À L’ouest, pronounced “ah L west,” is Chef Brad Wise’s French brasserie in North Park and the 13th restaurant from TRUST Restaurant Group. The menu brings classic French dishes into Wise’s live fire style, precise technique, and carefully sourced ingredients. The name, the design, and the food all point toward France, while the setting keeps it very much San Diego.
The space was designed by Ralitsa Kombakis of Studio Rallou, with a dining room built around high ceilings and an open layout with the design leaning into deep green tones, patterned tile, banquette seating, arched openings, custom metalwork, layered greenery, and vintage inspired artwork. At dinner, the lighting is dim and warm. A curved staircase leads upstairs to Georgette’s, the speakeasy above the restaurant. The private dining room has a sculptural chandelier and a glass floor with floral detail underneath.
Image credit À L'Ouest
Website: alouestsd.com
Reservations & Private Events: Available and Recommended
Menu: Brunch, Dinner, Dessert, Cocktails
Address: 3002 University Ave San Diego, CA 92104
Hours: Wed-Thurs & Sun 5-9 PM, Fri-Sat 5-10 PM, Brunch on weekends 10-2 PM
Image credit À L'Ouest
À L’ouest stays rooted in French brasserie cooking, with rich sauces, seafood, steak, duck, and traditional sides brought through Brad Wise’s live fire style. The menu keeps the structure of a French brasserie while bringing in the sourcing and technique that run through his restaurants. One of the details I loved seeing on the menu was the use of Le Beurre Bordier Butter, made in Brittany with milk from grass fed cows, hand kneaded with wooden paddles, and known for its richness and thickness.
The cocktail program is also worth paying attention to. It is the largest the group has launched to date. The cocktails focus on French spirits and early 20th century technique. I started with the Bon Mot, made with citrus gin, lychee, vermouth blanc, and peach caviar and it was delicious. The wine program focuses on French regions including Burgundy, Bordeaux, the Loire Valley, Beaujolais, and the Rhône, along with select California bottles.
Image credit À L'Ouest
We began with the Épi Baguette with Bordier butter. The baguette is made daily, and the butter was rich and full of flavor on its own. We also ordered the French Onion Soup with oxtail, gruyère, and cooper sharp. The broth was deep, rich, and honestly the best French onion soup I have tasted.
We followed with the Salade De Laitue, made with Bibb lettuce, radishes, and hand picked fine herbs, lightly dressed in a Banyuls vinaigrette with shallots, garlic, Dijon, and a splash of lemon. We had the Raviole Du Dauphiné with sunchoke, beurre fondue, and Comté. It was delicate and comforting, with the Comté and beurre fondue giving the dish a richer finish.
Image credit À L'Ouest
For our entrées, we ordered the Steak Frites, a 12oz prime New York steak finished with sauce au poivre, served with crisp frites and a peppery watercress salad. In addition, we had the Dover Sole Meuniére, prepared with brown butter, capers, and lemon.
My favorite entrée was the Aged Duck À L’Orange with confit croquette, chicories, kumquat, and sauce bigarade. The leg meat was fall off the bone tender, and the breast had a crisp exterior while still being cooked exactly right.
For sides, we ordered the Ratatouille with eggplant, zucchini, tomato, and basil, along with the Tartiflette with yukon gold potatoes, caramelized onions, and Mt. Tam.
Image credit À L'Ouest
Dessert came last, and which we finished with the Banana Mille Feuille with marshmallow ice cream and caramel. Of course, we also needed a little bit of chocolate added to the meal so we ordered the Milk Chocolate Mousse with chantilly and hazelnut oil to share. Both desserts were perfectly delicious.
The service is worth mentioning. Our server was attentive, walked us through the menu, and shared helpful background on several dishes. The cocktail recommendation was also handled well. I was asked what flavor profile I liked, and the Bon Mot ended up being exactly the right place to start. Between the atmosphere, the food, extensive cocktail program, and the service, À L’ouest gave me plenty of reasons to come back, especially with brunch still on my list.
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