Bouchon is the Winner of the Baguette Battle at the Sofitel LA

Photo by EDLT Photography

“How can you tell good bread is without tasting it?  Not the smell, not the look, but the sound of the crust.  Listen.  (Bread crackles) Oh, symphony of crackle.”

--Colette, Ratatouille 

 

Photo by EDLT Photography

We at Edible Skinny were recovering from our time at Burning Man (more on that later!!!) so we unfortunately missed the Baguette Battle LA 2016.  But we are delighted to announce the winner of Los Angeles’ evening of discovery of the city’s best baguette was François Hiegel of Bouchon, who has now become the official bread sponsor of Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills!

After two successful editions in New York and Miami, hundreds of Francophiles and Fine Cuisine lovers gathered this time in Los Angeles for the Baguette Battle, an evening focusing on crispy bread that crackles like a symphony. 

Sponsored by Norwegian, Île de France, Cacao Noël & Château d'Esclans, the finalists of French Morning’s readers’ poll went head-to-ahead at Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills.   The coveted title of Best Baguette in Los Angeles had nine of LA’s best bakers competing for diplomas and include bakers from Bouchon (the winner), Boulangerie de Paris, Bread Lounge, Clark Street Bread, Figaro, Frogs Organic Bakery, Larder Baking Co., Pitchoun and Porto's Bakery.

Photo by EDLT Photography

Audience members from the event interacted with the bakers in the fashionably elegant Beverly Ballroom at Sofitel Los Angeles, which had been transformed into an expansive boulangerie with baguettes and breads of all sizes and flavors along with numerous options of French wine and cheese.  Event-goers were able to follow the jury's deliberations by tasting all the baguettes and breads as this Francophile evening unfurled.

Throughout the evening, seven judges had the difficult task of deciding the winners of a fiercely contested battle expertly set up for a blind taste test that judged each entry on six specific criteria, including flavor and the structure of the baguette.

French Consulate Christophe Lemoine had the honor of announcing the overall Grand Prix Award to François Hiegel of Bouchon to become the official bread provider for the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills.  Antoine Winckler, Hotel Manager of Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, awarded Ran Zimon of Bread Lounge the diploma for Specialty Bread.

Photo by EDLT Photography

Sofitel Los Angeles and French Morning’s collaboration for the event embraces a deep commitment to inspiring guests and the community with French art de vivre and Gastronomy.  Additionally, the initiative represents Sofitel Los Angeles’s commitment to culturally unique experiences that reflect the brand’s founding pillars: French Culture, Gastronomy and Design.

So here’s to life being delicious, symphonies of bread crackles, and finally being able to take that perfect baguette bite.

Photo by EDLT Photography

Easter Brunch: Savor in Springtime

Easter Brunch: Savor in Springtime

By Kelly Grace Thomas 

While Easter can have many different meanings for many different people, for Edible Skinny it has always comes down to two things: pretty dresses and fabulous brunches!

Each year we lick our lips in anticipation as we look for the perfect restaurant, that offers the perfect menu, for the perfect brunch. We seek out the perfect sundress, to wear on the perfect patio to enjoy in the perfect springtime weather. To us Easter is perfect; it is about relaxation, it is about luxury. It is a time to acknowledge a change of the seasons and a lightening of the load of life.  Easter is the perfect time to foster your inner foodie, sit back and enjoy; and what better place to do exactly that than the Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. This Easter Sofitel’s restaurant, Esterel, will be serving a mouthwatering prix fixe brunch, offering a blend of traditional and creative choices accompanied by a soft jazz music, to set the perfect scene.

        

Esterel's popular Easter Jazz Brunch prix fixe menu offers more than just a brunch, it is a dining experience. Patrons will be greeted by the music of the Miles Davis Jazz Quartet, as they sip bottomless mimosa, and sink into the exhale of relaxation. Because one thing is sure, Esterel knows how to pamper its patrons. But not everything at brunch will be as breezy; this Easter Brunch will require some difficult, but delicious decisions. Each of Esterel’s four menu options are equally scrumptious, elegantly delectable and health and flavor-focused. All of the dishes are created with organic ingredients, cage-free eggs and consciously raised meats. Diners will begin their brunch with an Amuse Bouche to open up the palate; this course offers a traditional Deviled Egg served with local caviar. Next appetizers will range from an offering of Wheat Berry Salad, with pickled strawberries and pistachio; Wild Caught Salmon and Crips served with goat cheese and tomato jam or Spring Vegetable Succotash with Anson Mills grits and Point Reyes Toma. And that’s just the beginning.

Esterel’s main courses are an exploration of culinary creativity and complexity. These dishes offer a rare, rich and robust statement that showcases the talent of Esterel’s new Executive Chef, Victor Boroda. For their main course, diners will need to choose between the following: Grass Fed Short Rib and Hash, made with Weiser Farm potatoes and fried eggs; Maine Lobster Benedict which includes Maine Lobster, sautéed spinach, béarnaise, and poached eggs; Mushroom Benedict served with braised market greens, Weiser Farms Hash, mornay and poached eggs; Grass Fed Steak and Eggs made with grass fed New York steak, truffled potato puree, fried farm egg and bordelaise. And for those tables who love savory, but also want to tickle their sweet tooth, patrons can add on an order of fluffy Buttermilk Spelt Pancakes, served with Harry’s Berries, honeycomb whipped butter, pecans vadouvan and maple syrup. And no ending is complete without a little something sweet, as a finishing note Esterel will offer selections from their table pastry cart. Esterel’s brunch is priced at $75, tax and tip not included.  See menu attached. For reservations call (310) 358-3979 or visit http://www.esterelrestaurant.com/.

While Esterel and their delightful dishes is Edible Skinny’s local Los Angeles pick for Easter Brunch, we know many of our readers are jet setting during this very popular travel time. For those visiting the East Coast, Edible Skinny also recommends the Mandarin Boston and Atlanta. In Boston, Bar Boulud the hotel’s French style Bistro will offer some of Chef de Cuisine Aaron Chamber’s best. Their three-course prix-fixe will feature Soupe de Carottes, Dégustation de Charcuterie chef’s selection of pâtés and terrines, and Pain Perdu brioche French toast served, Coconut Torte served with toasted coconut, ricotta mousse and a pineapple sorbet. 

Easter Brunch will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $55 for adults and $25 for children. For Reservations call Bar Boulud at (617) 535 8800 or visit www.barboulud.com/boston.

For those in the Atlanta area, be sure to visit the Mandarin Oriental Atlanta’s grand Easter celebration, which will include a decadent offering as well as outdoor activities and family fun. This years menu incudes locally grown selected Georgia products such as Berkshire Pork with garlic stud, Muddy Pond sorghum bourbon glaze and Sautéed North Georgia Mountain Blue Trout with handpicked green beans, slivered almonds and herb brown butter, as well as freshly baked cinnamon rolls, banana bread and croissants. Sounds like some divine Southern Cooking.

And for those little ones, in Atlanta, the hotel will be hosting a petting zoo, which will feature some hoppy and hairy friends, an Easter Bunny appearance and an elaborate egg hunt through the hotel’s beautiful gardens. This celebration also includes some grand prizes for adults to enjoy. Winners could receive a one night’s stay at Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta with dinner for two, a luxurious spa treatment, and Sunday Brunch in the Café & Bar. Easter Brunch is from 11:30am to 3:00pm. The cost is $80 per person including one Mimosa and $40 for children ages 6 to 12. Children under 6 years old are complimentary. For reservations, call (404) 995 7545 or email http://www.mandarinoriental.com/atlanta.

Edible Skinny is wishing all our readers a safe and savory holiday, with delectable dining and elegant options. As always, hope life is delicious.

The Thomas Gals Gives Thanks @ Estérel

 The Thomas Gals were enveloped in Mediterranean luxury and lifestyle this Thanksgiving; talk about a reason to be grateful!

Pecan Crusted Scallops

On that special third Thursday in November, Kelly and I dined at Estérel, a contemporary French restaurant at Sofitel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills.   Named after the mountains in southeast France that overlook the sea, Estérel entices with an innovative menu that captures the unique flavors of the region.

Fennel Goat Cheese Salad

We chose the classic French way to celebrate all our blessings: with a glass of wine.  And our vino of choice: Burgundy.  The Seeker is a classic Burgundy, aka Pinot Noir, full of smooth earthiness with hints of black cherry.  

Carving Tableside

And then it was onto the feast!  Kelly started with Pecan Crusted Seared Scallops with sage brown butter, sun choke puree, chestnuts, and brussel sprouts.   She noted the sizable scallops were firm yet delicate with just an essence of sesame.  The brussel sprouts supported this fragileness with a grassy contrast while the chestnuts rounded the dish out.

I, on the other hand, went with the Fennel Goat Cheese Salad comprised of Laura Chenel fennel fresh goat cheese, cranberry hazelnut crips, squash emulsion, and petite frisee.  Simple, sweet (the squash emulsion), and crisp.  The perfect jumping off point for a decadent Holiday meal!

Turkey!!!

For the entrees Kelly went traditional, noting that her Free Range Roasted Turkey entrée had “all the roundness of a Thanksgiving feast, without the grease.”  The white meat, carved tableside, was so moist she could cut it with a fork.  The accouterments of cranberry relish, brioche sage stuffing, buttermilk red bliss mashed potato, haricot verts persillade (aka a sauce of parsley) were “simple but pronounced.  They didn’t argue for attention.  Each taste complimented the others so well you really only needed a few bites of each.”

Porcini Agnolotti

Those partaking of the traditional Thanksgiving fowl had a choice of multiple emulsions.  Kelly doubled up with a red wine reduction with kidney and giblets and mushrooms gravy with neck parts.  The later was deemed a delight.  “I feel the French taught me to respect mushrooms,” noted the younger Thomas Gal.

Eating out for two is the perfect choice when one’s a Veggie (that’s me!).  The Porcini Agnolotti was the perfect cross section of earthy tastes and textures.  The carrot harissa puree was a fluffy contrast to the spiciness of the welted wild arugula and black garlic while the local black beans gave this fresh autumnal bite some overall structure.  Très Yumm!!!

Chai Cheesecake Brulee

We each finished the meal with edible gifts of sweetness.   I chose the Valrhona Chocolate Cremeux with maple syrup ice cream, candied pecans and orange.  Kelly indulged in the Pumpkin Chai Cheesecake Brulee with a brown butter cookie and winter spicy red wine reduction.   Both were a sugarplum’s delight!

Valrhona Chocolate Cremeux

And speaking of sugary delights!  The Sofitel LA will be showcasing a one of a kind elegant Buche de Noel (a Yule log shaped traditional dessert that is served near Christmas in France, Quebec, and other French speaking countries) in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Sofitel worldwide.

So if you’re looking for the perfect place to celebrate your next Holiday meal French style, Estérel might be the spot!

Thanksgiving at Esterel: One more Reason to be Thankful

If there is one-thing foodies are thankful for, it’s French food. This year Esterel, the restaurant at Sofitel Los Angeles in BeverlyHills, gives patrons a chance to experience gratitude, Parisian style (and where The Thomas Gals will be dining this Turkey Day!). This Thanksgiving, Esterel has created a three-course pre-fixed menu that provides a tasty twist on traditional fare. Executive Chef Marius Blin’s autumnal inspired offerings are the perfect blend of rich and round flavors shaped by savory and seasonal elegance.

This one of a kind holiday dining experience provides guests all the hospitality of home with none of the extra work. While for guests, relaxing should be easy, choosing between the many delectable choices might be difficult. In addition to warm apple cider and a special selection of Thanksgiving bread, guests will begin their meal with a choice of three appetizers, which include Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, a Fennel Goat Cheese Salad with or Pecan Crusted Sea Scallops for starters.

Esterel is also offering a variety of main courses, allowing guest to choose just how traditional they want their Thanksgiving to be. For patrons who are craving a delicious interpretation of the usual staples, Esterel will feature Free Range Turkey with brioche sage stuffing, cranberry relish, and buttermilk red bliss mashed potato. For those looking for a different taste this year, they can select either the Crispy Skin Branzino served with braised baby carrots, parsnip, heirloom spinach, local caviar champagne beurre blanc or Porcini Agnolotti complimented by carrot harissa puree, local beans, welted wild arugula and Black garlic.

And no Thanksgiving feast would be complete without a sweet and sugar finishing note. Esterel guests will have a choice between Pumpkin Chai Cheesecake Brulee, Hibiscus “Soup” or Valrhona Chocolate Cremeux.

Esterel’s three courses prefix menu will be offer from $65 and for children between 6 -12 years old $40 from 12:00pm – 4.30pm. Thanksgiving specials served after 4:30pm along with regular dinner menu. Please visit www.esterelrestaurant.com

For those who prefer to spend Thanksgiving at home, but would like some pampering before braving the shopping crowds, Esterel has you covered. They are offering special two different Black Friday package deals which include the Beverly Center’s passport to shopping, Bloomingdales discounts, spa treatments, and much more. Please call the hotel directly to book the holiday packages by calling 310.278.5444 or visit www.sofitel.com

Binaural Beats and Basil Martinis at Riviera 31

A few weeks ago the Thomas Gals were invited to spend a Friday night at Riviera 31 at the Sofitel Los Angeles to check out the beats of the residency of Trinidad Senolia.  

 

Trinidad Senolia are the nom de musique of Garth Trinidad (KCRW DJ extraordinaire who has introduced the world to such artists as Little Dragon and Janelle Monae) and Mateo Senolia (pseudonym for novelist / screenwriter, Marcus J. Guillory).  

They are hosted by Xperiment USA (who presents live musical performances, DJs and burlesque six nights a week at the Sofitel).  On Friday nights Xperiment focuses on (House Disco Garage), a weekly musical celebration that takes guests on a deep, refreshing, and incredible journey of sounds for which Trinidad Senolia started their residency on January 24th. 

The vibe of Riviera 31 is a sophisticated cocktail lounge with a Mediterranean-style menu. The Hip Hipster clientele is matched by a red and black decor which takes visitors on a visual journey through the evocative history of the French Riviera through black and white photographs.  The venue's name, Riviera 31, reflects two states of geography: Riviera (South of France) and 31 (California, 31^st State). 

In terms of a symphony of beats in the mouth we found the options très délicieux!  

Kelly and I checked out the Provencale Flatbread (Vine ripened tomatoes, Sautéed onions, Mozzarella, and Torn Garden Basil) and for the Vegan in the group (read: Moi!) a Flight of Fries including Truffle, Sweet Potato and Parmesan Parsley served with Harissa (aka a Tunisian Hot Chili Pepper Paste), Pesto and Roasted Garlic Aiolis (Très Yumm!).

For libations both us Thomas Gals partook in the Strawberry Basil Martini.  Served Up and composed of Absolut Elyx Vodka, Muddled Strawberries, and Fresh Torn Basil (they use lots of that) this pristine drink, crafted by Chef Matthew Biancaniello, tasted like Italy in the summertime!  

So for binaural beats and Basil Martinis Riviera 31 is the place to be.