LudoBites 5.0 Is Sex on a Plate

Ludobites is a guerilla style pop-up restaurant created by chef Ludovic Lefebvre. This is his fifth go-round of offering some tasty and challenging victuals in temporary restaurant locations that are usually soup and sandwich shops during the day.


The 39-year-old French-born Lefebvre has truly earned his reputation. He’s lauded by critics and food bloggers with more than 4,000 followers on Twitter. He’s helmed the kitchen at chic LA eateries such as L’Orangerie and Bastide and was a contestant on Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters.” In May, Time magazine called him a “chef of the future.” The July issue of France-Amérique magazine, rated him as the #1 of the Top 50 French people in America who count in 2010. This is the pedigree that sustains a raging food woody.


For his latest incarnation, Lefebvre brings LudoBites 5.0 to a Downtown spot he used once before. On July 21, he opened in Gram & Papa’s, a 40-seat hole-in-the-wall in the Fashion District. Reservations for this 5-week stint were gone in a matter of minutes like a top rate rock star or hit Broadway show. If you are lucky like me to have gone or will be going, here’s what to order:

Start with the Vadouvan Naan Bread with Salted Coconut butter ($4) Delicate herbs infuse the bread and the slight coconut butter melts on the warm triangles completing a memorable exotic flavor. 

The Raw Waygu Beef, Dried Miso, Somen Noodle, Peanut Vinaigrette and Watermelon ($16) is an amazing appetizer. Small chunks of tender beef seem to melt in your mouth and are perfectly complimented by the noodles and Asian Flavors. The three small cubes of watermelon add a burst of excitement to a few of your bites. 

Steamed Duck Lemon Verbena, Crispy skin Puree, White Peach, Radish & Balsamic ($26) is served rather rare but the top of many peoples lists of dishes. The crispy skin puree really is the star, making every bite orgasmic. 

Save room for dessert because you don’t want to miss the Caramel Souffle, Blanco Grapefruit, Fleur de Sel Ice Cream ($14). It arrives at the table high and light and you are instructed to open the center to let the ice melt in. It is a very sweet treat, but the candied grapefruit rind adds the a hint of bitterness for perfect balance.


Even the coffee was delicious. They have no liquor license but you may be able to BYOB with a corkage fee. If you add up the plate prices, you see I spent nearly $80 with tax and tip and I’d pay it again.