Photos: Fraiche in Culver City
![The dining room at Fraiche in Culver City seems busier since the arrival of chef Ben Bailly.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e0dfe76/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x362+0+0/resize/586x362!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fde%2Fbb%2Fa0c62e5792216af6e0da9682449a%2Fla-fo-review01-lhcpfsnc.jpg)
The dining room at
![Fraiche in Culver City](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/37dab8e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/315x425+0+0/resize/315x425!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F3c%2F03%2Fe09722347a1e58a27d56199b8051%2Fla-fo-review02-lhcpb7nc.jpg)
On a sharing menu are various spreads and dips presented in French canning jars and served with toast on boards from old wine boxes. Clockwise from top right is an olivade made from ricotta, olives and tomatoes; a piquillo pepper spread made with chorizo and Manchego; smoked trout rillettes smoothed with creme fraiche and lit up with lemon and chives; and an eggplant caviar, made with raisins and marcona almonds. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
![Fraiche in Culver City](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5b04f57/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x385+0+0/resize/586x385!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1d%2F39%2F52a9c746a7850ce019406b93d3ef%2Fla-fo-review03-lhcpkcnc.jpg)
A snowy burrata is served with fresh pear and broccolini as a side dish. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
![Fraiche in Culver City](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4c52d49/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x420+0+0/resize/586x420!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fff%2Fbf%2Fe3d6dcc67a1c021f911bb8cebb5f%2Fla-fo-review04-lhcpg9nc.jpg)
Ben Bailly, the new French chef at
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![Fraiche in Culver City](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f679f22/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x385+0+0/resize/586x385!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc0%2F51%2Fdb0ab48a2bf64df694f22269d37a%2Fla-fo-review05-lhcpn2nc.jpg)
Steak with frites is among the standard-fare main courses. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
![Fraiche in Culver City](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a2890c4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x412+0+0/resize/586x412!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fc2%2F4c%2F15d1fc782689beaac49e9b7a45a5%2Fla-fo-review06-lhcpadnc.jpg)
Diner Carole Dailey of Tarzana talks about wine choices with friends at Fraiche. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
![Fraiche in Culver City](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0c23c55/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x403+0+0/resize/586x403!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F01%2Fa1%2F5adef303e42cef603b6853bc89df%2Fla-fo-review07-lhcpltnc.jpg)
The bucatini carbonara served with a poached egg rather than a raw one is an example of a pasta dish that doesn’t quite work. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
![Fraiche in Culver City](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3f8de9d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x384+0+0/resize/586x384!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F17%2F92%2Fc8726f3ee8026687e238ed0504ef%2Fla-fo-review08-lhcpjtnc.jpg)
A pistachio crème brulee with apricot sorbet appears ready to take flight. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)