Providence

R

Rob Levia Google

19 days ago

5 Stars – A Transcendent Masterpiece: One of the Best Three-Michelin-Star Experiences in the World I deliberately planned our New Year's Eve dinner at Providence on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles because I'd heard such incredible things about Chef Michael Cimarusti's fine-dining seafood destination. And wow—it absolutely delivered. This wasn't just a special holiday meal; it was pure culinary artistry, ranking among the finest three-Michelin-star experiences I've had anywhere on the planet. Fresh off earning its coveted third Michelin star in the 2025 Guide (along with its long-held Green Star for sustainability), Providence is firing on all cylinders right now. The tranquil, elegant setting immediately sets a refined yet welcoming tone—perfect for welcoming the new year. We chose the earlier seating on the prix-fixe New Year's Eve menu so we could return to another celebration at our hotel afterward. Every detail was thoughtful and executed flawlessly. A quick note on pricing for anyone considering a visit: The special New Year's Eve tasting menu was $550 per person, with an automatic 20% service charge and taxes added on top. This is well worth the money and directly in line with other Michelin 3 star restaurants. The sheer innovation, impeccable ingredients, flawless service, and memorable experience delivered exceptional value in the realm of true luxury fine dining. As a former Kentuckian and dedicated bourbon connoisseur, I was thrilled by the whiskey list—it featured more than enough top-shelf bourbons to satisfy any Bluegrass State palate. They even pour their own private single-barrel selection: the Weller Full Proof Providence Single Barrel (2021 release) at just $35 an ounce. It went down incredibly smooth, rich, and complex—pure bliss. My wife opted for a cocktail and wasn't disappointed; the Shi Shi Ru Yi (柿柿如意) was a beautifully balanced gem, blending Wheatley vodka with touches of persimmon, Aperitivo Mazurka, tangerine, and cinnamon. The flavors danced in perfect harmony. Here are a couple of the opening highlights that blew us away: The bluefin tuna tartare with black truffle was out-of-this-world sublime—meltingly tender, bursting with umami and luxurious depth. My wife added the iconic Uni Egg, presented in a delicate ceramic egg with charming duck feet accents. It featured creamy sea urchin, champagne beurre blanc, and crisp brioche croutons—decadent, surprising, and utterly unforgettable. The entire tasting progression felt like wizardry: intricate layers of flavors that explode, evolve, and harmonize with every bite. The chefs here are true masters at composing such complex yet balanced "arithmetic" in each dish. Providence boasts an incredible list of accolades—"Top 50 Restaurants in the United States" by Gourmet magazine, "Best Seafood Restaurant" by Los Angeles magazine, #1 in Jonathan Gold’s 101 Best Restaurants in the Los Angeles Times, a James Beard Award, and now three highly coveted Michelin stars. It's easy to see why. This New Year's Eve at Providence was more than dinner—it was a masterpiece of art on the plate. If you're chasing an extraordinary fine-dining experience, make the reservation. You absolutely won't regret it. 5 stars, hands down!

H

H Xvia Google

about 1 month ago

We had to wait for over a month to reserve a slot at 8:45. The restaurant was very popular. It was located in an inconspicuous spot by the roadside and didn't match the surrounding environment well. We chose the special recommendation from the chef, which was basically the three optional main dishes provided in the daily menu included. Each dish was not very large, and it was almost enough to finish in one or two bites. We finished the food in the set menu around 11:50. We felt very full. We also ordered the dessert (chocolate) to go. My favorite dessert is the one in picture number fifteen. Overall, I think the taste of the dishes here doesn't meet the standards of a Michelin star restaurant , delicious but not impressive.

P

Paul Mark Morrisvia Google

about 1 month ago

Providence remains one of those rare restaurants that does not chase relevance because it already owns it. This is seafood as high craft, quiet confidence, and discipline meeting deep pleasure. Every course feels intentional without ever feeling precious. The room is calm and composed, the kind of place where the noise of the city falls away and attention sharpens. You are here to eat, to notice, to slow down. The tasting menu is a master class in restraint and clarity. Santa Barbara spot prawns arrive pristine and sweet, treated with reverence rather than theatrics. The uni course is luminous, briny, and balanced, never heavy, never fussy. Their legendary salt roasted Santa Barbara prawns deserve the reputation they carry. Perfect texture, pure flavor, nothing to hide behind. The lobster dishes show technical precision without losing warmth. Sauces are exacting and layered, built for depth rather than volume. Even the simplest preparations feel studied in the best way. Presentation is elegant and modern, never distracting. Plates land like punctuation marks, not exclamation points. The wine program is world class, with pairings that elevate rather than overpower. Thoughtful selections, confident pours, and pacing that respects the arc of the meal. Cocktails follow the same philosophy clean, restrained, and purposeful. Service is among the best in the city. Polished, knowledgeable, and genuinely hospitable. Questions are welcomed. Timing is flawless. You never feel rushed, and you never feel forgotten. Providence is not trying to impress you. It simply does. This is Los Angeles fine dining at its most serious and most satisfying. A benchmark restaurant that earns its reputation every single night.

J

Julia Hvia Google

2 months ago

Food overall was great. The dishes from the beginning of the night were a bit better so maybe 1-2 misses. Service was excellent. Forc the price though, not sure I’d come back again unless the menu was very different.

Z

Zinger Learnsvia Google

3 months ago

If it's not the best restaurant in the LA area, it's in the top 3-5. Been coming here for really specialy occiasions over the last 10+ years. As a seafood lover, it's hands down my favorite restaurant in the LA area. Service: Friendly, extremely knowledgeable, attentive, and unpretentious, exactly what you would expect from a 2-3 Michelin star restaurant. Drinks were fantastic as you would expect. I tend to opt for beer and Providence consistently has had small brewery interesting and delicious beers. Amuse-bouche - 4 bite size preparation with nice textural elements, and nice flavors. Lots of preparations of seafood which were outstanding, the intersection of extremely high quality seafood, perfectly prepared or raw, in fantastic tasting sauces. Exactly what you would expect in a 3 Michelin star restaurant, absolutely perfectly done with interesting textures and tastes. We opted for the Prawns, which were an addtion. Came with a cool show as they came encrusted with salt and cut tableside. Absolutely amazing, sweet and delicious with nothing more than a bit of salt and lemon. Bread- Red Fife Sourdough- House made and delicious, i liked the story that came with it, and the butter of course... the butter! Some interesting preparations of chocolate including a chocolate tea. They were good but I would say the dessert was the least memorable part of the meal. Highly recommend if you are in the area and if it's in your budget!