At Home With: Florent & Amelia Marneau
Find out what owners of the Costa Mesa restaurant, Marche Moderne, are like at home.
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Florent and Amelia Marneau have become Orange County's hottest (and most likeable) culinary couple since they opened their own restaurant, Marche Moderne, in Costa Mesa more than a year and a half ago. L.A. foodies have been known to head south to the chic French bistro located at The Penthouse in South Coast Plaza to enjoy the pair's gastronomic delights and casual style of entertaining. But what are the Marneaus like at home? Here, they provide a glimpse of how they live and entertain in the Santa Ana foothills:
Aesthetic sensibility of your home
The influence is from Europe with clean lines, dark browns and uses of stone. There's no clutter to keep our heads clear when we are home.
If your house had a signature soundtrack, the song would be...
Son Nefes (Deep Mix) by Alihan Samedov, from Buddha Bar, Vol. 8
Favorite room
The kitchen is the best room in the house where everyone gathers and helps do the cooking.
The one thing you can't live without in your house
A couple of bottles of good, chilled Champagne
Favorite chair
A folding leather chair that is perfect for looking at cookbooks
The best place to think and imagine
Kitchen table facing outward
Kitchen appliances are by...
Stove by Wolf - it's a great stove with plenty of heat. Sub-Zero refrigerator in stylish stainless steel, but it's high maintenance. Never again!
On cooking at home
Amelia does all the cooking, more relaxed, family style. Florent critiques everything but enjoys the Sundays together with family.
On small intimate gatherings or big parties
In the winter, small and intimate – it's easier to enjoy our friends' company. In the summer, big and festive outside, swimming and barbecuing.
On wine or cocktails
Mostly dry wine like Sancerre or Pinot Noir. Kir Royale (creme de cassis and Champagne) has always been our favorite cocktail.
On a holiday dinner with friends
Christmas dinner has to be our favorite. The menu usually involves less cooking but we choose luxury foods that are easy to prepare. We'll have Champagne, oysters, caviar, foie gras, smoked salmon, lobster. And then, a main course, usually beef. Amelia makes great pastries to finish.
The secret to a successful holiday gathering
We do not overwhelm ourselves - it's very relaxed. We like to cook ahead of time and be well prepared so we can enjoy our guests.
December is...
So crazy, we are not at home much entertaining. We wait for Christmas Day.
