Start the Presses: An Armenian chef, French food and a side of homesickness

Despite all this, Jamgotchian doesn't see himself headed back to France soon.

“If I head back, after a couple weeks, I'd be homesick for America,” he said. “I don't think I'd be able to have a restaurant in France. Too many taxes, too much. It would be so much harder to do my passion.”

Besides, Jamgotchian said he loves America, despite its social challenges.

“I have the best of everything,” he said. “Full-blooded Armenian, born in France and naturalized American. So, yes, I chose to be American.”

With that opening, I decided to ask him how he stood in the election. Jamgotchian gave me a look.

“As French people, we really tend not to say these things,” he said. “That being said, I think Obama is doing a good job.”

He said Mitt Romney, his wife Ann and one of their children — he isn't sure which one — stopped by the restaurant for breakfast about six months ago.

“I didn't even know it was him,” he laughed, “I guess he didn't make a big impression. One of my waiters had to point him out.”

DAN EVANS is the editor. He’s happy to be headed back to Southern California. Reach him at (818) 637-3234 or dan.evans@latimes.com.