Exterior of Taste’s Melrose location, with a pleasant breezy outdoor patio, all images ©2010-2011 restaurantdiningcritiques.com and Sandy Driscoll

Taste Restaurant

8454 Melrose Avenue
West Hollywood, CA  90069
Tel:  323-852-6888
Hours:  Daily for lunch & dinner (see website for specific hours)

538 Palisades Drive
Pacific Palisades, CA  90272
Tel:  310-459-9808
Hours:  Tuesday-Sunday for lunch & dinner (see website for specific hours)

Credit Cards: Yes
Valet Parking:  Available evenings at Melrose location
Prices:  Moderate
Website:  http://ilovetaste.com/

Having dined at Taste twice in recent days, the first thing that struck me was that everything on their menu looked good to me!   I could have closed my eyes, pointed, and had something that was delicious and attractively served.  The second thing was that Taste Restaurant is obsessed with excellent customer service which provides many reasons for a return visit.   There is literally something for everyone……brunches, a la carte items, prix fixe menus, wine and dining specials, and just generally fun and interesting dining.

My two lunches (one at the Melrose location, the other in Pacific Palisades) were exceptionally good and attractively presented.  I found myself checking out the plates of adjacent diners, which also looked terrific, and more than once I overheard patrons mentioning how they were tempted to order everything on the menu……….my sentiments exactly!  A good friend who is a business owner in West Hollywood tells me that he and his employees eat at Taste often, and have enjoyed practically everything on the menu.

My lunch at Taste in Pacific Palisades coincided with ‘Dine LA’ week, 10 days during a 2 week period in which many LA restaurants offer bargain priced prix-fixe menus for lunch and dinner.   My lunch (see photos below) consisted of 3 generous courses for only $16.   Both locations share the same menu and also have a special ‘Build Your Own Grilled Cheese’ menu.  I can’t wait to go back and try that!

As always, I think a photo is worth a thousand words, so take a look below!

Additional details/specifics
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ilovetaste
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/ilovetaste
• Happy Hour happens Tuesday-Sunday 4pm-6pm Well drinks $4 and Specialty Cocktails $6 – Small plates are $3.50-5.
• Every Monday is Wine Discovery Monday’s when Bottles of Wine are 1/2 off at the Melrose Location
• Every Tuesday is Wine Discovery Tuesday’s when Bottles of Wine are 1/2 off at the Palisades Location
• Every Thursday is Farmers’ Market Dinner: Sustainable “Slow Cooking” at Taste. Come in for food of Organic Produce, All Natural Meats & Free Range Chicken and Eggs. Every Thursday night at Taste.
• Brunch every Saturday and Sunday – and with the purchase of a $13 Entree they offer bottomless Mimosa’s or Bubbly
• Every month they have a “featured cocktail” – this month it is a “Pomegranate Basil Sangria” served with raspberries and blueberries.
• Taste Caters! catering@ilovetaste.com
• Full Moon Aphrodisiac Nights: Every Full moon – the day before and the day after – Taste creates a special menu that will stimulate your senses – prefixed menu of aphrodisiacs.

Ahi Tuna Tartare – Ahi Tuna, Avocado, Jicama, Mint, Dill, Spicy Aioli, CrostiniThai Chicken Cups – Minced Chicken, Shallots, Crispy Rice, Peanuts, Lemongrass Vinaigrette, Romaine Lettuce, Cilantro

Cocktail of the Month – Pomegranate Basil Sangria – Veev Acai Spirit, St. Germain Liqueur, Pomegranate Puree,
Fresh Raspberries & Blueberries, Fresh Basil, Sparkling WineGrilled Hangar Steak Salad – All Natural Steak, Organic Mixed Greens, Grilled Onions, Roasted Tomatoes,
Gorgonzola Cheese, Honey Mustard DressingKobe Beef Burger (cooked to a perfect medium rare, as requested)  with Onion Jam, Organic Arugula, Tomato, Gorgonzola, Sesame Bun and Pommes Frites

Short Rib Tacos – Braised Short Rib, Mexican Cole Slaw, Salsa Verde, Roasted Corn Salsa, Refried Black Beans, Creme FraicheArugula Shaved Fennel Salad with Pomegranate Seeds, Caramelized Hazelnuts, Gorgonzola Cheese, Honey
Jalapeno VinaigretteChocolate Brioche Bread Pudding with Creme Anglaise,Vanilla Bean Gelato

Blackberry Cabernet Sorbet with Fresh Raspberries and BlueberriesCappuccino LavazzaDining Room at Taste in Pacific Palisades