virginia – C'est le Brie

Tuscan Frittata with Mozzarella & Squash

Published on September 17, 2017March 31, 2025 by C'est le BrieLeave a comment

I am more than eager for fall and cannot wait to go to a pumpkin patch. So while I wait, I figured I would make an “end of the summer, can’t wait for fall” frittata that feels both summer-y and fall-ready. I used three different recipes for inspiration while also trying to use up ingredients that I already had in my kitchen.

This recipe incorporates some of my favorite things and while I made a smaller serving that feeds two to three people, it could easily be adapted to accommodate more servings if you had a group of friends over for brunch or made it for your family.

Ingredients:

6 eggs
1/2 Cup of Mozzarella Cheese
1/4 Cup of Parmesan cheese or Italian cheese blend
1 medium-sized yellow squash or zucchini diced
2 cloves of chopped garlic
1/2 Cup of Coconut Milk (or half & half)
1 Tablespoon of Pesto or more if you like! (I used 365 Basil Pesto)
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
2 teaspoons of Italian Seasoning (including but not limited to: basil, thyme, rosemary, oregano)
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 and butter a 10×10 Casserole Dish.
On a skillet over medium heat, sauté the squash and garlic tossed in olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sauté until tender and sizzling – about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
Whisk together all six eggs and coconut milk until fully mixed. Add in the cheeses, pesto, and seasoning with a dash of salt and pepper.
Next, combine the squash and garlic into the egg mixture. Then pour everything into the casserole dish.
Cover with lid and place in the oven for 20-25 minutes.
Remove, let sit for a few minutes, then enjoy!
Pro-Tip- I broiled slices of baguette with olive oil and pesto as an accompaniment.

Review: An Evening at Fleurie, a Romantic French Restaurant in Charlottesville, Virginia

Published on August 4, 2016April 1, 2025 by C'est le BrieLeave a comment

As I have mentioned already in a previous post, Charlottesville, Virginia has some of the best food in the world. It is less than two hours from Washington, DC and offers a break from the hustle of the capital city. And last night, my friend, Carrie, and her boyfriend, John, spent their two-year anniversary sharing fine wine and delicious food at a downtown French restaurant, Fleurie.

Since it was their anniversary, Fleurie made special menus recognizing their special occasion and even had a bottle of sparking wine from the Loire Valley in France waiting for them on their candlelit table.

At the beginning of our friendship, Carrie and I majorly bonded over our deep affection for anything related to France, and this restaurant seems to epitomize everything about Paris given its romantic tone and thoughtful ingredients and menu. This restaurant seems like the perfect pick for a special celebration.

Carrie said the ambiance were positively enchanting. The restaurant has exposed brick walls and was playing classical Parisian music softly in the background (think “La Vie en Rose”). Although I haven’t been there myself, Carrie said the food was mouthwatering and delightful. She sent me the following pictures with descriptions and it all sounds so incredible!

They were given a beet amuse-bouche and for appetizer they had soft-shell crab which was on special for the evening.

For the main entree Carrie had butter poached lobster, coral spätzle, and fava beans served with a ginger Sauternes sauce.

John ordered the meadows pride lamb and braised lamb ravioli with fond de braisage. (This one looks soooo delicious!)

And of course no celebration goes without dessert. Carrie and John split the chocolate souffle with vanilla bean ice cream and dark chocolate cream sauce…Yum!

And lastly, Carrie and John were given complimentary petit fours after the meal!

Fleurie is now at the top of my must-try restaurant list! Also, you can follow Carrie on her travel blog – https://musichanainkibera.wordpress.com/

Best Brunch Restauarants in Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia

Published on February 19, 2016April 3, 2025 by C'est le BrieLeave a comment

By Natalie Anne ❤

I moved to Northern Virginia less than a year ago, and in this short time, have brunched as much as possible. Luckily, in my neighborhood there are plenty of delicious restaurants that know how to brunch well. For my brunching experience, I almost exclusively order some combination of Eggs Benedict, my absolute favorite dish of all time. So if you really don’t like poached eggs topped with a creamy, delicious Hollandaise sauce blend, then this list may not be for you, unless of course I can change your mind.

Bayou Bakery

The first morning I woke up as an official Arlington resident, I walked down the street to check out the nearby bakery and cafe, Bayou Bakery. I was hoping for a trendy, fun experience with tasty food, and it definitely fulfilled my expectations. Their beignets are warm and rolled in a generous portion of powdered sugar. And if you want to try a bit of heaven catch a slice of their Quiche du Jour.

Fontaine Caffe and Creperie

Old Town Alexandria is the most idyllic location for brunching. The brick buildings and waterfront offer a pristine atmosphere to wake up and smell the coffee to. Fontaine’s had a bit of a wait when we arrived on a Sunday morning due to limited space, but their menu was worth it. Although it is a creperie, and I love crepes, I was dying to try their “Breakfast Bruschetta” on the menu. It is composed of brioche bread topped with two fried eggs, pancetta, tomato, and drizzled with a pesto aioli and olive oil. It was amazing to say the least.

Fuego

If indulging in a surplus of Mexican food and margaritas is your idea of a perfect brunch, then you absolutely have to try Fuego in Clarendon. It offers a three course brunch menu for a fixed price with everything from tacos, queso, guacamole, enchiladas, omelettes as well as savory desserts. Their portions are no joke so be ready to take some boxes home. I of course recommend the Mexican Benedict with Chorizo and Chipotle Hollandaise. Their Churros are an absolute must as well.

Del Ray Cafe

Del Ray in Alexandria is situated in a quaint two-story country house and emphasizes an organic farm to table experience. It feels like you’re eating at a neighbors house and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. Myles and I were on our way out of town to our grandmother’s annual Christmas party and stopped here for a little detour. We split the Eggs Benedict on a Croissant and the French Toast topped with Strawberry and Rhubarb Compote. It’s always so hard for us to decide between savory and sweet, so we opted for both.

Fireworks Pizza

I wasn’t really expecting a pizza-focused restaurant to have the best brunch options, but I was gladly proved wrong by Fireworks Pizza. They have a smaller brunch menu, but I usually like this better so I don’t have to make so many decisions. I went one morning with a friend who was visiting for a weekend from New York. I texted her the brunch menu and when we saw the description of their Eggs Benedict served over Parmesan Polenta and topped with avocado, we knew we had to try it and we suggest you do too.

Best Burger Spots in Charlottesville, Va

Published on February 18, 2016April 1, 2025 by C'est le Brie2 Comments

By Natalie Anne ❤

Charlottesville is a thriving small city with a lovable historic downtown surrounded by breweries and vineyards. It boasts having a large number of restaurants per capita, and in this case, quality and quantity are very closely tied. Charlottesville is home to some of my favorite restaurants, most of which offer southern-style cuisine paralleled with welcoming atmospheres and an abundance of beer options. Not only is there a huge variety of awesome eateries but almost all of them use fresh ingredients and support local farms. Plus, if you’re not the biggest fan of beef like me, most of them offer poultry and veggie options. Below is a guide featuring some of the best burgers and fries in Charlottesville.

Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint

Featuring diverse flavors of burgers mixed with southern-style food, Jack Brown’s is completely affordable and certainly a unique experience. They have multiple locations across Virginia and the South, so if you’re in the area, try to find one near you. My favorite burger is the Greg Brady which is topped with macaroni & cheese and BBQ chips. Don’t forget to try their secret sauce with a side of their crinkle fries and if you’re looking to relax a little try one or more of their local beers on tap!

Citizen Burger Bar

Citizen burger offers tasty burgers and ingredients that are come from local farms. If you’re not in the mood for a burger, they also offer grilled cheeses, salads, appetizers, and sides that compliment the meal perfectly whether you are a type who likes fried pickles, beer battered onion rings or truffle fries with aioli. I personally can’t keep my paws off their addicting truffle fries and always make sure to order extra so I can box them up.

World of Beer

World of Beer offers hundreds of beer choices and a nice patio atmosphere on West Main Street. More importantly, their food hits the spot especially while you’re sampling a beer tray or drinking a pint of one of your favorite ales. Don’t miss either the giant traditional-style pretzel or their loaded tater tots with bacon and jalapenos.