Trattoria Concordia - Authentic Ligurian Cuisine

Away from the touristic piazza is the Trattoria Concordia. We were lead here by a happy accident, (well it wasn't so happy at the time.) Anyway, what I've learned is that several restaurants close on Wednesday, which makes a table in Portofino worth more than your weight in gold.

Skip now to the part where we actually found a table, sat down, and wiped our brow after an exasperating climb uphill. (No I'm kidding it wasn't that tiring.) The restaurant is located just above the car park behind the marina, and the little climb is there to weed out the lazy tourists. For this place attracts the locals. And you know how much a foodie loves discovering the more 'authentic' place to eat. 

The food was great. The kind of food that makes you want to kiss your fingers. Memorable only for its simple yet robust flavor. I had the Spaghetti with garlic and olive oil and was very content. We also ordered the Veal Scaloppini with Lemon, Spaghetti alle Pesto, and the house specialty Spaghetti with Crabs. Granted there is no view of the port, this place makes up for it in friendly service, and delicious food at a very reasonable price. So go ahead. Skip the Puny, Marinaio, and Stella, and walk (up) the road less travelled. If you need more convincing, Andrea Bocelli likes to eat here. So there. :)

(I still have O Magazin on my wish list. Had I but known they close on Wednesdays...) 

5 Via del Fondaco

Portofino

Italy 

T: 0185 269207 

Le Maschou - A Rosy Affaire

Dining at Le Maschou is practically a must when you're in Cannes. Apparently I've been here before when I was a wee little child; but I obviously do not recall. Now I remember very well what awaits at Le Maschou.

It's a set menu unlike you've ever seen before! They start with a delightful cheese spread that you're supposed to spread on toast...but I could've easily spread it on anything and eaten it. So good! 

Next course is a gigantor basket of vegetables that awakens the vegetarian in any carnivore. Ah but then come the grills. You have the choice of beef, lamb or chicken. Whatever you choose it'll be the most memorable spit roast meat you'll probably ever have. My beef was well seasoned and on point.

Do not skip dessert. I repeat do not skip it!! The chocolate mousse is easily the best I've had in recent memory.

Oh and for the ladies, a rose to end the meal. So if you see ladies smiling and walking down rue Saint Antoine with a rose in hand, know that they've had an excellent meal at Le Maschou.

15 petite rue Saint Antoine

Cannes, France

Huckleberry Cafe - Santa Monica's Best

Late one weekday night, sometime in June of 2012 I was watching the food network, half awake, and obviously half asleep. When suddenly something made me sit up on the couch and pay more attention to the tv screen; it was a reportage on this place. I immediately typed "huckleberry" on my iPhone and made a mental note to visit.

So if you find your self near Santa Monica, CA I strongly suggest that you give Huckleberry on 1014 Wilshire Blvd a go. Don't let the long line at their weekend brunch fool you. The line moves relatively fast and it is oh so worth the wait! For there, at the end of yonder que, lies the most delicious salted caramel bar that I've ever had (and failed to re-create.) The generous layer of smooth buttery caramel is intensified with the use of real vanilla beans; and it all sits comfortably on a bed of crumbly, buttery (yes, buttery again) shortbread, that willingly plays second fiddle to the star above. God I wish I could have another bite of it again! 

Brunch at Huckleberry is fantastic. But what they started doing lately is Thursday night family dinners! I've been following their Instagram account for months now and every week they tempt me with their offerings. Keeping with their farmer fresh ethos, the menu for these dinners changes weekly. They update their website so you know what you're in for. I love stuff like this. 

Yeah I know this is a Huckleberry post but I also have to recommend the iced green tea from Panera Bread just down the road. We called this drink, "The Magical Elixir of Life." Needless to say, you have to try it! Then head on down to Arizona Avenue for the farmer's market. (The best day is Wednesday, but they're there on the weekends too.) Then on to some 'light' shopping on Third Street Promenade. This is my ideal Saturday morning routine in Santa Monica. Well I can't call it a routine since I don't live there. Maybe one day...

1014 Wilshire Blvd

Santa Monica, CA 90401

T: 310.451.2311

Insta: Huckcafe

                                      

Le Girelier - Not Worth It

Can't really recommend this place based on the service. If you're looking for a tourist trap with waiters that think they own the yachts outside on the port, then step right in.

Le Girelier's strong point and downfall is that they're a service 'non-stop' type of place. Which means they're open for lunch and dinner and that time in between. Arab time. And that's when we went, obvs. But the vibe was totally off. The head waiter was having a rough day and so we had a rough experience. 

This was the first time I've ever been at a French restaurant where the entree and the main dish arrived simultaneously. The absolute horror! The disgrace of it all! My poor brother clawed his escargots out of their shell only to follow it up with a tepid 60€ bouillabaisse! And my sister received her main dish after we've all finished ours! It's a crime I tell you!!

I however had a pleasant al dente pasta. The interesting thing about the dish is its called "al dente spaghetti" with tomato, so if they over cook the pasta...then that's not the correct dish. But thankfully the kitchen were on point, even if the staff in the restaurant were frazzled and bored. Yes bored.

I can assure you that Mr. Hon Hon Hon got a measly tip! Never again!

Le Girelier

Quai Jean Jaurès

St Tropez

France

La Pizza Cresci - A "Nice" Tradition

There was quite a que outside Pizza Cresci by the old port in Cannes. That's a good sign that a place serves food worth waiting for. And that's exactly what prompted our curiosity to try it. We happened upon the original Pizza Cresci on rue Massena in Nice on a lazy Wednesday afternoon and promptly got a table. Joy! 

The pizza, as one would expect, was baked in a wood fire oven. Now the flair in Cresci's pizza is in the cheese. It clearly wasn't mozzarella. And I refrained from asking the waiter about the cheese; I kind of wanted it to remain a mystery. A cheesy delicious mystery that you just have to try for yourself. (On second thought it is mozzarella...but not the kind you've had before!) I'm not the biggest pizza fan, but this is one pizza I'll crave for years to come. 

34 rue Massena

Nice, France

3 Quai St Pierre

Cannes, France