Over a decade after its first starred recognition by the guide, Josiah Citrin’s Santa Monica fine dining stalwart is back to two-star status after being rebuffed in 2019 and undergoing a pre-pandemic pivot away from an ultra-formal white tablecloth experience. Now seating only 14 diners at a time in a hidden alcove within the more casual (but still upscale) Citrin, Mélisse continues to deliver one of the city’s best—and most expensive— tasting menus ($400), with luxurious, detail-oriented dishes like caviar in chawanmushi topped with imported Hokkaido uni and a rich chestnut soup with even more decadent truffle foam.

Being at Melisse feels like you’re eating at a restaurant in Paris in the 1920s, except instead of authors and surrealists, you’re surrounded by studio executives and Instagram models who are about to get proposed to. The space is all white tablecloths and heavy chairs, where you sit and enjoy an expensive prix fixe French menu. The food comes in ridiculously small portions, but the good news is it’s all really excellent and unlike any French food you’ve had before.

It's a gem tucked within a treasure box: hidden within Citrin, a one-Michelin-star restaurant, is Mélisse, a two-Michelin-star restaurant. Chef-owner Josiah Citrin entrusts chef de cuisine Ian Scaramuzza to blend his modern French cooking with seasonal California produce at this Santa Monica institution. On any given night, the rotating,18-course tasting menu might feature Santa Barbara uni cromesquis, Kagoshima A5 Wagyu beef or a crab sabayon.

Stylish restaurants in the area include Jiraffe, Melisse and Chinois on Main. I can't describe any as pretentious, although some of the patrons can be. The staff in each are not arrogant, which is always a plus in my book, and most of these places politely get the annoying cell phone in a restaurant users to can it.

For an elevated beachside dining experience, Mélisse is an offering from Chef Josiah who has revived his Michelin two-star institution with an intimate 14-seater restaurant with Chef de Cuisine Ian Scaramuzza at the helm.

Ever since M—lisse opened its doors in 1999, Chef-Owner Josiah Citrin has pushed for excellence in every element of this fine-dining experience —" and has succeeded admirably. His restaurant is the kind of place where patrons dress for dinner, the silver is real and every dish is precisely made to the exacting standards of French haute cuisine. Constantly showered with accolades, M—lisse led the way toward seasonal menus sourced via local farmer's markets (Citrin is a fixture at the famed Santa Monica market) and continues to innovate. The chef makes the menu choice during this eight-course meal, so hope that the legendary Dover sole made tableside or the Cote de Boeuf Roti are on the menu. If not, rest assured that every bite will be memorable. Make sure to add wine to your meal, as Mélisse has one of the best cellars in the city. Recommended for French because: One of the few two-starred Michelin restaurants in L.A. (as of 2021), this Santa Monica star is the place in L.A.

Chef Josiah Citrin's flagship celebrates a certain kind of fine dining experience that will never go out of style. Slip in through a discreet side entrance to enter the enclosed space within Citrin, a private room that combines a vibe-y underground feel with classic luxury. The kitchen employs bold flavors and decadent sauces, blending French traditions with a bit of contemporary whimsy. The results are both eye-catching and indulgent, from intricate canapés to a knockout dish of duck “Rouennaise,” featuring a decadent sauce made with the help of an antique silver press; on the side, “ducks in a duvet” is a swanky take on pigs in a blanket. Service is engaging and full of charm, down to a wine program offering surprising rarities at a reasonable expense." - Michelin

Where: Mélisse is situated at 1104 Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica. The scene: Declared “one of the finest five star properties in the world” by Forbes Travel Guide in 2013, Mélisse takes over the senses with its sophisticated ambiance, unparalleled contemporary French cuisine and swift gracious service: three things which are hard to come by in LA where cool cafes serving tapas-style dishes and large sharing plates are on the rise. The crisp white dining cloths, plush armchair seating and suit-wearing table servers signify fine dining right from the start, a theme which carries on into the menu.

Celebrated for its dining, Santa Monica is home to restaurants helmed by such renowned chefs as Wolfgang Puck (Chinois on Main) and Josiah Citrin (Citrin and Mélisse, which have one and two Michelin stars, respectively), as well as such celebrated spots as Rustic Canyon (Californian cuisine), Pasjoli (French), and Shunji (Japanese). For a more casual but still exceptional meal, drop by Cobi's (Thai/Malaysian) or Colapasta (Italian). Many local chefs buy their produce at the bounteous Wednesday and Saturday morning downtown Farmers Market, which ranks with the country’s very best.

Located in Santa Monica, Melisse combines the sophistication of traditional French cuisine with contemporary American sensibilities, resulting in a truly elegant experience. The two-star Michelin rated restaurant features a menu reflecting seasonal and specialty items carefully selected and intricately prepared by Chef Josiah Citrin and his skilled kitchen staff. The Truffle Risotto carnaroli rice, mascarpone and shaved black truffles and the Broccoli & Quail Egg Agnolotti, young broccoli, brown butter and shaved black truffles are popular with guests.

A side entrance to the celebrated Citrin restaurant will take you to Mélisse, a private 14-seat dining room hosted by Chef Josiah Citrin and Chef/Partner Ken Takayama. Experience a symphony of exquisite modern French cuisine using ingredients from the finest local suppliers between San Diego and Napa Valley. From the carefully-balanced rosemary sunchoke soup, to the hay-baked golden chicken doused in albufera sauce, you’ll appreciate the bounty of Californian ingredients as they collide with traditional French culinary techniques.

Melisse is a two-star Michelin restaurant, with a 14-seat dining room, led by acclaimed fine dining chefs Josiah Citrin and Ian Scaramuzza. Guests are taken through an astonishing 18-course pre-fixe meal featuring some of the most unique seasonal ingredients sourced directly from the local farmers' market and along the California coast. The execution of each dish is immaculate, highlighting a beautiful blend of both classic and contemporary cooking.

A neighborhood staple for over 18 years, Mélisse is led by two Michelin starred chef Josiah Citrin who presents a premier fine-dining destination for contemporary French cuisine. Serving farm-to-table cooking before it became a trend, they offer three different tasting menus: four-course, seven-course, and 10-course. Add a wine paring from their wine menu and cellar which houses over 1,000 selections to the four-course for an additional fee.

For an unparalleled fine dining experience, Mélisse stands as a beacon of culinary excellence in Santa Monica. Helmed by Chef Josiah Citrin, this Michelin-starred restaurant offers a tasting menu that showcases the finest ingredients sourced from around the world. Impeccable service and an elegant ambiance complete the dining experience, making Mélisse a destination for discerning food enthusiasts in Southern California.

Santa Monica's Mélisse is a two Michelin star restaurant under the expert guidance of Chef Josiah Citrin, and is renowned its modern French cuisine. The restaurant's seasonal menu emphasizes locally-sourced ingredients, showcasing dishes such as seared foie gras, roasted lamb, and chocolate ganache. The dining experience at Mélisse goes beyond just food; it includes an atmosphere of elegance and meticulous service.

Mélisse is chef Josiah Citrin’s French/New American all-star, now re-envisioned as a tasting menu concept with just 14 seats. Dinner at the two Michelin-starred affair will typically set you back $295 for delicate arrangements, including Lamb Sugo with toasted breadcrumbs, and a seared strip loin of Miyazaki Wagyu. Reserve service during dineL.A., however, and you’re rewarded with a special rate of $236 per person.

A preoccupation with fine cheese and sensitivity to vegetarians are things that Becerra might share with chef Josiah Citrin, whose epic cheese cart presentation is a highlight of dining at Mélisse. The Santa Monica restaurant is perhaps one of the county’s finest restaurants; when Michelin began publishing its short-lived L.A. dining guide in 2008, it was one of only three restaurants in town to earn two stars.

This year Josiah Citrin’s lauded Santa Monica tasting menu restaurant, Mélisse, has rejoined the Michelin star system with two stars. Mélisse was not awarded stars in 2019, although it earned two of them in the 2008 and 2009 guides to L.A. Brandon Go’s Hayato, an intimate Japanese kaiseki restaurant in the Arts District, also earned two stars in the new listings, up from 2019’s one-star designation.

Santa Monica has several much-lauded French restaurants, including the Michelin two-star Melisse, acclaimed for its 10-course tasting menu, and bilevel Jiraffe. Keep your eyes open for celebrating celebs at either of these. The old-school Warszawa is a favorite destination for hearty, classically prepared Polish cuisine, like braised-beef pierogis and bigos, the stick-to-your-ribs hunter's stew.

Highlights include Mélisse, renowned for its contemporary French cuisine, and Rustic Canyon, which emphasizes locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Dialogue provides an intimate, immersive dining experience with a focus on innovative tasting menus. These establishments showcase exceptional culinary talent and dedication to quality, making Santa Monica a prime destination for food enthusiasts.

Named after the French word for lemon balm, culinary experience Mélisse is Santa Monica’s most coveted French restaurant. With more than 11 accolades, including 2 Michelin Stars, chef patron Josiah Citrin is a culinary master and Los Angeles legend. Opened in 1999, the restaurant is famed for its signature dishes, such as Royal Osetra caviar and Liberty Farm’s duck rouennaise.

Mélisse is the more exclusive counterpart to Citrin, boasting two Michelin stars and only 14 seats in its dining room. That said, you’ll definitely want to come hungry—dinner here includes 18 courses of pure innovation. The ingredients are carefully sourced from farmers all along the California coast, and you’ll find both classic and modern techniques when it comes to plating.

Run by the celebrated chef Josiah Citrin, the legendary Mélisse restaurant beckons gourmands, and food enthusiasts from near and far. With its two-star Michelin status, the restaurant is celebrated as a mecca of fine dining in California. With more than 20 years of culinary excellence, Citrin's pursuit of perfection translates into unforgettable dining experiences.

Located in Santa Monica, Melisse is a Michelin-starred restaurant that features French cuisine with a Californian twist. The menu changes seasonally, but you can always expect to find beautiful dishes that are expertly executed. At his Michelin two-star institution, Chef Josiah offers an intimate 14 seat restaurant experience with Chef de Cuisine Ian Scaramuzza.

Since one member of my party was budget-constrained, places like Melisse and Valentino were out of the question; it had to be cheap eats. My initial thought was Father's Office, since the place had been the subject of considerable hype. However, upon reading more about the restaurant on Yelp, I began to fear fighting the crowd there.

Mélisse can only seat 14 people, which is excellent news for all introverts who like to eat out. There’s an option for ordering from this restaurant, which is the case with most of them. You should choose this place to beat the LA heat instead of some other because of its exquisite attention to detail regarding food.

This two-Michelin star, modern French restaurant on Wilshire Boulevard is one of the most romantic restaurants in Santa Monica, and one of the best fine dining experiences on the West Coast. For the ultimate date night, book their “ten” menu—ten artistic, well-curated courses. It’s $185 per person, but so worth it.

A favorite in the industry, the cuisine at Melisse is worth the visit with a refined menu of French-American dishes. The world-class service and lively atmosphere have kept guests coming back for more than twenty years, and is sure to see even more success with an upcoming remodel of the classic brand.

This location is very small, there are only five tables in total, no wonder the location is not good, there are two sessions in one night, including a total of 18 exquisite dishes for dessert, each is almost 90 points or more, but it really makes people eat it. Can't go down, too much food, awesome.

At the top of the culinary honor roll is hometown Chef Josiah Citrin whose intimate 14 seat tasting menu restaurant Melisse earned two stars. He is kept in good company by Chef Andy Doubrava and Chef Jeremy Fox of Rustic Canyon and Chef Dave Beran of Pasjoli, whose restaurants each earned one star.

Mélisse – Chef Josiah Citrin’s iconic dining room is back up and running – even thriving. His expertise lies in delivering a fine-dining culinary experience that never goes out of style. The 8-course tasting menu is a global journey for the senses – a chance to slow down and indulge.

restaurants won two-star ratings: Brandon Go’s 3-year-old Hayato, in downtown Los Angeles, and chef Josiah Citrin’s Mélisse, in Santa Monica. The former boasts a traditional Japanese, multi-course kaiseki meal while the latter is celebrated for its slow and luxurious atmosphere.

When you desire an intimate dining experience, Mélisse Restaurant is the place to be. This 14-seat restaurant serves a seasonally driven prix fixe menu featuring chic French-New American cuisine. Chefs and sommeliers guide guests in a delightful fine-dining culinary experience.

MELISSE (Santa Monica): For a sumptuous, luxurious dinner, head to Melisse in Santa Monica for a 10-course tasting menu. Dining at Melisse feels like a special occasion, because it is. Dress up, revel in the Michelin-star food, and indulge in a perfectly paired glass of wine.

Tucked away in the Santa Monica-based Citrin restaurant is the two Michelin-starred Mélisse. A mere fourteen seats are available, far less than the 18-courses of dinner on tap. The menu and ingredients are sourced by Chef Josiah Citrin, who launched Mélisse.

Mélisse: Step into a world of refined elegance at Mélisse, where Michelin-starred Chef Josiah Citrin orchestrates culinary magic. This intimate haven in Santa Monica is a testament to his passion for exquisite cuisine and artful presentation.

Or for a slightly higher price tag, try its sister restaurant Melisse, which boasts a two-star Michelin rating and its own four-course tour d’Italia you won’t soon forget.

Ever since Melisse opened its doors in 1999, Chef-Owner Josiah Citrin has pushed for excellence in every element of this fine-dining experience and he has...

Citrin in Santa Monica joins Josiah Citrin’s Melisse on the Michelin star list and here’s what the Michelin guide has to say about Citrin: