Insider Pages Reviews for Providence

2 Stars: Great ambiance, terrible food (by chaparyan)

chaparyan — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 02:00:00 GMT

The place looks great, but the food had almost no flavor. My fianc?e got the lobster and I got the steak. Neither had any flavor. My steak tasted boiled and wasn't cooked to my liking. I spent $220 and went home hungry.

5 Stars: The Best Ever (by SaraFischer)

SaraFischer — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Pretty pricey but worth a special occasion! We did the full tasting menu and we're delighted with every single bite! Amazing!

5 Stars: FANTASTIC (by pasquale)

pasquale — Mon, 11 May 2009 02:00:00 GMT

They have the most creative food and best ingredients in town.Professional, friendly and well organized service.Hands down the best service in L.A.
This restaurant is constantely improving.
I'm very impressed.Bravo!!!

4 Stars: great food, expensive (by sara c.)

sara c. — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:54:00 GMT

this isn't someplace I can eat very often, but when I do, it is memorable. The service is great and the food is delightful. The chef is really creative so I recommend the chef's tasting menu with the wine pairings.

Make reservations or you may face up to 30 minutes of wait time.

2 Stars: where's the flavor? (by sfgordo)

sfgordo — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Recently had date night at providence. Servers not recommending dishes because they say our palates may be different and there for there opinion is irrelevant is seriously annoying. other than that the food is all beautiful but completely lacking in depth of flavor. If you were to eat dinner with your eyes closed I think more people would be dissapointed. Also desserts while stunning were kind of gross.

5 Stars: #1 Restaurant in LA, NYC, Chicago, London - pick any city... (by yumseeker2009)

yumseeker2009 — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 01:00:00 GMT

This is my favorite restaurant in the world. I travel to NYC, Chicago, London, Paris and am lucky to get to eat at many top fine dining restaurants. Providence is #1. Cirramusti (sp?) is a true artist and this is our only special occasion restaurant in LA. On a recent visit, my favorite was an oyster chowder so foamy and light, with hot crunchy buckwheat on top --- how to describe the incredible feel of every bite, the amazing flavor. Also, the mixologist is awesome (I am sadly allergic to wine, so finding great specialy cocktails is a real treat for me). Some people try to compare Sona to Providence, but there is no competition. Also, the service at Providence is some of the best you will get in LA, helpful and not at all stuffy help make the food even more enjoyable.

5 Stars: Excellent Food / Exquisite Service (by betterChef)

betterChef — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 01:00:00 GMT

Searching for decent fine dining in Los Angeles has been hard lately - until now. Providence was one of the best dinner experiences I have had in years - since back in New York more than 5 years ago. Every course tasted was delicious and plated with such artful care. My two dining companions had glowing comments after dining here - and they usually have only negative remarks for reataurants. I highly recommend Providence for anyone who wants a truly high class and 5 star experience.

3 Stars: If you like crappy service, and food with no soul, you will love this restaurant. (by aussiechef)

aussiechef — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 01:00:00 GMT

The food was generally good, not outstanding but not awful either, and it certainly was not worth the price. A lot of foams, molecular gastronomy, sous-vide, and at over $100 per person (we did the 5-course tasting menu and two of us had the wine pairing), we still left the restaurant hungry.

I ate at Gordon Ramsay at The London in West Hollywood. The food was perfectly cooked, perfectly executed, and presented beautifully. It was too prefect. It had no soul, there was no passion. That was exactly what the food at Providence was like.

Unless you're someone important, the service is very "snooty", slow and not very welcoming. We were made to feel like second-class citizens, like we should be honored to eat there.

Then to top off the evening, chef Michael Cimarusti decided to grace us with his presence. He asked how everything was, we lied and said it was wonderful, then I said I had met him briefly when I went to his kitchen with a colleague of mine, while I was working as a sales rep for one of his food suppliers. I told him I didn't do that anymore, he asked what I was doing now, I told him I was a private chef. He gave me a look of disdain, and promptly left our table without even saying "goodbye", "good luck", "enjoy the rest of your evening", "nice meeting you" or anything. Just walked away without a word.

I don't get it. This is supposed to be the number three restaurant in Los Angeles??? Maybe L.A. restaurant goers like being treated badly, and eating very expensive, fairly ordinary, under-seasoned food.

At least the dear friend who treated my wife and I to dinner that evening is an absolute delight, and helped to make up for an otherwise lackluster evening.

5 Stars: There is no better place to eat.... (by foodlax)

foodlax — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 01:00:00 GMT

If you are a foodie, so to speak, you have to eat here, and eat here often. There is not a better restaurant than Providence. Easily the best restaurant I've ever been to. Service is impeccable, the food is absolutely devine, the decor is extraordinary. Even the bar is staffed by real mixologist and they make absolutely delicious cocktails on request. Just ask for a surprise and you will be pleased. I recommend the tasting menu, which I think should always be ordered any time you go into a place like this. The chef builds the house when it comes to fine dining, so you should always eat an entire lineup of their self-crafted menu items. I was blown away by the service complimenting my meal. This is a true dining experience, something beyond just good food. This was truly an experience. Yes the prices are high, but this is the cream of the crop. It's worth every penny you will spend.

3 Stars: nice but pricey! (by comedyman21)

comedyman21 — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 01:00:00 GMT

try GYENARI! i liked it better than providence

3 Stars: Where's The Heat? (by dgoshilla)

dgoshilla — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:00:00 GMT

Fantastic service, great apps and dessert but the main course was way off. I had the cod and it was severely undercooked. I was there for a special occasion so didn't tell the waiter. Funny enough, the last time I had something that was so undercooked was at another well established and reviewed restaurant here in LA. I can't catch a break!

5 Stars: Bacon is always better! (by kayinla)

kayinla — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:00:00 GMT

Many have talked about the great food overall, including the seafood -- which is all true. Even the bread is good (especially the bacon roll). But don't forget to have the "chowda"!! There are pieces of bacon throughout, and the bacon taste is also infused throughout the chowda. It is amazing!

As an aside, Chef Cimarusti asked us how we enjoyed the meal as we were leaving and even opened and held the door open for us as we were leaving!! That was a treat!

5 Stars: A Special Treat (by butterflymaiden)

butterflymaiden — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:00:00 GMT

We were treated like Royalty as we watched a parade of waiters (we were a party of 10) bring each course of the 9 course tasting in unison..... not missing a beat or a course. The sommelier was warm and very unpretentious and gave excellent recommendations including a sake that surprise me.... but was perfect.. At the end they let us back in the kitchen which alone was worth the trip. Spotless!

5 Stars: Wow!! (by jfoodsnob)

jfoodsnob — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:00:00 GMT

So I went here because it was recomended by a close friend who is also a TV star. He said they have the best seafood in LA, and I can tell you now....they do!!! I went on a Tuesday night, wasn't too busy, but it was definitely full. Got seated after a drink at the bar... the drink and the bartender were amazing. She was very personable and made a great bourban drink up on the spot that I will not soon forget. Sat down and had the 9 course tasting, but with extra courses it came out to be about 11 courses. Everything was super tasty, and just kept getting better. I am not a fan of salmon, but this salmon dish they had has turned me into a fan. The veal at the end was the best I have ever had. Service was not stuffy at all... our servers (there were many) were all very professional but also very friendly. Not snooty at all. I will def recomend this place to everyone I know, and even those i don't!

5 Stars: The best restaurant I have ever been to (by alon_raphael)

alon_raphael — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Technical perfection on every level. My only even mild, slight complaint would be the lack of interactivity with service; while professionally charming, they are a bit on the stuffy side. However, they are not overbearing and attention to detail is immaculate. In every other respect, Providence sets the bar.

5 Stars: Hands down the bst restaurant I've been to in LA. (by msmerymac)

msmerymac — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 02:00:00 GMT

My boyfriend and I had our anniversary dinner and Providence and WOW what an experience. The service, atmosphere and food were all impeccable. We've been to other Michelin starred restaurants in LA before, and while they were great, this one was the best.

We got there about 45 minutes early and started at the bar, which I can only describe as old-fashioned swanky, like something in a noir film. The drinks were really good - not quite as good as the drinks at CUT, but also a little cheaper, so it evened out. The bartenders we great too. The host was able to get us a table earlier than what our reservation was for, which was nice of him - our service the entire night was perfect.

Dana, the sommelier, was really good and the wine she picked for us was perfect (we wrote down what it was so we can find it later). She also came back to make sure we liked our selection. I've almost never had a sommelier do that, sadly. While the tasting menu and the cheese plate looked amazing, we had our heart set on the Turbot for two - it is, after all, a seafood restaurant and if we're going to get Turbot anywhere in LA, we're going to do it right. Of course, they carved it right at the table and it was fantastic. Our side dishes were pretty excellent, including the lobster risotto. I'm still not sure what the amuse bouche was, but it was served in a spoon with a little shot glass of some sweet liquid that looked like a little beer mug and went from cold to hot. We got the dessert tasting menu of five different desserts with wine pairings. So good! The restaurant is really off the beaten path, in the un-hip part of Melrose, but definitely worth the trip!

5 Stars: A superb dining experience that has no competition! (by floristguy)

floristguy — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Providence lives up to the hype!
Dining experience is something that is overused in my opinion way too often to describe High priced restaurants and most of the time you leave disappointed & hungry.
BUT NOT WITH THIS RESTAURANT!
Truly a dining experience that was worth every penny and did not disappoint on any level. Our group went there to celebrate a 65th birthday and all of us were extremely happy. For a special occasion I highly recommend this place, we are not wealthy people and I felt we had full value for what this wonderful restaurant provided.
Oyster appetizer and their chowder are exceptional & the best we ever had.
(This is really saying something since 3 of us are from New England!
All of us opted for full dinners instead of the 5, 9 or 14 course meals. (Though we will try it the next time)
At our table we had Muscovy duck, Halibut, Prime NY steak, Lobster and all outstanding and none of us left the table hungry. I will be recommending this first rate restaurant to everyone I know.

5 Stars: Best Chef Course Experience (by byanlor)

byanlor — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 02:00:00 GMT

We were thrown back to great Water Grill experience we have a few years back. We were impress, but we wanted to experience the chef course meal to find out how good the meal really can be. It was an 3 plus hours of pleasure of the sense. We had around 15 course of dishes with everything you can imagine. And each dish does something different than the last. The various cooking style shows off how amazing the chef was. It was an experience that's hard to top.

4 Stars: expensive great experience (by bigbelly29)

bigbelly29 — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I finally made the drive, after I have been recommend to come here for many months, and I was not disappointed. It was two of us, we both had the nine course tasting meal and one of us paired it with wine. it took us about three hours to be done with dinner . Overall without going into too many details, every course was really good except the second appetizer we got served which wasn't bad, but just nothing exceptional. Dishes presentation was a big part of the experience and every fish course was impeccable. the service was very professional and attentive. the atmosphere overall is a little stuffy. I would definitely recommend trying it, but because of the high prices and very formal atmosphere, it is not a place where I would come very often

4 Stars: Delicious tasty entrees (by heartdesigngirl)

heartdesigngirl — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:00:00 GMT

I love this place. the service is great and the food is delish. I got the 5 course meal and each bite was delicious. you will love this place if you love seafood.

everything is cooked to perfection.

the scallops are to die for.

5 Stars: One of the best experiences in Los Angeles for fine dinning. (by jraposa)

jraposa — Mon, 19 May 2008 02:00:00 GMT

What a great restaurant. The service matched the food for perfection.

Went with friends and sat at the bar on a Thursday night. The female bartender was knowledgeable and very professional. We all ordered different specialty drinks and she took her time and made them as only a pro would know how.

We had heard about the prawns cooked in salt that is served tableside. They were as good as we had heard, in fact so good we ordered another round of them.

It is nice to go to a restaurant in Los Angeles where service is so good. Many places we go do not properly train their staff to attention. Here at Providence they do.

5 Stars: wow factor (by PhooDelicious)

PhooDelicious — Mon, 12 May 2008 02:00:00 GMT

Decor: good balance of minimalism and decoration. Minimalistic is boring often times. This place had an understated elegance yet the coral candelight holder and sea shells on the wall give the place a specific personality without being too contrived considering it is a seascape scene.

Service: impeccable. The manager greeted us and intoduce the drink menus. Recommend wines upon request and brought out tastings. The water glass was always filled, never have to ask. The pacing of the food was just long enough to make you anticipate the next course without running into each other but not too long to make you antsy. The waiter offered to show us the table overlooking the kitchen and walked us to the bathroom, etc.

Food. There was definitely wow factor. If not wow for each and every course, then for the experience as a collective. I contemplated the 9 course but the waiter sensed my hesitation and thought I should consider a more modest consideration for my introduction to the establishment. I did special request a more meat oriented 5 course to try to get some variety. In the end, I had sweet bread instead of the fresh unagi, both scrumptous in it's own right. The muse of mojito in a mochi bubble seved on a spoon was... amusing. All the seafood course were excellent though I thought it stopped just short of the pop factor which defines exceptional quality. In fairness, it only happened a few times in my life and I think water grill some years ago was the last time I remembered it. The main course was a veal cooked in a 100% humidity oven at 135 for 6 hrs. Did you have that? So while it is still rare and the meat retain all the juice, it's not bloody when you cut into it and it is very tender. Dessrt was an interesting play on the peanut butter and banana concept. Not necessarily my fav but my friend loved it cause those are her comfort food fav and since it's her birthday, it was perfect.

4 Stars: Providence (by Shireen R.)

Shireen R. — Sat, 10 May 2008 22:36:00 GMT

This contemporary seafood restaurant has received several awards. It is located at the old Patina building on Melrose. It is fine dining at its best with delicious food and good service.

5 Stars: Great customer service, great food (by wmj)

wmj — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:00:00 GMT

This restaurant is pricey but totally worth it. They have great service, and fill you up with several courses and several complimentary accompaniments. The tasting menus are a good deal, and great if you're looking for a very full dinner. Everything we had was delicious. Totally worth a revisit. Definitely recommended for a special occasion. I'm sure they'd take care of you great!

5 Stars: not just a meal... an experience (by Amber5050)

Amber5050 — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 01:00:00 GMT

If you don't have a budget, then this is the best indulgence within the restaurant realm. I went on a saturday night with a reservation. The place was crowded, but the host made sure to welcome us and walk us straight to our table. We opted for the $110 meal which included all sorts of small-proportioned dishes (similar to tapas) and wine pairing for each one. I was told this place is more of an experience and not just a place to eat... I learned that to be 100% true.

Each creative delight came with an explanation... our waiter would come out and explain to us what the dish was and some other fun little facts. The waiter also talked about the wine that came with it. They all give you so much attention if you ask for this particular meal. It was clear to see that they viewed it all as an art and truly enjoyed serving the dishes. Unlike other Tapas places I've been to, the food actually filled me up because it wasn't just one or two dishes, it must have been like 12 dishes! The wine selection is amazing too! Don't confuse this place with some fufu frilly restaurant because the proportions are small and the menu is expensive, it is absolutely worth every dollar. I would highly recommend this place!!

4 Stars: Enjoyable fine-dining experience (by wyrm11)

wyrm11 — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 01:00:00 GMT

I have a lot of good things to say about Providence. They bailed us out on a Sunday night when I wanted to find a place to take a friend for a birthday dinner. We didn't have reservations for a party of 4, but they found a way to fit us in and treated us great. The service is excellent and the food is very flavorful. My friend is an executive chef so he knows his food and he enjoyed it. We all had the tasting menu (everyone has to get it if you want a tasting menu) and virtually every single course was full of flavor and very tasty. Of course you're going to have to pay at a place like this, but that's to be expected. Another pleasant surprise was that the adjacent street has plenty of street parking (at least on a Sunday night) so we didn't even need to valet the car. The place is small though so I wouldn't go without reservations if possible.

5 Stars: Soulful and memorable... (by sugarmamanyc)

sugarmamanyc — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 01:00:00 GMT

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Chef Michael Cimarusti's love and passion for his work is exuded in every aspect of his warm and welcoming restaurant. This restaurant has a soul. You can feel it from the first bite, and see it in the service. Thank you so very much, Chef, for making our meal so very memorable. You and your excellent staff have my deepest respect and admiration.

5 Stars: my fave special-occasion restaurant! GREAT desserts (by burumun)

burumun — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 02:00:00 GMT

after getting their tasting menu on my first visit, this has become my new favorite!!! (not cheap but the tasting menu IMO is the way to go!)
Besides the awesome food their desserts are very innovative and well executed!

I have more review and pictures in my blog (at gourmetpigs.blogspot ) if u wanna see how good their dishes look :P

5 Stars: Best Restaurant in Los Angeles (by keyframegirl)

keyframegirl — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Romantic ambiance, artistic and flavorful food, Providence has just become my husband and my favorite restaurant in Los Angeles. The waiters were patient and helpful and the food was superior. This is what dining out should be like everywhere!! We will be returning!!

2 Stars: Tasting menu was a 5-hour marathon; slow service for a fancy restaurant (by cheekydiner)

cheekydiner — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I recently took out a friend for a thank you dinner. We had a 6 pm seating (dont know why that was the only time given since the restaurant was mostly empty for awhile). We ordered cocktails and the 9-course tasting menu with wine pairings since we thought that it would highlight the best the restaurant had to offer. Our first plate did not come out for at least 1 hr, I forgave them since we were late for our seating. But the rest of the food came out so slowly--we did not not leave the place until 11:30 pm!! It would have been worse if, by the 6th course, we had not flagged anyone walking by -- most of whom reassured us ("Its coming out soon") but still no food. Our main waiter basically abandoned our table and when the food eventually came, it was dropped off without any explanation. As an example, it was at least 45 mins after our cheese course before we got the next course (which was not a warm plate). Meanwhile, the table across us who ordered a la carte (seated 2 hrs after us) got their appetizer, entree, dessert and check. The food may have been good, but the wait was too long between courses and I was drowning my hunger and sorrows with the wine pairings. When we finally got the manager's attention, he apologized and gave us an extra dessert (didnt want one) and took 1 of the tasting menus off the bill ($105), but not the related wine pairing. While the discount was helpful, they cant give back my time or replace what should have been a celebratory dinner with a friend. I was happy and ready to pay for good food and good service anyway. Ive had tasting menus at Sona and other nice places and service is absolutely critical. A heads-up explanation early on about the kitchen being backed up would have gone a long way to manage our expectations, instead we were abandoned. Providence was such a disappointment -- happy to take the order but not happy to serve. Stay away from the tasting menu unless you want to grow older and hungrier while waiting.

4 Stars: Excellent Food, but be prepared to spend some time there. (by netpark)

netpark — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I've been here three times. The first time the valet managed to scratch my porsche bumper. The restaurant said they couldn't do anything about it so beware with low sports cars in Valet.
I let that one go and went again two weeks ago opting to park a block away on the street. The food has always been excellent here. I went on a tuesday night and Providence was 75% full. The service was painfully slow and we did not order a fixed course menu. It took almost 3 hours for the two of us. In fine restaurants the wait staff usually can sense when someone wants to get out of there a little faster than normal. I was looking around for a waiter 5 minutes after every plate.

5 Stars: Best Fine Dining Restaurant in LA (by docmarv)

docmarv — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I took my wife to Providence for her birthday on Friday. We had a relatively early dinner and thus got lots of staff attention. Both our captain and our server were flawless: friendly but professional; always close by but never obtrusive; knowledgeable but not snooty. After perusing the menu and consulting with our server, we both opted for the fixed tasting menu (around 8 courses) with wine pairings. Other options included a mini-tasting menu (about 5 courses) and a "surprise" chef's menu of about 13 courses (as well as 'a la carte' of course). We found that 8 (small) courses was just the right amount of food.

The food was perfect, stunning, memorable -- I can't praise it enough. Each plate was more beautiful and delicious than the next. Chef Cimarusti never puts more than four or five elements on a plate, but each one is so perfect and flavorful that he will win you over to minimalism for sure.

One of the specials on the night we were there was done as follows: the chefs heated a mixture of rock salt and rosemary in the oven; they then tossed a live giant prawn into a dish and buried it in the hot salt; the dish was then wheeled tableside where a server extracted the now cooked prawn from its salty, rosemary-infused mound and carved it open for eating. This one special says a lot about Providence: innovative; minimalist; super fresh; and dramatic. Yum, I can't wait to go back!

5 Stars: A Tasting Dinner From Heaven... (by bvanlent)

bvanlent — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 02:00:00 GMT

After having read much praise about how Mr. Cimarusti had transformed Water Grill, I had to try out his own place. I was taken there for my birthday dinner last August and it couldn't have been a better dining experience. From the moment we walked in, I knew it was going to be a fine evening. Since we were heading to a show afterwards, we made an early reservation (6:00), which is really the best way to get a lot of attention from the staff ;-)

Our beautiful waiter (also a Leo I might add) was superb, and had our cocktails in minutes. She was knowledgeable, charming, and attentive. She recommended the tasting menu and it was truly one of the top 3 meals I have ever had. Each course was perfectly prepared, imaginative, and delicious...and each paired with an excellent wine choice. And it was the perfect amount of food. Like Patina of old, the cheese cart was a wonderful way to end the dinner. As it happens, I'll be spending my birthday dinner there again this coming Saturday. Ask for the main dining room on the periphery if you would like more privacy.

It was an all-around winner for me!

3 Stars: Great food but don't understand the server and check operations. (by sylvanhills)

sylvanhills — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 02:00:00 GMT

The website and info gave me the idea that this place was one of the top restaurants in Los Angeles. I was sat quickly and my request from open table to have champayne delivered after seating was fullfilled. It took over ten minutes for our server to greet us and to receive menus. Once ordered food and wine, the ambience and service started to set in nicely. The food was excellent and the wine service was fine. But, we never received our 2nd course before the final course appeared. At the end, we decided not to order dessert as our waiter was too busy and did not want to wait forever for the final course. When we did receive our check, the food items that we never received was listed on the check. But, our $110.00 bottle of wine was not listed. I decided to inform our server and he corrected our check with apologies. I am not sure if both mistakes are the server or kitchen's mistake but either way, we won't be back. Would have easily spent more money and time if we were looked after better. Again, the food was great.

3 Stars: Excellent food but so-so service and boring decor (by hiphophead)

hiphophead — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Having read great reviews about this place and having frequented the Patina restaurant that was there previously, we decided to give this place a shot. We were disappointed that the decor hadn't changed much and was actually quite boring. The service was on the verge of being offensively terrible. Our waiter (some guy wth puffy hair) seemed somewhat condescending and was not really attentive. When I ordered our drinks, I saw him ask another waiter if he could get them for us. He wasn't helpful in describing the dishes either. Regardless, my wife and I really enjoyed the food. The blue crab appetizer was so fresh and tasty. My wife's thai snapper was cooked perfectly and had a crispy, salty crust. The dessert we shared, called Lychee-Shiso Sorbet, was probably one of the most original and delicious desserts I had ever had. So, the bottom line is that the food was great, but the decor and service were not. For the kind of prices you're paying, you deserve to have it all...

5 Stars: superb (by redbirdann)

redbirdann — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 02:00:00 GMT

Excellent meal, wonderful service, very light and tasty seafood. Our server was friendly and approachable. I loved every minute of it!

5 Stars: outstanding chef! (by pinkmonkeybanana)

pinkmonkeybanana — Sat, 12 May 2007 02:00:00 GMT

the food here is really phenomenal. and the service was great. dessert was such a treat as well. i will definitely be returning to eat here in the very near future. everything was just so outstanding. loved the whole experience!

5 Stars: Awesome Meal 2 nights in a row (by luvbooboo)

luvbooboo — Thu, 10 May 2007 02:00:00 GMT

First time in LA and had a bad time, but this restaurant made it so much better. The food was great. The shrimp salad amuse was so tasty. The fois gras was so buttery and sweet. The service was amazing. The staff was very educated and helpful. We went two nights in a row and both nights, the food was wonderful. The desserts were amazing also. The lollipops made us come back for more. My favorite is the coconut soup with passion fruit gelee and lychee sorbet. Next time I'm in LA, I will go back.

5 Stars: Very Fun Place (by chudjr)

chudjr — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 02:00:00 GMT

The food combinations are unique. Try the tasting menu. It was a blast. Instead of one large portion you get a bunch of small appetizer size plates so you can try a variety of items. It is not like the food is the best I have ever had, but it really is some of the most unique. The banana capsule desert was really unusual. If you want plain steak and baked potato, this is not the place for you.

I thought the service was terrific. The people were very friendly and down to earth. Not snobby like you find in some upscale restaurants. We went on a Thursday night, the place was full, but not hectic. The servers said Friday and Saturdays are really busy so you might want to go during the week.

5 Stars: My new favorite restaurant (by scc135)

scc135 — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 02:00:00 GMT

I randomly picked this place online and boy, was I lucky. A group of 4 came for dinner and when the amouse bouche of shrimp salad and carrot soup with curry foam came out, we loved it. The flavor combinations were out of this world. All we could talk about was what flavors we tasted and what they developed into, etc. The apps we ordered (foie gras a la plancha, chowda', scallop carpacio, lobster) were all amazing. Again, the flavor combos were great. Entrees (monkfish, tai snapper, and steak) were out of this world. Each cooked perfectly and tasted wonderful, flavor combos again making it great. After the entrees, we saw another table get these lollipop looking things. We asked our waiter what it was, and he smled and said, "let me get that for you." He brought each of us an orange and cardammom soda white chocolate lollipop that were the standout of the night. You were supposed to hold it in your mouth, and the chocolate shell melted in your mouth and the soda exploded out. Amazing. My girlfriend and I shared the dessert tasting menu, and everything was great again. The lollipop litchi-shiso sorbet and rice pudding stood out the most I think. They also had some pettite fours, the earl grey chocolates were my favorite. The food left such an impression on us, we made reservations to bring our friends the next night. The next day, the food was just as good and amazing. We did have one problem with one of our dishes which was overly salted. We notified the waiter and they immediately took it away and replaced it with whatever we wanted, no charge. They definitely went over the top to make sure we had the best time ever. I will definitely eat here again before my vacation in LA is over. The sommelier was very knowledgeable and helped us pick the perfect wine while letting us know about it. Chef Cimarusti even said hello after dinner. A perfect 10 in my book.

5 Stars: Amazing Meal!! (by prettyplaty)

prettyplaty — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 01:00:00 GMT

I took my boyfriend here for his 30th birthday with the intent to try the full tasting menu. I agree with one of the other reviewers- reservations here are difficult but that is almost par for the course with any similar restaurant. I'm not saying it's acceptable, but it's somewhat expected. The only decision we were debating was whether or not to do the wine pairing or not- after perusing the tasting menu, we decided to give it a shot. I have to say, the pairings made a big difference!! I was happy to see the diver scallops and kanpachi on the tasting menu- they were two items I had wanted to try anyway. I let one of the servers know that I have peanut/nut allergies and after perusing the menu, he assured me they would be able to accommodate me without changing the menu. We were first treated to an amuse bouche of dungeness crab and a cold pea soup after which we knew we were in for a great meal. Everything was artful, perfectly cooked, with delicate flavors that the wines helped bring out. The only disappointment was the John Dory- a white fish that was accompanied by a tomato salsa that we both felt was somewhat overpowering. In addition to the kanpachi and scallops, we loved the uni. It was probably my favorite in addition to a pork belly that was accompanied by an amazing broccolini mash. My only real complaint about the service would be that there was just too much movement on the floor which was a little distracting and a few times the wine was brought out and poured before we were finished with the previous wine. However, the course was never brought out before we were finished with the previous wine and the servers were extremely well versed in both the wines and the courses. I let one of the servers know it was my boyfriend's birthday and they brought out the final dessert with a candle. Each server came by at some point to say happy birthday. Final verdict: our meal lasted just over 3 hours and was pricey (but not crazy) but well worth it.

2 Stars: Alluring for the eye, awful for the stomach! (by mamatti)

mamatti — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

First off, getting the staff to change a reservation from 3 to 5 persons took divine intervention. The restaurant is beautiful and the bar is amazing. Try the pear martini; it?s life changing. The food-Not so good! My girlfriend started off with a salad. The salt was so overwhelming, she could not eat it. To her steak: The gaminess reminded me of hunting in Montana. I had the Tuna which was horrible. It was like I caught the fish off the pier. Overall the food is too salty and the flavors leave your stomach aching for TUMS.

5 Stars: wonderful restaurant (by georgelangus)

georgelangus — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

To celebrate a couple of birthdays, we could not have chosen a better restaurant.
Happy to see that they're doing well even on a tuesday night. (they deserve it)
We had a tasting menu and each dish was perfect!
Service was as good as it gets.I'm glad to see a restaurant that does not have a pretentious staff.
They have a reasonably priced wine list, (we drunk too much) and some great cocktails.
We loved it, loved it, loved it

5 Stars: AMAZING!! (by ahiatus)

ahiatus — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

We went Friday night for the first time. When we arrived they offered us the chef?s table, they just had a cancellation. It was awesome!!! The service was above and beyond. The food was almost to beautiful to eat. Everything we ordered was amazing. I realize that the next time we go we will probably not get as lucky to score the chef?s table. Regardless, this place is now one of our new L.A. favorites!

5 Stars: Good Times! (by vernie_25)

vernie_25 — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

I went to Providence a couple weeks ago on a Friday night and arrived a little early for my reservation. The host (who was very gracious) told us that the table wasn't ready yet, and to please wait in the bar until he came to get us. I wasn't too psyched about the table not being ready, but hey- I was a little early. We sat at the bar (which is some kind of gorgeous white stone? lit from underneath) and asked the Italian bartender to suggest some cocktails. I can't remember what my boyfriend had, but mine had tequilla and raspberries and was the best cocktail I have ever had- swear to God!!! When we were seated our server greeted us, then later brought menus that he explained in detail, even suggested a couple of courses that we ended up ordering and loving! One was the foie parfait- holy moly was this tasty! We added the parfait to the 5 course tasting menu and were very satisfied with every course-- the food was outstanding! The service was way above average. We sat in the back room with the wine cellar (the room that the "insider tips" on this site says not to sit in) and loved it. It looks into their wine cellar, was very cozy, and had great energy ! Overall, I loved every minute I spent at Providence and even made a reservation to go back for their V Day dinner!!

5 Stars: excellent - time and time again (by diego1966)

diego1966 — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

since dining at some of the finest restautants around the world - who would have thought that the consistantly best restaurant of recent times is located right in my own neighborhood. ive had the "full tasting", the "five course" and items from the regular menu and not only have i never been disappointed - i've been truly amazed. On my last visit just last week on a quiet monday night - the new crab cake was delicious (more crab than cake) - and the duck was probably the best duck i've ever had. The frozen banana dessert was a perfect finish. The staff is always so kind and friendly - the bartender remembered my favorite drink. ive been to providence for special occasions, with out of town friends, and sat by myself at the bar - always a great time every time.

5 Stars: overall awsome (by donanilo)

donanilo — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 01:00:00 GMT

My 3rd visit to this great seafood spot is definetely the best restaurant experience I've had in the whole 2006. The service was impeccable from host to sommelier to waiters, very knowledgeble and caring staff.
The food was wonderful, the presentation was beautiful.
We had the chef tasting menu; just perfect.
I'm very impressed.

3 Stars: Definitely Overrated! (by ecwr)

ecwr — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 01:00:00 GMT

My husband and I went there on a recent Friday for our wedding anniversary dinner. We had a 6:30pm reservation. We were 20 minutes late but they were quite gracious about it. There did not seem to be a problem though. The restaurant was practically bare at that time. I did not see why they could not have given us a 7:00pm table which is what we requested to begin with.

Decor-wise, they did not really do much to make it look significantly different from its Patina days. It looked a bit staid and dull.

Service was warm, friendly and knowledgeable. They gave us a complimentary anniversary candlelit sweet treat at the end of our meal.

I had the chowda for starters. It was too milky. No texture. Hubby had the foie gras which was ok. I had the NY Steak, medium. It was served well done. It was bone dry and chewy. My husband had the monkfish which was good.

All in all, we were not convinced the calibre of the cuisine warranted the price they charged. Overrated. We probably will not be back. And likely not to recommend. Pity the great staff.

3 Stars: just not very good; been twice....not again (by chancethegardner)

chancethegardner — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 01:00:00 GMT

ive now been twice in the last 45 days. james beard nominee? please. as much as i'd like- and my wallet- would like to tell you, that it was great, it fell short. Underseasoned kanpachi "crudo," bland lobster risotta, duck main dish- confit was not good, medallions werent tender, but well seasoned. While i enjoyed the rich flavir of the "chowda," it was heavy on the salt. The foie gras saute was good, but they forgot its accompanying sauternes. those at the table felt the main dishes were less than stellar.

The wait staff is very friendly and knowledgable. the desserts were argyably better than the mains- try the mojito sorbet if you like that flavor. wine prices are very reaonable and the sommelier is affable and helpful.
these prices are way over the top for this mediocre fare. i wont be going back which i regret because it is such a civilized and friendly place.

4 Stars: Maybe we came in on an off night... (by elisehwall)

elisehwall — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 01:00:00 GMT

We were seated in a perfect spot, in the high back booths at the front of the dining room. Our server, to start with, was wonderful and kept a smile on our face. Then the courses began. We opted for the Chef's Menu, which must be ordered by everyone at the table. There were about 11 or 12 courses and all of them were...unique. Some were wonderful, others you couldn't even swallow. There was an abundance of raw fish, which we expected, but after a while you can only have so much. Fois Gras was popular as well, although the truffle sauce on one plate was a bit strong and turned me off from tasting. As the night progressed we had different servers assist our primary, and pretty soon, he was no longer arriving! So our final waiter got a bit over zealous with his animated presentation of my husband's dish and stuck his finger in the food!! My husband said "thanks" and the guy licked his finger and said "oh that's good". We couldn't believe it and he did not replace the dish!! The desert course was the same, a few pluses and a few minuses. The Chef did come to our table, but how do you tell him that you are not pleased with what I am sure he believed was an amazing meal. Oh well, maybe we will try again, and next time just order right off the menu.

3 Stars: Not What I Expected! (by lisa_f)

lisa_f — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I have a dear friend of mind who was in town, and we always trying new restaurants. I have heard so much about this restaurant that I recommended to go there, and check it out. The restaurant is fairly small, but the atmosphere is elegant. The decor was fabulous, and warm. Now getting to what's more important...the FOOD. Not what I expected. The food was ok. I have been to plenty of other fine dining restaurant that have much better food. The presentation of the food is beautiful, but you have to follow up with flavorful food. Not the case here. The service was good, but my friend is known throughout the food and wine industry, and we tend to get top notch service usually no matter where we are. The amuse bouche was quite disappointing. The foie gras parfait was the star of the night. They did have a nice cheese selection. The sommelier was quite good, he choose some fabulous wines to go with our courses.

Was it worth 534 dollars.....no. We would have rathered have gone to another one of our favorites for this price, and actually be satisfied, instead of a roller coaster evening with the food.

3 Stars: Not worthwhile. (by pwctrojan)

pwctrojan — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 01:00:00 GMT

Took a friend of mine for a b-day dinner there last night and was not impressed. The host and the busboys were the best thing about the restaurant. Our waiter provided subpar service. It seemed as if he didn't want to be there and was not helpful at all. Bare minimum service at high end prices. Thought food might make up for the lackluster treatment, but was wrong there too. Friend got duck that tasted like roasted pork you get from a Chinese restaurant. I got the striped bass. Quality didn't seem too exceptional and to top it off, the "crispy skin" was not crispy at all. I almost felt like they let my dish sit there for well over 30 minutes and then just reheated it and served it to me. Spent well over $200 for a meal that my friend and I both agreed was okay, at best. Really, the only great thing about our experience was the company.

4 Stars: Not bad, Just not "9" worthy (by barefootpris)

barefootpris — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Recently, checked out Providence for their 9 course tasting menu and wine paring. Unfortunately, I had too high of expectations since it was rated a 9.7.

I dont mind the high prices, but I expect the all of the plates to be better then average. Out of the 9 dishes only 2, the curry scallops and asparagus soup, could be considered delicious and memorable. Website also not up to date with menu.
The staff was nice, but not very knowledgeable about the food and wine. They knew what was being served and basically read the labels off the wine bottles.

Nice, not great

5 Stars: Great Service, Great Food, Great Evening (by jkarmstr)

jkarmstr — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 02:00:00 GMT

My wife and I had the 9-course market menu with wine pairing, as we felt that this is the best way to sample high-end restaurants. We were not disappointed with any course (although the salmon was a little dull). The presentation of each dish was a work of art, and the combination of flavors, complex and sometimes unusual, worked very well indeed - the wine pairings were well selected and complimented each dish perfectly. The service was impeccable and flawless, although I felt a little sorry for the waiters as it looked like they were wearing brown sacks, not very flattering for them. Everyone was very polite and attentive and our overall dining experience was a great one, the meal lasted about 3 hours and we were not hurried at any point throughout the evening. The waiters took the time to describe each dish in great detail, and the same with the wines, and were keen to answer any questions we had about the food. I'd highly recommend this restaurant for that special occasion, and don't hold back, go for the full dining experience.

5 Stars: A Special Occasion Splurge (by missfoodie2006)

missfoodie2006 — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I went on a fantastic special occasion date here recently and had a great meal! The atmosphere is minimalist, with a slight nautical influence, in keeping with the chef's seafood theme. My boyfriend and I had the 9-course tasting menu with wine pairings. We also had very stiff martinis in advance of our meal - whoa baby! The food itself was exemplary - Quite inventive and with highly complimentary flavors and textures. The raw oysters were so good that we ordered an extra dish of them! Providence is a restaurant worth going to if only once for the experience, but it is unfortunately too expensive (our meal was over $450 with tip for 2 people) for a repeat visit.

3 Stars: Not that great, too pricey, more focused on presentation than flavor (by dd_oc)

dd_oc — Sun, 30 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

I should have known when we pulled up to the restaurant...There was no valet in sight at the valet stand, and when I finally saw them they gave us attitude. It was as if we were bothing them. Some other people pulled up and they would not even help them!! I completely agree with the other review: Too expensive for too fancy, unflavorful food. Waitstaff was attentive. Nice decor.

3 Stars: For the exhorbitant prices, the food should have been the best I've ever had. (It wasn't). (by foobarbaz)

foobarbaz — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

We had the 5 course tasting menu plus paired wines. We ended up paying somewhere in the neighborhood of $400. To me, for that price, the food should have been out of this world. While tasty, it wasn't terribly complex. You could tell that the ingredients were very fresh, however, I think the chef relied too heavily on the freshness of the ingredients to speak for themselves. That may be what some people want, but to me, I would have preferred more liberal use of herbs and spices. The scant sauces dribbled on the plate appeared to be more about the color and artistry than imparting their flavors on the food. The portions were ridiculously small - literally two small bites per plate. We left, not full. During dinner, we joked that we'd need to stop at McDonalds for a burger on the way home. The service was extremely attentive with out being obsequious, and the decor was very elegant. But I've had far better food for far less money.

5 Stars: Best Seafood Place (by issabellecruise)

issabellecruise — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

The food was superb. Last time I ordered the prix fixe menu, and I loved each one of it. They are unique, tasty, and delicious. The foie gras was super! They have friendly staffs too. Very satisfied. Can't wait to go back.

5 Stars: Perfect (by jlawsa)

jlawsa — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

Perfect is the word to describe our recent dinner. The sommelier was very knowledgeable, down to earth and friendly. His wine list was broad, affordable, and unique. The seafood was perfect in preparation and presentation. The extras such as amuse busche (forgive the spelling), after dinner sweets, even lowering of the background music made the dinner perfect.

5 Stars: Wonderful Dining Experience (by csmith209)

csmith209 — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

The only other time I have had a dining experience that even approached the incredible meal at Providence is when Cimarusti was at Water Grill. Being from the East Coast I have often found L.A. lacking in upscale dining experiences, however, Providence has remendied that. We had the 13 course tasting and were not disappointed. Service was excellent my wife enjoyed the accompaning wine pairings. I have seen some reviews from people who have not had such an experience but I would highly reccomend for them to return. Providence is not to be missed.

5 Stars: When did NY fine dining arrive in LA? (by tes1224)

tes1224 — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 02:00:00 GMT

What an incredible dining experience! EVERYTHING exceeded my expectations--the tasteful & relaxing décor, the attentive & knowledgable wait staff, the artful presentation of each course and OH! the smells, textures & tastes... The presentation of each dish was like individual sculptures that were appealing to sight, smell and taste! The simplicity, yet uniqueness of the dishes provided the perfect backdrop to showcase each masterpiece. The wine pairings allowed my tastbuds to spring to life and helped to create a warm, comfortable and intimate dining experience. Chef Michael Cimarusti has honed his skills to an amazing level. I have NEVER had a meal that compares to the tasting menu I experienced at Providence. I think LA has a real winner on their hands. (Now, how about opening a Providence in NY!)

4 Stars: tasty (by missangela2u)

missangela2u — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 02:00:00 GMT

we had the 9 course tasting menu and loved each dish. i too had heard mixed reviews, but it turned out to be a wholly positive experience. the oyster course had a wonderful lemon ice that blended perfectly and the monkfish - which previously both my husband and i despired in general - was fantastic. i would definitely recommend.

3 Stars: good, but not outstanding (by alexfood)

alexfood — Sat, 27 May 2006 02:00:00 GMT

We had heard a great deal about this restaurant (mixed reviews) from friends, and found ourselves with mixed feelings as well after dining here. The service was excellent, our waiter attentive and knowledgable. We had the 9-course tasting menu with wines well-paired by the sommelier. The presentations of all dishes were lovely; however of the 9 courses, only 1 (an amuse bouche) stood out as excellent, several more were good but by no means outstanding, and 3 were actually unpleasant to eat for a variety of reasons (delicate fish drowned/overpowered by a too-spicy and too-abundant sauce, one over-salted, and one under-salted to blandness). The dining room tables were generously spaced, but the room had a very cold feel. (And the "art installation" -- what one can only assume are meant to be barnacles -- are off-putting at best.) In spite of the gracious service, the overall experience left us disappointed.

5 Stars: Very Nice Experience (by shinidapooh)

shinidapooh — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 02:00:00 GMT

We arrived there around 6:00pm, on time for our reservation and the host lead us to our table flawlessly. We both had the 9 tasting menu with wines; it was wonderful! From the appetizer to main course to desserts; it's all seafood: crab, fish, shrimp, to cheese sampler are all presented nicely and wonderfully. The wine accompany the meals nicely; except the portion is really small and there are so many blend / strong flavor that at the end I don't taste the uniqueness of each dish. It's around $350 for two people. Overall, I'd say go for it if you got the money, if not; you are only missing of being spoiled =)

5 Stars: Providence is A MUST! (by smeetster25)

smeetster25 — Mon, 20 Feb 2006 01:00:00 GMT

This was absolutely one of the best meals I have had in a long time. The 5 course Prix Fixe menu was superb! The cocktails are "stiff" and the staff is great... Really, Really excellent. I can't wait to go back.

5 Stars: Top 3 restaurant in LA right now (by primrose)

primrose — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 01:00:00 GMT

We went there 2 days after this restaurant opened . We already knew of the chef from Water grill and were expecting a lot .... WE WERE BLOWN AWAY ! . The food was FANTASTIC . We have now been back 6 times since our first experience and even though we miss the original sommelier and the 2 last experiences have been less satisfying I would still rate this restaurant top 3 in LA right .
If you like seafood you will be in paradise .

5 Stars: Exceptional food and service (by boyhowdy66)

boyhowdy66 — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I've dined twice at Providence and had superb meals both times. The food is extraordinarily inventive (don't miss the "Chowda") and the service is the best I've had in any restaurant in years. I never once had to ask to have my water glass refilled which is very important to someone who drinks a lot of water! I'd take anyone here and know that they'd have a great experience.

5 Stars: Close to all my Favorite Spots ! (by jhana)

jhana — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 01:00:00 GMT

I love Hollywood Nightlife and I love great food. I went to Providence last week for a lavish bite before stopping by some of my local haunts. The cuisine is imaginative and delicious and don't forget to visit the bar. The cocktails are freshly fantastic and make for the perfect fuel for hitting the dance floor. Lots of friendly staff, too. I'm totally going back.

5 Stars: What this city needs more of. (by mnotnef)

mnotnef — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 01:00:00 GMT

Of the three times Ive been to Providence the last was by far the best. My first visit was before theyd smoothed out all the kinks, but in that time they most certainly have. The only flaw was the wait for our table, but the drinks at the bar quickly negated that defect. We ordered the 5 course tasting menu with wine pairing, and were dazzled throughout. Most memorable was the dish of bay scallops with salsify puree and red beet jus. The courses were perfectly timed to arrive just as the prior one had settled in our stomachs, and were served by an unfailingly warm and gracious staff that has neither the pretense and condescension nor the obsequies of other restaurants. We left satisfied but not stuffed, and the best part was the price: $100 a person, including wine.

1 Stars: Special Occasion Spoiled (by pgreen_99)

pgreen_99 — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 01:00:00 GMT

Dined here for my husband's birthday - ended up very disappointed. We were seated at a table in the main room right at the entrance to the patio. The table was FREEZING due to a direct draft from the uncurtained door. We expressed our discomfort and the maitre'd acknowledged the table was freezing and that it was a problem they had to fix (my feeling was we were knowingly seated there as we weren't "important diners"). He acknowledged our experience was probably ruined, yet we were offered no consideration for our discomfort and were even charged for coffee ordered solely to warm up. To make matters worse, my husband's dessert with a b-day candle was brought to the table while I was in the ladiesroom. Despite spending $300 we were extremely disappointed. Skip this place - much better places to go for the type of experience we were hoping for.

1 Stars: Special Occasion Diner (by drzak)

drzak — Thu, 22 Dec 2005 01:00:00 GMT

Our reservation was made three weeks in advance for a speccial occasion. It was confirmed twice by the restaurent but when we arrived we were shown two tables in a side room as the tables avaliable to us. At this time the main dinning was almost empty as it was early and also a Wed Night. Need I say more. We are not second class eaters and certainly not second class customers but we were treated as such. We planned on spending between 200 and 300 dollars for this occasion but we were treated as if we just walked in off the the street. The owner came over and spritz with us but the evening was over. Who needs This for 300 dollars. Dr E Zakaryan

5 Stars: simply excellent (by staggerlee)

staggerlee — Tue, 20 Dec 2005 01:00:00 GMT

One of the best dining experiences to be had in Southern California, bar none. Great food coupled with friendly, knowledgeable service. The 9 coursee tasting was an experience I will not soon forget. We did the wine pairing, which was well chosen and complimented the food perfectly.

3 Stars: Could be better. (by lycheegelato)

lycheegelato — Sun, 18 Dec 2005 01:00:00 GMT

My wife had the lobster which she enjoyed. I had the prime rib which was decent, but by no means great. My dissatisfaction, however, lies in the service. The food took about an hour to get to us, and the dessert took an equally exhorbitant time. To make it worse, the ice cream was half melted by the time it got to the table. I brought my wife there for her birthday expecting a great experience but was rather dissappointed.

4 Stars: Service seems much improved, overall recommended (by thinla)

thinla — Wed, 09 Nov 2005 01:00:00 GMT

Earlier posters complained about poor service at Providence, and it seems clear that the management has worked hard to correct the problems. My lengthy (10 course) dining experience there last weekend was extremely pleasant, and I'd say that the service was the high point. Food was very good, though not flawless, and the price is obviously in the range of restaurants where it's reasonable to expect the food to be flawless. But I would still recommend it for diners who want a leisurely fine dining experience in a comfortable environment. Don't mistake not being rushed for bad service!

4 Stars: Food was superb, service could be improved (by cellowan)

cellowan — Thu, 06 Oct 2005 02:00:00 GMT

We drove more than 1 hour to visit this highly recommended restaurant...certainly with lots of expectations and anticipations. The food, and the wine selection, didn't fail us. However, the service was not as good as what you'd expect to receive in high scale restaurants like Providence. The setting was mis-placed, the water glass was waiting for more than 10 min. to be refilled at times, the entrees were sent to the wrong table. Napolean was a good desert to indulge yourself in. The high point came when the sommelier came to recommend wines to pair with our dinner, without me asking for help. The wine selections were impressive..making the delicious dinner complete. Overall, it's a place I'd like to go back to, for the food and wine... hoping that the service will be much improved by then.

5 Stars: Thank you, Chef Michael Cimarusti!!! (by adelly)

adelly — Tue, 27 Sep 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Had dinner here & totally blown away! Our new favorite LA restaurant! It was great news to someone who didn't eat red meat that LA was going to have a French seafood restaurant, w/ so many dishes to choose from. For appetizers, we had the oysters w/c were delectable. I had the lobster w/ hazelnuts (very good) & my hubby got what must be the best dish of all - ahi tuna. Wow!!! It felt like it just melted in your mouth!! Service was impeccable, as was everything else. Chef Michael came out to talk to some diners & we could not stop gushing. Reasonable too (pre-tip for 2 was $240).

5 Stars: Unlike any restaurant in LA! (by j_christos)

j_christos — Thu, 22 Sep 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Fantastic! I highly recommend it! Some of the best seafood I have ever had anywhere. My table had the 5 course tasting menu expertly paired with wines. The scallops were my favorite-sweet and plump. Dessert was unlike the usual homey (read boring) offerings in LA. A really delicious chocolate napoleon with hazelnuts and oranges. I also found the portions generous. I went home fully satisfied but not overstuffed.

What really appealed to me was the vibe of the place. Not at all stuffy. The service was totally unpretentious and professional. I look forward to going back soon.

1 Stars: POOR SERVICE (by jtpharma1)

jtpharma1 — Wed, 07 Sep 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I have never in my life had a worse dinning experience. I eat out often and never have I encountered a more arrogant staff.

I was entertaining 8 clients and everyone apologized to me for the experience. What a nightmare!

If youre looking to entertain an important client or have a nice evening with a loved one, please consider another restaurant. There are only around 500 other to choose from.

3 Stars: Good Ambience, but Lilliputian Portions (by dc_max)

dc_max — Mon, 29 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT

The restaurant decor is pleasing to the eye and the lighting is excellent and romantic, but do not go here if you have any sort of appetite whatsoever. I ordered the salmon, which was flavorful and beautifully presented; however, the portion was about one-third of what I expected and the same was true for my companion's dish. In sum, we felt severely short-changed with the quantity of food provided, but enjoyed ourselves and the wine until the dinner arrived. For these prices, we'd rather go to the Ivy for a much better overall experience.

5 Stars: AMAZING!! (by mknLA)

mknLA — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT

The most enjoyable dining experience I can ever remember having!
The service was perfect and the food was fresh and flavorful. This restaurant just opened and usually I wait a few months to try new places, but I am glad I didn't wait this time. The decor is beautiful also. This place is a must!

5 Stars: A new favorite! (by kp)

kp — Wed, 10 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT

We went to Providence and enjoyed every aspect of our dining experience so much that I returned just a few days later. The seafood was wonderfully created by Michael Cimarusti and team. Favorites were the melon soup with Riesling air (served in a mini beer-mug) and poached lobster with vanilla sauce, the seared sea scallop with Washington cherries and chanterelles, the duck confit, and the chocolate feuilletine desert. Service was also superb with managers Donato and Thierry both stopping by every table and sincerely engaging customers to ensure that all guests enjoyed their meals. The waiters were friendly and professional at the same time, enthusiastic and very accommodating. The space is modern with a slight seaside feel. I'm not sure I would have chosen faux barnacles for the design but the colors, textures, lighting and elegant fabrics are simple and luxurious. Providence is my new favorite restaurant.

5 Stars: Plan to return soon! (by tracybiltz)

tracybiltz — Sun, 07 Aug 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Providence is truly a fabulous dining experience. I was fortunate to get a late reservation last Saturday night. From the host staff to the lighted oynx bar with specialty drinks, the enjoyment began upon our entrance. We found Providence to be a wonderfully comfortable setting that immediately embraces a relaxed and fun ambience. The food was exceptionally in taste and presentation. Each course is prepared like a work of art on the canvas of white plates. Many of the courses were presented on plates that appeared to be custom designed for the food. With wonderfully refreshing and eclectic music swimming in the background and impeccable service, I can't wait to return. I certainly plan to soon.

5 Stars: Class on Melrose (by c00lassmike)

c00lassmike — Thu, 28 Jul 2005 02:00:00 GMT

We made our reservations, the table was great, the service was above expected, and the food was to die for. I was taken on a tour of the place by the GM (GM of the year 2004) Thierry and fell in love with this place. A bit off the beaten trail, but worth it. A definate destination dining spot!

5 Stars: Fine Dining and Seafood at it's best!!! (by frottage_ami)

frottage_ami — Wed, 27 Jul 2005 02:00:00 GMT

I totally disagree with the former post. I have had the pleasure of dining at Providence on three occasions thus far and every meal was a new and exciting experience. The food and service becomes more refined with each visit. I had the chef's market menu on my last visit and had some of the most interesting dishes I have ever tasted. With each course the freshness of the seafood is clearly apparent. The first course of whelks was a revelation and every course thereafter was better than the next. The desserts are unlike anything being served in Southern California. The wine list has so much to offer-and all at a fair price! The space, service, and ambiance is sophisticated but utterly unpretentious. Bravo!

5 Stars: A FRANCO-CALIFORNIA STUNNER FROM CIMARUSTI! (by fnsa)

fnsa — Fri, 15 Jul 2005 02:00:00 GMT

It's funny, because I was there during the same night as the previous reviewer..and what a vastly different experience! We were seated on the romantic "terrace." Service was flawless. And now the menu degustation..amazing! Whoever heard of cobia, lemonfish? Whelks? Insane and insanely delicious. Cimarusti has searched the waters for some incredible seafood taste sensations and delivered them with fanatical perfection. The portions in the 9 course meal were just the right size. Truffled, poached, incredible taste bombs bursting in my mouth. And the wine pairings were French and fabulous. The wine director, Thierry, deserves a medal for these finds. Dessert was superb. And the cheeses at the end were interesting and RIPE. Please, do yourselves a favor and do the tasting menu with the wine pairings. It's worth it ($135/person and worth every penny!) I wish I could eat here every day. It was like being in Paris!

5 Stars: Best Seafood in LA (by russkar)

russkar — Wed, 29 Jun 2005 02:00:00 GMT

WOW! This is an experience you won't forget. The best seafood , a great wine list and a fair price for perfection. 95- is a deal for the Chef's Tasting menu when you look at the quality and quanity of the food selections. Great Service too!

5 Stars: A whale of an experience (by johnmei88)

johnmei88 — Fri, 24 Jun 2005 02:00:00 GMT

Must try is the tasting menu which is heavily on side of seafood. All dishes were expertly executed, perfectly cooked and plated with a flair for artistry. Food tasted as good or if not better than it tasted. Timing was excellent. Service was outstanding from busboys to waiters. The winelist paired nicely with seafood. Would like to see more interesting reds. Had a great bottle of 1996 Joseph Phelps Insignia reasonably priced for a restaurant of this caliber. Overall fantastic restaurant. All class no pretense. Great!!!