Paris weekend getaway: Venice, Italy

October 6th, 2013

chef morgan Venice
 “Big” Venice with a little sole (à la menuière)

I had an inside tip. It was an inside tip on a Paris apartment and not just any apartment, an apartment in a beautiful building on avenue Georges Mandel. My friend’s mother told her that if I acted fast, I could preview the apartment before it was officially on the market. Was I interested? Bien sûr ! (of course). Good apartments in Paris are far and few in between and they are taken immediately. The tip was better than chocolate praline from Patrick Roger.

As luck would have it I registered to run a marathon in Venice, Italy in a week. Everything seems to be a quick plane ride from Paris so I made an appointment to preview the apartment before I headed to Venice. It would be a tight schedule: three countries; four days. This week I want to take you there. Venez avec moi (come with me) à Venice, Italy with a Paris stop, a marathon detour, and a favorite fish recipe: sole à la meuienere.

Allez y (let’s go) !!!

LM

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my favorite restaurants in LA

December 1st, 2010

chef morgan coffee mugs

my favorite restaurants in Los Angeles

This is a short list of my favorite places to dine in Los Angeles.  The list ranges from very casual places/hamburger spots to more formal/occasion restaurants. Both the food and service I find to be consistently good, and if I find the service to be substandard (even if the food is amazing) I will not put it on my list. I try to update my list often. However, you should contact the restaurant directly for menu selections, hours, reservations, and prices.

bon appétit !

LM

Brentwood / West Los Angeles

Asahi Ramen
2027 Sawtelle Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90064
310.479.2231
www.asahiramen.com

Cash only.  Closed Thursday.  Authentic casual little noodle shop nestled amongst a collection of Japanese restaurants on Sawtelle Boulevard.

Hamasaku
11043 Santa Monica Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA  90025
310.479.7630
www.hamasakula.com

Probably my favorite sushi restaurant in LA.  In a strip mall, but do not let that dissuade you from enjoying tasty hand-rolls and inventive combinations.

Tavern
11648 San Vicente Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90049
310.806.6464
www.tavernla.com

The latest restaurant endeavor of which Chef Suzanne Goin has a part. Small, market driven menu with fresh Mediterranean flair. Uncomplicated food with delicious fruit and nut breads (which are also available to go).

Toscana
11633 San Vicente Blvd # 100
Los Angeles, CA 90049
310.820.2448

Norther Italian food.  Toscana is authentic Italy: welcoming, loud, simple hearty dishes and waiters pushing a plate full of desserts in your direction.  The food is as good today as it was when I first came to LA.

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