Lunch with Lovers
August 13, 2012
Who doesn’t enjoy Sunday afternoons spent shopping, eating and hanging out with some of Milan’s coolest crowds? The Lovers— aka my fantastic friends– organize a bi-annual extravaganza that brings together talented up-and-coming Italian designers and artists. Think Italy’s version of Brooklyn’s Artists and Fleas. With temperatures in the triple digits, browsing the market quickly turned into having a delicious Italian lunch in the shaded seating area. Held at La balera dell’Ortica, a multi-purpose venue on the outskirts of the city, they not only offer great dining options, but bocce, bowling and even dancing for Milan’s residents. As the Lover’s Market continued well into the evening, it was a perfect final day before venturing back Stateside.
Prosciutto wrapped melon
Salad
Roast beef
Chicken
The market
Gnocchi
Watermelon
Prosciutto wrapped melon
Lovers
Espresso
Aperitivo in Milano
August 8, 2012
Americans traditionally think of happy hour as a time to enjoy discounted drinks once the workday is over. Italians however, have an entirely different (and far better) concept for these pre-dinner, post-work hours. I was first introduced to aperitivo, or drinks with complimentary food, in Milan a couple years back when visiting my friends. I imagined bowls of chips, pretzels and popcorn. I should have known better that this would be a disgrace to the Italian culture, and rather we would feast upon an open buffet of various pastas, meats, cheeses and vegetables. Fast forward to 2012, and I found myself once again in Milan, enjoying an evening with friends at Luca e Andrea Cafe on the Naviglio Grande. Although meant for just a warm-up to dinner, their macaroni and cheese and pasta salad left me far too full for anything else.
Cocktails on the canal
Pasta, couscous, chicken and vegetables
Navigli
Pasta
Macaroni and cheese
Breakfast on the Beach
August 6, 2012
Now if only I could transport myself from the office back to Cinque Terre on this lovely summer Monday morning for some breakfast sandwiches on the beach… Have a wonderful week! x
Ham and cheese sandwich
Bar Eden Gelateria
Ham & Cheese
A Taste of Cinque Terre
August 2, 2012
You can’t get much more Italian than starting off a morning with an espresso, taking a mid-day break for pizza, and cooling off with some gelato. After parting ways with France, it was Italy-bound to the little tourist destination known as Cinque Terre, most famously known for their five cliffside towns, breathtaking views and crystal clear water. Our first day we decided to hike from the town of Monterosso through the cliffs to Vernazza. Breaking a sweat and working up quite the appetite, here is all the deliciousness we were able to enjoy along the way.
Espresso at a sidewalk cafe
Espresso
Croissants
Lemons for some fresh squeezed lemonade
Honey filled croissant
Pizza
Gelato
Gelato
Chocolate Milkshake
Moustiers Sainte-Marie
July 31, 2012
From a distance, you could easily mistaken the ancient architecture of Moustiers Sainte-Marie for the gorgeous cliffs that rise up behind it– but take a second look, and it’s actually a vibrant hiker’s town with restaurants and exquisite pottery boutiques. After a long day’s drive, it was time to settle down for some local wining and dining in the center of town. The welcoming signs of Restaurant Les Comte had us sold. We thoroughly enjoyed a delicious burger and pesto pasta while admiring the camper’s vibe around us before calling it a night.
Pesto Pasta
Pesto Pasta
Restaurant Les Comte and a pottery boutique
Burger and Fries
Around town
Fries
Moustiers Sainte-Marie
Crillon Le Brave
July 26, 2012
The fresh air and rolling hills, the winding stone corridors, the hourly chimes of the bell tower and the to die for menus are all part of Crillon Le Brave, the quintessential Provencal destination. What was once ruled by Henri IV’s fiercest generals during wars of the 16th century has now evolved into one of Travel + Leisure’s top European hotels for 2012. And well deserved, my time spent there could not have been better. Lounging poolside, a relaxing massage and the impeccable service was all quite lovely, but of course my favorite was the fantastic food shoot that took place with the help of chef, Phillippe Zemour. After our morning at the market, it was down to business in the kitchen. Known for their elegant and refined style, the menu is all locally sourced offering a true flavor of southern France. Although it was difficult to leave, it’s certainly on my list of places that I no doubt will return to once again.
Setting the table on the terrace
Crackelin marinated red mullet and squid, nicoise socca and fennel aioli
Crackelin marinated red mullet and squid, nicoise socca and fennel aioli
Artichoke
Gratin of fish soup
Fricassee of seasonal vegetables, fingerling potatoes and bearnaise reduction
Roasted bull fillet, fricassee of seasonal vegetables, fingerling potatoes and bearnaise reduction
Hotel entrance
Roasted shop veal, green asparagus from olivier’s garden, stuffed potato with white truffle
Terrace view
Bocce ball
Roasted shop veal
Pool area
Asparagus
Fresh bread and rosemary
Seabream in salt crust
Seabream in salt crust
The view
Vegetables from the garden in barigoule refreshed, bacon shavings from bigorre, coriander reduction
Crackelin marinated red mullet and squid, nicoise socca and fennel aioli
Fresh vegetables
Fried cherry with basilic
Fried cherry with basilic
Apricot tart
Apricot tart
Lunch at La Coquillade
July 18, 2012
While driving from Crillon Le Brave to Moustiers Ste Marie, I was told to stop for lunch at La Coquillade, another one of France’s Relais and Chateaux accommodations. While I was slightly unsure if I translated the French scribbles into my GPS accurately, I relied on my surroundings, and was positive that we were driving into the middle of nowhere. But sure enough, in the midst of wine country, signs sprouted up and we were in luck. The dining room was actually closed due to a birthday celebration for the owner, but they were kind enough to allow us lunch in the pool area. A perfect mid-day break, we lounged poolside, taking in the gorgeous views while trying some local rosé, a fresh salad and gazpacho.
Heirloom tomato gazpacho
Fresh caprese salad
Salad
Tomato spread on toast
Vente de Fruits
July 13, 2012
One of my favorite to-do’s while traveling is driving along unknown country roads, windows down, breathing in the fresh air while listening to good music. Cruising through 700 km of France’s finest winding roads, the restaurants were scarce, but the fruit stands, vineyards and lavender fields certainly weren’t. The strawberries and peaches were some of the freshest tasting we’ve experienced. Now if only she delivered to New York.
Lavender fields
Peaches and melon
Garlic
Strawberries
Sunflower fields
Apples
Dior des Lices Brunch
July 11, 2012
Crepes may be a taste of France, but when it comes to fashion, Dior’s top of the list. So it was only fitting to combine food and fashion at Dior’s resort flagship where their pop-up restaurant adds a tranquil, chic garden oasis in the center of town. Yannick Alléno, the 3-star Michelin chef behind it all, provides a top notch meal served on (of course) Dior’s gorgeous tableware. I couldn’t think of a better place to spend a Sunday brunch, relaxing after a night out in St. Tropez.
Espresso
Croissants
Ham and eggs
Vegetarian omelette and ham with eggs
The garden view
Crepes in St. Tropez
July 9, 2012
You can’t go to France without having crepes, so this was one of my first stops in St. Tropez. After a morning of walking the narrow cobblestone streets of Old Town, it didn’t take long to build up an appetite in that strong Riviera sun. I had a great time conversing with the cook who was very enthusiastic about being featured on Camera in the Kitchen, and befriended the regulars, as they too wanted their portraits taken. I couldn’t resist. So we opted for the traditional savory, ham/cheese and the nutella to satisfy our sweet tooth. Definitely a great choice before hitting the beaches.
Ham & Cheese crepe
Salad crepe
Ham & cheese
Nutella
The local regulars
Nutella
a camera in the kitchen 