Valentine’s Day

New, creative French-inspired St.Valentine’s Day ethnic celebrations range from renowned Chef Kimmy Tang’s California-inspired French-Vietnamese and Chef Alain Cohen’s refined French-Tunisian to Chef Olivier Rouselle’s international-inspired Parisian French menu. After all, isn’t French the “language of love?”

Chef Kimmy Tang

Personal French themes run through all of these celebratory meals across the city.  Chef-owner Kimmy Tang’s Vietnamese Bistro Mon Cheri is in Pasadena.  The Pico-Robertson neighborhood houses Chef-owner Alain Cohen’s  Sephardic French-Tunisian Got Kosher? (aka Harissa Restaurant as of March 1, 2018).  Executive Chef Olivier Rouselle has headed the kitchen for years at On Sunset Restaurant at the tucked away treasure, Luxe Sunset Hotel in Bel-Air.

The talented, irrepressible Kimmy Tang invites her guests to her intimate  Valentine’s Day at cozy, bright Bistro Mon Cheri.  The sophisticated menu reflects her cosmopolitan background.  Born in Vietnam and a world traveler, the talented and exuberant chef has even started in a cooking show in Rumania.  The Bistro Mon Cheri name honors one of Kimmy’s favorite, well known French restaurants in Vietnam.  For more information please see: //la.eater.com/2017/5/11/15613104/bistro-mon-cheri-pasadena-kimmy-tang-opening

The light, refreshing dishes feature her usual California flair to them.  The price is also a refined $35 per person.

Chef Kimmy’s  California-inspired Vietnamese menu includes Starters:  Crab Wontons served with Avocado Aioli; Beef Sausage wrapped with Mozzarella Cheese, and Fish Dumpling served with Spicy Soy.   Spicy Shrimp Corn Chowder or a Shrimp, Carrot, Cucumber Noodles on Crispy Rice are the choices for the Soup or Salad course.   The Main Courses include, Baked De-Boned Gem Hen served with Gourmet Rice; Grilled Argentinian Shrimp served with Cilantro Garlic Quinoa, or Lightly Fried Pork Steak served with Coconut Rice.   “Dessert of course!” here includes either a Coconut with Strawberry or a Coffee Panna Cotta.

Bistro Mon Cheri is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., then 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. from Monday to Thursday. Hours extend to 9:30 p.m. on Friday to Saturday. Closed Sundays.

Signature favorites will still highlight HARISSA RESTAURANT’s new expanded California-inspired menu reflecting the vibrant “sun-cuisine” heritage of Cohen. Born in Tunisia and raised in Paris, France, he worked in his father’s kosher Tunisian restaurant, Les Ailes (The Wings) from the age of nine.  Success came early to the innovator when, his refined French-Tunisian menu turned the restaurant into an overnight sensation, later becoming a Paris landmark.  Chef Cohen is the creative force behind the famous pretzel challah.  He is now becoming as well known for his gourmet Sephardic cuisine “with heart” (and just enough heat), and that just happens to be kosher.

For information on Chef Alain Cohen, please see our post on this congenial innovator known as the “Tunisian epicurean”, here with daughter Sophy at the restaurant.

Who is Alain Cohen and Why he offers Kosher – with no apologies

The Valentine’s Day menu at On Sunset Restaurant created by Luxe Hotels Executive Chef, Olivier Rousselle is an extravagant, French-inspired  5-course meal offered for $68 per person.  World-class chef Rousselle, whose culinary experience spans three continents, is known for his exquisite menus that showcase seasonal California fare.

Personable Chef Olivier, originally from Paris, has family ties that are rooted in the Bordeaux region. His formal culinary studies began at the age of 16 in Paris with an externship in Gascony under the tutorship of famed chefs Bernard Ramouneda and Andre Daguin. Upon graduation, he was immersed in the fast-paced environment of a traditional French Brasserie in Paris.

The elegant dining room at the Luxe Sunset Hotel (photo courtesy of the Luxe Sunset Hotel)

A toast of Luxe Champagne Cocktail

Champagne at the LUXE SUNSET HOTEL (photo courtesy of Luxe Sunset Hotel)

Amuse-Bouche

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Choice of one in each course:

Maine Lobster Salad with Orange Vinaigrette                                                     Boston Lettuce, Blood Orange Segments, Peruvian Purple Potatoes,                                Avocado and Chives

Peruvian purple potatoes provide a unique change of color in the Maine Lobster Salad at On Sunset Restaurant (photo courtesy of Luxe Hotel)

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Seared Maine Scallop                                                                                                Cauliflower Purée, Sage-Pine Nuts Beurre Blanc

Sauteed Foie Gras with Brioche                                                                            Persimmon Chutney, Petite Walnut Salad

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Filet Mignon Tournedos                                                                                                 Truffled potato Puree, Haricot vert, Port reduction                            

Seared Ahi Tuna                                                                                                                  Ginger-Carrot Mashed, Sesame Spinach, Saké Jus

Sake just adds a subtle Japanese kick to the Seared Ahi Tuna at ON SUNSET  (photo courtesy of Luxe Hotel)

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Valhrona Chocolate Fudge Cake                                                                                   Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Cocoa Sauce

Raspberry Panna Cotta                                                                                                          Red Coulis and Lavender Tuile

 Coffee or Artisan Tea

The room with a view from the Luxe Sunset Hotel (photo courtesy of the Luxe Sunset Hotel)