Le Petit Chez Mimi

It's hard to give Le Petit Chez Mimi 5-stars when I give Pasjoli 5-stars. But if you want simple but good French cuisine, in a simple, home-like and charming atmosphere, then this place is for you. Whereas Pasjoli is on busy Main Street in Santa Monica, Le Petit Chez Mimi is located at the storefront of a business park, at the T-intersection of Yale and Colorado. I pass by all the time either on the way to work, or running errands, but this place always looked closed: Only open for dinners Tues-Sun, and brunch on Sundays. Therefore I made an effort to finally try this cute little place with my family. The restaurant, the food and the service is very reminiscent of eating at a local cafe in Paris. You know, you walk around, look around and finally pick a place for dinner, any place, because so many of the restaurants in Paris are good. This is how I felt of my first experience at Le Petit Chez Mimi. Many who dined tonight (Friday night) seemed to be regulars and locals. The service staff dressed casually (blue jeans) and the service was good. Whereas Pasjoli, the wait staff are uniformed and professionally trained - what you expect from a Michelin recognized establishment. With Le Petit Chez Mimi, its simply good food, not particularly IG worthy in its presentation. Surprisingly, the prices were higher than I expected. I guess I was expecting a simpler, quaint French cafe to be more reasonably priced. But I guess this is to be expected for French cuisine. Now for my food review: -Escargot. Not bad. I've had better. I felt it needed salt and more of that greenish garlicky sauce (pesto-like.) Please excuse my lack of knowledge of the correct ingredients. -Onion Soup. Excellent! One of the best French Onion soups in town. The portion size was perfect. Sometimes, the portions are so big, you dont have room for the remaining courses, but theirs was perfect. Nice gooey cheese! -Entrées: the 3 of us had 2 different steaks and one pork chop entrée. Again, all were tasty and the steaks were perfectly cooked, but the pork chop was overcooked. This place isn't Michelin-worthy because of the simple presentation (not much presentation at all.) -Dessert: The Tarte Tatin was excellent. It was like warm apple pie with fresh cold whip creme. It was perfectly spiced, slightly tart, and not overly sweet. Someone posted on Yelp! that this was an "award winning" dessert. Hmm, it maybe?

I’d give it 3.5 stars. All of the dishes we tried were fine to good. Nothing was spectacular. Service was solid. Pepper steak was probably the best thing we had. The sauce is creamy and tasty. Pass on the frog legs in the future but glad we tried them.

Wonderful little french restaurant with delicious food, great service, cozy ambience and a lovely owner and staff. Been here for Brunch and Dinner and it was always a highlight during my trips to Los Angeles.

The review by K Young is ridiculous. Lighten up, dude… I trust this guy’s opinion on food about as much as I trust my mechanic. Anyway, having lived in Paris for 3 years, I am always searching for excellent french food and Le Petit Chez Mimi is my favorite French spot in LA. It’s a great mix of upscale and bistro-style. Steak au poivre, escargots, patè, and the chomeur are all delicious and make a perfect meal. The setting is relaxed and enjoyable. Keep it up!

Delicious. The best calf liver I’ve ever had! Endive salad perfect. Strawberry shortcake phenomenal. Apple tart too. Quiet and calm atmosphere. Delightful ambience. Highly recommend.

The interior is charming. The cuisine is hearty and comforting. I would describe the Thursday dinner clientele as "mature francophone". Dinner entrees are in the $30 to $50 range.

I think the best way to describe Le Petit Cafe is as A Small Cafe. I don't know what more needs to be said. Very good food. Only critique is that while the cafe may be petit, the prices are quite grands (Les Grands Prix?).

Lovely restaurant, particularly the outdoor patio. Outstanding French food!

Everything always goes well here. Mimi is a pro and her food, staff, and atmosphere reflect it. With so few French cafes in LA, this is a must. Have anything and be prepared for delicious French butteriness! From the soups to that amazing endive and walnut salad to the leg of lamb or sand dabs to the Tart Tatin, all is tasty and classically prepared.

This is possibly one of the best restaurants in LA.. I was introduced to Chez Mimi by my father.. the food is outstanding, the restaurant is gorgeous and the service is exemplary. You can do no wrong when at Chez Mimi.. Seriously.. enjoy!

Love this restaurant!! Been going since the location was in Venice, on Abbot Kinney. Great food, service and ambiance.

Great food and ambiance. Mimi is always there to greet you. Always a treat to eat here. I especially enjoy meeting friends for Sunday brunch

Went for Sunday brunch (10am to 2:30pm) for the first time. The place is cute, we sat outdoor on the patio. It was a nice day and glad it is covered (shaded) with some kind of turf on the ground. So it's comfortable. Dog friendly on in the patio area. And their were like 4 dogs there with their owners at different tables. I did not get a chance to go inside but I will next time. I ordered a mimosa around $15 bucks and the quiche Lorraine around $16.50. Came out as a slice with a mixed green salad. Small portion but just enough for a bite to eat lunch. My guest had the house salad with requested olive oil as dressing but it seemed lack luster. He is vegan so not too many options there for him. I plan on going back to try something else and I hope the portions will be bigger and satisfying for dinner. The staff was nice and attentive. Bonus is that w they have parking next to it so that's always a plus when you don't have to pay for parking or drive all around looking to park. The area is nice, quieter on the weekend. Mostly office buildings and some older Santa Monica one level style homes off the street. Going towards Colorado avenue by the Santa Monica College Stewart street campus and the STARZ office building. Nicely shaded by trees so it feels welcoming. Like a neighborhood little spot for a meet up.

This restaurant is truly a French cousin. Food is amazingly delicious and beautifully presented. The athmosphere and service are great. It has a warm feeling to it like a welcoming home of a friend. The owner Ms. Mimi came to our table asked how was the food and service. This was very nice and added to the warmth feeling of a home I got from this place. She is always there with her sweet smile and presence. If you are looking for an authentic and delicious French food you would love the Le Petit Chez Mimi! Enjoy

Food very well presented! Tasty, well balanced. Carrot soup had lovely garlicky flavor. Calves Liver with lemon sauce and caramelized onions with carrots and mashed potatoes was delicious. Service was very attentive. I was told all the specials of the day. Beautiful ambiance well lit, but not over so. Acoustics make having a conversation pleasant. Nice Christmas lights and garland strewn about for the holiday. Amanda my server was very gracious. Wonderful experience overall!

Chez Mimi is classic French fare served by an excellent and attentive wait staff in a pleasant enough environment. Purposely erring on the delicate and nuanced style of French cooking, a few dishes could use a tune up - perhaps a tad more seasoning or salt - while others were just fine as they were. My steak au povre had to be sent back at first as I ordered it medium rare and it arrived well done. The one I ate (and photographed) was better, the meat just the right amount of pink to correspond with a tender consistency and the sauce a right and measured amount. Still, there was a considerable amount of fat to chew around... Appetizers like the onion soup and onion tart were real standouts whereas the Caesar, while created to be nuanced and delicate, was really just a bore and needed a more flavorful dressing; the added anchovy filets I requested helped to jazz it up some. The lemon tart we shared was quite nice though served room temperature or even a tad warm, which struck me as being something of a mistake as I like it to be a tad chilled, if anything, to be more refreshing. Overall, Chez Mimi is a welcome addition to the slim offerings of French restaurants in Los Angeles. Better than most. Quaint surroundings, positively top-notch service, some things shining and others just narrowly missing, but worth your own investigation.

What a lovely dining experience. The outdoor patio area looks like from an event or wedding scene. The service was great. At times some dishes took a while to arrive but we actually liked that as it was nice to be able to drink, nibble and catch up with friends. Prices are reasonable for this quality and dining out these days. The food some I liked and some were good but not for me. Awesome local spot. Love that something like this exists.

Greeted warmly ;Servers and staff were all so pleasant and willing to offer any help, always filling up water glasses, graciously accommodating groups of friends while doing their utmost for everyone! Every plate, soup, salad, main, which passed by looked and smelled awesome. Hats off to the chefs who created all the amazing meals. Mimi even sent over a dessert for us to share, which was lemony deliciousness! Cozy atmosphere, felt as if we were in a home, or a bistro in France. Lovely setting, parking lot adjacent. Can't wait to go again!

It's rare that I find a place that I love in Santa Monica. I tend to find most places to be all about the vibe, but no substance. Le Petit Chez Mimi is the complete opposite! It's a cozy little place with very attentive service and quality food. The coq au vin is excellent!

A gem in a residential and industrial neighborhood. We came here for Sunday brunch/ lunch. They close at 2:30pm, but we arrived at 1pm, so we had plenty of time to eat and enjoy. Service was Spot ON and very attentive with a smile. We chose to sit outside in the side patio with heater. Inside is cozy too, but it was a bit warm for us as we had walked here. I ordered the chopped chicken salad ( $16) and my husband ordered the Quiche Lorraine. ( $15) We loved our food and ended our meal sharing a flourless chocolate mousse cake with whipped cream( $12.50). Oh la la! I will return here again!

Worst French food we have had. Onion soup terrible, escargot were burned, pate not even as good as Trader Joe's. Muscles lacked flavor too. Only good food were the French fries. Shame on this place for charging so much for almost inedible food!

Wonderful warm cozy French. We just finished watching "The Taste of Things" with Juliette Binoche and a warm gourmet French meal was perfect.

Small neighborhood restaurant with a cute interior. Had the steak au povre and the french onion soup. The soup was good - crispy and gooey cheese, but the steak was bland and chewy. The restaurant gets pretty high reviews so I could have gone on an off day!

What a gem! Have been for both brunch and dinner multiple times and always very happy! A truly traditional French Bistro.

We just landed in LA and my sister Carol treated us in a great French Resto in Sta Monica. We met Mimi, the owner...cool as ever. Their escargot and pepper steak...C'est Magnifique!. Bravo Mimi-Omar and Nancy

OMG! Service was impeccable. Polite and professional yet down to earth! For example, we all (party of 4) asked for coffee. The server noticed a little bit of curdled milk in our coffee and replaced it all. We didn't even mind it because it tasted good. Masking for indoors (we sat outside but went inside to use the bathroom). I think masking is optional, not sure. We recommend reservations as it seemed like a popular spot for Sunday brunch. We did see walk ins and there are indoor seating available. Enough parking in lot and on street. Breakfast was super awesome! The chocolate croissant tasted fresh and went well with our coffee. It was Flaky with the right amount of sweetness. The pancake with blueberry coulis was so delicious! It was light and fluffy and the inside looked and tasted like pound cake. The coulis had the right amount of sweetness. The eggs Benedict was also delicious and the hollandaise sauce was perfect. The quiche Lorraine was also delicious! Will definitely go back again! Maybe even to try their dinner!

Fabulous go to for authentic dependable french fare..........we love it!! From the professional and welcoming staff to the wonderful Mimi who awaits each patron with her smile........it is an experience that more establishments should learn from!!

Love Sundays at Le Petit Chez Mimi sitting in the outdoor patio. The crepes are a must. Great service.

Been here 5 weeks in a row and I might go again this week. Don't think there is anything else I should say. Mike has been taking great care of us.

Great food! Love coming here for brunch on the weekends! Very friendly staff also. Would recommend

I've been a fan of Mimi's cuisine since the days of Chez Helene. I've followed her from Beverly Hills to Santa Monica to Pacific Palisades and now she's back in Santa Monica with a new restaurant called Le Petit Chez Mimi. I came here on the second night of the soft opening back in September 2020 and everything was as amazing as I remembered. All of Mimi's restaurants have always been charming and cozy. This location also has lots of character. Even though we were seated outside on the adorable patio (due to COVID requirements) I did manage to sneak a peek inside, and I can't wait to dine in the lovely dining room with its French cottage inspired decor. Mimi has always delivered 5-star quality food with 5-star quality service and everything about our meal that evening lived up to those standards. The cuisine is inspired by her French-Canadian roots. I've tried just about everything on the menu and enjoyed each one. The Moules Mariniere are full of flavor. The Bouillabaisse is excellent. The Filet is cooked to perfection. I'm always torn between starting with the Mushroom Salad or the Eggplant Salad. My favorite desert is the Caramel chômeur. A classic desert from Mimi's childhood. This dish is so unique you must try it at least once. I also love the Flourless Chocolate Cake and her award-winning Tarte Tatin. While we were dining, former clients drove by to see if the restaurant was opened and peaked in to say, "Hello." Mimi was definitely missed. I'm not the only one glad that she is back serving delicious food. There is free parking in the lot and on the streets nearby.

I loved this place. The ambiance is very nice. I had escargot, my husband and sand dabs had the pork chop and French onion soup for a starter. Our friends had escargot and French onion soup and sand dabs. You could actually have a conversation without effort. The corkage was $20. My husband said the coffee was also good. It was a very nice delicious, unrushed evening.

Delicious Onion Soup!!! That's it!! Service was very good. $6 for bread?!?!?! No Thanx!! At least the water was free.

Food authentic & delicious Service VERY attentive Darling French Cottage decor Love the variety of culinary options

Mimi's in all her locations over the past 25+ years was and is fantastic. If you want "REAL" french food and cannot afford a plane ticket to Paris, go to Mimi's Santa Monica location and you'll get the best there is!

The bread basket and the wine was super good and the staff was very kind. I got the omelette and it was ok. I would go back for drinks and appetizer.

Cute little French restaurant. We dined here few time in the past and each time they are consistent with service and food quality. I loved their French onion soup and duck dish. Their service was a bit slow this week but otherwise attentive and friendly. I like its cozy ambience and family friendly decor.

Good food, authentic French atmosphere and dishes. Excellent service and high quality. If you can't be in France, that Lady says it's the next best thing. And do try the frog legs. Parking down the side and free in the evenings. Outside dining for those warmer nights.

Wonderful meatloaf. The staff is so nice. Mimi the owner move to a new location on Colorado SM with exactly the same traditional recipes she had for many years. Bravo Mimi

My friend and I had dinner here last night. I ordered the poulet moutard and WOW it was amazing! I will definitely bring people here again. Merci beaucoup

Fantastic, wonderful, beautiful gorgeous wish I could give it 10 stars! Real professional great service, ambiance magnifique Can't wait to return for more! Off the beaten track quiet location in Santa Monica business area. Celebrated my birthday there for lunch. The gracious wait staff brought me moules frites/ mussels and fries upgraded to a Parisian Michelin experience. Best I've ever eaten. The others were raving over their gorgeous eggs Benedict. Coffee was wonderful. Dessert was a tarte tatin and a slice of flourless chocolate cake. Both perfectly prepared and served. I just was overwhelmed with joy. I think next time the roast chicken or maybe the crepes. You're gonna love this place. Reservations recommended, it is popular, for good reason. The prices are low , the quality high!

This is one of my most favorite restaurants in LA. It's not a fancy place, but a cute French bistro. Food is great, service is great, atmosphere is perfect. I especially love their bouillabaisse. Super yummy.

So nice to have a Mimi back. Just love everything she does. We love French food as a family and Mimi has never disappointed. Her staff is friendly and welcoming and the food is always on point, delicious and always very French. We love this place and go often.

My family and I had a bad stomach ache after eating in this expensive restaurant.The waitress said Mimi said it was because we ate rich food. The owner did not even talk to us. No one offered us even hot water.

Truly one of the best meals I've had in a long time. Ordered the sanddabs and the fish was cooked to perfection with the most heavenly butter lemon sauce WOW I've been thinking about it since friday! Also the mashed potatoes were so fluffy and light! Staff was so friendly and the desserts were incredible! The flourless cake and tarte au citron - 10/10!!

This has become one of our favorites. My family is French Canadian and Mimi brings in the traditional dishes that I grew up with. Both brunch and dinner menus are great with a variety of palate pleasers. What stands above the rest is the service. The servers (and Mimi) treat you like a guest in their home. Every member of the team welcomes you, service is personal, and attentive. They have indoor and outdoor seating. In the evening, try to sit in the back room and you'll feel like you're on a little European getaway.

Excellent! Small and delightful. Service was perfect and the food was really good. I had a feilleuté au fromage de chèvre (goat cheese puff pastry), cuisses de grenouilles (frog legs) and a flourless chocolate cake. So delicious, all of it. I recommend a visit, you won't be disappointed. Stop by to say bonsoir to Mimi, the owner. She is from Quebec, Canada just like me. Bon appétit!

Great food and service. Really enjoyed my fish and the escargot (not pictured bc we ate it so quick). My mom loved her trout too

Best quiche Lorraine I may have ever had. The cheese, balance of ham and bacon... it was all so delectable, and each bite really tasted like every bit of the quiche was developed with intentional thought. The cute little side salad had a nice light dressing too. Oh, and don't forget to try their almond croissant - can't remember the last time I had a croissant so good. Great kind staff also! They also have dinner, but I've only been for brunch and have to say it was amazing.

Good French food for a reasonable price. That's it folks. No mask pour moi. Sil vous plait.

I had the bouillabaisse, which was tasty but lacked enough salt. My date had the sanddabes, which were very under seasoned. Carrots were great though. Mashed potatoes were awful. Service was outstanding. The owner sent over a complimentary lemon tart that was great. Since this place is very expensive, but almost everything under salted, I wouldn't return. Too bad too because I live in the neighborhood.

Our favorite French restaurant in LA. Wonderful food and wonderful staff. Highly recommend this gem.

Amazing little gem found in santa monica. The best escargots, mussels, coq au vin... desserts! The service is amazing! Will come back very soon!

They were short staffed. Food arrived one hour after sitting and quite cold. The liver that used to be the Petite Cafe's specialty was so uncooked and absolutely raw and spongy. The mussels had no bread for dipping. We won't go there any more. What a shame. This used to be our favorite place.

I had an amazing experience at Le Petit Chez Mimi, the interior was warm and cozy and has a French design, they also have an out door seating area. I started off with the Bouillabaisse for my entree and I was not disappointed. The broth was light and rich and flavor full, the white fish was soft and tender , and the shrimp were not rubbery but instead perfectly cooked and flavored the broth well, the lobster tail was incredibly tender and perfectly cooked, the mussels as well. I was also wowed by the side of bread that brought along a garlic and herb infused butter with a hint of spice. For my dessert I had the Creme Brûlée. It had a thin sweet "crust " and had sweet and creamy interior, over all the service was good and attentive on a mostly full house, and it did not take long for the food, Can't wait until I go back!

Mimi is a dear friend and I visit her restaurant as often as I can. I try something new every time and I have never been disappointed! The salmon mousse, potato leek soup, onion tart, roasted chicken, peppered steak salmon with dill sauce, chicken legs, I could go on and on and on. Try everything!! And of course get a dessert! I recommended to everyone I can!

Unfortunately, I went there for my anniversary and they didn't have my reservation even though I talked directly with Mimi. They made no accommodation for us and let others walk in and have a seat while I was left standing on the curb. Another couple said they didn't mind eating inside but they took them outside anyways. I'm very disappointed with how the hostess treated us! I'll never go back! It feels like a group of regulars get priority, but then again, who wants to hang out with the 80 to 90 year old crowd anyways?

Cannot say enough nice things about this wonderful French bistro. We have followed MiMi since Chez Helene in Beverly Hills, than to 26th street and after that the Palisades. So happy to have her back. The food is still as delicious as it ever was and the service makes you feel like a family member. Eating on the patio on a warm evening is particularly wonderful, although they do have heat lamps for cooler nights. Ample parking, so from start to finish the experience is a pleasure. Our favorites are the tomato soup, mushroom salad, eggplant salad and escargot for starters. All excellent. For main courses, the salmon is excellent (but order it with her wonderful fries), which you deserve since you are having fish. The pork chop, chicken and steak are also excellent as are the Sand Dabs. This is a restaurant where the desserts are every bit as good as the rest of the menu but it is almost impossible to choose among the lemon pie, flourless chocolate cake or the apple tarta Tartin, which is the best in Los Angeles. All in all if you are looking for a place filled with warmth, great food and service that is truly welcoming, you cannot best Chez Mimi.