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

Salty, Squishy Goodness at Santa Monica's Herringbone

A couple of weeks ago Edible Skinny was lucky enough West of Lincoln to experience all things mollusk at Herringbone, Santa Monica.   Our date: the delightful Miss Katie Johnson!

Chef Brian Malarkey opened the company’s third ocean-to-table location a little over a year ago at the Seychelle 310 at 1755 Ocean Ave.  The space quickly become an aquatic dining hotspot.

Photo Marie Buck

Inspired by The Taste alum’s passion for expertly crafted coastal cuisine infused with seaside whimsy, the restaurant features dishes that evoke his signature “Fish Meats Field” philosophy alongside new, market-driven offerings that are unique to its beachside locale.

Herringbone first opened its doors in San Diego’s coastal community of La Jolla in spring 2012.  The acclaimed restaurant has since been awarded “Best New Restaurant,” “Best Atmosphere” and “Best Chef” by San Diego local newspaper, La Jolla Today, as well as “Best Design/Atmosphere” by San Diego Magazine and most recently was one of two San Diego restaurants to be named in OpenTable’s 2013 impressive “Hot 100 Spots to Dine in America” list.

Miss Katie and I started off our lunch date with a couple of complex cocktails.  I partook in the Jalé Berry ($11) with a delightful one two punch of sugar and spice compiled of Strawberry jalapeño Infused tequila, lime, agave.  Our bartender informed us it was one of the most popular drinks on the menu and I was delighted to discover the masses had made the right choice.  Miss Katie went with the Grow A Pear ($12) Cucumber infused gin, cilantro, jalapeño, pear, lemon.  I have to say I don’t enjoy gin, but I enjoyed that drink…

Photo Marie Buck

Herringbone has a Salt & Brine Bar offering the fantastic choice of an Oyster Sampler ($32).  I being the Veg, Miss Katie volunteered as tribute to consuming a variety of crustaceans from a variety of countries and providences.  Included in this Wild Bunch was Fanny Bay (British Columbia), Raspberry Point (Prince Edward Island), Wildcat Cove (BC), Holliewood Zen (BC), Hood Canal (California), and Malpeque (PEI).  From creamy to complex the mollusks were “salty, squishy goodness.”

After oysters we dabbled with health food greens with two of Herringbone’s summer salads.   The first was their Stone Fruit Salad ($16) a composite of Mizuna, Burrata, Smoked Almonds, and Oregano Vinaigrette.  The smokiness of the nuts balance beamed the creaminess of the cheese for a perfect 10.  

Katie entrée-ed with the Albacore Poke ($15) a mixture of Tuna, Ginger, Soy, Spicy Mayo, Avocado, Nori Chips.  “The chips are what makes the dish,” she squealed with delight! I dined on veggie pasta dish that was hearty yet not too heavy as to feel overwhelmed.

We girls finished off our lunch with the delightful Herringbone Sundae ($11) composed of Chocolate Ice Cream, to die for Sea Salt Blondies, Marshmallow Cream, Caramelized Cocoa Nibs, and Creamy Caramel.  It was an absolute delight in our mouth. 

Photo Marie Buck

FYI, along with lunch and dinner, Herringbone is open for Oyster Hour (Herringbone’s take on happy hour) where oysters are a $1 a piece!

So here’s to life being delicious and all your bites being salty, squishy goodness.

Bubbly and Bubble Machines w/ Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne at Tales of the Cocktail

Edible Skinny was lucky enough to be in New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail this year and we had an absolute blast getting tipsy as Hell!!!  One of the highlights were our attendance of not one but two Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne’s parties at Tableau. 

Located cattycorner to the popular tourist destination of St. Louis Cathedral on picturesque Jackson Square, Tableau is Dickie Brennan’s newest restaurant (others include Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse, Bourbon House, and Palace Café).  Tableau is a restaurant that showcases regional ingredients and classic French Creole dishes with a unique twist.  The restaurant’s architecture includes a grand staircase that spans three stories connecting private dining rooms, balcony dining, and courtyard seating, for an authentic New Orleans dining experience. 

  

On Wednesday we attended the Nicolas Feuillatte Dynamic Duo Happy Hour in said courtyard (plus numerous tiny bubbles from a second story bubble machine).  The event featured a friendly Champagne cocktail competition between Mixologist Lynnette Marrero, Owner/Co-Founder DrinksAt6/Speed Rack, New York City, and Tableau Beverage Director Barry Himel as they competed to create the official 40^th Anniversary Champagne Cocktail for Nicolas Feuillatte.

Nicolas Feuillatte is the No. 1 Champagne in France and No. 3 worldwide with 10.8 million bottles sold worldwide and is available in 96 countries worldwide.  Founded in 1976 by Monsieur Nicolas Feuillatte, this year the brand is celebrating its 40^th anniversary.  And thus the dueling Happy Hour in said bubble filled courtyard.

The champagne Battle Royalé included the Fete de La Fraise concocted by Ms. Marrero (Mint Syrup, Strawberry Shrub, Sherry, and Nicolas Feuillatte Rosé Champagne) and Jamie’s Cryin’ crafted by Barry Himel (Soju, Watermelon Juice, and Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Champagne).  Both recipes are below for those who want to recreate the perfect NOLA champagne cocktail!  Turns out both as the result was a straight down the middle tie.  

And on Thursday Edible Skinny escaped the bathtub humidity heat and returned to Tableau to check out Nicolas Feuillatte’s Champagne Lounge.  A speakeasy-inspired event was located in the upstairs drawing room and balcony of the restaurant and featured select complimentary Brut and Rosé (alongside a donut selfie station).    To gain access we had to have a must have password (in case you were wondering it was “Nicki Fu”) and then it was onto the bubbly options in the balcony.  All were fantastically delightful!  Along with bubbles galore were pink colored sunnies and some of the best brie of my life!

At the end of the week Edible Skinny was delighted in Nicolas Feuillatte’s ability to toast the magic and mystery of Tales of the Cocktail (and life in general). 

Here’s life being delicious and every day involving both bubbly and bubble machines. 

James Cryin’  - Created by Barry Himel, Director of Beverage of Dickie Brennan & Co.

½ oz Soju

½ oz Genever

2 oz Watermelon Juice

½ oz Lime Juice

2 oz Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Champagne

Mint compressed watermelon, compressed watermelon rind for garnish.

Shake the first five ingredients with ice, then strain into a coupe.   Top with Champagne.  Garnish with a speared cubed watermelon and watermelon rind.  

Fete de la Fraise  - Created by Lynette Marrero, Owner/Co-Founder DrinksAt6/Speed Rack, New York City

¼ oz Mint Syrup

½ oz Strawberry Shrub

1 oz Fino Sherry

3 oz Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rosé Champagne

Combine all ingredients except Champagne into mixing glass over ice.  Strain into a glass over ice and top with Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rosé Champagne.