Bazille at Nordstrom — Restaurant in Torrance

REVIEW UPDATE (August 2022) - I was unable to come to this restaurant during the Corona period. Now, two years later, I finally came back and since then basically come every other week because it has been so amazing. Every single waitress we've been seated with, and the hostess Tracy, have been kind, attentive, and awesome on all fronts.

The menus are all terrific too. I love that there is variety between the normal menu, the brunch menu, and the monthly changing specials. It makes it super fun and exciting because you can keep trying new things. And you know what, most of them have been fantastic!!!

For brunch, I highly recommend the Crab Eggs Benedict and the Avocado Toast. For lunch, the Mushroom Ravioli is LITERALLY the best ravioli I've ever had, and the Margherita Pizza and Ginger Sesame salad with Salmon are excellent. In terms of the monthly specials, every DESSERT I've had has been live-changingly epic, and the "Royal" cookies that are a part of the normal dessert menu are next-level too. :)

The chef(s) here have it all figured out.

ORIGINAL REVIEW -

This is a nice restaurant. The servers and staff are usually very friendly and the food is usually very good (their pizza dough, which I have had the pleasure of relishing when I order their bacon and egg pizza, is unmatched).

However, the wait time to actually get your food can be a bit long.

Also, I feel like the menu has suffered over the years. For example, when the restaurant first opened they had a French Dip sandwich made with prime rib and now it's just warm roast beef, which is lack luster.

The biggest crime against this restaurant happened when they removed both of their risotto dishes. They used to have an asparagus and shrimp lemon risotto dish and a salmon and mushroom risotto dish. They removed the shrimp dish first and later removed the salmon dish as well. My heart broke partially when this happened. It was a CULINARY CRIME! That was truly exceptional risotto, and on a menu that is otherwise fairly ordinary (salads, sandwiches, etc.) this was a unique standout I came back for many times.

ATTN. MANAGEMENT - Bring...

A little while ago I ordered takeout from here before I headed home. It was right before 7pm I think so I didn't think they would be closing so early, but they were apparently. I asked to place an order and she looked uncomfortable and did inform me they were close to closing time. I actually apologized and said I didn't know I'll go somewhere else. She said it's fine as long as I order something they can make quickly. I asked her what would be easiest for them and she said a soup. I ordered spicy wonton soup, few minutes passed, got the soup, paid for it and left. When I got home and opened the container the entire room filled with the smell of hot vinegar that immediately made me and my boyfriend gag. When I looked into the cup, it was full of rotten vegetable soup. The veggies were nearly disintegrated cuz they had turned. There wasn't a single wonton in it AT ALL. And also they gave me a huge lemon slice and a cup of ketchup on the side?! Or sriracha?! Like what am I supposed to do with those? Obviously I threw it away. That could've made me sick. Here's a pic. Like I would've appreciated it more if she had just been honest and said look I can't serve you this soup and turned me away. Instead this establishment served me rotten soup and took my money. That is...

Couple of friends and I came here on Christmas Eve Eve. The ambiance was fantastic. However, the entree (shrimp and asparagus risotto) I ordered didn't impress my taste buds. The shrimp and parts of the asparagus were slightly burnt/charred, but not quite bad enough to send back. The risotto itself was dry and lacked flavor. It came with 1 lemon wedge, I actually asked for more lemons to enhance it.

I had a bite of creme brulee and it was cold (perhaps it came straight from the fridge). My understanding of creme brulee is that it's hot/warm. Maybe I'm wrong. I will give them some credit of using real vanilla bean as little pieces of it showed up at the bottom of the plate.

The saving grace of this experience was the great service. Our waiter came by a couple of times and wasn't pushy. I was also in great company. The ambiance was also great in terms of the ability to have a conversation without shouting. All the tables are spread out enough for privacy. Located on the 2nd floor of Nordstrom. I'm willing to give this place another chance...