La Vie - Rosemead

The escargot was simply fantastic, and the rack of lamb was truly exceptional. The scallops were also a standout, expertly prepared. Although it might be surprising to find a French restaurant owned by an Asian team, they certainly provide authentic French cuisine worthy of five stars. This unique mix of culinary influences enhances the charm of La Vie. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking outstanding French dishes. It's a real hidden gem and a must-try.

"Every time we've ordered, the food has been prepared differently, and we’ve never had the same dish cooked correctly more than once. Both times we visited were disappointing experiences. Service: Dine-in Meal type: Dinner Price per person: $50–100 Food: 1/5 Service: 1/5 Atmosphere: 2/5"

Service: Dine-in Meal type: Dinner Price per person: $30–50 Food: 1 Service: 3 Atmosphere: 1

The duckling was incredible, boasting a perfect texture with just the right amount of chew. The citrus sauce is absolutely divine! The lamb chops were expertly salted and cooked just right—none of that overcooked nonsense. You absolutely must try the escargot; it's the most tender and buttery bite I’ve ever had, with just the right amount of salt. The service was exceptional—attentive without being intrusive. They even treated us to complimentary soup, salad, and coffee or tea. The ambiance is cozy and unpretentious. While the decor and exterior may be a bit dated, they create a warm and inviting atmosphere. I was pleasantly surprised to find fresh flowers on each table, indicating the care that has gone into maintaining this place. It’s definitely a hidden gem in Rosemead, and I would give it a 10/10!

Reservations can only be made over the phone. I arrived at 5 PM as the first customer, and the lights and air conditioning were off. There was no host present, so a kitchen staff member with limited English seated me and handed me a menu. Another staff member brought water, and I noticed the thermostat read 91 degrees. When I inquired about the air conditioning, I was told it wasn’t broken but that it was peak energy usage time. They turned on the A/C but didn’t turn on the lights. A server arrived a bit later; while he was friendly, he wasn't particularly attentive and spent a lot of time looking at his phone. He failed to mention the daily specials, didn't provide a wine list, and didn’t ask if I planned to order a soufflé for dessert, which takes 30-40 minutes to prepare. At the end of my meal, I had to request the check and take it up to the host counter myself, where the staff member was again preoccupied with his phone. Another server turned the lights on just before my departure. Unaware of the specials, I ordered two appetizers: the pâté and prawns in a mustard cream sauce. While no bread was served with the pâté, all tables received warm French bread and packaged butter, but no additional bread was offered. Additionally, there were no refills on iced tea, and likely not on sodas either. Both appetizers were quite tasty. The menu featured 17 entrees: 4 each for seafood and chicken, 2 each for veal, lamb, and steak, and one each for sweetbreads, duck, and rabbit. I chose the duck, which was served with an orange sauce garnished with orange supremes and slices. The skin was crisp, and the fat was nicely rendered. Accompanying the duck were pureed carrots or sweet potato, rice, and a green vegetable (broccoli in my case). Each main also comes with a daily soup (lentil and carrot on this day) and a simple green salad with bibb lettuce, a single grape tomato, and a creamy mustard dressing. I believe coffee is included, but I couldn’t substitute iced tea without an additional charge. I later discovered that the specials included Chilean sea bass and a surf and turf with a NY strip steak and lobster tail. The dessert menu offered 11 options, but the fresh fruit sabayon I was interested in was no longer available. Instead, I opted for the cherries jubilee, which was beautifully presented in stemmed glassware with a sugar rim. The check was charmingly hand-written and non-computerized, although they processed my credit card with a modern handheld machine. Overall, there is good food and value to be found at this restaurant, making it worth visiting for those reasons, more than for the service or the ambiance.