An Afternoon at Fait Maison Salon de Thé

July 16, 2025July 13, 2025 Mstldelano1 Comment

While in London earlier this year, I finally got to dine at Fait Maison, a beautiful restaurant that is perfectly Instagram-able (picturesque at every turn) and has an incredible menu. The restaurant has a menu that features French-Khaleeji cuisine. It was busier than I like (quieter meals in more spacious settings is my preference) but beautiful, popular restaurants are rarely quiet.

The restaurant has several locations, including one in Qatar. Since I stayed near Mayfair, I went to the Gloucester Road location (I went to the Salon de Thé, which is just a block away from another Fait Maison locations). I arrived during the brunch rush which, in hindsight, was a bad idea if my goal was to enjoy a quieter, more leisurely experience. That being said, the room was buzzing with families and “ladies who lunch”, and among the throngs I spotted Yvonne Osman (Om Waleed) the chef and proprietress of Fait Maison. A perfectly styled and elegant beauty, she looks exactly like the lovely caricature featured on the menu cover (that’s how I knew who she was!). She’s a swan in human form, and she floated through the restaurant with an inspiringly calm and self possessed energy.

For my brunch, I enjoyed the Balaleet and the Fattoush Salad. The Balaleet featured sweetened saffron noodles that reminded me a bit of chopped up rice vermicelli (I’m not sure what kind of noodle was used: I didn’t ask). The noddles were topped with crumbled pistachios and a few beautiful dried rosebuds. The combination of sweet, savory and earthy was divine. The Fattoush Salad was an intoxicating blend of lettuce, pomegranate molasses, fresh mint, sumac, and pomegranate seeds, served in a crisp flat bread bowl that the server crushed together tableside, before serving it to me. I wish I got a picture before the crushing happened: the presentation both before and after was stunning. This salad continued the sweet/savory/earthy theme, but also added a bit of tart brightness with the pomegranate. Both dishes tasted heavenly. With my meal, I enjoyed some tea and leaned into my people watching hobby: this location is perfect for viewing beautiful people enjoying their beautiful lives.

Fait Maison is such a fresh interpretation of vintage French-inspired dining. A meal here is like eating in a Rococo fantasy: the tables, wall art, and other interior design touches all create a dazzling effect that perfectly presents the Euro/Arabian style fusion that carries through the menu. I relished this experience and I can’t wait to return, so I can dine at some other locations and try some more of Fait Maison’s offerings!

Have you been to any of the Fait Maison locations? I’d love to hear your thoughts below!

food · health

Implementing the Barone Diet

April 20, 2021April 20, 2021 MstldelanoLeave a comment

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned the books that I read in the month of March. In that post, I mentioned that I read two books written by Anne Barone: Chic and Slim and Chic and Slim Encore. Naturally, the title reveals a little bit about the content: the book gives different ways to achieve slimness. But other than that, you may not be sure exactly what the books discuss.

In short, the books explain how the French lifestyle – from food to fashion to relationships – contribute to the ability to remain slim. After a particularly stressful year (most of us have been under tremendous stress this year), I noticed I’d put on a little more weight than I cared to have. So I pulled out Barone’s book and started to remind myself of the techniques I used to slim down a few years ago.

You see, back in 2015, I wanted to slim down, but I wasn’t sure how I could do it without feeling hungry or unsatisfied. I initially got a copy of Chic and Slim Encore for free on Amazon (there was a Kindle special) and, after reading it, I decided to purchase the original “Chic and Slim” ebook. So I started eating like the French and, wouldn’t you know it, I lost weight.

One of the best things about the French method of maintaining a slender physique is that it does not require deprivation. While on this eating and lifestyle plan, I am able to enjoy 4- and 5-course meals. I don’t have to exercise strenuously, and self-care is a priority. This eating plan allows me to lose weight without starving myself or sweating my life away in the gym. It’s perfect for me, because it allows my dining experiences to feel more elegant (and we all know how much I love elegant living!), as well as more intentional. My meals can’t be rushed, so I have a chance to really pace myself and avoid overeating.

So, if you’re interested in this particular diet, check out Anne Barone’s books. You won’t be disappointed!

festivals · international

It’s Officially Festival Season!

April 14, 2018April 11, 2018 MstldelanoLeave a comment

April is such a bittersweet month for me. It’s when spring really starts to kick into gear, and my allergies get assaulted to the nth degree. It’s also still cold and rainy enough to make quite a few days less than ideal.

However, there is a lot to love about April. For starters, it isn’t as cold as the winter months! And, it signals the beginning of festival season in Richmond and DC. And there’s nothing I love more than to be able to pick and choose the festivals that I want to attend!

There are so many festivals that have caught my eye: I’m having a hard time picking a few to mention here. But, as best I can, here are some of the events I look forward to attending during the first two months of this festival season:

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Richmond French Food Festival – Food, wine, music, and supporting a good cause: the French Food Festival has to be one of my favorite hometown events to attend. I went several years ago and enjoyed the dishes, the can-can dancers, and the vendors offering all sorts of delightful objets d’art. This one will be a lot of fun!

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Strawberry and Wine Festival – this festival combines two of my favorite things: wine and strawberries! It’s wholesome fun for the entire family, with treats, music and activities for all. This year will be my first time going, and I’m really excited to experience this festival!

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Passport DC – various embassies in Washington, DC open their doors for a once-a-year event that allows visitors to tour the embassy offices and ambassador residences. I wrote about my visit to the Haitian embassy during Passport DC last year. Visitors can talk to embassy staff and get to experience a slice of the countries participating. This free event draws a lot of people, but if you are willing to brave the crowds, you will be rewarded!

Do you have any festivals that you love to attend? Let me know in the comments below: I’d love to hear about them!