Wine bar/ cafe located in East Hollywood/ Melrose Hill area. I can't confidently say that it's a French restaurant, but based on the name and the menu, I would say this place at least leans heavily French. There's a high sense of hospitality as soon as you walk through the door. Everybody was friendly from the people greeting us to the servers. The space itself felt casual, but elegant. When we came in, we had a pretty large group. I felt bad because we really wanted to go, but we had a reservation right before a concert. We didn't want to rush the folks here so we just tried to order as soon as we could. I started with a gin martini that was really well made and it really hit the spot. The food came out beautifully presented and most importantly, really delicious. The dishes we ordered included: - Cheese Plate - Pleasant Ridge Reserve Cheese Tart - Scallop Crudo - Chicken Liver Mousse - Caesar Beef Tartare - Yao Cheng Yams, Gaujillo Sabayon - Tehachapi Polenta, Mendoza Asparagus, Weiser Snow Peas - Grilled Local Black Cod - Steak Frites Definitely looking forward to coming back in a less rushed setting (on my end) to just really enjoy the fantastic food here. read more

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Probs my favorite restaurant I've tried this year as of August 2026! We had the caesar beef tartare, chicken liver mousse, ricotta cavatelli, steak frites, and creme caramel. All the dishes were delicious and all the flavors meshed well when mixing sauces with different items. Steak was thick but somehow still remained perfectly juicy and medium rare, one of the few steaks that I think are good to eat in one bite without cutting because each large piece had so much nuanced flavor per chew. Loved the caesar beef tartare too, and how it was already cut into small pieces! Housemade caesar dressing was hitting with the anchovies, and the sourdough was perfectly toasted. Parking is metered or neighborhood parking, can be a bit tricky but we always seem to get lucky in this area. Service was so friendly and sweet, water was constantly refilled even on a busy night. I love how efficiently they've used the sq footage and even though there are many people dining in at once, it doesn't feel crowded due to the layout. Both bathrooms were clean and we dined in around 8:30 PM. read more

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Wasn't expecting to find a spot like this on this side of Koreatown, so I had to give it a shot. Quick heads up: parking's a hassle, so come in early to secure a spot. They've got indoor and outdoor seating. My party ended up getting seated right away. Our server was super friendly and walked us through the menu. Food came out fast and was paced perfectly. The Caesar beef tartare caught me off guard in the best way: great flavors with a nice hint of acidity. The steak frites was solid too, though the steak-to-fries ratio was off and the aioli came out a bit cold. The vibe is great with tons of natural light, but the tables are crammed way too close together, so it's tough to hear your own party's conversation when others are having conversations near by. A little more breathing room would go a long way. Still, glad I checked it out. read more

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Did not go in with much expectations but food was so phenomenal ! Loved their dirty martini and the bread and butter. Bread is sourced from bub and grandma's which I love. Butter was exceptional as well. We saw the cheese tart dish on everyone elses table so thought we would also give it a try and it didnt disappoint. Just savory and sweet enough with the fig jam on the side. It was also good as a paste on bread. Steak frites was also good along with their heirloom tomato salad. Highly recommend! read more

Bar Etoile - Wine Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Last Christmas I received a gift card for this spot from family and we finally used it. What a great date night spot! Loved the vibes inside, we sat at the bar and had great attentive service throughout. We got a bottle of wine, chicken liver mousse toast, steak frites and crème caramel for dessert. All were delicious! The chicken liver mousse is a very healthy portion inside the bread & very rich. Glad we skipped on another side/plate or it would have been too much food. The steak frites were fantastic - the perfect cut of meat and cooked to perfection. One of the best steak frites I've had in the city! read more

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Went to Bar Etoile for their collaboration with Folderol and had such a great experience! The space is beautifully designed, with a large bar in the center and such a fun, vibey atmosphere it felt like we were in Paris for the night. All of the drinks were so much fun. Highly recommend checking it out! read more

Bar Etoile - Wine Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Grabbed the last table at Bar Etoile before sunset. What a nice neighborhood restaurant...an interesting mix of items that can make anyone happy. I liked the skin contact wine they're serving now. Light, refreshing and some fun pear and apple notes with light floral finish. The New Fashioned tasted very much like an Old Fashioned. Damn...I thought the world went away, but there was a line straight out the door as late evening turned to night. With some folks giving up after using their wait time for drinks and snacks on the benches outside. Spring peas are excellent. That ricotta gremolata is just a nice dressing for the blanced snap peas. Caesar beef tartare Just darling how the bread is sliced into cubes to mimic croutons, so you can mix it all up and eat it like salad if you want. I wish the beef was seasoned a touch more. Lobster rillettes or lobster salad? Don't know and don't care...it's pretty tasty, but a touch more salt would make it even better. The super thin crepe is a nice surprise. Also got the steak frites...a cut that is sous vide before a hearty pan sear with au poivre sauce. Frites served separately to preserve crispness and an aioli. This is a case where the frites were a touch too salty for me. The chowpup did not notice and consumed with a gusto. I wasn't a fan of the crème caramel...the caramel was a touch over for me...just a little too bitter and the custard felt to airy and not vanilla or sweet enough to counter the caramel. They had just run out of the strawberry sorbet. Thanks to Brad for a nice evening! read more

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This cute modernly decorated spot on Western was hopping on a Thursday night. Shoutout to the other yelpers who mentioned having trouble finding parking, my friend and I opted to ride share since we were in the area. The staff is great and had good reccos when we couldn't decide between entrees and dessert. Highlights food wise, Caesar Beef Tartare and the Caramel Crème. The little croutons with the tartare are just crisp enough but not overly toasted. The crème was just sweet enough and had a cute star design. read more

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I came here with some friends this past weekend, and was delightfully impressed with the place. The interior is beautiful, dimly lit and romantic. Probably a really great date night spot. It's not very big, so I would recommend snagging a reservation. We sat the bar, and were helped right away. - Cheese tart: This was the most surprising. It had a matcha topping with I believe a fig spread. We thought that this would be really good but I wouldn't order it again. - Garden of Market Herb Salad: This was a big hit. Light, refreshing and so tasty. - Caesar beef tartare: A must have. It's so good! One of my favorite things we tried the entire night. - Rotisserie chicken: I was surprised at how juicy the chicken was. Definitely would get this again. - Steak au poivre: Again, this was a hit. Overall, I highly recommend Bar Etoile. Beware, parking is annoying though. read more

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First off... parking is street parking. So you find a meter, get a neighborhood spot, or try that BofA. Took me a solid fifteen to find a meter, and this was around 8:30 PM. Once you've found parking, you'll enter a beautiful designed space. It just felt right. Not too loud. Not too bright. Just right. I sat at the bar and was able to have a full conversation without yelling to my two fellow patrons. I was on a slight diet so I can't say I had a bad assortment to sample, but I had... Gin Martini with a twist. It was done extremely well. Perfectly balanced, you'd think Thanos was behind the bar. They did run out of steam, which was disappointing, but did have the Rotisserie Chicken which did not disappoint. I wish I could have bare handed it, but used the cutlery as this is not that kind of spot. The chicken was perfect. Moist and juicy each bite almost hugged your tongue. The mouth feel was silky and smooth. When you smacked your lips its flavor lingered. The side of veggies had a pleasant crunchy topping that helped give such a contrast of textures. To finish we had this chocolate tart like item. It was dense, rich, and sweet (but not too sweet). They also produce their own strawberry gummy that comes with your check. 10/10. Great food and great bartender. read more

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Came here on a Saturday night with friends that had been before and wanted to be able to try more dishes. We ordered the chicory salad, the yams, the beef tartare, the chicken liver mousse, the steak frites, polenta and chocolate tart. My favorite was probably the chicken liver mousse and chocolate tart. Those were perfection. I also really liked the beef tartare but there was just a bit too much sauce for my taste. If it had about half the amount, it probably would've been one of my favorites. Similarly, there was waaay too much sauce in the yam dish for my taste. I think this is just a more french style which is not quite my favorite cuisine. The polenta and steak frites were good though, especially the fries. Service was very good, they came by the refill the water jug a few times. The atmosphere of the restaurant was also very nice with both indoor and outdoor seating. Parking is street but it didn't take too long to find a spot not to far from the restaurant. read more

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Found this great wine bar called Bar Etoile on Western Ave. It's a perfect spot to unwind with a great selection of wines by the glass. Whatever you do....you have to order the potato dish!! it's seriously life changing! The overall pricing is fair and the vibe is perfect for a casual night out. I'll definitely be a frequent guest here. read more

Bar Etoile - potato dish and natural wine - Wine Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

My husband and I literally just had our dinner here and had to come to rave about Bar Etoile. Originally found this spot through a instagram reel and the Ceasar Beef Tatar had caught my eye and it was also vouched highly on the post. Needless to say, it was one of the best meals we've had that was not just about hype. We did make a early dinner reservation, so if you are looking for a more quiet atmosphere, a earlier time is highly recommended. We were seated right away and the service was attentive throughout our dinner. We ordered the Ceasar Tartar, Bluefin Crudo, and Steak Frites to share for our main dinner items. The beef tartar was a generous amount on top of sourdough and the citrusy aroma elevated the flavor. Bluefin Crudo had a little heat to it, but the tuna itself was buttery with the beet sauce refreshingly complimenting the whole dish. The Steak Frites was the perfect portion size to share and the fries were the perfect texture of crispy paired with aioli on the side. Also ordered the Chocolate Tart and Creme Caramel (flan) for dessert and my husband couldn't stop talking about how good they were. I'm personally not a chocolate lover, and tend to be picky on when I wast to indulge in it, but the tart had a well balanced flavor between bitter, sweet, and a little salty. Everything was so delicious we devoured it while trying our best to savor every bite! We definitely would love to come back to try other dishes here. read more

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One of the best restaurants I've tried in LA. Booked ahead for a group of 8 and got a nice large booth. I tried: + Gin martini + Cheese tart + Caesar beef tartare + blue fin crudo + Andy's peach panzanella + chicken liver mousse + ricotta dumplings + tehachapi polenta + steak frites + Pavlova + Blood peach sorbet + Chocolate tart + Affogato My martini was fantastic. Absolute best bites were the famous cheese tart (duh), the peaches in the panzanella, the polenta, and the affogato. Other favorites: The beef tartare - love how it was cubed and shareable. Also devoured the steak frites and pavlova. The only miss for me was the crudo (little too funky). Go here!!! read more

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amazing food consistently. however the cocktails are the star. truly blown away everytime i try their new cocktails (yuzu shakerato & strawberry clarified marg). the bartenders know their shit and it's always a good vibe read more

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We arrived at 7:45 PM and didn't receive our food until 8:45 PM -- a full hour later. No meaningful updates, no urgency, just sitting there wondering what was happening. When the food finally came out, it was cold. And unfortunately, so was the service. The most frustrating part? When we asked about the delay, the manager told us we "would've gotten it faster if we ordered more food." That's not how restaurants work. The speed of service shouldn't depend on how much you spend. It was dismissive, inappropriate, and honestly pretty disturbing advice. We left shortly after that interaction. A long wait can sometimes be forgiven. Cold food and colder management cannot. NO THANKS read more

This place looks nice but our experience was terrible. We were seated outside in the corner near the sidewalk. No one bothered to come by for several minutes when finally someone (not our server) brought us water. The server didn't come by for several more minutes to even give us menus. Finally we got them. We were so hungry and put in our order right away. We ordered the hamachi crudo and two entrees. The appetizer took at least 20 minutes to arrive, and it was NOT good. It was warm and covered is some sort of tasteless white sauce. Never had a warm, tasteless crudo before but I was hungry and excited for the entrees. We heard about this place from a dining book, and the Yelp reviews were positive, so we thought it was bound to be great. Well, that was not the case. We waited for at least 45 min and were told by the manager that if we ordered more, we wouldn't have had to wait so long. What?! That is a terrible practice and not at all comforting. Actually kicked off my hanger. I suspect the fact that we didn't order alcohol added to our poor treatment. Still, I waited. Finally the food came. I tried my fish and it was completely undercooked and mushy. Again, covered in that gross white sauce. That was the last straw so we notified the staff that we were leaving. The person I was with didn't even bother trying their entree. I did appreciate that the manager reached out via email to apologize but there is NO chance I would try that place again. What a disappointment. read more

Another great meal at Bar Etoile! Everything was tasty but the highlights were the market salad, steak frites, and scallop crudo! read more

I ate at Bar Etoile as part of a celebratory dinner with a large group (about 30 people), arriving at the spot around 9:45pm on a Friday evening, which was previously arranged. For being such a large group of people, the service was incredible, with waitstaff frequently checking in on wine glasses, bringing out new courses, etc. The low-lit moodiness within the ambiance gave the restaurant a simplistic and chic look. We started out with the Bub and Grandma's Country loaf, served alongside the cheese plate -- a solidly fluffy slice of bread that had an earthy, grainy taste to it. The citrus marinated olives were addictive, and the rosemary maroona almonds balanced out the saltiness with a touch of sweet. Offered as part of the Medium section of the menu, the ricotta dumplings were otherworldly, in my opinion. They were squishy, neither too cheesy nor too doughy, and complemented with a delicious dressing alongside the broccolini. The steak au poivre was very rare, and felt like it could use just a TAD less pink (which is shocking for me to say considering I'm a massive fan of rare cooked steak), as it made the dish a bit too chewy. The rotisserie chicken was delicious, with a well-seasoned skin and rhubarb bearnaise alongside it. The chocolate mousse wasn't my favorite, as it was more bitter than rich, but it certainly rounded the meal out nicely. Loved it here! read more

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I love this spot - great for a 1:1 date night or a booth filled with friends - huge windows so great lighting and a beautiful bar in the center! I was surprised at all of the unique dishes, very creative and appreciated trying new things! Meat & vegetarian options, and team was able to make 3 items vegan for me - such a treat! Loved the service, I felt like everyone was taking turns taking care of us, from the host to our service to our bus server, really everyone checked in and made sure our cups didn't run dry :) read more

Bar Etoile - Garden salad (removed cheese) - Wine Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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While the ambience and vibe were immaculate, the menu and overall food just made me think the restaurant was OK. I didn't enjoy the wine I had and I felt bad even finishing it but wine is wine. The chicken was well seasoned but I just ate about half of it and wanted to take the rest home. Nothing crazy here but the vibe was very cute and French feeling. Our server switched out halfway through without notice so I don't know what that was about but the second woman that waited on us was very friendly. read more

Bar Etoile - Tart - Wine Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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So, you have friends coming from out of town, say, New York, maybe SF, Rome, or Paris and are trying to figure out where to take them: fancy but not so much, pricey but not over the top show-off-y, a place they would never find themselves, yet will be talking about the minute they go home. Where is such a place in glitzy, well-trammeled LA? Michelin star worthy but tucked away in a cool, hip, up-and-coming part of town like, well, Melrose Hill!? Yup. Starry bar, Bar Etoile. First of all, come in flats, dark clothes, look chill, but make sure you have on your Celine shades. And bring a very small dog (on a leash, preferably) and drive up to the curb in the largest lux van you can find. OK, now you will blend. Don't expect glam vibes. This is a serious place for serious foodies. The food is the point. Don't get me wrong, it's muted industrial chic, hip, but not too much so. No clichés here. After all, this is Melrose Hill, light years from the pedestrian -- for cognoscenti only, you feel me? The menu is eclectic, parsimonious, and intriguing. You will not see veggie burgers here or even filet. You will see small, intricate, delicately but vividly seasoned mini-artworks on a plate. And the flavors are stratospheric (hence the name?). My pics and others will show what I mean but you simply have to come here to taste these masterpieces to appreciate what a real, professional food artist can do with seemingly ordinary ingredients. I mean, these dishes are conceived and assembled molecule by molecule. Every single thing is superb. Keep in mind, this is a persnickety vegetarian talking. There is, of course, something for the meat-minded, but if you waive those considerations, anything you choose will instantly become the best in class. Trust me. Park at B of A, making sure you scan the code posted and pay the $6 for the privilege of a safe, roomy lot, a stone's roll from Bar Etoile. I would recommend you come a bit early so you can watch the entertaining patrons roll up and sweep past you into the venue. Once inside, you will be warmly welcomed and pampered with attention (not too much, just the right amount) as long as you are there. And little extras will appear from time to time. Our attendant, Drew, was knowledgeable, solicitous, always there when we even thought about needing him. He knew his wines and was thoroughly versed on the entire menu. One tiny thing that they might consider is a way to bring the noise level down a notch or two -- the place is wildly popular and so everyone celebrating at once can make quite a din. Woman-owned, this stellar bar is fast becoming the place to be and be seen but in a stealth-wealth sort of way. The tab was so reasonable, I checked it twice. This could well be the g.o.a.t. -- find out for yourself, and hurry, reservations fill up at warp speed. read more

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Food is ok, menu is very limited though. Service definitely could improve and be faster. Very small place read more

Food: We got the Grilled Locally Black Cod, Bub's & Gram's Country Bread with Butter & Ricotta Cavatelli. A glass of Rosé and Skin Contact. We enjoyed the wine. The Black cod was light yet delicious. However, I did not like the server snide remarks about our order being small yet the menu is very limited. Ricotta Cavatelli had a spicy pomodoro texture however it was okay. We enjoyed the bread sliced into croutons to apply the butter. Service: It started off great until it came up to paying the bill. I was calculating and inputting the tip amount and the server abruptly grabbed the payment machine as I was typing the remaining tip amount and did not give me an option for the copy with the tip. Ambiance: Cute little French restaurant tucked away in Melrose neighborhood. The booths and bar sets the mood for an intimate and romantic evening dinner. However, they were having strange lighting maintenance where the dim vibes became bright and dim a couple of times. read more

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The restaurant looks very elevated, small, and cozy. Just how you would want a wine bar to look. Food was good, but not amazing. Our server was so sweet. I'd come back just because of her. Parking though was very bad they don't have valet and this particular street does have a lot of street parking however most of them are taken. read more

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I've dined here a couple of times now, once at the bar and once with a lucky last-minute Saturday night reservation for the dining room. This is a very special LA spot, classy and fun without being stuffy. A very interesting menu, excellent service and super fun music and vibes. Their salads are simple but flavor bombs. The chicken liver mousse and cod are scrumptious. I even order dessert here, which is unusual for me. And the gin martini! Heaven. read more

Heard a lot about this place so we decided to come by. First impression - it's a busy spot! Almost every single table was taken! We were greeted immediately and asked for our drink order. The drinks came quick. We got to ordering some foot and the waiter gave some suggestions. We started with the cheese tart - I think this should be served with bread. The jam made the dish better and it would be so good smeared on some yummy bread. The crudo was our least favorite - the mayo thing that the fish sat on wasn't flavorful. When we got the yams and the tartare we were super happy. Both had so much flavor and were presented beautifully. I'd come back for those dishes. The steak frites was good - steak was cooked nicely but way too salty. We ordered the chocolate tart for dessert because it mentioned passion fruit on the menu but the passion fruit was more of a paste on the side under something else. Not our favorite. Overall it's a cute new spot that'll probably get better and better over time. Worth checking out. read more

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Every time I visit I swear the food tastes even better than the last time. The steak frites had a total revamp - I've had it before and WOW I honestly didn't think it could get any better. And then I tried it again. The mustard seeds added a really fun texture. The steak was perfectly medium rare and so tender it melted when you take a bite. Absolutely recommend. The ceasar tar tar is my "always need to get dish". Same with the chicken liver mousse (PLZ PLZ PLZ try this - liver can be intimidating but this will blow your mind). It's the perfect balance of savory and sweet with a fruit compote, spread on the most perfectly toasted milk bread. The ricotta dumplings were delicious too. They are like clouds with brown butter sauce and charred broccoli. Perfection. Please go with friends so you can try it all. I can't pick a favorite dish because they were all THAT good. read more

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My brother and I had such an incredible dinner here last week. Loved the wine selection and every dish we ordered was amazing and beautiful. The dumplings and the steak frites were our favorites. I love the retro vibe of this place. Have been recommending Bar Etoile to my friends ever since. Can't wait to go back! read more

Bar Etoile - Wine Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Bar Etoile has been my favorite restaurant for a special occasion this past year. The ambiance is cool and stylish without trying too hard. If you are lucky you can snag a booth and enjoy people watching. The menu is built around updated French classics (the beef tartare is deliciously decadent) and unique items such as the cheese tart and sweet potatoes (both of which I think about long after visiting). The service is friendly, attentive, and helpful at guiding you to the best choices. There's just something about this place that makes me wanting to come back for more! read more

Bar Etoile - Beautiful steak frites - Wine Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I'd wanted to try this place since I heard about the great martinis they make. And they do (see my pic). We arrived when they opened on a Saturday and started at the bar with cocktails and their rosemary marcona almonds and citrus marinated olives - perfect accompaniments. At the table, we started with the snap peas and whipped ricotta and a cheese tart, both excellent. Then a friend and I shared the pork chop in peppercorn sauce (sublime) with a fresh green salad and the frites you'd expect from a place with a French name. The service was on point all evening. And although it was empty when we arrived, it was packed when we left. The only quibble was that two of our party are vegan and there's not much on the menu for them. Otherwise, a great experience and one I hope to repeat soon. read more

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I loved our meal at Bar Etoile, but unfortunately for us it feels like a one-and-done experience. Everything we ordered was delicious, original, and obviously the product of a VERY talented chef. And our server was warm, friendly and just the right level of attentive (not too little, not too much). Now, before I give my critique, I want to mention that I know this neighborhood very well and have mixed feelings about its gentrification. With that said, Bar Etoile should have a dress code. I really don't want to spend $300 on a meal for 2 and have to look at fellow patrons in T-shirts, baseball caps, shorts, and flip flops. To me, it shows a lack of self-respect that a restaurant with so much talent would allow this level of disregard for the level of quality you seek to offer. You are not alone. Antico Nuovo has the same problem. Also, please serve your butter with a butter knife. No one wants to spread butter with the sharp end of a steak knife. Last but not least, your bar stools. I'm going to assume you got these for a bargain, or that the spindly legs allow you to squeeze in more patrons. But they are truly unattractive and as one other reviewer mentions, makes you look more like a 70's diner than a French Bistro. read more

The food was excellent, the wine list had a lot of options, and the whole place was relaxing. The staff was friendly and helpful with recommendations, really enjoyed the experience and will definitely be back. read more

Really enjoyed a work dinner at Bar Etoile! They were able to accommodate a next day seven-person reservation without a hitch and were very gracious in the time we were allotted for our table. I was pretty surprised by how spacious the restaurant was which tends to be rare with French spots in LA. The food was fairly innovative with my favorite being the cheese tart (although intense) and the sleeper hit being the Meiji tofu (think a crunchy nutty caprese salad but with tofu instead of cheese). Their wine selection was extensive and the staff sommelier was very descriptive and helpful in selecting a couple bottles for the table. Not all the dishes quite hit the mark, and there was a forgotten espresso in the mix. Portions were also quite small, and we found ourselves getting more bread to keep us going. But all in all, I'm glad I got to try Bar Etoile and would definitely recommend for a large group! read more

Had driven by this place a few times, and finally tried it in Feb of 2026. We had the bub and grandma's bread with cultured butter which was delicious, bub and grandma's never disappoints. The chicken liver, polenta and garden chicory salad. The standout was the chicory salad, it was all things you need for a good salad tangy dressing, tender leaves, creamy yogurt, and crunchy roasted buckwheat (sobacha pangrattato). Will definitely be going back for that to relive the magic. Service was friendly and accommodating, and the atmosphere was bustling inside and chill outside. read more

I've been back to Bar Etoile several times since it opened, and it has been impressive to watch it settle into itself. From the start, the space stood out. It is thoughtful, understated, and clearly designed with intention rather than chasing trends. The wine program is what initially drew me in, and it continues to be one of the strongest reasons to return. The list is diverse without feeling scattered, and there is a clear point of view behind it. More importantly, that perspective translates into the glass. I have yet to have a pour or pairing that felt off or uninspired. On the food side, what has been most interesting is the evolution. Early visits were strong, but over time the menu has become more confident and nuanced. The current dishes show a kitchen that is really hitting its stride. Flavors are more layered, combinations more interesting, and the execution has become notably more consistent, especially in the quieter, more subtle elements that can often be overlooked. It is the kind of place that rewards repeat visits. There is a clear sense of direction, and it feels like it is only getting better. read more

Matt B. and I went to Bar Etoile a couple weeks ago and immediately ran into a friend of mine, who was there with a large group celebrating a 40th birthday. I know I'm just a middle-aged mom, but believe me when I say my friend is very cool, and she was rolling with a very cool crew. I took this as a sign that we'd picked the right spot for a fun Thursday night out without kids. The reservation was easy-ish to make on Resy a few days in advance. The place was mostly booked, but I was able to grab bar seats at 8:15. The restaurant was super busy when we arrived, and we got seated closer to 8:30. The restaurant was charming, an elegantly decorated French bistro/wine bar with a cozy, bustling vibe. The bar was large and central, with a dozen or so counter seats. It was nice there, though the experience was probably faster and less formal than in the rest of the dining room. The bartender acted as our server, and we were in and out in less than an hour and a half. He was great, though, friendly and helpful. We also got excellent guidance from the sommelier. He talked to us about our dinner order and wine preferences, then presented us with several reasonably priced options. We ended up with a bottle called Se Kwa Sa?, which is more or less French for "what is that?" This was a natural French red, which we would never have known to pick on our own. It was lovely, and outside our usual lanes. The food was delicious. We started with a cheese plate, which came with four wonderful cheeses I'd never heard of: Aries, a sheep's milk cheese by Shooting Star Creamery; Briana, a raw cow's milk cheese by Jacob and Brichford; Apricity, a soft cow's milk cheese by Alemar Cheese Company; and the Big Woods Blue by Shepherd's Way. They came with preserves, raisins, radish, and thin crackers of toast. We love a yellowtail crudo and have gotten several variations in L.A. over the years. Bar Etoile's was a standout, silky kampachi and Calville Blanc d'hiver apple covered in a flavorful garlic-and-almond ajo blanco sauce, with a pop of calamansi lime. My cool friend also hooked me up with a taste of the Caesar beef tartare, a delectable house signature. For our mains, we shared the striped bass and the steak frites, both superb. The fish was beautifully cooked, served over fennel and caramelized sunchoke purée and finished with salsa macha. The steak was a tender medium rare, and it came with perfect golden fries and Montpellier butter, a green, herbal compound butter that went splendidly with both steak and frites. We were pretty full by dessert, but had enough room for a buttermilk vanilla affogato and some blood orange sorbet. Both were light and satisfying, but I particularly enjoyed the tart sorbet. We got little pates de fruit with the check (I think passionfruit), a last sweet bite to end our meal. We live close to the Area Newly Designated as Melrose Hill, and I imagine we'll be back to Bar Etoile for more wine and French-Angeleno cooking. It's a versatile place where you can celebrate a special occasion or grab dinner at the bar. read more

vibes were so great, it got really busy towards the end of our dinner. our server noticed that and gave us a splash of wine to make up for the slight delays which was lovely! definitely a great date spot or even to just catch up with a friend. super cute inside. we didnt get any entrees and just ordered from the "small" and "medium" sections of the menu. ordered like 5 dishes total and was the perfect amount to get us full. definitely on the fancy side but great place for wine loved it read more

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Awesome!! The atmosphere was really nice and all the food was incredible. If I come to LA again, I definitely want to be there again read more

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Such a great new spot for the area! The inside is cozy but with enough light to see your dinner partner. The service was excellent, and the food was even better. The herb salad was so tart and incredible - I could have eaten four bowls. The bread came out warm and was the perfect complement to the salty butter. The steak frites were also delicious! Perfect for a date night or evening catch up with a friend. read more

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