Le Comptoir

Le Comptoir is not just a restaurant. Chef Gary Menes brings you an experience that combines impeccable taste with an at-home feel as you enjoy the masterpieces he brings out in an eight-course journey. You are one of 10 people seated facing the kitchen where the magic happens. Chef begins by introducing himself and his team (Josh and Jonathan, both of whom have been with Chef for 8+ years). The cooking and plating takes place right in front of your eyes. You can ask questions, all of which are answered with patience. All the dishes are exceptional and keep changing daily. The menu is vegetarian forward but several of the dishes can be substituted for fish/meat options (cooked to perfection) for additional charge. If you are a party of two or more, I recommend one person get the standard veggie dish and the other get the meat/fish option. The wine pairing is great and all the wines are picked out by the chef to go with each course. Often times during the meal, I saw Chef Gary wash the dishes himself while his apprentices were serving us, which blew my mind. I did not expect to get a lesson in management and kindness when I made my reservation. My husband and I have been to several Michelin star restaurants, including Eleven Madison Park in NYC. But all of them pale in comparison to Le Comptoir. It is the best dining experience we have ever had and probably will have for years to come.

We were absolutely blown away by Le Comptoir. We're trying to work our way through the newly-minted Michelin list in Los Angeles and were excited to try a place we hadn't heard of before. The ambiance is amazing, with a counter seating around 8 people right in front of the small kitchen where you can see the care put into each course. The menu is very focused around fresh produce, and several specials that depend on what is fresh and delicious that day (we really loved this aspect and how much the team cared about each ingredient). While some might be offput by the mostly vegetarian menu, you will not be disappointed by the masterful preparation and quality.

We did find that the meat dishes were not quite as finessed as the vegetables (which is their specialty so that makes sense) but they were still very solid. We had such a great time talking with the team throughout the meal, and opted for the very generous and reasonably priced wine pairing which was full of very interesting picks we enjoyed a lot. One of the best meals we've had in a long time also happens to be one of the most affordable high quality tasting menus in LA, which makes this an absolute can't-miss in my mind. The price can drive up if you choose a lot of supplements, but after trying all of them with sharing, the main menu is where the star dishes are anyway - so you won't be missing out if you stick to the book in my opinion.

Reservations can be tough to get, so plan in advance - you won't regret it!

A special experience for a not very special menu. Seven vegetables and fruits mixed dishes are well prepared and not letting down although the ingredients were simple. The main course was disappointing small especially compared with the fruit and veggies plate second course. It was less than most side disk in normal menu. The donut desert was not impressive. The scallop and beef supplement added a balance flavor to the standard menu and replaced the weak main course.

Le Comptoir was amazing. It’s a very small place, but that increases the intimacy of the whole evening. The experience of getting to meet Chef Gary and his apprentice, and having them walk you through the menu, course by course, made for a great dinner. If you are looking to celebrate, or want to try a tasting menu which highly showcases the veggies, then Le Comptoir is worth checking out.