Ti Toques was the choice for fancy lady dinner in Juan-les-Pins and it seemed like many other people had the same idea as we enjoyed watching a wedding at the venue next door throughout the meal. In a nutshell, Ti Touqes had very nice food and a beautiful view if you were lucky enough to…
Month: July 2022
Yolo Plage- Juan-les-Pins
After watching Effet’s staff smoking in the restaurant lounge area after the restaurant was meant to be open for our reservation, we said forget it (they were rude taking the rez too, and we know when to cut our losses) and headed to Yolo Plage. Yolo treated us well earlier in the evening for an…
Juan-les Pins
Juan-les-Pins is the hidden gem of the French Riviera, a spot of beach normalcy situated between pilars of pomp and wealth like Cannes, St. Tropez, Nice, and a million others with nicknames like “billionaires’ bay.” No thanks, give me a pretty beach, a handful of restos, and a slight grittiness that makes anything feel possible-…
L’escale Brasserie- Juan-les-Pins
The first evening on the coast brought a ludicrously early dinner thanks to an equally as early flight. After stumbling around the beach reading menus, somehow we settled on L’escale because it’s always crowded as it was early this evening. We were so early in fact, that we were seated a table reserved for 8:30,…
Pirate Beach- Juan-les-Pins
After a very early morning flight and not the longest walk in the sun on an empty stomach, but just enough of one to add an element of hyperventilation into the morning mix, we found ourselves at the Pirate Beach / Restaurant in Juan-les-Pins. After some really annoying staff and lack of service at Hotel…
Hotel Helios- Juan-les-Pins
I’m not sure if the French Riviera was the right vacation move for the first mother/daughter trip since the three years of Covid, but the ease and cost of the flight made it pretty much non negotiable. We ended up at Hotel Helios as we booked the trip just a week in advance and the…
Ina’s Chocolate Cassis Cake
It’s been ages that I’ve been wanting to try Ina’s Chocolate Cassis cake after learning that Giada requests this every year for her birthday. It must be good if you’re using another chef’s recipe for your celebrations. And…it was SO good! While cassis is throughout all components of this cake, it really has no boozy…
Yvoire, France
One very easy day trip from Nyon is to hop on a ferry across the lake to Yvoire, France. Expect an afternoon full of meandering lanes that lead you down toward a castle and active fishing village or up the hill towards gardens and tourist shop after tourist shop. It makes for a truly lovely…
Neuchatel, Switzerland
Ah, Neuchatel- people just love this place! I had to find out for myself as it had been on the short list for some time. Perhaps it would have been better with a local or an activity in mind, but Neuchatel was some old buildings not so far from water. Charming, for instance the one…
Morges, Switzerland
A meandering park along the deposits you in one of two flower festivals held throughout the year. Pass old homes, a casino, and plenty of dining options along the way. Opt for a less stuffy lunch by dining in the town center just a block behind the grand dames of the lakeside and find yourself…
Ina’s Peach & Almond Torte
My girl Ina claimed this was an easy one and I needed something simple to take to a small dinner party so I put my quest in her capable hands and she delivered as always. Ingredients on hand plus seasonal fruit was an astounding success that resulted in requests for seconds as well as the…
Venice, Italy
Is there anything more classically Italian than a boat ride zipping down the Grand Canal in Venice with its colorful world passing you by and the country’s flag waving proudly in the background? Perhaps more so are the colorful buildings, meandering alleyways, and countless canals (and cannolis!) that await your disembarkation.
Macarons and Mayhem 