This was the first -- and possibly still the best -- of Joachim Splichal's chain of Pinot restaurants. The main dining room is standard SoCal, but the bar area is a lovely re-creation of a Parisian bistro, with mustard walls, polished wood, and black-and-white-tile floors. The varied menu pairs French mainstays such as cassoulet and braised lamb shank with more contemporary dishes such as tuna tartare, arugula salad with Manchego cheese, dates and walnuts, and molasses-glazed duck with citrus marmalade crepes. For dessert, don't miss the chocolate croissant bread pudding with a bourbon sauce.
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