Providence LA Restaurant Review, Los Angeles

Reviewer: Foodnut.com Providence 5955 Melrose Avenue (Near Cole) Los Angeles, CA 90038 (323) 460-4170 Providence Website Book Reservation

Why did we dine here? – Providence is a seafood restaurant run by chef, Michael Cimarusti. It has been top rated and focuses on seafood in its purest and simplest form. Located in Patina’s formerly digs, this restaurant was our fine dining destination on our recent trip to LA.
The modern decor features an ocean theme with barnacles and fins hugging the walls. 2 Michelin Stars in 2009.

Insider Tip – Take time to experience the tasting menu

Cuisine – Seafood
Location – Los Angeles
Opened – 2005

Service – Providence had excellent service with knowledgeable servers constantly passing by to take care of our requests.
Verdict – Providence fulfilled our expectations of fine seafood, elegant decor, and top notch service. Give it a try if you are looking for the 3 ingredients.
Extensive wine selection with wine by the glass from $12, bottles from $30.

Providence Signature Dishes – Seafood

Providence’s Menu has a wide ranging a la carte menu and 3 different tasting menus from $100 to $175, with optional wine pairings. The emphasis is on seafood, from raw starters to fish and lobster entrees.

Website Providence Menu

Full Providence image set

Providence Food Picks:
Mojito ($15) was good and strong.

4 kinds of warm homemade bread – Bacon, Seaweed, Olive, baguette

3 Amuses – Gruyere cheese puff, mushroom soup, smoked trout with creme fraiche on a crispy fried salmon skin. Nice start.

the ugly bunch – Geoduck, abalone and sea urchin, smoked crème fraîche panna cotta ($26) was a fun looking dish full of fresh shellfish. They may look funky but they hit the spot. Savory bed of panna cotta.

live Santa Barbara spot prawn appetizer ($39) – salt roasted with rosemary, lemon and virgin olive oil were pan cooked in the salt and finished table side. Local, fresh, what else could you want? Three large prawns carved and bathed in olive oil and lemon. Pure and simple.

foie gras ravioli – black winter truffles, aromatics, parmesan ($35) was highly recommended and very good. Lots of rich truffle and foie in each bite.

foie gras sauté – pears, golden raisins, moscato vinegar, spiced molasses cookie crumbs ($26) Damn the ban! Smooth foie along with crunchy and sweet bits.

wild striped bass (Delaware) puree of spring onion, charred Maui onion vinaigrette, nasturtium ($48) had large chunks of perfectly cooked meat. Exotic accompaniments.

liberty farms duck breast (Sonoma, CA) – tutti fruiti farms nantes carrots, walnuts, black trumpet mushrooms, bloomsdale spinach, sauce velour ($43) had 2 huge medium rare slices of perfect duck. Beautiful crisp skin and tender breast meat.

prime new york steak (Nebraska) – charcoal grilled zuckerman farms green asparagus, California morels, emulsion of bone marrow ($51) was excellent with strong deep flavors. Cooked to a medium rare with a caramelized crust.

whipped mild chocolate ganache ($12) kaffir lime, banana, blueberry, galangal, wild rice was from pastry chef David Rodriguez. Smooth chocolate, savory ice cream.

daily selection of sorbet ($9 each) Guava and Mango were clearly home made.

Mignardises included brittle, fruit gelee, caramels, madelines. A nice finish to a strong meal.

OK: (Order if you like this dish)
None

Pans: (We would not reorder these dishes)
None

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