Came here for an anniversary lunch with my partner and left on cloud nine. Bell's is a Michelin‑starred French bistro operating at the top of its game. I love that it delivers a high‑quality fine‑dining experience while still feeling casual, inviting, and warm -- the perfect balance. They're also kid‑ and dog‑friendly, which I have to highlight. It's so refreshing to see a highly regarded restaurant in a quaint, charming town like Los Alamos. You wouldn't expect it, which makes it even more special. They offer an à la carte lunch and a prix‑fixe dinner. Bell's is run by husband‑and‑wife duo Daisy and Greg Ryan, and their menu changes daily with a focus on locally sourced ingredients. They include a 20% service charge to support equitable wages and their staff -- and you can genuinely feel how much they care about their team, their farmers, and their artisan partners. The love for their craft shows in everything. Our experience: We were seated quickly and welcomed with a glass of champagne in honor of our anniversary -- such a thoughtful touch. They brought our pup Enzo a water bowl right away. Our server walked us through the menu, answered all our questions, and checked in about dietary restrictions. We ordered the steak frites and the salad with chicken added. For drinks, we had a chilled red, an iced tea, and a vermouth‑based cocktail. The salad was incredible -- perfectly bitter greens balanced with citrus and just the right amount of dressing. The steak was tender and juicy, and the fries were thin, crispy, and addictive. This was an excellent experience from start to finish. We'd love to come back to try their ever‑changing menu and the prix‑fixe dinner. A must‑visit in Los Alamos -- truly unforgettable. read more

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Came here with my boyfriend for a Valentine's lunch and were seated right away! I noticed right away the dress is pretty casual even though their website recommends smart casual. To start, we ordered the Pâté Grand-mère. We quickly noticed how good the quality of sourdough is. We were happy to find out it's from bread bike in San Luis Obispo! I ordered the steak frites and he ordered the beef cheek sandwich. They were both great. I was surprised by the ratio of fries to steak (my steak looks pretty small in the photo). You can't go wrong with a main dish. Next time we want to come for dinner! Note: Make a reservation at least two weeks in advance (maybe a month if it's a holiday). read more

Bell's - Steak frites - French Near Me - Los Alamos, California

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Service: was phenomenal from beginning to end. When we walked in the staff had a warm greeting, our server Sarah was amazing!!! Came here to celebrate my anniversary and to check it out since it's been on my list of places to try. Food: the shrimp croquettes 5/5 the homemade sauce that it came with the 5/5. The snails was delicious as well as the flavor on them! Steak frites 5/5, steak was cooked the way I wanted the butter on top of it was prefect!! Ambiance: homely and cute read more

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This is an event destination. A chef inspired home grown family run restaurant.What a pleasant evening we had. We sat on the heated patio, the inside is French bistro style. We were welcomed by the chef and staff. We were a party of four and received menus wishing my friend a happy 65th Birthday. Everything that hit the table was out of this world. The best bite of the night is the uni caviar Bellini that everyone gets as aa intro. It is truly orgasmic. Next came fresh seeded bread and a field green salad. We tried all of the starters between us and two of the entrees. The Steak Au Poivre is legendary for a reason and has quite a little zip to it. The desserts were off the chart. Insane. Each plate was a well thought out work of art. Synchronized service. As we left, we were thanked for dining there and invited back; this always guarantees that I will return. Chef's Kiss, as they say. read more

Bell's - Best bite - French Near Me - Los Alamos, California

Stopped by Los Alamos because we needed to charge the car. I'm glad to have stumbled here! We came pretty late for lunch and most of the other places around town were closed. The staff is plentiful and friendly. The interior space is well designed and includes an outdoor patio as well. There's WiFi, bathrooms, and parking next to the building. The menu is a manageable size without decision fatigue. Everything was delicious and will be the reason we intentionally stop by Los Alamos again. read more

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One forgets what a great restaurant can be. Straight ahead superb food, terrific service, fair pricing. No over elaborate 12 course tasting menu, no pretentious wait staff, no expensive overwhelming wine list. Will definitely go back again for special occasions. read more

Dinner at Bells was the kind of meal that makes you briefly consider quitting your job, moving to Los Alamos, and dedicating your life to chasing that perfect bite. From the moment we sat down, the vibe was "tiny Parisian bistro teleported into wine country," and I was totally into it. Service was warm, charming, and just cheeky enough to keep things fun. Every dish came out looking like it had a publicist. The whole experience was relaxed but special--kind of like going to a dinner party thrown by someone who actually knows how to cook. If you're in Los Alamos and you don't eat at Bells, that's a personal choice... but not one I'd recommend. read more

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I came here over the weekend with my boyfriend to celebrate my birthday for lunch. First of all our waitress was so nice and bubbly and was super familiar with the area. The ambience was super cool with the open kitchen as we dined indoors. Now, the food. We had the bells salad with chicken, which was incredible in every way possible the flavors just worked perfectly together. We had the steak frites which were perfect and then we had the mussels and frites which, what could be better dipping those fries in the extra broth... EPIC, I can't wait to come back. read more

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Absolutely delightful! From impeccable service to delicious fresh and tasty food. Had lunch on back patio. Reservations recommended but not always necessary. Can't wait to return read more

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Five stars isn't enough. I almost did the prefix dinner but then decided to try lunch so I could pick and choose what I wanted. Every dish was absolutely incredible. The sea urchin Panna cotta was extremely unique and ridiculously buttery and balanced. The buckwheat crêpe was again so so unusual but absolutely perfect. The gazpacho was fresh and delightful and exactly how summer tomatoes should taste. Everything was gorgeous from the bathroom, to the back patio, to the towels hanging on the wall, to the ice bucket for chilling wine. The service was excellent and attentive but not overwhelming. The wines are ere fantastic. The prices were extremely reasonable... then again I am coming from Los Angeles but I would pay double considering the quality and excellence of every single dish & the experience. I will absolutely be going back as soon as possible (Also, can I say I love that the head chef is a woman...) read more

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I'm a big fan after one dinner here. The price is more than fair at $110 for a prix fixe Michelin star meal. In fact it felt like we were cheating. We reserved counter seating to see the chefs in action, and I'm glad we did. I love seeing the art in motion, and there is more opportunity for interaction with the staff, all of whom were great. This place is really as much of a teamwork vibe as I've seen in any restaurant. The food was great too. Santa Barbara sea urchin with caviar: An extraordinary bite. The uni was very mild compared to others I've had. I guess this is a Santa Barbara thing... The pairing with the caviar on the crepe was about as nice of a surprise as I could have hoped for. Took me back to the oysters and pearls at French Laundry. Bell's seeded sourdough: Can I buy this bread? I can't recall ever having a more tasty sourdough. It was great even without that wonderful butter. Chavez Farms Lettuces: super fresh with a date and shallot vinaigrette. Super simple and very satisfying. So much flavor for a pile of lettuce. Yellow Peaches: With Cantabrian anchovies (these were great!) This was my wife's favorite dish. She made me make for her the following week. We didn't have the Cantabrian fishies, but it was still pretty good. Santa Rita Hills rabbit: This was a curious dish, topped with fig and surrounded by beans. The rabbit was a bit lost, and I found it underwhelming. My least favorite of the night, and something I woiuldn't order next time. Steak au Poivre: I've had so many poor versions of this, but apparently theirs helped put them on the map. It did not disappoint. It was a five ounce coulotte with peppercorn sauce, a perfect medium rare, and just wonderful. Strawberry Glace'e with chocolate ganache: My wife chose this, and she was in heaven. I had a couple of bites, and found it to be too good to stop at one. Ragged Point: Sweet onion tartlette with hazelnut praline and honey. Right up my alley. My taste buds were pretty exhausted by this point, but I managed to eat all of it. This was a great dining experience. I spoke with a few of the staff members about this or that, and they were all enthusiastic and patient with my questions. They add a service charge of about 20% to all checks, shared amongst all staff members, so no need to tip, but it was all so good I tipped anyway. We are looking forward to going back soon. Notes: This is a casual place. No need for a suit and tie. I saw shorts and T-shirts, and the staff were in jeans. No hard alcohol, but a nice wine list. Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays read more

Food: The courses are well balanced and curated. Our party liked all the food. The only thing my mom mentioned was the veal carpaccio was a little "stringy" to cut into bite size pieces and cream sauce on skate wing fish dish was a bit heavy. Sea urchin was a great starter and salad/bread was on point. I didn't taste everyone's dish but everyone enjoyed their dishes overall. Kids' Steak was a bit salty... The rest of the food was great. Service: Service was outstanding! Staff remembered our selections for our large party and made recommendation on substitute for someone who is sensitive to dairy. Water cups were always filled. Empty of plates were taken away swiftly. Attentive and super friendly staff! Ambiance: Love the intimate cozy vibe, feel like you went to a friend's house for fine dining. An overall 8/10. It's not my favorite. I came here for my brothers birthday. I kind of expected more from a Michelin restaurant. read more

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Let me start off by saying if you have Michelin Star, I'm going to hold you to different standard, than other restaurants. While we had some good dishes here, there were also a couple of misses that surprised me. Santa Barbara Sea Urchin - Nice flavor, but with caviar, uni, and mille crepe, it's all kind of one texture. 4 stars Bell's Seeded Sourdough - I love how high end restaurants are getting obsessed with baking, as they should be, but it's still not uncommon to see that important aspect outsourced. Not here, they are baking in house with love. 5 stars Finley Farms Lettuces - Shallot & medjool vinaigrette. Nice pairing to allow you to enjoy the fresh lettuce. 5 stars Wild Gulf Shrimp, tangerines, sake beurre blanc, sorrel - problem - the shrimp weren't cleaned and were very gritty, which is unpleasant especially when eating large shrimp. Also wasn't a fan of the tangerine flavor here. 2 stars Kabocha Squash, anchovies, cripsy garlic, pumpkin seeds, golden raisins, brown butter - I'm always a fan of this sweet Japanese squash. The anchovies didn't overpower. 5 stars Gnocchi a la Parisienne, chanterelles, leeks, sauce supreme - somehow the gnocchi soaked up the sauce here and thus had a ruined texture. They were just mush, kind of a shocking mistake in a Michelin star restaurant. Not sure if it was sitting waiting to be taken out. Perhaps the sauce should be poured table side. It also was perhaps broken which allowed the gnocchi to soak up the more oily base of the sauce. 2 stars Baja Striped Bass, fingerling potatoes, eggplant, saffron aioli - Nice crispy skin on the fish, although somewhat lacked that "smokiness" that often is the result. Not a fan of the saffron aioli which was quite powerful, but the rest of the dish was good. 4 stars Passion Fruit Glacee, meringue, chocolate sable - Passion fruit and chocolate worked nicely together like how in Europe they like to pair orange and chocolate together. 4 stars French Almond Cake Hachiya persimmon, creme chantilly - what's not to like here. Sweet persimmon, rich almond flavor, sweet cream with a hint of vanilla. Winner. 5 stars Even though there were a couple of dishes that I really didn't care for, I would come back and give Bell's another chance because at least at their price point, it isn't break the bank (In the Michelin world). Even if they are located in an old bank. Loved the location. read more

Bell's - French Near Me - Los Alamos, California

I absolutely love Bell's with all my heart. I can't think of a better place to celebrate any, if not all, occasions. Obviously try their pre-fix dinner if you can. I highly recommend adding on any sort of caviar supplement if it's offered. But Bell's lunch menu is what I think about often. Take for instance the egg salad sandwich ($17). It's a simple egg salad sandwich with maybe a harissa (?) spread to bind everything together. The eggs are unapologetically chopped into chunky pieces. They're jammy, a little yolky, and just perfect in sandwich form. Bell's takes an impossibly simple ingredient to create a mindblowingly delicious creation. And I can never not order the La Brújula tinned sardines ($23). The saltines are house-made which make for sturdy vessels with each bite. Nothing tastes better than a Bell's saltine - buttered - topped with sardines with a dollop of Priedite hot sauce. Each bite tastes like the first bite and I can't think of a better way to describe how it tastes every time I eat this. It's hard to gush about Bell's without mentioning the staff. Whether you're dinnering or lunching, the whole waitstaff is attentive and they make eating at Bell's an incredible experience. Plan a trip to the Central Coast and include Bell's on your itinerary. Or better yet, plan a trip around a visit to Bell's. read more

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Life changing to say the very least. The food: Perfection The service: Unmatched The vibes: Immaculate My husband and I made a reservation here to celebrate our 10th anniversary and the team here made it so special with menus that had our names on it for the occasion. Chris was absolutely phenomenal with his friendly and warm personality and made our experience that much more personalized. He gave us a tour of the full menu, gave impeccable wine pairings for the courses selected, and even topped it off with a lovely dessert wine that I wish I had asked the name of (he described at as apricot and sunshine which it absolutely was). The entire team was so attentive and it was honestly a joy watching them do their work while enjoying our meal. The menu had so much thought behind it and the care in the selection of fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients added an additional layer to flavor profiles on top of the exceptional seasoning. The first bite of sea urchin and caviar was so rich (truly a perfect bite), the salad while simple was so flavorful, and the bread that is baked in house was so soft and paired beautifully with the cultured butter topped with flaky sea salt. We chose the Âmevive Lamb Roulade and Ridgeback Prawns for our appetizer, the Cobia Rôti and Steak au Poivre for our entrees, and the Tarte au Citron and Chocolate Mousse for dessert. While I do love seafood, I typically don't pick those options when dining out but the sea urchin, the prawns, and Cobia fish were my absolute favorite bites from our dinner options. I cannot say enough good things about this lovely place with a staff that is just as lovely. As someone who works in retail with a brand that focuses on 5 star customer experience, I appreciated receiving service that was more than good enough to leave the house for and that was worth every single dollar spent. I can only close this review by saying that we look forward to returning again before our next anniversary and a huge thank you to the entire team at Bell's for such a special meal to celebrate this milestone in our lives. read more

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Dinner at Bell's last time was absolutely memorable. Our reservation was at 8 PM, but when we got there around 7:55, the table wasn't ready. The manager was kindly enough to offer us some free bubbles while we were waiting at their patio. I dined here before a few times for lunch so this time I was excited to try their prix fixe dinner menu. 1. It started off with the Santa Barbara Urchin and caviar on top of this little round thing that tasted like a bread. Honestly, this was my least favorite course for the night since I'm not really a fan of sea urchin in general. 2. Sourdough bread and Farms lettuces salad. I thought the bread was just okay too (I prefer more like a warm and a bit toasty bread), but the salad was so good. It's so light and refreshing with some lovely dressing. 3. Santa Rita Rabbit en croute and Bay Scallop Tartare. Glad we chose these two options. The scallop dish was also light and refreshing then followed with the warm and crispy pastry shell filled with tasty rabbit meat filling. 4. For the main course we opted for the steak frites and their fish dish, however, they were so kind to give us an extra dish which was the fromage tortellini. I tried their steak frites before which always tastes so amazing, but the fish was phenomenal! The tortellini was tasty as well and it's a great choice for a non meat eater. The main course itself was definitely the highlight of our meal. 5. We ended the meal with some delicious desserts (carrot cake and banana foster ice cream) Overall, we really enjoyed our dining experience at Bell's. Service was so amazing and we gave extra tip beyond the 20% automatically added. As their menu changes periodically, can't wait to return when I'm back in the area! read more

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The food was definitely Michelin star! Our server, Mia, treated us like we were family though it was our first time. The ambiance is perfectly quaint and countryside. read more

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Truly not impressive. I've been to quite a few Michelin star restaurants... sure presentation was pretty, the ambience beautiful, but the service. Ugh. The service. When we asked for recommendations on a dish, the waitress encouraged the chicken pithivier so strongly we ended up ordering a few. Why? It tasted like dry canned chicken on crackers. Why would she recommend it? The ratatouille was bland and the steak was too salty. The group favs: razor clams, peppers and the fig leaf short bread. But what really made me write this review: the wine sommelier. He was rude. He was uninformative. He barely gave us the time of day. He listed out 5 wines quickly. He happened to be standing an inch away from my friend, behind her mind you, and when she adjusted her hair he gave her the nastiest look. Like he was going to vomit. Ummm, maybe don't stand so close to people? When a dish was brought out incorrectly, the waiter quickly said he would change it. Then our waitress came and just gave us this blank look. "You ordered that." Point blank. No expression. Almost lobotomized? So my friend was stuck eating the peppers, which was good. But still. A little customer service? So yes, the food may be delicious for your palate, but the service is sub par sadly. read more

Bell's - French Near Me - Los Alamos, California

Delicious food, great customer service, very affordable for a 1 Michelin Star restaurant! The hubby kinda surprised me with a reservation here for my late birthday dinner. Upon arrival, we didn't expect to see such a small the restaurant on the inside, with maybe 2 big tables that can fit 4 people, plus another 5-6 small tables that can fit 2, and the bar area with 4 chairs. They also have outdoor seatings (with heated lamps) which we didn't check out, but I'm glad the hubby made the reservation for indoor since it was freezing that night. For a 1 Michelin Star restaurant, we were pleasantly surprised at how casual and not pretentious at all this place is. The menu was already set on the table even before we sat down. We went on a Thursday which they offered both full course menu and express option (without the caviar/uni and the 1st 3 picks). We opted for the full course since it was our first time here. The food came out promptly. Everything was nicely presented (with the exception of the complimentary birthday treat) and delicious! However, the desserts were my least favorite. Out of the 3 desserts we got, my most favorite was the complimentary one which was not on the menu. I still don't know if it was ice cream or yogurt lol. Overall, Bell's is an excellent option for a nice dinner out or special occasion. They do require reservations so make sure to book it on their website. Also, if you use inKind to pay for the meal, you'll get $50 off $150 for 1st time use (good until end of February) as well as 20% cash back. It's a great deal! read more

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We went back to Bell's to celebrate our (belated) 5 year anniversary. We had a puppy outside on the patio which they were very sweet about. Their late summer offerings were pretty different from what we'd gotten last year in late winter, and it was enjoyable to eat all of their fresh produce like tomatoes, plumcots, and peaches in their dishes. Service was a standout this visit. Bell's never disappoints! read more

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Bell's is an absolute MUST! Make a reservation as soon as you know you plan on being in Los Alamos or Santa Ynez. It's truly a remarkable experience, there hasn't been a time that we've gone up there and haven't booked dinner. The staff is incredible kind, for birthdays they do a special menu with the birthday person's name! The inside is charming, but I personally love the outside space. The uni + caviar bite is literally a dream bite, I'm always wanting more!!! read more

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We planned an impromptu 2 day trip to Los Alamos which we planned around a visit to Bell's. I was impressed by this charming little town, and our dinner at Bell's was the absolute highlight. The restaurant itself was cozy with an industrial vibe that was casual but upscale. The meal was a 5 course tasting menu. Our service, led by Dante, was impeccable while also being friendly and approachable. Dante explained everything thoroughly to help us decide what to order. It started with a caviar canapé, salad and bread & butter, and everyone gets the same. We chose the Anchovy Panisse & Lamb Roulade for our first courses, steak frites & risotto for our mains and walnut glacée and Brillat-Savarin for dessert. It's hard to choose a standout because everything was fabulous. I was hesitant to order the risotto because it seems nutritionally void, and I usually like a protein with my main course, but I went out in a limb, and it was so delicious! The compte cream with melted leeks was sooooooo good!l i preferred the glacee over the brillat-savarin because it was like a tiny walnut ice cream sundae and I could eat one every day. They do not have a wine pairing, but, on Mondays, bottles of wine are half price, and they let you order half glasses of wine, so we ordered several half glasses and created our own pairing. This truly was a treat from start to finish, and it's really not exorbitantly expensive, especially considering that they have a Michelin star. We'll definitely go back on our next road trip. read more

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We spent the day in Solvang and headed to Bell's for dinner. I loved how cozy and intimate the dining experience is (and the food is amazing.) favorites include the steak au poivre, perfect black pepper sauce, and the cantaloupe dessert. I'll be back next time I'm in the area. read more

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Bell's was a truly unique and memorable dinner. We went there for my partner's birthday. They made it extra special for us with a Happy Birthday message printed on the menu. The staff was very sweet and polite and made us feel super welcome. Coming to the food, we started with the Santa Barbara Sea Urchin with Regis Ova caviar, mille crêpe. This was an explosion of flavors. I was skeptical that it might taste too fishy, but the whole dish did not. Next, we had the Bell's Seeded Sourdough with Stepladder Creamery cultured butter and Finley Farms Lettuces with shallot & medjool date vinaigrette. These were very nice and refreshing. Next, we had Razor Clams with Fioretto cauliflower, confit potato, vermouth blanc bouillon. It was part clam chowder and part crudo. Absolutely loved how fresh and light this dish was. We also had the Jimenez Farms Chicken Pithivier Golden Nugget tangerines, pickled mushrooms, melted leeks. It was perfectly executed. For the entrées, we had "Ratatouille" gnocchi Parisienne, Fiscalini cheddar, arugula pistou and Steak au Poivre 5 oz coulotte, Steve's peppercorn sauce & frites. These were sublime. For dessert, we had Ragged Point Ryan Farms walnut tart, rosemary and Île Flottante Santa Maria strawberries, Makrut lime. They were so so good! The final cherry on top was that they surprised us with a birthday cake. It was so nice! Absolutely loved the experience. The ambiance was super nice and quiet. read more

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Bell's: Where Alignment Tastes Like Home I went to Bell's on my birthday--because some moments call for something more than a meal. They call for something that means something. And Bell's, nestled in the wine-soaked countryside of Los Alamos, isn't just a restaurant. It's an alignment. Not the kind of alignment that shouts with fireworks and fanfare, but the kind that hums softly beneath your skin and reminds you that life, at its core, is about how things fit together. People hear "Michelin" and they imagine tuxedos, hushed voices, plates that look too pretty to eat. But Bell's isn't that. Bell's reminds you that Michelin doesn't mean pomp--it means precision. It means intent. It means that every ingredient, every note on the plate, every hand that touches it, is in harmony with everything else. The moment you walk through the doors, you feel it. The glow of soft amber lighting. The farmhouse warmth of concrete floors and white brick walls. And what could have been cold--those raw, masculine concrete floors--is softened, effortlessly, by sprawling decorative rugs, rich with color and pattern. The kind of rugs you'd find in a well-loved living room, the kind a mother might place beneath the dining table not for show, but to warm the feet, to bring life and softness into a space. The two--rug and concrete--dance with one another in quiet agreement: rough and smooth, hard and soft, balanced without either one overreaching. You feel like you've stepped not into a restaurant, but into a home with history, texture, and soul. Copper pans hang above, not as decoration for show, but as quiet symbols of real kitchens, real hands, real homes. The chairs aren't thrones--they're invitations. And the staff? They aren't performing. They're welcoming you in. That's the magic Bell's captures: the feeling that you're not in a restaurant--you're in someone's home. The servers move with a grace that isn't forced. They wear aprons--not stiff, ironed uniforms--but soft, stylish aprons that feel like something your mother might tie on before cooking your favorite meal. The kind of apron that says, "I'm here to care for this. And for you." They speak to you like an old friend might. No pretension. No scripted monologues about soil and sun exposure. Just: Here's what we love about this dish. Try it. See how you feel. There's a quiet confidence in that. A generosity. The way someone who loves to cook would serve you at their own table: wanting you to taste, to smile, to feel good. And the food--oh, the food--sings with that same ethos. It's not just a plate of risotto; it's a conversation between cream and grain, pepper and oil, softness and bite. It's the kind of dish where the olive oil doesn't just sit--it swirls, gleams, creates a perfect circle of golden punctuation. The anchovies are topped intentionally, their saltiness designed to contrast whatever tender brightness is placed above or beneath them--maybe citrus, maybe a fresh herb--so that each bite holds a tension between softness and sharpness, richness and lift. Nothing is accidental. Every element is arranged with the quiet care of a hand that knows exactly where each note belongs. And the spinach atop the puff--this is no ordinary garnish. The crunch of the golden pastry gives way to the silk of the vibrant greens, but without the bitter edge spinach often carries. Here, it's subdued, tender, almost chewy in the most delicate way. It tastes like something only a chef with compassionate precision--paired with the right growing methods--could bring to life. The cream beneath doesn't drown it; it elevates it. The pastry doesn't overpower it; it frames it. It's where the symphony meets the cream, the puffiness, the crunch, the silk--all of it organized into one edible piece of music. There's no rushing here. No artificial grandeur. Even the simplest things--like a single scoop of ice cream with a birthday candle--taste better. Not because they're dressed up in gold leaf, but because they're real. Because the cream comes from happy cows, the hands that churn it are steady, and the intent behind it is pure. That's what Michelin actually honors: not extravagance, but excellence. Excellence rooted in humility. Bell's is where the countryside's rhythm meets the conductor's hand. Where every element--the food, the space, the people--move together like a quiet symphony. You don't leave stuffed. You leave filled. Filled with the taste of simplicity done flawlessly. Filled with the warmth of being treated not as a customer, but as a guest. As family. And that's what alignment really is. That's what Bell's is. read more

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Ambience was cozy with a casual elegance. Sitting at the counter was fun so one can watch the kitchen action and chat with the chef when she had a moment towards the end of the night. The service was efficient and warm. There was a lovely gesture in recognizing celebrations. The dinner started out w a delicious sea urchin caviar bite that created the anticipation for the rest of the night. The flavors of the pumpkin w anchovies were well balanced. The scallops were a tad overcooked by a minute but the brown butter beet verjus was delish. The seeded sourdough was perfectly suited to sop up the verjus. Then came the halibut and steak. Unfortunately both were disappointing. The halibut was again slightly overcooked and did not have anything notable. The steak was very surprising given this is a standard French dish. It was overdone and the cut of meat (or how it was trimmed) made it quite chewy and tough. The night ended w a standard chocolate mousse and a glacee that was quite refreshing with the delicate flavors of pistachios. It was surprising to have experienced the mix for a restaurant awarded one Michelin star consistently for the past 5 years....Perhaps it was an off night. read more

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Food (3/5): Underwhelming for a Michelin 1 spot with a ~4.7 Yelp average. We came for Monday lunch; the dining room was maybe half full. We arrived excited for the sea urchin + caviar + mille crêpe stack that shows up in so many reviews--only to learn sea urchin is dinner-only. So we pivoted: La Brújula sardines (3/5), onion soup (3/5), Pâté Grand-Mère (1/5), Bell's salad (4/5), and Wagyu steak tartare (4/5) with side salad (3/5) and fries (3/5). Most surprising: the sardines arrived in the full retail tin, packaging and all. They're delicious, high-quality Spanish sardines, no argument. But at a Michelin-priced meal, I'm hoping for something more imaginative than a product I can Prime to my doorstep in two days. Biggest miss: Pâté Grand-Mère (1/5)--so bland it could run for local office on a "family values and zero personality" platform. The Dijon/cornichons/radish accompaniments felt like they were assembled from a grocery-store charcuterie starter kit. Highlight: Bell's salad (4/5)--crunchy hazelnuts and a mustard vinaigrette that actually showed up to work. Respect. The Wagyu tartare (4/5) was solid and satisfying--good "road-trip fuel," even if it didn't deliver the Michelin "wow" we were expecting. Ambiance (2/5): Rural-provincial American bistro chic (emphasis on American). Nothing wrong, nothing memorable. Also, no toilet seat covers. At these prices, I'd love at least a thin layer of civilization between me and the porcelain. Service (5/5): Friendly, attentive, perfectly paced. The staff were the real MVPs--and they didn't even blink when we stared at the sardine tin like it owed us money. Value (1/5): Felt like we paid Michelin rent for a countryside bistro that occasionally forgets to take the groceries out of the bag. The math didn't math. We're genuine fans of Michelin-rated restaurants, but Bell's didn't clear the bar for us, and we won't be rushing back. read more

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Who knew we could experience a Michelin-starred French Countryside restaurant less than 2 hours from Calabasas? The service was impeccable -- from seating us immediately despite our late arrival to the friendly yet unassuming staff members who made each course memorable. In particular, we enjoyed the rare steak with butter and the variety of light French cookies for dessert. We made a weekend of it - with ziplining and staying at the Inn of ZC, and more. This meal was the highlight of our entire stay in the region. read more

My wife and I came here for our anniversary, and we couldn't have been more impressed by the food, service, and thoughtfulness. The ambience is comfortable and friendly, without the fuss or sterility that can sometimes accompany a pre fixe menu. Everyone was friendly and present, professional but down-to-earth. From the custom menu they presented us commemorating our special occasion, to the walkthrough of the wine list and the balanced dishes, I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who appreciates food and service without the inaccessibility that usually accompanies fine dining. read more

Had an unforgettable experience @bellslosalamos! What a delicious time. Such a beautiful ambiance. Thank you to the BOH and FOH for everything. Highly recommended. #foodie #whatchefsliketoeat #farmtotable #michelinstar #californiacuisine #amazing #delicious #amustgoplace #losalamoscalifornia #santaynezvalley read more

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C'est bon! If you're a food loving person with a penchant for French culture Bell's is a jewel. The staff was exemplary and the fact it is hidden away in the one-horse town of Los Alamos somehow makes it even more wonderful. Read the reviews, if you know you KNOW. (I had a course of peaches, sardines and herbs that made my head spin it was so good.) Authentic, warm, exquisite...and Michelin starred no less. Bell's is perfect wine country California. An evening we'll remember. Merci, Bell's. read more

Bell's - Chef's counter - French Near Me - Los Alamos, California

Bell's is the definition of high quality dining. We had heard about Bell's from friends and were blown away by our experience. The ambiance inside is a great mix of casual yet refined dining. The servers were extremely kind and knowledgeable about the menu and were able to provide great recommendations. Overall, the food was fantastic and tasted like it was made with the high quality ingredients they claim. We started with the escargot which was delicious. We then got the tuna sandwich, crepe du jour, and the french fries. I highly recommend all of the above items- especially the fries and crepe du jour. We were so blown away by the meal that we hope to one day come back for their dinner menu. I cannot recommend Bell's enough. read more

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We always order the same thing here because it's always consistent and delicious food. Service is the best in town and the ambiance is perfect. The steak tartare is amazing and my wife loves the egg sandwich. The fries are very good as well. read more

Bell's - Steak Tartar - French Near Me - Los Alamos, California

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Service is was as good as it gets - all thanks to Erica! She treated us as real guests and even helped us plan the rest of our time in the area. Ambiance was so cool and funky. And then there's the food... so delicious! Everything was perfect. read more

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At a recent weekend getaway, we indulged in a French-inspired brunch at this bistro here in Los Alamos, and we glad we made reservation to enjoy this popular bistro! We ordered an appetizer to go with our beef tartare and our steak frites. The dishes were neatly prepared, and you can see how they prep everything in the open kitchen. The tartare was a good blend, and you can see the ingredients all well blended. The steak was delicious cooked to medium rare. Service was excellent and very attentive as expected for a one Michelin star restaurant. The unpretentious dishes in brunch really make this a casual experience in a more refined atmosphere. I now understand why folks at wineries are telling us about this place! read more

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Best michelin star that we have eaten at. Outside Santa Barbara is a quiet place where memories are etched by exquisite taste. An unexpected and delightful experience that was simply beautiful. Very accommodating staff on the day we went. read more

We were on the way back to LA in search of food and found this place with a Michelin star. They have a set menu for the day at $110/person and additional $65 for wine pairing (price as of early 2024). They focus on farm-to-table vegetables from nearby cooked in an American-French fusion methods. They have choices per each entree so we selected different ones to try more items. Portions are quite small so eat slowly. Overall, everything was above average and I enjoyed most dish, except the Regiis Ova Caviar. I'm a big fan of caviar but the mille crepe was tasteless and diluting the caviar flavor. Tip: Make sure you make a reservation because they have very limited space and basically will not take any walk-ins. We got lucky by going at 5pm waiting for someone to cancel. read more

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An amazing restaurant located in the Central Coast Wine country. The restaurant focuses on really great, local ingredients and uses French techniques. Which is similar to one of my favorite restaurants located in Berkeley, California. After learning about this, I was already sold and this place has been on my list of places to go for a long time now. The service and attentiveness is impeccable from all the team members here. The place feels upscale, yet casual enough where it doesn't feel stuffy at all. I was heading up from LA to go to a beer festival in Paso Robles and made it a point to stop by here on the way. There's plenty of parking along the street. I didn't know exactly what time I was able to get into the area, so I slept on buying the talk reservation and there was a cut off the day of. Luckily, I was by myself and I was able to walk in and have dinner at the bar. I believe they only do prix fixe for dinner with a selection between options at three different points of the meal (they do more a la carte at lunch time). Price as of 5/2024 was $110 that doesn't include service charge and tax. Honestly - with the level of service and delicious meal, this feels like a great value. I added a little extra on top of the service charge. I was greeted at the beginning with a welcome sparkling wine pour which went well with the first dish. The menu was as of 5.31.24 which featured a lot of great ingredients from spring/ summer. A run down of my wonderful meal (I also ordered the Cabernet Franc based on their recommendation which went well with the items I chose throughout): - Santa Barbara Sea Urchin w/ Regiis Ova caviar on a mille crepe: a great way to start and went well with the sparkling wine - Beet soup - given as an 'in between' to the starter and rest of meal and was so great. Served slightly chilled. - Bell's Seeded Sourdough w/ Stepladder Creamery cultured butter - Finley Farms Lettuces w/ shallot and medjool date vinaigrette. I really loved that dressing. - Tourtiere w/ sweet peas, sorrel, mustard vinaigrette. A wonderful savory meat pie. - Copper River Sockeye Salmon w/ fava beans and asparagus gremolata. So tasty and so beautifully presented. I partially chose this because I wanted to balance it out from the meat I had from the pie. - Big Sur dessert cheese with apricot jam and house made crackers. Don't usually have cheese for dessert, but I loved this so much. And it was another choice that went really well with my Cabernet Franc that I ordered. - House made chocolates. This came with the bill. One last bit of deliciousness before I left, lol. I really enjoyed this restaurant and I can't say enough good things. I was so excited about it that when I told my good buddy and his wife about it, they ended up eating here for lunch on the way back down, haha. I definitely recommend this place if you have a chance or are in the area or pass on through. read more

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Incredible experience. Sometimes the little kept secrets are the best. We were staying in Los Alamos and a friend urged us to try this place. Best suggestion of the trip. The menu changes weekly and we chose the 4 course pre fixed dinner menu We had a reservation for 4 to celebrate my daughter's birthday. Mike was amazing and rushed to help us move our reservation to the patio to accommodate our family who needed to bring our dog due to an emergency The patio was perfect. Quant with loads of ambiance and a touch of Christmas magic. The heaters and wool blankets were perfect. So cozy and perfect All the things: Personally greeted from Mike when we walked in, to the custom birthday menus printed, the attention to my allergies, the super attentive staff and the superb food. A chefs kiss indeed. We drove over 2 hours and incorporated this into our trip. We were that impressed. Would do it again read more

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Came here for an early lunch on a weekday. Crowds were minimal. Lunch was superb, as always. We ordered the Bell's salad, the pate and the steak frites. The service was spectacular. Our waiter Moses was super kind, friendly, and attentive. Forgot the host's name but he was also great! Will definitely be coming back! read more