Bicyclette: Bringing Parisian Bistro Culture to LA

(Still left): Chef Walter Manzke. (Correct): Exterior shot of Bicyclette Bistro and Manzke Restaurant.

How a partner-and-spouse duo is blending French culinary custom and California’s lively seasonal make with their most recent Paris-inspired cafe.

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Bicyclette is the newest cafe from Chefs Walter and Margarita Manzke, a dynamic pair who share a really like for French cuisine and Parisian bistro lifestyle. Designed by Chef Walter Manzke himself, Bicyclette unites common French residence-fashion dishes with California’s seasonal delicacies, all less than the roof of what appears to be like a Paris bistro. The house features two principal dining ideas: Bicyclette Bistro and Manzke Cafe. &#13

The inspiration powering the principle

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Whilst positioned in the coronary heart of Los Angeles, Bicyclette, an East West Lender shopper, bears minor resemblance to the legendary city it resides in. An homage to the Manzkes’ like of Paris, the restaurant is closely affected by Paris’ bistro scene not only in terms of the menu, but also when it arrives to the aesthetics. Mosaic tiles, dimmed lights, rustic old appears to be like develop the ambiance that transports you to a 19th century Parisian community.&#13

“We attempted to capture the style and design of the sites that we genuinely liked,” says Walter. “Not like the types all visitors go to on Champs-Élysées, but the kinds that are kind of on the back streets, that everyone in the community is familiar with and loves but pretty much retains it as a magic formula, the kinds that are remaining cramped and packed with folks and a lot of strength. We experimented with to re-create that.”

Relying on fresh new regional generate

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One of the most significant factors of French cooking lies in working with high-excellent area elements and refreshing deliver at the peak of their year. Bicyclette follows this philosophy to a tee.&#13

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In accordance to Walter, Los Angeles is one of the best spots in the planet for not only refreshing generate, but a huge variety of it. &#13

“Southern California is a incredibly particular spot, and the selection of its produce is definitely the driving power powering all my cooking and it is what keeps it contemporary and light and a very little more healthy and cleaner than the stereotypical bistro menu that is really wealthy,” says Walter.

Seasonality is also what evokes his menu choices. “I normally make certain that I respond to almost everything as promptly as I can on the menu,” Walter states. “When I go to the sector and see a new fruit or vegetable that’s in season, as before long as it tastes good and appears to be good, I invest in it, and the menu is driven by that. I do not create the menu and then go out and appear for the ingredient. I do the job backwards. I obtain the component and then make the menu.”

Including on a large-end cafe

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In addition to the Bistro, the Manzkes are arranging to open up a good-eating tasting menu concept upstairs, Manzke Cafe, which will be unique from its downstairs neighbor. “The Bistro is pretty connected to Paris,” claims Walter. “It’s very much Los Angeles generate with the heart and soul of Paris. It has a list of French wines and a good deal of traditional dishes that are reinvented a little bit, but it has that sturdy floor to France.” &#13

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On the other hand, Manzke Restaurant will deviate from the French food items concept and will resemble a melting pot of Los Angeles’ many cultures. “The mixing of cultures would make the food items a very little spicier, a small far more acidic, and a minor brighter,” Walter clarifies. “Because we have every person below, from Mexico and Korea, to Japan and the Middle East, it’s a wonderful location to accent all individuals cultures.” The menu will be set, various, and on the greater conclusion. The tables are further aside, giving the patrons the glance and come to feel of a high-quality dining cafe. &#13

Having the suitable economic husband or wife

“Opening and working a restaurant charges a ton of money,” says Walter. According to a Restaurant Owners’ survey, the common value of opening a cafe in the U.S. is $375,500, and that amount may differ by place, dimensions, décor, and service style, amid myriad other factors.

“I never know if other corporations are the very same as dining establishments, I just know eating places. But it is particularly tough to get to the stage exactly where you can just open the doorways and then be worthwhile and sustainable. It is upcoming to impossible,” he suggests. “And devoid of possessing the proper funds and the proper money back again up, this sort of as the one particular we have with East West Financial institution, you can not do it.”

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Obtaining a long-expression partnership is also important to a restaurant’s achievement. “As time goes on, items begin to tumble apart, and you require new machines,” Walter suggests. “It’s a lot improved to have the cash and sources to get you again on keep track of, and our partnership with East West Lender does that.”&#13

“East West Bank’s consumer support has been completely exceptional—we can decide up the cellular phone and chat to an individual on a to start with-title foundation,” says Stephen Schmidt, the Manzkes’ enterprise husband or wife. “They recognize the dynamic of our marriage, and they are extremely good at prioritizing our desires.”

Schmidt additional provides that East West Bank has been instrumental in performing a ton of research on Bicyclette’s behalf to assist increase the Paycheck Defense Method financial loan forgiveness and offered not only the vital solutions but also steering and advice.

“East West Bank doesn’t truly feel like a big bank—it feels like they are part of our crew,” Schmidt provides.