Q1 '25 Wrap Report
Day trips, LA Art Week, getting back in the kitchen but also lots of dining out ofc
Hey there and happy Spring!
I hope everyone got a healthy dose of Vitamin D this weekend. I personally got a weird sunburn on my knee, epic. Spring has spruuuung !
I’m excited to share all of my Q1 ‘25 findings with you, but I’d be remiss not to touch on the fires first and foremost; the tragedy that started this year in Los Angeles.
I step outside my door every day and see the charred hills of the Palisades when I look down the street - a constant reminder of yes, that really did happen and yes, we are only beginning to rebuild and recover. I collected 91+ ways you can help with the fires back in January, and many of the resources are still live if you’re able to support in any way. I’m personally planning to visit Malibu more as the weather warms up and support all of my favorite local businesses there - they are seriously hurting with the PCH closures and they need us! <3
Speaking of local businesses… let’s chat about all the wonderful spots I tried in Q1!
New (To Me) Coffee + Matcha
Fritz Coffee x Kumquat pop up - I was so very conveniently on set & parked right next to the Kumquat x Fritz pop up and wow - what a treat! The most outstanding coffee & branding is top notch.
Damo Tea House - matcha einspanner >
Hooked / Flo Coffee - Hooked & Flo have been in my rotation for a bit, but Nicely made me a freeze-distilled milk capp and blew my mind. Soooo good they Nicely & Gabe are the best in the biz!
Tomat - so cute! Look forward to going back for their dinner service
Couplet - in the former Blume & Plume space, RIP. Still keeping it whimsical and colorful in here though so we love that!
Goodfight - a very chic menswear store serving Maru & other coffee creations
Established Today - an amazing vinyl coffee bar concept semi-ruined by its location in the middle of Melrose. WeHo people really don’t know how to act in public….
I am heavy on the strawberry matcha trend - Great White & Sua Superette both make great versions. Where else do I need to go??
New (To Me) Restaurants, Bars, Treats
Mateo’s Ice Cream & Fruit Bars - an LA institution with an amazing selection of paletas
The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills - EXCELLENT sandwiches. I understand the hype
Not No Bar - Main St finally got a great cocktail bar. Now… we need 3 more! Get here early early or else you ~will~ be waiting in a line. Ew!
Michael’s - a Santa Monica classic I’ve been missing out on. A romantic back patio for date night, but also need to get back here for their happy hour in the lounge
Mitsuwa - Mitsuwa is always in my grocery shopping rotation but I tried beef udon from the food court with some coworkers and loved it. A great affordable lunch stop
Sogo Roll Bar - affordable yet high quality sushi. Hand roll samplers are sooo good!
Dan Modern Chinese - very much a chain but the Sawtelle location has become a regular weeknight dinner hang with friends. Super affordable and delicious, budget DTF if you will
Muse - everything is beautiful here, even the rooster water pitchers!
Helms Bakery has DOLE WHIP! Need to go back to try their other food but this was a great snack stop after a day of gallery hopping during Art Week
Adams Wine Shop next to Alta - love that you can order food into the shop while you’re sippin’
NOMA Sushi - a Wilshire staple that I’ve ordered many a time, but went IRL for the first time in Q1 and it was sooo much better. Will be less lazy in Q2 and get there more often!
The Kickstand Soda Shop - old school soda shop in Newport Beach giving some realll summer nostalgia
Smash
For the Win - excellent smash, I think this is top 3 for me !
Proudly Serving - South Bay smash, also delish
Matty’s Patty’s - Costa Mesa smash by Matty Matheson and Pat (Patty) Tenore of RVCA. Great burgs and great soft serve tooo!
Tried & True - Old Favorites Revisited
Casablanca x 2 !! I went for dinner with some pals before a night out, and then came back a few weeks later for Galentine’s with 10 of my gal pals. It’s perfect for EVERY occasion, there’s something about a white tablecloth Mexican institution - and the tequila cart probably has something to do with it, too
No Smoking Bar - formerly Mandrake and I’d argue No Smoking is keeping the same energy. Great cocktails & beer & wine & I feel age appropriate here THX!
Johnny’s - tried their burger (over pastrami, gasp) and it hit. Also love their bar always - great tinis
Cento Pasta Bar - revisited in Q1 after a couple years away and WOW! It’s still THAT good. It’s so hard to do pasta/Italian differently and Cento does that for me. So great
Go Greek - I spent a weird amount of time in Mid City killing time between social obligations, errands etc - Go Greek is a fab stop for an afternoon snack
Helen’s at J&V’s BH (Mid City has a serious lack of natural wine shops)
Cafe Triste - great spot for vino & a snack before a show at Moroccan
Give it up for CityWalk!! What a wild, weird place - went to Buca di Beppo’s Pope Room and Margaritaville for a friend’s bday and had a blast
Revisited Voodoo Vin - first time visiting since they flipped to their Persian-skewing menu. Loved it!
You already know Lowboy is my favorite bar in the city - but I tried a couple new menu items in Q1 - choc chip cookies & fried pickles!! Their fried pickles have such a good crunch - thin pickle spears vs your typical chip style. Big fan
Din Tai Fung still hits FYI !!
Rainbow Acres - GREAT smoothie & juice & shot selection
Cooking
It was so nice to shop fresh ingredients at the farmers market & get back in the kitchen after 3 weeks of traveling (aka eating out for nearly every meal) over the holidays. Here’s a few things I whipped up!
Grilled caesar with anchovies
Hyperfixation sweet treat of Q1 - blood orange, TJ’s cannoli dip + waffle chips, olive oil & sea salt to top it off
Lemon & ricotta ravioli with Peads and Barnetts Italian sausage, spinach, shaved parm
Miso brothy beans with grilled Jyan Isaac sourdough
Christmas lima beans sautéed in butter and garlic
BLTA - a classic that always always hits!!
Q1 Happenings
I took a film photography class at Samy’s Camera - this is the coolest store ?? 4 floors filled with all kinds of camera-related supplies. Also my class was great and I learned so much!!
LA Art Week / Frieze
Marciano Art Foundation - free admission but book in advance - great for visitors when you’ve already done LACMA, The Broad, etc! Check their rotating exhibits
Regen Projects - a wonderful gallery! The Doug Aitken exhibit was unreal
Post-Fair (the anti-Frieze) at former SaMo post office
Blum Gallery - Nara !!!
Arcana Books - made a quick stop here after the Culver galleries; a longtime Helms District staple - such a great store to browse!
Pasadena Architectural Salvage event with Merch Motel - an incredible store that makes me want to build my own house ASAP
Barkev sent us to Macy’s in Pasadena after touring PAS - read more here - an architectural gem built in 1947! You must visit
Iron Rodeo - candidly I don’t think LA knows how to do a proper rodeo… but it was fun to get a dose of cowgirl a couple weeks back! I learned how to lasso!
Closed out Q1 with my birthday - hosted the Denim partyYYyy of my dreams with all my pals on the patio!
Concerts
Shopping
Somme - a really cute home store, new to Sunset Junction
Union - Venice shop great for gifts
OpenClosit - designer rentals for any occasion; loved working with them for a red carpet event. These women have done so much for fire victims, please support!
Guidi Marcello - I’ve been meaning to go here for so long and finally stopped by last week! So many fun Italian imports to peruse. Loved grabbing a few things here to switch up the regular grocery haul
TTS Travels in Q1
Friendly reminder THIS is the best 48-hour road trip when friends are visiting and they’ve already done LA many a time - Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, Los Alamos, Montecito <3333
Day trip to Ventura was sooo cute and fun!
TTS on Substack in Q1
January 2025
February 2025
March 2025
What were the highlights of your Q1? LMK by replying directly to this email or dropping a comment on Substack. Back soon with a fresh guide to San Diego - see you there! Xoxo bye