses your restaurant, spends their money, and invests their time deserves to be treated with equal respect.

I truly hope this feedback is taken into...

Extremely overhyped place. Popular due to vibe amongst young adults. You have to order ahead and get your own table. Horrible for busy weekends especially if you come as a group. Food is below average.

Food - 2/5 - some of the pastries we ordered were either a hit or miss. The food, breakfast plater and shakshuka were below average. The standard breakfast platter was okay; the thick bacon was good but there was nothing special about it. The shakshuka lacked key flavors and was the typical shakshuka/tomato sauce dish. Drinks were good; fresh OJ was great.

Service - came here for Easter Sunday and it was crowded. Line was long, around 20 min, and people were being yelled at to close the door when coming in. People taking the order don’t have the best service nor attitude, maybe from the hectic schedule, but it doesn’t entice visitors to look forward to their food. Worst part is getting your own table on a busy day in a crowded space. The vibe is chill but can get loud. You have to order ahead, pay, and find your seat with a number. Service is slow due to staff shortage. Since there is no waiter service, it’s hard to ask for things when needed or get a refill. Very inconvenient.

Price - 2/5 - pastry and drink price is a little over average based on portion. Food is overpriced, especially since there’s nothing special, portion is average if not below and there’s no order service. You have to pay a tip when you place the order at the beginning since it’s a order before you get a seat.

Accessibility - 1/5 no parking, $10 valet or metered street parking. Can’t park in the residential area as it is permits only

Cleanliness - 3/5 due to staff shortage and first come first basis, tables don’t get wiped down until asked (during the weekend). Restroom - N/A

Vibe - 3/5 - for the price of a restaurant, you’d expect to be seated but it’s a first come first serve basis and you have to chase down tables or stand in a busy, tight space and wait for a table to open. Extremely inconvenient. big indoor space and good covered outdoor space that is...