SIV Awards 1.5 Stars to L'Epicerie in Culver City

This week SIV hands out one and a half stars to Thierry Perez's market/cafe/wine bar L'Epicerie. Although the eatery has upped its game with the addition of chef Sébastien Archambault (RH at the Andaz), SIV feels that there's still room for improvement:

Since Thierry Perez, formerly of Fraîche and Providence, opened L'Epicerie Market last fall, it's been something of a work in progress. I couldn't get a fix on it for the longest time. Is it a takeout place? A cafe? A wine bar? A market? Somewhere to drop in for a bite anytime? The menu is a bit of a hodgepodge; the place too. But it's beginning to find its way now that Perez has partnered with Sébastien Archambault, an accomplished and soulful chef from southwest France, by way of RH at the Andaz in West Hollywood.

Sher is a bit disappointed that "other than introducing some regional specialties, which are definitely the best dishes here, Archambault hasn't changed the menu as much as I hoped he would." Definitely order the duck confit which comes with potatoes cooked in duck fat, and the cassoulet is another strong choice. SIV writes, "L'Epicerie is intended as a neighborhood spot...[it] is nothing if not flexible." [LAT]

The Elsewhere: Eat: LA hits 1886, gastronomy tries dinner at Farmshop, kevinEats at Joe's, Midtown Lunch picks Javan, Sinosoul samples Settebello, and Two Hungry Pandas visit Wong Java.

L'Epicerie

9900 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232