A lot of weekends I spend in the kitchen with a few cooking projects but not this one. This weekend I had the company of pal Delilah Snell who comes up from OC occasionally for our own personal couchella. We catch up, work on our computers, binge watch TV. This weekend we packed a whole lot into 24 hours.
Fri pm – Picked up Delilah at Union Station (yes she took the train from OC) then drove for Dinner at Bucato in Culver City where Chef Evan Funke continues to follow his traditional Italian muse that seems never to lead him astray. I mentioned on Instagram that his springtime house made ricotta with peas and favas is the best thing I’ve eaten yet this year. I stand by that statement. We also ate: the perfect foccacia, cacio e pepe, a transcendent off menu tagliatelle with a hint of meat, the perfect arugula salad (yes there is such a thing) and a bowl of decadent olives in olive oil.
Later Fri pm – Ran to Blu Dot on Melrose to catch the opening show for Luke Haynes, an art quilter. My fave was the “bedclothes”. We were so stuffed from Bucato that we passed up the sandwiches provided by Ink.Sack. A shame, but I had them for lunch the day before so I can’t complain.
Fri Couchella – Orphan Black first episode, second season
Sat am – Republiqué for brunch. May I tell you how great it is that my mid-city neighborhood includes being able to walk here? Ate (not by myself): kim chee fried rice,walter’s breakfast (poached eggs in poblano cream), shakshuka, baguettes, cheddar chive scone
Sat afternoon – Warby Parker to try on new frames. For me this is almost as anxiety provoking as swimsuit tryons. It’s like deciding on a new face. No decision made so consoled ourselves with drinks poolside at The Standard on Sunset (which is where Warby Parker resides). Watched hipsters in teepees with infants and marveled at the pool friendly weather in April.
Moved on to 3rd St for some clothing browsing at RajLotus, paper browsing at Paper Source, food purchasing at Trader Joe’s, then an ice cream break at Carmela followed by the discovery of a Swedish Candy store, Sockerbit which was an unnecessary revelation for a salty licorice devotee like myself.
Dropped Delilah off in DTLA for an event then went home to collapse and be ready for Sunday.
Sunday afternoon – I had the great good fortune to engage David Lebovitz in conversation in front of a crowd of excited fans of his who were at Williams-Sonoma on Montana to buy his latest book, My Paris Kitchen and hear the justly famous pastry chef, cookbook author/blogger and now Parisian share stories. It’s never enough time with David and I wish one day we may cook together.
Ran out of Wms-Sonoma to a gritty parking lot in the arts district of DTLA for a Mediterranean Feast Fundraiser for Alzheimers in honor of the great cookbook author Paula Wolfert. Paula gave a ferociously energetic talk on her decision to go public about her experience of the onset of dementia. It was moving and on point as she likened the need for folks to start talking about it when they’re in the early stages to the early days when only the brave “came out” about cancer. The culinary community raised on her books and passion came out in force as we feasted on bites provided by Josia Citrin of Melisse, Nancy Silverton of Mozza, MarySue Milliken of Border Grill, Bruce Kalman of Union,
Each chef made a dish from one of her books. The food was a reminder of how place based food can be a history lesson, geography lesson, reminder of a traditional way of living and delicious all at the same time.
I always wish we had more time. Perhaps a few weeks (er, or months…) in Sicily are in order?
Dreamer! However, one can hope!
loved this weekend- cant wait for more adventures!! XXOO
Me too! We have to top it.
Whirlwind funnest weekend ever! I’m jealous!!!