Stop for a moment and place yourself in a scenario that I’m about to paint for you.

You just left work and you ran to your car to escape the rain. You start your car and you head off to a restaurant for dinner. Your GPS gives you a time of arrival and if all goes your way you’ll get there with a few minutes to spare. You’re making perfect time on your drive until you find yourself behind the worst driver, ever. He’s Mr. Gracious: the driver who lets every other driver in front of him and ultimately in front of you. That’s where I was not too long ago as I saw car after car pass in front of him which really meant in front of me. So many that even Gandalf would be pissed and jump in front of his Honda Accord and shout “You shall not pass!” Sure, you’re not actually in the driver’s seat on this ride, but I was and it took every soothing sound of Alessia Carra’s voice to get me safely to my destination. Lucky for Mr. Gracious, her music was on repeat and I made it to Bon Vivant faster than I could have imagined.

As shook off the long drive and walked into Bon Vivant my friend TJ arrived at the same time. Together, we made our way into the beautiful oasis of a restaurant and were soon sitting with the restaurant’s cheese monger, Jason. Jason showed us the inner workings of the restaurant while telling us how it has become a getaway for people in the city. After the brief history lesson, Jason showed us the cocktail and dinner menu and then prepped us for the charcuterie board and food that would soon arrive. As quickly as he left, the bartender came to our table, smiled, and took our drink order.

Now that I eat out and try things more than usual, I am much more open to taking the suggestions from people behind the counter. Although what I found on the drink menu looked appealing, there was a big part of me that just wanted to know what he thought was best. So, I asked. Turns out, his recommendations matched mine exactly. The same smile he had when he took our order was about fifty percent wider when he brought the drinks to our table.

The first was the Red Velvet ($14). From the name alone I assumed this would be a cream-based liquor like a white Russian. It wasn’t until I waited a second longer and read the description that I realized I was wrong. Instead, it was made of Langley’s No. 8 gin, pomegranate elixir, and lemon juice. That sounded delicious, and then the bartender told us about one last addition: two spritz of Absinthe. One spritz graces the liquor as he pours it, and the other seals the deal as he sprays it on top of the full glass. One sip, two sips, and three sips later and I found myself eager to finish it. That’s when I remembered TJ asked to try it. Dangit! Overall, the drink has a gentle warmth that creeps up as you near the end of each sip. That warmth is wrapped around a sweet taste that eventually turns sour. It was very nice.

The second cocktail was the Franco Mexicano (no price available). The bartender mixed Casamigos tequila, St. Germain, lime juice, soda, and fresh basil. From the first sip all I could think was how refreshing of a cocktail it was, mainly thanks to the lime juice and basil. It was a smooth drink that wasn’t overpowered by tequila which means you may ask for more. Then six glasses later you’re being escorted out as your friends hold their head down in embarrassment. Know your limits people, especially with an easy and delightful drink like this.

After the drinks were almost empty, Jason came back with two Charcuterie Boards (Ham, $27 and Fruit, $38). If I told you that I wasn’t overwhelmed and excited at the sight of them, I would be lying. They were such beautifully hand crafted boards that there was a part of me that didn’t want to touch them. I’m not necessarily calling it art, but if he wanted to put this on a pedestal under a light in LACMA, I would pay to see it. While both boards were full of such delicious custom cheeses, fruits, pickles, and meats. I found myself drawn to something in particular. It was the Brillat-Savarin with cranberries. The cow’s milk cheese was incredibly creamy and soft with a smooth texture. The placement of the cranberries to the edge of the cheese was a complimentary addition of juicy sweetness that it was absolutely impeccable!

When it came to our entrees, I scanned the menu and already knew what TJ was going to get before he could open his mouth. Then he let the words out: “Can I have the 10oz Rack of Lamb Chops ($22)?” I knew it! He’s either predictable or we’ve been hanging out too long. Neither one is that great, honestly. Kidding of course! TJ’s rack soon arrived and it was beautiful. The rack was placed atop a chocolate balsamic reduction and aligned with redskin mashed potatoes. Even though I ordered my own dish, I had to have some of his. Chocolate balsamic reduction just isn’t something you pass over. Instead, I put my fork through the food on his plate. The bites of the lamb were mouthwatering, the sauce was sweet, and the potatoes were fluffy and perfectly whipped. It would have been easy for me to gorge completely on his plate until the waiter brought mine to the table. “Oh, well, I guess this is goodbye lamb chops.”

It only took a few seconds for me to forget about the lamb and become enticed by the description of the Chicken Pot Pie ($12). If you know me well, then you know I’m a sucker for cute guys holding puppies (yes, plural) and a pot pie. I was hoping this pot pie would be a full pie where the chef encapsulated the ingredients with crust, but unfortunately it wasn’t. In spite of that, it was still a nice pie served in a skillet. As I stabbed my spoon through the golden brown crust, I could see the steam that was enclosed by the pie lid quickly escape. Once the steam cleared, the inside of the pot pie was clear as day. The puff pastry was full of thick and flavorful chunks of tender chicken. Add to that, the medley of vegetables were a perfect pairing. Fresh peas and carrots were a nice contrast to the meat and blended nicely with the creamy filling.

After all of those plates and boards, we threw in the foodie towel. Enough, we’re done! The dinner at Bon Vivant was such a pleasant surprise! The dishes were bountiful and delicious and the interior was absolutely memorable–a hidden gem within a busy city. While there, I found myself wanting to order more food just so TJ and I could spend more time in the restaurant. And the more time I spent in the restaurant I found myself ordering more food. It’s a wonderful dilemma and one that I will gladly put myself into in the near future. Maybe this weekend to be exact and hopefully this time Mr. Gracious will stay off the road.

Want to see more dishes from the evening and find out what else Bon Vivant serves? Then check out a few more of their drinks and eats below!

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Address: 3155 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Phone: (323) 284-8013
Hours: Sunday through Thursday – 9:00am to 10:00pm, Friday and Saturday 9:00am to 12:00am
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