la.foodblogging

Sometimes you try a new restaurant because you know of it and plan to go there.

Sometimes you wind up trying a new one because you happen to stumble onto it. Unfortunately, I don’t bring my digital camera everywhere I go!

The other evening, I was near the Omni Hotel and decided to try the Noe Restaurant and Bar.

The first thing you will notice as you enter is that it is a pretty nice place. I’d say there were more people in the Bar than in the Restaurant. We were seated quickly and we asked what type of cuisine they offer. She said, well, it is kind of a mix, you know … very California … a mix of American, French and Japanese.

My first impression of a restaurant is often based on the bread they start you off with. Definitely a passing grade there!

The server pointed out some of the notable items in the menu. We were informed the most popular choices are the six or nine-course tastings. In that option, you give the chef a list of things you like and don’t like and he comes up with something! Intriguing but a bit out of our price range for this night.

We opted for the blue fin tuna nicoise for an appetizer. The seared blue fin tuna was terrific! It was very fresh. It was topped with an olive tapenade which is an interesting combination but worked for me.

We ordered the seared sea scallops, an appetizer item, for an entree and the black cod and braised short ribs.

The black cod and braised short ribs were okay. I don’t know, it just didn’t stand out. However, I did like the curried sweet corn with rice beneath but the cod and ribs didn’t make much of an impression.

The scallops were great! It was on a bed of mixed mushrooms, duck hash, minced shallot, ginger and what tasted like some kind of balsamic vinegar reduction.

For dessert, we had flourless white chocolate cake with ice cream. Heavenly!

Quick run-down:
Atmosphere - nice, upscale, good for conversation, on a warmer evening sitting outside would be ideal.
Service - very attentive.
Food - 3 out of 4 items were terrific.
Price - a little on the higher side for modest sized portions. We got out of there at $85 tax and tip. You are getting atmosphere and certainly if you opt for the chef choice tasting you are getting very personalized service. I would definitely visit again for dessert. For dinner, it is a tad pricey, but I suppose if you went for the tasting it would be quite an experience.

Noe Restaurant and Bar
251 South Olive Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-356-4100

By Rene (see more of his posts). You can find more of Rene's writing at his own website Rene's Ramblings