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Good morning from my childhood bedroom in Los Angeles. I planned this trip a few months ago once everyone was vaccinated but it was a coincidence that I arrived the day after all the restrictions were lifted. All mask mandates and eating restrictions have been lifted in KC for some time but now that they are lifted here, let me tell you, things feel pretty damn normal.
The last in-person workout class I took was on March 15th, 2020. It was a Sunday morning yoga class at CorePower that Marco and I went to together. The next day everything closed. After I flew in Wednesday, my mom and I went to CorePower here in LA and did my first in-person and mask-free class in 15 months. It was invigorating. I have done yoga at home all these months but you can not duplicate the energy from a room full of people at home. The next morning we went to Barry’s Bootcamp, where after showing our vaccine cards we were allowed to go mask-free. There is nothing like people looking right at you while you work out to make you work HARD. I’m two days out and feel a specific sore I haven’t felt in a long time.
I haven’t really cooked this trip and that was done on purpose. I feel like I am in, and so many others are in, another weird state of figuring things out again. My schedule is getting busier and the days of sitting home in my PJs and doing nothing but cooking are gone. I can no longer avoid running errands or isolate myself from people for months. I’m figuring out my new work-life balance and took this time to recharge the batteries. A step away from my every day to figure out the best way to channel my energy moving forward. Although I haven’t been cooking, I have done a lot of eating. Every day has been stacked with visiting friends and family over many delicious meals.
Today’s Places I Ate will be a long list of all the places I have eaten this week. We have another People To Follow section this week and the chef is someone that has a special place in my heart. I extended my trip a few days because I’m having a really good time and why the heck not! I fly back to KC on Wednesday and we are back to regularly scheduled programming. Wednesday’s Kitchen Club recipe is a burger recipe just in time for the Fourth of July, but it’s something that is great any day of the week, and I’m going to wrap up cooking through Charcoal. I have a new computer coming and I still need to set up a desk for the computer to go and create a new workspace for myself. I have put off writing an actual business plan and creating a real schedule for myself but ya know, things are getting really real over here guys!
Places I ate
A.O.C. opened a new location on San Vicente in Brentwood where Tavern used to be. I went for an early bird dinner at 5:30 with my mom and my other mother Trish. We shared the farmer’s plate, a salad with grapefruit and avocado, Spanish fried chicken, hanger steak, fingerling potatoes, and spring peas with saffron. It was a lot of food for the three of us but everything was delicious. Spanish fried chicken and spring peas are a must.
During the pandemic, Pizzana has had a rotation of mouthwatering sandwiches on the to-go menu. I have been watching from KC, drooling over the photos, and waiting to try one. I walked up and grabbed a Pomodoro e Burrata e Prosciutto. Focaccia hugging burrata, prosciutto, calabrian chilis, arugula, marinated tomatoes, and tomato confit. Yes, it was a ridiculous $22 after tax and tip (tip well, times are hard!) but it was worth it. Also, they are on ChowNow!
I’m 100% a westside girl but my dad lives east and within the last few years, all of my friends starting moving in that direction. Jason Stewart on How Long Gone declared that Burgers Never Say Die is the best burger in LA. So while I visited my dad on that side of town we tried it. It’s a good burger. Nothing fancy but really good. The fries were limp which is the worst thing ever but they had great flavor.
While I was east I met a group of friends for dinner at Salazar. Our large group had a $45 tasting menu (great price) and we were served an absurd amount of food. Salads, tacos, carne asada fries, steak, shrimp…the list goes on. We were so full and we had seven to-go containers that I packed up with leftover food to give to homeless people on our way to the next place. Keep that in mind and go in hungry. Everything was fantastic but I had one issue with dessert…we were served generous portions for dinner but served two small tres leches cakes and four churros. For a party of eleven, we were served F O U R churros. Yes I asked for more, no I didn’t end up getting them, and yes I am still mad about it.
And after I send this out I am headed to A Votre Santé. A Brentwood staple that my mom has been going to since before I was born. Healthy, always delicious food, and a place where many special memories have been shared. Like our surprise elopement announcement! It threw everyone off because it’s casual but it really is the best! I’m happy it survived the pandemic.
People To Follow
I am thrilled to introduce you to Alex Lacasse. We went to culinary school together and were friends back then. We lost touch over the years but connected through Instagram during the pandemic. I love him, his cooking, and his videos. He inspires me every day!
It all started the day of my 18th birthday when my parents sat me down and announced that they were getting a divorce. I had already been working in the food industry for almost 4 years, working my way through old school French kitchens in Canada and loving the thrill of it. Quickly after that, I went all in; deep-diving into the world of cooking and turning a passion into a career. Some may say that I did it all to escape my emotions as a young, frustrated, closeted gay man, but the ones that know me well say that cooking made me a better person. I could go on and on about all my culinary achievements and the positions that I eventually held at some fancy restaurants, but the real joy of it came from the people I met along the way. For me, it’s the PEOPLE that fuel the joy and excitement around cooking. (All the Marcellas of the world!) Today I'm finding myself in a privileged position where I do not cook in a restaurant. I’m once again cooking and sharing my passion with the people I love and also creating content along the way! (mostly the perfect looking stuff, since I still struggle a bit with perfectionism :) )
Come visit and say hello on Instagram and on my YouTube channel.
Stuff to Read
Recipe Inspo
Listen To This
If you like horror stories, this one about cremation will totally creep you out. Radio Rental: Episode 15
Thing Everybody Needs
I got a pack of packing cubes years ago and never used them. Now my packing has changed forever. Gone are the days of stuffing as much stuff as possible into a big bag. I organize my clothes by category and I know where everything is. They are a must for traveling.
Animal Cuteness
Thanks for reading today and always. As things get busier I hope we are all able to connect with friends and family more but also keep cooking!
See you next week, M.