Issue 58 — The September Issue
Just a really long issue...
I’m going to get back to sending these once a week so they don’t get so long! Bits of this issue were sitting in a draft that didn’t manage to go out before I left town.
I’m in San Francisco now, where I’ll be for the next couple of weeks! Of course I have a long list of places + spots I want to check out, but I’m always open to suggestions! ⤵
Anyway, back to LA stuff!
Bites
Bub + Grandma’s next spot is a pizzeria — set to open in 2025 in the recently shuttered Town Pizza space on York in Highland Park. 🍕
Shake Shack is closing 5 socal locations next month (yes, including Silver Lake…)
Also closing, Poltergeist — the culinary chaos that lived in an Echo Park arcade.
The Thai Caesar is pretty special, worth trying before they shut down at the end of the month. Until then, chef Argoti will be “going all out” with a slew of specials he’s been too nervous to add to the menu thus far.
Button Mash is also closing… if you care. New tenant TBD.
Ghia’s latest addition to the roster is BIG — Le Fizz puts them in the wine alternative category - which hasn’t quite been able to compete with actual wine yet. If anyone can do it, it’s Ghia. The campaign imagery has been iconic. I have my bottle, excited to try!
Yess is opening a cafe this winter in the same building their restaurant is in.
Katy Perry’s launched a smoothie at Erewhon featuring her sparkling non-alcoholic aperitif De Soi, ‘Orange You Glad I love You'. They sent me to try it, and I actually really liked it! Tastes like an orange creamsicle. So nostalgic and great on a 105º day… 🍊
Also at Erewhon, Emma dropped a Chamberlain Coffee matcha swirl.
Olipop’s new flavor is giving Mountain Dew.
Sqirl x Zara… that’s all.
Camber is launching their first ever limited-edition menu item at Alfalfa this Thursday 9/19! Let's just say, your breakfast will never be the same... 👀
In case you needed some insane fall nail inspo…
The Harry’s Berries farmers are retiring — don’t worry, the berries aren’t going anywhere. 🍓
Infatuation made a burger matrix. Kinda wanna make one myself…
The new Kitchen Aid x William Sonoma collab feels very Ballerina Farm…
Good Friend Coffee has been popping up outside of their future home in Virgil Village on the weekends.
Another minimal coffee shop is coming to York in Highland Park.
Zero-proof bar, Stay didn’t stay around Chung King Road very long.
P.S. It was Stay’s opening that sent me down a Chinatown Punk Wars rabbit hole in Issue 35.
NY wine bar, Sauced 🍷 opened at the former Ace Hotel rooftop.
Escape to the Hamptons and get ready for Ina Garten’s memoir (October 2024) with this quick New Yorker read.
‘If you know, you know Balo Orozco, a singular chef with his own kombucha brand. If you don't, you will soon.’ — Loved this feature on the The Angel
Netflix’s Chef’s Table is coming back with noods.
The Bear won a record-setting 11 Emmy Awards from 23 nominations, the most in a single year for a series in the comedy category.
‘Whether “The Bear” is actually a comedy is the subject of debate because of the show’s tense atmosphere, themes of suicide and depression and what some feel is a lack of outright laughs.’ — Forbes
A few weeks ago I mentioned La Pharmacies du Vin closed — false alarm.
Logan is stretching his cucumber bit (as he should). He’s done collabs with Netflix, Drink Body Armor, Doordash… and now La La Land But this cucumber hat, is probably my fave. 🥒
Chipotle x Spirit Halloween joined forces for a collection of costumes: Water Cup, Napkin, Fork, To-Go bag and my personal favorite, the burrito.
🗓 Summer Specials + Events
Dada’s Catalina Apéro spritz looks perfect ⤴
Ggiata’s September Sandwich, BLAT — bacon, shrettuce, heirloom tomatoes, sliced avocado + charred scallion aioli on toasted brioche.
Kumquat’s Melon Soda Float — McConnell’s sweet cream ice a cream and a cherry.
DTLA Pine + Crane’s Pink Flamingo — I didn’t even realize they had a liquor license tbh…
Kismet’s Chocolate Hazelnut Cake with whipped labneh + olive oil. (Accidentally gluten free!)
Mandarin Coffee: Passion Fruit Mango Fizz ft. Hot Jamn Preserves
Mondays / Tuesdays: Teotl at Arroyo Club — the salmon tostada…
9/19 Camber x Alfalfa exclusive breakfast menu item launches ;)
9/20 Found Oyster is popping up at Penny in New York
9/22 Chloe Cooks at Botanica — Scallop crudo, moroccan spiced mushrooms, lots of zucchini. Full menu here.
9/29 Camila Creates at Soho Warehouse ‘A Feast for the Senses’
9/29 Flower’s Finest Opening Party in Eagle Rock (drinks by Capri Club, ice cream by Fluffy’s, treats by AlmondMilkMaiden + more)
11/26 Oasus at Zebulon LOL - kinda down
Recent Bites
Queen St: I’ve been frequenting Queen specifically for their Low Tide menu… a $10 glass of wine and an oyster slider is the perfect order for a quick catch up at the bar. But after Caidin suggested the Mackerel Tartare off the specials menu for a third time, we finally ordered it. Delicious. With a heap of dill and just a touch of horseradish, served with Ritz of course. The Mere Points have been especially hitting lately too.
Jar: Recently indulged in the ultimate girl dinner. Martini ✓ Fries ✓ Salad ✓ The lychee martini is carefully considered and ridiculously smooth. Maybe the best martini I’ve ever had? The fries are perfectly crispy and adorned with candied garlic. The salad was nothing to write home about, but a necessary addition to the table.
Courage Bagels: Once in a blue moon I go rogue, veering from my usual ‘Salmon Roe on Burnt Everything’ and try something different. I got a rip and dip, which I would have really enjoyed if I wasn’t 95º (my mistake). On a different morning, I got a mini sesame bagel with cashew cream cheese and tomato (pictured ⤴), absolute perfection. Not sure what it is about the minis, but I love them. Easier to eat? You get more crunch in each bite? IDK.
I never remember to order loosies… yuuuge mistake.
Sam’s Place: While everyone was busy posting outfit pics in front of Bar Secco, another neighborhood wine bar quietly opened in Highland Park. Sam’s doesn’t have an instagram and it doesn’t come up on Apple maps… But give it a couple months of word of mouth (and a feature on
) Sam’s will find the right people.Scotty’s wine selection is great - I’ve enjoyed practically everything I’ve tasted. He’s warm and approachable and makes sure you’ll end up with a glass you’ll enjoy. And the food menu, truly doesn’t have to be this good, but I’m so glad it is.
Ben is one of the most humble, talented chefs I’ve come across. I remember him as the guy (often in overalls) who’d enter the BBQ with fresh baked bread, homemade sauces and dips, and bowl of mushrooms, marinating. I wasn’t surprised when Chloe agreed, the herb salad at Sam’s might be one of the best salad’s we’ve ever had… The Japanese sweet potatoes feel like a nod to Mh Zh. Cornichon butter? Say less.
Ben and Scotty are both musicians. Actually the The Lens Mozer album Scotty put out in 2019 was my most played album of the year. Once I realized he was a wine guy, his artist name made a lot more sense.
The space is stunning thanks to the bar’s namesake, Sam — Ben’s wife, and also an incredibly talented interior designer. Gorgeous wood banquets, vintage accents… It took me a few visits to notice the blue ceiling.
I knew their story will be better told by Emily - so I got them in touch. Look out for that on the Angel soon. ;)
Sam’s Place, Tues - Sat | 4-11pm
Spina: The perfect neighborhood pasta spot. I had a ball gossiping with my girlfriends over 5 entrees, but I’m already daydreaming about returning to sit at the bar alone. We ordered a few seasonal things — like the grilled peach salad. But the stand outs to me were the Cacio (no surprise there) and the Sole, which was served the way my ex-boyfriend’s british mother used to plate sunday night supper. I didn’t get a good pic, but you can imagine, a humble filet of fish with lemon caper sauce, mashed potato, and roasted carrots. You could come in and just order this, although I probably wouldn’t.
Side note: We dined next to a 4 top that didn’t order family style. No apps. Just one plate of pasta each. No drinks. No dessert. Can you imagine?
Forage: I go here when I need a little Marin morning. The space reminds me of a Mill Valley craftsman home, with a split level dining room and stacks of cookbooks on the fire place mantel. The food is solid, so consistent and fresh. They do a build your own plate option where you can pick warm / cold sides from the case, like Erewhon, but way better, and served on an actual plate. The coffee is charming. Milk is frothed the way your friend’s mom would make it. The Salmon Salad is special, worth the $21 price in my opinion. They also have a small $7 arugula salad that gets the job done too.
Playita Mariscos: this has become one of my go-to summer bites. Is it the best ceviche I’ve ever had? No. But it’s convenient and hits the spot. I recently enjoyed a tostada and fish taco before hitting the swan boats at sunset with a bottle of rosato. P cute!
Moohan — my second Korean BBQ opening with Camber
By the same people behind Quarters and Origin - Moohan is the elevated all you can eat option, where you can go back for seconds or thirds of ddukbokki, corn cheese, kimchi fried rice… In addition to your classic cuts, they also have a few seafood options like shrimp + scallops which you don’t see very often. Also on the menu, wagyu sushi and a Ghia Soju cocktail. They’re not playing around.
🔗 Last Week’s Most Clicked Link
Infatuation dropped a reel about Sqirl 🐿 and people were confused. Joe Rosenthal took to the comments — who originally broke the Moldgate story in 2020. #TBT
NEED the sams salad again, asap!
Hokkaido sashimi marketplace, golden grab house, mandalay, popoca (in oakland), new world market, cafe europa, genki crepes, balompie cafe, poc chuc, palm city, bread belly, art's cafe, cinderella bakery, batches bakery, arizmendi.
text me if you go <3