To the old Patina space comes another epic eatery, the labor of love of former Water Grill chef Michael Cimarusti. At Providence, he continues to display stellar proficiency with seafood, aiming sky-high with an ambitious list of velvety fish, perfectly chilled Kumamoto oysters and New England-worthy "chowda." Providence, open since 2005, has made a huge splash on the local and national level with its subtly elegant dining room, top-notch service and aesthetically stunning food presentation. While à la carte offerings such as bigeye tuna tartare, foie gras ravioli and Muscovy duck breast top the dinner menu, the ever-changing market menu features the freshest available items and may include the likes of razor clam risotto or Icelandic arctic char with shimeji mushrooms. If you're the type who covets your neighbor's entrée, your table can partake of a five-course tasting menu with wine pairings. Full bar. Serving lunch Fri, dinner nightly.
Where the Locals Eat rating
Best Seafood
Top 100 Restaurant, Los Angeles
"An ambitious collaboration between Italian-born Donato Poto–he's the elegant maître d'–and the gifted chef Michael Cimarusti, Providence announces its serious intentions with the very first amuse-bouche."
—Travel + Leisure
"Funny thing, the food at Providence was good right out of the box, which is unusual. And with every visit I've made over the last few months, Cimarusti's cooking has taken on a sharper focus. The ideas are fresh, the execution, for the most part, dead-on."
– S. Irene Virbila, Los Angeles Times
"When Michael Cimarusti left the stoves at Water Grill to start Providence, his fans were expecting nothing less than the Los Angeles equivalent of fish palaces like Le Bernardin and Oceana in New York. At this glowing restaurant, he managed to fulfill even those super-high expectations–this is among the best kitchens ever to hit Los Angeles.
– Jonathan Gold, Los Angeles Weekly
How others rate Providence
LA Weekly
Jonathan Gold's 99 Essential Restaurants, 2009
James Beard Foundation
Best New Restaurant nominee, 2005
Zagat 2009
26 food rating (extraordinary to perfection)
Los Angeles Times
*** (excellent)
Los Angeles magazine
No. 3 on 75 Best Restaurants list, 2008
**** (remarkable and extraordinary)