Limited ‘French impressions’

I was interested to read Valli Herman’s “L.A.’s French Impressions” [July 14]. At one point, she wrote, “Throughout Southern California, nascent and die-hard Francophiles can at least momentarily re-create the atmosphere of France and its culture.” That gave me the impression that I might find some listings for French restaurants and shops where I live, in Orange County.

When I think of “Southern California,” I do not think only of L.A. but also Orange County, Ventura, San Bernardino and San Diego, and all points in between. Why exclude these areas? There must be a number of good French bistros and shops I can visit without spending hours battling traffic driving to L.A.

Helen Priester

Westminster

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The article should have been titled “To Be French on the Westside.” How can Herman write a piece like this and not go east of I-5? She did appropriately go to Long Beach, where Frenchy’s is a classic. What about Cafe Beaujolais in Eagle Rock, where you step through the door and into a Paris neighborhood bistro complete with French waiters? How about La Parisienne in Duarte? Or Nicole’s marvelous import food shop in South Pasadena?

Bob Rosenberg

Glendale