LOVELY LIZZIE
“Food for Gilles is absolutely his everything. Almost to the point where I’m jealous, because he dreams of food.”
Not so fast Elizabeth, you can’t fool us. If you weren’t the American super-model/actress who’s heart was captured by this charming Frenchman, I might believe you. However, with your looks and personality, I think he might have a thing or two to worry about. Super-model/actress Elizabeth Nottoli, turned Mrs. Epie, turned restaurateur herself at Citrus Etoile, right beside her husband, world renown and award winning French chef Gilles Epie. As a matter of fact, the couple met while Elizabeth was dining at L’Orangerie in Los Angeles, when Chef Epie was head chef. He took the restaurant from a 3 star to a 5 star within 6 months, landing himself the prestigious title of Best Chef in America in 1996. I wonder if it was his culinary talents that won her over?
Gilles and Elizabeth Epie
However, if you ask Gilles, he will tell you that the best chef he knows is Lizzy. “She cooks every weekend,” Gilles says enthusiastically. I was actually almost afraid to ask him that question being the chef of his caliber that he is. So I went on to ask Gilles what would be his favorite meal? He quickly answered “Lizzy’s chicken!” Ok, Lizzy, anny-up that recipe! If she weren’t such an attention grabber as hostess, they might relocate her to the back along side Gilles where she can start making her secret recipe and add it to the menu (see below where to find her enticing recipe!). Nevertheless, we prefer to see her and interact with her from the moment we enter Citrus Etoile.
Gilles Epie in Citrus Etoile
Located in the heart of Paris, near the Champs-Elysees and Arch de Triumph, Citrus Etoile’s attractive interior is accented by the stunning Hermes-ish orange starting from the façade. We have Elizabeth to thank for the décor. And kudos to Gilles on the fantastic culinary fare, of course. His dishes are much like the couple themselves actually, French with American influences. They make magic together!
“Elizabeth is sweet, is a smart lady, a great mother, and a great business partner,” Gilles says proudly when asked what is most attractive about her. I think he covered all the bases here. However, he did admit to me that it was her beauty that first caught his attention. I don’t blame him. This is why she was such a successful model. A model who fell in love with a Frenchman, continuing to live a cosmopolitan life but in Paris, for now. I’m hoping to see this couple together on TV one day…maybe a reality cooking show? I would love to see them in action!
Un Baiser, photo by Renee Jacobs
A Bientot mes amies!
xx- Slavica
P.S. I’ll post Lizzy’s recipe soon here at Inspirational Woman Magazine and on Seductively French!
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