If you’re staying in town for Labor Day—because even staying home counts as a Staycation in 2020—you can still get out and experience the delights of French bistro culture, courtesy of one of my absolute favorite west side spots, Belle Vie Food + Wine.
Just south of Brentwood proper, this little French oasis, with its subtle, modest exterior, tucked away and unassuming amid the American flashiness of the western end of Wilshire Blvd, is the perfect place to end a frustrating summer.
Having made lemonade out of lemons, like so many restaurateurs have been forced to do, owner and sommelier Vincent Samarco has designed a charming outdoor patio, frequented by loyal regulars and Francophiles alike. The ones who come for the soothing ambiance—to sip Provençal rosé to the tunes of mellow cafe background jazz—and stay for the menu, which puts a surprisingly American spin on traditional French cuisine.
Click here for a glimpse of the indoor experience I wrote about last year, which you can look forward to enjoying again once Covid restrictions have eased.
