La Poubelle

Initially I was coming on here to leave a great review for La Poubelle (as I just did on YELP). Upon finding them on here, I read the review titled, "Let them eat cupcakes". I feel inclined to interject a comment on this because I think this review was done as a vendetta as it seems pretty falsified. I happened to be inside the night this psuedo infamous Cupcake incident happened. It was during the debate and got much attention from several of us Poubelle supporters. This woman, who claims she was terribly treated was asked to leave a donation as it was an Obama fundraiser and the tray of cupcakes were clearly marked. When a waiter asked her quietly to make a donation she seemingly declined. I saw him follow her and quietly and kindly ask her a second time to make a donation as they were not free, she took a big bite out of the cupcake and said something sarcastic along the lines of "too late now". Everyone in our section of the restaurant was shocked at the rudeness of this woman as it was clearly a fundraiser. Noted by all the signs and red, white and blue balloons. I know that this was carried on outside and there was definitely some ruckus because it drew the attention of the quiet diners...how the story ends I don't know. I can say that this girl Erin is trying to save face because at the end of the day, stealing cupcakes and getting out of a $2 donation is just cheap and tacky and not the style of anyone who comes to Poubelle. Pros: Great food, great late night atmosphere Cons: Cupcake theives. more

Wow, where to begin. Never, in my entire life, have I been treated so rudely by a waiter AND restaurant owner. Went to La Poubelle to watch the Presidential debates on Friday and towards the end of the night, noticed people walking around with Obama cupcakes. I saw them sitting out on a table near the back of the restaurant. I grabbed three (one for me and 2 friends) and walked back to our table. 10 seconds later, a male waiter is in our faces asking us who the heck we think we are "stealing" cupcakes without paying for them. "Those are $5 a piece - you have to make a donation to the campaign. Why would you just waltz up and take them without asking someone? Who do you think you are?" Mind you these were sitting out in the open with no donation box, nobody taking donations, no bake sale sign saying "$5 cupcakes." Nothing. I kept apologizing and saying that it was a huge misunderstanding and an honest mistake. The guy was so rude and basically just wouldn't relent - kept saying that I intentionally took them w/o paying. I ended up leaving in tears and was standing outside the restaurant with my friends a few minutes later when the OWNER comes out and starts SCREAMING at us, telling me that in her country "nobody would just take cake," and telling us to get the ____ off her sidewalk before she calls the police. Needless to say, my friends and I were appalled. I honestly thought I was on a hidden camera show. Cons: Rude waiters & owner more

this is the perfect date spot! candlelit French atmosphere, shabby chic decor and charming, hip waitstaff. the escargot was perfect and the crepes were to die for. live accordionist too! lots of hipsters, characters and celebs to watch... had a lovely, romantic evening with my date. love this neighborhood spot! Pros: patio, romance, atmosphere more

If you're a woman, and plan on getting a drink at La Poubelle, i will give you a heads up!. The food is good, but the bartenders are probably some of the most desperate men you'll run into in this town. They will jump at anything with long hair and resembling a lady. And unfortunately (i can live to tell), they're conversation level - amidst other things - will bring back memories of a midget french donkey. It's surprising that such a classy French restaurant would have such a low level (of non french) bartenders. Ladies BEWARE these guys were such attention freaks, that just a single look at them, will garantee you a night in hell where these attention-starving deficients will parade their latest badmington accomplishments and won't let you drink in peace until you bail out!. Dommage. Pros: Food Cons: Bartenders more

Where do I start...the waiter was a snot and rude. I ordered a hamburger medium rare an HOUR later it finally arrived well done and tasting like a brick. The waiter didn't care and wouldn't replace it, that's fine I didn't feel like waiting another hour for a simple hamburger. Won't ever return! more

We had dinner at La Poubelle and it was Magnifique!!! Honestly, I don't understand anyone that isn't charmed by this restaurant. It is completely unique and special, not to mention the food and service are always great. This is not your cookie cutter place, but instead a true Gem in Los Angeles. The owners, Jacqueline and her daughter, Francoise take such pride in this 40 year old establishment. La Poubelle is a fun, casual chic place to unwind and eat well. My personal favorites are the escargots, the mussels, all the steaks, the coq au vin, the chai duck crepe and the ratatouille. For dessert you must try the home made sorbet and the fantastic banana beignets. A great little wine list, which I am told is mostly organic wines from small family owned vineyards in France, and a really good martini selection. I think that probably one of my favorite things about La Poubelle is being greeted by the Maitre D' , Hugo Bianqui. He's been working there for 40 years. So when you go, say hello to him and tell him that you love Frank Sinatra - you will be in for some great stories that evening!!! Pros: Charming, Great Food, Family Owned & Operated Cons: I wish everyone had a place like this in their neighborhood more

We had a wonderful birthday dinner at La Poubelle on Saturday night. The food was fantastic, the atmosphere fun and charming & the service excellent. I have always enjoyed the varied menu and the small yet wonderfully put together wine list. I had an excellent Filet Mignon with wild mushroom sauce. My wife had a Bouillabaise that beat out any restaurant in the south of France!!! Our friends thoroughly enjoyed their Coq Au Vin and Ratatouille. We drank a fabulous Cote du Rhone, and for dessert the piece de resistance was a chocolate molten cake and a variety of luscious sorbets. Thanks to our gracious host & owner Jacqueline, we had the most wonderful birthday party we could have imagined. Pros: Great Chef & Family Owned Cons: None more

I am in awe at the amount of contempt that the owner of La Poubelle has for his/her customers. It's fine to try and create a small trendy spot for dinner and drinks.. It's certainly fine to create a bistro atmosphere. It is, however, most certainly not fine to throw the silhouette of the Eiffel Tower on the cover of your menu and then fill the inside of it with Italian pasta dishes. Don't forget to order the burrata cheese appetizer, cause it's about as French as Taco Bell. To top it all off: sliders. That's right. They serve the kind of munchies that only the people at White Castle could have dreamt up. Maybe they feel the nearest Dave & Buster's is too far away. And while you wash your "French Bistro" food down with $7 beers and $11 drinks, pay close attention to the admonishment on the menu that if you dare sit a table you'd better order a minimum of $30 per person. I'm not saying that that's a lot for dinner, I'm saying that there's nothing that makes you less want to do something than being told that you have to. It places La Poubelle in the same league as Denny's. I don't know how good the food is. After 20 minutes of sitting at a table without a server approaching me I got up in left. The place was packed. Good thing it's in Hollywood -- as long as you give something the sheen of "cool" people won't realize that what lies beneath is a cauldron of bile. Makes me want to hate people almost as much as La Poubelle's owner does. more

My wife and I just moved into the Beachwood area from Newport Beach. We have tried several restaurants in Hollywood and have found them to be less than satisfactory. Imagine our absolute delight when we found La Poubelle. What a fantastic, unique and delicious restaurant. We started with the escargot and a grilled asparagus salad, c'est magnifique!!! We then had a sumptuous spinach crepe and a wonderful shrimp, gorgonzola and crimini mushroom crepe. Our wine was selected by our server "Hugo", and he did a great job at pairing. For dessert we had a banana beignet and a poached pear with creme fraiche. Need we say anymore!!! We will be back... Pros: Food, Service, Atmosphere Cons: None more

I've dined at La Poubelle before and have had a mix of experiences. I had a first date here recently and it was very romantic. Nice wines by the glass and the specials sounded really inspired. I do have to admit that they used to have the absolute best fried calamari in the city and for some reason they took it off!!!! Bring it back guys it was awesome and one time we ordered a pizza off their "tapas" menu and it was clearly a frozen pizzza from a box. The atmosphere is very charming french bistro so definitely go and enjoy the ambiance, the food can also be very good....just avoid the pizza, as you should in a french bistro anyway! more

My boyfriend took me to La Poubelle last night on a date, and we had a wonderful experience. Our server, Sabrina, was top notch. She recommended the bone-in filet and the bouillabaise - and they were excellent. She also helped pair our wines to compliment our dinner, what a great restaurant. Who would have thought that a little place in the corner of Hollywood would deliver such exceptional food and service. We found a gem, and will definitely be back. Pros: nicely lit, great music, fantastic food and service Cons: none more

J'ai mange a La Poubelle depuis plus de 30 ans. Le restaurant et le voisinage environnant s'etaient ameliores au cours des ans. Avec un theatre quelques portes loin le valet sera le fait de devoir pour certaines personnes. Pendant que le type de places assises a change et quelqu'un prenait place dans la ma vieille place de la fenetre l'espace dure et l'atmosphere est le francais "poubell-ish" dans le caractere, beaucoup de memes peintures sont sur le mur, mais ne semblent pas poussiereuses. Le service etait rapide et a propos; le vin etait bon, la soupe poivree rouge excellente, le plat principal - le crepe de champignon et d'un poulet etait ... parfait que le defi pour moi ordonnait trois articles tres riches et delicieux. Je commencerai a retourner... Je dois voir Jackqueline qui est dans la chaque fois de Paris je retourne. Maintenant les parties j'ai manque. les places assises murales, selon mon compagnon, etaient inconfortables; il n'y avait pas apres le cafe de diner avec les sucres et les chocolats et le "sejour comme vous longtemps comme vous voulez" "vous reposez" et "simulent que vous etes a Paris" est presque parti ... meme sans le vieux plaisir de cafe, nous avons laisse passer le dessert et le cafe pour la maison. MAIS he, si vous ou pas la dans les 70 et les annees 80 que sauriez-vous ? Je reviendrai. Francois... more

Fantastic food, service, ambiance, music, etc... A must have is the ratatouille and the filet mignon. We had a great time and will be back!!! Pros: Ambiance, food, neighborhood Cons: none more

This is a fantastic place -- great ambiance, interesting people watching, outdoor seating, etc, however, the price for a drink is outrageous. Because of it's location, service, and overall appearance you would never expect a top shelf martini to be $15, house glass of wine to $12, and top shelf drink with water, $10. Secondly, if you are paying that much for a martini, the glass should be filled -- not 2/3 of the way. The bartender should be attentive and gracious. It was upsetting to order rounds of drinks, unknowing of such high prices, and receive a bill of which you feel you are undeserving. I loved this place in the past, and I live in the neighborhood, but this last experience may prove for me not to return until I am my wallet is bursting at the seams. If you must, have one drink here, but then go to surrounding bars/restaurants to celebrate! Pros: Great Ambiance and People Watching Cons: High Prices, Unattentive Bartenders, Valet Parking more

Living and working as a writer in LA, it's easy to walk around town and see that business and night life is quiet and sleepy. Having moved from New York just 3 months before the strike, a got a taste of the heart and soul of Los Angeles and was happy to make my home here. I've visited many bars and restaurants since this strike and recently was introduced to La Poubelle from some peers of mine who are self proclaimed regulars. What a surprise! In our 3 hour visit we dined on delicious food, had an excellent service who made us feel welcome, I had the pleasure of passionate discussion about the strike with Poubelle personality "Hugo" and one of my buddies invited "Francois?" to sit with us and have a drink, she kindly obliged us on her way out. This all seemed the norm for everyone but me. This place has my recommendation, appetite and patronage!! more

We absolutely LOVE La Poubelle!!! Its fun, its energetic, the staff and the food are always wonderful. We just celebrated my husbands birthday with a food pairing dinner . We started with escargot and baked giant scallops with bechamel. Really fantastic. Next for our main course - boeuf bourgignon (French beef stew). The tender chunks of filet mignon in the wonderfully rich burgundy wine was perfect. For dessert we had a special chocolate fondue with berries. The wine was superb and paired exceptionally well. Over all a great meal and great service. The owner, a beautiful and fantastic young lady takes great pride in being a second generation owner at her family's restaurant. We always choose to dine and have our parties at La Poubelle - we would'nt have it any other way!!! more

went on a sunday night at around 530 pm. older server outside smoking, exhaled smoke in my face when seating us. took drink order and food order and disappeared for the duration of the meal. we had to bother another waitress to get us more water and bring us the check. check came to 55 for two people. im normally an over tipper but only left 15%. next day, saw he charged himself a 20% tip on my credit card. will not return, but if i do will pay with cash and bring my own water more

Saw good reviews for this restaurant, so thought we would give it a try. We arrived at about 6:45PM for dinner. The patio had a number of patrons with very few people dining inside. It has the hole in the wall feel with nice decor. But immediately upon entering I noticed the smell of "old dirty bar", the small patio looked nice though. We were told by a "employee" that the hostess would be with us in a minute. After a few minutes this same employee noticed us still waiting to be helped, so he sat us. We looked at the menu and talked for about 10 minutes. When we receive any service for drinks or anything, I flagged down a server walking by to ask if we could order some drinks. He pointed to our server who had been standing behind us chatting/ flirting with guys at the bar. The first server took our drink order, then our server came over and took our dinner order. We did not see her again until we flagged down a different server for the check. The food was barely above average. I had the salmon and my girlfriend had a pasta dish. Taste fine but nothing exciting. Halfway through dinner a server and the bartender got in a fight. After the server left the bartender was badmouthing him to the guys sitting at the bar. Throughout our time there the wait staff could be heard using profanities. Overall I would not recommend this restaurant. I would disagree when they say romantic dining, date spot, special occasion dining, fine dining. If you like ill mannered wait staff, a nauseating smell and over priced food this place is for you. Bon appetit. Pros: Nice decor, variety of menu offerings Cons: Terrible service, ill-mannered employees more

We truely love this neighborhood bistro. My husband and I have been dining here for over 10 years, and we can't say enough good things about it. We always feel welcome and the service and food are consistently great. The staff is friendly and knowledgable - and they really care! We love the loster & fresh seafood pasta and the wonderful crepes. My husband loves the bistro burger with garlic fries. The wine selection is small, yet they have managed to give a wonderful selection. Every year we have our birthday parties here and they do a fantastic job of making us feel great!!! We highly recommend this restaurant. Pros: Great Food & Service Cons: None more

Great restaurant with fantastic, fun and relaxed atmosphere. We felt as though we were in a bustling bistro in France. We made a reservation for 12 - we were going to the Pantages Theatre for a show - Our waitress was very knowledgeable on wine and food and made fantastic recommendations. The owners, a mother/ daughter team, were so welcoming, we felt as though we had been dining here for years. They have managed to create and keep a wonderful feeling at their restaurant. We were told that they have been in business 37 years. This is not your cookie cutter corporate restaurant, this place is truely alive. We will certainly be returning for many years. Pros: Friendly & Knowledgeable Staff, Food, Ambiance Cons: None more