pasjoli | santa monica

restaurant reviews

Nov 1

neighborhood: santa monica
cuisine: french
highlights: classy environment // great cocktails
menu must-haves: duck confit // caramelized onion tart

Make no mistake: a dinner at Pasjoli will cost you a very pretty penny. Like, a drop-dead-gorgeous one. The Charlize Theron of pennies. But it might buy you the best food you’ll eat all year, and certainly the best French food you’ll find on the westside.

Pasjoli — a charming, somewhat hidden gem of a French bistro in Santa Monica — is quaint, classy, and gives off a tasteful amount of French snob vibes without being too pretentious. Most importantly, the food is out of this world (or at least out of this country). Get your metaphorical passport ready because you’re about to be transported to France.

If you have something to celebrate or you’re just in the mood to splurge a little, do yourself a favor and say “oui” to Pasjoli.

Here’s the rundown.

french demi baguette with cultured butter at pasjoli — **demi baguette**

**house cultured butter**

Extremely strong start to the meal. A French baguette speaks for itself but this cultured butter is mind-blowing.

canard duck confit with cherry at pasjoli — **canard bordelaise**

duck confit //
preserved cherry bread pudding

I’m still not quite sure what preserved cherry bread pudding is but this wins for most surprisingly delicious dish of the night.

pork chop with cipollini onion at pasjoli — **carré de porc**

milk-fed pork chop //
lentiles du puy //
roasted cipollini onion

While this was a really well-executed pork chop, this plate wasn’t as memorable as the others — you may be better off opting for the short rib or a nice fish.