Nothing brings me more joy than huddling over the kitchen counter with my friends, sharing, snacking + drinking before dinner. Without really planning it, we all bring new things to try. A new lentil chip, a chili crisp… a fruit, a bottle of orange. The dinner part is amazing too, don’t get me wrong. I’m beyond grateful to have a seat at the table. But it’s always the lingering bits before and after the meal that really stick with me. I feel so lucky. (You know who you are!)
Anyway…. BITES
He has risen (and so have these restaurants)
Café Tropical, Sweet Lady Jane, Waxpaper Chinatown and Soup Plantation are back. Eater is calling ‘Resurrected Restaurants’ the hottest new trend.
Lots of fooling around on the gram this week…
Stir Crazy now open on weekends? Crudo e Nudo moving to Silver Lake? Me, mailing thousands of newsletters via snail mail? 📬 Flattered you thought so... More April Fools bits here via PB+T…
The official James Beard noms were just announced. (19 LA restaurants were mentioned during the semi-finalist round in January) Only 1 in LA made it through (Best Chef: Lord Maynard Llera, Kuya Lord) along with 2 others in the greater LA area.
Some baseball stuff: ⚾️🧢
To welcome Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto — Dodger’s Stadium brought in a few Japanese concessions. lol! Here’s Eater’s new stadium guide.
Down the street, Lowboy put up a sign promising free food to Ohtani if he’s ever in the mood for a postgame burger. ;)
The LA Times asked the players what their favorite LA restaurants are — answers range from In-N-Out to Girl On the Goat.
I shared what vendors I thought should be at Dodger’s stadium back in BS Issue 22. I’d like to add Loreto’s ‘LA Churros’ to that list. ( an oversight on my end…SMH)
The Coachella Food Lineup was announced.
To name a few: Prince St. Pizza, Fatty Mart, Sweetfin, Bang Bang Noodles, Burgers She Wrote, Kazu Nori, Monty’s Good Burger, Fat Dragon, Menotti’s + The New Bar.
Emily figured out the ‘future of food media.’
One of my fave substack reads from her yet (+ not behind a paywall)
“Anything that you order at a restaurant is communal property of the table.”
Super into these anonymous takes on Deez Links new column, Hate Read.
Speaking of takes, here’s Robby Hoffman’s Subway Take on tipping.
The minimum wage for fast-food workers in California rose to $20 under AB1228.
In case you were wondering, THIS is why Brad Pitt is always eating in his movies…
Kieth Mcnally is looking at spaces in LA — the comment section is chatty.
Broad St. Oyster Co’s first SF location is at Ghirardelli Square. They love a tourist trap. (P.S. they also stopped by Swan’s)
Graza x Meta Haiku soap collab feels a little random? April fools?
Now Serving started a Cookbook Club and made a tote for the occasion.
Little Fish started Friday happy hour at Dada.
Nour went to Sweetgreen (I’m so proud of my friend!)
Lazy Jamie is everywhere all of a sudden — cute giveaway with Donni rn.
A Few Openings…
All’Antico Vinaio opened their second location in K-Town. Damn they move quick.
Kushiba opened in the former Bar Caló space in Echo Park — by Shibumi founder, David Schlosser.
New elusive coffee shop in Montrose? How’s It Going To End
Coming soon…
Bar Sizinki by Dune in Atwater Village
Belle’s Bagels on York is looking real close too 👀
🗓 Add to Cal…
Kumquat’s April drink is Strawberry Mylk Tea
4/04 Wonderwerk’s Marinara launch party is happening at Silver Lake Wine 🍝🍷
4/13 Aimee France will be slingin’ mini cakes at Canyon
4/13 Sip + Sketch at Ruby Fruit with Marianna Fierro
4/20 Usal Foraging + Cooking Class with Jaskrit Bhalla of Inner Garden
4/21 Usal Foraging Hike with Ethan DeLorenzo
4/21 Plant Sale at The Geffen lead by artist, Alika Cooper
More in Mady’s newsletter for Camber…
Taste calls out ‘Traitor Joes’
Taste published an extremely eloquent, devastating, and necessary piece about the the ‘dark world of Trader Joe’s private labeling’. Written by Adam Reiner with the support of Matt Rodbard + Aliza Abarbanel, featuring interviews with Jing Gao + Auria Abraham.
“Behind the bubbly cashiers in Hawaiian shirts, craveable snacks, and bargain-basement prices are questionable business practices that have many food brands crying foul at the company’s blatant and aggressive copycat culture.
And finally, Recent Bites
Capri Club — Who knew y’all loved Calamari so much. My DMs blew up after I shared this. Tastes just as good as it looks — a very welcomed addition to the menu. TY Pete + Bobby! Been loving the Tobacco Negroni lately too… It’s really starting to feel like summer at Capri!
P.S. Did you ever go to Capri before it was Capri? The twins were on Kitchen Nightmares just 6 months before it shuttered.
Khinkali House — The sluttiest Georgian dumplings you’ll ever have... to be paired with sour cream + vodka. Or an ex?
Sasha’s Cake for Danielle’s Bridal Shower: a matcha, milk chocolate + whipped cream cheese cake. I swear, best cake I’ve ever had. (Also pictured above, Bub’s Sandos + Nour Spring Rolls)
Tea Sandwiches — Rachel and I did a little test run of the bites we’re making for an event this weekend at W+R. Pretty fun to make… ngl. Save the crust to make croutons or something ;)
La Mill — Not my fave coffee shop on the block, but oh man this pistachio croissant. IDK who does their pastries now. (It used to be Farmshop…) good job.
Sunday Roast at Chloe’s — Lamb for them, cabbage for me. Carrots + fennel… an Erewhon inspired Nour salad ofc. And THE potatoes.
P.S. I reminded myself that hostess gifts don’t always have to be wine or flowers. Sometimes they can be Cadbury Mini Eggs, a bushel of asparagus, and macaroons.
Last but NOT least, Loreto….
Loreto — Spring Omakase (March 27 - April 1)
This was truly one of the most original meals I’ve had in years. Wildly thoughtful flavor / texture pairings. Each dish felt like a playground. This isn’t one of those dainty tasting menus. I left FULL. Honestly a steal at $125.
Really hard to say, but a few faves: The oyster with rhubarb, beets, + Harry’s Berries 🍓 The Jurel Escabeche (Baja Yellowtail), and the DON Pling (Lobster Dumpling).
Loretos pics are way better than mine.
The full rundown:
Loreto’s Summer Omakase will run at the end of June. ;)
AND, thank you to Danielle for taking me on this date and treating me like a GD PRINCESS!! :) I don’t know what I did in a past life to deserve a friend like you.
Whachya waiting for…
🔗 Last Week’s Most Clicked Link
Here’s proof that Flamingo Estate’s logo can make anything look expensive. Loewe too. 🍆
Awe!! Thank you for including S+S!!
‘sounds like someone could use a little treat’ 😂