Issue 29 — It's Giving Thanks 🍷🥟
Highland Park's Soft Launch Era + Madhappy's new Melrose Hype Hub
Ahhh it feels like the holidays when I have Alison Roman’s Thanksgiving Special playing in the background while I work through BFCM. 🌲 Holiday cocktails are on the menu at Capri, + Ghia spreads are back. Guys, I think i’m getting sick of BOWS?!
I took a few weeks off the newsletter with all the travel, eating and marketing work — I’m writing this from my Dad’s house in Marin. Apologies if this IG story was confusing. I don’t actually have any plans to move back north, or to open a wine bar any time soon. A girl can dream though?
Anyway, I hope you’re having a festive time, and this is a nice little break in the sales content for your inbox.
Bites
Consider December 2nd BOOKED. Between the Seen Library Pop-Up at Platform, Midland Market, + Usal Block Party, it’s sure to be a stacked day. 📅
In case you end up stranded at LAX this holiday season, Eater has a guide for you.
You don’t need to scroll through any more Gift Guides, Flamingo Estate has you covered.
Sauce brand Truff has a new stakeholder, and it’s Kim K.
Madilta Djerf is in LA hitting hot spots: Courage, El Prado, Jon + Vinny’s.
AMC x Hidden Valley Ranch teamed up for a limited edition gourmet movie theater popcorn. Probably bomb or absolutely disgusting. Please lmk. 🍿
This Aussie Sushi spot in New York has been controversial since it opened. Let’s not forget Guy Fieri ran a sushi-and-barbecue joint called Tex Wasabi’s for 20 years. $5 hand rolls though? 👀
What’s going on with Bar Chelou’s IG?
Din Tai Fung has officially moved from the Americana to the Glendale Galleria making it the ‘Galleria’s Hottest Restaurant Opening Since Panda Express Debuted in 1983’.
Madhappy on Melrose
Madhappy opened their first flagship store on Melrose Black Friday morning — Developed in collaboration with PlayLab, Inc., the brick-and-mortar location includes unique features like a sunken conversation pit, a large open-air courtyard, and a cafe they’re calling Pantry.
Are you ready for the menu partners? Hotel Drugs, Courage Bagels, Gjusta, Jon & Vinny’s, Beverly Hills Juice and AWAN. They’re not fucking around.
In Issue 13 when I said ‘Influencers don’t want clothes, they want dinner’ this is what I meant. Out are the days of static outfit pics against a wall. In are the days of documenting a well-dressed dinner party, or a coffee hang with the girls. Stunning interiors are always a plus (minimal or maximal) — story responses rolling in ‘where is this?’ No tags leaving you to zoom in for clues.
While she may not be one to drive across town for the new Ugg collab, Courage Bagels or a hot new place to get matcha might do the trick.
Every post, like, and share is free advertisement. Telegrama might have to scooch over. Well done Madhappy.
More Openings —
Highland Park is soft launching all over Fig.
Highly Likely is open from breakfast through dinner, and eventually will be opening their full bar in the back patio.
Carla’s Fresh Market, the new grocery store on 50th came through just in time for thanksgiving. Full coffee service began 11/23.
Jeni’s Ice Cream arrived with new holiday flavors, like Boozy Eggnog + Merry Berry. Welcome to the neighborhood.
A little update on the former Little Pine Silver Lake space — It was just announced Billie Eilish and Finneas partnering with the new vegan Italian spot, Argento. Projected to open in December. Cute. 🌱
Hibi in K-Town is on my radar specifically because of this mushroom dish. It’s a new modern Japanese strip mall restaurant with Korean influence (sister to Kabuki). Chef Daniel Kim is shooting for the stars, Michelin ones. ⭐️
A new wanna-be courage, Smögen opened in Studio City (only weekends.) 🥯 This one looks worth checking out.
Cookie Cult Fleurs Et Sel will be opening their first brick and mortar in Culver City early 2024. They’re hiring now. 🍪
Singapore-based soup dumpling restaurant Paradise Dynasty is moving into the former DTF space summer 2024. 🥟
P.S. Adding these all to the ‘Openings Issue 27’.
Thanksgiving Bites
I made a stuffing for Friendsgiving — loaded with veggies, mushrooms, carrots, leeks, and apple for some crunch. I used a Bub + Grandma’s Seeded loaf, and the dark Cheesecake Factory Bread. (Absolutely love a high / low moment. I also made Hippo’s Charred Green Beans With Hazelnuts And Serrano Chile to get a little spice on the table.
On actual Thanksgiving, 12 of us walked over to Yank Sings in San Francisco for dim sum. On the table: endless buns and dumplings filled with mushrooms, pea shoots, fish… we had sticky rice, walnut shrimp, chicken feet… A bottle of Grüner, never ending tea and fried sesame balls with bean paste for dessert. A+
Later on we had pie. My aunt made 5. 🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧
2 cherry (paired with thin slices of sharp white cheddar) 2 pumpkin, 1 apple, and a partridge in a pair tree.
Other Bites —
Horses 🐎
(I knowwww can you believe?) I loved the caesar salad. This stinky pumpkin pasta on the other hand that came out to $6 a ravioli… was not a our favorite. At least the stench kept us laughing all night long. Also truly the SWEETEST staff - they even sang Jess happy birthday and the desserts were BOMB. (Refresh on Horses in Issue 9)
Fat Dragon
Enjoyed while rotting on the couch watching Freaky Friday with the girls. Elite combo. The best orange tofu I’ve ever had. *Only get takeout… don’t dine in.
Capri Club
Capri’s hot toddy ‘By The Fire’ made with @flowerheadtea Chai, Meletti Amaro, Whiskey and a splash of Oat Milk. by Petetini
Salud Salud
I ate strawberries + bread by Salud Salud at a Lobster Club opening. This was hands down the greatest show I’ve been to all year…
With work by The McGregor (which you’ve all seen at Cafe Triste) new fave Jess Ackerman, Boramie Sao, Sofia Branco Kraft and wayyy more.
Cafe Telegrama
These ricotta pancakes are to die for - with blueberry compote + maple syrup. YES.
Tokki
I had the most delicious Soju ‘old fashioned’ served with a sweet corn rice puff snack. (Also apparently everyone knows the H-Mart / K-Town parking hack except for me?)
Yuzu Wine @ Little Ripper
Tried the Yuzu Co. x Wonderwerk wine collab. It drank like a cider and would be a great option for breweries to have around for non-beer drinkers.
My Friend’s Houses :)
I’ve been extremely grateful to be enjoying more dinners with friends at their homes — Chloe greeted us with caviar + crisps and made the most deliciously rich pumpkin risotto. Another night, Annie made pumpkin butter (which we begged her make again for Friendsgiving) Danielle has nailed the roasted carrot sunny tahini combo. Stay in and cook with your friends guys! It’s fun :)
Wavy Wines
We’ve also managed to drink Sunshine exclusively for the last 2 weeks. (Blend of Grenache Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Muscat.) My mom even potted it in Encinitas.
Highly Likely
I’ve been to HiLi thrice since it opened in my neighborhood 2 weeks ago. Last time, I went for my go-to lunch combo: salad + fries (I could literally drink their yuzu aioli)
The Caker
Jessie and I made a gold leaf flourless chocolate cake using The Caker’s box mix. Is there anything more luxurious than eating gold?
🔗 Last Week’s Most Clicked Link:
Eater just announced their Best New Restaurants list for 2023. The only LA spot that made the cut happens to be one of my personal favorites. 👏 Bar Chelou!
highly likely Highly Likely is our new date spot
I haven't even begun reading and I'm already enthralled... the tile alone and don't get be started on the subhead... brb after I actually read it...