
A welcome card with a box of chocolate truffles waiting on the table:

For my birthday, we went to Melisse in Santa Monica. It was an amazing dinner! Great food and wine, good service and a wonderful “foodie” experience. Thanks! $$$$$!
We decided on the four course meal. They have a ten course meal, an ala carte menu, and a “let the chef decide” menu, but the four course menu choices were the most appealing to my tastebuds. Ready, let’s begin.
Amuse bouche – Cherry tomato with a almond panna cotta herb crust and a (“reconstituted”) tomato emulsion with an olive oil center. I love molecular gastronomy!
Six kinds of bread: french sourdough, brioche, basil brioche, chibatta, olive chibatta, and bacon focaccia to choose from: (they bring it on a platter and let you choose)
Appetizer:

Amuse bouche – Gaspacho tomato concentrate with a cucumber cream:
The Wine List: (and big thanks to Brian the Sommelier for his great recommendations!)



First Course:


More bread!
Second Course:



The Main Course:

We decide to have the Cote de Beouf for two (there’s an extra charge, but it was worth it). They present it and carve it tableside.



NOTE: I took the rib bone home and had it for lunch the next day. It was one of the best beef ribs I’ve ever eaten!
And then Dessert! (We decided not to have the cheese plate, which I’m told is spectacular…)
Amuse bouche – caramel corn, popcorn sherbert, nut crisp with a caramel water sauce to cleanse the palette:
Chocolate souffle’ injected tableside with melted chocolate, a concentrated chocolate mousse with a mint leaf, and a chocolate tart with caramel sauce, toasted cookie crisps and painted chocolate pieces:

And then a plate of petit fours as a final indulgence (which I had to take “to go”):
Chocolate filled with caramel, mini chocolate chip cookie, carmelized dough, a sugared orange gel, and a lime and yuzo macaroon. There was also a white peach slice, but that didn’t make it home.
There’s a reason Melisse is rated one of the best places in the country! If you have the opportunity and the money, I whole heartedly recommend you experience this restaurant.
Melisse Restaurant – 1104 Wilshire Blvd (at 11th), Santa Monica
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