Week in Reviews: Petrossian Pulls 1.5 Stars

Another borderline review, this time SIV gives the 1.5 stars to renovated French caviar shop, Petrossian Paris Boutique and Cafe. After a four month remodel the retail/eating establishment recently reopened, now "going for casual elegance" with "a menu of updated French cafe classics." Running the kitchen is 27-year old Benjamin Bailly a former sous at L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Vegas and, in fact, this is his first executive chef position. Which may explain why "the menu has its ups and downs" and "falters with some too-sweet dishes and a liberal dose of truffle oil." Though she gave the eatery a star and a half, SIV dotes on a handful of dishes, from the "delicious" belinis, to the "elegant white asparagus purée," to the "utterly French" Petrossian salad. She had fewer words of praise for the "bland" king crab salad and the Sturgeon confit in olive oil, and she called the scallops a la plancha outright "awful." Yikes. Overall, "the chef's cooking is clean and classic" and though the menu has a "few missteps...if you focus on the caviar, smoked salmon and such, you'll be fine." [LAT]

THE ELSEWHERE: The Find tries savory pancakes at Michelle's Pancake, la.foodblogging goes for Hunanese at Xiang Wei Lou also in the SG Valley, ShopEatSleep dips at Cole's, Mattatouille finally makes it into LudoBites, Sinosoul cheaps out at Pho Ha, Kung Food Panda dines at The Park, LA and OC Foodventures get fresh at Tender Greens WeHo, and LAmag heads West to try Santa Monica Seafood.