Backbone

Food tasted great! Balanced, complementary flavours. Portions were a bit small, so a bit of a splurge meal. Will be back for dessert.

We had the uni and barabjuan for appetizers and market fish and ny strip for dinner. Food was delicious and the wine list was superb! You can tell from the cooking they have a culinary pedigree. Uni tasted like something I would have had at Meteora. Market fish was so yum. Ambience and environment was comfortable and warm with perfect date night lighting and good music on in the background. The host is super friendly and it feels like a neighborhood place that everyone’s been to and visits often (even though they opened just weeks ago). Loved the open kitchen! Good vibes. They treat everyone like it’s their home and the chefs all say goodbye like they’ve known you forever. Montrose needed a place like this and I’m so happy that Backbone exists in our neighborhood.

Fantastic execution from a top notch team. The menu blends traditional French cuisine with seasonal, California fresh products in a no frills setting. Highly recommend!

Jane Song

This is by far the best restaurant in the area, and they had some of the best dishes - including their chicken pâté and Madelines which were our favorite. Uni was really good too and as an avid seafood lover it was enjoyable but also easy for intro experiences for those who don’t like seafood as much because they blend the flavors to make it more subtle. Their staff was amazing and really wanted the customers to have a great dining experience. One of those places that I want to keep secret but just want to support because we had a great time.

Veronica Kyuhee Kim

Restaurant felt cozy and small than I thought. It was my birthday dinner. We planned to order the desert and they said If we order any desert, they will message HBD on the desert. But we had to cancle the desert.. when I was back from the washroom, there were cute little madeleines in a basket and sparkling wine in mini class which was soo thoughtful and impressed. Foods were delicious as well! I would like to visit again next time for sure. I appreciate it.

Bev Van Citters

This is our third time And each time we’re always surprised because there are new entrées, and new desserts added. Our group of 4 started with the cheeseboard, which was exceptional. Then we had a salad for four and squash ravioli as appetizers. Our entrees included: Bream fish, Halibut, Duck and NY Strip with ribs. Dessert was wonderful as we shared the key lime ball and a large macaron sandwich filled with mascarpone. I had to have a glass of Tokay from Hungary. Make reservations early by either calling or go on Resy. Backbone is Michelin level! We are fortunate! Service is exceptional and friendly. I appreciate when servers actually know the food they are serving. Please try Backbone and get those reservations in early!

Grant McMahon

Amazing experience, staff is super friendly and the food was on another level. I’d get one appetizer, one entree and one dessert per person. It’s pricey but well worth it.

Eric Shevin

Hands down the best lamb dish I’ve ever had!!! Everything was insanely delicious and demonstrated truly expert technique throughout. The pickled albacore, uni waffle w yuzu cream, butternut squash agnolotti and strip loin w short rib were all sensational but the lamb shoulder confit was phenomenal and unlike anything I’ve ever had. The desserts are as good as any 3 star in Paris and were all 🔥🔥🔥. The wine list was very on point and full of gems. Chefs Nate and Karen are killing it and it’s always an extra pleasure to support a local husband and wife team. Great service and very comfortable vibe as well. Michelin is for sure coming soon. Enjoy!!!

Boston Irish2009

I love this place so much free packing on the street. I walk inside and the restaurant was wonderful. The staff was all smiles and everybody did their job. Perfect I love the hostess LA. I had three apps. The pate was my favorite. The pasta was delicious and the Steak and short rib was insane.. I had for dessert the Keylime pie, which was like deconstructed again amazing. I would go back there in a minute.

Naila Ortiz

Everything was delicious and the service was exceptional, I can’t recommend this place enough. Jason was amazing and so was the hostess! Thank you again for an amazing night!

Helen Ma

Food tasted great! Balanced, complementary flavours. Portions were a bit small, so a bit of a splurge meal. Will be back for dessert.

Kirby Nielsen

Absolutely delicious. The place is so quaint and well thought out, but still fun and relaxed and not stuffy. Service was attentive but not suffocating. The wine list is IMPECCABLE and every single bite of food was wonderful, and I don’t say that lightly. We will be back for sure!!

Kate Scoggins

We had the uni and barabjuan for appetizers and market fish and ny strip for dinner. Food was delicious and the wine list was superb! You can tell from the cooking they have a culinary pedigree. Uni tasted like something I would have had at Meteora. Market fish was so yum. Ambience and environment was comfortable and warm with perfect date night lighting and good music on in the background. The host is super friendly and it feels like a neighborhood place that everyone’s been to and visits often (even though they opened just weeks ago). Loved the open kitchen! Good vibes. They treat everyone like it’s their home and the chefs all say goodbye like they’ve known you forever. Montrose needed a place like this and I’m so happy that Backbone exists in our neighborhood.

Stephan Cizmar

Fantastic execution from a top notch team. The menu blends traditional French cuisine with seasonal, California fresh products in a no frills setting. Highly recommend!

So thrilled to have one of the LA Times best 101 restaurants in the neighborhood! Everything was delicious, staff attentive, vibe cozy. My decadent, buttery hanger steak was only outdone by a truly marvelous surprise of a key lime "pie"--an ingenious little invention of perfectly zingy-sweet key lime custard housed in ball of speculoos cookie atop delicate chantilly. Left me smiling ear to ear. Will return!

What an amazing addition to our community! I'm so delighted that we had a chance to dine here on a random evening without a reservation. It's hard to find a restaurant in LA that offers high quality food, impeccable service, and great ambience. I can't wait to come back with friends and family.

My wife and I had a wonderful experience here last month . The service was impeccable and every dish we tried was great . The waiter we had that night made great food and wine recommendations and was incredibly accommodating. We can’t wait to go back for another date night

Backbone is one of the best restaurants in Los Angeles. I grew up in Italy and even though I am very particular about new approaches to Italian food, Chef Nathan McCall's lamb lasagna is one of the most wonderful dishes I've ever tasted in my entire life. All dishes are made with meticulous appreciation for soulful experimentation, while keeping a rigorous approach to traditional cooking techniques. The beautiful presentations do not prevent the food from revealing all the love and dedication with which it was made. The desserts, made by the Chef's wife, Karen Yoo, are to die for. The marvelous staff is exceedingly attentive and genuinely friendly. They truly make you feel right at home. I wish there were more establishments like this in Los Angeles. We keep going back, and both the food and the ambience keep living up to our expectations

My wife and i came here for the first time coming from sherman oaks. We eat out a lot at many restaurants and although we have our 5 go to favorites, we like to explore. We were not disappointed. From the melt in your mouth uni waffle, to the mouthwatering chicken pate, and ending with perfectly balanced mushroom risotto. The staff from the front of restaurant, server, and head chef, were all so genuinely warm and friendly. The atmosphere is modern classic and perfect for dates as even though it was packed, you can still hear your conversation. If we lived closer, we would be there every 1-2 weeks. However, we will make it a point to come back regularly; there are just certain restaurants that you want to help them succeed. We will see you soon!

Elisa Perez-Selsky

So thrilled to have one of the LA Times best 101 restaurants in the neighborhood! Everything was delicious, staff attentive, vibe cozy. My decadent, buttery hanger steak was only outdone by a truly marvelous surprise of a key lime "pie"--an ingenious little invention of perfectly zingy-sweet key lime custard housed in ball of speculoos cookie atop delicate chantilly. Left me smiling ear to ear. Will return!

Domenico Arturo Ingenito

Backbone is one of the best restaurants in Los Angeles. I grew up in Italy and even though I am very particular about new approaches to Italian food, Chef Nathan McCall's lamb lasagna is one of the most wonderful dishes I've ever tasted in my entire life. All dishes are made with meticulous appreciation for soulful experimentation, while keeping a rigorous approach to traditional cooking techniques. The beautiful presentations do not prevent the food from revealing all the love and dedication with which it was made. The desserts, made by the Chef's wife, Karen Yoo, are to die for. The marvelous staff is exceedingly attentive and genuinely friendly. They truly make you feel right at home. I wish there were more establishments like this in Los Angeles. We keep going back, and both the food and the ambience keep living up to our expectations

Jayvee Regala

My wife and i came here for the first time coming from sherman oaks. We eat out a lot at many restaurants and although we have our 5 go to favorites, we like to explore. We were not disappointed. From the melt in your mouth uni waffle, to the mouthwatering chicken pate, and ending with perfectly balanced mushroom risotto. The staff from the front of restaurant, server, and head chef, were all so genuinely warm and friendly. The atmosphere is modern classic and perfect for dates as even though it was packed, you can still hear your conversation. If we lived closer, we would be there every 1-2 weeks. However, we will make it a point to come back regularly; there are just certain restaurants that you want to help them succeed. We will see you soon!

gaya garibyan

What an amazing addition to our community! I'm so delighted that we had a chance to dine here on a random evening without a reservation. It's hard to find a restaurant in LA that offers high quality food, impeccable service, and great ambience. I can't wait to come back with friends and family.

Brian Santos

First time we went here over the weekend and we loved it! So much so that we stayed after closing to enjoy more wine and desserts. Staff was AMAZING! Great food, small portions and extremely tasty…. great atmosphere, topped off with an excellent dessert. We will definitely be coming back. We highly recommend Backbone

Nancy Cushinery

I don't write many reviews but this is the best meal I've had in Los Angeles in a long time. The food is amazing, innovative and beautifully plated. The wines are very complimentary and delicious. Favorites are the Barbajuan (potato leek pastry bite), Tuna Tartare, Steak & Short Ribs & Halibut. But the Key Lime (I call it a bomb) is a desert I've been dreaming of since the pastry chef/Owner Karen stopped baking at their previous establishment, McCalls Meat & Fish Co. in Los Feliz. No kidding, this is hands down the best Key Lime 'Pie' I've ever had and I grew up vacationing in the South my whole childhood!

Hambik Oktanyan

Hidden gem in Montrose area. Ambiance and service is perfect for a local date night Dinner. The quality and presentation of the food is 5 stars...professionally plated and attention to details. Watching the chefs from our table shows the level of passion and quality in workmanship and service . Overall very positive experience. The halibut and the steak plates plus the prawns for appetizer is a must . Keep it going and Thank you

Its name suggests fundamental strength, and it certainly leans into quality ingredients, but the price point feels a touch elevated beyond itself. The ambiance skews towards a quiet, mature, respectable dining room. Service, while perfectly competent, lacks the anticipatory approach one expects when dining at a premium. More critically, the portions across the board left me feeling hungry at the end of the meal and I contemplated a second dinner. The uni waffle was truly a unique dish that became a culinary memory. Golden, airy waffle coupled with delicate uni. Sweet savory nori honey butter and yuzu cream. I nearly immediately ordered a second. While the beets themselves were of good quality, the beet salad was heavy-handed with the horseradish crème fraîche and dressing. The corn agnolotti had a pillowy texture, but then came the bacon crumble that bulldozed the sweetness of the corn and cheese. I needed less of it. The ny strip & short rib was well executed with both cuts cooked precisely, offering dependable comfort. While not reinventing the wheel it was reliably good. Ultimately, Backbone is where exceptional ingredients take the stage, but the overall value proposition leaves one pondering.

yousef

Its name suggests fundamental strength, and it certainly leans into quality ingredients, but the price point feels a touch elevated beyond itself. The ambiance skews towards a quiet, mature, respectable dining room. Service, while perfectly competent, lacks the anticipatory approach one expects when dining at a premium. More critically, the portions across the board left me feeling hungry at the end of the meal and I contemplated a second dinner. The uni waffle was truly a unique dish that became a culinary memory. Golden, airy waffle coupled with delicate uni. Sweet savory nori honey butter and yuzu cream. I nearly immediately ordered a second. While the beets themselves were of good quality, the beet salad was heavy-handed with the horseradish crème fraîche and dressing. The corn agnolotti had a pillowy texture, but then came the bacon crumble that bulldozed the sweetness of the corn and cheese. I needed less of it. The ny strip & short rib was well executed with both cuts cooked precisely, offering dependable comfort. While not reinventing the wheel it was reliably good. Ultimately, Backbone is where exceptional ingredients take the stage, but the overall value proposition leaves one pondering.

Worst meal I've had in some time. Many other and better options nearby. I ordered the steak frites. Absolutely awful. Sauce made the dish inedible. Wife ordered the lamb "lasagna." Not great. Odd flavors that didn't work. Only son's strip steak was acceptable. Service was lackluster, by the time the waitstaff inquired as to our meal, son and wife were finished. After I told the waiter that the steak frites were not good, he asked if the chef could "do something," but it was too late at that point since the others were done. We won't go back.

Loring Rose

Worst meal I've had in some time. Many other and better options nearby. I ordered the steak frites. Absolutely awful. Sauce made the dish inedible. Wife ordered the lamb "lasagna." Not great. Odd flavors that didn't work. Only son's strip steak was acceptable. Service was lackluster, by the time the waitstaff inquired as to our meal, son and wife were finished. After I told the waiter that the steak frites were not good, he asked if the chef could "do something," but it was too late at that point since the others were done. We won't go back.