L'Etoile | The History of the Michelin Star Rating

Le Taillevent, one of the rare esteemed Parisian dining destinations to be honored with a 3 Star Michelin rating, as featured in the upcoming film, A Chef’s Journey.

If you read yesterday’s post about the new documentary, A Chef’s Journey—premiering in your living room this Friday—then surely you’re eagerly anticipating this cinematic trip to France and the chance to peek inside the world of not one, but three Michelin 3-Star rated French restaurants.

But while we’re waiting, what exactly does it mean to be a 3-Star rated restaurant? And who exactly is Michelin? Is it like the Zagat guide? Isn’t a five star rating the highest honor? I’m glad you (sort of) asked.

The History of the Michelin Star Rating

Like the Yelp review of its day, the Michelin tire company published its first Michelin Guide in France in 1900, as a resource for motorists to take along on road trips, highlighting the best amenities—including mechanics and, yes, restaurants—along the way.

In 1926, the first etoile (star) was introduced as a method to distinguish the must-see spots, and in 1933, the second and third stars were added as a full rating system. Unlike hotels, which all rank somewhere between one and five stars—usually through independent organizations like AAA, since there is no official authority—only very special restaurants even make the Michelin rank.

To clarify, while we might typically think of 1 star as a low rating, to have one Michelin star is a great honor in itself, while two and three stars are reserved for the most elite restaurants around the world.

Updated annually, the list of dining locations are announced each year in the guide, with a rating of:

• 1 star, which classifies “A very good restaurant.”

• 2 stars, which distinguishes “Excellent cooking that is worth a detour.”

• 3 stars, the highest honor, reserved for “Exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey.”

While the guide has adapted its system over the years to a more inclusive classification system that includes casual dining and eateries of all kinds that aren’t quite star material, the Michelin stars continue to be a rare achievement, and highly coveted.

According to the 2019 edition, there are currently only 137 Michelin 3-star rated restaurants around the world—for context, there are 197 countries on earth, meaning that most countries don’t have any at all. France typically leads the way as the country with the highest number—which makes sense since the French invented the system, and their dedication to traditional cuisine is unparalleled, really—currently with a whopping 29.

For added context, France is roughly the size of Texas, so that’s a lot of stars per capita, as compared to the US which currently has 14 in total—7 of which are in California, although sadly not in Los Angeles.

Other European cuisine capitals like Italy and Spain have 11; the UK has 5; China, Singapore, and the Netherlands have 2; while Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, and Taiwan have only one each.

However, it should be noted that Los Angeles currently hosts four Michelin 2-star rated dining destinations, including:

• n/naka in Culver City

• Vespertine, also in Culver City

• Providence in Hollywood

• Sushi Ginza Onodera in West Hollywood

And not for nothing, LA is also home to 16 Michelin 1-star rated spots, while Orange County has two, and there’s also one in San Diego.

See which local locales made the cut here, and check this handy barometer to track which Michelin rated restaurants have managed to survive in the wake of Covid closures.

Q&A | Author Eric Freeze Talks Expatriate Life and Living Better with Less in the South of France

The sweeping coastline of Nice, France, where the Freeze family has made their (second) home, documented in Freeze’s memoir French Dive.

Vieux Nice, the heart of the city, nestled within the postcard-perfect French Riviera.

If you’ve ever considered leaving it all behind and starting a new life in France—as I have many times this year!—you’ve come to the right place. In 2014, author and college professor Eric Freeze and his wife, Rixa, decided to make a change. Having lived comfortably with their four young children (then all under the age of seven) in a small town in Indiana, they decided to buy a fixer-upper apartment in Nice, France—the idyllic medieval French village-within-a-city along the Côte d’Azur—and split their time between both countries (and cultures).

Prompting this decision was Freeze’s determination to provide his children with a unique Francophone experience. A bilingual Canadian native himself, he had decided to undergo an interesting linguistic experiment: to only speak French at home to his American children, in the hopes of giving them a second language. The ambitious feat paid off, as les enfants became comfortable conversing with him in French, and Freeze searched for a more immersive experience. Forgoing pricy private French integration schools in the United States, a teaching sabbatical provided the timing for the Freeze family to make the semi-permanent move to France.

Enrolling the children in French schools required proof of residence, which became the catalyst for purchasing their apartment in Vieux Nice, the medieval village in the heart of the city. The backdrop of a diverse, multicultural environment provided the opportunity to live like locals, rather than holiday tourists isolated in a single family vacation home outside of the city. Walking instead driving, taking on DIY home renovations—spoiler alert: the family was featured on HGTV’s popular franchise House Hunters International—and shopping at the local markets allowed the family to experience cultural immersion on a daily basis, and integrate within the fabric of the French community.

Sleeping six people comfortably in a former student rental apartment introduced them to the French décroissant philosophy—spend less, live better. Furnishing their apartment with flea market antiques, sending their kids to school in pre-worn clothing, and catching their own dinner by learning to spearfish in the Mediterranean, are just a few of the meaningful lifestyle changes Freeze documents in his memoir (and March 2021 book club selection) French Dive.

Read on to learn more about Freeze’s insights on bi-continental living, and the family’s adventures in the South of France, in a delightful conversation with The Chic American, below.

Click here to order French Dive.

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Q&A

TCA: How does the French [décroissant] approach to minimalism differ from the American approach? Has anything changed since writing the book?

EF: I’m a little hesitant to draw too many distinctions between the French décroissant movement and American minimalism. They both emphasize living in an intentional, less consumerist way. The difference I think—and I could totally be wrong here—is in degree. While the French certainly fell victim to late-stage capitalism and overconsumption like the rest of the western world, it’s still far less conspicuous than in the US. French households consume fifty percent of what US households do. Most people live in smaller spaces and don’t have multiple cars. They have less stuff because the system doesn’t support having as much stuff. Minimalists in the US are also a lot more evangelical in their approach. Take control of your life! They tell us, all the while ironically recommending the products that will help us live a more minimalist lifestyle (like maybe I’m doing here? Sorry!). The voices are fewer but louder in the US. But I think we need both those louder voices and grassroots cultural movements for people to start changing in this world of limited resources.

TCA: What was the hardest thing/routine to leave behind and how have you filled that void?

EF: I don’t really miss anything. The only adjustment for me was I had a pickup soccer group in the states that played three times a week. I’ve had a hard time replicating that in Nice even though it’s a soccer-crazed city. But I have other sporting activities like spearfishing that are pretty hard to do in land-locked Indiana.

TCA: What do you love most about living in France and what do you miss most about living in the US?

EF: I don’t really miss anything in the US. My kids miss peanut butter. My spouse really likes to garden and that’s been hard for her to give up since we live in an apartment in a city center. As a Canadian, I’ve never entirely felt like I belonged in the US. France, with its more robust social net and cultural similarities is much more to my liking. I love the food, the pace of life, the weather, the recreational activities, the opportunities for my kids. I love that I can live a block away from the sea, my kids’ schools, world-class cultural amenities like the opera and the symphony. The daily food market, the restaurants, and the outdoor space is all on my doorstep. I love that we can go to the public library and it’s adjacent to the Modern Art museum. My favorite museum is the Palais Lascaris that houses a collection of medieval musical instruments. It’s across the street from us. These amenities aren’t due to living in France so much as living in the community of Old Nice specifically. Where we live in the US is beautiful but it’s small town living in a house with a yard.

 
TCA: How has living in France changed your global perspective?

EF: Nice is a port city that has always accommodated people from other cultures. It’s one of the cradles of civilization. Living in a place that has always been in flux, always a part of something larger than itself, shows many of the complexities of living in a world of limited resources with people from other countries, religions or ethnicities. The world’s disparities are also on display. You can walk past the port filled with luxury yachts to the homeless encampment on the lighthouse jetty. It’s hard not to see these things. 

TCA: What are your future plans/goals? Any new material we should look out for?

EF: Right now I’m working on a sequel to French Dive, a memoir that picks up where the last one left off: with a family trying to work out living half the year in France and half in the US. This one is a tougher book in a lot of ways as it also examines many of the difficulties in France the past several years, including the 2016 Bastille day terror attacks in Nice that left 87 dead. I also look in more depth at issues of discrimination and privilege and the effect of the current pandemic in Nice. But I hope to end it on an optimistic note, to show what learning to live with others can do for our world. I’m tentatively calling it Pioneers of France.

Celebrate L'Amour | Valentine's Day Gift Guide

It’s officially February, and that means l’amour is in the air!

Whether you’ll be spending Valentine’s Day with the object of your affection, out for a girls’ night with your best copinettes, or happily alone on the couch with a bottle of Veuve Cliquot and a box of chocolat, these French gifts will please even the pickiest of paramours—yourself included!

Shop the Love-liest things on our St. Valentin list, below.

Le Creuset Heart Cocotte; Sur La Table; $199
”Le Creuset’s cast-iron promotes even heating, making it perfect for slow cooking, braising meats, simmering soups and baking everything from side dishes to artisan bread.”
SHOP HERE

Pink Marc de Champagne Truffes; Charbonnet et Walker; $38 (Neiman Marcus)
Sample these luxurious white chocolate truffles (with a hint of strawberry and a velvet milk chocolate Marc de Champagne centre) lightly dusted with powdered sugar for a touch of elegance, in a romantic heart-shaped box.
SHOP HERE

Venus et Fleur Eternity Flowers; $329
Valentine’s Day may only last one night, but these eternal flower arrangements will keep your love alive and well (until next year, at least).
SHOP HERE

Faire La Fête Brut Rosé; $24.99
Bottled in Limoux, France, the innovative Faire La Fête collection of sparkling wine includes half the typical amount of sugar in a traditional bottle of Champagne—meaning you and your paramour can save those extra calories for an extra box of chocolat.
SHOP HERE

French Valentine’s Box (for Him or Her), French Wink; $95 each
Featuring a traditional French Mariniere-style top, a heart-themed Comptoir de Cacou chocolate bar, and the mini Amour candle.
SHOP HERE

Amour Candle; French Wink; $10
This two ounce mini natural candle combines elements of Dogwood blossom with a blend of woodsy and floral notes, with a melange of fig, walnut, violet, pine bark, iris, amber, cedar wood and Tonka bean.
SHOP HERE

Le Creuset L’Amour Soup Pot; Sur La Table; $249
Adorned with hearts and a beautiful gold knob, this festive pot adds a sweet touch of classic French beauty to your kitchen or table.
SHOP HERE

Amour Necklace, French Wink; $51
Keep an homage to your love proudly on display with this lovely bijou from Nifty Sparkles.
SHOP HERE

Heart Shaped Cake Pan; Sur La Table $7.96
Turn any cake into a gâteau d’amour with this sweet cake pan from Sur La Table.
SHOP HERE

NYC Guide | Best French Dining and Takeout

C’est moi, raising une coupe at Petite Boucherie in the West Village.

Now that outdoor dining in Los Angeles has been shut down for the second time this year, I couldn’t help but reminisce all the way back to the post-lockdown (yet now also pre-lockdown) peak fall days of October, when I took a very quick (and cautious) trip to New York City just to feel an ounce of normalcy again.

While it was certainly unnerving to see the lights of Broadway dimmed, and a bummer to be unable to partake in the colorful bar scene for an old-school night on the town, I was pleasantly surprised to find that La Grande Pomme (the Big Apple) is actually quite peaceful without throngs of tourists and out-of-towners. That riding a nearly empty and virtually spotless (and no longer malodorous) subway is almost a luxurious experience that I never thought I’d witness in this lifetime, and that the restaurant scene, which is the lifeblood of the city, was just as vibrant as ever.

The government-mandated al fresco order had music and bustle spilling into the streets and sidewalks, giving the city a same-but-different, spirited vibe that was almost—I said almost—reminiscent of Parisian café culture.

And speaking of Paris, there is an abundance of French bistros and brasseries scattered across Manhattan. Even if it isn’t possible to enjoy the full indoor dining experience—mosaic floors and Edith Piaf background tunes and all—at the time you’re reading this, ordering takeout is the perfect way to keep our friends and their businesses afloat, while enjoying fantastic French fare chez vous.

Best French Dining and Takeout in NYC

1. PETITE BOUCHERIE
14 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014
(646) 756-4145

Make a reservation
Order takeout

Nestled cozily in the West Village, on the iconic corner of Gay St. and Christopher, Petite Boucherie is the petite soeur (little sister) of its namesake, the original Boucherie. Expect all of the traditional favorites. Think escargot and a la carte charcuterie boards to start, then fill up on steak frites or share the Chateaubriand pour deux, and save room for a teacup full of authentic mousse au chocolat—which I’m here to tell you is surprisingly difficult to find in the United States!

BOUCHERIE
99 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014
(212) 837-1616

Make a reservation
Order takeout

The original West Village destination, Boucherie takes its decorative cues and its ambiance from the heart of the elegant Belle Epoque era. Picture traditional white marble bistro tables, burgundy booths, and framed replicas of vintage posters from the Toulouse Lautrec, Moulin Rouge can-can era. But lest you be intimidated by the appearance of grandeur and formality, I assure you that the experience is pure warmth and comfort. Additional locations include Union Square and La Grande Boucherie on West 53rd, all boasting the same menu of cuisine traditionelle.

2. LITTLE PRINCE
199 Prince St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 335-0566

Make a Reservation
Order Takeout

Cleverly named to incorporate its Prince Street location and the childhood literary classic, The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince), the floral facade of this reinvented French favorite is about as magnifique as it gets, this side of the Seine. Known as much for its cocktail boisson homages to the likes of American icons like Tina Turner, Ru Paul, Cyndi Lauper (and even Betty White) as it is for its French comfort foods like Ratatouille, Duck á l’Orange, and Black Truffle Steak Haché (a fancy word for hamburger), this SoHo “Bistro non Classique” has something for everyone.

3. PASTIS
52 Gansevoort St, New York, NY 10014
212-929-4844

Make a Reservation
Order Takeout

As soon as Carrie Bradshaw famously quipped to Samantha, “I’m not going to lose my table at Pastis so you can cruise a Holy Man,” in season 4 of Sex and the City, it became the line that launched a thousand reservations. All walks of life, from celebrities to eager tourists, flocked to the then up-and-coming Meatpacking district to see what the fuss was about. Note: just like when Sam spotted the first neighborhood Pottery Barn on the block, the mammoth Restoration Hardware that now sits across the street officially confirms the neighborhood’s full transition from dockside warehouse territory into full gentrification.

Outfitted in the familiar design tenets of a classic bistro (subway tile, oxidized mirrors, and hand-written specials on chalkboard signs), come for the brunch-time Croque Monsieur and stay for the Chicken Paillard and Boeuf Bourguignon—and the quick two minute walk to the Whitney.

4. MARSEILLE
630 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036
(212) 333-2323

Make a Reservation
Order Takeout

Just around the corner from the bright lights of Times Square, lies a little French oasis amid the hustle and bustle of Hell’s Kitchen. One day soon, when our musical friends return to the Broadway stage, it will once again be the place to quell a post-theater craving for the Marseillaise seaside fare of oysters and moules frites, or a nightcap toast with a coupe de Champagne. For now, enjoy the brasserie life with classic hits like creamy Bouillabaisse, pâté a la maison or Duck leg confit to-go—or in the warmth of a cozy corner booth if you can.

5. CAFÉ d’ALSACE
1695 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10128
(212) 722-5133

Make a Reservation
Order Takeout

Whether you’re having a nostalgic yen for the bustling days of long, sidewalk Sunday brunches and brioche French toast, or just want to go to town on a bloody steak tartare, this cozy Alsatian spot, with its classically Germanic influences of sausage and sauerkraut, proves that good French eating isn’t just for the West Side. An afternoon spent wandering through midtown, window shopping your way through Saks, and meandering over to this Upper East neighborhood is the perfect justification for picking up a warm bowl of Choucroute Garnie and chocolate-drizzled profiteroles for the road.

Experience Mozart Magic in the Moonlight at the JW Marriott Anaheim

The Metropolis Chamber Musicians performing some of Mozart’s most memorable selections on the roof of the new JW Marriott hotel in Anaheim. Photo courtesy of Fast Forward Events.

With travel plans on hold and local mandates and restrictions ever changing, it hasn’t quite felt like a normal summer in Southern California. But celebrate we will, because it’s safe to say that outdoor events are officially back—and not a moment too soon!

I recently had the distinct pleasure of attending an open air tribute to the musical genius better known as Mozart, in a dazzling outdoor candlelight concert atop the majestic roof of the newly minted JW Marriott in Anaheim. Presented by Fever, the Candlelight Open Air: Mozart’s Best series includes four evenings dedicated to the joy of classical music (two taking place in July and two more on August 11 and 12, which you can book HERE).

As someone who has suffered from a serious case of culture withdrawal over the past year, the promise of an al fresco moonlight serenade was (literally) music to my ears.

Just steps away from Disneyland, the ethereal experience features sweeping panoramic views of Orange County, and a magical fireworks display kicks off a sublime soirée that includes selections of some of the legendary composer’s greatest hits of the 18th century, as performed by the Metropolis Chamber Musicians string quartet. With the audience framed around the stage as a performance in the round, every angle boasts an intimate view of the instrumentalists, who are bathed in the warm glow of one thousand flickering candles.

Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Anaheim.

The JW Marriott itself opened its doors in 2020, and has flourished even in a year when tourism took a major hit at the neighboring Disney theme park. The perfect spot for an impromptu staycation (or a mini getaway) the property boasts a stunning lobby featuring a sleek contemporary design that’s adorned with bold artistic features, a luxurious resort style pool studded with private cabanas, and an expansive roof that plays host to Parkestry, one of the hotel’s signature eateries. The relaxed open-air setting is the perfect primer for an evening of symphonic pleasures, with open patio seating and a full service bar to enjoy pre-concert cocktails, before moving into the garden.

Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Anaheim.

“What’s unique about our garden is that it’s surrounded by citrus and bamboo that will eventually mature and grow, so you’ll feel like you’re walking into a secret garden,” says Director of Marketing Maribel Denner.

The whimsical botanical area features four quadrants, including a succulent section, a floral section, a butterfly wall comprised of 600 titanium butterflies crafted by local artisans, and a vegetation section that bears the ingredients for the seed-to-table concept dishes prepared and served by the hotel’s chefs.

Photo courtesy of JW Marriott Anaheim.

“We’re also the first hotel that’s ever launched an augmented reality component,” Denner explains, referring to a revolutionary digital concept that launched roughly two months ago.

Throughout the garden you’ll see three Japanese art sculptures that are downloadable, where you’ll plant the seed of your imagination, and a butterfly will guide you to the next installation where you’ll choose and record a mantra.

“Eventually it will take you to a portal where you’ll see your tree grow,” she says. “The more you come, the more your tree will mature, and eventually you’ll live in a digital forest. Really what we want our guests to do is plant their digital roots at the hotel.”

Book your stay at the JW Marriott Anaheim and be sure to catch one of the two August performances of Candlelight Open Air: Mozart’s Best. Because nothing compares to a magical evening of music in the moonlight.

Candlelight Open Air: Mozart’s Best
JW Marriott Anaheim
August 11th and 12th
7:40 and 9:40 pm

CLICK HERE to reserve your tickets.

Book Club: 5 French Reads for May 2021

Life is beginning to return to the streets of Paris, en fin.

It’s safe to say that the Covid crisis cast an eerie pall over many a major metropolis over the past year, turning tourist targets and pedestrian-heavy piazzas, from Times Square to Piccadilly Circus, into veritable ghost towns unlike anything ever seen before in this lifetime. One of the most disturbing sights, and a blow to francophiles everywhere, were the images of empty and abandoned cafés that once populated Parisian neighborhoods and have come to define the French lifestyle—at least through the American lens. After a dismal year of tight lockdowns, city-wide curfews, and distance limiting—at the height of the shutdown, residents weren’t allowed to travel beyond one kilometer of their homes without permission—the promise of a return to (semi) normal Parisian life is finally becoming a reality. Cafes are slowly beginning to reopen, and to celebrate, this month’s book club is dedicated to the history, art, and inspiration of Parisian Café Culture.

Scroll down to browse this month’s selections and start dreaming of people-watching over a warm croissant and a cafe au lait.

A Table in Paris (NEW RELEASE)
By John Donohue
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
”Paris is a city like no other, beloved by travelers the world over for its incomparable architecture, atmosphere, arts, and, of course, food. The restaurants of Paris are rich with history, culture, and flavor. Whether you're a frequent visitor to the City of Light with memories of your favorite meals or an armchair traveler dreaming of the cuisine you could discover there, A Table in Paris will take you on a delicious visual journey through the arrondissements that you'll never forget. In his signature loose and evocative style, artist John Donohue has rendered an incredible sampling of the iconic institutions, hidden gems, and everything in between that make the Paris dining scene one of a kind.”

Hemingway’s Paris
By Robert Wheeler
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
”In gorgeous black-and-white images, Hemingway’s Paris depicts a story of remarkable passion—for a city, a woman, and a time. No other city in any of his travels was as significant, professionally or emotionally, as Paris. And it remains there, all of the complexity, beauty, and intrigue that Hemingway describes in the pages of so much of his work. It is all still there for the reader and traveler to experience—the history, the streets, and the city.”

The Historic Restaurants of Paris
By Ellen Williams
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
”The vanished world of nineteenth-century Paris still awaits behind the doors of select restaurants and gourmet shops that have delighted customers for more than a hundred years. Crossing these thresholds, the discriminating diner and shopper can step into a gilded Belle Epoque setting favored by Manet and Degas, a vintage confectioner that supplied bonbons to Monet, or a shaded café terrace frequented by Zola. From tiny pâtisseries, cozy bistros, and rustic wine bars barely known outside the quarter to bustling brasseries, elegant tea salons, and world-famous cafés, The Historic Restaurants of Paris is an indispensible guide to classic cuisine served in settings of startling beauty. Charming anecdotes relating to a restaurant’s history and celebrated former patrons, among them Proust, Balzac, George Sand, and the Impressionists.”

Cafe French
By L. John Harris
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
”The iconic, strolling Paris flâneur of the 19th century often expressed his ironic observations of the spectacular city he loved in paint, prose and poetry. Celebrated artist-flâneurs like Honoré de Balzac, Charles Baudelaire and their 20th-century successors—from André Breton’s surrealists to Jean-Paul Sartre’s existentialists—have served up brilliant, if sometimes dark, images of the City of Light. Now, following in their august footsteps, Berkeley writer and artist L. John Harris channels the historic flâneur with his witty café French “lessons” and whimsical illustrations taken from his Paris café journals. While Café French proposes to guide fellow Francophiles on a journey into the cultural and linguistic codes and canons of Paris café culture, the author—with a dash of Dada—chronicles his own discoveries: the cafés he inhabits, the language he struggles to learn, the food he eats and the dreams he pursues in the city he loves.”

Paris Cafe: The Select Crowd
By Noel Riley Fitch
CLICK HERE TO SHOP
”Acclaimed author Noël Riley Fitch, abetted by noted artist Rick Tulka, serves the dish on Select, the famous Montparnasse café that for nearly nine decades has been so vital to Paris and its intellectual denizens: from Hemingway, Beauvoir, Picasso, James Baldwin, and George Plimpton to the writers and artists who continue to work quietly there in the back room or heatedly debate every topic imaginable into the night. The artists have their work on the walls; the novelists include the café setting in their fiction. The quiet and drama of the Sélect world illustrates the centrality of cafés — particularly this one — to Parisian social, cultural, and intellectual life. Blending pithy profiles and witty drawings of clientele and staff, the book is organized around a history of the café, its daily and seasonal rhythms, particular colorful patrons, and even its typical café/brasserie food.”

6 French Language Films to Watch Online in March

The Belgium film Nos Batailles (Our Struggles) opens A Week of French Language Cinema, an annual Francophone film festival held online this year by Theatre Raymond Kabbaz in Los Angeles. All films in French with English subtitles.

Of all the things I’ve missed most over the past year, going to the cinema is at the top of the list. As a screenwriter and film director myself—as well as a confirmed Old Soul—sitting in a theater and sharing the collective experience of watching art come to life is one of my greatest joys.

As we approach the one-year anniversary of our first official lockdown—not exactly a milestone worthy of cake and champagne, mais non?—there is reasonable hope that the ban on movie-going will soon become a distant memory.

In the meantime, the Raymond Kabbaz Theatre in West Los Angeles, known for its association with French culture and cinema, has brought its annual celebration of French independent film online. I always attend this week-long mini film festival in person every year, and as someone who has become overloaded with online-versions of everything this year—from business meetings and Happy Hour to Pilates classes and medical appointments—this is one online event I can guarantee I will not be skipping.

6 French Language Films to Watch Online in March

From March 20-25, each evening highlights an independent film from a different Francophone region—including Québec, Belgium, Algeria, Switzerland, and of course, France. These art-house films are all shown in French with English subtitles, and have been celebrated in various prestigious festivals, some including Cannes—and many have won or been nominated for some of the industry’s highest awards, including Cesars, Golden Globes, and Oscars.

Join me on opening night as we virtually travel to Belgium to screen Nos Batailles on Saturday, March 20. To read about the films and purchase tickets, CLICK HERE.

See you au cinema!

Winter Whites and Wine Tasting in Temecula

The bad news: it’s almost time to say goodbye to winter whites. The good news: les blancs can work for any season, so there are no losers here.

For a weekend day-cation spent exploring Temecula and its rich vineyards, I put les blancs d’hiver to work in a monochromatic, head-to-toe neutral look—and yes, I even mixed in an off-white Shein vest for added texture.

In retrospect, dressing in all white for a day of tasting a fleet of Merlots was a bold—if not outright risky—move. But luckily, this faux leather Zara trench and crisp pair of white denim were spared any spillage!

Old Town Temecula is like going back in time to the Wild West.

Winter Whites and Wine Tasting in Temecula

Established in 1859, the Southern California town of Temecula is known as much for its Wild West aesthetic as for its ample array of wineries. The main street of Old Town Temecula is full of Gold-Rush era charm, lined with “This town ain’t big enough for the both of us” style buildings that could have been plucked from a John Wayne western. (Cont’d. below)

After an afternoon spent strolling the strip, Europa Village winery was the perfect destination for the currently landlocked and culture starved—speaking for myself here—to “wine” down. Sipping French reds among the fertile fields and dreamy panorama of vineyard vibes at sunset was just what the travel doctor ordered, and for a mere moment getting out of town felt more like stealing away to the Loire Valley.

Scroll down for more Staycation style.

Book Club | 5 French Reads for Novembre 2020

it’s Novembre, and the beginning of a new round of lockdowns for nos amis around the world, specifically in France and the UK.

Whether you’re staying home by choice or by government order, enjoy the cozy weather of the pre-holiday season curled up with this mix of five French memoirs, nonfiction, and lifestyle guides.

Take a look back at October’s picks here, and September’s here.

Top 5 French Reads for November 2020

Why French Women Wear Vintage

By Aloïs Guinut
Style Guide

“Stylish women everywhere are realizing the environmental damage of fast fashion on the planet and looking for new ways to dress that don't involve cramming the wardrobe with clothes that may never get worn…French women have a lot to teach us about how to cherish the planet without sacrificing your style.”

THE SHARPER YOUR KNIFE, THE LESS YOU CRY

Kathleen Flinn
Memoir

“Kathleen Flinn was a thirty-six-year-old middle manager trapped on the corporate ladder - until her boss eliminated her job. Instead of sulking, she took the opportunity to check out of the rat race for good - cashing in her savings, moving to Paris, and landing a spot at the venerable Le Cordon Blue cooking school…Filled with rich, sensual details of her time in the kitchen - the ingredients, cooking techniques, wine, and more than two dozen recipes - and the vibrant sights and sounds of the markets, shops, and avenues of Paris, it is also a journey of self-discovery, transformation, and, ultimately, love.

L’APPART

By David Lebovitz
Memoir

“When David Lebovitz began the project of updating his apartment in his adopted home city, he never imagined he would encounter so much inexplicable red tape while contending with perplexing work ethic and hours. Lebovitz maintains his distinctive sense of humor with the help of his partner Romain, peppering this renovation story with recipes from his Paris kitchen. In the midst of it all, he reveals the adventure that accompanies carving out a place for yourself in a foreign country—under baffling conditions—while never losing sight of the magic that inspired him to move to the City of Light many years ago, and to truly make his home there.”

LUNCH IN PARIS

By Elizabeth Bard
Memoir

“Lunch in Paris is a memoir about a young American woman caught up in two passionate love affairs -- one with her new beau, Gwendal, the other with French cuisine…She learns to gut her first fish (with a little help from Jane Austen), soothe pangs of homesickness (with the rise of a chocolate soufflé), and develops a crush on her local butcher (who bears a striking resemblance to Matt Dillon). Elizabeth finds that the deeper she immerses herself in the world of French cuisine, the more Paris itself begins to translate. French culture, she discovers, is not unlike a well-ripened cheese -- there may be a crusty exterior, until you cut through to the melting, piquant heart.”

THE LIBERATION OF PARIS

By Jean Edward Smith
Nonfiction

“Following their breakout from Normandy in late June 1944, the Allies swept across northern France in pursuit of the German army…Charles de Gaulle, the leading figure of the Free French government, urged General Dwight Eisenhower to divert forces to liberate Paris. Eisenhower’s advisers recommended otherwise, but Ike wanted to help position de Gaulle to lead France after the war…Neither man knew that the German commandant, Dietrich von Choltitz, convinced that the war was lost, schemed to surrender the city to the Allies intact, defying Hitler’s orders to leave it a burning ruin.”

Les Jardins | Monet, Water Lilies & The Huntington Gardens

The Huntington Gardens Lily Pond, doing its best impression (get it, impressionism?) of Monet’s Giverny.

Riddle me this: Is it possible to experience a little piece of France, in the flesh, and without leaving LA county? No need for those heavy Virtual Reality goggles, or an eight hour drive to see the knock-off Tour Eiffel in Las Vegas, because I’ve discovered the ultimate doppelgänger to Giverny— Claude Monet’s charming countryside home and jardin oasis in Normandy.

Just a quick train ride west of Paris, the French impressionist’s preserved residence—and the aesthetic inspiration behind perhaps his most celebrated opus, the Water Lilies series—still inspires guests and art lovers daily with in-person tours.

In fact, if you’re already planning your next trip to France, I found you a 10% discount for a guided Giverny tour with Paris City Vision here.

The real Giverny, as immortalized by Claude Monet, which you can still visit in Normandy.

Monet, Water Lilies & the Huntington Gardens

With my hunger pangs for travel growing stronger each day, I was thrilled to learn than the Huntington Library & Gardens has begun the early phases of reopening. Nestled on more than 120 acres of the Pasadena-adjacent town of San Marino—which is full of suburban charm in its own right, with its picket fences and manicured lawns, quaint downtown, and the stunning early 20th century architecture of its municipal buildings—like Giverny, it’s only a hop, skip, and a jump away from the bustle of the city.

At the moment, the Huntington museum and library—once privately owned by one of Pasadena’s original urban city planners, Henry Edwards Huntington as a personal residence—remain closed due to the health crisis, but the sweeping outdoor botanical gardens are once again receiving (fully masked) guests by reservation.

Opened to public in 1928—in accordance with Huntington’s last will, following his death the previous year—the museum houses an incredible collection of 18th century portraiture, as well as European and American oeuvres by Andy Warhol, Edward Hopper, and Mary Cassat, while the library boasts some of the most cherished pieces of work by heralded historical figures—including presidents Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln, and original drafts and first editions of works by the likes of Henry David Thoreau, Mark Twain, and Chaucer.

(Contd. below)

Bienvenue chez moi! Just kidding, it’s the Huntington Library, bien sûr.

And have we talked about the gardens?

Like living botanical exhibits, the sprawling gardens are arranged into 14 outdoor installations—including the Rose Garden, the Camelia Garden, the Desert Garden, the Japanese Garden, and of course—the Lily Ponds.

It was here that I perched myself near the little footbridge—surrounded by lily pads, daffodils, and weeping willow trees, it’s a dead ringer for Claude’s—and imagined myself at the end of a long day of oil painting, hopping on the train and heading the 50 miles east back to Paris.

Incidentally, that’s also where you can visit the giant Monet mural masterpiece, combining eight of the impressionist paintings in the Water Lilies series. Permanently housed in the stark (yet, also grand) ovular basement of the Museé de L’Orangerie, it’s been in residence since Monet’s death in 1927—which is also the same year that took Henry Edwards Huntington.

Coincidence?

The magnificent Water Lilies permanent exhibit at the Museé de L’Orangerie in Paris.
Photo source: L’Orangerie website.

Belle Vie: Eating French Over Labor Day Weekend

If you’re staying in town for Labor Day—because even staying home counts as a Staycation in 2020—you can still get out and experience the delights of French bistro culture, courtesy of one of my absolute favorite west side spots, Belle Vie Food + Wine.

Just south of Brentwood proper, this little French oasis, with its subtle, modest exterior, tucked away and unassuming amid the American flashiness of the western end of Wilshire Blvd, is the perfect place to end a frustrating summer.

Having made lemonade out of lemons, like so many restaurateurs have been forced to do, owner and sommelier Vincent Samarco has designed a charming outdoor patio, frequented by loyal regulars and Francophiles alike. The ones who come for the soothing ambiance—to sip Provençal rosé to the tunes of mellow cafe background jazz—and stay for the menu, which puts a surprisingly American spin on traditional French cuisine.

Click here for a glimpse of the indoor experience I wrote about last year, which you can look forward to enjoying again once Covid restrictions have eased.

French Book Club | 5 French Reads for Labor Day Weekend

5 French Reads for Labor Day Weekend

Believe it or not, this isn’t even half of my French book collection.

Whomever once claimed that reading is the best form of escapism, clearly lived through a pandemic.

There’s something decidedly medieval about life in 2020. It’s given us a glimpse backwards, showing us what daily existence must have felt like for William Shakespeare and his contemporaries during the times of pestilence and the Bubonic Plague—with the added comforts of Netflix and Youtube workouts, of course.

International travel is still at a stand-still for the time being, meaning that—for now—we’ll have to travel to France the way that our forefathers did: through our imaginations, and the immortal pages of contemporary scribes.

Check out this fascinating New Yorker article about the history of pandemics, or if you’re looking something a little more uplifting to read on your holiday weekend, behold a list of some of favorite novels, memoirs, and historical perspectives on life in France. I’ve always been a reader, and I love experiencing ma belle ville through different eyes.

So pour thee a glass of thine blackberry wine and buckle up m’lady, because I’m about to share five French favorites from my collection.

5 French Reads for Labor Day Weekend

Paris Dreaming

By Katrina Lawrence
Memoir

“How the City of Light gave her lessons in life: an Australian beauty journalist shares her obsession with Paris - the city that has been her guide through a lifelong journey of self-discovery. Taking us on a journey around Paris's most spectacular sights, hidden secrets and most beguiling nooks and crannies, Katrina tells us the story of why this city has been her constant inspiration through all stages of life.”

How to Make a French Family

By Samantha Verant
Memoir

“Take one French widower, his two young children, and drop a former city girl from Chicago into a small town in southwestern France. Shake vigorously... and voilá: a blended Franco-American family whose lives will all drastically change.”

Dress Like a Parisian

Aloïs Guinut
Style Guide

“Bring a Parisian je ne sais quoi to your style, wherever you live. Dress Like a Parisian is a wise and witty guide to finding your personal style, taking inspiration from how real Parisian women dress. With personal stylist and fashion blogger Aloïs Guinut as your guide, you can explore which colors, shapes and styles work best for you, whatever the occasion.”

A Paris Apartment

By Michelle Gable
Semi Fiction

“Based on the fascinating true story of a treasure-stocked Parisian apartment opened for the first time in seventy years. April Vogt, Sotheby's continental furniture specialist, is speechless when a Paris apartment shuttered for seventy years is discovered in the ninth arrondissement. Beneath the cobwebs and stale perfumed air is a goldmine…”

Seven Ages of Paris

Alistair Horne
Non Fiction

“In this luminous portrait of Paris, the celebrated historian gives us the history, culture, disasters, and triumphs of one of the world’s truly great cities. From the rise of Philippe Auguste through the reigns of Henry IV and Louis XIV…Napoleon’s rise and fall; Baron Haussmann’s rebuilding of Paris…the Belle Epoque and the Great War that brought it to an end; the Nazi Occupation, the Liberation, and the postwar period dominated by de Gaulle--Horne brings the city’s highs and lows, savagery and sophistication, and heroes and villains splendidly to life.”

Les Essentials | Poolside Packing for a Weekend Getaway

It’s been a heck of a year, and after a let-down of a summer, Labor Day Weekend—known to our French counterparts as La Fête du Travail, and celebrated in the motherland on May 1, just FYI—is the perfect excuse to get out of town.

Clocking in at a reasonable two hours on the road, Palm Springs is the perfect holiday weekend destination—if you can stand la chaleur, that is. Temps are known to hit the three digit mark, even in the fall months, but nothing that can’t be fixed with a little AC and a quick dip in la piscine.

Peep the packing list below for all the essentials—all linked to shop via LiketoKnow.it—and get ready for some serious fun in the soleil.

Bonnes vacances mes amies, and if you’re staying home this weekend, click here for a fabulous list of French-themed beach reads.

1. Le Bikini; Shein
   With its ribbed texture and frilly ruching, an ivory two-piece is an instant classic.

2. Sunscreen; Sun Bum
   The award for the best-smelling suntan lotion always goes to SunBum in my opinion. That goes for the entire range of creams, sprays, lotions, and lip balms.

3. Sunless Tanner; Bali Body

   An extra dark tan is the best way to make up for lost time spent indoors. This whipped mousse is quick to develop and easy to apply.

4. SPF Oil; Super Goop
   For extra sun protection plus the sheen of a tanning oil, SuperGoop makes the perfect spray to keep skin glistening while protecting it from those harmful rays.

5. Hand Cream; Victoria’s Secret Beauty
   Regular hand washing can leave hands super dry. Keep them moisturized with this palm-print crème pour les mains from Victoria’s Secret Beauty.

6. Bijoux; Shein
   A cool-girl chain, like this one from Shein adds instant glam to any look—even poolside.

7. Fragrance; Giorgio Beverly Hills
   A little spritz of this eau de luxury scent will make you feel like you’re posted up Cabana style at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

8. Hair Curling Wand; Foxy Bae
   I love the tropical print on this Foxy Bae hair wand that creates perfect beach waves every time.

Le Mariage | Notes on a Wedding & How to be a Best Dressed Guest

Fun fact: This Bardot dress reminded everyone of Kate Hudson’s character in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

I spent what is usually my birthday weekend celebrating the wedding of two dear amis, in a beautiful, socially responsible ceremony—ie. trés petite and sans dancing.

With only 25 guests, face masks galore, and a rehearsal dinner picnic on the beach (complete with White Claws and customized takeout from In-and-Out) things turned out quite differently from le mariage we were expecting to attend when their engagement was announced last year. But what the ceremony lacked in population, it made up for in spades with elegance, heartfelt speeches, sweeping sunset views of the Pacific, and of course, plenty of champagne.

The typical American wedding has been turned on its ear—like almost everything else this year—as a result of Covid restrictions, but it was so very inspiring to see one stripped of the usual pomp and circumstance, pared down to the barest and purest essential elements of a successful marriage, including the most important one: love.

As for how to nail the perfect wedding guest style, I’ve gushed many a time about Fashion Pass—my absolute favorite fashion rental service. Unlike any other subscription service (that I know of, anyway) Fashion Pass allows you to choose three to five pieces at a time (depending on your chosen price-point) from the curated collection of well-known designers and labels, wear them for as long as you want, and exchange them as often as you want, with the option to purchase at a discount. Kind of like when Netflix had dvd rentals that you could swap out whenever as part of the subscription plan.

Not only is it the perfect (and most cost effective) way to constantly have new clothes in your closet, it’s a surefire way to find an occasion dress you may only wear once. My only grievance with Fashion Pass is that I always want to keep everything I rent—including this canary-colored Bardot dream, which has already made itself comfortable in my closet.

Try Fashion Pass for $35 off your first month using my code Kandace1.

Don’t mind my quarantine manicure. Move along please folks, nothing to see here—except these glittery and gorgeous Steve Madden sandals.

Le Peignoir | A Robe By Any Other Name

Few things in life feel more luxurious than slipping into a plush hotel robe.

Fun fact: our English word “robe” (short for ‘bathrobe”) actually translates to “dress” in the French language. I’m wearing un peignoir here, which is the French word for “bathrobe,” but we actually use it in English to refer to a nightie of sorts. The kind you’d imagine worn by, say, Blanche Devereaux from the Golden Girls.

Confused yet?

If so, imagine how weird it sounded when my French ex would ask for his peignoir!

If anyone needs me, I’ll be curled up like this—why yes, I always curl up in a pair of stilettos—getting lost in Australian Francophile Katrina Lawrence’s version of Paris, via her newest memoir, Paris Dreaming—which she so kindly sent to me—and waiting for room service to bring me my hamburger—or as the French pronounce it: ham-bur-jay.

Bonne journée from Phoenix, Arizona.

OOTD: Crème et Cable Knit for Kids

It’s no secret that I love a monochromatic look, especially when it comes to winter whites.

My style tip of the day is: don’t be afraid to shop in the kids’ section if you’re petite like moi. Les vêtements pour les enfants (kids’ clothes) are often much more affordable and more fitted, if you prefer a cropped style or if adult sleeves are typically too long for you.

Believe it or not, this Zara classic cable-knit sweater was made for un garçon— translation: from the little boys’ department!

My Lucky Brand teddy coat is no longer available, but I’ve linked similar versions on my LiketoKnow.It page.

Bon Mardi, Happy Tuesday from chilly Boston!