PHOTOS: Pinot Provence / Costa Mesa
![A lithe stone statue of a woman greets diners at Pinot Provence, a long running French restaurant in Costa Mesa that today features a new chef and menu.](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/eeb038d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x399+0+0/resize/586x399!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F13%2Fad%2F3a1995c2ae2aa862971dbdc7f9c8%2Fla-fo-review01-krf1mznc.jpg)
A lithe stone statue of a woman greets diners at Pinot Provence, a long running French restaurant in Costa Mesa that today features a new chef and menu. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
![la-fo-review02-krf1ngnc.jpg](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/14e7dbf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x419+0+0/resize/586x419!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2e%2Fde%2F47f0a12b45ce5f506969b70cd0fd%2Fla-fo-review02-krf1ngnc.jpg)
Classic escargot is enrobed in a fragrant garlic-parsley sauce with toasted brioche breadcrumbs sprinkled on top at Pinot Provence. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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The onion soup features a light broth that is not overburdened with caramelized onions. And atop the soupe a l’oignon is a thin blanket of Gruyère at Pinot Provence. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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The comfortable dining room at Pinot Provence, a long running French restaurant in Costa Mesa. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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The New Zealand lamb rack at Pinot Provence is marinated with chermoula and served with glazed carrots, romanesca cauliflower, grilled fingerling potatoes and a mint and harissa emulsion. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
![la-fo-review06-krf1ktnc.jpg](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/42adcbf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x365+0+0/resize/586x365!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1f%2Fa3%2Fbef7af4334346163293e73b7aa02%2Fla-fo-review06-krf1ktnc.jpg)
At Pinot Provence, the frog legs are served with harissa butter, a basil emulsion, petite greens and garlic chips. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
![la-fo-review07-krf1o9nc.jpg](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1b07db5/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x433+0+0/resize/586x433!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fd6%2F0c%2Fc1962e63c3e48c60bcea6e1e1d01%2Fla-fo-review07-krf1o9nc.jpg)
Pan-seared Alaskan halibut is served with roasted Brussels sprouts, gnocchi and caper beurre blanc at Pinot Provence. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
![la-fo-review08-krf1onnc.jpg](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c6b1af5/2147483647/strip/true/crop/586x391+0+0/resize/586x391!/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb5%2F8e%2F0b61b49e0f7d29485e52760b9ed1%2Fla-fo-review08-krf1onnc.jpg)
The maple leaf duck breast is cast iron-roasted and served with shallot soubise, roasted apricots and grilled broccolini at Pinot Provence. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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The TV bar at Pinot Provence in Costa Mesa. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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The Valrhona chocolate bread pudding at Pinot Provence is prepared with Myers’s rum and anglaise vanilla ice cream. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)