Heure d'or | Golden Hour in FRNCH

It’s no secret that I love working with French brands, and one of my absolute favorites right now is the US outpost of the aptly titled Parisian brand FRNCH— pronounced like, well, “French.” You may remember ce marque from the pretty little polka-dot number I debuted earlier this summer.

Parisian Brand FRNCH

Based in the third arrondissement of Paris, this dreamy collection of ready-to-wear feminine frocks perfectly captures the unpretentious simplicity and minimalist sophistication that defines French Girl style.

Exhibit A: Meet the Alika dress (above).

This golden-hued maxi moves with the fluidity of melted Provençal butter, and somehow manages to be simultaneously both subtle and a standout—the very paradox that makes a French Girl so intoxicating.

This stunner evoked reactions ranging from elegant “Beauty and the Beast vibes” to comparisons with Beyonce’s iconic Lemonade video—also known as the height of Sasha Fierce boldness. With adjustable straps and a hidden snap to create a more modest décolletage, every detail of this classic wrap style is designed to perfectly flatter any female form and evoke the authenticity of une vrai française.

Shop the Spring/Summer 2020 collection here.

FRNCH US
@frnch_us

OOTD: Le Workout en Blanche

It’s Monday, and I’m starting la semaine off right with some mind and body work in this gorgeous set from Pretty Little Thing.

There’s something about an all-white ensemble that really says “summer” to me, and there’s something about a matching set that just really gets me in the mood to work out.

Gyms are still closed, the closest I can get to my beloved Hot Pilates is through a computer screen, and some days my longest walk is to the mailbox, so any motivation to work out these days is a win in my book!

Bon lundi et bonne journée mes amours.

Dimanche | Another Cozy Sunday in BooHoo

Another Sunday during these strange summer days of semi-quarantine can only mean one thing: more cozy loungewear is a must. In fact, one could make the argument that comfy loungewear sets have become an unofficial essential item these days, along with toilet paper and hand sanitizer. By being forced to spend so much time at home, buying them is practically a government order. At least that’s what I tell myself each time I type in my credit card info. Too far?

This fuzzy knit co-ord set from BooHoo, one of the UK’s fast fashion favorites, with its slouchy off-the-shoulder style and high-waist shorts is like wearing a throw blanket that’s been strategically altered to showcase the highlight reel that is your body’s best features.

Click here to shop.

J'adore du Jour | Staying Organized with Carrie & Co.

The dreamiest Dream Book from Carrie & Co.

I’ve never claimed to be the most organized person in the world. Or even my neighborhood, for that matter. As much as I enjoy it, personal organization is something that is just a constant practice pour moi, and I’ve made my peace with that.

If organization is a muscle to be trained, then it’s time meet your new gym. Carrie & Co. is a line of planners, notebooks, pens, and other tools to complete the arsenal of any seasoned organizer. Designed by Carrie Green, founder of The Female Entrepreneur Association, British newly-minted mum of two, and author of the fabulous businesswoman’s guide to success, She Means Business, these Perfectly Planned pieces are pretty, polished, and professional—just as any businesswoman should also be.

Besides being aesthetically lust-worthy on the outside, they’re sprinkled on the inside with helpful prompts, motivational quotes, and thought-provoking questions to conjure the clarity needed to sharpen big dreams and jumbled thoughts into focus, turn goals into action steps, and intentional manifestations into reality.

Click here to shop the newly dropped 2021 collection—because it’s safe to assume that by now, we’re all pretty done with 2020.

Samedi Soirée | A rendezvous at The Classic Cat

Samedi Soiree

A rendezvous at The Classic Cat

A rendezvous at The Classic Cat

What began as a classic Covid Saturday night (read: boring) evolved into the very evening this old soul has been craving: celebrating the soft opening of The Classic Cat and chatting with with the masterminds behind what is surely to become one of the latest and greatest hot spots—no, not the pandemic kind of “hot spot,” the GOOD kind—in West Hollywood, if not LA in general.

Hidden behind an unassuming and deliberately unremarkable entrance on the gritty block shared with Sunset strip fixtures like The Viper Room, and Whiskey a Go-Go, what the Cat lacks in glamour on the outside, it makes up for in spades on the inside. Built for the in-crowd subset that’s a little too Ratpack for the typical in-crowd places, it’s slightly reminiscent of fellow WeHo nightspot Delilah—but if you’ve ever found yourself wishing for a similar vibe with a little more bottle service and a little less elbow-rubbing, you’ve come to the right place.

This new spot on the rock block, with its blend of florid Tropicana decor and lush Art Deco vibes—think classic velvet banquettes, palm fronds galore, and feather boa chandeliers—is a reimagining of the classic supper club of yore (aka the 1950s and 60s) once preferred by Hollywood royalty, where the brightest stars of Tinseltown collided with the Las Vegas jet-set and the underground elite alike.

As it stands with current Covid-era compliant restrictions, an imaginative menu of dinner and cocktails is served under a deceptively open-air ceiling, and a virtual deejay spins away on a screen until live music of varying genres will be allowed to entertain during the supper portion of the evenings.

In the post-Covid era, come 11:00 pm, club music will take over, as will as the bottle service crowd.

Just the kind of vibe you’d expect from a place bold enough to launch during the second wave of what will forever be known as the Corona era. 

The Classic Cat
8830 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
424-377-4078
Reservation Only
@theclassiccatla

La Glace | An ice cream trifecta of rose, lavender, and pistachio perfection.

Belle Vie: Life is Beautiful on the West Side

One of the west side’s not-so-hidden gems, Belle Vie Food + Wine combines the charming authenticity and warm hospitality of a Parisian brasserie with a hip, eclectic menu that puts an LA spin on traditional French gastronomie.

Having opened more than six restaurants in Paris, Gordon Ramsey-trained chef Cédric Nicolas has designed a menu with more than just the traditional Croque Monsieur and charcuterie plates one would expect from a French bistro—although those staples are alive and well. Think grilled duck steak and eggs with a surprising honey and chipotle sauce, or ratatouille with homemade chorizo. Or my personal favorite, deviled eggs with whipped harissa, scallions, aoili, and chive garnish, served on traditional yet somehow whimsical blue and white china plates. Water served in vintage milk jars.

Owned and operated by bonified Frenchman and sommelier Vincent Samarco, it’s nearly impossible to tell the difference between newcomers and seasoned regulars that walk through the door as everyone is given the same friendly neighborhood treatment.

Warm and magnanimous, Sanmarco greets everyone, periodically popping out from behind the bar and clearing off a marble high top or a red leather half-moon banquette booth seat, finding a place for anyone who crosses the threshold—even on a particularly crowded Thursday night when a piano player sets up shop, clanging out old classics to the patrons’ delight.

Take a tour of your new neighborhood spot, below.

Belle Vie Food + Wine
11916 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025

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