About this time of year, do you find yourself waxing nostalgic when the grand European Perigord Truffle season is but a distant memory?  Did you know that since the 1990s, Australia has been cultivating these culinary gems and that their season, the opposite of its European counterpart is about to begin?  To celebrate, Melisse in Santa Monica has invited Chef Peter Gilmore from Quay Restaurant in Sydney, Australia to help host a “celebration of the commencement of Australian Perigord Black Truffle Season” on Friday June 13th.  There will be two seatings; one at 5:30pm and the second at 8:15pm.  Cost is $185 and reservations are bound to go like hotcakes, so secure yours by dialing (310) 395-0881 just as fast as your little fingers can or click here.

Few restaurants in LA are as prestigious as iconic Mélisse.  And, they’ve been carrying the baton of Haute French for a full 14 years now.  To celebrate, Mélisse is offering a special 5 course “Dine Mélisse” tasting menu during special dates over two weeks: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday July 16-19, and Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday July 23-26.  Cost is $75.  Reserve your table by calling (310) 395-0881 and be sure to specify “Dine Mélisse”.  melisse.com

 Mélisse in Santa Monica, in keeping with its visiting chef series, is hosting a special event with Chef Sinichi Sato of Passage 53 in Paris.  Sinichi, who hails from such luminaries as Gagnaire, L’Astrance and Aida, and is the first Japanese chef in France to receive 2 Michelin stars, will be presenting his modern French Ten Tasting Menu for two nights only: Tuesday, November 27th and Thursday, November 29th. To score a reservation, call 310.395.0881 just as fast as your little fingers can dial…

It’s no secret that Josiah Citrin is against the upcoming July voter-approved ban on foie gras.  Last night, May 14th, Citrin’s Santa Monica Michelin two-starred restaurant Melisse (melisse.com) held a $200 six course fundraising foie gras dinner with part of the proceeds going to C.H.E.F.S. (Coalition for Humane and Ethical Farming Standards), an organization of local chefs dedicated to fighting the California ban.  In response, a number of animal rights organizations including the Animal Protection & Rescue League (www.stopforcefeeding.com) held a peaceful protest outside and a media circus ensued.  Present were a number of local television stations, Santa Monica police, about 30 protestors, and a few bewildered patrons.  Here a few photos of the melee:

This Sunday, April 29th, begins the “5 X 5” Guest Chef collaborative that introduces guest chefs to 5 restaurants in LA.  Melisse kicks off the series of dinners over the course of the next few months by hosting a special dinner on Sunday with Chef Ludo Lefebre, who will provide a course “in the style of the Host Restaurant”.   The other participants in the 5 X 5 program are:

Monday, May 21, 2012: PROVIDENCE, with Guest Chef Jeremy Fox                      Monday, July 16, 2012: ANGELENI OSTERIA, with Guest Chef Michael Tusk
Monday, August 20, 2012: BOUCHON, with Guest Chef to be announced
Sunday, September 16, 2012: ink., with Guest Chef Chris Cosentino

Cost is $150 per person plus gratuity and tax and a portion of the proceeds goes to Special Olympics.  Make a reservation at Melisse by calling (310) 395-0881, and make future reservations at the home restaurant.

Josiah Citrin’s new book, In Pursuit of Excellence, is just about to be released.  To celebrate, Josiah will be hosting a function at his flagship restaurant Melisse on Sunday  December 4th from 4pm to 7pm.  Hot off the press, the books will be available for signing, as well as food and drink.  Space is extremely limited… But if you’re a fan of Citrin’s, why not try your luck by sending yours and one guest’s name to Jannis Swerman at jannids@aol.com.