Celebrate La Chandeleur: The French Holiday Devoted to Crêpes

We all know that the crêpe—French cousin to the American pancake—is a national delicacy and signature dish in France, but did you know that there is, in fact, an entire holiday dedicated to the oh-so delicious sweet and savory foldable griddle cakes we love so much?

Today marks the annual French holiday known as la Chandeleur (also known as “Candlemas” in English) which falls exactly 40 days after Christmas—and yes, it’s the perfect excuse to break out the Nutella and sugar.

CLICK HERE to read a fantastic article about the traditions, superstitions, and historical evolution of La Chandeleur, posted by Coucou French Classes—one of our favorite French language programs in the US, with online courses and in-person lessons at brick and mortar locations in New York and Los Angeles.

See an excerpt below:

According to Sophia Millman’s piece for Coucou:

“In the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I decided to put an end to the ancient Roman festival Lupercalia that Christians celebrated. He encouraged them instead to celebrate “the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary,” which would take place 40 days after Christmas, on February 2nd. While the Romans had carried torches into their fields to make offerings to their god of fertility, Gelasius instructed Christians to carry candles. It was said that, at the end of the Candlemas ceremonies–called la Chandeleur or la Fête de la Lumière–believers had to leave the church with a lit candle. If its flame went out, they risked attracting the evil eye…

When Christians returned to Rome after a pilgrimage, Pope Gelasius I said that they should eat crêpes made with surplus flour from the prior year. Round like the sun, the crêpes were supposed to represent light and wealth in the new year. According to tradition, if it rained on la Chandeleur, forty more days of rain would follow the holiday. 

Today, many French people still believe in some of the superstitions surrounding la Chandeleur. For instance, on February 2nd, you’re supposed to flip your crêpe in the pan while holding a gold coin in your left hand to ensure prosperity. But don’t try this at home, especially if you’re left handed! You’re also supposed to eat your crêpes in the evening and put the first crêpe you make in a cupboard drawer or on top of your closet to bring good luck. (Not sure how long you should leave it there? Supposedly, it will never go spoiled, but we’ll let you be the judge)…

If you’ve ever been to Brittany, you know that les Bretons are famous for their cider and their crêpes. According to legend, la crêpe bretonne was invented when a farmer’s wife spilled some buckwheat porridge onto a very hot, flat stone lying in her fireplace. Today, la crêpe bretonne can be made with wheat flour and served as a sweet dessert (une crêpe sucrée). If you make it with buckwheat flour (known as “sarrasin”), you’re supposed to call it une galette. Une complète is a galette topped with Gruyère, ham and a sunny-side-up egg. Traditionally, in Brittany, crêpe batter is cooked in a specific device called un billig or galetiere. You spread it with a small spatula called un rozell or une raclette, as the rest of France calls it. Check out this French video about a Breton chef making his famous crêpes…

Fun fact: According to this French article, 76 percent of French people manage to successfully flip their crêpes in the air. The most agile crêpe flippers are 50-64 years old!”

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.

Le Pique-Nique | Tips for a Birthday Beach Soirée

Celebrating mon anniversaire with a chique pique-nique.

2020 might well go down in the zodiac records under its proper name: the Year of the Picnic.

While this quaint custom of al fresco eating became an unexpected fad this year among Americans—made especially hot in the wake of government mandates that forced us to get creative and repurpose most daily activities with an added outdoor element—it’s been refined and perfected by French romantics over the course of centuries.

In fact our word “picnic” is literally borrowed from the French language. It’s an Americanized pronunciation of the original French word “pique-nique”—which dates all the way back to 1649 with its first print mention in a French burlesque satire, featuring a protagonist with the rhyming name. It officially graced the French dictionnaire in 1694, as a fashionable or extravagant dinner in which everyone contributes a dish, like a pot luck. After the French revolution, the pique-nique made its way to London, as French citizens fled and migrated throughout Europe, eventually giving birth to a society of 200 or so erudite British francophiles known as the Pic-Nic society. Read more about the history of picnics here.

But back to present day, 2020. Thanks to social media—looking at you, Pinterest—gone are the days of the traditional Americana image of a modest wicker basket on a red checkered blanket. While small and impromptu picnics—which can qualify as a bottle of wine and two glasses with a few hunks of bread and cheese for public decency—have their place, more elaborate affairs have taken hold of the public consciousness, made popular by a new kind of Pic-Nic society—more popularly known as social influencers.

Read on to see my conseilles (advice) for keeping your seaside soirée small and—as always—trés chic.

Tips for a Birthday Beach Soirée

Prepare

I’ll admit I’m not the best when it comes to planning—it’s my spontaneous Leo nature—but making a list of everything you need to bring from home, and a separate list of things to buy, makes everything much simpler. This includes food, tableware, seating, decor, lighting, and cleanup supplies. Organize the event just as if it were a normal dinner party at your home, and then pack it all up.

Shop

Cooking and preparing food is a personal choice, but it requires a lot more work. I personally suggest sticking to appetizers and finger foods like fruit and charcuterie that can be taken directly from the store to the site.

Getting There

Be prepared to do some heavy lifting. If you decide to drive to your location, be sure to park nearby—even if that means springing for paid parking. Hey, you’ve come this far—because you’ll have a lot to carry. Scope out a location that’s a safe distance from others.

Setting the Scene

Don’t be afraid to bring the comforts of home with you. Decor can be as simple as some cozy pillows and throw blankets for warmth, or as elaborate as you want to make it, maybe with lanterns, plants or faux books if you’re feeling particularly extra. For a classic, monochromatic look, keep everything in the same color scheme, or for a more bohemian vibe, bring mismatching pillows, a colorful tapestry, and whimsical plates and silverware.

• Start by creating a perimeter for your seating area—a bed sheet or a comforter that you don’t mind washing afterward is perfectly fine.

• Add a table or elevated surface to present the food, and cover with a small tablecloth if your surface is plastic or unsightly.

• Scatter pillows around for comfortable seating

• Fresh flowers add to the outdoor element

• Include candles—and a lighter!—if you’ll be staying past sunset

• Use real china, silverware, and wine glasses like you would at home. Small salad plates save space, and stemless wine glasses prevent spills.

Clean up

Don’t forget to bring trash bags and plastic ziploc bags for dirty plates and used silverware. Don’t leave anything behind—it’s gauche (tacky, or bad form) and hazardous for wildlife.

Bonne fête!