Country French on Sunday

Taix Restaurant, Sunset Blvd., Echo Park

Last Sunday we met Suzette and Mark at Taix Restaurant in Echo Park for an early dinner. Taix is a traditional, Country French-style restaurant with hearty food, a great bar, live music and lots of L.A. history. The original Taix was opened at 321 Commercial Street in downtown L.A. in 1927. This particular restaurant on Sunset Blvd. was opened in 1962.

The old Taix was in what was then called French Town., close to Union Station It was my Grandfather's favorite place to eat. We sat at long communal tables (very much like The Pantry and Philippe's). Dinner was served family style, large plates of bread, carrots/celery/radishes on a big chunk of ice, a large stainless steel bowl of soup w/ladle, green vegies, mashed potatoes. I do remember them bringing our main dish on a separate plate.

Taix (demolished), 321 Commercial St., Downtown L.A.
photos courtesy of L.A. Public Library Archives

The style of food was very similar to many of the Basque restaurants still found in Bakersfield today. The interior of downtown Taix's was slightly dreary...greenish walls, linoleum...yup, just like Philippe's. Once in awhile we went to the fancy version of Taix's on Sunset, but that was for special occasions only. The downtown Taix was demolished to make way for a parking structure for the new Federal Building. Sigh.

On Sunday, we had drinks in the bar first. The drinks are strong and large. The bar was bustling at 5:30 with people from all walks of life. That's what I love about Taix. EVERYONE eats there, from hipsters to oldsters and everyone in-between! We sat down to dinner in the perfectly posh '60's dining room. There are smoked mirrors on the walls, 60's-style chandeliers, painted tin ceiling and floral upholstery on the comfy booths. I felt like I was in a Beverly Hills living room circa 1964. Divine.

Taix Interior. Dig those swanky swagged drapes and groovy chandelier!

Delicious Veal Stew

Dinner was yummy. Taix serves simple Country French food. We started out with that big bowl of pea soup, served in a stainless steel bowl, crudités and French bread. We all ordered different hearty dishes. My veal stew was very tasty. This is how I imagine all fine dining was in Los Angeles during the 50's and 60's. Sensible food, served elegantly in a plush atmosphere.
I can't wait to go back.

Suzette and Mark