Maison Giraud Restaurant Officially Opens Monday

Beginning Monday, Maison Giraud will be open everyday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

Maison Giraud 

Chef Alain Giraud's attention to detail is not confined to his meticulously plated meals. The design of the restaurant is sleek and cozy, and a high ceiling contributes to the bright and airy dining room.

Six four-tops and nine smaller tables along the banquette on the interior wall dominate the elegant dining room, with another seven tables on the outdoor, covered patio. The eatery is located on 1032 Swarthmore Avenue where Dante's use to be. 

The restaurant will open weekdays at 7:30 a.m. with casual breakfasts featuring a selection of baked goods—including Giraud's deliciously flaky croissants—cereals, yogurt and freshly squeezed, organic fruit juices.

After the opening, on Saturdays, a full brunch will be available from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Sundays beginning at 8 a.m. 

During the week, the restaurant will serve lunch (starting at 11:30 a.m.) with snacks ("Le Gouter") available in the afternoon (from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.) Dinner service begins at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m.

The bakery is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with selections of pastries, breads and "gourmandises" (macarons, madeleines, cookies, canneles and financiers).

Giraud will send out a monthly food letter with descriptions of seasonal dishes. To subscribe, email your contact information to info@maison-giraud.com or visit the website, which is currently under construction.

Take Out Meals and Thanksgiving Dinner

In addition to dining at the restaurant, Palisadians can order from the takeout menu. This week, that includes a turkey dinner.

With less than a week till Thanksgiving, Giraud asks that orders be placed as soon as possible by calling 310-459-7561 because the meals are made-to-order and prepared at Maison Giraud, and aren't outsourced to a large scale commercial kitchen.

Thanksgiving meals can be picked up Wednesday, Nov. 23 between 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and Thursday, Nov. 24 between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. When you place your order, please mention which pick-up day you would prefer.

All dinners, with turkey and sides or a la carte items, are fully cooked and ready to be heated and served.

Dinners serve eight and are priced at $25 per person, the cost of a moderately priced restaurant meal.

A whole roasted, brined Dietsel free-range turkey flavored with citrus, garlic and herbs comes with pan-gravy and eight dinner rolls together with an appetizer (a choice of either a mixed green salad with pears and almonds or a vegan, roasted butternut squash soup) and a choice of two sides (garlic mashed potatoes, lemon glazed broccoli, wild mushroom herbed stuffing or roasted root vegetables).

The appetizers and sides as well as desserts, including pumpkin, apple and pecan pies and homemade vanilla ice cream, are available a la carte.

For those of us who were fans of Giraud's culinary talents from past ventures, we look forward to enjoying classic French dishes using farmers market fresh ingredients, prepared with artistry by a chef who cares about every detail.