Kirstin Dunst from the cover of a past issue of Vogue magazine as Marie Antoinette ,
the hallway leading to La Veranda restaurant in Versailles
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| Dunst surrounded by Paris's own LaDurée creations for the film set |
Went to Versailles recently for a portrait photo shoot and lunched at Gordon Ramsay's
La Veranda restaurant at the
Trianon Palace Hotel. We started the day by slowly walking through the palace while shooting portraits in hidden corners basked with natural light. We had a real portrait moment when arriving at Marie Antoinette's personal house,
Le Petit Trianon. Soft oval shaped inset windows and a powerful energy in the space made the magic happen. My subject
Michelle, along with Marie A., embodies a whimsical elegance and so I suppose it just felt like the right place to be.
Images of Kirstin Dunst, playing the 19 year old queen, came to mind while meandering through the palais. The film's director, Sofia Coppola , was granted (rare) permission to shoot her film, "Marie Antoinette", entirely on location within the grounds of the Château de Versailles.
One of my favorite things in life, Andalusian Gazpacho, with heirloom tomatoes and a chévre and lobster croûton - yumtastic
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| A highlight of the lunch, a silky pumpkin soup with a hidden burrata pillow underneath and a bit of brussels sprouts |
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| Pressed Foie Gras with cured artichoke hearts, fleur de sel, and a citrus and ginger chutney |
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| Loved this Cala Lily display in the lobby hallway |
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| La Veranda burger, or what Michelle called , the 'spleen burger' . It tasted very organ-y, a disappointing burger |
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| Bavette of Black Angus with braised endives and augrumes, citrus fruits - Nice textures and flavors with this one |
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| Coffee mousse with biscuit crumble and Manjari chocolate ice cream - kinda don't remember it |
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| Cheesecake frapée with a sablée crumble and wild strawberries |
After lunch we went outside to find our driver, but instead we found a vintage car show. Lots of over the shoulder sweaters and suited up men with swirls for eyes.
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| I want to drive this car one time down a narrow road surrounded by fireworks under a full moon |
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| Dream car by Ferrari |
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| Another Ferrari with nice froggy yellow eyes |
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| I didn't realize I had such a thing for vintage cars, but dang - these cars were mesmerizing |
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| Alfa Romancing the stone |
