Sunday, December 21, 2008

Factory Francais

Per Mr. Diabolina's suggestion, we tried a new place in the 'hood with our fashionable pals. Diabolina already beat me to reporting on our evening.

Church & State (1850 E. Industrial Street, Los Angeles) sits at the bottom of the Biscuit Company Lofts, which were once the West Coast headquarters of Nabisco.
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It's an interesting location for a restaurant. The area is gray and run-down, as the street name would indicate. It felt a bit like the Meatpacking District in New York City in its earlier days. I can only hope this part of Downtown L.A. heads toward such dynamic development.

The interior is rather New York, too. Dark. Masculine. Bustling.
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We couldn't resist ordering the moelle de boeuf ($12). What is that? It's roasted marrow bone! It was fun exploring with fellow gastronomical adventurers.
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How do you eat bone marrow? You take a knife, scoop out some marrow, and spread it like butter on toasted bread. You're essentially eating beef fat.
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And it tastes like it.

It was nice to try, but I doubt any of us will order moelle de boeuf in the future.

In contrast, we all enjoyed the escargot de Bourgogne ($12), which were baked in garlic and parsley butter and topped with flaky puff pastry.
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I liked it so much that I had two. Monkey loves snails. Nom nom nom.

The moule marinere ($14) seemed like a hit. (As some of you may recall, with the exception of scallops, I'm not a fan of bivalves, so I didn't personally partake.)
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The mussels swam in white wine, and aioli accompanied the pomme frites.
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I can't say I was impressed by the soupe à l'oignon gratinee ($9).
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We've been spoiled by Bouchon's version.

Mr. D had the loup de mere à la grenobloise ($24). His sea bass looked beautifully grilled, surrounded by artichokes, lemon, and capers.
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Mr. Monkey loved his beef short rib bordelaise ($26) accompanied by swiss chard and red wine sauce. So tender and rich.
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In my haste to capture everyone else's meals, I forgot to take a photo of my own meal! I had the dinner special of the night -- coq au vin ($19). Loved it. My chicken was juicy, great, and steeped in wine-y flavor.

Diabolina's tarte de saumon fume ($14) was awesome. Smoked salmon, caramelized onions, and crème fraîche on thin baked flatbread? Yes, please!
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To make up for my lack of photo of my meal, here's a bonus pic of D chowing.
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Now that's a girl who knows how to dress and how to eat!

A couple of sweet endings:

The pear tart ($7) was decent.
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But the apple galette ($7) was something to write home about.
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Flaky, light, delicate, and delightful! Love!

Topics of conversation during our meal included the man with tree root hands, Mr. D's run-in with an eye-less cyclops, and a bum who has feet the size of the cutting board upon which Diabolina's meal was served.

Colorful, to say the least.
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Yay for a fun food-filled foray with friends and freakspeak!

10 comments:

  1. I have always wanted to try bone marrow. I wonder if it always tastes so-so? I have heard people rave about it!

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  2. Have been wondering if Church & State is any good. I knew I could count on you for a review. :)

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  3. glad to see their menu offerings have expanded. i dined al fresco there for lunch the first week it opened, and all they had was salad, the soup, like 2 entrees, and a few baguettes.

    the french onion soup wasn't bad, but you're right--bouchon's is better. :)

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  4. my hubs ordered the short ribs last night too! i don't think i could venture out and try bone marrow- but the presentation is pretty funky & cool

    love the last pic! you all look fun and fabulous in it

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  5. I'm so glad you tried bone marrow and shared so I don't have to. ;) Yay for great dinners with friends!

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  6. Why did I click on that tree root man link? Why?

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  7. When we lived in HK, my mom used to make a beef bone marrow soup.

    I can't lie; it was good.

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  8. ugh, why we thought freakshow conversation was good over dinner, i will never know. sorry.

    let's try that sausage place next week :)


    getting ready for the rose bowl,
    D

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  9. the food looks fabulous! what a fun evening.

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