The Amuse Bouche Awards

Le Best of 2024

Dec 29, 2024

Bonjour for the final time this year!

I hope you’re enjoying some time off and some rest and relaxation among all the holiday celebrations. It’s been quite the year! TBH, lots of ups and downs, but ending on a high note! I feel like I accomplished some goals, tried new things (like starting this newsletter - and sticking to it!) and faced some fears, which always seems to be the key to any sort of personal growth. Also got to do some very cool jobs this year which I’m very grateful for. Working with legends like Tonne Goodman and Lauren Hutton on the Banana Republic holiday campaign was a real highlight. So, in the theme of highlights, here is my first annual Amuse Bouche Awards…

Best bite: The pizza rosso at Da Cesare al Casaletto in Rome. This was a Katie Parla recommendation, and boy did it deliver. The crust was thin and perfectly crisp topped with nothing but smooth and perfect tomato sauce, beautiful simplicity, it makes you rethink everything you believe about pizza. Check out all my Rome spots here!

Best comeback: RVR - Very rarely does something beloved actually come back from the dead. Such is the case with RVR, formerly MTN, which closed early Covid and is now back and better than ever. A cozy, comforting and delicious izakaya has returned as the hub of the community in Venice. Endlessly grateful to Travis for bringing it back to life! Must try: Japanese sweet potatoes, the grilled squid, uni handrolls, and all the desserts - low key incredible.

Favorite Shows: Mr + Mrs Smith, The Day of the Jackal, Hacks, America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Technically from 2023, but if you haven’t watched The Curse - you must. All of these were fun, singular, and binge-worthy.

Favorite Movie: My husband’s movie The Greatest Hits is obviously my favorite film of the year, but I’m very biased! It’s about love, loss, music and memory all set in Los Angeles and starring the most talented Lucy Boynton, Justin H. Min, and David Corenswet. I also loved Anora! It was so much fun and well done and never crossed the predictable line of the male gaze. Highly recommend! Plus it’s hilarious. Controversially, I also really enjoyed The Apprentice. This movie was so interesting and the performances by Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong are some of the best I’ve seen in a while. I also thought Nicole Kidman was incredible in Babygirl.

Most read issue: The Investment Portfolio - As a model, I’ve worn literally millions of outfits, and these are the pieces I think are worth the price tag! So fun to see this one take off!

Fave wine of the year: Tiberio Fonte Canale Trebbiano d’Abruzzo. This wine is made by the inimitable and talented Cristiana Tiberio - someone I really look up to! Tastes like riding on a shooting star! Very mineral, green apple, apricot, tangerine and lemon peel. So elegant and interesting, like Cristiana herself.

Best Beauty Finds: My favorite products of the year are the YSE Skin Glow SPF30 -perfect base for everyday, no makeup needed. The Westman Atelier Face Trace stick in Biscuit doubles as a gorgeous eyeshadow and is the most subtle, easy and chic contour. Farah Homidi lip in nude 1 is my go-to that looks super natural yet polished. Plus the baby blue compact is a status symbol among the cool girls. This year, ROZ changed my hair. I finally have found shampoo and conditioner that don’t irritate my scalp. I can’t live without their Air Thickening Spray, Santa Lucia Styling Oil, and Milk Hair Serum. Basically, I swear by the whole line!

Best Pizza LA: Leopardo - I judge every pizza by the margarita of course and here, it is off the hook. The tomatoes are barbecued, the crust is crispy, the cheese is salty. The whole thing is an umami bomb. Their Hello Satan pie with pepperoni is insane as well. Leopardo also wins most memorable cocktail award for their rhubarb negroni (hot pink, served in a teacup) and their filthy martini (tiny, ice cold, served in a sidecar and so savory it tastes like chicken consomme. J’adore.) Bottoms up!

Fave hotel of the year: Estelle Manor - I love love love going to the English countryside and Estelle Manor is definitely the hotspot of the moment. It’s the sister hotel to London member’s club Maison Estelle and is very opulent and chi chi with that signature English old world charm. Was a perfect place to relax for a few days but rest assured, there’s plenty of opportunity for dressing up and having a posh dinner and drinks. Grab your Barbour coat, your Wellies, and live out your Princess Di fantasies. For more on our stay, check this out.

Best Rewatch: Love Island UK - This got me through some stressful times this year! It’s hilarious, dramatic, boring, exciting and romantic! Truly a slice of life microcosm, and if you enjoy reality TV, settle in for 60(!) episodes per season. My true best travel hack is to download a million episodes and let em rip from the moment you get to your seat. Start with the iconic season 5 and see what all the fuss is about with Molly Mae and Tommy Fury. Trigger warning: men in skinny jeans with waxed eyebrows.

Best Sandwich: The sandwiches from Mamie’s are out of this world. I highly recommend splitting a Monaco (tuna with spicy Calabrian chilis) and a Caprese. Another sandwich I can’t get out of my mind was Dungeness crab on a toasted brioche bun with lemon chili mayo from Lemon Hill!

Best Lunch: The River Café - Top priority when in London! We had spring nettle pasta, perfect fritto misto, and finished off with a lemon, polenta and almond cake with caramelized blood orange. Such a fun and fresh room with that Yves Klein blue carpet and silver bar. Iconic for a reason!

Best purchase: Treated myself to a pair of Bally Plume loafers last month and they’re quickly becoming my favorite shoe. They really are fabulous and make everything look chic. If you’ve been thinking about them, I say go for it! Also as mentioned before, I can’t stop wearing my patent J.Crew barn jacket.

Game Changer: Acupuncture! This past year I’ve committed to a weekly acupuncture session which pushed me wayyy out of my comfort zone. I hate needles and felt really scared about the whole thing. Luckily I have an amazing practitioner who met me where I was at and really helped me get through to the other side. Now I’m a pro! I’d say my overall anxiety has reduced by 50% or more! It’s a very helpful practice for so many issues and I’m just proud of myself for facing that fear!

Favorite home items: My Gohar pot holders bring me a lot of joy multiple times a day. My collection of Ginori mugs make preparing my morning tea a true delight! The best way to start the day.

As for 2025, I hope to continue challenging myself, growing our wine company Lorenza, playing a lot of tennis and showing up every week in your inbox!! Wouldn’t mind a lil trip on the Belmond Scotsman or to Drei Berge as well! Last year I filled out Grace Clarke’s Annual Personal Planner and it was very in depth but fun! Excited to do it again for this coming year. If there’s anything you’d like to see more of on Amuse Bouche, please let me know, the chat is always open! Your support, likes and comments mean so much to me! Feel free to pass along to anyone who you think would enjoy my rambling about restaurants and hotels and shoes and whatnot! Hope you all have some fabulous plans and a cute outfit for ringing in the new year. I did a fun NYE Get Ready With Me with Westman Atelier if you want to check it out!

Wishing you the very best for 2025.

Michèle

P.S. If you make a purchase using the links above, I may make a commission - so thank you!