After a trip to the South of France last summer, Chef Pascal Lorange returned to Los Angeles inspired by the produce he sampled in Mougins and Cannes. With the produce he purchases locally from Kenter Canyon Farms in Sun Valley, Lorange marries these fresh items with an assortment of signature olive oils and spices that duplicates the aroma and character of dishes from the South of France, Italy and Spain.

Chef Lorange’s Fall harvest menu offers some exciting dishes that I longed to try. I joined two friends for lunch to experience some of his new appetizers, entrées and desserts.

The restaurant is attractively decorated with a flourishing olive tree dominating the center. Planters of fresh rosemary bushes are sprinkled throughout the room.

We started with a pretty pink flute of Bellenda Rose sparkling wine with notes of strawberry and raspberry.

First, we received slices of Housemade rosemary bread with three small dishes of olive oil for dipping. The mildest olive oil was buttery with fruity notes and a hint of artichoke. The medium flavored oil from Greece was greener tasting. The most assertive tasting oil was from Portugal and offered a slight bitter finish. The restaurant sells nine different oils and infused olive oils too. There are orange, basil, lemon and white truffle oIive oils available to sample and purchase.

The assistant general manager Chris Gonzalez shared a witty description of the bread with oils. “The rosemary bread dipped into one of the olive oils is a culinary equivalent of a hot bath.”

An appetizer of six crostinis that included shrimp, avocado, cilantro and tomato that looked enticing was deliverd to a table near us . We opted to order the 3-course lunch menu offering selections of wonderful soups, salads and appetizers for the first course.

To read the rest of my review, click on this link, courtesy of the Beverly Press http://parklabreanewsbeverlypress.com/news/2012/11/fig-olive-new-fall-harvest-menu-a-taste-of-the-french-riviera/ Published on Nov. 28, 2012.

ROFL is a new creative concept by Chef Govind Armstrong specializing in local California cuisine. Armstrong started his culinary career working for Wolfgang Puck at the iconic Spago’s in West Hollywood.

Later, he became a co-owner and chef at Table 8 in Los Angeles and Miami. Then he opened 8 oz. Burger in Los Angeles and became an overnight sensation when Gayle King from the Oprah show flew 2,000 miles to try Armstrong’s grilled cheese and pulled short rib sandwich at his Melrose Ave. location. Armstrong transformed 8 oz. Burger into the new ROFL Café, which opened in July. Armstrong also is the Executive Chef at Post & Beam in Baldwin Hills.

ROFL stands for Republic of Laughter. The décor is light and bright with green, brown and pastel colors. A bowl of coffee beans sits in the middle of the each table with a little oil lamp in the center allowing the essence of coffee to waft around the room, offering pleasing aromas.

“The idea for ROFL was inspired by the findings of Japanese author and entrepreneur, Masaru Emoto,” shared Sergey D., one of the ROFL managers. “In his book, ‘Hidden Messages in Water,’ Emoto claims that human consciousness has an effect on the molecular structure of water.” High quality water, when frozen, produces beautiful crystals, he said. Emoto believes positive changes to water crystals can be achieved through prayer, music, or by attaching written words.

To read the rest of my review, click on this link http://parklabreanewsbeverlypress.com/news/2012/11/rofl-cafe-making-diners-happy-on-melrose/

Courtesy of the Beverly Press and Park LaBrea News, published 11/21/12.

Asking Price: $1,250,000

Three bedrooms, three bathrooms in 1,764sq.ft

Days on Market: 44

Rare find in Courtney Villas! The only separate house in this much desired 1920′s Spanish five-townhouse complex w/pool. Charming and updated with 2 fabulous private, large outdoor patios each with fountain and fireplace. This spacious end villa has 3 to 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Gracious, large living room with fireplace opens to generous patio with dining room looking out to the other, bring that coveted indoor/outdoor experience. A wonderful sanctuary in Nichols Canyon yet walking distance to all that Hollywood offers.

There is no denying the charm the this complex exudes but with an asking price of $1,250,000, one assigned parking space, no central air conditioning, a kitchen that is in desperate need of a remodel that will bring charm back to the room, keeping it in line with the character of this 1920′s building, and no pictures of the three bathrooms, do you think this home will sell? And if so, how much below asking?

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Listing courtesy of The Agency

For further information on the home above, or any other listing featured on the site, please email RealRealtyLA@Gmail.com

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Asking Price: $1,089,000

Two bedrooms, twoand a half bathrooms in 1,418sq.ft

Days on Market: 1

Beautifully upgraded West Hollywood/ Melrose area Spanish Bungalow with brand new, modern amenities throughout. The open floor plan leads out to a generous outdoor living area, ideal for entertaining or enjoying the evening breeze. Natural light floods the interior revealing Carrera Marble counter tops and professional grade appliances in the kitchen. Oversized windows look out over the lush yard, with hardwood floors throughout and surround sound in every room. Two ample Master Suites, and two and a half bathrooms.

This property just hit the market today and I will be running, not walking, to the first open house. This house is beyond stunning, not only is the location near perfect but every detail in this home seems to be on point. I will be extremely surprised if this house is not in escrow within two weeks at a price over asking. I for one would love to live in a home this beautiful in such a pedestrian friendly part of West Hollywood.

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Listing courtesy of Keller Williams

For further information on the home above, or any other listing featured on the site, please email RealRealtyLA@Gmail.com

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LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Sober living homes are supposed to help people with drug and alcohol addiction, but some critics Wednesday said that they are driving residents out of their neighborhood.

Neighbors in the Melrose area discussed the issue in an emotional town hall meeting Wednesday night.

“You may not like it, but I’m appalled by this. These people have rights,” one man said during a heated moment at the meeting.

At issue was whether sober living homes should be allowed in residential neighborhoods.

“I have a baseball bat by each of my doors because I am fearful one of these people will relapse and come over the fence,” Melrose area resident David Reid said at the meeting.

Many residents argue sober living homes for recovering addicts, like the Stanley House, are a nuisance and drive down property values.

“The value of my house has decreased. A family with young family members will not want to buy a home next to a transient boarding facility, regardless of its well-intentioned nature,” said resident Catherine Finkenspaedt.

“Sober living is a support group; we support each other to stay clean,” said Meir Raddy, who runs Stanley House.

He said that people who live there are not criminals, adding that it is a disciplined, healing environment.

“Everyone gets up at 7 o’clock in the morning, go to a meeting, come back, study, find a job,” Raddy said.

Many residents said that they want sober living homes regulated to require permits just like a business. At the time of this writing they were largely unregulated in California.

“There’s not one person in this room, who could not open a sober living home,” said LAPD Capt. Eric Davis.

The meeting came after four major crimes happened over a four-day period.

The crimes started on May 14 and consisted of a murder, a rape and two armed robberies.

Police said that the crimes were not connected to sober living homes, but many residents said the homes still need to go.

“We will find a way to prevent this from happening in residential neighborhoods, particularly our residential neighborhoods,” Reid said at the meeting.

City leaders said that there would be many more hearings before any regulations would be put into place.

The owner, Bjoern Risse, and his girlfriend Christy, the general manager, opened an authentic German restaurant with a beer garden on Labrea, serving hearty classic, comfort food in a friendly and lively atmosphere.

Long wooden tables and German décor invite guests to relax and enjoy this authentic German pub, serving 35 German beers.

The German Consul, Michael Ott, tapped the restaurant’s first ceremonial keg of traditional Munich Hofbrau beer to kick off Oktoberfest on September 17. The party continues for the next two weekends.

Click here to continue reading my review courtesy of the Beverly Press and published on Sept. 29, 2011via Eins, Zwei….G’Suffa! One, Two…Cheers for Wirsthaus.

(Read the article by clicking on via M Café.) Courtesy of the Beverly Press / Park LaBrea News. Published on June 30, 2011.

Fun is a good description of Blu Jam. Read the rest of the review via Blu Jam Caf.

 Courtesy of the Beverly Press/Park LaBrea News and published on 6/2/11

After watching Chef Mark Peel win a cooking challenge, I was eager to try his restaurant Tar Pit on La Brea Ave. From the outside it lacks curb appeal. Inside it has a 1940s Hollywood glamour supper club feel with its Art Deco ironwork separating the beige banquettes.

As a native Californian, Peel worked in a series of kitchen jobs in high school and enrolled into the hotel and restaurant program at Cal Polytechnic University in Pomona. While in college, he landed a job with Wolfgang Puck peeling vegetables at Ma Maison. Later, he became the sous chef at Michael McCarty’s restaurant, Michael’s in Santa Monica. While working with McCarty, Peel met and later married the pastry chef, Nancy Silverton.

With an opportunity to work with Puck again, he became the original head chef at Spago in 1982. Years later, Peel and Silverton opened La Brea Bakery and Campanile restaurant on La Brea Ave. just a few blocks south of Tar Pit.

Not in a drinking mood, we forgo the amusing cocktail list. The cocktails are arranged on the menu by categories: More tart than sweet, Crushed, A little Adventure and Spirited & Direct. Like other high end bars in Los Angeles, the bartender squeezes fresh fruit juice into the glass, has a variety of housemade simple syrups, good bitters and charges $12. There are no draft beers on tap, however Peel has a limited selection of great beers in bottles for $6.

Glancing at the whimsically designed one page food menu, I noticed a lot of fun dishes and light meals. Pickled deviled eggs with bacon, fried oysters with crisp ginger and preserved lemon remoulade, and macaroni and cheese with Gruyere, cheddar, mozzarella and Parmesan.

We ordered the crab salad with large lumps of blue crab, sliced fingerling potatoes, diced roasted red peppers, celery, chervil, chives and tossed lightly with a subtle saffron dressing. It was scrumptious.

Next, arrived juicy duck confit sliders with crisp little cracklings rendered from the duck meat after roasting and topped with an orange gastrique to add a citrus flavor to the meat. They were presented with a small frisee salad on the side.  Still a tad hungry we noticed almost every table had a heaping plate of Tar Pit fries, so we ordered one to see what the buzz was about. Crisp on the outside and tender inside, the potatoes are sprinkled with a spicy lemon salt, although I couldn’t taste the lemon, especially after dipping the fries into the heavenly housemade garlic aioli.

Why did Peel name his restaurant Tar Pit?  Our server explained that he was inspired to name the restaurant after watching the movie “My Man Godfrey,” with William Powell as Godfrey. Godfrey, a down and out man in the beginning, opens a fabulous bar at the end of the movie called, The Dump. Its location is at the exact spot where he was discovered in the beginning of the movie.

Peel seems to have good luck with his restaurants on La Brea Ave. He spends half his time at his successful Campanile and the other half at Tar Pit. He is very hands on. While we were at Tar Pit, the ice machine broke down. Peel arrived quickly to keep the restaurant running smoothly while the machine was being repaired.

We finished our meal with two desserts. Fortunately, they weren’t huge. The apple tart tatin arrived with sliced apples, kiwi fruit, spiced walnuts, puff pastry with a generous dollop of whipped crème fraiche and embellished with caramel.  My favorite was the chocolate caramel tart with little scoops of bitters and orange ice cream bathed in chocolate sauce.

As we paid our bill, we were invited to come back on Sunday evening to hear the live rock/blues band, Vintage Trouble. Their influence is Ray Charles, Prince, Ike & Tina and The Rolling Stones. The band starts playing at 9 p.m. Check the Tar Pit website to see the band’s monthly schedule. On Mondays, Peel has a burlesque show that begins at 9:30 p.m. 

With an affordable menu and live entertainment, I can see why this elegant supper club is packed with people nightly. Open for dinner and late night dining from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Happy Hour begins at 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. 609 N. La Brea Ave., (323)965-1300. $-$$ http://tarpitbar.squarespace.com

In 1984 a young and handsome Frenchman, Thierry Hennequin was on his way to Australia from France. He decided to see some the sights in Los Angeles during a stopover, and wandered into Michel Richard. Thierry never made it to Sydney.  Instead he stayed in Los Angeles, worked at Michel Richard, and later married Huguette.

Michel Richard taught them both all of his secret recipes to make his famous pastries, preparing them to one day take over his successful café, so he could open Citrus on Melrose near Highland. 

With rising rents at their Robertson location, Huguette and Thierry recently found a site off N. Stanley and Melrose Ave. They rolled up their sleeves, leased a failed kosher restaurant, remodeled the interior, and placed a big banner on Robertson to tell all of their faithful patrons about their new location. They named their restaurant Maison Richard. Maison means home in French. Thierry shared, “our new café is a ‘home away from home’ for others, just like Michel Richard was for us. “We have brought items from our own home, to give it a cozier feel,” shared Thierry.  “We have a 65% retention of clients and are hoping to attract Hollywood, Park La Brea, West Hollywood and Hancock Park patrons,” said Thierry with a smile. “Right now we spend more time at our café, than we do at our home in the Hollywood Hills.”

The restaurant is not pretentious; it’s a comfortable and casual garden café that serves bona fide French cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Guests can bring their dog, as if in Paris, and sit at the outside patio with a pond filled with brightly orange fish.

I was eager to bring my husband to Maison Richard last Saturday night.  He adores French food and pastries.  Unfortunately, he is usually disappointed with most of the “French” bakeries and cafes in Southern California.  His palate can distinguish an authentic Napoleon, raisin roll and apricot tart. 

While sipping my kir royal, I noticed guests speaking French with a sprinkling of English on the garden patio.  Also a warm smile and kiss on each cheek was a popular greeting.

We ordered the asparagus salad with chubby and long light green stalks next to a bed of baby greens and tomatoes in a pure vinaigrette dressing. The salmon arrived with a red tomato Provencale sauce and a zucchini, tomato and potato gratin next to freshly cooked green beans with a hint of garlic.

We also selected the Salade Nicoise with tuna, potato cubes, thinly sliced sweet onions, string beans, tomatoes, olives and anchovies on a bed of greens and a subtle vinaigrette dressing.  It brought back fond memories of our recent trip to Cannes.

For dessert, we sampled six different pastries.  For my husband this was the true test if he would return again.  We started with a bite of the opera cake filled with espresso and real French chocolate. My husband was very pleased. Next, we bit into a Napoleon with its layers of flaky puff pastry custard and caramel. I pierced a sweet bright red strawberry from a tart and popped it into my mouth, then cut into the almond paste crust.  Pure joy!  The lemon tart filled with luscious lemon cream and meringue was heavenly.

As we said goodbye, I was in such a jubilant mood that I shook Thierry and Huguette’s hand and then kissed them on each cheek. Finally, we have a French café close to us that we can frequent often when we yearn for true French hospitality, food, and sweet treats. 

This coming Saturday, visit Maison Richard between 10am to 4pm or while supplies last, for a free sample of their famous pumpkin pie. This is not a traditional pumpkin pie. This pie has a roasted hazelnut crust, then a layer of pumpkin mousse, and a thin coating of whipped cream. It’s decorated with walnuts, whipped cream flowers. and topped with a chocolate medallion.

  707 N. Stanley Ave. (323)655-7777.  Park LaBrea News/Beverly Press – November18, 2010

via A True Taste of Paris.

I asked Chef Andrea how he got involved with Melrose Avenue School.  “I was invited to the White House last June along with other chefs from across America to meet with First Lady Michelle Obama,” he said with a smile.  “She kicked-off a new program, Chefs Move to Schools, which is part of the Let’s Move initiative to fight childhood obesity,” shared Chef Andrea in a melodic Italian accent.  The First Lady’s goal is by implementing this program, school breakfast and lunch programs will improve, and families will appreciate nutritious and healthy cooking. Who better to work with parents and school staff to teach children about nutrition than a world-class chef?  An adorable fourth grade girl walked up to Chef Andrea and handed him her journal.  She told him that she wants to be a chef when she grows up, because of him.  She then showed him a picture of a vegetable she drew and she asked, “How would you cook this chef?” He responded with “ You could steam or braise it.” With a perplexed look on her face she said, “What does braise mean?”  Chef Andrea crouched down to her level and explained the cooking technique that softens the vegetable and preserves the vitamins.

One week later, I went to Cecconi’s for dinner to observe Chef Andrea in his element.  Located on the corner of Robertson Blvd. and Melrose Ave., this site has had an illustrious past.  It was once Trump’s and then Morton’s.  Walking into the classic Italian restaurant we noticed the romantic outdoor patio area and then the centerpiece bar.  The bar is a replica of the one at Cecconi’s in London.  Enzo Cecconi opened his restaurant in the Mayfair area in 1978. It instantly became the late night, after-theater destination for the rich, talented, and royalty.  Madonna discovered Cecconi’s and is a regular guest. Model Kate Moss, and actors Sienna Miller and Jude Law also frequent this A-list dining establishment.  Chef Andrea became a celebrated chef with his beef carpaccio, pinched ravioli, baked gnocchi and Cichetti (Italian Tapas).

As we sat down, we gazed at the cocktail menu and ordered a pumpkin margarita and a traditional Italian, Casa Negroni.  Both were terrific cocktails to begin our dining adventure.  Chef Andrea stopped by our table with a warm hug, and said that he would prepare a special meal so we could sample some of the restaurant’s favorite dishes.

While soaking in the atmosphere, Janine Giesick, one of the restaurant manager’s, shared with us that she and Chef Andrea both worked in London together before flying across the Atlantic to open the West Hollywood restaurant in 2009.

“Many of their patrons from London visit when in Los Angeles. The Duchess of York had dinner the night before and Sharon Osbourne dined here last week,” revealed Janine. 

We learned that Chef Andrea enjoys cooking many of the items in a wood-oven with olive wood. The wood-oven baked meatballs came out first.  Dense and small, these meatballs were full of delightful flavors. Then, the grilled octopus with lemon, capers, thin celery stalks, tiny Italian olives, and heirloom cherry tomatoes with a drizzle of chili oil appeared.  The five-inch-long octopus legs were tender and superb tasting. The octopus bathed in white wine before it was grilled to perfection. I will declare this the best octopus dish in Los Angeles.

The baked gnocchi “Romana” Gorgonzola is rich and creamy, while the wood-oven scallops and pancetta speared with rosemary branches was divine.  I ordered a Summerland “Fiddlestix” Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008 that accompanied the appetizers nicely.

When the Kobe beef tartare arrived, I noticed a cracked quail egg on top with yolk trickling onto the beef.  The British couple sitting next to us commented on the presentation and decided to order it.  When I shared with them my adoration for the octopus dish, they ordered that too. 

This is a restaurant where the final bill can be high, because of the black truffle dishes. Cecconi’s is the proud owner of the largest Truffle in town.  They have a great connection with one of the best truffle distributors. Our waitress, Nicole informed us that the three truffle appetizer specials were each $96.  The cauliflower soup with black truffle is $20 and the goat cheese pizza with black truffle is $40.  Without truffles, most appetizers are between $12 to $18, pasta dishes range from $14 to $22 and entrees begin around $24.

Save room for the desserts, because Monica creates an outstanding Chocolate Fondant with pistachio gelato and a baked ricotta cheesecake with fresh blueberry preserves.

Cecconi’s will be open Thanksgiving Day from 8am to 9pm serving specials such as butternut squash tortelli with amaretti crumble, parmigiano, butter and sage and venison medallions with sherry wine and morel sauce.

As we were about to leave, I noticed a gorgeous Damien Hirst (popular English artist, entrepreneur and art collector) art piece of a big red heart. Nicole said it’s worth approximately 1.5 million pounds.  While looking at the beautiful and colorful artwork, it reminded me of Chef Andrea.  He is a chef with a big heart and soul.  When he is not in Cecconi’s in Los Angeles, he is either at the Melrose Avenue School picking herbs with the students and creating a healthy lunch for them or flying to Miami Beach to supervise the newly opened Cecconi’s in the Soho House, next to the famous Fontainebleau. He is young, handsome, and full of energy. Of all the chefs in Los Angeles, Michelle Obama invited him to implement her new Chefs Move to Schools program.  Chef Andrea definitely has my vote. 8764 Melrose Avenue. (310)432-2000.