New on Resy: Trois Mec, Petit Trois, Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill

Trois Mec is the vision of Ludo Lefebvre, in conjunction with partners Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo (of Animal, Son of a Gun, and Jon & Vinny’s). Opened in June 2013 in an old pizza parlor in a strip mall, Trois Mec, which loosely translates to “three guys,” offers a constantly changing five-course tasting menu and operates on a special ticketing system. The old Raffalo’s Pizza sign still hangs above the door outside, but that was the intention. It started as and remains an unpretentious fine-dining experience.

Designed with old-school Parisian brasseries in mind, Petit Trois is a French bistro co-owned by chefs Ludo Lefebvre, Jon Shook, and Vinny Dotolo. This Sherman Oaks location is the second outpost; the original is in Hollywood—of which Jonathan Gold has said, “the cuisine is the kind of unpretentious cooking you may remember from your first trip to France” and “there may be no better plate of escargot in town.” Here, you can enjoy breakfast (think omelettes and croissants) in addition to lunch and dinner (escargot, frisée-lardon, croque madame, steak frites).

Ostrich Farm is an intimate, 50-seat spot in Echo Park featuring classic American heritage fare cooked over a wood-fired grill. The menu changes often, and is locally sourced, including some veggies and herbs from the restaurant’s own garden—tucked away above the restaurant. Killer seasonal cocktails (from beverage director Jeremy Simpson, formerly of Bestia and Good Housekeeping), a thoughtful wine list, and craft beer complement the menu. As for the vibe, think California cool; bright, light, and airy, with warm service and great tunes.

Barbette is a highly stylized, French-inspired bistro and bar helmed by chef Robert Flaherty. The kitchen sources locally and responsibly to create decadent dishes with a healthful sensibility, resulting in a crowd-pleasing menu that’s mostly gluten-free and vegetarian, with many vegan options as well. But if that’s not your game, don’t fret; Flaherty’s masterful sourdough loaves are on offer, as are meat-forward classics like chicken diable and steak frites. All served in an atmosphere reminiscent of Southern France, due in part to design elements like mosaic-patterned floors and vintage mirrors. Pro-tip: crème de cassis and absinthe are made in-house and served traditionally.

Located at The Grove, Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill showcases the Bromberg Brothers’ and partner Toshi Ueki’s dedication to the tradition of pristine quality fish and family-style Japanese fare. Well-known Blue Ribbon staples such as togarashi spiced fried chicken with wasabi honey and oxtail-and-bone marrow fried rice are offered alongside sashimi, nigiri (or omakase) and an extensive wine, sake, and cocktail menu. There’s a cozy teak and ivory-hued dining room, a hidden bar room at the back, and al fresco dining under cream-colored umbrellas with a view of the famed Grove fountain—take your pick.

Hayden is an all-day neighborhood café and wine shop in Culver City’s PLATFORM—a hip outdoor mall with tenants like Poketo, Van Leeuwen, and Loqui Taqueria. Cali-inspired cuisine with a refined European technique is the style of chef Ari Kolender, a James Beard semifinalist who was born in Charleston and spent time in kitchens at The Ordinary, Leon’s Fine Poultry & Oyster Shop, and LA’s own Providence. His menu offers salads (“Ari’s chopped”), toasts (‘njuda with ricotta and wildflower honey), sandwiches (salami and burrata with heirloom tomato and tapenade), and more. Hayden is meant to feel like a stylish neighborhood canteen that’s also a destination for oysters and natural wine.