A Taste of ‘Belle Vie’ at The Draycott

French Chef Vincent Samarco to Host Dining Pop-Up at the Palisades Village Eatery

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Former Belle Vie owner Vincent Samarco has partnered with Matt and Marissa Hermer to bring a pop-up featuring the restaurant’s food to The Draycott, which will begin November 14 and run through New Year’s Eve.

Samarco, a third-generation Parisian restaurateur who has been in Los Angeles the past 11 years, launched his Belle Vie French bistro in West LA in 2016, before it closed in December 2020. Samarco and the space were the subjects of an Emmy Award-winning documentary, which followed their journey through the pandemic.

“I got my start in the industry at 16 years old, working to cultivate a reputation as an exceptional server, bartender, general manager and then chef,” Samarco said to the Palisadian-Post. “From dive bars to Michelin stars, I’ve done it all. My boundless passion for wine and food, especially biodynamic agriculture, led me to create Belle Vie Food & Wine––my very own restaurant and wine bar, which earned accolades through its final days in the pandemic.”

Some of the highlights of the menu at The Draycott will include chicken and morel sauce, which “rose to fame at Belle Vie,” F.F.F. (fresh French fries), as well as “Angel” Eggs, and cheese and “cured meat selections that always started the conviviality of a good dinner around the table.”

“I’ll be there every day with the Belle Vie mascot––my classic 2cv Citroen truck, which will be parked in front of The Draycott on all service days,” Samarco said. “Some of the art that adorned the walls at Belle Vie will make a comeback, as well as the live music ambiance and piano bar that helped to make the restaurant such a home away from home for my guests.”

Samarco said he is most looking forward to seeing all of his regulars come dine at The Draycott, who he has missed “so much these past few years.”

“Matt and I could not be more honored to house the Belle Vie revival pop-up at The Draycott for this holiday season,” Marissa said to the Post. “Vincent Samarco has a remarkable and magical ability to transport his guests, his team and all those around him to his France, his Paris. We are so grateful to have Vincent as part of our Boujis Group family, and we’re looking forward to providing a space where both Belle Vie loyalists and new guests can gather for good wine, good food and good company.”

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect a November 14 start date for the pop-up.