WHY  Tasty and affordable French cuisine housed in a friendly restaurant run by a Vietnamese family.

WHAT  Classics like coq au vin, sirloin steak with three-peppercorn sauce, and garlic-encrusted roasted rack of lamb (pictured here) are well executed; each is accompanied by fresh seasonal vegetables, salad, and the daily soup. Hidden in an unassuming strip mall, this modest French bistro may lack visual appeal, but it more than makes up for that with an array of delicious dinners. Better yet, the wine list is a pleasure to choose from, with great bottles in the $20 to $30 range.

WHO  Locals in the know, families from all over San Gabriel Valley, and young romantics on a budget.