Trois Mec (716 N Highland Ave)

One of the covid closures that hit me hardest, the tiny Trois Mec was long one of LA’s hottest reservations since it opened in 2013, serving famed Ludo Lefebvre’s take on modern French in a more formal atmosphere.

The restaurant built upon the popular LudoBites pop-up series the chef ran in the aughts and called on his experience cutting his teeth in France under legendary chefs Alain Passard and Pierre Gagnaire. Trois Mec found national acclaim, too, earning a James Beard Award nomination for best new restaurant.

The only surprise you wouldn't find in this place was the incredible food - like an Indonesian-inspired lobster bisque with lime peanut butter, and Trois Mec’s signature avocado sushi, and that white chocolate cantalope soup.

This place ruled and held a special place in my heart as the first nice meal I had in LA, years before I even considered moving here from NYC.

Of course we still have the OG Petit Trois next door, but you can only have so many sloppy burgers ya know?