DineLA Restaurant Week started yesterday and we joined in the culinary fun with dinner at Cafe des Artistes, one of our favorite spots. The Cannes-like French Bistro with its leafy patio and warm and cozy dining room is offering $22 three-course menus for the event that runs though Oct. 9 and again Oct. 11-16 at over 200 participating eateries.
It was a little too chilly for our blood to eat al fresco so we asked to be seated inside and were led to a romantic tiled table for two by the fireplace. We started with a bottle of Chardonnay and moved along to a tangy, delicious Ahi Tuna Tartar and a perfectly mixed goat cheese salad that had just the righ combo of greens and red beets and cheese. For entrees I chose the grilled salmon on lentils that was ooh la la divine. Richard had the Beef Provencale Daube–a delightful French stew. For dessert I did the Floating Island Meringue–
perfect, light, just sweet enough, and Richard 
went with the Chocolate Mousse, joie de vivre.
We began the evening with a drink at the bat of Essex Public House (www.essexhollywood.com). We had considered eating there since it was part of DineLA but didn’t feel like the gastropub style menu, we wanted something a little more special. So Richard had a Stone Arrogand Bastard draftbeer and I hada glass of Hess Chard. Dozens of TV screens and lots of revelers provided the background noise and the barkeep provided a bit of an attitude and actually overcharged us by a buck, but we let it pass. And passed on the place too and drove the few blocks to Cafe des Artistes, where the food is consistent, you can hear each other talk and the mood is tres French. 1534 N. McCadden Place, 323-469-7300. www.cafedesartistes.info.
Tonight we’re trying XIV on Sunset, pricier at $44 for three courses, but a lot cheaper than at normal times. Friday it’s back to Spago to do their DineLA lunch menu, then Spark, Marakesh and any more we can fit in before the party’s over on the 16th. For participating establishments, menus and reservations go to: www.dineLA.com/restaurantweek.
