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

                                      

A Day in St. Tropez

Places I've visited: 

Dior des Lices

13 rue François Sibilli

La Tarte Tropézienne

(Literally everywhere)

Barbarac Ice Cream

2 Général Allard 

Hotel de Paris

Place Croix de Fer

And a random candy shop that I totally forgot! I'll post the address here when I can.

Le Vieux Moulin - Charming, Picturesque, Delicious

"Mother knows best." The age old adage proves to be true once again. I let her pick the restaurant for Sunday lunch at St Paul de Vence, an adorable little town on the hills of the Côte d'Azur. She chose Le Vieux Moulin, an equally cute restaurant just outside the "castle" walls. 

Here, the waiters were friendly, the service was quick, and the view from the terrace was breathtaking. Considering that some loyal local customers seemed to dine here, I took it as a sign that the food here must be good. And it was!

We had the Veal with mushrooms and gnocchi. Heaven. It was rustic and refined at the same time. My brother was fascinated with the gnocchi, which was arguably my favorite part of the dish. My sister had the duck with honey, which she ate silently (meaning she liked it very much.) The two risottos we ordered were the gambas and the scallops. Both cooked to perfection. I can't say this was an unexpectedly good lunch because I did expect a good lunch. What I didn't expect was a great lunch! Which is exactly what we got.

I've been dying to try Strawberry soup for the longest time. Yes, soup. Once I saw it on the dessert menu I knew that was what I was going to order without hesitation. It was everything I had hoped it would be. Sweet, succulent, fresh. The perfect summer's day dessert. But the pièce de résistance was undoubtedly that little scoop of milk flavored ice cream. It was...in a word...spellbinding. I'd have a tub of that all on my own. No problem.

I highly recommend Le Vieux Moulin. As well as a short walk around St Paul to burn those cals!

This place really is a hidden gem. Follow the locals or your mother's instincts, both are always right.

Honorable mention: the vanilla millefeuille!

Le Vieux Moulin

Route de Vence

06570 Saint Paul de Vence

France 

T: +33 (0)4 93 58 36 76 

La Mère Germaine - Fresh So Fresh

Wow. This place... This place reminded me that with the right ingredients and a bit of skill, food is transformed into magic. 

If you ever find yourself anywhere near Villefranche-sur-mer you must give La Mère Germaine a try. I called to reserve a table but they said they were fully booked (obviously.) So with the utmost disregard we headed there anyway. Boy am I glad we did! Tip: they have a valet service. Villefranche is a hilly town. If you park anywhere above the port you're gonna climb back up there post meal. It's great cardio but you're on vacation so why bother.

The Lobster Salad. I mean. Let me tell you. This dish defines freshness. It's as simple as a dish can ever get. But the magic is when everything on the plate sings on your palate. This dish will for ever live on in my memory as the sweetest song my taste buds have ever heard. Every element on the plate made sense. From the lobster, to the mesclun greens, to the grapefruit, to the (ever so light) balsamic dressing. A cohesive dish is a successful dish. A++++

In random order our table also ordered: Prawn Curry, Sole Meunière, and the daily special; John Dory and 2 scallops with squid ink pasta.

The desserts were outstanding as well. We had the creme brûlée; (nature, chocolat, café) and the gateaux au chocolat. The praline feuilletine base was extraordinarily delicious. It added the perfect crunchy balance to the creamy mousiness of the chocolate. Superb! 

This historic restaurant has been doing just fine since 1938. They know what they're doing. And that's fresh fresh fresh food! 

P.S I read that their bouillabaisse is quite good. 

7 Quai Amiral Courbet, 06230

Villefranche-sur-mer, France

T: +33 (0)493017139