Smooth transition to the Valley

Singer Melissa Manchester likes to play it smooth, whether it’s crooning her brand of jazz-pop or going out to a quiet brasserie. Though she began her career as a backup singer to Barry Manilow and Bette Midler, she made a name for herself in the ‘70s with hits such as “Midnight Blue” and “Don’t Cry Out Loud.” And though she grew up in New York, these days she’s a Valley girl -- and proud of it. Now out with “When I Look Down That Road,” her first album in a decade, the Encino resident will wrap up a five-night run Saturday at the Cinegrill in Hollywood.

‘It’s just so lovely’

I remember when I first moved out to the Valley, there was a stigma against anyone who would even deign to live here. But I think it’s a terrific place to live in. Tarzana, in particular, is a sort of dusty place, and I always wave to people hello and goodbye and thank you for not staying, because it’s just so lovely and quiet.

On Saturday, we usually go to a farmers’ market, maybe Tapia Brothers on Hayvenhurst Avenue, which is a great old family farm stand. It’s an actual farm, and they have a stall where they sell fruit and vegetables, and then during the holiday season it’s also a pumpkin patch. Or it’s where we get our Christmas tree.

Later, my husband [Kevin DeRemer] and I have our friends over and cook and just spend all Saturday prepping the house and preparing dishes. Nobody leaves my house hungry.

French findings

When we feel like having a special dinner, we go to Mistral Brasserie in Sherman Oaks. It’s a very cozy setting: dark wood, crystal chandeliers, French food and a great bar. The service is really convivial. They remember what you drank the last time you were there. Their tarragon chicken is French bistro fare. It comes in a mustard sauce with pommes frites. I also love their beet salad, which is spectacular.

We love to go see friends at La Ve Lee on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City. Our friend Stephan Oberhoff, who co-produced my album, has a group, and whenever he’s performing there, we always go and support him. He’s a splendid musician. The club is like somebody’s living room. It’s very woody and the sound is good, not too loud.

We also love to go to the Getty and bring people from out of town there. The building itself is remarkable, and the gardens are gorgeous. I have a great affinity for Impressionist paintings, so I spend a lot of time there.

Almost home

Oxnard is as close to the spirit of Fire Island in New York as we’ve been able to find. It’s very quiet. We love to spend time there. Sometimes we stay at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and other times we rent a house during the summer. It’s easygoing and people know us.

The last time we were up there, we went into one of the little shops and they said, “Hey. Where have you been? We haven’t seen you in a couple of years.”

Oxnard is only 50 minutes from our house in Encino, and it’s 20 degrees cooler. There’s a huge beach, and it’s usually pretty empty. We rarely go into town because the ocean provides endless entertainment. Being in this business, it’s great to decompress and breathe as deeply as your lungs will take it in. It’s a lovely weekend getaway.