You know Sunset Plaza, in the neighborhood of West Hollywood, Los Angeles.  You’ve seen it in film and on television time and time again; those cool-as-cucumber-water, designer-shade-clad LA types dining al fresco as they makes deals over Ahi tuna tartar and a mojito.  What you may not realize is how accessible (and delicious) this area really is, figuratively and literally.  Come with us as we claim our own tasty little piece of LA charm, set against the backdrop of classic Hollywood chic.

Eye-Catching
One of our favorite spots is Le Petit Four, a whimsical-looking café featuring international, traditional and contemporary dishes (you may remember it from the hot HBO show, Entourage).  The restaurant welcomes you with its name scrawled in California-sky blue on a friendly yellow awning, the first thing that caught our eye years ago.

First of all, casual attire is a must.  It’s haute cuisine, not haute couture.  Reservations are not needed, but you can always call ahead just to put in your name if you fear that Friday lunch crowd.  If the weather is nice – and let’s be honest, it almost always is – sit outside.  For the experience, stray away from the direct sidewalk seating and grab one table over, or the tables straddling the indoors.  Sit facing the street and you will see the hustle and bustle of Sunset traffic, casual and serious shoppers popping in and out of designer boutiques, and a good number of locals taking a stroll in their neighborhood.  If you’re thin-skinned, Le Petit Four does have ceiling-mounted heaters for chillier evenings (hey, sometimes it happens, as surprising as that may seem).

Mouth-Watering
On our last visit, orders ranged from the chopped salad, the broccoli, leek and aged Irish cheese cheddar quiche, a calamari steak with lobster bisque, and mushroom raviolis for appetizers.  The mild dressing of the chopped salad permits you to taste and enjoy each individual vegetable, from the artichoke to the olives.  The quiche, a generous serving while still remaining a conservative portion, is fluffy, light and filling without being cumbersome.  The calamari steak was nicely seasoned with simple yet refreshing garlic, lemon and extra virgin olive oil and cooked to perfection, meaty but not tough.  The lobster bisque is on the brine-y side, and the mushroom ravioli, another starter, was our favorite item.  A harmonious balance between fungi and chardonnay, delicate and light, you could easily devour an entire entrée size of these savory morsels.  Le Petit Four has a host of inviting choices, with enough variety to satisfy every diet from vegetarians to pasta lovers to those meat-and-potatoes folks.  Parking is abundant and, best of all, free of charge in an expansive lot behind the Sunset Plaza strip.

Sunset Plaza is located along both sides of the Sunset Strip, between La Cienega and San Vicente Boulevards, at Sunset Plaza Drive.  You’ll find Le Petit Four at 8654 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood.  For more information, call 310-652-3863 or visit lepetitfour.net.

More to Nom in the Neighborhood
Buttercake Bakery
Desserts
8616 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood

Chin Chin Grill
Chinese/Asian Fusion
618 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood
chinchin.com

Cravings Fine Food
Modern European
8653 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood
cravingsrestaurant.com

Cafe Med
Italian
8615 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood

Clafoutis
French
8630 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood

Hungry for more adventures with Rachael?  Browse all of Glass of Win’s tasty blogs at Community.VisitThePlace.com.