Petrossian Paris Restaurant & Boutique

"You are an artist, a philosopher, a daydreamer. Your friends have told you before you seem to have been born in the wrong era, and they’re right. You want to live a life of passion and vigor, filled with good wine, great coffee, and world-class food. Bon voyage, you belong in Paris!" - BuzzFeed Travel Quiz

Although my subconscious yearns for a midnight stroll along the Seine river in Paris, I must escape my thoughts for a moment and accept that I am in the Paris of the West.  Los Angeles, which is equally known for its entertainment, cuisine and fashion culture, is home to Petrossian - a restaurant which can rival even the finest French haute cuisine.  Known best for their assorted varieties of caviar, I went to Petrossian to embark on a three course journey through Parisian delicacies.  

While I sampled all of the dishes, please note the prix fixe menu provided during restaurant week encompassed three dishes: appetizer, entree and dessert.  

Prix Fixe $45.00

Caviar Salad

butter lettuce, shaved egg, shallots, lemon, dill, crème fraîche

comments: slighty salty; appetizing to stronger palettes

Cauliflower Soup

white truffle oil, brioche, leeks

comments: creamy and savory; wonderful alternative to onion soup

Mediterranean Sea Bass

artichokes, leeks, celery, capers, caviar

comments: small portion; celery should be replaced with a starch

Wild Mushrooms Tagliatelle

chestnut, rosemary, parmesan

comments: pasta is made fresh and cooked al dente;

variety of mushrooms makes for an excellent dish

Persimmon Cake

carrot, ginger, pistachios, pecan, basil

comments: reminiscent of carrot cake;

airs on the side of dry

Chocolate

milk chocolate, white chocolate, coffee

comments: for the chocolate lovers at heart

The service in addition to the high quality food made for a 5 star experience.  If you have time, use your time to peruse the boutique shops along Robertson Blvd. for a fulfilling experience of your midnight in Paris.

Madlon's of Big Bear

When it comes to a romantic cabin getaway in Big Bear, you hope the stars align to give you frosty winter nights and a room with a crackling fireplace.  You anticipate the slopes are heavy with powdered (albeit, man-made) snow, and the ski chalet down below offers steaming hot chocolate and savory sugar donuts.  As your day commences, and your night hibernating within the hot tub begins, your body hungers for an extravagant meal to compliment your day within the winter wonderland.  Although the snow may be rubbish, save yourself a trip to a fast food restaurant and enjoy the elegant offerings of Madlon's in Big Bear.

Inspired by French Country cuisine, Madlon's offers a distinct variety of quality entrees among a flurry of diners and sports bars.  Given that I was in Big Bear during New Year's Eve, my husband and I decided to splurge for a decadent 5-course meal to welcome 2014.  For $50 each, we enjoyed an appetizer, soup, salad, entree and dessert.    Considering the quality and the amount of food we had, this was a steal.  I know for a fact any high-end restaurant in LA would have been double for NYE.

Each course highlighted a different flavor profile, and showcased the raw talent of the cordon-blue trained chefs.  True to French cuisine, the dishes were often coated in creme-based sauces, which can air on the side of heavy and excessive.  But in true spirit of decadence, it was c'était magnifique! That, coupled with outstanding service, made our meal quite the night to remember.

Amuse Bouche

a complimentary bite-size appetizer to entertain the mouth

Escargots au Pistou

sauteed snails in a rich pesto sauce with puff pastry

Soupe à l'Oignon

onion soup served gratinéed with crouton and cheese

Salade de Chèvre Chaud

goat cheese salad tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette

Lobster Thermidor

lobster inspired casserole with mashed potatoes

La Bête Noire

flourless chocolate cake drizzled in raspberry sauce