What could be more LA than a quality, IYKYK French bistro dining experience tucked in a nondescript strip mall? Nothing. The correct answer is nothing is more LA. Petit Trois is just that. A teeny tiny blink-and-you’ll-miss-it gem of a restaurant at the corner of Highland and Melrose, that weird part of Hollywood “media district,” not-quite-Larchmont area that is notable mostly for Mozza on the opposite side of the intersection. A strip mall half hidden behind a gas station perpetually under construction, covered with character posters as a part of some new blockbuster’s “wild postings” OOH campaign.

But I digress.

Here’s the thing. In the world of LA food celebrities, Ludo Lefebvre is up there (he has cameos in a bunch of different food docs, not to mention a YouTube channel of his own). And Petit Trois is run by Ludo and two other well-loved LA restauranteurs: Jon & Vinny. Which basically makes the restaurant a celebrated establishment by definition. So revered that for a long time it didn’t even have a sign. In fact, its high end brother, Trois Mec, next door is still hidden under a Raffallo’s Pizza sign. Which, let’s be honest, just makes this that much better.

Of course we’ve spent all this time talking about the original location, the one with maybe 10ish seats total? When today, like all good things, there’s a roomier location in the Valley. As an added bonus, besides more seating, they do breakfast. But regardless of what time of day you’re treating yourself to a rich French meal, it’s all about that first, perfect bite into their warm, crusty bread and dreamy French butter. Need I say more?

Ok one more thing: the boursin in the omelette will make you not ever want eggs prepared any other way. Ok. C’est tout.