Bicyclette Bistro in Los Angeles: Get in Gear for a Great Meal

If you are a fan of French cuisine and want to take your taste buds on a trip to Paris, look no further. Bicyclette, the new French bistro from acclaimed République chefs Walter and Margarita Manzke, is a delightful find in Los Angeles.

Entering the intimate 80-seat space, I immediately felt like I was transported to one of my favourite neighborhood bistros in Paris. The room is cosy and beautiful, with tempered lights, small polished wooden bistro tables, mosaic tiled floor, and vintage European posters. The vibe is lively and fun. The open kitchen allowed me to hear the occasional “Yes, Chef!”, words I have often heard in Paris. The welcoming staff added to the charming atmosphere.

Chef Manzke takes various classical recipes and adapts them with a contemporary, farm-to-table approach. The first note of the flavourful meal began with the warm baguette accompanied by Rodolphe Le Meunier butter from Normandy. From there on, every dish captured the essence of French bistro cuisine.

 

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Hors d’oeuvres included a decadent soft egg in the shell mixed with smoked sturgeon and topped with Kaluga caviar– a little taste of heaven. The caramelised onion tarte tatin was worth every buttery bite. The synthesis of the sweet, caramelised onions and the savoury goat cheese is exquisite. Truly a standout dish!

It wouldn’t be a true bistro meal without mussels (generous and plump) and french fries (shoestring and delicious). The Burgundy escargots en croute with garlic parsley butter, each topped with a pillowy puff pastry cap, were magnifiques.

 

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Main courses included a perfectly prepared and beautifully plated roast duck, cooked rare with a crispy skin and juicy in the middle, paired with a cherry/beet reduction sauce. The short ribs à la bourguignonne with potatoes mousseline were also done to perfection – falling off the fork tender. The Maine sea scallops à la Grenobloise melted in my mouth. The steak au poivre resting on a bed of Bordelaise sauce also showcased Chef Manzke’s inventive approach with flavours in a menu that he states is “firmly rooted in France.”

Make sure not to miss the flawlessly baked desserts, presented on a wooden board. All are worth a delicious bite!

The authentic French cuisine is highlighted by an extensive cocktail list with a lot of variety, from Kir Royale and the “French Connection”, to the “Mexican Cinema”. The French-only wine list is very well curated.

Dining at Bicyclette will most certainly give you the French bistro fix you are seeking. Something about all the traditional French options on the menu gives you that “I’m in Paris” feeling. Not to mention all the ingredients that provide a great bistro dining experience – delicious food, convivial atmosphere, informed and wonderful service – and of course, butter!

Bicyclette

9575 Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles CA
Open Monday – Thursday 5:30 – 10 pm
Friday & Saturday 5:30 – 11:00 pm
Reservations on OpenTable.com
*Upstairs formal restaurant opening later this year

 

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