Best Contemporary European Restaurants in Los Angeles / Orange County

My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience! Each dish was savory and creatively and artfully displayed. We were puzzled by one dish: the obsidian mirror. We discovered that the "food" was the thin layer of black smoked mussel and plum resting on top of the black round container. We used a large mussel shell as our spoon, which was different. Our favorites: seasonal paradox (full of flowers with peas and kiwi), oat porridge bread, sea urchin (a supplemental with a splash of Pedro Ximénez 1931 sherry - such a unique combination for dessert!), and layers, the last dessert of the evening. Service was excellent. Vespertine ranks high among the Michelin starred restaurants we've enjoyed throughout the years.

Definitely a top 5 restaurant in LA. I will be back soon. Great service!

Joliet is, without a doubt, the best spot in LA for whatever it is you're looking for. My boyfriend and I are absolutely obsessed with it - when a group of our friends decided to have a night out the 6 of us, we came to Joliet and there is something perfect for everyone. By day, it is the cutest spot for coffee, tea, a dirty chai, a pastry, and/or a sandwich. I recommend bringing your laptop or a book and staying a while, striking up a conversation with Alejandro or Olivia at the bar, and trying one or several of their fantastic options. You TRULY cannot go wrong. I had a pistachio croissant that absolutely changed my life. The egg sandwich made my jaw drop. Come nighttime, Joliet is a sexy speakeasy that boasts outstanding cocktails, great music, date-night ambience, and a whole different menu of mouthwatering options. My boyfriend loves the lobster roll, and I am obsessed with the mezze platter. The espresso martini is elevated and vibrant, and the spicy marg was better than imagined. Alejandro's attention to detail is incredibly extraordinary - he adds a special touch to everything he does, whether it's shaving an extra layer of cheese on your sandwich, or adding a cute little flower to your cocktail, or just taking the time to get to know you, it's really such a special experience.