A Little Fondue Rendevous

November 14, 2022

Ever since my mother moved to Los Angeles a few years back we have prioritized taking mini adventures around the city. At first for the fun of her learning her new surroundings, but then increasingly more importantly as a way to overcome our mid pandemic blues, taking any opportunity to pickup takeout and explore a new area of town. And since the birth of bébé our excitement for exploration has continued to grow, just as my little one developed into a restauranteur of sorts as he’s been coming along with us as we go. Of the many places I’ve made a point to show my mother, not surprisingly one of her favorites has been The Grove. A beautiful, albeit super touristy shopping center that puts whatever mall you grew up going to likely to shame. I will admit I have never quite been a fan given the crowds, overly commercial shops and the typically cheesy restaurants-that is until perhaps I found the restaurant with the cheese!?

Alas, eleven years of living in Los Angeles I and am now am just finding the fondue?! How is this even possible. I setup a full on recreation of Gstaad in my living room last year all because I found a perfect vintage copper fondue pot! I had no idea a professional could have done it for me.

But since my mother was so eager to explore the well known Farmer’s Market, which I’ve been to many times and will let you know in advance it’s more a festive food court than a real farmer’s market. However, this time walked through more thoroughly and landed upon the cutest corner of them all.

Rightfully named Monsieur Marcel, lies a French market and cafe that we couldn’t pass up the chance to try. The gourmet market offered loads of yummy cheeses, pastries and tons of unique foods that could easily inspire my next dinner party. A seafood section stationed right along the small outdoor restaurant with adorable bistro chairs, white tablecloth and a pot of fondue on the menu.

My mother and I were sold immediately after the maître d’ found us a highchair and brought out the warm copper pot of goodness.

Since then we’ve been back, both times with Parker who’s fortunately not a fan of the wine flavor in the cheese but loves the French bread chunks and apples that come along with it. The market gets busier around dinnertime so I enjoyed myself more at an early lunch and would still like to try out more of the menu. Perhaps one day with a glass of wine, oysters, maybe even caviar or one of the cheese plates they make from the market.

Overall it’s now my favorite part of going to The Grove in addition the new ASOS store they put in place of Topshop.

Happy cheesing!

Monica Gisele Simanovsky

Monica Gisele Simanovsky