Issue 85 — Cocoa Cravings, Dessert Spoons, & A Blonde Wood Grocery Store
This party season, hangovers are out.
Maybe it’s the rain, or the Christmas music playing at Target, but I’ve really been craving cocoa with a slutty scorched marshmallow.
Mostly, though, it’s because I keep seeing “Lily’s Hot Chocolate” from Nancy + Phil’s not-really-open yet diner that’s called Max + Helen’s … obviously. They’re bio still says ‘We’re not open yet!’ but their tagged photos on IG make it look otherwise. Their press, friends + family marketing roll out is working on me.
Moon Juice launched Bliss Miss, an heirloom hot chocolate spiked with Sex Dust. The campaign is very après-ski, which, frankly, was last year’s holiday aesthetic. This year is Ralph Lauren Christmas, in case you haven’t noticed!!
Courage usually serves an heirloom cacao in December. I’m ready!
Bites
Meadow Lane, a boutique grocery store, opened in New York last week with $17 gluten-free chicken nuggets, cascading cabbage florals, and a line down the block. They saw Happier, took notes from Cookbook & LA Grocery, then hired a residential designer whose entire portfolio is seemingly only Tribeca kitchens and bathrooms. The founder documented the whole buildout on Tiktok, so by the time it opened it was hiiiighly anticipated. People showed up and documented right back. Today they’re giving the staff the day off so they can rest and… keep slaying.
🎧 Feed Me started a podcast with former Semi Anonymous Restaurant Critic, J Lee. He describes Expense Account, as:
“…Proper reviews of restaurants that I don’t normally cover on my Instagram. Business guy restaurants, the bistros, sushi spots and lounges. Patrick Bateman spots. You are a ‘business’ substack after all. I’ve wanted to do Indochine/Buddakan/Mr Chow forever. I’m thinking one of those will be my first. and maybe sometimes it’ll be a hypey restaurant, but I prefer to not be writing about places at the same time as other food writers.”
Infatuation dropped their Top New Restaurants Lists of 2025:
The LA’s List included: Baby Bistro, RVR, Mustard Bagels, Rasarumah, Beethoven Market + more.
After 101 books, Martha Stewart is re-pitching her first one, Entertaining, to Gen Z. “Because I’m cool… Not only can I cook, I hang out with Snoop Dogg and I have gone to jail. I’ve been through the wringer and come out alive.” The 1982 original had become rare and pricey… resale copies were going for hundreds of dollars. Smart, Martha. Smart.
Speaking of entertaining… I keep seeing the same sentiment all over hosting dialog lately… That when people say “just bring yourself” they’re lying. Matt Rodbard wrote a sweet little guide how to not be a dinner party dumbass.
Neighborhood Goss + Openings:
Barra Santos is expanding. They’ll be closing a bit here and there for construction.
In case you ever wondered about the 22-foot Chicken man statue on Figueroa in Highland Park… Apparently there is a store underneath that’s sometimes open on weekends?
Suá is taking over the former Wexler’s Deli in Downtown Santa Monica.
New beer garden is coming to Frogtown. 🍻
Another beer garden is hitting York in the former Bloc Party space.
New bar, Vandella is coming to Hillhurst.
Public hotel is opening in WeHo next year.
The Surfrider Hotel in Malibu was purchased for $37.5 million by the Chrome Hearts owner — “The DNA of Chrome Hearts will be added. I have to figure out the formula.” Interesting?
CPG + Grocery
Obsessed with how detailed Cheez-It lovers are. Always on the hunt for that special ‘K’.
Tillamook x Kewpie Mayo launched Butternaise, a spread engineered specifically for grilled cheese. Seems like a Molly Baz dream come true.
Speaking of, Erewhon quietly removed Hailey Bieber’s name from the Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie after her contract supposedly ended. Her name is still on the soft serve sundae tho?
Erewhon ‘75 did it better.
A great lil guide on How to Shop for Eggs and what ‘free range’ really means.
No One Wants to be Hungover
Pre-alcohol support remedies seem to be everywhere all of a sudden.
Last Call and a handful of others showed up in Feed Me’s hangover guide.
A couple weeks back, I met the cofounder of newly launched Undo gummies, whose whole angle is being a part of the party. The gummies are wrapped like condoms. Less vitamin like HProof, and more like slipping a friend the newest party drug.
^ They all seem to share similar ingredients. Milk thistle appears to be the magic.
It’s Giving, (even more!) Thanks
More restaurants and grocery stores offering Thanksgiving pies, sides, and birds for pre-order.
or if you’re not looking for a whole feast, Lady + Larder’s Lucky Lady sandwich delivers in a smaller format, with shaved turkey and swiss with shaved onion and wild arugula plus cranberry cherry jam and pink cranberry.
🗓 Coming Up…
11/22 + 23 Benny Boy Brewing’s Fall Apple Fest 🍎
11/20 Siesta Co presents at the Siesta Table with Yuzu Co.
The $35 ticket gets you:
3 Yuzu conservas: Tuna Belly, Mackerel, and Small Sardines
Sparkling Yuzu-Ade from YUZUCO (served as-is, or mix it with beer if you’d like to create the Spanish clara twist)
One glass of wineA goodie bag with YUZUCO Yuzu Kosho, Sparkling Water with Yuzu and Minerals, candied yuzu peel, and a Siesta Co. Yuzu tin
12/03 Whimsy + Noto + Cocoa Holiday Party (TBA)
12/06 Everybody World Holiday Market
12/06 Ruby Fruit’s last night of service (for real)
A Couple’a Bites
It’s been a while since I indulged in one of Kumquat’s monthly specials. The Harvest is a perfect take on a PSL. ‘Not too sweet’.
Otomisan, Boyle Heights: Udon on a rainy day??? Obviously! The oldest operating Japanese restaurant in the city, slinging curry, tempura, udon, and a couple sushi rolls since ‘56. It’s a no frills, teeny tiny dining room with a handful of bar stools, and a few red booths. Perfect? Yes.
Airliner Bar, Lincoln Heights: A rare occasion where I like the food at a bar more than the drinks? This menu just suits me. Salmon crispy rice, fries, salads, yuzu stuff. The Mentaiko Spaghetti is sooo unique, with pollack roe, brown butter, garlic, shiso, nori. We ate our fries with chopsticks (a life-changing trick for keeping your hands clean I learned from Danielle.)
I also became obsessed with the dessert spoon that came with the Tres Leches. Pretty sure it’s a Japanese ice-cream spoon? “Designed for a smooth eating experience.” And honestly… ya. 10/10.
There’s a listening room upstairs I need to return for (Previously the infamous Low End Theory, iykkyk). Mady’s reel captures the new vibe upstairs better than I ever could.
If you need me this week, I’ll be drowing in BFCM campaigns, wedding prep, and cooking my way through this Flamingo Estate x Daisy Ryan box.
🔗 Last Week’s Most Clicked Link
Arroyo club made a deck of cards with illustrations of their bartender’s faces on them. I’m looking for Clairo in the mix.
The airliner is SUCH a sleeper hit!! Glad to see it getting the recognition it deserves
The Taste editor Matt is right - your stack is terrific. I can’t afford you right now but soon.