Cafe Beaujolais

I love a good French Restaurant. When you dine at Cafe Stella in Silverlake, you feel like you're in a hip, bistro tucked away in some alley off the St. Germain high street. But, Cafe Beaujolais (1712 Colorado Blvd.), located in a converted 1920's bungalow, feels like a French countryside cottage where you can imagine wine vineyards sprawling in all directions outside the restaurant.

This place is authentic...attitude and all! You know you're in a good French restaurant when you see loads of French people dining there. The waiter, a very charming and sarcastic French guy, suggested that we try his wine recommendation which was very good. For entrees, the Filet Mignon and Fries served with a peppercorn sauce are textbook. Take a photo, file it in the encyclopedia under Steak Frites. But wait until you try the chicken breast, which is stuffed with pine nuts & ricotta cheese and then baked in a pastry. Scrum-diddily-umptious! I always get the onion soup to start with and I'm always raving about each bite. Their daily specials usually include a fresh seafood dish, too. A grilled Salmon was last night's special.

Word of warning: Watch out for the bread at the start of the meal. It is SO wonderful, you might fill up your belly before your starter arrives. Also, my wife always complains that they don't serve Mouelle Frites like they do at Cafe Stella. Perhaps, it's not a French, wine-country dish ? But, what they do have on the menu is great and it's always nice to see a restaurant crowded on weeknight. It was jamming last night.