The Church & State guy's new La Brea institution

republique LA
Republique
Republique

Not just what Plato totally would've been into if he were French instead of Greek, Republique is also the latest from a crazy all-star team that includes the married Chef duo Walter and Margarita Manzke -- who were among the most lauded in all of LA during their tenure at Downtown's Church & State -- and one of the restauranteurs behind Bestia and Sotto.

republique LA

Set up in the old Campanile space, the room's a stunner -- a sort of modern, Scottish castle with large paneled windows, high ceilings, and a massive common table.

republique LA
Jeff Miller

The menu's going to rotate seasonally, but one standby's definitely going to be this massive charcuterie board, which's stuffed with, er, stuff, including various salami and a light-feeling duck liver mousse.

republique LA

Want a cocktail? Their offerings range from citrus-and-gin-and-bitters guys like this Spritzer, to classics like Manhattans.

republique LA
Jeff Miller

Now for the food: start off with some ultra-fresh hamachi crudo, laced with fennel and mandarin oranges...

republique LA
Jeff Miller

... or a savory beignet, stuffed with cheese and served over a creamy mushroom sauce...

republique LA
Jeff Miller

... or perfectly buttered, toasted bread, topped with a soft-scrambled egg and uni. Yep. Egg and uni.

republique LA
Jeff Miller

Mains count this Tai snapper, crisped up-top, and served with chanterelle mushrooms and a lemon confit...

republique LA
Jeff Miller

... or this short rib w/ homemade gnocchi.

republique LA
Jeff Miller

And you're definitely gonna wanna get dessert -- the pastries, like this chocolate-topped bombolini -- are all made in-house. Party.