Maison Giraud Update: Alain Giraud's New Restaurant Set to Open in May

Anisette Brasserie

Alain Giraud

After months -- and months -- of anticipation, fans of Alain Giraud (Bastide, Anisette Brasserie) will now be able to do more than stalk the French chef at area farmers markets, catered events, and Test Kitchen pop-ups. Giraud's new restaurant, Maison Giraud, will open in the Pacific Palisades in mid-May. "It's done. I have the key," said Giraud, who has been trying to find a space for his restaurant since Anisette closed last September.

Maison Giraud will go into the former Dante Palisades location, at 1032 Swarthmore Avenue. The new place ("not a bistro, not a brasserie, just a restaurant") will also include a space for Lavender Blue, the retail business owned by Giraud's wife Catherine; a patio; and, perhaps best of all for fans of the chef's pain au chocolat a full bakery. Joining Giraud in the bakery will be Noubar Yesayan, who was the chef's baker and pastry chef at Anisette and is also a Bastide alum.

"Construction will start, I will sweat and sweat, and then we will be open," said Giraud, who described his future menu as French and "accessible" and ingredient-driven. "The best thing is that I have a farmers market in front of my door." This will at least cut down on the walking time for the chef, who used to carry his purchases (fresh lavender, etc.) from the Promenade market all the way down to Santa Monica and 2nd. "It's a good move," said Giraud.