There’s a romance about a French bistro that is hard to replicate elsewhere. Think Parisian cafes, and images of beat writers like Bukowski burst forth; thinkers, poets and various intellectuals, drinking coffee and eating well, while constantly creating. Street-side tables offer the diner the ability to people-watch and sip from an endless fountain of inspiration.
Of course, that’s a very idealistic, perhaps fictional, take on a Parisian cafe at this point. But still, there’s a vibe that decades of history, poetry, film and literature have created. And taking that out of France and placing it in any other country in Europe, never mind across the Atlantic and in the United States, is basically impossible.
“Meet in Paris brings the Paris bistro to Culver City, serving classic French comfort food in a relaxed style,” they say online, making the same point. “We want our customers to feel at home. Every aspect of the restaurant is crafted to leave our guests with a sense of satisfaction and well-being.”
“We serve generous portions of full-flavored, hearty food,’ they add. “Our dishes are made from the highest-quality ingredients, presented in an elegant yet simple style that honors our French roots and expresses our passion for consistent excellence and creativity.”
They certainly do their best, and the location on Culver Boulevard, which is very walkable and surrounded by other eateries, is ideal. It feels as much like a Parisian street as one could reasonably expect in Culver City. France we are not, but pedestrian Culver City is special in its own way.
Of course, the vibe is vitally important but it would mean nothing if the food isn’t great. Fortunately, it is. On a warm Saturday, we arrived at Meet In Paris in mid afternoon, and felt like a brunch choice would suit us best.
We opted for the Eggs Benedict: toast with spinach, two poached eggs, slices of ham, and a bechamel white sauce, served with rosemary roast potatoes. The potatoes were perfectly cooked–crisp and still with the skins, with the right amount of rosemary sprigs to flavor the spuds but not overpower.
The toast had a nice crunch and stood up well to the juices from the spinach, the white sauce, and the egg yolk. The combination of flavors is delicate, and well-executed. The white sauce is a little bland and under-seasoned, but that’s a small gripe.
Overall, the dish is a joy. Much like the atmosphere that Meet In Paris works so hard at.
Meet In Paris is located at 9727 Culver Blvd., Culver City 90232. Contact 310-815-8222 and visit meetinparisla.com.