Fraiche

I am yet to meet anyone who knows how to pronounce the name of Fraiche with certainty, but most people seem to know that it's one of Culver City's most talked about restaurants. Ever since it opened last year I'd really been wanting to try it. For months I built the place up in my head, so when I finally got to dine here a couple of months ago, results were average to say the least. The atmosphere is cool enough, I guess, with a kind of East-coast pub feel to it, and the waiters, or at least the one we had, was pretty much consistent with that characteristic. When we asked for suggestions on the lunch menu, the waiter didn't really have any and kept saying "It really depends what you're in the mood for." Apparently he doesn't really get what a recommendation is because if you're in the mood for a certain something, you'll order that and won't need to ask for any assistance. It wasn't until we finally asked what the most popular dish was that the guy really came up with an answer - the Royale with Cheese burger. Four out of five of us ended up ordering that dish, but I can't really say that anyone would order it again. Don't get me wrong, but it was a very rich, flaky, burger that is just so far from what you are used to in the American classic. It's a beef burger with Gruyere and a kaiser bun that has had the inside of the top hollowed out and Gruyere baked in. Thus, the bun is extremely crispy and the Gruyere almost overpowers the rest of the dish. The fries that come with it are really great though and served with mayo. The one person who didn't get the burger (the only guy surprisingly) got one of the specials, and seemed pretty happy with it. We tried a few of the desserts, which are supposed to be one of the main attractions at Fraiche, but they were a disappointment as well. We had checked out the menu online before we went and really had our hopes up for some creme brulee and a cappuccino pudding. Unfortunately for us, the online menu was outdated and they no longer offered those items for lunch. So instead we got the pot of chocolate pudding and the assorted cookies. Neither were that great and we didn't finish any of it. I think probably the trick to eating at Fraiche is coming for dinner and enjoying a full blown gourmet French dinner. There was a lot of potential here, but like so many other places the real issue is having the food deliver the taste and quality that the menu promises. I'd say don't rule it out, but if you've $50+ burning a whole in your pocket, I'd try Fraiche for dinner, then let me know how the creme brulee is!

http://fraicherestaurantla.com/main_pages/opening_page2.html