As you get closer to Church & State Bistro in Los Angeles, your first thought is, “Where the hell am I?” The restaurant is located in the warehouse district of Los Angeles, a few blocks away from the Los Angeles Produce Market that is located at Olympic and Alameda.  When looking at the surrounding area, you are very thankful there is a manned parking lot very close to the restaurant.

Tracy and I had heard great reviews about Church & State from both friends and business acquaintances, so we asked our friends Burt and Paula to join us for a Sunday evening dinner.

Since we were going to a concert after dinner, the group arrived when the place opened at 5:30, and there were already people sitting at the beautiful bar.  By the time we left, the place was packed.

We started with a Kir Royale, sparkling wine with Crème de Cassis ($13).  Upon being seated, we were notified that on Sunday evening, there was only the $39 prix fixe menu available, which was fine with us (I will add to this review when we return for the regular menu, foreshadowing the fact we really enjoyed this place).

The prix fixe meal had three choices for the Plats Principaux (which will be mentioned later.  We all started with an amuse-bouche (a single, bite-sized hors d’œuvre).  According to my web dictionary, “Amuse-Bouche are different from appetizers in that they are not ordered from a menu by patrons, but, when served, are done so according to the chef's selection alone.”  And here I thought an amuse-bouche was just a funny bouche.

Our amuse-bouche turned out to be a Radish and Butter with a Lemon Zest and Sea Salt.  I cannot tell you the last time I ate a radish, but damned if it wasn’t good.

Next up was a Tarte aux Champignons, a Tarte with Carmelized Onions, Gruyére and Mushrooms.  This was spectacular, as evidenced by the fact that the entire appetizer was devoured in a matter of seconds by the group.

Our third course, the Salade de Roquette, an Argula Salad with Shaved Parmesan and Lemon Vinaigrette was also quite tasty.  Now we finally had to make a decision.

The three choices for Plats Principaux were (1) Gnocchi, consisting of Gnocchi, Pea Shoots, Artichoke Slices, Truffle Oil in a Parmesan Cream Sauce; (2) Saumon, which was Salmon, Potato Fondant, Braised Swiss Chard and a Lemon-Chive Beurrmonte or (3) Longe de Porc Rôti, a Roasted Pork Loin and Pulled Pork Cheeks with Button Mushrooms.  Three of us chose the pork while Burt opted for the salmon.  Both were delicious.  I was going to try the Gnocchi, since I am a Gnocchi freak, but I had just had it a couple of nights before.

Church & State has an extensive wine list, and although corkage is 20 bucks, if you buy one off of their list, they will waive the corkage fee on your bottle.  That’s what we did.  We bought a bottle of  2007 Domaine Michelot Bourgogne Rouge - Meursault for $52 and brought a bottle of Wilson Petit Syrah.

Now it was time for dessert, and the menu just stated it would be a selection of house-made desserts.  What a selection it turned out to be. 

Staring us in the face next were four desserts that all were scrumptious.  I think the Chocolate Coffee Pot de Creme was the best of the lot, but the Creme Brulée, Pistachio Cherry Pie and Chocolate Mousse Pie were all great, too.

Church & State gets a 4.7 for food, a 4.7 for ambiance and for the prix fixe meal it also receives a 4.7 Maitai rating.  Tracy and I will be returning to this restaurant soon for the regular menu and will report back on how that compares to the prix fixe menu.  Judging from last Sunday’s dinner, I have high expectations.

FACTS:

Church & State Bistro

1850 Industrial Street  •  #100

Los Angeles CA  90021

Phone: 213.405.1434

Lunch:  Monday - Friday: 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Dinner:  Monday - Thursday: 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Dinner:  Friday: 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Dinner:  Saturday:  5:30 p.m., - 11:00 p.m.

Dinner:  Sunday:  5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

(featuring a special “Church On Sunday” 5-course prix fixe menu for $39)

Parking Lot (kitty corner to restaurant):  $5

www.churchandstatebistro.com