THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Menton

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Menton Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant and décor: Owner-chef Barbara Lynch, one of the most respected culinary figures in the city, has made Menton a hot, if expensive, dining destination. Wood tabletops and French linens are among the design features. For a more intimate experience, eschew the main dining room for the chef's table, complete with a view of Menton's sleek kitchen.

About the food: The French-Italian cuisine is elevated to another level, especially with the bar, where upscale fare and creative cocktails take center stage. At dinner, guests can also make à la carte selections or choose the "Chef's Whim" tasting menu ($165, additional $130 for wine pairing) from chef de cuisine Lucas Sousa. Behold the ever-changing dishes, which have included seared foie gras, blueberry, maple verjus and clafouti; veal ravioli with smoked bacon, black pepper and Parmigiano Reggiano; halibut with fingerling potato, lobster and shellfish nage; Prime striploin; and thyme panna cotta with walnuts, Black Mission fig, arlette and port glacé.

About the wine: The wine list skips between France, Italy and Austria, with some choice American wines rounding out the list, particularly from California's Sonoma coast. Burgundy is also very well-represented and there are small-grower Champagnes. Service is graceful and unobtrusive.