"La Poubelle looks like it’s been around forever. This French bistro in Hollywood has orange paint chipped in all the right places, a projector that flickers old black-and-white films, and a bunch of framed faded photographs on the walls. There’s a big bar where you’ll find regulars who have nowhere else to be for the next three hours, and groups of friends out on the sidewalk patio picking at baskets of fries. Happy hour runs Tuesdays to Saturdays (5:30-7:30pm), but the real action starts later, especially on weekends when they’re open until 1am. As for food? It exists, but it’s not the point. You’re not here for the mediocre steak frites—you’re here for a slightly chaotic night of martinis and meeting a stranger at the bar who won’t stop complaining about their boss as if you’ve been friends for years. Food Rundown photo credit: Cathy Park Escargots a la Bourguignonne The escargots arrive floating in a pool of melted butter, which sounds promising, but that’s all they taste like: butter. They could use a heavier hand with seasoning, and the bread they come with tastes like toasted grocery store baguette. photo credit: Cathy Park Prime Filet Mignon The fries are the best part of this dish—they're as crunchy as potato chips, dusted with thyme, and are great dipped in aioli. The eight-ounce filet is cooked properly, but the meat is chewy, which makes for a pretty unremarkable steak." - Cathy Park
