Bastille Day | La Fête Nationale 2020

Moi, enjoying a Bastille Day apéro at Héritage Fine Wines of Beverly Hills.

Bastille Day | La Fête Nationale 2020

There’s nothing quite like being in France to celebrate Bastille Day—the French equivalent of our American Independence Day. Just as the 4th of July signaled the culmination of the American Revolution in 1776 that led to the United States disassociating from Great Britain, Bastille Day marks the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille, the climax of the French Revolution in 1789, which was equally as bloody and gruesome (let’s not forget the gleeful beheading of Marie Antoinette, for one) but also paved the way for a future of fireworks, flag waving, and national pride.

A few hundred years later, le 14 Juillet is still celebrated just a few weeks after the 4th of July, and if you haven’t gotten all of that patriotism out of your system, there many ways to show affection for the beautiful country that we all know and love, and many of us consider a home-away-from-home (Who could forget the famous Josephine Baker quote: America is my country, but Paris is my hometown?). One of the best ways to celebrate this year, during the head- scratcher of a summer that is life in 2020, is to support local French restaurants and businesses.

One of my personal favorite spots is Héritage Fine Wines in Beverly Hills.

Known as much for its summer rooftop soirées (excluding this year, sad face) and occasional drop-in performances by John Legend, as for its impressive body of French wines, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better apéro spot in the city. With a to-die-for selection of gourmet meats and cheeses, creating an a la carte charcuterie board has never been easier, and a summer Happy Hour menu that includes $1 oysters can’t be beat. A glass of Taittinger always satisfies my bubbles craving, or sample a flight of fresh-off-the-vineyard whites, reds, and rosés out on the terrace, admiring the stream of passersby from nearby Rodeo Drive.

Helmed by French expatriates and expert winemakers, founder Jordan Andrieu and sommelier Charles Denois—born and bred on vineyards in Burgundy and Champagne, France, respectively—with their keen noses for a proper bouquet, have cultivated a curated library of French wines, all available by the bottle, and for purchase at the on-site wine shop.

Once sufficiently wined and dined, it’s also worth noting that under normal non-pandemic circumstances, one could head down the street to the Sofitel Beverly Hills for its annual Bastille Day celebration festivities, complete with can-can dancers, a French flag photo booth, and gift bags and raffle prizes sponsored by local French institutions like L’Alliance Française and XL Airways.

But, c’est la vie, as they say. There’s always next year.

Heritage Fine Wines
467 N. Canon Drive
Beverly Hills, CA
@heritagefinewines

No Happy Hour is complete without a glass of Taittinger and $1 oysters.

La Belle Espirit | Spiritual Guidance with Ainslie MacLeod

Me in my early days, circa 1945. (Photo credit: Pretend Pictures)

Have you ever felt an instant connection with a person or a place, but couldn’t explain why?

These feelings aren’t coincidences, they’re profound moments that are directly connected to things we’ve experienced in our past lives.

Spiritual Guidance with Ainslie MacLeod

Since first discovering renowned spiritual advisor Ainslie MacLeod, I’ve been fascinated by his writings, which describe the evolutionary journey that each of our souls are collectively navigating, as described by the spirit guides, with whom he works as a conduit. We design these human experiences ourselves. We create specific missions for each lifetime here on earth, in order to learn unique lessons that will challenge us to expand our spiritual understanding and develop empathy for our fellow souls through firsthand human experiences over the course of hundreds of lifetimes.

The wisdom and insight I’ve acquired from Ainslie and his Soul World community, while perhaps perplexing or even ridiculous sounding to the everyday skeptic, has resonated more with me than any of the religious ideologies I was raised with, although they indeed can go hand-in-hand with the beliefs of most faiths. It adds a contextual layer of passion and purpose to our often mundane seeming lives, that I feel compelled to share with other like-minded old souls.

Don’t believe me? Ask Oprah, who invited Ainslie for a remarkable personal reading on one episode of her Super Soul Sunday sessions.

I had my own private session with Ainslie over the weekend, and as it turns out, I’m a VERY old soul—a level 10.

In fact, I only have a lifetimes left on my spiritual journey! My deep connection to France is based on my soul’s recognition of this familiar place that I’ve called home over the course of many lifetimes. By exploring some of these past lives, Ainslie and I discovered that the root of some of my own personal traumas can be traced back to a heartbreaking lifetime in 1950s Denmark, and a painful one in 19th century Hungary!

More than just your typical “psychic,” Ainslie uses his gifts of connection to the soul world to act as sort of a “spiritual chiropractor”—as I like to call him—to keep our souls on track and aligned with the life it truly intended, outside of the conditioning imposed upon us by society.

I was truly amazed by this deeply personal and profound experience with Ainslie (who asks for no personal information prior to a session), and if you’re an Old Soul like me, I highly encourage you to read his mind-blowing book, The Instruction, to learn more about the level system our souls pass through on this incredible journey towards spiritual enlightenment.

While some might be skeptical when introduced to this abstract way of thinking and seeing the world, I encourage you to keep an open mind and pay attention to your intuition, because it’s always guiding you to be your best self. Anything that you feel called to do has a purpose. As Ainslie says—your destiny is not a secret.

The Instruction by Ainslie MacLeod

The Old Soul’s Guidebook, by Ainslie MacLeod

Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links, but this post is not sponsored. As always, my commitment to you is to provide quality, thought provoking content that’s entertaining, informative, and 100% genuine.

Bienvenue to the Non-Summer Summer

Bienvenue to the Non-Summer Summer

While some realists probably had a sense that Summer 2020 would look vastly different than usual, many hopefuls (myself included) were optimistic back in the early days of the Covid scramble that a few weeks of lockdown would do the trick, and we’d be back to our regularly scheduled programming by early summer. It seemed like a piece of cake to spend a few weeks, well, eating cake and other comfort snacks—because what else was there to do, really?—as well as carve out some dedicated time to online shopping.

With all the theoretical money we’d be saving by staying inside for a few weeks—ha!—it seemed like the perfect time to get our summer wardrobes in order. Packages would be delivered, clothes properly hung on wooden hangers, and on display in our well-organized and Marie Kondo-approved closets, with plenty of time to color coordinate our shelves and lose said cake weight by the time the gyms, pilates classes, and (for me) dance studios, reopened again.

Alas, here we are, officially into July, and in Los Angeles, back to semi-lock down after a two-week reopening tease. However, packages were in fact delivered (a little delayed, but hey), clothes were hung (albeit sometimes just flung over a chair) and the summer wardrobe did have time to develop, even with no place to wear any of it.

Dissh Boutique

I recently discovered Dissh boutique, an Australian brand that has quickly become one of my favorites—Aussies seriously know what they’re doing when it comes to summer style—with its mid-level pricing and fabrics that feel good on the skin.

This stunning, off-the-shoulder petite robe blanche surprised me with its beautiful, airy movement, despite a rich and heavy linen texture and midi length. I wandered around the deserted Landmark theater marquee in Westwood, feeling like a nostalgic screen goddess, pondering the bizarre ambiance that is summer in Los Angeles this year.

Let’s also not forget the vintage Dior baguette I scored from one of my all time favorite discoveries of the year, She’s Parisian. Curated by Zoe March, a young British Francophile with an impeccable eye for aesthetics, the collection is an array of antique and vintage findings— think everything from retro pearls and china teacups to jeweled hair combs and and vintage designer perfume bottles— styled in the most luxurious and lust-worthy ways. When I saw this sleek semi clutch (it has a thin strap for a handle, but feels better tucked under an elbow) with its signature D logo dangling in pearl, I knew it had to be mine. See below for details x

Dissh Boutique
@dissh

She’s Parisian
@shesparisian

Fête des Mères | 5 French Mothers' Day Essentials

Since today is Mothers’ Day in France, behold some maman-approved favorites—including crème pour visage from the grande dame of skincare herself, one Miss Coco Chanel. Also consider this vintage Côte d’Azur fragrance by Louis Féraud from 1988, which is incidentally the year that my own mother became une mère.

Usually this holiday is celebrated on the last Sunday of each Mai, but inexplicably, it was scheduled a week late this year, making it all the more sweet now that French bars, shops, and cafés are finally beginning to reopen.

Bonne fête a tous les mamans, and lots of love to anyone who struggles on this day.

Le Marque | Like a FRNCH Girl

What is it about a polka-dot pattern that can render any dress, blouse, or otherwise, so instantly chic? It’s just one of those iconic looks, like a monogrammed logo or pearl detailing, that can turn anything it graces into a classic.

Enter the Adonie dress (above) from my new favorite Parisian brand, FRNCH. No, that’s not a typo. This insta-chic collection is so inherently and authentically French that it doesn’t even need the E to prove it.

“Dedicated to a city that embraces elegance and simplicity, FRNCH's ready-to-wear concept also boldly merges the feminine look with the masculine,” the brand’s mission statement explains. “The result is an audacious expression of Parisian style, culture and way of being.”

With a flagship location in the third arrondissement of Paris, the whole luxurious collection is now available to les américaines via FRNCH US.

Shop the Spring/Summer 2020 collection here.

FRNCH
@frnch_us

OOTD: Crème de la Cream

Since working from home has now become not only de rigueur, but a necessary social responsibility, workwear is taking a major turn for casual. While it’s the perfect time to expand the loungewear section of our wardrobes, there’s something to be said for the formality of officewear that’s now practically becoming an endangered species.

I get it—who wants to dress up for a Zoom call? But, as we like to do here, let’s consider the French for a moment. The French, as a culture, take pride in the ceremony of dressing, and putting effort into one’s appearance is just considered good manners.

There has been a long standing myth—a self-fulfilling prophecy really—that the French dislike Americans. While there are certainly culture clashes between our two nations, this divergence in attitude on dressing in public is one of the most significant. When American tourists wearing sweatpants and Ugg boots wander into Maxim’s—one of the most prestigious Parisian eateries, with a rich historical context that’s practically immortalized the restaurant in the late 1800s belle epoque era, and essentially dubbing it a Parisian landmark, or a living museum—it wouldn’t be surprising to expect a few looks of disdain.

The French appreciate effort. Making an effort to respect their cultural values, which primarily center around politeness or politesse, making an effort to approach them in their native language—they’ll respond in English, don’t worry, but they’ll appreciate the attempt—and acknowledging your role as a guest in their country—like any good host, they’re happy to help—and yes, making an effort to dress with some dignity, goes a long way. Why do we eat with chopsticks in a Chinese restaurant? To show our respect for the norms of the culture. Dressing well is the chopstick of France.

Does that mean it’s imperative to wear a full suit like this one while exploring the Eiffel Tower? Of course not. But it wouldn’t hurt!

Click here to shop this cream suit from Zara.

Santé | To your Health with S'moo

Let’s take a break from all things public health and talk about personal wellness. One of the most important components of our overall physical—and emotional—wellbeing is balanced hormones. I personally have struggled with hormone imbalances, including low thyroid function, which can wreak havoc on the body and be a catalyst to all kinds of metabolism issues.

Meet the S’moo brand, designed specifically to promote women’s health. I’ve been adding a scoop of S’moo Ovary Good powder to my morning protein shake in order to support:

• Reproductive health

• Balanced hormones

• Weight management

• Egg quality and fertility

• Improved skin and mood

Designed by les femmes for les femmes, this added smoothie boost is gluten free, dairy free, soy free, sugar free, and unflavored, with only 30 calories per scoop. Use my code LACHIC for 10% off, and you’ll also support a female-founded, small and local business, which is a win for everyone.

Click here to shop.

Disclaimer 1: This product is a gifted item, but as always, I only promote brands and products that I love, and those that align with my personal standards and beliefs.
Disclaimer 2: This post only reflects my personal opinions, it’s not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition. Please be sure to address any health concerns with your doctor before using.

OOTD: The Bejeweled Blazer

Photo by @minjucita; Jewelry by Kollectin.

I’ve always loved putting a unique twist on a classic, and this bejeweled blazer from Naked Wardrobe does just that.

A basic blazer is an absolute wardrobe necessity for la Parisienne, since a city girl must be able to transition from day to night, le bureau to apéro (the office to happy hour) at a moment’s notice. It can be thrown effortlessly—everything must always look effortless—over jeans and a tee to dress up a casual weekend outfit, or it can be a standout on its own when reimagined with a little bit of fanfare—a la this example.

Skipping the traditional lapel, pockets, and even your everyday buttons, this fitted, is it navy or black? statement piece will keep everyone guessing—and “they” must always be guessing.

The pièce de résistance of course is the jewel-encrusted double closure, bringing the eye to the elegant décolletage. The key, of course, is not revealing too much. A French Girl never reveals her secrets—or a nip slip.

Click here to shop.

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.

Le Marque | St. Valentin with Gitanne Skincare

St. Valentine’s Day self care with Gitanne Skincare.

This year my St. Valentin self-care practice includes chocolate and luxurious organic French skincare products. I’m pleased to introduce you to Gitanne Skincare—a French botanical beauty brand based right here in Santa Rosa, California.

Gitanne founder—and fellow American French Girl—Kate-Alexandra infuses this eco-sophisticated line with her Parisienne taste for elegance and beauty, and the primary values of sustainability and organic ethical practices. Pictured below, the La Vie en Rose collection—mildly scented and specially designed for sensitive skin—couldn’t be a more perfect way to indulge in some serious Valentine vibes.

Formulated with the finest ingredients found in nature, including plant elixirs, extracts and oils to nourish, hydrate, and tone the complexion, this fully artisanal plant-based collection of rejuvenating creams, mists, serums and scrubs is Vegan, cruelty-free, and 100% chic.

Click here to shop the collection and show some support for a local, female-run small business.

Les Cheveux | 5 Products for Healthier Hair

Imagining that the Beverly Hills Hotel lounge is my private salle de bain.

I’ve spoken recently about one of my self-care goals for this year, which is improving the health of my hair. Mes cheveux always tends to feel drier in the winter months, and I’m always keen to mitigate unnecessary damage from years of coloring and styling.

I recently partnered with Nutrafol to improve the strength of my hair and promote growth from the inside out. Click here to save $60 on your first 3 month supply—using my code, GIFT20—and read on to discover the retail products I’m using right now for an extra boost of va va voom.

1. Nutrafol
Since collaborating with Nutrafol, I’ve been taking my daily supplements for the past few weeks and I’m already seeing less stray hair in the shower. Click here to read my previous post and learn more.

2. Revlon One-Step Volumizing Styler
One of my favorite Christmas presents, this has been a total game-changer—allowing me to dry and style my damp hair at the same time, without the need for a standard hair brush. It saves me so much time, the dense bristles actively de-tangle, and the ions leave my hair so smooth and silky. Plus, having tried the comparable—and way pricier—Dyson Air Wrap styler, I can honestly say that I much prefer this product.

3. The Dry Bar DETOX dry shampoo
I’ve honestly never been a big fan of dry shampoo, but after being gifted this Dry Bar version, I gave it a fair shot and now I’m officially hooked. The whipped mousse blends into my hair so much more easily than traditional dry powders and sprays, keeping my hair looking—and smelling—fresh in between washes, and cutting down on my hot tool use.

4. Olaplex Hair Perfector #3
My hair stylist always uses Olaplex products in between coloring and toning, so every few weeks I use this one as a leave-in conditioning treatment. To repair split ends with optimal results, work the product into damp hair, let it sit for ten minutes, and then rinse and shampoo.

5. Living Proof Restore Mask Treatment
I’m making an effort to use hair masks more often, and this brand makes one of the absolute best. The whole line uses clean ingredients, and is known to be a secret weapon for celeb fans like Jennifer Aniston.

Les Cheveux | Healthy Hair with Nutrafol

New Year, better hair.

One of my biggest self-care goals for 2020 is to grow and improve the health of my hair, which is why I’m so excited to add Nutrafol to my daily routine.

Packed with an array of vitamins and nutrients that may be missing from the typical busy girl’s diet, these specially formulated supplements are designed to strengthen and repair hair from the inside out, with a boost of all-natural ingredients to support optimal hair health and growth.

I’ll keep you posted on my progress, and if you want to join me on this journey towards longer and stronger hair, right now you can take $60 off your first 3-month supply using my code GIFT20.

Click here to shop—and save.

Disclaimer 1: This product is a gifted item, but as always, I only promote brands and products that I love, and those that align with my personal standards and beliefs.
Disclaimer 2: This post only reflects my personal opinions, it’s not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition. Please be sure to address any health concerns with your doctor before using.

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!

Le Re-brand | Ladurée Goes Green

The pièce de résistance of Ladurée is its traditional St. Honoré dessert (front) and signature pastel china.

Did you know that our beloved Ladurée has rebranded as a fully Vegan restaurant, with an entirely reimagined, plant-based menu? In participation with Vegan chef Matthew Kenney, both full-menu Los Angeles locations, including Beverly Hills and The Grove, have made the shift. (Note: A third kiosk location at The Americana at Brand in Glendale offers to-go beverages and pastries only)

While I absolutely respect and understand the need for dietary restrictions and fully support the informed personal decisions that come with choosing a Vegan lifestyle, as a fierce defender of the preservation of French culture, including its historical integrity and the deep-seated roots of French cuisine, I’m sorry to say that I’m not excited about eating a Croque Monsieur made with tofu instead of the traditional jambon and gruyère cheese.

Offering Vegan-friendly options or substitutions (some of which are already available in French locations, and will be rolled out to the nearly 80 worldwide destinations) is a wonderful way to accommodate alternative dietary choices, but a fully meat-less menu overhaul here in the States feels extreme.

The 158 year old pâtisserie, known especially for its gold-standard macarons and dreamy desserts served upon the brand’s signature pastel green, pink, and blue rimmed dishware, is a world renowned French institution and an unofficial cultural landmark.

What do you think of these changes?

Ladurée Beverly Hills
311 N. Beverly Drive
Beverly Hills

Ladurée The Grove
189 The Grove Drive
Los Angeles

OOTD: Le Manteau | My Strange Coat Addiction

To be honest, the only thing I truly miss about the winter season—at least in the United States—are the coats. L’hiver—known to the English-speaking world as “winter”—in Europe is rather delightful, especially because of the lack of tourists. But, I digress.

I could live in a coat, even in the summertime, which I essentially did today, given that it’s 75 degrees F in Novembre here in Los Angeles, and will continue to be, probably until summer returns—although did it ever really leave?

Having grown up on the east coast, I still aim to dress with the season, if for no other reason than that I just love fashion.

Un manteau is the ultimate accessory, and this furry topper is a perfect example. A coat can add polish to an elegant ensemble, a touch of whimsy to a playful one, or have a balanced, sobering effect on an otherwise controversial look.

A coat can take on a personality of its own. It can be your best friend, strategically draping itself around your shape to conceal monthly bloat, or it can even be your wing-woman—flung off at just the right moment to make an entrance or to capture someone’s attention from across the room.

A coat can be everything a good outfit needs, and I have to say, I can’t get enough. They hang proudly in my closet like trophies, and like children, I can’t pick a favorite. Warm weather be damned, I will proudly parade them all season long.

Can you guess where this one is from? I’ll give you a hint: I will surely wear this coat Forever!

Les détails linked via LiketoKnow.it.

The Chic American Takes LA Fashion Week

Feeling a little bit fabulous on the red carpet at LAFW.

It was an honor to be invited to sit second row at opening night of LA Fashion Week and see some of the hottest ready-to-wear collections of the year. This Chic Américaine channeled her inner Carrie Bradshaw and got up-close and personal with some serious haute couture—witnessing designs so fresh off the runway that they were, well, still on the runway, in fact.

Taking place on the showroom floor of the Petersen Automotive Museum amid a casual array of Porsches and Ferraris, a dazzling display of fashion kicked off the week-long series of runway shows, including a spectacular closing show by Peruvian visionary Noe Bernacelli, which was followed by a delightful black-tie reception.

Bring on round two!

Peruvian designer Noe Bernacelli closed out the opening night runway show with a stunning 2020 read-to-wear collection..

Q&A | Spotlight on: The Summer of Ludo & Gilles Pop Up

The Summer of Ludo & Gilles pop up dining experience comes to Beverly Hills.
Photo courtesy of the Montage Beverly Hills

The pop-up dining experience trend is really taking off in Los Angeles, and one of the absolute best of the year, hands down, is The Summer of Ludo and Gilles—although I may be biased, given my unabashed affection for the seaside cuisine of the French Riviera.

Nestled inside the charmingly European and picturesque courtyard of the Montage Beverly Hills, this epic culinary collaboration is the brainchild of renowned French restaurateurs Ludo Lefebvre—the producer of many an LA French eatery (including the beloved Trois Mecs in Hollywood) and known to many as America’s French Chef—and Gilles Epié, Culinary Director of the Montage Beverly Hills and known to many as the Original Rock Star Chef. Both have carved illustrious careers, leaving a combined trail of Michelin stars and television stints in their wake since their earlier days together at L’Orangerie in Paris.

In my exclusive Q&A with these two French visionaries below, find out what to expect from the most buzzed-about dining experience of the summer—and be sure to make a reservation before the three-month run ends in late September.

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TCA: What is your idea of the ideal French dining experience, and how is it incorporated into the Ludo & Gilles pop-up?

Chef Gilles: The French appreciate the art of dining, they have a passion for food and they take their time to fully enjoy it. Summer of Ludo & Gilles is like two friends together on vacation, cooking colorful food from the south of France using the freshest California produce. 

Chef Ludo: For me, when I think of the ideal French dining experience, it's with white tablecloths and beautiful china. When I think of my ideal dining experience in the South of France, it’s outside in the garden or near the beach. Summer of Ludo & Gilles incorporates the best of both worlds, with a beautiful setting provided by Montage Beverly Hills but with the simple, delicious food of the South of France.

TCA: Which elements of the South of France specifically served as inspiration for the menu?

Chef Gilles: The cuisine of the South of France features traditional dishes that are influenced by other countries around the Mediterranean Sea. The open-air farmers markets in Los Angeles provide delicious fruits, vegetables, olives, herbs and spices which complement the fish and meat dishes. We simply can’t go wrong with these amazing flavors!

Chef Ludo: The three most important elements of cuisine from the South of France are: fresh, local, farmer's market vegetables, fresh fish, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. We wanted to incorporate all of the wonderful produce and ingredients we can find here in Southern California to utilize them in traditional dishes from the South of France.

TCA: What do you love most about French cuisine and how does it differ from American dining?

Chef Gilles: Dining in France is an experience and there is a wealth of traditional recipes that have been perfected over time. Whether you're at a French cafe, family-owned bistro or elegant restaurant, everyone has an opinion on food. In the U.S., diners enjoy recipes that are innovative and healthy. Americans definitely spend less time at the dining table, I think they should try to enjoy life a little bit more and I hope that our food entices them to do exactly that!

Chef Ludo: French cuisine has a long and rich history rooted in tradition. Every dish has a reason for why and when it is prepared, and there are so many different elements which go into the story behind it. I feel that true American cuisine is influenced by the mix of cultures that live here and it is much more difficult to define because of that.

TCA: In what way does this inspired menu put a unique spin on traditional French fare?

Chef Gilles: This is California and people are watching their figures. I don't cook with butter or heavy sauces. Clients can indulge their culinary passion while eating flavorful and healthy dishes using impeccable ingredients.

Chef Ludo: This menu is actually very traditional and we did not play with the dishes too much. Gilles and I really wanted to share the dishes that we remember from our childhood.

TCA: Which menu item has been most popular so far/ are you most excited to share?

Chef Gilles: The item that is the most popular is definitely the eggs caviar (a dish Ludo and I have been doing since our days at L’Orangerie). But personally the dish that I’m the most excited to share with our clientele is the pissaladière because it’s an authentic dish from Nice and probably something many people have never tried! And of course the Branzino, both Ludo and I created this recipe together, it basically represents everything we love!

Chef Ludo: The hors d’oeuvres cart which comes with 12 different salads and is accompanied by dipping breads has been really popular. Guests also really seem to be enjoying the fish soup as well! My favorite thing on the menu are the grilled prawns with garlic butter and fresh herbs. It's very simple, but so delicious! 

TCA: What do you think is missing from the LA restaurant scene that can be found at Ludo & Gilles?

Chef Gilles: It's the only restaurant in LA with two Michelin-starred chefs creating a truly French fine dining experience together, in a relaxed and beautiful space...We have both cooked for Presidents and movie stars, but we're thrilled to bring our cuisine to food lovers from every walk of life.

Chef Ludo: Our goal with Summer of Ludo & Gilles was to create a space for our guests to experience the South of France without ever leaving LA. I have so many fond memories of my own summers when I was a kid with my family in the South of France and wanted to share that with our guests.

TCA: What makes The Montage the perfect home for this dining experience?

Chef Gilles: Montage Beverly Hills is a world-class hotel with an international discerning clientele. They feel at home here dining on Mediterranean cuisine in a sophisticated atmosphere.

Chef Ludo: Montage Beverly Hills had all the resources I needed, a beautiful kitchen and a great team, to pop-up in their restaurant, plus their location and outdoor courtyard feels like you're in a little village in the South of France - the perfect escape from the hectic life of LA. It was the ideal setting to help transport the guests through both food and the space into the South of France.  

TCA: What do you most hope to accomplish during the run of this pop up?

Chef Gilles: We’d like to put the Summer of Ludo & Gilles on the culinary map! 

Chef Ludo: Most importantly, I want to share my love of this tradition of food with our guests so they can experience something different and new! I hope to give some inspiration to the guests about South of France cuisine so that they travel and create memories of their own.

The Summer of Ludo & Gilles
241 N. Canon Drive
Beverly Hills
310-860-7800

Renowned French chefs Ludo Lefebvre (Left), and Chef Gilles Epié (Right)

Le Grand Gateau | Sylvia Weinstock x Ladurée Wedding Cakes

Le gateau de mariage, as imagined by Sylvia Weinstock for Ladurée.

Photo source: Ladurée.

Affectionately known as The Queen of Cake, Sylvia Weinstock, the grande dame of all things wedding cake chic, has partnered with Ladurée—bringing her signature brand of timeless elegance and creative flair to the famed French franchise in the form of custom specialty cakes pour le mariage.

Having started her baking empire at the ripe young age of 50, the now 89-year-old Brooklyn-based cake maven knows a thing or two about wedding style. Averse to the modern large-scale cake hack known as fondant, Weinstock is a firm believer in crafting her masterpieces with classic butter cream—as is the French way—making her union with the Parisian patisserie perhaps the perfect marriage of all.

“While I closed my New York Studio last year, I continue to be inundated with requests for cakes and recommendations of other bakers,” Weinstock is quoted on the Ladurée site. “In truth, I could not vouch for the quality of any other business than my own – until I met Elisabeth Holder. Elisabeth and Ladurée subscribe to my philosophy of cake: it must not only be artful, but delicious, and made with the best and most natural ingredients in the marketplace. It is an honor to be invited to the Ladurée family by Elisabeth, and I am grateful to now have a place I can proudly recommend to my dear clients and friends for their celebrations.”

Get to know Sylvia Weinstock better here.

Sylvia Weinstock toasting Ladurée Executive Pastry Chef Jimmy Leclerc.

Photo source: Ladurée.