Culver City Restaurants: Go barging in France for the finest in French cuisine

 The culinary hub of Culver City restaurants continues its expansion, with several new arrivals adding to the fray every week.  There are now at least four French restaurants clamoring for attention, but if you want the real deal, you simply have to go to France and immerse yourself in the gastro-excitement of the area.

We recently returned from a six-day luxury barge trip through the Loire Valley and Burgundy, and I am still swelling from the excitement of the trip. For those of you not familiar with barging, it’s all the rage in Europe where cargo vessels have been converted into small posh hotels that meander down the canals at around 3 mph, stopping in the smaller towns along the way. Get off the barge and stroll along the countryside, hop on a bicycle and discover the nuances of the area, or simply soak in the hot tub until another mood makes its mark.

http://www.gobarging.com/renaissance-standard-itinerary

These trips envelope travelers in culinary luxury with wine pairings, the finesse and finery of top-notch chefs, and the hospitality of a crew who is attentive to your every need. Groups can book the whole barge, making the vacation an even more memorable one to share for many years.

But the food! Created by the up and coming 29- year old Slawek, whose care, heart and finesse put a special spin on our excursion, giving my taste buds a full workout.  I’ll be on the prowl for dishes like these in Culver City in the upcoming weeks.

All photos by Mary McGrath