7450 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 930-9744
http://www.bldrestaurant.com
We were trying to save a few bucks after the damage of our Mexican vacation. But New Year eve's dinner cost a fortune everywhere. When I saw the 3 course dinner + champagne offer for $40 per person at BLD, I couldn't believe it. Then I believed it, and made a reservation right away.
BLD is owned and operated by the same team from Grace. Since Neal Fraser is the executive chef here, we already know the food must taste great here. The restaurant is located 2 blocks away from the sister restaurant. Even though it has a more casual vibe, service was just as top notch as Grace.
Complimentary glass of 2004 Brut "Blancs de Blancs" Louis Perdier, Cote d'Or, France
After placing our order, the friendly waitress immediately brought two glasses of complimentary champagne. Original price $8/glass, the bubbling champagne was sweet and crisp, quite good.
Tuna Tartare
Smoked paprika aioli, potato gaufrette
Dr. P had the tuna tartare for appetizer. Tuna was chopped into bite size chunks and mixed with some crunchy veggies. The smoked paprika aioli was tasty. Potato gaufrette was a bit salty, and a bit soggy. Dr. P compared this dish to the yellowtail appetizer dish we had at Grace. He thought Grace's raw fish was better, and I agreed. The food at Grace is more like a sophisticated elegant lady, while the food at BLD is more like a young urban guy. I mean, they are both good, but just different style.
Wild Boar Sausage
Fresh polenta, berry gastrique
I picked the wild boar sausage as my appetizer. I am drooling now just thinking about this dish. The wild boar sausage was wrapped in sweet puff pastry, kinda like a pig in a blanket. The sausage was more on the heavy side. But the pastry, along with the lightness of the polenta and sweet berry sauce, everything was just in the right balance. I LOVE this dish. Too bad it's not on their regular menu. I'd definitely go back and order this again.
2007 Row Eleven "Vinas Tres"Pinot Noir, Central Coast, California ($12.00)
We ordered a meat dish and a fish dish as our main entrees. The Pinot Noir was suggested with the fish, but it went well with the meat as well. Dr. P didn't like this red wine, but I thought it was good. But wine is not exactly my expertise. I'm just a typical girl. So as long as it's sweet, then I like it. haha....
Pan Roasted Seabass
Wild rice, sauteed chard, cauliflower curry sauce
Main entree had surprisingly large portion. The seabass was moist and tasted very delicate. The cauliflower curry sauce was pretty light, only had a hint of curry, and went very well with the fish. It was a simple and good dish.
Braised Beef Short Rib
Potato parsnip puree, steamed spinach, walnut horseradish creme, beef jus
I had the seabass first and thought it was good. Then I had the braised beef short rib, and thought it was even better. The rib was probably braised for a long time because it was super soft and tender. Potato, spinach, pearl onion, beef jus, and the super delicious walnut horseradish creme. This dish had a lot of things going on, but everything complimented each other so well. This was the star of the night. We were too full to finish the food and had to take half http://www.eileenlikestoeat.com. The short rib was just as good the next day.
Coffee ($3.50)
Dr. P got coffee to get ready for desserts. You get a whole jar of strong and good French pressed coffee.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding
Bruleed bananas, salted caramel ice cream, spiced dark chocolate sauce
We all know Grace has the best dessert, so I was expecting the same level here. Sorry to say, dessert was a big big disappointment at BLD. The first dessert we had was peanut butter chocolate chip bread pudding. I took a big bite, and almost spit it out right away. The dessert was SALTY. Not just a little salty, but VERY SALTY. Ok, so I wasn't exactly expecting a salty dessert. Well, let's try the ice cream then. Ice cream can't be bad, right? Wrong. Another big bite, almost spit it out AGAIN. Yes, the caramel ice cream was also salty, VERY SALTY. I tried to have a few more bites, so did Dr. P. We really tried. But no, we left most of it untouched.
Sweet Potato Pecan Tart
Toasted bourbon marshmallow, orange anglaise, crunchy oat ice cream
The sweet potato pecan tart was much better. Well, everything should taste better than really salty bread pudding and really salty ice cream. But it just couldn't compare to the dessert at Grace. I do like the crunchy oat ice cream a lot. But dessert definitely is not BLD's thing.
We love the food at BLD. BLD stands for breakfast, lunch and dinner (I think). Since breakfast is Dr. P's favorite meal of the day, we would like to come back again to try some of their morning food.
We cheered "happy new year" to each other with our free champagne, took our leftover and a full belly http://www.eileenlikestoeat.com, happily!
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They also have brunch. You should have told your server about the salty dessert.
ReplyDeleteAlso I am wondering if you are going any restaurant for Dine LA week?
Yeah, we told our waitress about it.
She said their pastry chef is a really creative woman. She liked to try new idea all the time.
Our server said that she'll pass the comment to the pastry chef.
There are so many restaurants we want to try for Dina LA.
We are thinking about going to Valentino, Water Grill, Gordon Ramsay's, Dal Rae, The Bazaar by Jose Andres.
What about you?
Hi Eileen, I'm enjoying all the reviews as usual and I like the new layout. Ever since the new layout, the RSS feed now only shows part of the articles. Before, the RSS feed always showed the entire story. I'm not sure if this is on purpose or not, but I thought I'd let you know. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteReally? Thanks for letting me know.
I'll look into it.
BLD stands for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner? Hahaha. Love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks again for your photo Eileen! Love the new layout!
I guess that's what it meant.
What's your thought?
the shortribs were phenomenal
ReplyDeleteYeah, I miss it! I don't think this dish is on their regular menu though.
Let's go try breakfast sometimes, yeah?
Eileen, I actually had a salty "salted caramel gelato" at Mario Batali's Otto Pizzeria... i guess when the "salted" is not controlled well it just becomes salty... D=
ReplyDeleteI booked Water Grill for DineLA already, the lunch is such a good deal, and I wanted to try Valentino and Gordon Ramsay’s too, what a coincident. ^^
I don't know... "Salted" dessert is just not my thing.
Maybe I'll see you in one of those restaurants. ^_*
I wanted to try Gordon Ramsy, but the menu looks just so-so to me. So going to Grace instead, since we missed out last time. This time I booked very early.
ReplyDeleteI have been to Water Grill, IMO it isn't very good.
You didn't like Water Grill?
That's one of the restaurants we've been wanting to try forever.
I'll let you know what I think afterward.
You'll like Grace! We really like the food there.
But this time we kinda wanna try new restaurants.
Hi Eileen,
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, and great new site! :) Love the new layout; it's very pretty and clean.
Nice review on BLD. I've been meaning to try this place but haven't gotten around to it yet. I'll have to try it soon (and I'll be careful about the desserts here :).
Happy new year, Exile Kiss!!
I really like the dishes we had on New Year's Eve.
But none of the item is on their regular menu.
We're going back soon to try their breakfast.
Hope you'll like their food as well.