A gem in the foothills
Finding La Bilig takes some luck--the sign isn't too visible in the dark, and you wouldn't expect a great little French restaurant next to a brightly-lit bail bonds place. But once inside, you'll find that this cozy restaurant eminates family pride and hospitality. We were seated quickly, and the menu was presented clearly. Questions about the soup were thoroughly answered. Recommendations were a little harder to drag out of our waiter, who was friendly and competent, but reluctant to state his preference between the rabbit and the venison. (Tasting both the dishes later, I saw his conundrum, however.) The menu changes frequently. On two separate visits a week apart, very few of the entrees were the same; the side dishes were also different. The soup (tomato based, with lots of vegetables, bacon, and sausage) was hearty and very tasty. My dining companions ordered the mixed green salad, which was fairly large and came with the option of goat-cheese toast. They all liked it. The steak was very good, although medium-rare tends to be quite underdone. Ordering a steak medium was more what my dining companions and I considered medium-rare. I thought the sauce was a bit too salty, although it was not overpowering; I was the only one of my dining companions who thought so. (The steak was available to order on both visits.) The scallops were delicious. One of the several on my plate was overdone and a little too chewy; the others were done perfectly. The venison was superb. Perfectly cooked, with a deep, rich flavor, but not gamey at all. The rabbit was also delicious. The meat was tender and fell off the bone. It was prepared with bacon and vegetables which flavored the meat without overpowering it. For dessert, the chocolate torte and the creme brulee were both outstanding. There were a couple of hiccups in the coffee service, but it was all done with a friendly attitude that compensated for the minor mistakes. The dinner was fairly expensive (about $100 for 2 people with glasses of wine), but the food was exceptional, the ambience homey and cozy (while still being elegant), and the service solid.
Recommended: Steak, scallops, venison, rabbit
Food: 10
Service: 8
Ambiance: 8
Overall: 8
- Rocklin, CA