Have you ever experienced a dinner so perfect, so close to heaven that you will never forget it, ever? Even some of my fellow Yelp Elites have to admit that this is the best restaurant in Los Angeles!
Never mind that it didn't make the Michelin Guide (LA is has not been a part since 2008), it at least deserves a place among the illustrious San Pelligrino 50 Best Restaurants in the World. No lItalic (Ctrl+I)uck here either. (Sadly, no LA eateries made this list. What is this world coming to?) However, I am giving Providence my own rating of 5 Yelp stars and one of my
top 50 restaurants.
So it was our second anniversary dinner. (We alsways celebrate week day anniversaries at Carbon Beach Club). The beautiful little restaurant on Melrose and Cole is unlike
anything I've ever experienced. Patrons are made to feel as though you are being "waited on" by your own butler. This is the epitome of fine dining. Service is phenomenal and every detail is attended to.
You can start with a specialty cocktail ($15) like the Insane Bolt angustora bitters, Smith and Cross rum, luxardo maraschino, fresh lime, and orgreat, or a glass of beer or wine (prices vary $8-$60) but it's more fun to
order the wine pairing menu. Without further ado, on to the food. All dinners are available only as tasting menus. We began with the restaurant's signature amuse bouche, the Dark and Stormy. Black rum, lime juice, and ginger
bring a lively burst of flavor in a jellified form called reverse spherification. This is a very cool molecular way of cooking and I'm not about to try it at home! Slide the D&S off the spoon and call it a cocktail! Our next
amuse bouche was the Scallop Nasturtium. Fresh diced cured scallops and crunchy sushi rice are served in a nasturtium wrapper. This was one of our favorites dishes! Our next delight, "Chips and Dip" was one of the most delicious dishes I have ever
tasted. Crispy salmon skin served as the chips while lemon creme fraiche acted as the dip. Pea soup made from a roasted halibu bone was a bit salty but then again, so am I. The breads were fantastic. The bacon brioche is stellar and the Nori
bread is so different that we had to order more. Top either with the housemade Normandy butter, and you don't need anything else! But wait, we haven't even gotten started! The Maine Lobster with blood orange is tender and sweet, and is a perfect
starter. King Alaskan Salmon accompanied by the most flavorful fava beans ever cooked, was also sheer perfection. For dessert we had the Chocolate Marquis which is possibly created by an angel. Chocolate sorbet, flourless chocolate cake,
candied nibs, and chocolate chantilly should be the perfect end to a perfect meal. But it wasn't the end! After this our awesome server brought beautiful madelines and peach jellies. The madelines evoked my feelings about Proust's Remembrance
of Things Past. I've always had a great long-term memory and remember eating madelines just like these as a kid. Be prepared to shell out a lot for this meal, but know the excitement and the memories will be worth it! Dinner begins
at $100 per person, $140 with wine pairing (4 Course Providence Market Menu) $140/$210 (6 Course Providence Market Menu) $215/$290 (Signature and Seasonal Menu). I didn't say it was cheap, but it's life changing! Providence 5955 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles (323) 460-4170 Resrervations Required. Hours: Mon-Thurs: 6:00 pm-10:00 pm, Friday 12:30 pm- 2:00 pm, 6:00 pm-10:00 pm, Sat: 5:30 pm-10:00 pm, Sun: 5:30 pm-9:00 pm
Recommended Dishes: Um...everything!