Southern Charm star Leva Bonparate owns several eateries in Charleston — but what foods give her all the feels and fuel her soul?
Bonaparte, who highlights her establishment Republic Garden & Lounge on Southern Hospitality, dishes in the latest issue of Us Weekly all about which meals matter most in her life. Starting with her ultimate comfort foods.
The restaurateur, 45, reveals that “Lays chips with ranch dressing” is the comfort food she eats when no one is watching.
“I’m pretty sure my son was made by that,” Bonaparte jokes in her My Life in Food feature, referring to her and husband Lamar Bonaparte’s only child, Lamar “Little” Jr., who was born in January 2018.
Leva adds that the combo of Lays chips and ranch was “also all I could keep down the first month I was pregnant.”
When she’s not craving chips and dip, Leva tells Us her comfort treat is Ferrero Rocher chocolate.
Scroll down for more of Leva’s memorable meals — and pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now:
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What special dinner would your parents make for you on your birthday?
Fesenjoon [a Persian dish with chicken, pomegranate and walnuts]. It’s my favorite because of the nostalgia of eating with family members that are no longer with us, like my grandparents. Growing up, I’d get that and a box of mangoes for my birthday!
What would you order on a first date?
Something light. I love a charcuterie board.
What’s the snack you are obsessed with?
I love eggs, tomatoes and cottage cheese with lots of salt!
What’s a recipe that you made up?
I make recipes up every day! Love mushrooms in everything though! Any recipe I [create] I add mushrooms [like] grilled cheese. My friends laugh because when we eat out, they know I’ll ask to add mushrooms to whatever I order!
I’ve [also] put my twist on [several recipes]. In our culture, we have a thing called Tahdig. It’s when you flip your rice over, like, a cake and the top is all crispy. I love adding caramelized onions and tortillas to the bottom of the rice. It’s so delish!
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What food did you not like as a kid but have since added into your diet?
I hated pomegranate and all things green and saffron. Now I love it along with all things green and pomegranate!
What would be your last meal on earth?
Steak and creamed corn. My hubs and I love a great steak! Wherever we travel we look for a great steak house. I’d never had creamed corn until I moved to the south and there is nothing tastier to me. Add a little truffle butter to the steak and some creamed horseradish and I’m in heaven!
Southern Charm and Southern Hospitality air on Bravo Thursdays at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET.
