Mother's Day gifts she'll love

Hey, mom of three teens here. What do I want for Mother’s Day? Honestly, a hug and some time with each of my girls as well as a little affirmation that I’m doing this thing called motherhood right, meaning, they know they’re loved. Having the laundry folded & clothes ironed would be up there too.

I’ve decided to put together a list of a few things I think moms at various stages would love, in case you need some out of the box or new ideas. Why is this on a restaurant website blog? 1) because I own the place and am a mom 2) because a night out with your loved ones is a great idea for a gift. And 3) why not??

Mom to be / new mom / works out of the house mom - breast feeding mom essential if you pump. Sarah Wells Breast Pump bag, and more! Support a small business, and my friend (and fellow entrepreneur) who saw a need and 10 years later has built an amazing company making stylish accessories for the pumping mom. She’s also an author of the book: Go Ask Your Mothers: One Simple Step for Managers to Support Working Moms for Team Success perfect for anyone who is a working mom, or employs moms.

Needs a break mom - you know her, she’s managing carpool, team mom, walks the dog, and keeps everything going. You could send her to Paris, but that may just not be in the cards. Why not take her to RÊVE? With our amazing food, great service and relaxed ambiance she’ll feel transported to a world away. Champagne helps too. Here’s a link to get her a gift card. Be the hero.

Moms who journal - in 2021, I (Laura) started doing bi-annual retreats at a retreat center outside of San Diego, called The Oaks. It’s helped keep me sane. Each time I go I’m inspired by the vineyard they planted. Maybe because I was there when they started putting it in, and like the vineyard, we’re all growing & experiencing a lot of unknowns. I created a guided journal, for anyone who likes to write but doesn’t want the pressure of a “daily” journal. Link is here.

REALLY needs a break - make the “trip to Paris” even more complete with a stay at Lafayette’s own Park Hotel. European charm, California grace is the tag line. Complete with a day at the spa, she’ll return home refreshed and relaxed. Ready to take on the summer madness. Perfect stay-cation for anyone living in the Bay Area.

Moms far away - pick up the phone, give them a call. Don’t wait for a Sunday in May. Tell them one thing that you’re grateful for. Something small that you rolled your eyes at when you were 17, and now are so happy they said. You’ll both laugh - and laughter is good for everyone.

This post contains affiliate links to Amazon. Why? Because in this day running a small business is challenging, and running a small family owned restaurant in California is next to impossible. We get a small commission, at no cost to you, when you buy with our link.

Are we really this close to home?

View from The Room With A View at Philo Apple Farm

Looking out our window at the garden below I wonder, how is it that just 2.5 hours ago we were in the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area? There is a beautiful peace about this space. A feeling of time slowing down where deep breaths are easier. Running a restaurant, being parents and just life can get us (as my dad would say) “All wound up” at times.

Paul and I celebrated our 18th anniversary with a trip to Anderson Valley in Mendocino County. Visiting ROEDERER ESTATE has been on our list of things to do, but a 2.5 hour drive from the Bay Area seemed more like a weekend trip than a one day get away (though that would be nice and doable!)

I started searching for somewhere nearby to stay for two nights. When I discovered Philo Apple Farm, I knew I found our spot. Tucked away off highway 138, we felt like we had escaped into another world. With just 5 rooms to rent, there is no chance of large crowds. Our “Room with a View” looked like a picture from a Pottery Barn catalog. (In fact, 10 years ago, our daughter was in a Pottery Barn shoot here!!) The most comfortable bed, and fresh apple juice and coffee waiting for us. Morning breakfast of granola, famous biscuits & jam, coffee and of course apple juice. Philo Apple Farm has it’s roots in California fine dining & is a true family business. The founders, Sally & Don were the original owners of the French Laundry. Of course we had to get a copy of her cookbook, Six California Kitchens. It’s a beautiful story of her journey as a wife, mom, cook, business owner … and of course recipes. Use the link to get your copy. Now run by their daughter and son in law, you can read more about them here.

On your way up (or back) a must stop for a meal is Diavola Pizzeria & Salumeria in Geyserville.

Checking in at 5, after a really late lunch we walked through the gardens & orchard - the place to ourselves it seemed. After a restful night, our morning was spent walking though the forest of Hendy Woods State Park, just a 5 minute walk from the driveway. The tasting at Roederer Estate had us feeling like we were in France, with beautiful views and tasty snacks to accompany the delicious bubbles (we have the rosé on our list at RÊVE).

View from the Roederer Estate tasting room

Booneville Hotel has a nightly prix fix menu, but a new local “hot spot” is Jumbo’s Win Win newly opened in August 2024. Smash burgers, two kinds of fries (which is your fav??) and shakes. Perfect for a relaxing fun evening.

The journey home gave us another few hours to reflect and remember how blessed we are to live so close to many amazing places. A quick escape to renew, refresh and reconnect to nature - and ourselves.

Hoiday gift guide from RÊVE

If you’re anything like me, you’re looking at all of the “stuff” and thinking … no … let’s do EXPERIENCES this year instead. I’m also always looking for new ideas for gifts that create the WOW. As our girls get older, my hope is to make more memories. My dear friends, well, we need to laugh more and have excuses to hang out. For the older family, let’s slow down and find some whimsey or take a great adventure. With those thoughts in mind … I bring you the 2023 RÊVE gift guide. Some links will take you websites that we have affiliate links. Others are just ideas we love.

• Let’s chat. Stocking stuffer or small “add on gift” - about 6 years ago one of our daughters brought home a craft made up of a jar with papers in it. Each paper had a question we could ask each other while sitting around the table (or whenever). During Covid, we made up our own and handed them out with take out meals. People loved them. Our family loves them (most of the time). One of our guests now uses it at his business meetings. It gets people talking. You find out some stuff that will make you say, humm. The pic below will take you to one of the versions we use at home, but there are all different kinds for adults, smaller kids etc. The key is to let the person talk, and NO correction, leading, criticizing (yes, that means big sisters can’t roll their eyes).

• Let’s learn - more coming from RÊVE in 2024 in this category so stay tuned!! For the person who “has everything” and loves learning anything and everything. Paul and I built RÊVE on his mastery of cooking and my passion for service and years of working in restaurants in the front of the house and for Ritz Carlton. But the “owning a business” part? We had to learn. I’m obsessed. One FUN way I love to learn is through Master Class. No affiliate link. I just think it’s the coolest thing ever. I mean take 14 minutes and learn to properly scramble eggs from Thomas Keller or spend 11 minutes and learn Steph Curry’s game prep routine. From make-up tutorials to how to do stand up comedy - they’ve got you covered. One year of learning starts at just $87 & they run specials all of the time. Here’s the link

• Let’s hang out - take some time, slow down and just hang out with that special person. Support small family businesses too! Lafayette is the perfect place to make that happen. Start your day with coffee and croissant at La Châtagne in La Fiesta Square. Head over to Diablo Foods and make up a picnic basket filled with delicious items from their deli. From there, you’ll enjoy a stroll around Lafayette reservoir or rent the paddle boats. No afternoon would be complete without a massage at Lafayette Park hotel’s spa. Finish your evening with dinner at RÊVE.

• Across the miles - My extended family is now spread across the US and many are not able to travel during the holidays. Paul’s family is all in France. Covid showed us the beauty of Zoom and connecting however we can. Are you longing to see those crazy cousins with 6 kids or grandma who can no longer travel? Celebrate across the miles with a zoom party. Local Food Adventures can help. Founded by Lafayette resident, Lauren McCabe Herpich, they host virtual parties from ice cream socials to charcuterie making classes. It’s a lot of fun, interactive and you get to see those crazy kids & hear the laughter.

• Date night gift for parents of small kids - They can’t take off and go to Paris for a week, but you can give them a small escape to feel like they’re away. Make a gift basket with a certificate for a night of babysitting (bonus if you keep the kids overnight!!), movie tickets and gift certificate for RÊVE.

Gifts for the champagne lover

For those who love to read:

• On the more serious side of Champagne, for those who love all of the little details and facts. The boxed set Champagne The Essential Guide to the Wines, Producers, and Terroirs of the Iconic Region is a must have.

• Veuve Cliquot is one of the most recognizable and popular Champagnes in the world. It was started by a widow, who against all odds changed the world of Champagne (and marketing!) forever. This biography, The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It, is a great read for all. Looking for a book about female empowerment that changed the face of not only sparkling wine but marketing forever! Makes a great book club book - and an excuse to drink Champagne at your book club night.

For those who love to sip:

• Gift basket idea!! Give them permission to curl up with a glass of bubbles, some buttery & salty popcorn and a movie. Triple threat, perfect pairing. But wait - they don’t want to drink a WHOLE BOTTLE of Champagne, just a glass. (Hey, it’s only Tuesday). Easy. Enter the Corovin CHAMPAGNE preservation system. We use it at RÊVE, for our Cristal by the glass program and I use it at home for … well, I love Champagne. Splurge on a delicious bottle (wines are 20% off at RÊVE to go!), get the Corovin and a bag of popcorn and your gift basket is complete!

A closing note. Let’s remember not to get so caught up in THINGS and GIFTS that we forget connection. May this season fill you with joy and finding fun and whimsy in the every day. Even when circumstances may not be as we planned, our hope is that you can find something to celebrate that makes you smile.

Our Favorite Parisian Bistros

Welcome to the first of several Paris travel tip posts!

This week we share customer recommendations for Parisian bistros and we announce a Photo contest winner!

Au Vieux Comptoir

Smoked salmon on a bed of quinoa blanketed with fresh red radish. Hello spring!

Photo credit: Au Vieux Comptoir

Ready for a new French word?

The term “bistronomie” has been blowing around Paris for a while now. It’s a word coined in 2004 by French journalist and food critic, Sébastien Demorand (ah, those restaurant reviewers… what will they think of next!)

Bistronomie is a way to describe that culinary hybrid between casual bistro cuisine and the more upscale “gastronomy” that you’ll find in many Michelin-starred restaurants. Very much like the cuisine you’ll find at Rêve.

So where can you get the best bistronomie in Paris?

For its authentic culinary roots and frequent celebrity sitings, our first bistronomic recommendation is Au Vieux Comptoir, located near the Place du Châtelet. It’s highly recommended by several Rêve regulars and it’s no surprise why. Just take a look at the stunning hors d’oeuvre pictured above! Smoked salmon on a bed of quinoa blanketed by fresh red radishes. Hello spring! Au Vieux Comptoir is run by husband-and-wife team Anne and her husband Chef Cyril (sound familiar?) This traditional Parisian bistro exudes the same passion for food and wine that Rêve brings to the table. So next time you’re in Paris, grab a spot at the bar (the name means ‘to the old counter’) and then come into Rêve to tell us all about it!

Au Vieux Comptoir

17 Rue de Lavandières Sainte Opportune

Paris, France 75001

au-vieux-comptoir.com

33 1 45 08 53 08

If you’re a Francophile and a film fan like me, you’ve probably seen Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris,” a film featuring scenes from the quintessential Paris bistro, Le Polidor. We advise you to run, don’t walk, to this rustic Parisian bistro where, legend has it, Hemingway spent much of his time while in Paris (probably as much for the conversation and humor as the hearty food and wine). On the wall a sign announces: Depuis 1845, Le Polidor n’accepte pas les cartes de crédit (Translation: Since 1845, Le Polidor has not accepted credit cards.)

Long communal tables are covered with red and while checked table coverings and it’s rumored that the décor has not changed in 100 years. This rough-and-ready bistro is perfect for a very casual night out in the 6th arrondissement near Lycée Saint-Louis.

Le Polidor

Photo credit: Le Polidor.

 Le Polidor

41 Rue Monsieur le Prince

Paris, France 75006

polidor.com

 33 1 43 26 95 34

For more Hemingway nostalgia, another Rêve regular recommends La Closerie des Lilas , a timeless bistro founded in 1847.  

For its chic atmosphere and swish location, Lilas is more tony restaurant/bar than bistro/brasserie but either way the casual atmosphere is inviting and the food is excellent. We think this dish of sweetbreads and asparagus is much like a dish you’d see at Rêve,

La Closerie des Lilas

Photo credit: La Closerie des Lilas

La Closerie des Lilas

171 Boulevard du Montparnasse
Paris, France 75006

closeriedeslilas.fr

33 1 40 51 34 50

And now for the photo contest winner!

For its sense of light and dramatic mood, we have chosen this scenic of the Seine and the Conciergerie that captures the history, the elegant architecture and so much of what we love about Paris.

Congratulations to Rêve customer, Dave Johnson! Please contact us for your $25 gift card.

More winners will be announced in future posts.

MERCI BEAUCOUP to everyone!

Mardi Gras Beignets!

Mardi Gras is Tuesday! 

You’ve heard about the howling celebration in New Orleans but you may be surprised to learn that this holiday is also celebrated in France.

I was! As much time as I’ve spent in La Rėpublique I’ve never found myself in France during the month of February. Until recently I didn’t know Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, was “a thing” there, too.

Carnival parade in Menton, France.

This day is the culmination of the colorful carnival season that begins on January 6, the Day of the Epiphany, and ends the day before Ash Wednesday marking the beginning of Lent. Although carnival has religious roots, for many this holiday is a chance to celebrate, and, especially in France, to eat! 

The Carnaval de Nice is one of the largest carnival celebrations in the world as local residents pour into the streets decked out in wild costumes to join local parades. Similar festivities erupt on the banks of the Seine in Paris and in many other locales.

Every region of France has its own special carnival traditions but all of them, it seems, include eating rich foods and that usually means donuts or beignets.

Bugnes from Lyon.

In Lyons, thin, crescent-shaped donuts called bugnes are the local specialty while Marseilles celebrates this de rigueur holiday with the enormous chichifregi, a spiral donut resembling an endless sausage of fried dough. In Provence delicate, oval oreillette are puff pastry pockets often filled with jam or chocolate. And in Orleans round rondiaux are sprinkled with powdered sugar looking most like (no surprise here) the beignets of Orleans’ namesake New Orleans. No matter where you go in France, the beignet is a fascinating Mardi Gras treat that can’t be missed. 

Chichifregi from Marseilles.

This year Rêve Bistro will be celebrating Mardi Gras with a special dessert: a beignet of Chef Paul’s creation! Join us on Tuesday, February 25 to sample the Mardi Gras surprise Chef Paul has in store for lucky diners!

Laissez les bons temps rouler at Rêve Bistro!

What will the beignets look like at Rêve Bistro this year?

Valentine Treasures

French-Inspired Gift Ideas!

Welcome to the all-new Rêve Bistro blog!

For Valentine's Day, we wish you, our chers clients, moments filled with all things delicious and French. 

Here are a few ideas for Valentine's Day gifts we think any Francophile would love:

If you haven't secured a Rêve Bistro reservation for Valentine's Day dinner yet, we regret to inform you that we are completely booked (or "complet" as they say in France!) 

But it's not too late to arrange for the next best thing: a gift certificate for dinner at Rêve on a later date. As you present this tasty treat on 14 février to your chère amour, you'll be humming that old song by famed French chanteuse, Edith Piaf: "Je ne regrette rien..." 

“Je ne regrette rien...”

Just head to the gift certificate tab on our website Home page. Complete the necessary fields and VOILÁ, the gift certificate will be emailed to you très vite!

Rêve is devoted to creating French community in the East Bay. That's why we want to share one of our favorite stores with you, a place where you'll find more than a few lovely, French-inspired Valentine treasures. Through the Caldecott tunnel, across from Market Hall in Rockridge on College Avenue, you'll find Maison d'Etre  (clever name, no?), a housewares and gift store par excellence.

If you're searching for that perfect Valentine's Day gift for your favorite Francophile, you'll find it here. For special occasions, we adore the Marriage Frères teas in the elegant black tins. For self-care, nothing beats the aromatherapy La Lavande soaps or the Plantes et Parfums scented room diffusers from Grasse, France. 

Maison d'etre will give you these (and many more ) raisons for living well this Valentine's Day! 

Aromatic La Lavande soaps are always a favorite gift for Valentine’s Day. Pick some up at Maison d’Etre in Rockridge.

Chic perfume diffusers at Maison d’Etre in Rockridge. Impressionist painting, anyone?