Plaisir is the Mobile Knowledge Worker's wet dream: the food is great, the vibe is good and the experience is customizable.
Owner Philippe, Mr. Plaisir, is behind the counter. I know his name because it's lettered in white (I think) on his black chef's top. He's very personable. Perhaps he spotted my fantastic laptop backpack (more about that in another post). But in any event, he volunteered that Plaisir has free Wi-Fi.
The menu is classic French cafe fare: Croque Monsieurs, quiches, etc. I'm in the mood for a sandwich, however. I notice the turkey and brie option. "Is it good?" "Yes, very good." Philippe replies. And as for the salad that comes with it, "Do you want Caesar or spinach with strawberries?" Always a forthright Midwesterner, I ask, "That sounds a little odd -- is it good?" "Yes, it's very nice. There's a raspberry dressing and some feta." I decide to trust him and select the spinach salad. I finish up by ordering a Napoleon pastry and coffee.
I take my place at one of the glossy copper-colored bar tables around the perimeter of the room.
A photo of a glossy bronze-colored mouth is on the ceiling. The question "Still guilty?" is in neon on one wall. Primary colored iPods with headsets are available at each chair. How wonderful -- if you don't like the music, you can listen to these iPods. But I like the music, which ranges from world music to dance music. I find myself moving to the beat in my chair. Which I almost never do. This music is really good.
My sandwich arrives. Philippe is right: it is scrumptious. The French bread is slightly crispy, the turkey and brie are an oozy taste sensation. He's also right about the salad. The combination of strawberries, spinach, feta and raspberry dressing is refreshing, especially on a hot day. I enjoy the crunch of sliced almonds in each bite. I love the presentation -- the sandwich and salad are served on a white plate which sits on a metallic red charger. The strawberries echo the color of the charger. Lovely. The Napoleon and the coffee are good.
Plaisir reminds me of a Parisian cafe, populated by regulars. Service is friendly. Philippe asks people how they are, remembers what so-and-so has been up to and asks about it. As I have my meal I hear Philippe say to someone, "Bonjour! I'd love for you to try my new ____ [I couldn't hear that part] and let me know what you think."
This is the closest I've gotten to a real sidewalk cafe (so far) in LA. Plaisir is in the heart of West Hollywood, so if you sit on the side facing Santa Monica Boulevard, you can watch the people walking by. It's set far enough away from the street that you're not engulfed by fumes if you sit outside.
The recap: great music, service and food. It feels like what I imagine a Carnival experience must be like, because everything is designed to appeal to your senses. From the music on the sound system to the sunny circus colors of the decor (with touches of copper for sophistication) to the food itself, it's a happy place to do work.
Last details: one hour free parking in the lot behind the cafe (you may know it as the Trader Joes' parking lot, as Trader Joe's is right in the same complex). Cappuccino, latte and croissant happy hour is on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5 pm - 8 pm. Prices are half-off at this time.
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