Providence

Providence is a seafood-focused fine-dining restaurant on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, California, led by chef Michael Cimarusti, and it has held two Michelin stars in the California guide. It is widely regarded as one of the city's leading restaurants for seafood. The kitchen buys fish and shellfish from Pacific fishing communities and places a strong emphasis on freshness, sustainability and seasonal availability. The restaurant serves a multi-course chef's tasting menu, and the dishes change with the catch. Sea urchin appears frequently, along with preparations of local shellfish, delicate raw fish courses, and more elaborate cooked dishes, and a la carte options have been offered at various times in addition to the tasting format. The sommelier programme is well regarded, with a deep wine list that has a strong selection of white wines and Champagne suited to seafood, as well as pairing options. The dining room is understated and elegant, with a calm, refined atmosphere, attentive service and low noise levels, and it suits a special occasion. Dress is smart, and jackets are common but not always required. Reservations are required and are made through the website; prime tables, particularly on weekends, can book weeks in advance, and a bar or lounge area has sometimes offered a shorter menu for walk-in guests, which visitors can confirm directly. Prices are at the top end of the Los Angeles market, with the tasting menu costing about 300 US dollars or more per person before beverages, tax and service. The restaurant is open for dinner on weekdays and Saturday. It sits in the Hollywood and Melrose area, close to Paramount Pictures and a short drive from much of central Los Angeles.