(Gerry Furth-Sides) Ethnic chefs stood out this year even among the curated “best of the new best” showcase at the 2016 Angeleno Magazine’s Live & Dine LA event the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows. It seems that “Inventive dishes from the city’s finest chefs” this year mean inspired and elevating cl...
France’s largest white wine producing region, The Loire Valley, celebrates the 80th anniversary of the Quincy appellation with special wine tasting opportunities at US restaurants. In August of 1936 Quincy was the first Loire Valley appellation to receive an AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée)status – Controll...
71 Palm overlooking the ocean The expert, loving care given 71 Palm Restaurant in Ventura is obvious from the thick herb garden (yes, they use the herbs for cooking) fronting the gloriously restored 1910 Craftsman. At the top of the stairs is a congenial gentleman effortlessly welcoming guests with a huge smile. It is ch...
It’s truffle season, not the candy modeled after the irregular, warty-shaped little gem but the original with it’s very own unique flavor, aroma and story, now served in local restaurants. Natural truffles are black, brown, white or gray. They vary from the size of a walnut to a man’s fist. Bulbs grow from 3 to [&helli...
Heavenly French macarons and rich hot dark chocolate have become the newest form of “cookies and milk” –and more healthy and non-fattening! We’re talking here about the French macaron, not the candy-kiss-shaped coconut meringue cookies, though are made of egg whites and almond paste and got their biggest bo...
Floriane Eznack is the perfect oenologist for the Champagne Jacquart House, arrived in Champagne with the passion to “create wines, not sell them or grow grapes.” Floriane represents the bold company, with a history considerered almost brazen by most standards. The daughter of a diplomat, this young lady’s childho...
Sofitel Wine Days at the Sofitel Los Angeles are currently in progress while it is wine harvesting season in France, with special events running through the month of October. Featured is a wine pairing dinner at Esterel and sampling flights of wine at the bar in the Riviera 31 lounge bar, with platters of French cheese and...
(Gerry Furth-Sides – Los Angeles)Let me introduce you to beautiful dynamo, French-born Chef Josette LeBlond, owner-founder of Normandie Bakery and Bistro. A whirlwind of energy, Josie fits the description of “the Betsy Johnson of the Food World” – effortlessly creative beyond belief as a teen-ager and not sl...
(Gerry Furth-Sides) Whether overseeing their Le Vallauris and Le St. Germain restaurants in Palm Springs, or catering a party of 50 in a landmark home straight up the mountain behind them (as they are here), the Belgian-American Bruggemans family and crews always makes it look and feel easy. Valuable lessons that became second ...
Gerry Furth-Sides 
Barbara Hansen 
Chef-owner Alain Cohen 
Roberta Deen 
Jose Martinez 
Nivedita Basu 