Duplex Restaurant

Atmosphere is perfect.  The porch overlooking third street is romantic with rustic wooden benches and marble top tables.  

The inside is a bit more trendy and posh, while the upstairs level feels more sophisticated and classy. To hold a high power business meeting you can't beat the bar upstairs, to grab drinks with friends the downstairs bar is great, and for a romantic date night chose the outdoor patio or a back corner of the downstairs dining area. 

Buccatini Matriciana: The best recipe

BUCCATINI MATRICIANA tops my favorites list for Italian delicacies.  And in my personal opinion, there are only two people that have perfected this scrumptious dish.
1. The head chef at Madeo
2. My boyfriend Matt Breliant (who adapted the restaurant from his straight off the Italian boat mom)

For dining out, MADEO in West Hollywood is absolute perfection.  You can never go wrong with their pastas, carpaccios, fresh dover sole.. but if you're looking for a melt in your mouth pasta that will send your taste buds into elation - then you are going to have to go off-menu. Just ask for the Buccatini Matriciana and make sure you do that cute shake of your hand with your fingers pierced together and they are sure to take care of you.  (sidenote: A great menu choice is the salmon and bowtie pasta in vodka cream sauce).

Best Frozen Yogurt in Los Angeles #Froyo

I'm not a connoisseur of many things.. but I know my frozen yogurt spots.  I've swirled, sampled, topped and experimented my way throughout Southern California and after years of research this is my BEST FROYO list.  Enjoy.

1.  Toppings.  But not the one in Beverly Hills.  You have to take a trip to Pacific Palisades to enjoy the best diy froyo place in the world.  This place is not for anyone suffering from ADHD or you'll also soon be suffering from an intense stomach ache.  They literally have everything from limited edition mike and ikes to potato chips to apple crisp.  Dozens of nuts, candied, granola, fruit - everything you could dream of to put on top of their creamy and delicious rotating flavors. 

Le Pain Quotidien

Don't get me wrong.  I enjoy Urth Cafe just as much as the next socialite, but that doesn't mean we should disregard Urth's less crowded (and less pompous) neighbor, Le Pain Quotidien. 

What to order:  I come here for their bread baskets, which are served with signature raspberry and apricot jams and (drum roll) white chocolate, dark and regular hazelnut spreads.  Other signature dishes include the baked goods (with an asterisk on the chocolate croissant), the tartines and the Mediterranean plate. 

Truffle Hunting #truffleaddict

On my relentless quest for truffle satisfaction in Los Angeles I have had the pleasure of enjoying quite an eclectic array of truffled dishes.  Here's my short list of favorites thus far.

PACE: four cheese truffle pizza. swoon.  Only a special so call ahead!

KOI: Salmon carpaccio with black truffles and citrus glaze.

BOUCHON: Truffle popcorn (happy hour special)

UMAMI: Truffle Burger.

BEVERLY HILLS CHEESE STORE:  Truffle infused cheese. literally heaven.

BLT: Truffle Fries

MAESTROS: Truffle and Crab Gnocchi

And I'm still on the search for the best truffle mac n cheese.

Bouchon Bistro, A Review

French fare in the perfect location?  Before I could even drool over the macaroons on display, I knew Bouchon had my heart. 

The location is unsurpassed.  Overlooking a beautiful shared courtyard with the Montage hotel, the day seems to lazily drift by as you enjoy one of their signature cocktails, or better a happy hour priced beer or glass of wine.