Hot Takes & Hyperfixations - LA, February 2024
Trying Felix for the first time, the fish sandwich trend, loooong neighborhood walks, and more
Hello there!!
Happy Leap Week ??
For this week’s newsletter, there isn’t really a cohesive theme, but I’ve collected my thoughts on a smattering of recent outings and other assorted LA-infused topics and hope this is a fun format to scroll & click through! See my current favorite things, recent restaurant reviews, and more below—
Switching up the DoorDash go-to’s and opting into Goop Rotisserie - I have become very sick of my usual DoorDash rotation recently and gave Goop Rotisserie a try - LOVED it! I was ordering for one and opted for the Not So Simple salad, a 1/4 chicken, and mac & cheese. Love the Kismet-esque rotisserie packs as well, the sides are so solid.
Fish sandwiches are a trend now? ICYMI, Eater posted an article covering LA’s “Indie Filet-O-Fish era” and shed light on all of the gourmet fish sandwiches in the city. Some of these “trends” are getting a little ridiculous to me, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t save a couple of these to my list to try. Also shoutout to my friend Sydney (What Could Be Butter) who took her own fish sandwich tour of LA before this article was published - her hot takes can be found in highlights (flip to ~4 weeks ago mark).
Finding new places to walk for long periods of time + disassociate + people watch - Brentwood Country Mart & Palisades Park in Santa Monica have become regular staples for whenever I need to get out of the house and do a little reset. I love window shopping at the expensive stores at BCM, then ending my trip at Brandy Melville and spending $150 to re-up my basics. GiRl MaTh. And will I always take a picture of the beach view every single time I’m at Palisades Park, multiple times a week? Yep. Yeppp
Hit ‘em with the classics - Though I’m trying to cook more at home and eat out less in general, I’m opting to try classic LA institutions over new restaurants this year when I do go out. I had a lovely galentine’s meal at Musso & Frank (pictured above) and it was everything I wanted it to be - we sat at Charlie Chaplin’s table, the martinis were excellent, we made a mess of carbs & tomato sauce all over the table. Excited to try more in the coming weeks/months!
Uchi deserves the hype but $$ - Absolutely contradicting my previous statement above, but this was a work dinner….. Uchi got its start in Austin, but now has an outpost in West Hollywood (along with a couple other cities) It’s Japanese fusion, and it’s pricey, and the location is kinda bizarre, but the food was excellent and I genuinely loved the meal from top to bottom. I’d recommend for a special occasion (or if you can put it on the corp card!)
Trying Felix for the first time (embarrassing, I know) - I finally tried Evan Funke’s OG restaurant concept, the famed Felix this past week. It was delicious, as to be expected, but I couldn’t help but wonder if it had lost a little bit of its flair and prestige after all of these years. Who am I to say though - the restaurant was packed and they were turning tables like no one’s business on a Wednesday night, so clearly they’re still doing something right. The focaccia is a must, can confirm!
The Instagram-ification of Elephante undermines the quality & experience of the restaurant - Elephante is so misunderstood, womp! I know there’s 1000s of TikToks and Reels about their whipped eggplant and punchbowls, but I genuinely think their drinks and food are so so good! Plus, the restaurant is stunning and the views of Santa Monica beach really seal the deal. Pictured above - a stunning steak dish served in a pretty copper gratin skillet. It was SO good!
Maru deserves the hype, and goodboybob has my heart - Though I love trying new coffee shops (and will get to every single one in LA someday) - I’m really paying attention to who is making consistently good coffee. Basically, the shops where I don’t have to worry about the milk to espresso ratio being off. Maru is just SO good, they are coffee chemists. I checked out their BH location this past weekend and despite being tucked in a tiny space within a hotel, the quality is still 100% there. In terms of my grab and go during the week, I’m becoming more and more loyal to goodboybob, and I’m so thrilled their chapatis are back on the menu - it’s a great breakfast!
Sandwiches the size of your face at All’Antico Vinaio - This isn’t new new but it is a much anticipated opening in LA coming out of their international fame + multiple pop ups at Mozza. All’Antico Vinaio now has a permanent outpost in Venice on Abbot Kinney! I ate this sandwich for the first time 13 years ago (studying abroad in Florence, GAG) and it’s still just THAT good. I recco going with a group so you can try a few - there’s nearly 30 different sandwiches to choose from!
I’ve mastered the Venice tourist experience - Brunch at The Waterfront + pitchers of margaritas + cornhole + dancing/mingling - with views of the beach and the sun shining?? Please. EPIC. Then ride that buzz down the Venice boardwalk at golden hour, watch the skaters, and end up under the Venice sign for your visitor’s photo opp. It is chef’s kiss and hey you might even have fun too!
Trying Erewhon smoothies as a group activity - this is an expensive bonding experience, but I genuinely think it’s so fun. Allow yourself to be ridiculous for a second and buy a $20 smoothie. Maybe go crazy and get a breakfast burrito to double your total bc it’s good and you’re already there so!!
Sidecar Doughnuts still hold up - Butter & Salt / Huckleberry to split with a friend, or bring half home for breakfast the next day. SO good!
Strings of Life is an oasis off the most chaotic strip of Melrose - tucked behind HOKA and Glossier is a really pretty cafe with a very solid menu called Strings of Life. Think avocado toast, bowls and sandwiches. I mistakenly guided my friends and I to this area on a Saturday afternoon (YIKES) but the food & vibes were great. I don’t go to that area often but if I do - it’s good to know this option exists.
Cherry LA - Per the above, since I’m not in the WeHo/Melrose area often - I walked over to the Cherry store after lunch and loveddd. Cherry gives Aime Leon Dore / New York or Nowhere / Sporty & Rich energy to me and I wish we had more NY-esque streetwear boutique type stores. It’s a different style than the Madhappy’s etc / Fairfax. Btw - Cherry was my most clicked link last week in the souvenir round up. Check it!
Those are my current thoughts, feelings etc as it pertains to all things Los Angeles! Let me know if you like this format, I may start putting these out more often - otherwise, keeping it consistent over on TikTok - see you there? Xoxo
Ticket to Sarahdise Event Digest - Week of 2/26
Every week, I’m sharing events you should be checking out in LA. Here’s this week’s download!
Cha Cha & Mocktails with Bar Nuda - Head to West Adams on Sunday 3/3 for cha cha / bachata lessons and NA drinks!
Orrrr if you need a drink to escape the Sunday Scaries - Every Sunday, Offhand Wine Bar is hosting “Sunday Cruiser”. Expect a DJ + some sort of delicious food pop up + as always, excellent natural wine. Also, did you see Little Lunch is going to be the new coffee shop by day here ooo!
Frieze Los Angeles - reposting from last week because this is *actually* happening this weekend - the most chic art fair is back at the Santa Monica Airport Hangar 2/29 - 3/3! I love this event and if you can swing it (tix are ~$100) - it’s so worth it
Soooo good