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There lies an opportunity in Westwood to preview a savory experience of America’s northern neighbor. P’tit Soleil, a charming little French-Canadian bistro, became an extension of the restaurant Soleil Westwood two years ago after the soaring customer demand for the establishment’s dishes, specifically the poutine.
This mouthwatering Canadian dish originated in Quebec in the late 1950s and consists of three primary ingredients: a pile of French fries topped off with cheese curds and a light brown gravy.
True to its aesthetic, poutine is actually slang for the word “mess.”
From 3 pm to 8 pm every day except Monday, P’tit Soleil offers a happy hour special on its Canadian beers and wines, with select drinks priced at $5.
The bistro’s specialty poutine dishes, alongside its other tapas and small plates, make for the ideal companion to the special tap drinks.
“Poutine is not a dish that Americans are very familiar with,” Marie-Eve Nadeau, manager and server at P’tit Soleil said.
However, P’tit Soleil not only accommodates to customers who hear of the dish for the first time, but for Canadians and other poutine enthusiasts as well. There is a versatility of poutine options available at the bistro, one “for every taste.”
P’tit Soleil offers 10 different types of poutine, which incorporate a delicious variety of meats, vegetables, and sauces.
Poutine Ile-du-Prince-Edouard comes with a generous helping of mussels atop its fries, whereas Poutine Daniel fuses shredded duck with the other primary ingredients.
From Italian sausage to chicken, P’tit Soleil utilizes several types of meat to enhance the taste and uniqueness of its poutine dishes. There is a vegetarian option, Poutine Christine, available as well, in addition to Poutine Mexico, which comes with chorizo and is a creative mix-up of cultural cuisine.
Of course, Poutine Mario, the traditional, simple option with fries, gravy, and cheese curds is usually the go-to choice for first-timers.
Customers can also sample a variety of poutines with the poutine flight, which gives diners the chance to choose three different poutines for $20.
These poutine dishes mesh delightfully with some of the Canadian tap beers available, including Labatt Blue, Molson Canadian, and Moosehead Lager.
Clearly, P’tit Soleil offers foods and drinks that are uncommon to the Westwood area.
“This place is for French-Canadians, Canadians, and Americans who want to learn more about this culture,” Nadeau said.
Bartender Dovile Raduseviciute said that some of her favorite parts of working at P’tit Soleil included the “amazing customers and regulars,” who she views and treats as her own friends.
“This place brings people together,” Nadeau said. She said that Saint-Jean-Baptiste-Day, observed on Jun. 24 as a French-Canadian holiday, was able to bring in crowds of people looking to celebrated.
Without a doubt, P’tit Soleil and its neighboring parent restaurant, Soleil Westwood, carry with them strong cultural roots. In fact, Soleil chef and owner Luc Alarie can trace his first encounter with the restaurant venue to his time as an English language student when he first moved to the States. His classroom was located on the floor above his restaurant’s present location; his instructor was initially the one who encouraged Alarie, who had worked as a chef in Canada, to pursue a career in the culinary industry in America.
Serendipitously, Alarie wound up opening Soleil Westwood in 2000 and will be celebrating the 14th anniversary of his restaurant this month.
Similar to his employees, Alarie emphasized the significance of his customer base. It comes as no surprise that Soleil Westwood and P’tit Soleil are ideal locations for date nights, but Alarie has also witnessed weddings, baby showers, and proposals within his restaurant.
“We have lots of regulars,” Alarie said. “They’re very important to us.”
Anyone who steps foot into P’tit Soleil is sure to feel warm and welcomed, as both Alarie and Nadeau highlighted that the restaurant “is all about family.”
Be sure to check out P’tit Soleil’s happy hour daily (except Mondays) from 3 pm to 8 pm to try some authentic French-Canadian dishes, bask in its top-notch décor, and experience its quality service.
It is located at 1386 Westwood Blvd. in Los Angeles.
For more information, call 310.441.5384 or visit soleilwestwood.com.
