The Alain Giraud-helmed, Mike Garrett and Tommy Stoilkovich-backed Anisetteopened a few weeks ago, and knowing the growing anticipation (or Anisetticipation, if you will) for the brasserie's debut, they started with breakfast, added lunch a week later and then dinner last week to ease into things. That plan worked for the most part. Of course Giraud fans would call kitchen scraps "genius" if he put them on a plate, and many have; but there are also a few detractors in these early days. To that, another installment of Good News/Bad News with the best up first:
1) Great News: "All I can say is...wow. I had lunch here today and have already planned breakfast and dinner there tomorrow. My dining companion and I shared the house pate, onion soup, burger and croque madame. We took home some pain au chocolat and a cream-filled raisin bread for later. Everything was wonderful. This is such a fantastic addition to the neighborhood." [Chowhound]
2) Decent News: "Everything was delicious except that the soup and the beef dish weren't hot enough when they were brought to our table. It was really busy from 12 to 2 today so perhaps the dishes sat too long at the upstairs counter before they were served. Next time I would try not go at peak hours. [Chowhound]
Late-breaking news: Anisette, the Santa Monica brasserie that's been sloooowly opening over the last few weeks, officially opened for dinner yesterday (just as we thought). Tonight would be a good night to go if you're not already hunkered down for the Lakers game, but the host said it's highly recommended to make a reservation soon. This week most nights are already tight and Saturday sounds down-right booked. The menus are yet to be on the website, but for a teaser: Expect classics like cote de boeuf for two, duck l'orange, slow-roasted leg of lamb with flageolets, moules frites, duck confit, French onion soup, sauteed foie gras and date chutney, and a nice looking oyster bar. Of course, all at the hands of Alain Giraud and his crew. Even better news: The restaurant stays open until midnight during the week, 1am on weekends. (Peruse the photo gallery rerun just for thrills.)
· Eater Inside: Anisette Brasserie [~ELA~]
We snapped a pic of this old photo on the host stand at Anisette the day the Santa Monica brasserie opened. We love the composition, the way it came out, so we used on the site several times. Not claiming complete responsibility, but now we feel guilty: Anisette, the mascot, we're told, is missing. Someone stole her. Who would do such a thing? Drunk girl after one too many glasses of Chablis at the bar? President of the Alain Giraud fan club? Some weird obsessive who takes an item from every new restaurant in town---a Craft spoon, a Father's Office glass, a Providence candle---to fill his shrine to the city's dining scene? Whoever took Anisette, please return her. Moules frites just aren't the same without a mascot.
· Eater Inside: Anisette Brasserie [~ELA~]
There's no use trying to be quiet about things when you're opening is as highly anticipated as Anisette's. A diner just back from breakfast at the new Santa Monica brasserie says lunch started today, but will not be available this weekend since it's their first full weekend. Come Monday, breakfast and lunch resumes and dinner should be just days after that. Reservations sound mandatory---already. [EaterWire]
Our efforts to actually try the new breakfast menu at Anisette were foiled by traffic, however we did get a chance to look around the new brasserie from chef Alain Giraud and Falcon/Pearl/Voda owners Mike Garrett and Tommy Stoilkovich. Oh, she's a stunner. Authentic without seeming contrived, classic, beautiful. Super tall ceilings, a huge bar, lots of table seating and a few intimate nooks; upstairs tables scattered around the open kitchen and bakery---almost like a chef's table, but with full-on views of the bustling room below. Smart to start with breakfast, gives the staff a chance to catch up; lunch mock service today and tomorrow, and we may see it added this week. We don't have a menu in hand (still), but expect omelets with wild arugula and goat cheese feta, eggs Benedict, Belgian waffles, crepes, and Breadbar croissants and breads for breakfast; croque monsieur, raw bar, onion soup, steak frites and the like at lunch, all a la Giraud. Price point: It's definitely not Denny's (breakfast entrees hover around $10-$13). Previous Antisette coverage here.
Anisette Brasserie Croissants, moules frites, Giraud
225 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, 310.395.3200 Daily 7:30am-11:30am; lunch, dinner soon
We teased and taunted, we were kept at bay, but folks, the day is here: Anisette opens in the Clock Tower building tomorrow, June 4, for petit dejeuner. Service starts at 7:30am to 11:30am; lunch will be added next week and dinner after that. Really, why rush things at this point? Oh, the fancy new website is finally up and running, too. We can taste the French toast a la Alain Giraud already. (225 Santa Monica Blvd, 310.395.3200)
· Full Anisette Watch [~ELA~]
We aren't the only ones on pins and needles awaiting the debut of Alain Giraud's new Santa Monica brasserie, but we can't get the "Vain" Carly Simon song out of our head after receiving this press release from Anisette's publicist. We added some links to drive the points home:
ANISETTE: The Anticipation.
Partners Mike Garrett, Tommy Stoilkovich and Chef Alain Giraud have been feverishly working toward the opening of their brasserie Anisette. The recently publishedphotos, unfortunately, do not begin to highlight the grandeur of this space, as designer Monte Hollis continues to place finishing design detail. Chef Giraud’s kitchen staff is scheduled day and night, perfecting recipes new and old, while General Manager David DeBacco continues to train the most sought-after front of house positions in Los Angeles.
So, when will it open?
Opening dates are often an important portion of leasing and partnership agreements in Los Angeles. In the case of this restaurant, however, it simply is not. Although the partners projected an opening date for the purpose of staff hiring and training, this restaurant will not open until it is time: all imported fixtures have arrived, design is complete; the staff is thoroughly and confidently trained; Chef Giraud is pleased with his menu and the performance of his staff.
THAT date will be announced soon.
We still hear it might open this weekend so keep your eyes peeled. UPDATE: Now we're hearing a Tuesday debut. You probably think this song is about you...
· Full-on Anisette Watch [~ELA~]
Adding to the ongoing struggle to finally open Anisette in Santa Monica, we were bombarded---seriously---with this Craigslist ad today:
THE TEAM BEHIND FALCON, PEARL DRAGON AND VODA HAS FORMED A PARTNERSHIP WITH CHEF ALAIN GIRAUD (4-STARS LA TIME, “CHEF OF THE YEAR” BON APPETIT) TO OPEN ANISETTE. A FRENCH BRASSERIE IN SANTA MONICA.
WE ARE IN SEARCH OF A HIGHLY EXPERIENCED CHEF DE CUISINE...
WE ARE LOOKING FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS DETAIL ORIENTED, HIGHLY MOTIVATED, WHO COMES TO WORK EACH DAY WITH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND WILL BE COMMITTED TO UPHOLD & MAINTAIN THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF QUALITY FOOD & SERVICE.
THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH AND LEARN FROM ONE OF THE MOST HIGHLY ACCLAIMED CHEFS IN THE COUNTRY.
Yes, those caps make this new development seem completely unexpected and now it's incredibly tense. Confirmed: Opening chef de cuisine Brendan Collins has already moved on from the Alain Giraud machine (we hear for something in Laguna Beach) days before the brasserie even opens. About that opening date, we once again hear maybe tomorrow or this weekend, but nothing confirmed. Story, as they say, developing.
· Anisette Brasserie - Chef de Cuisine [Craigslist]
· Anisetticipation: Maybe Monday, Maybe Not [~ELA~]
It's a holiday weekend, folks, the perfect time to slip in a big giant opening like, oh, Alain Giraud's much-anticipated return the to the restaurant scene. We kept hearing that Anisette's big debut would be for breakfast on Monday, this Monday, May 26, but we just heard that there might be one final inspection as late as Tuesday, but also that they're going to take it day by day, so Anisette will maybe open Monday. That Giraud, what a tease. What is confirmed: Training is in full swing, today was the second mock service, and at least one person proclaims the French toast to be "exactly what French toast should be...amazing." And interestingly enough, Top Chef season two winner Ilan Hall was in the house this morning. Clock. Ticking.
· GiraudWatch: Anisette Probably Two Weeks Away [~ELA~]
· Anisetticipation [~ELA~]
More confirmation today that the Alain Giraud-helmed Anisette will debut in less than two weeks: "I just spoke with someone who appeared to be a manager at Anisette. She confirmed that breakfast would begin May 26 and the restaurant would eventually be open till 1a on weekdays and 2a on weekends. Chef Giraud was at a table in back with a bunch of people." Getting hungrier... [~ELA~]
Looking at these brand new images inside Anisette (as opposed to stalking from outside, you can really start to get the scale and scope of Alain Giraud, Mike Garrett and Tommy Stoilkovich's new Santa Monica brasserie. We hear final inspections are afoot today and if all goes well, maybe expect the first petit dejeuner by May 26; dinner shortly after, around June 5. How does one say 'brace' in en français?
· GiraudTracking: Anisette Revealed [~ELA~]
Last week there was some movement/events at Alain Giraud's new Anisette brasserie in Santa Monica, but we've confirmed that the restaurant will open for breakfast in "mid-May." (Isn't that technically just a week away?) The above sneak peek reveals that Anisette is quite possibly the most classic brasserie-looking of the new LA brasseries, and with Giraud at the helm, we expect as much on the menu. Look at those tile floors, tall ceilings, wookwork, mirrored columns! Excitement. Palpable. Bracing.
· Plywood Update: Anisette [~ELA~]
· GiraudTracking: Movement, Awnings at Anisette [~ELA~]
This snap of the de-papered Anisette and note came in from a Santa Monica operative: "Took a quick peek in on my way back to the office. Looks pretty complete to me -- the bar is even complete with bar stools. Could they be opening sooner than later? Obviously, whether the kitchen is ready is another story..." Another tipster saw a lot of movement---cars, people---at the restaurant last night, but we were assured it was just a private event. It may look complete, but we're told there are still a lot of details that need tending to, and that the opening date is still mid-May (breakfast first, then lunch, and dinner by the end of the month). Alain Giraud fans: Start the countdown now.
· Plywood Update: Anisette [~ELA~]
· EaterWire: Anisette Update [~ELA~]
Bits and pieces and breadcrumbs end up in the daily EaterWire. Got some news to share? The tip line is always open. Anisette, before it was unsheathed
SANTA MONICA: A tipster ran into Alain Giraud at the farmer's market recently: "The brasserie (I called it a "cafe" and was quickly corrected) has an awning up and the windows are done in very typical brasserie style. Silly me forgot to ask him the opening date." That's OK. We hear it won't open until mid-May and will go against the grain and debut breakfast first, then lunch, and dinner will probably start at the end of May, early June. [EaterWire Inbox]
SANTA MONICA: Another SM tipster spotted signage: "I was walking tonight and it looks like Rockenwagner is moving something into the space next to the gelato place just off the Promenade (so said the papers hanging in the windows)." Details anyone? [EaterWire Inbox]
There's nothing like a small opening in Plywood that teases curious passersby, i.e. obsessive restaurant watchers. Here we have Anisette in Santa Monica, the pending brasserie from Alain Giraud and partners Mike Garrett and Tommy Stoilkovich (owners of Falcon and Pearl Dragon). Inside, super high ceilings, a mezzanine, columns covered in white tile and mirrors, tons of natural light, and nice wood and iron work all match what we learned a few months ago. With this progress report and recent open calls for staff, the previously announced late-April/early-May debut doesn't seem far off the mark.
Anisette---the French brasserie collaboration with chef Alain Giraud and the boys behind Falcon, Voda, and Pearl Dragon---must be getting close: Open calls for all FOH and BOH staff this week. "An amazing opportunity for professionals who want to grow. Individuals prone to a lot of drama need not apply." No dramz, people! [Craigslist]
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The Alain Giraud-helmed, Mike Garrett and Tommy Stoilkovich-backed Anisette 
Adding to the ongoing struggle to finally open Anisette in Santa Monica, we were bombarded---seriously---with this 
