Call it gritty poetry when a French restaurant fits perfectly in the middle of Sunset Junction. Drive too fast and you’ll miss this gem, its hipster crowd lingering in the romantic garden or chatting it up in the lively bar. While the food service may be leisurely (this restaurant gets packed), the quality people-watching will compensate while you wait. At every other table, the scent of truffle oil or seafood broth permeates the air (in a good way) but you may be too busy sharing the assiette de charcuteries and plateau de fromages to notice. Go here for the steak and mussels, but don’t ignore the sides, especially if you’re a potato lover. The kitchen has never met a spud it didn’t know how to master; choose your potato preparation: pomme frites, in a gratin with turnips, hand crushed or turned. And who says the doughnut-for-dessert trend is over? Have you ever had a french-toast doughnut?

Assiette de charcuteries
Moules frites
Filet mignon in bordelaise sauce
Pommes frites with truffle oil
French-toast doughnut
*specials change weekly
view full menu here

The restaurant has three dining areas: the separate bar room (limited booth space, only-at-the-bar burgers and ideal socializing); the romantic courtyard (ideal for a date); and the small indoor dining room (a tight fit but the quietest place).

Fans of retro LPs may want to check out Café Stella every other Monday for “Share Your Needles” night, when two DJs play music from their vinyl collections, and patrons are invited to bring in their favorite platters as well (call for the schedule).

lunch: Tues.–Sun. 9 AM–3 PM
dinner: Mon.–Sun. 6 PM–11 PM

$22 (moules frites) to $36 (filet mignon)