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Délices du Chef
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Délices du Chef
8.5
Opened in 2024, Delices Du Chef is a modern French bistro cafe where croissants, eggs Benedict, and tartines bring a Paris-leaning breakfast to Crenshaw Boulevard. Regulars treat it as a slower, glass-of-sparkling kind of morning with pastries, quiche, and cafe drinks.
Must-Try Dishes:
Eggs Benedict with French ham, Avocado Tartine on baguette, Butter Croissant with house jam
Scores:
Value: 6.8
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: French-run bistro serving croissants, tartines, and brunch plates from morning on.
Who should go: Guests wanting leisurely French-style breakfast or brunch.
When to visit: Late morning on weekdays for calmer service and more space.
What to order: Eggs Benedict, avocado tartine, a warm butter croissant.
Insider tip: Pair a savory plate with a pastry from the case and linger over a cafe au lait.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Shared plaza lot on Crenshaw Boulevard with generally easy availability; fills slightly during peak brunch hours but still manageable.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual; relaxed daytime attire is appropriate, though many guests lean slightly polished for photos and pastries.
Noise level: Moderate; conversation is easy at most tables, with a gentle café buzz during peak brunch.
Weekend wait: Not applicable; the focus is breakfast and brunch, but weekend late mornings can see 20–35 minute waits.
Weekday lunch: Minimal to no wait, especially before 12:30pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several strong options including tartines, pastries, quiches, and salads.
Vegan options: Limited; a few modified tartines or sides may work, but the menu is largely dairy-forward.
Gluten-free options: Some egg dishes and salads can be made gluten-free; pastries and tartines are not suitable.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—its calm, French-café ambiance and photogenic plates create an easy, low-pressure daytime date setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes; it’s walk-in friendly, though arriving before 11am on weekends minimizes waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for families with children 6 and up; space is comfortable, but the slower café pacing and delicate pastries may not suit very young kids.
Best For
Better for: Leisurely, French-leaning brunch with refined pastries and slower pacing compared to more traditional American breakfast spots.
Skip if: You want rapid counter-service breakfast, heavy American diner plates, or extensive vegan selections.
Délices du Chef
8.1
Délices du Chef is a daylight French bistro on Crenshaw that occasionally flips into ticketed, prix fixe dinner events for holidays and anniversaries. While most days are about pastries and brunch, those special nights showcase a structured multi-course French menu that feels like a low-key neighborhood tasting experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Escargot in Garlic Butter, Croque Madame, Dark Chocolate Lava Cake
Scores:
Value: 6.3
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 7
What makes it special: French bistro that occasionally hosts prix fixe dinner nights on top of its brunch and café service.
Who should go: Francophiles and brunch fans who love structured French menus.
When to visit: Weekend brunch or announced prix fixe evenings for full courses.
What to order: Escargot, Croque Madame, dark chocolate lava cake.
Insider tip: Watch their site and social feeds for one-off prix fixe dinners; those nights sell out quickly and show the kitchen’s full range.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Small shared lot out front with overflow street parking along Crenshaw; usually easy during brunch hours, tighter during special prix fixe nights.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual; brunch crowds lean relaxed, while prix fixe evenings trend slightly dressier without being formal.
Noise level: Moderate; brunch can get lively indoors, but you can still hold a conversation comfortably.
Weekend wait: Prix fixe nights often require advance booking; walk-ins may face 30–45 minutes or be waitlisted.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait and easy seating.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several brunch dishes and French staples translate well for vegetarians, including salads, omelets, and pastries.
Vegan options: Limited; a few sides and customizable salads, but many core dishes rely on dairy or eggs.
Gluten-free options: A handful of gluten-free brunch plates and modifications are available, though pastries are not GF.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for daytime or early evening dates; the cozy bistro setting, pastries, and approachable French touches create a warm, low-pressure environment.
Can I get a table without a reservation? For brunch, walk-ins are usually accommodated with a short wait. For prix fixe dinners, reservations are strongly recommended as these events are limited and often sell out.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for brunch; the menu and casual vibe suit families with school-aged kids. Prix fixe nights skew adult-oriented and are better for older teens or adults only.
Best For
Better for: Casual French brunch with occasional elevated prix fixe meals, offering an approachable way to experience structured French dining without the cost or formality of traditional tasting-menu restaurants.
Skip if: You’re looking for nightly tasting menus, extensive vegan options, or a more upscale, reservation-driven French dining room.
Délices du Chef
8.0
Délices du Chef is a daylight French cafe on Crenshaw that doubles as a low-key setting for coffee-forward business catch-ups. Croque sandwiches, quiches, and pastries make it easy to keep things light while still feeling a bit more polished than a standard strip-mall lunch.
Must-Try Dishes:
Croque Madame, Quiche of the Day, Almond Croissant
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Bright French cafe with pastries and light plates ideal for shorter business meetups.
Who should go: One-on-one meetings or small teams wanting a cafe setting.
When to visit: Late morning or early afternoon before the pastry case thins out.
What to order: Croque Madame, daily quiche, almond or chocolate croissant.
Insider tip: Grab a corner table near the wall if you need space for laptops and documents.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Small shared plaza lot with generally easy availability on weekdays; additional street parking along Crenshaw is typically open during late mornings and early afternoons.
Dress code: Casual and polished-cafe appropriate; jeans and business-casual tops fit in well for work meetups.
Noise level: Low to moderate – daytime service stays conversational, making it easy to talk through tasks or presentations.
Weekend wait: Not applicable, as the café primarily operates during daytime hours.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; the small rush around noon may briefly fill inside tables, but turnover is quick.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good selection — quiches, salads, and several pastry items work well.
Vegan options: Limited — most dishes include dairy or eggs, though some salads or side items may work with modifications.
Gluten-free options: Moderate — salads and certain daily specials can be suitable, but most pastries and sandwiches contain gluten.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Suitable for a casual daytime meetup rather than a romantic first date; its bright café feel works best for relaxed, low-pressure conversations.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — seating is first-come, first-served, and wait times are rare outside of the brief lunch rush.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for younger children during quieter mid-mornings; pastries and simple plates appeal to kids, though the space is small and not ideal for strollers during peak hours.
Best For
Better for: Light, French-leaning lunches with pastries and quick service that allow short business meetings without committing to a long sit-down meal.
Skip if: You need extensive seating, full-service pacing, or robust savory entrées — nearby bistros or larger cafés may suit those needs better.
Délices du Chef
8.0
Délices du Chef is a daylight French bistro on Crenshaw where croque sandwiches, quiches, and pastries bring Parisian flair to a breakfast-and-lunch budget. Open since 2024, it balances polished plating with counter ordering so you can have a cafe-quality meal without full-service markups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Croque Madame, Quiche Lorraine, Almond Croissant
Scores:
Value: 6.7
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Modern French bistro serving elevated daytime plates and pastries at cafe pricing.
Who should go: Brunch and pastry lovers willing to pay a bit more for quality.
When to visit: Early mornings or late lunch to avoid the busiest rush.
What to order: Croque Madame, daily quiche, an almond or chocolate croissant.
Insider tip: Build a light lunch by pairing a single sandwich with one pastry instead of multiple courses.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Shared surface-lot parking in the center plus additional street parking along Crenshaw; usually open on weekdays but can tighten during weekend brunch hours.
Dress code: Casual to elevated-casual; daytime attire is fine, but many guests lean slightly dressy for brunch photos and pastry displays.
Noise level: Moderate during peak brunch hours with steady counter traffic; otherwise comfortably conversational.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — the restaurant closes before dinner.
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes at peak; often no wait after 1pm.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Strong coverage with quiches, salads, and several pastry options.
Vegan options: Limited — a few salads and sides may work, but pastries and main plates skew dairy-heavy.
Gluten-free options: Some salads and select specials; pastries are not gluten-free and cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for casual daytime dates — the airy setting and polished plates feel charming without being formal. Better for brunch or coffee dates than romantic evenings due to daytime-only hours.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service, so tables are first-come. Arriving before noon on weekends helps secure a seat quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for families with school-age kids; the menu is approachable and service is quick. Younger children may need help navigating the counter-service setup.
Best For
Better for: High-quality French brunch plates, pastries, and a polished café vibe at mid-range pricing — ideal when you want something nicer than a diner but not full-service brunch.
Skip if: You want hearty, shareable entrées, long lingering meals, or late-night dining — the menu is lighter and the restaurant closes early.