Camphor is a chill, classy, not pretentious vibe with delicious cuisine and friendly staff. Service is top notch. New plates and silverware for each course. You even get to select your own knife made in France if you order the ribeye. Amuse-bouche: perfect cheesy bite Onion tartine: I can't stop thinking about this. It's SO good! Sourdough bread, topped with French cheeses and a gravy, like a deconstructed French onion soup. Devine. Endive Salad: a light, refreshing Cesar salad with a passion fruit twist. Tartare: Made perfectly flavorful, paired with a basil leaf coated in - light tempura batter, delicious. Ribeye: Tender and juicy. Mushroom Pithivier: Who knew mushrooms could be cooked in such a buttery, flavorful way wrapped up in a delicate heavenly pastry. Potatoes: Again, who knew little potatoes could be cooked in a way that makes each bite taste so creamy, yet simple, but so delicious?! Asparagus with Bernaise sauce: Cooked perfectly. Lobster Risotto: Creamy, tomato-based sauce, with perfectly cooked risotto topped with delectable lobster. Le Burger and pommes fritte: The burger is so juicy, rich is flavor, the meat literally melts in your mouth. The fries are too salty. Kiwi: Unfortunately I'm allergic and couldn't try it, but everyone in my party LOVED it. Bread pudding: I've never had dark chocolate baked into a bread pudding and it's the best bread pudding I've ever had. Yum! Paired with vanilla ice cream. Extra yum! A wonderful experience and I know exactly what I'm coming back for! read more

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I love a good steak. I dream about it. So when I saw an Instagram ad for Camphor advertising their Thursday-only $65 prix fixe Steak Frites menu, I made the reservation before the video even ended. This high-end hipster restaurant is tucked down a graffiti-covered alleyway downtown, on one of the blocks that somehow doesn't have that many homeless people. The entrance is unassuming and plain, which I guess is cool now? Are we over flashy? I don't know. Walking inside, you feel... nothing. The employees are all dressed in white. The restaurant is all white. It's a little bland. Near the entrance are four white upholstered chairs where you wait while your table is prepared. These chairs have seen better days. The white fabric looks like wet dogs have been sleeping and wrestling on them for years. Dirty, stained, gray. I'll stand, thanks. The prix fixe menu includes a French baguette, French butter, a summer salad, and your steak frites: a hanger steak with tarragon parsley sauce. The highlight of the meal was the bread. Soft center, crispy crust, and the butter was topped with flaky rock salt. Simple and delicious. The salad was light and bright, and by that point I was excited for the steak. I always order my steak medium. Is that right? Is that wrong? I don't know. Blood freaks me out, so I like just a little pink. The steak arrived and the presentation was a 10/10. The fries were great. Hard to mess those up. The parsley tarragon sauce was interesting at first. A flavor profile I don't think I've had before. The first bite was solid. But then came the problem: the hanger steak was tough and blood red. I had to chew it so much that I was completely over the parsley tarragon sauce before I was even halfway through the meal. The sauce also became overpowering and salty fast. The restaurant is dark, which I'm convinced is intentional so you don't notice the "medium" steak you ordered is actually rare because they have a Michelin star and apparently they know better than you. The service was fine, and my server was delightful. The restaurant clearly knows that, because they automatically add a 20% gratuity to the bill. And even with the gratuity already included, the receipt still has suggested tip amounts printed on it just in case you're looking to hit that magical 40% tip threshold. All in all, it was fine. If I had been served this exact steak frites while sitting in first class on a Delta Air Lines flight from LAX to JFK, 10/10. But driving an hour through Los Angeles traffic and Gotham City conditions to be greeted by dirty furniture and an okay steak? 6/10. read more

Food: some of the best that LA has the offer. The beef tartare, the burger, and the scallops were all top tier. There's a reason why they have a Michelin star and they got the taste to back it up Service: we sat at the bar and our bartender Luis is attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly. Everything was coursed out for us, the drinks were all fantastic, and they did plate changes for every course! Ambiance: sophisticated, cool, but not stuffy. I'm a bar person and it's a great ambiance if you want an amazing meal and drinks! read more

Camphor - The Le Burger - French Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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highly recommend celebrating your birthday here they sure know how to make you feel special! The fries are out of this world to not leave without trying them. But the star of the show believe it or not, was the endive salad with the passionfruit Caesar dressing... I'm not even a salad girly and I'm already craving it!! Service was great and the venue is as charming as it gets. The only miss for me was the burger... but dont get me wrong if you like duck this is THE burger for you. It was exceptionally done mixture of beef and duck. read more

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Came here with high expectations given that it has had a one star Michelin for 4 years in a row! Overall, really enjoyed this place for dinner. Our server was attentive and thorough in explaining our selected dishes and checked up on us throughout the night. I would recommend making a reservation as this place gets packed! What we ordered: -Scallop Demi Lune: MUST order, would come back just for this! Each one was filled with a sweet scallop and was covered in this delicious beurre blanc sauce. -12 oz Ribeye: came with the a side of potatoes poached in butter as well as crème fraiche to dip it in. Could choose between herb butter or escargot butter to go on top on the steak. It was cooked well but nothing special to justify $150. -Kiwi Mint Sorbet: Refreshing dessert to end the meal, would recommend! read more

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Husband made a reservation here and I can see why it's been Michelin star rated for 4 years in a row. It's in a little warehouse looking alleyway in the LA arts district. Interior is a bit small but very atmospheric with a high emphasis on the color white. I joked with my husband that with the staff wearing all white, I was going to be put in a straitjacket lol. They're very meticulous, with hand towels to wipe in the beginning, wiping off the table in between courses, and folding napkins whenever we got up to use the restroom. Starters: sourdough bread (served with this tangy cheese butter and spicy honey. The combo works well) and caviar with bilinis and chips. Entree: 16 oz ribeye, served with seasoned potatoes and creme fresh on the side Desert: bread pudding The presentation for the caviar is unlike others. My husband and I each had our own pearl spoons and steel spoons for each side. Very nice touch. The entree of the 16oz ribeye with the potatoes was a little too soft, I think potato frites would've added more crunchy texture to a very soft and tender dish. The creme fresh was so delicious with the ribeye. Overall very good restaurant! With very attentive service. Would come back read more

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Had a great experience at Champhor to celebrate my girlfriend's birthday. A reservation is highly recommended to get a table. Parking is quite limited, with a small lot in front that you must pay for valet. Otherwise, there may be street parking nearby. Our group dined on a Sunday at 5pm, and the restaurant opened promptly at that time. The interior bright and minimalist, I loved how the sun comes into the restaurant lights up the place during the evening. Service was also top notch, they were very knowledgable about all the dishes and made great recommendations. The menu appears to change frequently so some items may be different during your visit. We started with some of the non-alcoholic drinks, I ordered the St. Tropez and it was a light and refreshing citrus drink that started the meal off very well. Our server brought us a complimentary appetizer dish that was finished in one bite. Our group ordered 8 dishes, 5 appetizers and 3 mains. It was plenty of food to share and a good amount for 4 people. My favorite were the scallops and the steak, I had wished I could have eaten more but by the end I was so full. Overall it was a great dinner to celebrate, everything was cooked so well with elevated flavors and unique interpretations. read more

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Came for Steak Frites night. I have to say, this is THE BEST STEAK FRITES IN LA. Steak was cooked to perfection. The flavors were also made to perfection. The fries were also delicious. Honestly, their Steak Frites night is such a great value. I've come here a few times in the past for their regular menu too, never had a chance to leave a review. As to the regular menu, the food is also amazing, and done with even more care and precision than Steak Frites night. Overall, to me, this is one of the best restaurants in LA (Dunsmoor is nowhere close). read more

Camphor - French Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Steak Frites Night! I finally made it! I've been excited to try this for a while, and a last minute solo trip to the bar did not disappoint. On Thursdays, they focus on one thing and do it perfectly: Steak Frites. The meal started with a fresh, flavorful baguette and incredible butter, followed by a salad with a simple yet fantastic dressing. Then came the main event. I paired the 8oz hanger steak with a glass of red wine, and it was a match made in heaven. The tarragon sauce was amazing, and the fries were perfectly crisp. I was nearly full, but once I heard the dessert special a crepe cake with cream and a strawberry St-Germain sauce how could I say no. It was easily one of the best desserts I've had in a long time. If you love Steak Frites, this is a must try. Truly one of the best in town! read more

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My very first Michelin star and I'm so happy I chose Camphor for a very special dinner. Right when I walked in the interior screamed elegant. Loved the whole white aesthetic, it was impressive! They served a cream puff pastry that you should eat in one bite at the beginning of dinner and it was a good palate cleanser. They should make it a dish actually. Our cocktails were amazing, nothing too crazy but they tasted sophisticated and light. The Saint Germain was probably my favorite. The dishes we ordered were the onion tartine, radicchio salad (almost like a Caesar salad), the ribeye and some scallop pasta. The onion tartine was WOW. I've never had anything like it before. The salad was also a great addition to dinner and loved the croutons they used for that light crunch. The ribeye was exceptional quality and the sauce was unique and rich. But let me tell you about the potatoes that came with the ribeye... phenomenal. The potatoes came with a crème fraîche on the side and I think I would come back just for these perfect golden potatoes smothered in butter and topped with crème fraîche. It's basically a higher quality deconstructed baked potato. I absolutely loved our server- he was so enthusiastic and nice! It made our dining experience even better so thank you! All of his recommendations were spot on. Can't wait to come back! read more

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Reviewing specifically for steak frites night. We've tried their steak frites two times. The first time around, we ordered the steaks medium rare. They were quite rare and bloody when we got them. The texture was too chewy and the flavor was lacking. Fries were good though and service was nice. After a disappointing first time, we wanted to try again. This time around we ordered the steaks medium. They both came out literally just like the last time??? Fries felt a little lackluster too compared to first time. Either way, won't be coming back for their steak frites. Not worth it. Not sure if people are just gaslighting themselves to liking it because of the price and ambiance of the place. read more

I had a really fantastic dinner here and have been raving about it since. Located in the Arts District, some street parking around but mainly valet or paid lots. The dining area is beautiful, and it feels like a fine dining establishment but still very welcoming. Staff were all pretty lovely and on top of it too. The only time there was a rift was when there was a shift switch of some sort but not an issue. The food was incredible. I enjoyed every dish we tried - this spot deserves the michelin star. I enjoy that you can order a la carte versus a prefixe. Starters I would order again: SEA BREAM (a must), bread, onion tartine, and tartare. Mains/specials - a classic but delicious ribeye of course, and le burger. Sides - POMME FRITES - my friend could not stop raving about these and I agree! read more

A Michelin starred restaurant with a burger on their menu? Sign me up Having already ordered a burger at another Michelin starred restaurant earlier in the week, I stopped by Camphor to try the same as I was in the general area Restaurant felt very upscale with an immaculate white decor. Despite not having a reservation, the hostess was kind in allowing me to grab a seat at the bar. My bartender was very helpful with the menu as well Ordered the vaunted burger and it turned out that about three quarters of those of us seated at the bar had also ordered the burger The burger itself was fantastic. Very juicy, well balanced, and full of flavor. The accompanying fries were excellent as well, just the right amount of crispness. The spicy aioli sauce that accompanies the fries is addictive, and the mustard sauce not far behind All in all, the great reputation Camphor has earned for their burger is well deserved. If I had to choose between the burger at Camphor and the other Michelin one star place, I would choose Camphor's burger, though the other one was nice as well with their dry aged beef read more

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Camphor is great for a special occasion. It's a high end restaurant, beautifully decorated and with seating that feels intimate. I am not a fan of restaurants not seating you until your whole group is there, especially when our reservation was at opening time and there were plenty of tables available. After that, staff was highly professional and our plates were always cleared as soon as we took the last bite. The menu is French and most of the dishes were quite rich and heavy. We split the onion tartine and the passionfruit caesar with the table after enjoying the amuse bouche. These were my favorite items of the meal and the salad was much needed to cut the richness. I felt both the salad and the tartine were quite unique and appreciated the creativity. My main was the burger, and I also sampled the steak and the chicken. The burger is made with duck and beef and served with the perfect french fries and a trio of dipping sauces. It's one of the juiciest burgers I have ever had but for the cost I would go for other items on the menu next time that may be more worth the price point. The chicken was also extremely moist and the steak was perfectly tender, both doused in a delectable sauce table-side. Overall we really enjoyed the meal. Definitely try the cocktails, as I found mine to be both inventive and refreshing. read more

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Ok there is a reason Camphor has a Michelin star. Wow. Every dish was next level. We had the French onion tartine which was INCREDIBLE. The carrots were next level as well. We also had the beef tartare and let me tell you, the fried mint leaves you use as crackers to scoop up the tartare are little leaves of genius. So unique and good! Also had the potatoes which came with a great cream/butter. We had the steak au poivre - the steak was cooked to perfection. And we also had the chicken which I normally would not try at a restaurant but this truly was next level chicken. The wait staff is incredible here. The service and presentation really elevates the meal. But also, my friend made dinner reservations for the wrong day, so when we showed up, they didn't have our names on the list. But the hostess felt bad for us and made it happened so we were able to enjoy our meal. She really was such a light, as was everyone else there. The only thing that threw me off were the toilets. They are too futuristic for me haha. But everything else was truly amazing. They have valet parking which I recommend, hard to find street parking here. We read more

Went here with a bunch of friends a couple weeks ago. We like to treat ourselves from time to time and check out Michelin star restaurants in the area. I wanted to see what was still on my mind a couple weeks after eating there, having had some time to sit with it, and honestly for everything we ate and drank there were three things I'm still thinking about - Le Burger - this is incredibly rich and delicious. You have to be in the right mindset for it but if you are this is a must. And the pomme frites are a solid side to go with it. I'd come back here just for this. Beef Tartare - honestly not a big beef tartare guy but this was the exception. It was just so full of flavors. I could eat a bowl of it. French Onion Tartine - I'm a big French onion soup guy so this was just right up my alley. If you are like me then definitely get this. If not your thing then probably won't be for you. The cocktails were really good too. I tried three of 'em but couldn't tell you what they were, (whoops) I like it light and refreshing though and they hit the spot. The Seam Bream Crudo and the scallop dumplings were also light and full of flavors. Good and satisfying but don't need to revisit. My wife and I are big oyster people, we have to order wherever we go. Here, it was just... fine. The amaretto mignonette was bright and tangy but kind of overwhelmed the oyster so it got lost in all the flavors. The ribeye, we had to order in advance. It was cool how we got to pick our own steak knives. A nice touch but the ribeye itself, while cooked properly, was pretty basic and forgettable. Probably the only real dud for me. The place was nice overall. Good atmosphere. Not too loud. Our waiter, Thomas, was terrific. Knew his stuff, super attentive and just a total pro. 5 out of 5 there. Only big complaint - the table size, for a party of 6 we were all kind of crammed into one table. Seemed to be the standard size throughout the restaurant far as I could tell. So yeah, worth checking out overall. Definitely try the burger and try as many cocktails as you can. Some things will blow you away over others but a nice hang with friends. read more

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Came for dinner with friends last night with some very high expectations that unfortunately were not met. Camphor hits all the marks on the technical front, but simply missed the mark on actually being a meal that brought me any joy. Camphor is located in the Arts District, they have Valet parking or there is a self parking lot across the street (both are priced similarly). The restaurant has a modern and intimate vibe inside, with only indoor seating. Service was excellent, every member of the staff was attentive and friendly, and our waiter Thomas was a pleasure to be with. Service was everything you would hope for from a Michelin star restaurant. On the food front, here's where we ordered: Sea bream Crudo: Really enjoyed this, was super refreshing and unique, I wasn't sure I would like it but was blown away. Beef Tartare: Loved this as well, it was flavorful and the fried herbs were a great replacement to bread. Oysters Amaretto: The Amaretto jelly was overpowering, they needed to cut the amount by half. French Onion Tartine: This was good, if you like French Onion Soup then you'll love this. Scallop Dumplings: These were good, the pasta and scallops were cooked well, and the dish was very flavorful. It wasn't your typical scallop dish that's bright and citrus-forward, but more-so had a lot of umami which I appreciated. Radicchio Cesar Salad: This was overdressed, which made it hard to enjoy. Le Burger: This was really good but VERY rich and heavy. I think this would've benefited from a lot of acidity that was lacking (pickles perhaps?). The fries were great. Ribeye: This was cooked perfectly but tasted terrible. We had to order this ahead and I regret doing so. It tasted like an old school steak that didn't have any depth to it, it was very one note in the worst way. Two of my biggest issues with this meal were: 1) The meal was very imbalanced. The beginning was bright and fresh, and then it got very heavy. I wish the meal had been served differently so that it wasn't so heavy at the end. This felt like a winter menu, which didn't match the time of year. 2) There was barely any Asian influence to most of the dishes, and that was something the staff talked so much about being a part of the menu. I only really saw that Asian influence in the beef tartare, but hoped for more of it. This was very much a French meal. Sadly Camphor didn't live up to the hype and I believe there's plenty of other restaurants nearby that would be more deserving of a Michelin star than this place (which is why I'm being extra critical here). Nothing was truly memorable about this meal and that really disappoints me as I had truly high hopes for it all. I think the only reason I would come back is to grab a burger to-go. read more

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The moment you walk into Camphor you are welcomed by warm hosts, a surprisingly rare experience in the LA finer dining scene. The restaurant decor is sleek and modern. You can also see the kitchen from half of the restaurant. I love this! Our server was amazing, knowledgeable, and helpful. He talked to us about the chef, the name of the restaurant, and of course made amazing menu recommendations. We loved every bit of food and every sip of our cocktails. Already planning another date night here. So worth every penny! read more

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This restaurant has one of the best steak frites I've ever had. They only serve steak frites on their pre fix menu every Thursday night. It is a MUST TRY! The stater salad is equally just as great. The ambiance and service here are also top notch. Everyone was attentive and kind throughout the experience. If you are looking for a place that serves great steak frites, Camphoris the place to visit. read more

Camphor - Steak Frites - French Near Me - Los Angeles, California

We just had a dinner for 4 on Camphor's steak frites Thursday nights and I could not have been happier with the food, the service, the details, the checking-in with me earlier in the week from Michelle via text... all of it. It was all superb. Service from Ornella and the entire staff could not have been more perfect on this Thursday night. We very much appreciated their care, greetings throughout the night and just simply, remembering our names. It goes a long way, these details, and they are so good at it. We were celebrating my fiancee's birthday and newly-accepted job as well as my birthday too. I got a text from the restaurant earlier in the week to confirm that we were indeed coming and they were also double checking the names of the birthday celebrants & who got the new job. I applauded their thoroughness and told them as much in my text. It definitely gave me a peek into the details they make sure to nail down while at dinner. My fiancee & I had dined inside this space when it was still Nightshade. That was a handful of years back. Because of that, we figured we'd be a little familiar with the layout now that it's been Camphor for a few years. The dining area is still spotless. From the stemware to the china and silverware. It was all so nice. Blue velvet upholstery on the side benches now instead of emerald green. So for $65, you get a still-warm baguette with french butter topped with sea salt, a perfect salad with a delicious sherry (?) vinaigrette and walnuts & a very tender hangar steak in an amazing tarragon sauce with perfectly fried potatoes. The frites come with 3 dipping sauces. All are tasty but its Heinz 57 for me. My cousins and the lady loved the tangier one that had hint of horseradish. We all loved our steak frites dinner. This was by far the favorite steak frites I've had. The sauce was just so perfect with it. The steak was so tender. The fries were so crispy... every.single.one.of.them. So good. We're so glad we came to celebrate our milestones at Camphor. For the seasonal dessert, we had a lemon cream layered in between puff pastry ($18). Topped with a dollop of pineapple gelee and gold flake. There was gold flake throughout the layers of this dessert. It was so good. It wasnt too sweet but how they manage to get the layers of french puff pastry that wasnt super thin to still be so flaky and delicate, I do not know. But we loved it, ate it up and didnt leave any of it behind. So very good. Camphor staff gave my fiancee and I, the birthday celebrants, each an envelope. Hers with a handwritten note congratulating her on her new job & wishing her a happy birthday. Mine also with a handwritten note saying, Joyeux Anniversaire. It was so nice and really touched us both. We couldnt have been more pleased with the extra mile Camphor's staff went to make us feel special. We also each had candles to make our birthday wishes with. We will most certainly be back. Both for more steak frites Thursdays and to experience their Michelin star awarded menu. We cant wait. Merci Camphor, merci... We wont forget it. Thank you for the rosé. You all are amazing. Valet out front is $22. Street parking outside the alley, if available. read more

This might be one of my favorite restaurants in LA! For me, it's one of those places where no dish has failed me yet. Personal favorites are the onion tartine, radicchio salad, and beef tartare. Also love the steak au poivre and chicken. We were celebrating so we also splurged for the lobster risotto which was so delicious but would only order it again for special occasions since it's on the pricey side. Ended the meal with the Kiwi dessert which was very refreshing. Service was very attentive and friendly. Valet is offered outside at $22. There's also street parking and public paid lots nearby. read more

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Camphor is a beautiful space in a fun neighborhood. The service was attentive and the food presentation was beautiful. The Open kitchen is enjoyable to watch from the bar seating and the menu has a good amount of variety. The ambiance certainly sets a moody romantic stage which my friend and I did enjoy. The wine and cocktails were good and served it pretty glassware. My favorite item was the steak tartare with the fried herb leaves but unfortunately that is no longer on the menu. I was excited to try the French onion toast dish but for me was underwhelming. Maybe too rich, or too large. There were only two of us. Everything was good but nothing was incredible.... In my humble opinion. read more

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Camphor had some interesting dishes on the menu, and I'm glad I got to taste a variety of them throughout my meal. I actually was very impressed by their drinks menu, which had a larger and more creative non-alcoholic section than I am used to getting at some of the other comparable restaurants I've been going to. We were greeted warmly by staff upon arrival and seated promptly, our drinks orders were taken, and then the manager came over to explain the whole menu to us himself which was helpful. My standout dishes were the Chicken which was incredibly moist, the steak which was perfectly cooked, and the burger which was a blend of duck and beef (served with perfectly crisp frites!). The kiwi dessert with kiwi presented in 3 or 4 different ways was creative, aesthetic, and fresh and palette cleansing. Compared to other Michelin restaurants I've been to lately, it's solid but perhaps not as exciting or creative. And especially for that price point, I feel like I'm not getting as much as I could at other places. read more

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Camphor absolutely delivered. The burger was good. The steak was cooked beautifully and had amazing flavor, tender with just the right char. The salad was fresh and well-balanced, a great lighter dish alongside everything else. Drinks were also excellent and thoughtfully crafted. Order the bread pudding for dessert!! Overall, a great dining experience with quality food across the board. Definitely looking forward to coming back. read more

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What a unique and beautiful way to experience Camphor. Although the steak frites was good, it wasn't the highlight of my meal. I thoroughly enjoyed the bread and butter and absolutely loved the dessert. The service is what really elevates the experience. read more

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Camphor will absolutely be a repeat restaurant for us after a phenomenal birthday dinner. The menu is refreshingly simple, yet every dish features delicate, complex twist that made us genuinely inquisitive about the ingredients. We started off with fresh and meaty oysters, perfect tartare, and an intricately layered sea-breams with Santa Barbara uni - the standout "trophy" appetizer for the night. For our main course, we got their famous burger with fries and their ribeye. My only minor feedback is that my rib-eye slightly had too much sauce than my liking. We fished it off with their bread pudding which arrived with an edible, lemon zest candle for my birthday. The entire experience was elevated by our server who expertly guided us through the menu. Loved the ambiance which felt cozy and comfortable. read more

Camphor - Food - French Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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The good: Radicchio salad w/ passionfruit Caesar dressing - deliciously creamy, yet light and refreshing! The passionfruit in the dressing really brightened the normally heavier Caesar dressing. Onion tartine - perfectly toasted bread in a "sauce" that is similar to French onion soup but thicker consistency. Great flavors in this dish - almost licked the plate. The mid: Dover sole - this fish is typically a lighter fish so we weren't expecting an explosion of flavor but it was bland and overcooked. It was well presented and filleted table side which was cool but the fish itself and the sauce it came with lacked flavor & even the capers were bland. Not worth the price tag as well. Chicken agrodolce - read all the positive reviews about the chicken and was excited to try but honestly the sauce was reminiscent of the orange chicken at Panda Express. The chicken itself was moist, but the sauce was just sweet and tangy without much dimension. I love Panda Express but was expecting more from this dish. The bad: Overcharged for Dover sole - the Dover sole was listed as a singular price on the menu and in a text we received but when we received the bill, we were charged a higher price. We showed the waiter and they said that the Dover sole was charged based on the size of the fish?? but it was listed as a singular price, if it was charged by size then it should be reflected as Market Price or varies. The manager then came by and apologized and cited it as a button issue and fixed it immediately which was a different excuse than earlier but I wondered if other patrons were being charged more and if they didn't notice, Camphor were getting away with charging a higher price than listed on the menu. Credit card surcharge: they tack on a 3-4% charge for using a credit card that to my knowledge was not listed anywhere prior to paying, which is tacky and gives me an icky feeling. I have never been to a restaurant that charges these prices and applied a credit card surcharge. I don't mind paying a credit card surcharge to cover the fees for mom and pop shops offering lower prices but for a restaurant that charges these prices and has a Michelin star, just factor in the credit card charges into your food prices. If you truly want to incentivize cash payment then maybe offer a cash discount or kindly offer complimentary dessert if they pay cash? Idk anything but a tacky credit card surcharge, please. Service was great, and the appetizers were amazing but the proteins were meh and the credit card surcharge/incorrect charges left us with a bad taste in our mouth. read more

Camphor - Dover sole & chicken - French Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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This place has really good food. The menu is a bit limited but everything we tried was great, including the cocktails. The only reason why I didn't give it 5* is the price -- quite expensive -- never seen 20.00 price for bread (we did not get it but it probably would have been very good). 48.00 for the sea bream appetizer (but it was excellent). So if you don't mind paying more than you normally would, definitely try Camphor n read more

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belated birthday celebration with niece enjoyed delicious food - juicy flavorful burger with tons of crispy hot fries (hate limpy luke-warm fries with a passion) on a toasted brioche bun roasted carrots with luscious mimolette cheese sauce, roasted asparagus perfected cooked (again not limpy) roasted chicken breast stuffed with dark meat filling covered in a beautiful sauce (forgot name but yummy) radicchio salad (niece GF so had croutons on side....best croutons ever so don't skip) dessert - kiwi mint dessert - pretty, fun cuz interactive and refreshing food was great but......my drink was spectacular! Ume infused whiskey, orange liqueur and champagne. want to try more. there's always next time I love a restaurant that gives you an appetizer to start the meal and mini madeleines with the bill. NICE TOUCH :) read more

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One of my favorite restaurants. Service and ambience is fantastic. It's located at The Row and my friend made reservations through Resy. We ordered: Chicken- recommended by our waiter. It was good chicken and the chicken just made it very flavorful. Not something I would have recommended/gotten. Mussels- I love seafood and mussels were great. Came in a white wine and bacon sauce that made it very flavorful. Dipped the bread in that delicious sauce. Tartare- great presentation and came with herb tempura which I actually really liked. I actually topped it with the complimentary bread served. Mackerel- my favorite dish. Came with a mustard dressing that complimented it well. Glazed vegetables- needed some vegetables for the table and surprising very good! Very flavorful and a nice break from all the protein. Louvre drink- light and refreshing citrus drink. Totally recommend this place for a nice evening with friends/family or date night. read more

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Celebrated our Valentines a few days later at Camphor and it did not disappoint. The food was of course delicious and I want to note how exceptional the service was. We sat at Chef's Counter last night (Monday) at 6:45pm and everyone who greeted us, dropped off plates, cleaned our table, brought drinks - all treated us like we were their section and were all equally knowledgeable about everything we had questions about. Service by everyone was kind, professional, and so timely, which absolutely is noticed by me. It was absolutely seamless. We started off with a nice amuse bouche that was absolutely delicious (it was a cheese/onion flavored bite that I could have had 10 more of) got the oysters, scallops, steak au poivre (with extra sauce of course), pomme frites, the mushroom pthivier (which we pre ordered beforehand because it was a specialty item that could run out) and had to get the kiwi mint dessert (which was absolutely a knockout dessert for me. Light, refreshing and full of flavor. I need that as a cocktail or mocktail!). Everything was phenomenal and I would order again. For parking, we found easy public parking for $10 across the street. It was a Monday night so super easy. Otherwise Camphor has their own valet you could use. All in all - a fantastic experience and would love to come back soon. read more

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Came for dinner on their Steak Frites which is every Thursday night. Had we known Thursdays were their fixed menu, we would've came another night. But we still left feeling extremely full and pretty satisfied. The dinner comes with a salad, bread, steak, and a very generous portion of fries. The salad was very fresh and appetizing but the dressing was a tad bit too sour for me. I loved the bread and butter. I think I had three slices total because the salted butter complemented the warm bread nicely. Steak was cooked perfectly and was very juicy and delicious. Overall a pretty solid dinner. Hopefully we can come back another night to try their regular menu! read more

Camphor - French Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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One of the better 1-star Michelin options in LA. Heftier price tag, but well worth it. Service reflects their rating. Everyone was very knowledgeable about the menu! Smaller establishment than expected, with some street parking available and valet. Cute and dimmed lighting. Open space. Bar seating available too. Chicken was probably the best I've ever tried in my life. Succulent and delicious sauce. Sea bream drew a split verdict but I personally enjoyed the refreshing burst of flavor. Green apple ice on top added sweetness to an otherwise flavorful seafood dish. Radiccio salad was also good, the bitter leaves offset by sweeter croutons and vinaigrette. (And I typically don't enjoy croutons) Favorite was by far the bread pudding. Also probably the best I've had as far as the dessert goes! A random credit card fee though? read more

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My friends and I were so lucky to snag a last-minute reservation for a Friday night dinner. | vibe | The ambience is modern and convivial with an open kitchen. There's bar seating and tables, but I think table seating is the way to go if you're ordering a lot of dishes to share. Service was very attentive, and our water glasses were always filled. | menu | *must orders in my opinion - amuse bouche: a comté cream cheese puff - a delicious savory start. - sea bream (5/5): wow I usually think uni is too rich when combined with other things, but sea bream is a pretty mild fish so it worked. The green apple ice was a refreshing addition. Such creative presentation! - beef tartare (4.5/5): I normally am not a fan of beef tartare, but this was done very well. The tempura basil and mint leaves were delicate but perfect vessels for the tartare. - radicchio salad (5/5): perfect combo of flavors. The passionfruit caesar was creamy but lightly tart while the radicchio provided a very slight bitter taste. - onion tartine (5/5)*: it's basically all the best parts of a french onion soup. I literally can't explain how delicious this was. - scallop (5/5)*: sooo amazing. The dumpling skin was just thin enough, and they managed to fill each one with the perfect-sized scallop. The sauce was rich while not being too heavy either. - lobster (3/5): saffron risotto was great texture, and the lobster was buttery. I would pass on this bc I didn't think it was a stand-out dish. It wasn't bad, but the other dishes were too good. - ribeye (4.5/5): phew perfectly cooked medium. The butter sauce was herby while being slightly citrusy. - chicken (5/5)*: I asked how good can chicken be? Well, I got my answer with this dish. I have never had chicken breast like this before. Juicy and succulent. The argodolce had a sort of bbq flavor, but it was so addicting. I needed to make sure each bite had the sauce. - potatoes (4/5): buttery potatoes served with crème fraîche (reminded me of sour cream and onion vibes). A great accompaniment to your main meat dish. The potatoes reminded me of mini baked potatoes! - chocolate fondant (5/5)*: my friends said they didn't see this dessert during their prior visits. We were going to skip on dessert, but I'm glad we didn't because this was such a decadent end to our dinner. The molten cake was so gooey and warm. The vanilla marshmallow ice cream wasn't overly sweet either. My gripe with vanilla ice creams is that they can taste artificial, but this was rich while also being subtle. | tl;dr | 10/10 would return. An amazing modern French dinner where nearly every dish blew my mind. Also I'm obsessed with their bathrooms and nice toilets LOL. read more

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Camphor, located in Arts District in DTLA, is a French Brasserie, which has been awarded with one Michelin Star for the past several years. What brought me in was their $65 Steak Frites prix fixe menu on Thursday nights (not including 20% service charge and tax). I made my reservation online and was excited to come in. The ambiance is nice, modern. We had counter seating in front of the open kitchen. The prix fixe menu was delicious. It started with a salad with a bright, acidic vinaigrette and a crusty baguette with salted, creamy French butter. The 8 oz steak came with a Parsley-Tarragon sauce that provided an herbal punch that I have been looking for a long time. Many places that serve steak frites make sauces au poivre (pepper sauce) and I haven't found places outside of France that go this herbal route. As can be expected, the fries are perfectly salty and crispy and served with a trio of sauces (spicy aioli, ketchup, and honey mustard). My wife really enjoyed her cocktail; however, I have to say that red wine is a perfect pairing with the steak and fries. The wine draws the moisture from your palate, then you take a bite of the chewy, juicy steak and your mouth gets coated in the flavors of the entree. Follow that up with the crispy, salty fries and it is perfection. The steak frites on Thursdays are a perfect way to get introduced to this Michelin-starred restaurant. I look forward to celebrating a special occasion here soon. Note: they have valet parking for $20. We found some street parking down the street for free; however, you will need some luck for that. May the odds be ever in your favor. read more

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I've been here twice for steak frites night so this is what this review pertains too. Twice their temperature of the meat was not as requested. It's a bit troubling as this is the only thing they do that night. Like you can't properly cook the only food on your menu. Their 20% service fee which is not a tip is also astronomical. So if you tip the minimum 15/18% that means close to 40% of your total bill is going to service and tip. I find that to be ridiculous in today's environment. While their concept is good and venue is nice to look at, the rest falls short of what they charge read more

Our anniversary fell on a Monday this year, and a lot of restaurants close on Mondays. Thank goodness for Camphor--we had an amazing celebration meal. There's kinda expensive valet parking, but we managed to find metered street parking nearby. We had reserved counter seating, so we got to see a show and interact (a little) with the bar and kitchen staff as they brought us our food. First up was a delightful little amuse-bouche of gougères. A great way to welcome guests, thank you! We're not wine people, which usually puts us at a disadvantage at French restaurants, but Camphor had a wonderful selection of very balanced cocktails. Hooray! For appetizers we chose the onion tartine, which was basically French onion soup as a slice of toast, and the Sea Bream w/Uni, served under a green apple shave ice. Sounds crazy, but it worked. For our mains, we had the Chicken w/Agrodolce (an Italian sweet-and-source sauce) which was tender and delicious, and the Scallop Demi Lune (basically a French scallop ravioli), once again, just cooked perfectly. We also had the melon-ball style potatoes, which came in butter and accompanied with sour cream and chives. A clever way to reimagine a classic. We couldn't decide on desert, so we got two! The Kiwi-Mint and the Meyer Lemon Marzipan. Both were light, mildly sweet, and works of art on the plate. I'd absolutely go back here next year. read more

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Keeping it short and sweet... pure legendary. Monica was coo Rachel was too sweet The chefs are cookin like their life depends on it, and with ease at that. Overall, wonderful and will most definitely be retuning and referring to loved ones. read more

We visited Camphor for our 5 year anniversary. It was perfect for the occasion - we knew we were going to spend a decent amount, and we wanted a special, beyond the norm type of dining experience. Camphor's food did deliver, but there were a lot of peripheral factors that didn't hit the mark. The food was outstanding. The portion sizes were surprisingly large for a finer dining restaurant. And the $38 martinis (the Provence) were worth every penny. We got the onion tartine, crudo, scallops, burger, and a (graciously comped!) kiwi dessert. Our server was well-versed and gave excellent recommendations. I didn't regret any of our orders and really appreciated the flavor balance - we thought things would get too rich, but there was a sweetness to each dish that really cut through. Now onto the not-so-great. Let's start with the 3.5% processing fee for credit cards... say what now? For a restaurant that markets itself as fine dining, this felt blasphemous to me. Just roll it into a higher menu price at that point. The second downer was the time it took for initial service which other reviewers have also mentioned. We got a cocktail menu while we waited for our table, but then couldn't actually order cocktails until we were seated which was self-defeating. It was about an hour past our reservation time before we even got our first drinks, which was surprising for a Michelin star restaurant. I'm still glad I got to try Camphor! read more

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I visited last Thursday for Steak Frites night, and my god, it did not disappoint! I constantly crave steak frites from Paris, but this place one hundred percent filled that craving, and I no longer miss Paris. While street parking in the area is difficult to find, the restaurant does offer valet. Steak frites night was bustling, with a filled dining room. Even though it was full of people, with some music playing in the background, it wasn't too loud, and I could still make conversation without having to yell. The steak frites pre-fix menu was spectacular. The bread and butter was delicious: butter was creamy and salty, and the bread was crunchy and had the perfect amount of chewiness. The salad with their dressing was delicious, no additional comments needed. The star of the show was definitely the steak frites. The fries were delicious and crispy, and the steak was quite tender. The steak sauce haunts me now, thanks a lot! I swear, when I tried that steak sauce, my eyes rolled to the back of my head in ecstasy. For dessert, they offered us a mille fueille, which was good, just not as good as everything else we had. The service that we experienced was also great! Our waters were always refilled, and our server made excellent cocktail recommendations. I did notice that the bill does come with a mandatory 20% service charge, and every penny was well deserved! I wish there was a warning ahead of coming about the additional credit card surcharge - seems very unusual for a restaurant of this caliber. I honestly cannot wait to come back, for steak frites night or just for another night so I could try the larger menu. read more

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