Is it open? Is it closed?
One second it's closed for good, and the next an irritated Alain Giraud is claiming, "It's bullshit...We're open, we're gonna stay open."
All I knew was that I had a Groupon with Anisette's name on it, and I wasn't letting that go to waste.
Incidentally, this was also the first day we finally had everyone back in the apartment. Denise just returned from a trip to NY (which included a dinner at Babbo that I am quite envious of), and this was the first meal the three of us would share together. There could not have been a more perfect place for a nice Sunday brunch with just the girls.
For me, every delicious bite was bittersweet.
Anisette Brasserie [closed]
225 Santa Monica Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Pain au Chocolat
Just as good as I remembered, and I remembered it being pretty good. Nice and buttery and flaky with chocolaty batons. It still impressed me even though I literally just returned from Paris.
Quiche du Jour
Lobster and Crab
I didn't even notice quiche on my menu until Christine pointed it out to me. Quiche sounded good. It sounded even better when we found out that the quiche of the day was a lobster and crab quiche. It light and fluffy, with noticeable chunks of lobster and crab meat--all on top of a buttery, flaky crust. The butter leaf lettuce salad was dressed in a tangy vinaigrette (perhaps with sherry vinegar?) with shallots and chives.
Prime Steak Tartar
Spicy Dijon Vinaigrette, Egg
We ordered the full portion this time around and it came topped with a chicken egg yolk as opposed to the tiny quail egg yolk I experienced last time. Chicken egg yolk is not as cute. I also wasn't as impressed with the tartar this time--the flavors were all there but the meat was a little too tough. However, the full portion came with a tall cone of warm fries. These frites were pretty amazing. Fluffy inside and perfectly golden outside with a generous sprinkling of salt.
Onion Soup Gratinee
Emmental Cheese & French Baguette
The onion soup was good like I remembered and still better than the majority I've had in Paris. Gooey cheese, soft caramelized onions, and croutons imbued with the rich, deeply flavored soup.
Pate Maison
Duck & Foie Gras Parfait, Madeira Gelée
You know you've got a good apartment-mate when she can eat share of the pâté :)
We're going to have a good year full of good eats :)
So it seems that the latest news is that Anisette will be shuttered for good. I guess I need to find new Parisian escape for now. Au Revoir, Anisette. Hello, Bouchon?
awww, fun. nothing like bonding over eats. have a good year at school!
ReplyDeleteSo are your new roommates all foodies too? That could be dangerous!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you made it before it closed!
ReplyDeleteYou guys are all so adorable! :)
Closed for good? I hope not. Anisette is one of those restaurants that has the ability to transport you to a distant country by walking through the front door. The interior is reminiscent of a real French brasserie, making one completely oblivious that they are still in Santa Monica. The onion soup is quite amazing with its cheese crust that surrounds the onion soup treasure at the center. I have never been there for brunch but my dinners at this local restaurant have always been on point. With that said, I can’t believe they are really closed. I was there recently for some after dinner dessert that was just perfect. Hopefully they will some how find a way to keep the doors open.
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