It may not truly be an evening at the opera, but it is all one might expect at the Met in New York or the Music Center here in Los Angeles: intriguing ambiance, dramatic decor, unparalleled presentation, and an elegant performance. You can get that and more when you experience dining at the iconic Cafe La Boheme in West Hollywood.
After 20 years of successful business, this grand establishment was completely remodeled in 2007 by famed restaurant designer, Margaret O’ Brien. The result? Perfection to the eye and the initial overture for the incredible experience you will attain at this illustrious institution sitting elegantly on Santa Monica Boulevard.
General Manager, Thomas Lynam, executes a seamless operation of this fine establishment, while making sure everyone who enters the doors of La Boheme is happy and comfortable. Exquisite savory temptations made available by Executive Chef Christine Banto display her accomplished creativeness, which is revealed in her California-Mediterranean dishes that portray evidence of Asian influences. The curtains have risen, and the manifestation of a performance not to be missed begins this opera of both visual and culinary excellence. You have arrived at Cafe La Boheme.
Through the main threshold of the restaurant, a stunning display of color and glamor ushers you into its dazzling existence. This eatery will not only have you seeing red literally, but also deep hues of blacks, muted silvers, reflective mirrors, and vibrant ornate crystal chandeliers lowered from a massive cathedral ceiling. A most unexpected prelude to the dining experience, the decor is just the lead-in to La Boheme’s numerous unique and note-worthy attributes.
From the moment you enter this culinary domicile, there is instant realization that you’ve entered someplace amazing. The feel is theatrical, and the sultry allure wraps you in an inviting comfort as a host greets you and escorts you to your table immediately. The elegant almost goth-like embellishments and one-of-a-kind ornamentation in this dwelling will leave you breathless and anxiously awaiting the next act of this gastronomic experience. Well-dressed hardwood tables with black leather chairs and semi-private booths, both on the main dining floor and above on the balcony surrounding the dining activity, are both inviting and comfortable and ready to make you feel at home in this upscale, yet very welcoming and chic environment.
Two specific rare bronze sculptures stand haughtily between the lounge and the first-floor dining area present themselves to attending guests. The first, a statue of a woman with multiple arms possessing obvious thoughts of life and love, displaying various objects in each hand while one holds the world on her shoulders. The other, a spinning gyroscope mounted near the bar that you cannot miss. Servers and attendants who walk past this immense conversation piece will stop briefly to whirl its massive orbs, sending the art round and round until it stops eventually for its next swift revolution. This act has become tradition since the building was erected more than twenty years ago, as these sculptures were once part of the original La Boheme before its 2007 renovation.
A well-dressed server arrives before you know it and begins with his knowledgeable aria of the delectable options on the evening’s menu. The selections change seasonally. However, there have been a few popular items left for longer durations due to popular demand. Such palatable pleasures include starters like the Tuna Tataki, the La Boheme Soup of the Day, the Chicken Liver Pate, and the Crispy Blue Crab Cake.
There is a refreshing collection of salads to suit any preference, while the Pasta & Risotto options will leave you anxiously inquisitive. We’ve enjoyed the Japanese Pumpkin Ravioli on more than one occasion. With its candied pumpkin seeds and brown butter sage sauce, I was dumbfounded. (I may never have pumpkin ravioli anywhere else again after having it here)!
Another favorite of ours is the Pappardelle Bolognese with shaved Parmigiano cheese. The perfect amount of sumptuous Bolognese sauce mixed into thin, perfectly al dente Pappardelle pasta ribbons is sure to make you smile with delight and your tastebuds water with envy.
Chef Banta’s risotto dishes are equally unparalleled in quality and flavor. The Wild Mushroom Risotto with lemon confit, fresh herbs and Pecorino cheese is a richly endowed treat, while the Farro Risotto offers creaminess heightened by kale, fresh corn, oven roasted tomatoes and edamame.
Before your order is taken from one of several attentive and efficient waiters, (Kevin, Sterling and Hector won’t steer you wrong), fresh house-baked warm focaccia bread is placed before you accompanied by a ramekin of white bean puree dip. Who needs butter or olive oil with this superior spread? Try to get through your breadbasket and vessel of this silky-smooth topper without ordering more. We certainly never can!
Cafe La Boheme’s main dishes emit attention to detail in their presentation as well as a flavorsome disposition. Chef Banta has no qualms about perfection in flavor or visual appeal when dispatching her cuisine out of the kitchen into the dining room to anxiously awaiting patrons. A few of our favorite and most loved dinner entrees consist of the Herb-Marinated Hanger Steak, the popular 6-Ounce Filet Mignon, the Seared Sea Scallops, the Miso Glazed Salmon, the Roasted Free Range Chicken Breast, and the Grilled Berkshire Pork Chop with proportionate complimentary sides.
Whichever items you select during your participation in dining at La Boheme, you’re guaranteed to do no wrong. A symphony of polyphonic flavors will dance in your mouth while mingling with essences of Asian influences cleverly and ingenuitive gastronomic engineering by Chef Banta herself.
Did we mention that on Monday evenings, the corkage charge is only five dollars? We didn’t! Shame on us! Diners are welcome to bring in a bottle of their own wine to enjoy over dinner every Monday night. It’s a courtesy well-accepted and appreciated by both the establishment’s first-time customers as well as their seasoned returning enthusiasts.
In terms of satisfying your sweet tooth, there are numerous sugary rewards to seduce you into sampling. There’s Darcy’s Warm Valrhona Chocolate Cake, Butterscotch Pudding, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Vanilla Bean Creme Brulé, a selection of sorbets and ice cream, and the Banana Bread Pudding.
House Made Raspberry and Coconut Sorbet
After dinner, we took the rest of our wine outside to the candlelit courtyard to enjoy the remainder of the evening and the closeness of the lightened sky above. Also available for dining when specified in your reservation, the intimate outdoor patio is graced with intrigue and charm. As the legato tempo of our dinner service completed outside, we were regretful to be at the conclusion of our incredible meal at this beloved institution.
A fire burned calmly in the outdoor fireplace, while the sweet bouquet of nearby blooming jasmine occasionally drifted past our table at various intervals. The combination of that fragrance and the delicious nose of the Pinot Noir we were finalizing was a savory contrast. Antiqued stained-glass hanging lanterns and wall sconces quietly ornament the space, while roses proudly pronounce themselves against an ivy-curtained surround.
As the heavens grow darker, the mood is enhanced by the firelight, candles on the tables, and the peaceful quaint out-of-doors environment. It was just what we needed after having finished our magnificent dinner from Chef Banta – the perfect coda to our evening. Just sitting and talking and reminiscing about great times in our past and more incredible times coming soon in our future. What could be better than a fine glass of wine on that patio after indulging in delectable cuisine with the love of your life? Not much.
La Boheme is indeed an icon of the community. Known as such and certainly proving their place in the fine dining society, it more than stands out from the crowd. It encompasses the essence of visual enlightenment, culinary excellence and possesses an allure unlike anything else.
DECOR / ESTABLISHMENT: Brilliant ruby hues, deep blacks and muted silvers exude charm and elegance in this upscale-casual dining venue. Something to catch your eye everywhere you look. Romantic ambiance in an intimate, unique, and spacious setting.
FOOD / DRINK: Delicious cuisine created by Chef Banta will have you returning soon after your first visit. Numerous fresh selections on the main dinner menu, as well as refreshing cocktails and appetizers in the lounge during Happy Hour.
LOCATION: Cafe La Boheme is located at 8400 Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, CA 90069.
SERVICE / STAFF: We have had exceptional service by both Kevin, Sterling, and Hector at Cafe La Boheme. Professional, friendly, knowledgeable, and constant in their desire to please their customers, you can’t go wrong being seated in their areas of the restaurant. We assure you that you will be well taken care of by one of these finely skilled gentlemen.
PRICE / VALUE: No worries at Cafe La Boheme. Whether at Happy Hour or dining in the restaurant, you will receive excellent cuisine for an excellent price.
CORKAGE FEE: $5 corkage charge per bottle Monday nights with dinner, then other nights at dinner, $20 per bottle.
CONTACT INFO: Phone: (323) 848-2360, Website: cafelaboheme.us
PARKING: There is a conveniently located valet parking site beside the restaurant, as well as metered street parking in front of the establishment.
Please note, all information for this establishment may have changed or the eatery may have been permanently closed since the article’s publication.