Kick back and enjoy a late afternoon cocktail on the inviting front patio at neighborhood restaurant Commerson, on the corner of La Brea Avenue and Eighth Street.

Prime rib-eye steak with herb béarnaise and roasted vegetables. (photo courtesy of Commerson)

Inside, the eatery offers a cool, industrial feel with sleek white walls and metal tables and chairs featuring pops of blonde wood. Pendant lighting hangs from the exposed ceiling and large open bar, as flickering votive candles on the tables add a touch of romance.

The wine list is reasonably priced with eclectic offerings. The gin and tonic on tap, made with house-made tonic, juniper berries, citrus peels, rose blossoms and soda water, is a refreshing and ideal drink when it’s hot outside.

Start the evening with either the cheese board with strawberry balsamic jam, spiced nuts, honeycomb, thick grilled bread and wafer-thin cranberry-seeded crackers, or the grilled octopus with quinoa salad and agave lime dressing. For something richer, try the foie gras on thick, grilled brioche bread with sweet cherry compote. It pairs nicely with a glass of Row 503 pinot noir from Willamette Valley.

Entrées include the popular seared diver scallops on a bed of sweet corn polenta with fried sunchokes and blistered cherry tomatoes, as well as the prime rib-eye steak, which arrives sliced and enhanced with a garlic confit rub, herb béarnaise, and roasted rainbow carrots and broccolini. Pair the latter dish with a generous pour of the bold Mazzocco Sonoma cabernet sauvignon.

For something sweet, pastry chef Elizabeth Sencion makes creative treats like the citrus dacquoise. It’s similar to a parfait with clouds of crema Catalana, matcha whipped cream and Mandarin sorbet. The chocolate parfait, with honeycomb brittle, almond butter ice cream and warm ganache, is also very satisfying after an enjoyable meal.

Seared diver scallops on a bed of sweet
corn polenta and
fired sunchokes. (photo courtesy
of Commerson)

Raymond Eng opened Commerson with the foresight of the Metro Purple Line Extension and new apartments coming in. A neighborhood hit, his restaurant offers good service and quality food at reasonable prices.

Brunch on the weekend with bottomless Bellinis and mimosas along with one food item from the menu for $35 per person. Dishes include coconut French toast, a caramelized onion and mushroom omelet, pork belly toast and smoked salmon Benedict.

At happy hour, Tuesday through Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m., Commerson offers discounts on food and beverages. Fresh oysters are $2 each. Other options include a chicken sandwich, grass-fed cheeseburger, meatball crostini and farmers market vegetable tempura.

Commerson is a welcome addition to the neighborhood that has morphed into quite a happening area.

788 S. La Brea Ave., Los

Angeles, (323)813-3000.