Bastide

The celebrated French restaurant reopens with a new chef, a different perspective and a fresher take on its prix fixe menu. After a brief closing and a change of guard from chef Ludovic Lefebvre to former Patina chef Walter Manzke, Bastide has returned to the L.A. dining scene with stark, less formal décor and a broader, less exclusively French repertoire of dishes. The menu is strictly prix fixe in either four or seven courses and changes almost every night. Prices are still steep and the atmosphere is still elegant, but Bastide's more carefree vibe—as well as a table in the breezy courtyard—will encourage anyone to let their hair down a little. The romantic courtyard features beautiful olive trees along with a community table -- a slice of Provence smack in the middle of West Hollywood. Reservations are a must with table numbers kept low for attentive service.

TIP: Valet parking is complimentary and an 18% tip is automatically added to the check. Quick tours are sometimes given through the restaurant with guests taken into the kitchen to meet the chef.