Los Angeles has been getting some incredible restaurants lately. I’m proud of you, LA. You still need a bath, however.

Maude is in line with Alma and Trois Mec with their Tasting Menu only approach. I like this approach. It’s fun.

It’s also gonna cost you. Tonight’s dinner with wine pairings cost us $170 per person.

Good news, it was totally worth it. Bad news, the cost prohibitive nature makes it more of a special occasion restaurant instead of my neighborhood haunt.

The food itself is actually only $75 a person (before tax and tip). But the wine pairings are so expertly done, you really need to go that route or you’re kind of an idiot.

Ok, enough money talk. How dare you draw me into such tacky conversation! As the saying goes, “If you have to ask how much, it’s too much”.

What Maude gives you is the sense of dining at the Chef’s table. I’ve never done this because I’m a cheap ass but if you come here, you get the same situation for a fraction of the cost.

There I go talking about money again! Damn you.

Maude’s 25 seat dining experience (each month focusing on a different, seasonal ingredient) reminded me of a less pretentious version of the French Laundry. 9 courses spread out over 3+ hours with additional amuse-bouches and miniature candies and takeaway goodies at the end. You even get to take home your menu.

And as a bonus, you’ll even get to walk away with your bank account still intact.

Ok, I’ll stop it now…

Unlike the French Laundry, I thoroughly enjoyed every course at Maude, not a single mediocre item in the bunch. And unlike Alma, the culinary experiments and creative combinations never failed to impress. I never thought they were being weird for weird’s sake.

I was excited to see each course come out but I was also bummed when I noticed it was coming to an end.

THE HIGHLIGHTS:

Carrot Soup – loved the crispy Serrano ham that when crunched up into the velvety soup provided a nice smoky crouton aspect.

Chicken Terrine with Dijon gelato – this sounded odd at first but totally worked. So good!

Snake River Farm’s Beef – featuring two versions of beef, one steak, one beef cheek, both were mouth explosions and I want more right now!

Duck Duck Goose – This duck ravioli with duck egg and goose fat really impressed and was a nice sized portion.

THE LOWLIGHTS:

The snobby ladies seated next to us who were making snide comments about what kind of camera lens I was using. Thanks for stuffing your fat faces so expeditiously as to give us an hour in peace from your disdainful stares.

Unlike both The French Laundry and Alma, I was NOT still hungry after this meal. That’s a feat in itself.

Bravo to Maude for actually filling me up with inventive, delicious food and not being snooty when you served it to me. Sure, I may have not understood half of what you said when you were describing the dishes but you sounded so eloquent regardless!

212 S Beverly Dr
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 859-3418
mauderestaurant.com