I grew up in a small village outside Lyon, where my grandmother taught me that the best meals come from respecting your ingredients. After training at Le Cordon Bleu and spending years in Parisian kitchens, I moved to San Francisco and fell in love with California's farmers markets and wine country. Now I cook the food I wish my grandmother could taste—French technique with California abundance, where a perfect roast chicken might come with Meyer lemon and wild fennel instead of tarragon.
Recipes
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Caramelized Shallot & Early Cherry Tarte Tatin
I adore a classic apple tarte tatin, but my heart truly belongs to the savory side of the Parisian bistro. By May, California gives us our first sweet cherries, which are absolute magic when roasted alongside sticky, caramelized shallots and a splash of sherry vinegar. We are skipping heavy cream here and crowning the flaky pastry with a bright, Meyer lemon-whipped chèvre that cuts right through the richness.
Sun-Kissed Artichoke & Meyer Lemon Oeufs en Cocotte
A Parisian neighborhood classic reimagined for a sun-drenched California morning. We're nestling pasture-raised eggs over tender artichoke hearts, bathing them in a bright Meyer lemon crème fraîche, and baking them gently in a bain-marie. Grab some crusty sourdough and pour a glass of morning pét-nat—this is how a spring Sunday was meant to be spent.
Pan-Roasted Chicken Paillard with Warm Haricots Verts & Smashed Olive Vinaigrette
Chicken breast has a reputation for being the safe, boring option, but in a French bistro, it is a canvas for technique. By pounding it into a thin paillard, we maximize the surface area for a deeply golden pan-roast, finishing with an aggressive, aromatic butter baste that keeps it wildly juicy. I serve it crowned with a tangled, sun-drenched salad of blistered haricots verts, buttery green olives, and creamy avocado, all tossed right in the pan juices. It’s elegant, incredibly fast, and tastes like a late-spring evening in Paris by way of Big Sur.
Quick-Seared Scallops with Sweet Pea-Avocado Purée & Meyer Lemon Beurre Noisette
This is the lunch I crave when the coastal California fog finally burns off. We are taking the classic French pairing of scallops and sweet peas, but giving it a sun-drenched glow-up with ripe avocado and a quick Meyer lemon brown butter. The secret to that perfect, caramelized crust? Dry-packed scallops and a screaming hot pan.
Warm French Lentil & Shaved Radish Salad with Meyer Lemon Emulsion
A Parisian bistro lunch reimagined for a sunny California afternoon. We're gently poaching earthy French green lentils until just tender, then tossing them while warm in a bright Meyer lemon and Dijon emulsion so they soak up every drop of flavor. Crowned with peppery shaved spring radishes, creamy avocado, and a perfectly jammy poached egg, it's elegant, nourishing, and completely unapologetic about its love for shallots.
Quick-Seared Ahi Tuna Niçoise Californienne
A Parisian bistro classic given a sun-drenched West Coast makeover. I know traditionalists might clutch their pearls, but we're swapping the heavy potatoes for crisp spring snap peas and adding my absolute favorite: creamy California avocado. The trick to this lunch is a very hot pan and a fearless, quick sear on the tuna—you want that beautiful pepper crust while keeping the center jewel-toned and rare.
Stories
View allCaramelized Shallot & Early Cherry Tarte Tatin
A classic French tarte tatin gets a California twist with sticky caramelized shallots, the season's first sweet cherries, and a bright Meyer lemon chèvre.
May 11, 2026
Sun-Kissed Artichoke & Meyer Lemon Oeufs en Cocotte
Swap the heavy cream for bright citrus in this California-meets-Paris morning classic. Grab some crusty sourdough and a glass of morning pét-nat!
May 9, 2026
Chicken Paillard: Paris by Way of Big Sur
Chicken breast doesn't have to be boring. Pounded thin, basted in unapologetic butter, and topped with blistered haricots verts and avocado, it is a quick bistro classic that tastes like pure sunshine.
May 7, 2026
California Sunshine & Seared Scallops: A West Coast Take on a French Classic
Swap the heavy cream for ripe avocado and bright Meyer lemon in this sun-drenched take on a French bistro classic. Dry-packed scallops and a screaming hot pan are all you need.
May 5, 2026