The Taste Issue issUe 28
Taste Issue Issue 28 Steve Aoki — HUF — Pizzaslime — Scott Hove Antonio Diaz — Stephanie Gonot — Break Room 86 — Odys + Penelope Golden Box — Mier Gallery — The Art of Plating — Amy Pham
L A C A N VA S
AVA I L A B L E AT: SPORTIE LA AND THE GLENDALE GALLERIA
VA ST MINOR IT Y NOA DE A N E
MASTHEAD
Publisher
Dante Colombatti Associate Publisher
Mali Mochow
Editor-In-Chief
Events Director/Accounts Manager
Erin Dennison
Janessa Molina
Online Editor
Events & Projects Manager
on the cover Steve Aoki
RenĂŠe George
Jade Daniels
cover photography by Rickett & Sones | Stephanie Gonot
Sr. Editor
Finance Director
Lauren Westerfield
Cole Westerholm
Production Director
Videographer
Joevanno Diaz
Mitchel Dumlao
Sr. Designer
Online Contributors
Theresa Liu
Angela Gleason Annie Monroe Charles Smith Faith Ann Young Jeremy Ely Jesy Odio Kimmy Mcatee Noah Briscoe Patrick Cain Sanni Youboty Vija Hodosy
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SHOPKOSHKA.COM
of
ta Bl e
music n˚ 12
Musician •
contents
STE VE AOKI
the dj and dim mak founder speaks on his new album and science fiction
Playlist •
PIZ Z ASLIME
a tracklist straight from the meta gods themselves
Venue •
GOLDE N BOX
the hollywood retro disco from nightlife impresario jeremy fall
Music Spotlight •
ANDR A DAY
this talented youtube singer just landed a major record deal
art n˚ 21
Art Spotlight •
THE ART OF PL ATING
gastronomic fine art L A STRE E T ART
snaps from our favorite art around l.a.
Artist •
SCOT T HOVE
the man who put fake cakes on the map
Gallery •
MIE R GALLE RY
west hollywood’s latest contemporary gallery GALLE RY OPE NINGS
a roundup of which art shows to catch this season
style n˚ 20
Fashion Spotlight •
AMY PHAM
the it girl dj, host, and model who’s taking over the city—one platform at a time
Designer •
LE Z ARD
the california duo behind your favorite swimsuit
Store •
HUF
living legend keith hufnagel talks sneakers and skate culture
Trend •
TRE ND MATRIX
retail therapy for every budget
16 17 19
21 26 28 30 33
20 34 38 41
Editorial •
THE GARDE N OF E DE N
42
Wildcard •
PIZ Z ASLIME
50
pizzaslime talks social media, celebrity collabs, and an earnest affinity for drake
food n˚ 22
12
Food Spotlight •
ANTONIO DIA Z
22
the man behind the food industry’s next big thing
Food Editorial •
THE GOLDE N R ATIO
photography by the art of plating
Food Scoops •
TAKE A LU NCH
46 60
budget-friendly meals worth your time
Restaurant •
ODYS
+
PE NE LOPE
la brea corridor’s latest foodie addition
Bar •
FESTIVAL SE ASON
save room and mark your calendars
misc n˚ 8
61 62
Drink • B RE AK ROOM 8 6 made in the ‘80s: the line hotel and the houston brothers join forces
64
NOTE D
8
what to look out for this season
Neighborhood Watch •
SOUTHPARK
five reasons to revisit the burgeoning urban hub
24
SCE NE & HE ARD take a peek at our most recent parties, and find out how to stay in the loop
66
Calendar •
MAY
70
Calendar •
J U NE
72
Last Look •
STE PHANIE GONOT
74
Events •
we can’t leave this woman’s tumblr alone
a note
A M AT TE R O F TASTE When it comes to matters of taste, everyone’s an expert. While putting
the man, the DJ, and the Dim Mak founder was preordained to
together the Taste Issue, I certainly heard my fair share of opinions—solicited
teach us how to party. After all, that’s the reason you paid to park,
and otherwise—and it wasn’t until the final days of the book’s production
right? What’s more, he’s a gentleman: he even brought cold pressed
that I understood its overarching theme. Working backward, taste became
juice to set.
a metaphor for persuasion. Taste, as it pertains to this conversation, is the pixie-dust that we think about when we imagine the recipe behind our
While we’re on the topic of polite visionaries, I should mention that this
own identities. The ingredient that makes each of us, you know, *special.*
issue’s full of them. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of an IRL Amy Pham interaction, you know what I’m talking about. Antonio Diaz, Editor-in-
These days, folks are pretty protective of their personal brands, as well as
Chief and founder of Life and Thyme Magazine, is poised to reframe foodie
the affiliations used to define them. Speaking of other people’s feelings,
conversation, and happens to be as delightful as he is talented. The duo
let’s talk about Steve Aoki. Perhaps you’re wondering why we chose the
behind Pizzaslime outline their earnest fanboy-dom for Drake and discuss
father of EDM to grace our cover this issue? Love him or hate him, you
their casual social media dominance. And as for the streetwear gods over
probably have an opinion.
at HUF? Well, they took generous time out of their busy schedules to detail their unwavering allegiance to skate culture, and give insight into
I happen to think he’s the shit. We’re talking about the guy who gave us
the formula that drives their multi-billion dollar market—all during their
a reason to party at Cinespace all those years ago. We’re talking about the
lunch break.
guy who introduced us to Bloc Party. The guy who’s besties with Mayor Garcetti. The guy who shaped the culture of the largest music movement
From artistically plated beef tongue stew, pizza, and spray painted French
in decades. Aoki’s territory is wilding out, and whether he’s spinning
fries, to cake, swimwear, craft beer, and EDM, we’ve got something
Screamo or Biggie—or mashing them together—the former punk rock
in this issue for every persuasion. If I do say so myself, this one’s in
kid is now electronic music’s ultimate showman. With a legendary and
pretty good taste.
flamboyant businessman for a father (yeah, the Benihana dude), Aoki
erin dennison Editor-In-Chief
The Taste Issue |
Noted
8
Noted 32 Flavors
there, she quit her day job in wealth management
gelateriauli.com
Gelateria Uli’s seasonal selections that have our
+ then some
U
and, together with her husband, opened up shop. While their staple flavors are always solid, it’s taste buds tingling. Past creations have included
li Nasibova’s Gelateria Uli churns out
flavors like Mulled Apple sorbet, Coconut
fresh gelatos and sorbets made daily in
Lemongrass, and Saffron. Recently, Uli’s teamed
her Historic Core kitchen. A little over
up with their next-door neighbors, the taco legends
a year ago, Uli discovered a passion for feeding the
at Guisado’s, for horchata and Jamaica-mint flavor
sweet tooth of her fellow Downtowners. From
collaborations. Mind blown.
▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
Festival Junkie lightninginabottle.org
Butter Up solsticecanyon.com
S
tep up your PB&Js with LA-based Solstice Canyon’s small-batch, gourmet almond butters, whipped up by former food industry
co-workers Rachael Sheridan and Jessie Litow. Each creation is USDA organic, vegan, raw, non-GMO,
C
oachella may be over; but if you’ve still got festival fever, we encourage you to check out Lightning in a Bottle. Take the
impressively curated selection of performers at Coachella’s Do LaB stage, add the venue’s vibrant
unpasteurized, and gluten-free; and with variations like Aztec Chocolate and Cardamom & Clove, these ladies’ almond butters are yummy (and healthy) enough to eat by the spoonful. Go ‘head, we won’t tell anyone.
approach to production, and now imagine the whole thing on a grander scale. That, more or less, is Lightning in a Bottle.
Accompanied by a bountiful roundup of mindexpanding activities and workshops, Lightning in
Save the Date
a Bottle offers a transformational experience often referred to as a “mini Burning Man.” This year’s event includes acts like Flume, SBTRKT, Odesza, Tycho, and John Digweed, and will be held over Memorial Day Weekend (May 21-25, 2015) in Bradley, CA.
▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒▒
makemusicpasadena.org
F
gathering to watch 150 acts performing on five main stages and in over 30 venues, it’s easy to see why this annual concert series continues
ree music festivals your bag? Might want to
to be a local favorite. For this year’s eighth
start the group text now (if you haven’t
anniversary festival, you can expect a noteworthy
already). On June 6, Old Pasadena hosts the
lineup with bands like Dark Waves, Nick
West Coast’s largest music festival, Make Music
Waterhouse, and How to Dress Well. Grab your
Pasadena. With a projected 50,000 attendees
SPF and make a day of it.
Noted
9
Noted
All That Jazz jagajazzist.com
S
ometimes it takes an outside perspective to appreciate the spatial uniqueness of LA’s sprawl. Hailing from Norway, Jaga Jazzist is an eight-piece jazz band whose main
A Lesson in Mixology cocktailacademyla.com
A deft arrangement encompassing everything from curiously
B
interstellar tones to warmer, more earthbound vibes, the EP is an
up in the libation community. With combined
appropriate synthesis of our city’s contrarian—yet captivating—
experience from places like Hinoki & The
composition. Jaga Jazzist’s Starfire EP is out June 2 on independent
Bird, Comme Ça, and 41 Ocean, they’ll school
label, Ninja Tune.
you in everything needed to make drinks like
songwriter, Lars Horntveth, moved to LA in late 2012. Taking inspiration from our city’s nocturnal glow and wide-open skies, Horntveth began composing the octet’s forthcoming EP, Starfire.
"Sometimes it takes an outside perspective to appreciate the spatial uniqueness of LA's sprawl."
randyn Tepper, Matt Landes, and Analisa Moskus are Cocktail Academy LA, a renegade crew of seasoned
hospitality and cocktail experts shaking things
the pros, offering lessons in bartending, spirits history, bar tools, cocktail families, recipe
impress the homies by having Cocktail
development, and more—all hosted in the
Academy LA cater your next event with custom
quirky, garden-like Arts District establishment
concoctions like the McQueen Old Fashioned,
known as Apartment A. Not quite ready to
made with Bulleit Bourbon, Demerara sugar,
put your idle bar cart to use? You can still
and coffee-tobacco bitters.
A Tight Shyp
shyp.com
W
ell, damn. While we’re over here still trying to wrap our heads around the concept of digital stamps, the folks at Shyp—the year-old San Francisco start-up set to launch in LA in mid-May—are planning to make our lives even easier. Thanks to the ethically
questionable efficiency czars over at Amazon Prime, we’ve been conditioned to expect next-day everything—leaving a considerable chasm between the worlds of shipping and receiving for anyone still trucking to the post office. But now, Shyp aims to close that gap. The app’s premise is simple: ship anything, anywhere, for just $5—right from wherever you’re sitting. Open Shyp, press a button, and a dispatcher will be at your door in less than 20 minutes. No post offices or scrambling to find a suitable box. Or something resembling a suitable box that you can maybe tape. If you can find the tape.
The Taste Issue |
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DOT COM
@orianakoren
@haydengrosser
@yeskelsey
@culinaryinspo
@sundays_forever
@xxlittlebirdxx
@betheplebeian
@melmonifi
#LACANVASFOODIE
#LACANVASFOODIE
@eugenekykim
AS THE LOCALS DO We love Los Angeles. From palm tree-lined landscapes and iconic diners to local food porn and golden-hour cityscapes—we can’t get enough decadent LA imagery. Last month, we asked Angelenos to tag #LACANVASFOODIE in their favorite gastronomic snaps from eateries around the city. And boy, does our hometown look good.
@LACANVAS
/LACANVAS
@LACANVAS
LACANVAS
LACANVAS.COM
The Taste Issue |
Steve Aoki
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MUsician
Steve Aoki
Let Them Eat Cake text by Garth Trinidad | photo by Rickett & Sones styling by Justin Lynn | grooming by Daniela Grasso
Leather Vest Ashton Michael — Eyewear Dim Mak
Special thanks to MSO PR
Steve Aoki
Steve Aoki draws inspiration from the cosmos while dominating EDM culture.
to get respect in straight edge hardcore culture, you had to be productive. I learned how to put on shows, I started a zine, and I was in a band. I was so passionately involved that I picked up a guitar, I stole copies from Kinkos to make the zines, I found a community center to do shows for free. The same principles apply to every business decision I’ve made since, ‘cuz it’s all about spreading the word and preserving the community. DJing didn’t start until I came to LA and needed to build Dim Mak. That’s when I started promoting
Steve Aoki is a nascent futurist. Beyond the veil of superstar DJ and EDM
and opening up for friends at bars.
mogul is a man driven by the promise of his Technicolor, sci-fi dreams. On his latest releases, Neon Future l and ll (Dim Mak / Ultra), we hear abbreviated,
How did you and DJ AM end up throwing parties together?
serene prophecies of a glorious, space-age destiny, gently folded into ambient intros and interludes betwixt customary throbbing basslines, torrid synths,
It was around 2004. We were the epicenter of this new, burgeoning, hybrid
and starry guest vocals from the likes of Linkin Park and Snoop Lion. Author
electro scene—Vice, Urb, BPM. The Dim Mak parties were a niche, and AM
and futurist Ray Kurzweil, theoretical physicist Kip Thorne, and Hollywood
at the time was the king of nightclub culture. He was a pioneer in that he
heavy J.J. Abrams all lend voice and perspective to the Neon Future records.
was always seeking out the next thing. I was so impressed and inspired by
With childlike awe, Steve enthusiastically shares the theories and rhetoric
how he built his career, ‘cuz he did it in an underground way but was loved
he digs, and explains how the futuristic concepts have influenced his work
by pop culture, mixing hip-hop with mainstream. He was a charmer, very
and aesthetic.
eloquent and convincing. He introduced me to all kinds of habits that I got stuck with...like poker. Outside of music, we always found ways to bond. I
Now approaching his late 30s, Steve demonstrates no signs of slowing down.
looked up to him like a big brother. We decided to throw this party in 2006
Sharp and graceful, the astute businessman tours 300 days out of the year
(Banana Split Sundaes). It was our way of giving back to the community, a
with a portable studio in tow. Between the launch of a new high-fashion Dim
free party strictly for the music lovers that knew the DJs. It became a special
Mak apparel line in Tokyo and his obligations surrounding the release of Neon
moment in LA history. AM is one of the most influential human beings I’ve
Future ll, I was able to steal a few moments with him in a sunny Downtown
ever met. He was so generous, so caring, always available to his friends.
LA loft. We spoke about his dad, deep house, DJ AM, community, and the future. After responding to a text from LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, Steve
There’s been lots of criticism when word spread of your supposed foray into
settles in...
deep house. What’s happening there?
I started a residency in Ibiza last year. I was going to Richie Hawtin’s party, Jamie Jones’ party…I was out. I was a sponge. I was so inspired by the sounds I was hearing. So [then] I’m in London at a meeting, and Mixmag is sitting next to me (though at the time I don’t know this). Someone asks what’s going on with Ibiza and I’m talking about how I’ve been inspired to start doing all kinds of different beats—some techno, some deep house. Next thing you know, [there are] headlines everywhere about me doing deep house. I hate reacting to criticism and usually don’t; but this time I did, creating this alterego to produce some of this stuff. I put out a couple of records under the radar on SoundCloud. I don’t have time to promote it because of Neon Future. But I go back to Ibiza this summer, and I’m gonna finish those tracks and slowly put them out. It’s just another way for me to be able to express myself. I actually do deep house sets at my residency at Cafe Mambo—most incredible sunsets in the world. After all, we are DJs: we don’t just have to T-Shirt Cesar Arellanes
play our own music, and it’s great to have a forum to play all kinds of stuff and just have fun.
Was your family supportive of you being a DJ, pursuing music? You have guys like Kip Thorne and J.J. Abrams on Neon Future commenting
My father never gave me a single dime. It was just his way of saying, “You
on things like astrophysics, space travel, and transcendence—the possible
need to figure shit out on your own.” Even though he was a wealthy, flamboyant
future of mankind. Is that the premise of Neon Future?
businessman and entrepreneur, he was smart in not spoiling his children with the wrong spoils. My father was an adventure seeker. I was lucky to be spoiled
Yes. Since it’s such a big part of my identity, I brought it into my music. We
by traveling with him growing up, going to all these places around the world
companionized the album with the Neon Future Sessions for Wired Magazine
and returning refreshed and inspired. There’s no doubt my success is derived
where so far we have Ray Kurzweil and Stan Lee talking about the future, but
from watching him do his thing.
there are 10 other interviews waiting to be published. I flew my whole team to Oxford so we could talk to Richard Dawkins about the future of atheism,
What was the catalyst for realizing you needed to do more than just be a DJ
evolution, and religion. It’s not just about science and tech, but different
in order to transcend regional boundaries?
perspectives that have opened my mind to a whole new way of thinking. I
The original catalyst was being this lost kid and finding a community that
and tech, life extension, brain science, nanotechnology. Neon Future ll is
supports me for who I am, and me wanting to be productive in that community.
meta, going outwards into space, connecting with other life forms. When I
The community at that time was straight edge hardcore. When I was growing
was at UCSB in 1999, I snuck in to see Stephen Hawking speak. I’ve always
up in Newport Beach, it was middle and upper class white suburbia. In order
been obsessed with science, but now more than ever.
wanted to intellectualize Neon Future. The first album is about current science
13
The Taste Issue | MUsician
Steve Aoki
14
Steve Aoki
15
THE GRAMMY MUSEUM® PRESENTS PI ZZA T I ME W IT H P IZ Z A SL IM E If you’re one of the over 90,0 0 0 folks who follow Pizzaslime on Instagram or Twit ter, you might already know about the poignant Drake T-shir t they released with our pals over at the dFm. Or perhaps you’re hip to their Tumblr, which features exclusive content of a farting Fat Jewish, screaming Tyler the Creator, jolly Diplo, and inebriated Pharrell. These guys seem to be every where, so we were hyped when they started answering our text messages. While we had their attention, we asked Pizzaslime to score our Taste Issue Playlist— and they obliged. Nex t time, we’ll be asking for the Rick Ross T-shir t, too.
Selections By
F AT H E R
“Everybody in the Club Gettin’ Shot”
Pizzaslime
B E TA / M A I “Never Enough”
MIKE SKINNER
“You Better Be”
EXTENDED THROUGH JANUARY 10, 2016 LANEY JONES
POST MALONE
P R E L OW
“Work It Out”
“White Iverson”
“For The Team”
DORSAL FINS
SNOH AALEGRA
HARRIET
“Mind Renovation”
“Emotional”
“Irish Margaritas”
Q UA RT E R B A C K S
WAT E R B E D
P H O E B E RYA N
“Center”
“Sweet n Sour”
“Mine”
S T R E A M OU R F U L L SPOT I F Y PL AY L IS T ON L AC A N VA S.COM
WWW.GRAMMYMUSEUM.ORG
The Taste Issue |
Golden Box
A DASH OF DECADENCE LA Nightlife impresario Jeremy Fall talks NYC ‘80s nostalgia, little worlds, and drunk food.
1 Golden Box / goldenboxla.com 6685 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA text by Reneé George | photo by Joe Perri
What has five shimmering disco balls, Interview Magazine tear sheets plastered to the floor, and neon pink signage that reads, “Eat My Golden Box?” Golden Box, that’s what. A rare find in the heart of Hollywood, this nightspot comes without the usual $20 cover, artisanal cocktail program, or mixology madness. In fact, the drinks are straightforward spirits: reasonably priced beers and wines (who knew that was even a thing anymore?), served from a bar that takes a back seat to music, live acts, and letting loose on the dance floor. In other words, this is the place for folks who just want to get down. Who knows? You might just leave with gold confetti in your hair. Heavily inspired by the vibe of 1980’s Downtown Manhattan, Golden Box opened its doors back in November at the hands of nightlife impresario Jeremy Fall. The venue followed on the heels of Fall’s first pop-up club, Genesis. Golden Box sits on the corner of Hollywood and Las Palmas, in the heart of the infamous club corridor. The small-ish space consists mostly of a dance floor, anchored by a caged-in DJ booth and sparsely peppered with lounge tables. Fall’s desire to open Golden Box after the success of Genesis required an in-depth timeline of research. “While building Golden Box, I went through about 100 names which were all really mediocre. The project was about creating an ‘80’s-inspired venue that felt like it could have actually existed during that era. I think a lot of people nowadays go for gimmick over authenticity, and design projects that are strictly pulling from the highlights of that specific era.” For instance? “If someone were to build a venue about the decade we’re in right now in 30 years, they would make it over the top with Facebook logos, 2 Chainz on repeat, and footage of Justin Bieber getting arrested. It wouldn’t actually feel like what we’re living right now, but would just highlight an aerial view of it. I wanted to have people that actually experienced that decade of nightlife to walk in and immediately feel that nostalgia.” Fall’s old soul and authenticity-driven ideals didn’t exactly fit with the stereotypical LA nightlife scene: a succession of bloated spaces with long lines, electronic beats, and overpriced bottle service. Then again, his
success suggests that maybe Angelenos are ready for a change. Last year, Fall debuted Genesis in a tiny space perched atop Sassafras on Vine. With its worn-in, wood-heavy aesthetic and array of antiques, taxidermy, and lopsided paintings, the pop-up looked more like a haunted attic than a VIP hangout. And yet, it proved a winning formula. Opening at the end of May, Genesis is a clear example of Fall’s sense of direction. “Genesis is in the former Cinespace and Paul & Andre. I used to go to Cinespace twice a week when I was under age and working in Hollywood— some of my best nightlife memories are actually from there. It’s the absolute perfect space for what I want to do with Genesis post pop-up. I’m recreating a dance party playing what I like to call ‘guilty pleasure music,’ which means all sorts of recognizable hits that you actually want to hear when you go out but never get to.” And that’s not all he’s got on his plate—literally. Fall is also dabbling in his first foodie endeavor, Nomad Kitchen. Gist? A better take on drunk food. “I brought chef Chris Oh into the project to create a menu of different types of quick and affordable [food] styles that can be put into a sandwich or topped over fries, like a poutine. We also have sides and other surprises on the way,” he explains. “I’m currently working on two locations for Nomad, with more in the works: one debuting as a modern day concession stand at the Chinese Theatre, and a mini version with a smaller menu inside of Genesis (for those who want to take a quick break and eat between vodka sodas).” Whether you’re already a regular at Golden Box, or are simply looking for your next hangout this summer, Fall’s on the case. “No matter what project I do in the hospitality world, I want people to always feel like what they experienced was unexpected. In my job, I get to create these “little worlds” that make people forget about bills and breakups and actually live in the present. Honestly, it’s fucking awesome. I can’t deny that. We get paid to make people have fun while having fun ourselves. It’s a huge luxury that we can never complain about.” See you on the dance floor.
venue
17
The Taste Issue |
Intro
special spotlights
| SPECIAL SPOTLIGHTS
Andra Day music, Amy Pham fashion, Art of Plating art, & Antonio Diaz food
tastemakers—
| ʹtāst͵mākər | noun
persons who decide or influence what is or will become fashionable
t a s t e m a k e r s of l o s a ng e l e s
18
19
Doo-Wop You Want Andra Day • @andraday
text by Kacey Emmett | photo by Derrick Santini
If you haven’t heard A ndra Day’s Coolin’ in the Streets, hijack the Pandora and do ever yone a favor. Like, right now. Got it? Good. Day’s self-proclaimed retro-pop-soul st yle has already taken YouTube by storm, and is set to stir up the music industr y in a major way. It doesn’t hurt that the songstress has her signature blend of 50’s charm and urban edge down to a science, rock ing hoops and headscar ves with effortless f lair. Rooted in a strong allegiance to jazz, Day’s musical musings also draw upon soul, rock, doo-wop, and a little reggae to top it off. Perhaps you heard about Day’s Sundance tribute to Nina Simone? To put it simply, she brought down the house; and from that moment on, it was clear that Miss Day had arrived. Her passion and dedication haven’t gone unnoticed; and with the help of Stevie Wonder, Day soon hooked up with renowned producer Adrian Gur vitz, who carries the gravitas of Buddy Miles and W hitney Houston in his wheelhouse. The t wo have been working hard gearing up for the release of Day’s f irst a lbum— a highly anticipated debut that promises to deliver. Day is firm in her faith and unwavering in her community involvement, which includes contributions to Unlikely Heroes (an organization that rehabilitates victims of human traff ick ing) and the Urban A rts Partnership. If you needed another reason to swoon, just keep on looping Day’s YouTube covers— and be sure to check out the debut a lbum this June, a project she describes as a “beautiful experiment.”
m u s ic t a s t e m a k e r
The Taste Issue |
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special spotlights
Pham Page Amy Pham • @amypham
text by Kacey Emmett | photo by Jackie Russo
A my Pha m eats slashes for brea k fast. A nd we’ll confess: the DJ/model/host/st ylist/accountant (?!) unfailingly pitches a tent in our cuffed sweats. At 23, Pham has a lready proven herself a digita l wizard, spinning by night and dazzling YouTube viewers by day. Best described as an “approachable goof ball,” she keeps it fresh by tempering casual charm with a sharp eye for fashion. If you recognize her, it’s probably because she’s ever y where —most recently tearing it up at SXSW. Pham’s career began when her older brother brought home a turntable. Fast for ward a few years, and now she’s bouncing from coast to coast, playing events a longside headliners like Igg y A za lea and will.i.am. Girl can spin—in fur—without brea k ing a sweat. Her modeling portfolio isn’t too shabby, either, including spreads for the likes of Nylon, Reebok, and Nike. Outside of crushing it in music and modeling, Pham is the host for Ma ker Studios’ The Fashion Statement, where she showcases her persona l st yle in week ly YouTube episodes. She even ma kes a strong case for Ebay, proving there’s no shame in thrifting — a ll from the comfort of your ver y own couch. With more agents than K imye, Pham is clearly just getting started. W hether she’s part y-pleasing, st yling, or hustling via social media, she’s perpetually on the move. At this point, we’re prett y much just waiting for her to announce her 2016 bid for off ice.
fa s h ion t a s t e m a k e r
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Portion Control Maria Nguyen • @theartofplating
text by Kacey Emmett | photo by Chef Bryce Shuman of Betony
Warning: If it’s 11A M and you’re a lready think ing about Foodler, you might want to sk ip this. Maria Nguyen k nows those hunger pangs bellowing deep in your soul better than anyone else. As editor-in-chief at The Art of Plating, Nguyen’s job is to capture moments of culinary perfection, from conception to completion. To ca ll TAOP a food blog would be simplistic at best: the interactive site is a creative endeavor of epic proportions. Under Nguyen’s watch, the videos, photography, and editoria ls play to our senses, stok ing our insatiable appetite for food porn. TAOP embraces the technolog y surrounding gastronomy today (case in point: a 3D food printer), but a lso pays homage to chefs who capture the essence of tradition. From a delicate cucumber dish to a heart y beef tongue stew, TAOP will deconstruct even the most intricate recipes. It’s a behind-the-swinging-doors look at food as an art form—k ind of like watching Bob Ross paint happy trees, only this time you can eat them. A nd when we say “art,” we mean it (in other words, think t wice before sending in a snap of those macaroons you tried to recreate from Pinterest). TAOP features the greatest world-renowned chefs and their masterpieces, from Massimo Bottura’s nosta lgic layering technique to Nik i Na kayama’s painsta k ing kaisek i. Inspired by a passion for the innovation behind haute cuisine, Nguyen and her team have created a platform to showcase contemporar y masterminds at their best—and to make even novice foodies yearn to get creative in the k itchen.
a rt tastem a k er
The Taste Issue |
22
special spotlights
All Consuming Antonio Diaz • @lifeandthyme
text by Kacey Emmett | photo by Josh Telles
W hether you’re the guy caramelizing the crème brûlée or the one washing the dish after wards, you’ve probably got a culinar y stor y to tell—and A ntonio Diaz is here to help. Diaz is the creator and editor-in-chief of Life & Thyme, a food media platform that showcases culinar y ta lent and ta les. In addition, Diaz and his team just launched the f irst issue of Life & Thyme Magazine. Not bad for a project that began as little more than a creative outlet for a few hungr y friends. These days, Life & Thyme is a communit y-driven platform that marries the creative process and a ll things edible, bringing untold stories to the table. Diaz’s technique is simple: he’s out to match passionate souls in the k itchen with their creative counterparts through f ilm, text, photography, and visual art. In a world trending toward impulsive criticism, Diaz’s philosophy is one of celebration. Life & Thyme isn’t a review; it’s an appreciation. Born and raised in Southern Ca lifornia, Diaz’s background is in design and development—f ields that have helped him bring his drea m to life. Five yea rs ago, in the midst of L A’s culina r y renaissance, Dia z set out to capture the action with a loca l team that has since expanded to include contributors from a ll over the world. His touch is undeniably cinematic: features for Life & Thyme include short f ilms, photo essays, and chef portraits created by a crew of likeminded artists. Ultimately, Life & Thyme recognizes our collective hunger for food culture, and ser ves up a heart y share — a lways with an inventive aesthetic t wist.
f o od t a s t e m a k e r
" ONE OF THE HOTTEST NEW JAPANESE SPOTS IN LA! "
" A TRENDY IZAKAYA/SUSHI
-ZAGAT
-LA WEEKLY
RESTAURANT"
" MANHATTAN BEACH’S WINNING DINING SCENE SCORES ANOTHER SPOT " -WHERE LA
SUSHI AKATORA
IZAKAYA AKATORA
302 ROSECRANS AVE MANHATTAN BEACH, CA 90266 (310) 802-1131
115 W. MAIN ST. ALHAMBRA, CA 91891 (626) 943-7872
@AKATORAMB
WWW.AKATORALA.COM
AKATORALA
The Taste Issue |
Southpark
24
n e i g h B o r h o o d Wat c h
One is Silver & the Other’s Gold
Downtown LA’s Southpark neighborhood has lived several lifetimes. Once a maze of unregulated parking lots, the burgeoning corridor has become a multifaceted district home to both commercial businesses and indie gems alike. Thanks to the Staples Center opening its massive glass doors 15 years ago, the area has undergone a supreme renaissance; and today, the formerly haphazard ghost town is a bustling micro-city. With no fewer than 28 colossal development projects on deck, Southpark is on the verge of becoming a bona fide urban hub. While the decadent skyscrapers and luxury lofts are indubitable signs of progress, we can’t help but embrace our retro darlings. But as responsible urbanites, we’ve vowed to maintain an open mind about what’s to come. So, in the spirit of the Taste Issue, we’ve rounded up of a list of our favorite Southpark destinations—new and old.
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Best Spot for an Intimate Drink
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Adam Fleischman of Umami Burger recently teamed up with Hollywood pals Keith Previte and Sean Robbins for ChocoChicken, a strange and ambitious concept eatery. Now, before you balk, hear us out. Although the wacky restaurant ser ves up traces of cocoa in nearly everything on the menu (think chocolate ketchup and Choco seasoning to accompany the duck fat fries), the sweet undertones in each dish are surprisingly subtle. And while drinks like the Angry Cock or housemade biscuits are definitely worth your consideration, its ChocoChicken’s namesake entree that steals the show. Made with organic Jidori chicken soaked in a 36-hour brine, then coated with a mixture of 20 spices, this elevated take on comfort food is complex and delicious. Since ChocoChicken’s controversial opening last spring , we’ve gone from eyebrow-raising skeptics to enthusiastic regulars.
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Wildcard 403 W. 12th St, 90015
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Locals Only •
The Southpark Edition
Best Full-Service Mexican 514 W. 7th St, 90014
Ready for your new favorite Mexican spot ? Bold statement, we know ; but it’s THAT good. Tucked between Neihule Salon and Soi 7 on 7th, B.S. Taqueria (short for “Broken Spanish”) is the neighborhood’s latest gem. Formerly Mo -Chica, the taqueria fuses traditional Mexican sensibilities with a casual Chicano vibe. Ray Garcia, the man behind the approachable concept, has a penchant for market-fresh ingredients, and proves it with dishes like Lemon-Pepper Chicken Chicharrones and Campechana Verde. The new spot is colorful and bright, with wooden accents and vivid hues throug hout—a far cr y from its dimly lit predecessor. If you can escape the grind for a long lunch once a week, this is your spot.
Best Source for Emerging Talent
3|
Best Home Cooked Meal 1150 S. Hope Street, 90015
Looking for an affordable, home-cooked meal in the heart of Downtown? It exists. Located on the northeast corner of 12th and Hope, Aladdin’s Coffee Shop serves up much more than the name suggests. The traditional Lebanese eatery has been a local staple for over 30 years, with a considerable army of loyal regulars who’ve braved ever y socioeconomic wave of the neig hborhood. Aladdin’s menu offers two distinctive entrée options: an à la carte meal with DIY additions like chorizo, salsa, guacamole, rice, beans, and cilantro ; or a buffet that includes a rotating selection of main courses. Carnivores, vegetarians, and vegans, rejoice: this place has got all of you covered (and boasts the Yelp reviews to prove it). Oh, and if you’re a fan of great ser vice, make sure to ask for Cindy.
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939 S. Figueroa Street, 90015 + Various Locations
June 10 -18, 2015
The intersection of Olympic and Fig ueroa may not immediately conjure up images of glowing lanterns and ornate architecture. Nevertheless, it plays home to Downtown’s best-kept secret. The Hotel Figueroa is tucked away within Southpark’s corporate corridor, and boasts an unexpected wellspring of vintage SoCal charm. The Spanish Mediterranean hotel, complete with a pool and lounge, embraces the old-school glamour of LA while remaining completely unpretentious—with a consistently pertinent soundtrack as a noted bonus. Thirsty for mezcal on a Saturday night, but unwilling to brave a sea of bros? Make your way through the exotic lobby and settle in poolside for a cozy tête-à-tête against ivy covered walls.
A few years back, Film Independent—one of the nation’s premier film organizations—gave the LA Film Festival something of a makeover, garnering our hometown event the necessary clout to become a contender alongside highbrow competitors like Sundance, Toronto, Tribeca, and AFI. Recently, the LAFF moved its roster of showings over to the Eastside, with four out of the five featured venues located in and around pedestrianfriendly Southpark (including Regal Cinemas, L.A. Live, The GRAMMY Museum at L.A. Live, FIGat7th, and Union Station). The festival’s roundup consists of competitive sections for independent, feature-length U.S. fiction films; a diverse selection of documentaries; and a smaller round up of exceptional international
films. New this year is a category called Nightfall, which includes genre pieces as well as a section exclusively dedicated to discovering emerging voices in indie filmmaking. We don’t have to explain the importance of supporting local creative talent, do we?
Powered by
The Taste Issue |
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str eet a rt
N. VENDOME ST / COUNCIL ST.
Phobik
W. JEFFERSON BLVD / VILLAGE DR.
Cyrcle
Curated By
www.chickenspeak.com
N. FAIRFAX / WILLOUGHBY AVE.
Esao Andrews
Cruise through the city to find the latest murals.
N. FAIRFAX / WILLOUGHBY AVE.
Dan Quintana
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CAMERON LN / S. FLOWER ST.
N. VENDOME ST / COUNCIL ST.
Christina Angelina, Ease One, Stephen V. Williams
Z _la
N. FAIRFAX / WILLOUGHBY AVE.
SUNSET BLVD / N. ALTA VISTA BLVD.
Miss Van
Tristan Eaton
SANTA MONICA BLVD / N. LAS PALMAS AVE.
N. VENDOME ST / COUNCIL ST.
Dourone
Stormie Mills
SANTA MONICA BLVD / N. LAS PALMAS AVE.
S. GRAND AVE. / 7 TH ST.
Bumblebee Loves You
Sideshow
The Taste Issue |
Scott Hove
28
a rtist
text by Lauren Westerfield
scot t hov e
cakeland
Scott Hove explores beauty, violence, and spectacle in the form of elaborate cake sculptures and provocative installations.
When it comes to tracking down LA’s most promising new artists, we’ll confess:
It began, Hove says, with a hamburger. “When I was a kid, I used to collect fake
South Central isn’t our usual stomping ground. Far from the mural-clad walls of the
food. There was a place on Union Street in San Francisco, and I would go in there
Arts District, Scott Hove’s newly adopted neighborhood lies adjacent to the
with my parents and beg…” The wax hamburger was his most prized item. “I’d look
University of Southern California amidst a sprawl of run-down warehouses. To be
at it and know it was fake, but it still stimulated me…it had this weird, ironic
honest, if I hadn’t arranged to meet him here, I never would have thought to
absurdity that I loved.” Fast forward to 2004, when the self-taught artist made his
wonder what creative alchemy might be happening behind these blocks of red brick.
first fake cake out of cardboard. “I wanted to see…if I could make an object that would have this feeling, this absurdity that I was kind of obsessed with,” he says,
But that’s the beauty of discovery, isn’t it? A renewed commitment to suspending
“and it was pretty easy.” Hove began exhibiting his cake sculptures soon thereafter,
one’s disbelief, to entertaining the possibility that nothing is quite what it seems.
noting, “Until then, I’d been doing art that was just very dark and very challenging for people.” With the cake pieces, however, viewers got “a positive charge,” and he
Hove greets me with his dog, Kona, and a warning to “watch out for the rabbit.”
realized cake was “a medium that had potential for really getting people to open up”
Looking around his live/work studio, it’s immediately apparent that this is no poseur’s
by creating a unique “emotional state.”
“art loft.” It’s too messy for that—in a good way. To our right stands a mirrored installation chamber; to our left, a massive worktable topped with half-finished,
Hove is driven by this last idea—the artist’s ability to alter viewers’ emotional
stiletto-topped cake sculptures and a gleaming pair of switchblades. Directly in front
environment. As he puts it, “you’re able to control the attraction and repulsion…
of us is The Slayer, a coin-operated carnival ride in the form of a stud-and-
you’re able to create a story for people.” Citing influences ranging from Disneyland
leather-clad lion. And behind it, I make out Cake Vault, a lush grotto of pink and
rides to the Los Angeles Theater, Hove connects his love of opulence and theatrics
white confections.
to his frustration with the hypocrisies and atrocities being enacted “against people and the world heritage” alike.
At this point, it might be helpful to explain that Scott Hove is known among his peers as “the cake guy:” a mixed-media artist creating fake cakes out of cardboard,
“Those things just drive me completely insane,” he says, citing the rise of ISIS as a
acrylic, and silicone, and combining them with found items like fangs, blades, high-
current example, “so I work on a lot of these issues in my art as a way to…digest it
heels, and other artifacts as a means by which to explore the juxtaposition of beauty
myself.” From past projects like the “Master of Rapacity” exhibit, to the current
and comfort with the darker themes—oligarchy, violence, and hypocrisy—that
collection for “Pussy Jihad,” Hove is constantly grappling with the evil forces at
pervade his work.
work in the world. Still, he maintains, “you can’t end on a dark note.” Walking me through the mirror chamber, he explains his vision: first, a jungle scene, then a fiery
Between brief interruptions from Kona and the occasional need to coax his rabbit
hell pit, and at last, an infinity chamber made entirely of cake. “I want people to
away from the fake cakes (“he really, really loves the frosting,” Hove says), the Bay
have their beauty experience,” he says. “I’m plenty cynical; but, it’s good to be able
Area native explains his reasons for relocating from Oakland to Los Angeles in August
to rise above that and do something constructive, try to heal the world with art in
of last year. “I was ambitious, and I wanted to work with people who were working
a positive way.”
on a really high level,” he says, noting that he’d been “blown away” by the LA art scene after several visits. To his mind, LA artists were “way more aggressive and more
Of course, when it comes to cake, all that sweetness and light has an underbelly of
serious on a grander scale” than those he had encountered in the Bay. Hove chuckles
its own. Spend too long in an installation like Cake Vault, and the decadence begins
and tells me that he used to say to himself, “If I were really ballsy, I’d go to LA...”
to feel almost toxic. As Hove says, too much cake—in any form—“can make your
But fate intervened when Hove’s landlord announced plans to renovate the Oakland
stomach upset.” At this point, I can’t help but ask if Hove is himself a baker. “No,
studio where he lived; and all of a sudden, “the cake guy” found himself headed
I don’t have a sweet tooth,” he replies, grinning. “And I don’t really like sugar. It
southward for good, putting down roots near his beloved Downtown movie palaces.
just makes me feel crappy.” Perhaps it’s this detachment from something so ingrained in our culture, something so iconic in its association with happiness and comfort,
“Almost immediately after coming down here, people were like, ‘Oh hey, you’re in
which allows him to utilize every nuance of his chosen medium. Much like the
LA? I’ve got this great opportunity and we’re going to do this giant installation in
warehouses flanking his new address on South Broadway, Hove’s cakes may seem
a warehouse,’” Hove explains, “and I’m like, ‘Yup, that’s why I came here. Let’s do
simple enough; but upon closer examination, they remind us to look deeper—to
it.’” At the time of our interview, he’s putting the finishing touches on his latest
continually question a culture obsessed with the surface of things. •
project: a show entitled “Pussy Jihad,” which opened at La Luz De Jesus Gallery on April 3rd. Currently, he’s prepping for a large-scale installation going up at the Think Tank gallery in September. Both shows will feature his cake sculptures; and as he walks me through the pieces he’s preparing for display, I can’t help but ask the obvious question: why cake?
Scott Hove
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The Taste Issue |
Mier Gallery
BIG THINGS. SMALL PACKAGES. Nino Mier introduces his latest L A of fering in the form of Mier Ga ller y.
1 Mier / miergallery.com 1107 Greenacre Ave., West Hollywood, CA text by & photo by Rachel Many
Tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac, just north of Santa Monica Boulevard in the heart of West Hollywood, lies a bright, welcoming, and relatively inconspicuous storefront. This is the Mier Gallery; and at first glance, one might not expect such a small space to pack much punch. But don’t be fooled—this little one is a big contender. The Mier Gallery opened its doors this past February, and hails a roster of impressive new talent curated by longtime art aficionado and collector Nino Mier. If that name rings a bell, perhaps it’s because you’re familiar with Mier’s equally charming foodie haven, FOODLAB, or the selection of deliciously eclectic pieces he selects for the housewares boutique Max & Moritz. And with burgeoning talent like Eve Fowler, Odessa Straub, and Jana Schroeder set to take center stage in the gallery’s new program, it would seem that Nino Mier is once again in his element. After all, he’s already proven a knack for presenting big things in small packages. While we peruse the quaint gallery space, soaking up sun from the gallery’s generous front window and enthusing over the large-scale canvases by Jan-Ole Schiemann, Nino fills us in on his reasons for opening the space, and the trajectory of his unconventional career path. “I had always wanted to open a gallery, but I wanted it to be well done and thoughtful,” Nino tells us. “My experience as a private dealer has taught me some things. I’ve been lucky to form relationships with some great dealers who have been generous with advice and support. It made it much less daunting.”
to have served him well. Mier spent years working his way through the conservative hierarchy of today’s art market before finally making the leap to seek out and curate talent on his own terms. But in the meantime, he cultivated more than a few successful side-ventures. “I went from painter, to co-owner of FOODLAB, to collector, to private dealer, to gallerist,” laughs Mier. “Finally, I just went for it. The program will speak for itself. My name is on the door, but it’s the program that’s important.” And oh does the program speak. With Jan-Ole Schiemann’s sold-out opening exhibition to kick things off, and an imposing list of new artists set to line the gallery’s walls in the coming months, Mier Gallery is already asserting itself in the LA scene. “The first opening was a bit nerve-wracking,” explains Nino. “I wanted everything to be perfect. For the first 30 minutes no one came; and by 7PM we had over 150 people in the space. It was a very proud moment for Jan-Ole, as well as [for] me.” Up next, Eve Fowler will set up shop in the gallery from late May through June, dazzling viewers with an expansive exhibition. “She is brilliant, and I am honored to have the opportunity to share her mind and ideas with the world,” Mier says. Even with the influx of so many small gallery operations in Los Angeles, Mier Gallery is clearly capable of holding its own. Like we said: big things, small packages.
A painter-turned-restaurateur-turned collector, Nino acknowledges the nomadic nature of his professional experience. Then again, it appears
gallery
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GALLE R Y O P EN IN G S text by
Rachel Many
PARIS PHOTO LOS ANGELES Paramount Studios | May 1 – May 3 The annual Paris Photo festival hits Los Angeles this spring, exhibiting photography and moving image work by 20th and 21st century artists. Exhibitors will present historical and contemporary bodies of work against the backdrop of Paramount Pictures’ legendary soundstages. Meanwhile, public programming will include the Sound & Vision series of conversations and screenings, and UNEDITED!, which exposes little-known or never-before-seen photographic material. parisphoto.com/losangeles MARK GROTJAHN Blum & Poe | May 2 – June 20 Opening Reception: Friday, May 1, 5 – 7 pm This exhibition features Grotjahn’s traditional, large-scale paintings that draw from both modernist abstraction and pop culture. Reinterpreting perspective as skewed logic, Grotjahn’s canvases often incorporate two vanishing points in close proximity, creating a deception of space. Applied in thick impasto, Grotjahn’s use of texture and traces of under-painting create subtly shifting tones for an effect at once elusive and concrete. blumandpoe.com EVE FOWLER Mier Gallery | May 22 – July 3 Opening Reception: Friday, May 22, 6 – 8 pm Fowler’s work is varied, encompassing everything from letterpress posters and large-scale public billboard messages to intimate portraits that investigate gender, identity, and lesbian subculture. Unadorned and unfettered by compositional conformity, Fowler’s work demands attention, encouraging the viewer to pause and contemplate space, existence, and destiny. miergallery.com ELIZABETH NEEL Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects | May 30 – July 11 Opening Reception: Saturday, May 30, 6 pm Neel layers gestural and sometimes violent brushstrokes in an abstract fashion as she explores the implications of decomposition and decay. Often utilizing found material for her paintings, Neel draws inspiration from a wide range of sources, prompting viewers to delve deep into her dark, multi-faceted pieces. vielmetter.com
MARTIN BASHER Anat Egbi | June 13 – July 11 Opening Reception: Saturday, June 13, 7 pm Basher’s large-scale canvases boast bold stripes and gradients, elements that produce complex optical illusions and transform a tour of the gallery space into an intriguing, somewhat mindbending experience. His slick, bright, geometrically inclined works dissolve the boundary between art and artifice, investigating today’s culture of consumerism and its effect on our environment. anatebgi.com
JOHANNA BREIDING | EPITAPH TO FAMILY Human Resources LA | June 20 – July 19 Opening Reception: Saturday, June 20, 7 pm Breiding’s practice deals with issues of identity, loss, crossculturalism, and environmental change. Her new exhibition, Epitaph to Family, is an ongoing project that addresses memory, entropy, and the death of analog photography via the historical and environmental significance of small town Keeler, California. Breiding’s photographs recall the past while simultaneously creating a fantastical archive of the present. The result is a visual tribute to places that have already been forgotten. humanresourcesla.com
DRAWING IN LA: THE 1960S AND 70S LACMA | May 10 – August 2 Culled from LACMA’s permanent collection and select local holdings, Drawing in LA: The 1960s and ‘70s features work by nearly 50 artists working in a wide variety of styles and media. The drawings range in technique from charcoal and ink to collage and xerography, and encompass realism, conceptual drawing, and abstraction. The exhibition provides a unique opportunity to see the broad scope of work being made in Los Angeles during an exciting time in the city’s artistic history. lacma.org
G E T MOR E OF L A’S BE S T OPE N I NG S AT L AC A N VA S.COM
The Taste Issue |
In the Swim of Things
designer
In the Swim of Things text by Erin Dennison
model Alyssa Smith @ NEXT Model Management
In the Swim of Things
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In the Swim of Things
35
“For me, there’s an emphasis on each individual piece as being part of a whole. I like to work backwards.” Meet Lezard Swim, the women behind your new favorite bathing suit.
• “Oh my God. This has to be of f the record, though.” A lyssa Smith leans in as I tap the red button and put my phone away, and then proceeds to enchant me with ta les of her teenage exploits growing up in Newport, the sma ll coasta l town adjacent to Laguna Beach. For those of us who grew up far away from Southern Ca lifornia, the butter y, cinematic world of MT V ’s (sorta) rea lit y show Laguna Beach constituted a menta l mood board for a ll of Ora nge Count y. E xceptiona lly attractive, sun-k issed high schoolers chatting and gossiping with the elongated vowels of a Southern Ca lifornia drawl helped def ine the idyllic region; and as I sit across from Smith, herself an OC native, swimsuit model, and the marketing arm of L ezard Swim, I can’t help but notice that she certainly look s the part.
The Taste Issue |
In the Swim of Things
36
designer
Perched on a lu x leather couch anchoring the Mack Sennett Studios lounge area,
L ezard ’s inaugura l collection draws most of its inspiration from a late 1960’s
Smith is golden haired, witt y, and magnetic: an evolved version of the California
France —think, you guessed it, Jane Birk in. The garments span a cohesive color
trope that def ined the region a lmost a decade ago. A s she recounts the stor y of
pa lette rich in neutra ls and punctuated by yellow hues and vivid sea-tones. The
how she met L ea h Shlaer —the company’s swimwear designer and Smith ’s duly
fabrics are lu xurious, the patterns intricate, and the separates eerily sea mless.
fair-haired counterpart— both women become visibly coy, their manners suffused
Lea h explains, “W hen I’m designing a collection, I stop and envision ever y single
with mutua l admiration. This is to be expected. A f ter a ll, their partnership is
piece hanging together and how it’s going to f low…what pieces should go together.
new-ish, having begun just a few years back when Smith modeled for Shlaer’s
For me, there’s an emphasis on each individua l piece as being part of a whole. I
former eponymous line. A lyssa describes L ea h a s having designed t he most
like to work back wards.”
beautif ul suits she’d ever worn, and L ea h explains how A lyssa, with years of modeling experience under her belt, just “got it.” A f ter months of reciproca l
Because of her strong back ground in da nce, L ea h ha s a lways understood the
social media aff irmation, the t wo women eventually reconnected IR L and decided
importance of both f it and movement. A nd a f ter spending years in the fashion
to join forces.
industr y honing her technica l sk ill in production, she not only k new what she wanted, but how to execute it properly. “I’ve been designing for over 10 years,
The na me L ezard (French for “ lizard ”) is inspired by a f ictiona l woman, one
[and] I got into swimwear in 2008. It’s more just that I have a vision in my mind
who slides ef fortlessly in and out of various settings while a lways maintaining
that I wish I could f ind, or that I k now people would want to buy. Sometimes
a strong identit y. A “Lezard girl ” is socia lly dexterous and captivating — spirited,
I’ ll f ind a fabric and it will completely inspire something —it has to feel good
wit h cla ssic sa rtoria l sensibilities. She’s at hletic a nd curious, aut hentic a nd
on the body. I used to be a da ncer, so that inf luence is certa inly in there a s
f unny. In short, she is a chic, cool, well-traveled woman. The brand personif ies
well—you k now, when you leave class and just throw something on over your
its ima gina r y muse by inf using notions of whimsy a nd wa nderlust into its
leotard for the rest of the day.”
classica lly f lattering silhouettes.
In the Swim of Things
37
On the heels of its f irst birthday, L ezard has a lready captured the attention of leading glossies, editors, bloggers, and It Girls. With an excellent showing at Mia mi Swim Week and collections available in over t went y doors, the line is expa nding quicker t ha n eit her of t he women had imagined. A s it turns out, e xper t sk i l l a nd ye a rs of i ndu st r y e xperienc e ma ke for a potent one-t wo punch. With their second collection currently in production, the Ca lifornia duo promises more effortlessly cool pieces and f lawless campaign imager y just around the corner.
Oh, and it was a good story.
•
Photos By Henrik Purienne
The Taste Issue |
HUF
store
FtW
•
hUF
•
dBc
HUF—
Real Recognize Real HUF’s journey from oversized tees to skate culture royalty.
text by Erin Dennison
As befits his former pro skater status, HUF founder Keith Hufnagel moves between the worlds of lifestyle branding, manufacturing, and skateboarding with impressive agility. In terms of branding, he occupies a unique space with a streetwear line that is as influential as it is distinctive. When Hufnagel started skating in the 1980’s, the culture was far from thriving in his hometown of NYC. In those days, the notion that skate trends would permeate high fashion was ridiculous. But that’s not what fueled him. Today, the company that started as a humble boutique on San Francisco’s Sutter Street is currently home to numerous collaborations, a full line of apparel and footwear, a skate team, a wholesale distribution arm, a host of celebrity cosigns, and a cult-like following that positions HUF next to industry heavyweights like Nike and Vans. If it seems as though @hufworldwide is planning on global dominance—well, it’s because that’s sort of the deal. Upon entering HUF’s LA headquarters, I’m greeted by a kid who looks all of eight years old. Skateboard in hand, he leads me through a meandering corridor in search of HUF’s creative team. After a few narrow turns, the office explodes into a massive, open floor plan. Clothing racks haphazardly punctuate the rows of desks, which are stacked with shoeboxes, lined with mood boards, and invariably occupied by coollooking people. Between snippets of intersecting conversation about everything from moving offices to the logistics of a creative campaign, it quickly becomes apparent that these guys are pretty fucking busy. Finally, we make our way into the glass conference room, where Keith and Scott Tepper (HUF’s Creative Director and a long-time friend of Hufnagel’s) greet us with a degree of attention and politeness which, given their roles at the helm of an internationally distributed, multimillion dollar company, come as a refreshing surprise. There weren’t always this many moving parts in the HUF arena. Keith grew up a skate kid in Manhattan during the 1980’s—a time and place where the alt sport was
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HUF
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• Photographer Josie Simonet | Styling Marissa Peden | Stylist Assistant Sini Mattila | Grooming Barbara Yniguez | Model Gabriel @ Photogenics
known more for slackers than for burgeoning trends. After obliging his folks and
As hype for HUF apparel grew, the wholesale arm of the company was struggling.
enrolling in a four-year college in San Francisco, Keith quickly opted out of a liberal
Without the infrastructure necessary to evolve on par with demand, and with zero
arts education in favor of a professional skating contract with Real in 1992. Once
credit available at the time, Keith found himself caught in an impossible game of
he went pro, he started to observe a change in the climate: a merging of the skate
catch-up. “We hired a showroom to sell [the line], and right when we did that, it
and streetwear industries that promised to evolve into something even bigger. “I
just blew up, and we had all these orders to fill. At that point, it was kind of when
saw all these stores opening,” he explains. “I watched Supreme happen, I watched
[the] recession hit. 2008, 2009, 2010…it was during that three-year period we started
Union happen, I watched all these things starting to happen in streetwear. The
seeing a decrease of sales inside retail. And all we’re doing is putting money into the
culture was brewing.”
wholesale business and trying to do that and maintain that. Eventually, we started seeing bills coming in from our vendors and we were just like, this fucking sucks. So
Eventually, in 2002, Keith decided to open up a retail shop to marry the streetwear
we started closing some of the retail doors to kind of offset [the cost]. And it worked
and sneaker scenes with which he had become so familiar. “We had all these special
for a while. But then, the manufacturing bills got bigger and bigger… and then, I
Nikes, and we bought a bunch of NY brands like Supreme and Annex. There were
had the bright idea of doing footwear.”
a lot of brands we had access to in NY. I don’t know how kids found out, but they did, and we had the demand before [the store] even opened. The day we opened, we
The guys were already intimately familiar with the entire scope of footwear. From
pretty much sold out of everything.” Dubbed HUF after Hufnagel’s tag and nickname,
street trends and skate function to manufacturing and retail, shoes had been a passion
the shop became a go-to for hats and tees; and before they knew it, Keith and his
of Keith’s even before he launched HUF’s original Sutter Street spot. Their initial
team had an entire clothing line on their hands.
foray into sneakers consisted of collaborations with footwear titans like Nike. “We were partners in the retail store, so Nike was allowing us to do collaborations to
“We had such demand and we were in a small store, so we just kind of started opening
hype up their brand, and sort of using us as an outlet, which was very good for the
up a door a year.” Soon, Keith had opened four stores in SF and one in LA. Each
brand—I mean, it helped us a lot. At that point, though, we were a Nike-pusher.
carried the HUF brand, as well as a solid selection of other streetwear lines and
They were helping us and we were helping them.”
big-brand collaborations. But once they started producing their own footwear, HUF suddenly became the “We had no background in manufacturing, so we basically just found places in San
competition. The team found themselves at a crossroads; and in the end, they chose
Francisco and Jersey—we were doing everything inside the US. None of us went to
to go all in. “In the long run, we actually wanted to be our own manufacturer. And
business school or anything,” he explains. “Let’s say we bought something for $50,
have control over how much we buy, what we put on it,” Keith says. “When you
we were just turning around and selling it for $100. So there was actually no wholesale
have those big companies, they tell you how much you get. They dictate it all under
margin. So we kinda knew that we were just putting ourselves in this hole.”
their reign, which is their business—they’re good at it.”
The Taste Issue |
HUF
40
store
“...and then, I had the bright idea of doing footwear.” As it turns out, redirecting its efforts into footwear manufacturing was the ideal restructuring step for Hufnagel’s lifestyle company. Having gained considerable momentum in the wake of their successful launch of the sneaker line, HUF is currently preparing to re-open a retail location in the Fairfax district of LA this summer. Coming full circle, the newest HUF store will be a space where people can experience the full brand story—while also serving as an opportunity for HUF to reconnect with their retailers. According to Forbes, skateboarding is now a multibillion-dollar industry, with nearly half of the top ten action sports stars being skaters. Despite the culture’s growth, Hufnagel stays true to his roots. He actively invests back into his first love by supporting a team of professionals that includes Dylan Rieder, Craig Anderson, Austyn Gillette, and over a half dozen more. He also still rides professionally himself. And although there is a considerable big-brand presence in the business—Nike and Adidas own most of the industry these days—no massive corporation can contend with the authenticity of a skateboarder-owned brand. Through the ebbs and flows of the retail climate, Keith’s never lost sight of the bigger picture. Trends, by definition, come and go. But having taken the time—and made the sacrifices—to invest in HUF’s foundation by pursuing independent manufacturing, Hufnagel is actively securing a spot for the sport. The brand’s goal is to protect the culture for those who make it, even when the footwear and apparel giants leave and take their programs and sponsorship deals with them. Whether he’s ollieing over park benches, designing footwear, or directing his multi-million dollar business, Keith Hufnagel has more than earned his rep as a skate and streetwear legend. •
• Photo By Natalie O’Moore
Trend Matrix
Trend Matrix
Haerfest
This Is Ground
Band of Outsiders
Miansai
Modernist Cuisine
$295
$300
$325
$495
$508
Mini Capsule Backpack
Mod Tablet 2
Raglan T-Shir t w/ Contrast Welt Pocket
M12 Swiss Bronze on Leather Strap
TOMS
Daniel Wellington
Frost River
Krammer-Stoudt
ace&jig
$161
$180
$180
$220
Classy Glasgow 3 4MM
Arrowhead Trail Roll Top Pack
Conner y Dress Shir t
Sailor Shor t
Jack Spade
No Name
Riuda Vets
Mokuyobi Threads
TOMS
$98
$106
$110
$120
$139
Plato Sneaker
Coast Bag
Bellini Tor toise Cr ystal Fade
Old Faithful Shop
Pointer Brand
Outclass
Workaday Handmade
Triangl
$70
$74
$79
$86
$89
Needles $153
Outback Hat
Onassis Clothing $98
Pour- Over Ket tle
Pocket Apron Duck
Contrast Slub T-Shir t
Tor toise Shell Open Bowl
Poppy - Flamingo Fling
S/S Wave Print Shir t
Company of Parrots
Tavik
Ultraolive
OutSANDing
Wonderland Honolulu
Ganni
$52
$54
$55
It ’s Nice That Annual 2014
Belmont Boardshor t
$60
Taped Seam Dr y Bag
OutSANDing Mats
$63
L a’akea Shor ts
Esperos
US Apothecary
Wary Meyers
Miansai
Faribault
$28
$35
$38
$38
$39
Tablet Case
Juniper & Geranium Hand Soap
Ouur
We Heart Sunglasses
Rastaclat
$5
$10
$10
Round Wood Scoop
Round Vintage Glasses
Honey Cocobolo Candle
Shoelace Bracelet
Opinel Garden Knife
$67
Valeir y L ace Bra
HLZBLZ $44
Dot Heather Silver Scar f
Ball Player
Voy Voy
Adeline’s Soap Co.
The New Order
$10
$11
Gingham Handkerchief
Sage, Lemongrass, & Spearmint Soap
$12
Volume 12
e xorbit a nt
Floral Grannis Swim Trunks
$248
Cognac Leather Canvas Caravan Backpack
ef f icie nt
Avarcas Sandal
$875
Vintage Motorcycle Leather Jacket
$160
Circle Cut ting Board
Schott NYC
The Ar t & Science of Cooking
Luke Bartels
41
The Taste Issue | editorial
THE GARDE N OF E DE N photography by Conan Thai
The Garden of Eden
42
The Garden of Eden
top SACHIN + BABI | rings WANDERLUST + CO
model Polina @ PhotogenicsLA stylist Juliet Vo photo assistant Diane Jong hair Castillo @TMG LA using Joic make-up Jeffrey Baum @ Atelier Management
43
The Taste Issue | editorial
top SACHIN + BABI | skirt DONNA KARAN | boots STUART WEITZMAN
The Garden of Eden
44
The Garden of Eden
top ELLERY
45
The Taste Issue |
The Golden Ratio
Food editorial
The Golden Ratio The Art of Plating
Photography by Signe Birck
46
The Golden Ratio
• Photo By Signe Birck — Chef Diego Muñoz | Native Potatoes & Beef Tongue Stew
47
The Taste Issue |
The Golden Ratio
Food editorial
• Photo By Signe Birck — Chef Daniel Burns of Luksus | Warm squid with purple potato dulse and roast ed potato chip
48
The Golden Ratio
• Photo By Signe Birck — Chef Bryce Shuman of Betony | Golden tile fish, black truffles, and fumet blanc
49
The Taste Issue |
Party Time, Excellent
Wildcard
by
Pizzaslime
50
Party Time, Excellent
Party Time, Excellent • interview by Reneé George
The duo behind Pizzaslime speaks on social media, celebrity collaborations, and an earnest affinity for Drake
If you’re like us, you might be following @Pizzaslime on Instagram and still be unclear as to who and what they are. We caught up with the guys behind the meta brand to get down to brass tacks. Let’s figure this out together, shall we? Tell us about your photographic adventure, Pizzaslimeirl.com. What is Pizzaslime?
We just take pictures of our friends and random shit. Our photography ranges Everyone asks that, and it’s hard to answer. We look at it as a creative project
from a picture of a churro to a super rare picture of Kanye West. We don’t
and outlet for doing whatever the fuck we want to do. It’s turned into an
know shit about lighting or photography, though. It’s just a creative outlet
apparel brand and a consulting business where we do marketing, creative
that’s turned out to be rad, and people fuck with it.
direction, and a bunch of other things for companies like Paramount Studios and artists like Diplo, Dillon Francis, Flosstradamus, and many others. We
You collaborate with a ton of folks like Diplo, The Fat Jew, and Dillon Francis.
also do photography and make art. People really fuck with our Instagram,
Who else is on your radar?
which is 99% original content. Miley Cyrus and the Kardashians and other famous people also wear our clothes, too, and that’s tight. Our site also hosts
We actually don’t collab that often. We dislike most people and brands. Except
rare music and videos.
for BARF (@thisisbarf ). They’re FUTURE as FUCK. I think the Fat Jew and Diplo and Dillon Francis are the only ones in terms of apparel. We made a
Our goal, in general, is to expose people to dope shit in interesting and
video with Pharrell and SpongeBob SquarePants, and that was tight. We
unconventional ways and then let them form an opinion. But we hate [to
also made a video for the Ninja Turtles brand, but we don’t like to talk about
hear] opinions, so we don’t like to give ours. If we post it, than there is a
the future.
reason—try to figure it out. If you don’t like it, then just move the fuck on. The best moment / accomplishment of Pizzaslime has been:
We also really love Drake—not in a funny way, but like in a real-ass, like, we fuck with Drake on the real type of way. Fuck! See why that question is hard
When we were starting up, we did a drop and had hundreds of orders flood
to answer? We probably missed some stuff, but yeah, we are a lot of things
in at once. We sold out almost instantly—10 minutes, tops. At that time, we
and we are doing a lot of things.
were shipping everything on our own. All of our orders come in a custom pizza box and with cool shit, like autographed pictures of Eminem. We pay
How did you two come together to formulate this culture?
a lot of attention to the details of the Pizzaslime purchase experience. Anyway, after days of packing fucking shirts and stickers into pizza boxes we looked
We were friends for a long time—since we were both in college. We both
around at Matthew’s crib and we couldn’t even see over the pizza boxes. There
knew that we would end up working together at some point and Pizzaslime
were like a billion pizza boxes. That was a moment when we were like, “Oh
became that project for us. There was no huge planning involved; we kind
shit. This shit is real.” Working with Pharrell on a SpongeBob Squarepants
of just did it.
music video was super rad and surreal, too, ‘cause we grew up idolizing him, Chad, and The Neptunes.
What’s your motto? Why do you do this?
Yolo. That’s the motto and we ‘bout it every day, every day, every day. Shout out to Drake.
Money and Girls and Free Shit. •
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The Taste Issue | Wildcard
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The Taste Issue | Wildcard
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The Taste Issue | Wildcard
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TAKE A L U N CH These days, there are at least half a dozen Tumblrs dedicated to revamping the pathetic state of af fairs that is the of fice lunch. So in the name of our collective sanit y, let ’s tr y and make it out of the building at least a couple times a week, shall we? In an ef for t to make things a lit tle easier, L AC rounded up our favorite spots to get a real meal for a steal— and to revive this of ten overlooked food hour du jour. The criteria? Convenient, siestaproof, and affordable (under $20), so you can lunch like a boss every week.
Text By
SANTA MONICA | BaY cities LU N C H B UZ Z :
T he Godmot her
Synonymous with sinful, this locale is the epicenter of Italian in America (or, if we’re being geographically accurate, at least o f L A’s We s t si de). Cre amy bur r at a, upscale meats, and can we talk about this fresh bread? Bay Cities is deli done right. If you’re luck y enough to b e a regular at this joint, revel in your good for tune. As for the rest of us, it ’s wor th taking the af ternoon of f to make the trek. So get in your car and get it done…then roll up your sleeves and savor.
Angela Gleason
LOS FELIZ | Y Uca’ s
LU N C H B UZ Z :
Carne Asada Burrito
Any L A native will tell you not to me s s around when it comes to Mexican food. Thank fully, in a cit y dot ted with t aco spots, it ’s hard go wrong. But if there’s one spot you can only go right, it’s Yuca’s. Their signature burrito says “food coma” all over the wrapper…but it ’s oh so wor th it. So plan ahead, skip breakfast, and hit Yuca’s on a Friday. With ingredients and ser vice this good, it ’s no wonder that Yuca’s is a cit y staple.
yucasla.com
baycitiesitaliandeli.com
HAPPY HOUR Monday-Friday 3pm-7pm $2 House-made Empanada $4 Glass of Wine $3 Beer
3 COURSE SUPPER $16 Sundays in Downtown Mondays in Pasadena
SILVERLAKE | gingergr ass
LU N C H B UZ Z :
Coconut Curr y Cod
K-TOWN | Kogi
LU N C H B UZ Z :
A l l t h i ngs “taco”
The name says it all (destination + dish). No fluf f. Let ’s be honest: pho fans and curry critics are hard to impress. But this spicy nuoc cham paired with rice noodles and a lunch-friendly line is wor th tr ying, even for the most fastidious foodies. Go ahead and top it of f with the Bia Hoi to ring in at a wallet-friendly $19.
A s i f a s t r e e t t a c o i n L A w a s n’ t scrumptious enough, the folks at Kogi had to up the ante with a totally addictive K o re an t w is t . Fro m o n e - m an s t an d to renowne d brick and mor t ar, Ko gi h a s e v o l v e d i n t o a K -To w n m u s t . E x tend that 2PM by 30 to engage with this hotness under 20.
gingergrass.com
kogibbq.com
G E T T H E SCOOP ON L A’S L AT E S T A N D GR E AT E S T E ATS AT L AC A N VA S.COM
Downtown 105 W. 9th St. Los Angeles, CA 90015 p. 213/623-1810
Pasadena 121 W. Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91105 p. 626/795.5658
1810restaurant.com twitter: @1810Restaurant
The Taste Issue |
Odys + Penelope
AN EPIC AFFAIR Karen and Quinn Hatfield embark on a new chapter of their culinary odyssey with Odys + Penelope.
1 Odys + Penelope / odysandpenelope.com 127 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA photo by Dylan + Jeni
Whether you were forced to read The Odyssey in high school, or simply opted to squeeze in the Cliffs Notes version before finals, you’re no doubt familiar with the famed couple at the heart of that epic tale: Odysseus and his wife Penelope, the warrior and the weaver. As co-owners and chefs at a new restaurant named for Homer’s legendary lovers, perhaps Karen and Quinn Hatfield aspire to similar fame. Or maybe they simply liked the sound of it—Odys + Penelope—emblazoned across the entrance to a space at once contemporary and yet outfitted with classical columns. One could even argue that the name reflects the Mediterranean bent apparent alongside Californian and Brazilian influences on the menu. But enough about the name: as fans of the Hatfields’ previous projects are no doubt thinking, it’s really all about the food. Culinary power couple Karen and Quinn Hatfield first made a name for themselves (quite literally) with the eponymous Hatfield’s, a sleek, fine dining establishment that opened on Melrose back in 2006. It may not seem like all that long ago, but in terms of the Los Angeles food scene, it was an utterly different era: one in which celebrity hotspots were de rigueur, and diners seemed to care more about who they saw then what actually appeared on their plates. Amidst this see-and-be-seen culture, the Hatfields flouted popular convention and managed to earn a Michelin star with their commitment to innovation, craft, and an unabashedly chef-driven menu. In the end, their talent and dedication didn’t save their restaurant, which shuttered last year; but it did pave the way for the couple’s subsequent ventures, and a paring back of fine dining pomp to reveal a more authentic, accessible approach—all without compromising either quality or the creative spark that put them on the map. The Hatfields began their move away from fine dining with Sycamore Kitchen, a pastry-heavy and überpopular bakery on La Brea offering a home-style approach to breakfast fare. And now, just a few doors down, Karen and Quinn have extended that concept to the dinner table with Odys + Penelope, a rustic-modern take on the neighborhood bar and grille. Distinguished by a live-fire grill, a churrasco, and a smoker, the
space is at once massive and pleasantly intimate, it’s expanse bordered by a sprawling bar on one side and an open kitchen in the front room. When we arrive, the standing-room-only situation at the former bodes well for the fruit-forward cocktail program, complemented by a wine and liquor selection designed to pair with the variety of “contemporary, casual churrasco” shared plates featured on the menu. So what does that mean, exactly? In terms of starters and sides, there are the usual suspects, albeit with the Hatfields’ unique twist: Brussels sprouts, shaved and served with roasted almond, capers, and dried apricot salad; a “Caeser” salad with celery root, red endive, cabbage, apple and parmesan. Main dishes are more meat-centric, with grilled steak, fish, dry rubbed ribs, and selections from the smoker. And for the veggie lovers among us, the menu features everything from fried wild mushrooms to maple-miso eggplant to creamy cauliflower with walnut pesto (a stand-out favorite during our visit, warm and light with just the right amount of texture and savory deliciousness). Overall, the dishes are recognizable—meaning it’s no challenge to find something to please any palate. And yet, most come with that same commitment to innovation that helped put Hatfield’s on the map. Ensconced in the clean, warm, wide-open dining room, and equipped with strong drinks and ideally sized dishes (big enough to share, small enough to finish), we’re happy to give the slightly bumpy service a pass on this first go-around. Somehow, we imagine that Karen and Quinn Hatfield will hit their stride here, with this appealing reinvention of their fine-dining success. After all, it is 2015: and in the wake of whitetablecloth mainstays and celebrity sightseeing, Los Angeles has settled in to a cozier, more casual approach to restaurant culture. At Odys + Penelope, one gets all the comfort of a neighborhood date spot and the warmth of hearth fires—but also, a taste of something new from two of the city’s renowned chefs. So here’s to grabbing a booth, settling in, and seeing where the Hatfields’ story takes us.
r e s t au r a n t
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The Taste Issue |
Bar
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FESTIVAL SEASON CONTINUES Hey foodies, why not exercise a little neighborhood pride? text by Vi Nguyen
It’s easy to lose track of the seasons here in Los Angeles. Blessed with warm weather practically all year-round, our seasons are more like loosely-bound social calendars centered around the music, food, and booze offerings of the coming months. Chances are, you’ve filled your music quota twice over thanks to Coachella; but if you’re still looking for an excuse to wine and dine, scope out our spring picks for maximum indulgence.
LA WINE FEST MAY 30 + 31, 2015
So: you’ve graduated from tallboys, and now find yourself with a penchant for the grape? Allow us to suggest attending the 10th Annual LA Wine Fest, featuring wine vendors from Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, and Anderson Valley, not to mention a few exotic imports from Korea and Israel. In fact, hundreds of wines, brews, and spirits are up for unlimited samplings. It’s like an educational and totally classy open bar. Tickets start at $85 and designated drivers can attend with a heavily discounted admission. And boy, does our hometown look good. lawinefest.com
TASTE OF EASTSIDE MAY 31, 2015
If you’re an Eastside snob who trembles at the thought of schlepping across the 10, show some neighborhood pride by attending the Taste of the Eastside. This mini food and drink festival aims at showcasing the diverse culinary scene of neighborhoods like Silver Lake, Echo Park, Eagle Rock, Los Feliz, Highland Park, Atwater and more. Unlike most other fests, this one is staffed entirely by volunteers, and all proceeds will go to a designated local non-profit. This year’s event will take place at the LA River Center and Gardens in Cypress Park and include vendors like Xoia Vietnamese eats, Knuckle & Claw, El Condor, Pazzo Gelato, L & E Oyster Bar, Little Dom’s, and many more. Pre-sales start at $50 and include unlimited tastings. tasteoftheeastside.com
CALABASAS MALIBU FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL JUNE 26+27, 2015
Calabasas may be best known as home to celebs like the Kardashians and the Biebs himself; but this summer, there’s yet another draw to coax locals and tourists alike up the coast. Consider venturing out to this “cradle of reality TV culture” for the Calabasas Malibu Food & Wine Festival’s Grand Tasting. This fest has sold out for the last nine years in a row, so it must be doing something right. Guest exhibitors include STK, Bagatelle, Marcopolo Chocolate, Warren’s Blackboard, Patina Restaurant Group, and many more alongside a broad array of esteemed chefs, restaurants, wineries, and breweries. The ideal destination for indecisive foodies and celeb-stalkers alike, tickets begin at $75 and a portion of proceeds will go to the Chill Foundation. malibufoodandwinefestival.com
63
Escala: Spanish for “Stopover” or “Layover”. A unique stop in the heart of L.A.’s Koreatown Renaissance. Inspired by owner OG Chino’s uncommon roots, Chef Chris Oh mixes classic Colombian recipes with Korean flavors & a love for communal eating & drinking. Urban Art & Music by our marquee family of World Class Artists & DJs. Stopover for the food, stay for the experience.
3451 W 6th Street
Open Daily 11:30am - 2am LUNCH + DINNER
Los Angeles, CA 90020
SUNDAY BRUNCH
In The Historic Chapman Market
HAPPY HOUR + NAPPY HOUR Events / Birthdays / Large Parties
Koreano • Colombiano • Angelino
213-387-1113
@escalaktown
escalaktown.com
#escalaktown
The Taste Issue | Wildcard
Party Time, Excellent
56
Party Time, Excellent
57
The Taste Issue |
Bar
62
FESTIVAL SEASON CONTINUES Hey foodies, why not exercise a little neighborhood pride? text by Vi Nguyen
It’s easy to lose track of the seasons here in Los Angeles. Blessed with warm weather practically all year-round, our seasons are more like loosely-bound social calendars centered around the music, food, and booze offerings of the coming months. Chances are, you’ve filled your music quota twice over thanks to Coachella; but if you’re still looking for an excuse to wine and dine, scope out our spring picks for maximum indulgence.
LA WINE FEST MAY 30 + 31, 2015
So: you’ve graduated from tallboys, and now find yourself with a penchant for the grape? Allow us to suggest attending the 10th Annual LA Wine Fest, featuring wine vendors from Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, and Anderson Valley, not to mention a few exotic imports from Korea and Israel. In fact, hundreds of wines, brews, and spirits are up for unlimited samplings. It’s like an educational and totally classy open bar. Tickets start at $85 and designated drivers can attend with a heavily discounted admission. And boy, does our hometown look good. lawinefest.com
TASTE OF EASTSIDE MAY 31, 2015
If you’re an Eastside snob who trembles at the thought of schlepping across the 10, show some neighborhood pride by attending the Taste of the Eastside. This mini food and drink festival aims at showcasing the diverse culinary scene of neighborhoods like Silver Lake, Echo Park, Eagle Rock, Los Feliz, Highland Park, Atwater and more. Unlike most other fests, this one is staffed entirely by volunteers, and all proceeds will go to a designated local non-profit. This year’s event will take place at the LA River Center and Gardens in Cypress Park and include vendors like Xoia Vietnamese eats, Knuckle & Claw, El Condor, Pazzo Gelato, L & E Oyster Bar, Little Dom’s, and many more. Pre-sales start at $50 and include unlimited tastings. tasteoftheeastside.com
CALABASAS MALIBU FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL JUNE 26+27, 2015
Calabasas may be best known as home to celebs like the Kardashians and the Biebs himself; but this summer, there’s yet another draw to coax locals and tourists alike up the coast. Consider venturing out to this “cradle of reality TV culture” for the Calabasas Malibu Food & Wine Festival’s Grand Tasting. This fest has sold out for the last nine years in a row, so it must be doing something right. Guest exhibitors include STK, Bagatelle, Marcopolo Chocolate, Warren’s Blackboard, Patina Restaurant Group, and many more alongside a broad array of esteemed chefs, restaurants, wineries, and breweries. The ideal destination for indecisive foodies and celeb-stalkers alike, tickets begin at $75 and a portion of proceeds will go to the Chill Foundation. malibufoodandwinefestival.com
63
Escala: Spanish for “Stopover” or “Layover”. A unique stop in the heart of L.A.’s Koreatown Renaissance. Inspired by owner OG Chino’s uncommon roots, Chef Chris Oh mixes classic Colombian recipes with Korean flavors & a love for communal eating & drinking. Urban Art & Music by our marquee family of World Class Artists & DJs. Stopover for the food, stay for the experience.
3451 W 6th Street
Open Daily 11:30am - 2am LUNCH + DINNER
Los Angeles, CA 90020
SUNDAY BRUNCH
In The Historic Chapman Market
HAPPY HOUR + NAPPY HOUR Events / Birthdays / Large Parties
Koreano • Colombiano • Angelino
213-387-1113
@escalaktown
escalaktown.com
#escalaktown
The Taste Issue |
Break Room 86
LIQUID NOSTALGIA The Houston Brothers’ Break Room 86 serves up a dose of the ‘80s—and a curated trip down memory lane.
1 Break Room 86 / Houst onhospitalityla.com 630 S. Ardmore Ave., Los Angeles, CA text by Vi Nguyen | photo by Dylan + Jeni
For all its hipster connotations, nostalgia is a powerful thing. Memory and its fickle ways have always been crucibles of the human condition. Perhaps Mad Men’s Don Draper said it best with his famous “Carousel” speech to Kodak executives in Season One, in which he pitches nostalgia as the “twinge in your heart” elicited by a trip down memory lane. These days, that twinge is being crafted and sold to consumers who eat up all things “vintage”—even if those things recall a time and place they themselves have never experienced. Talk about a powerful pitch: in the 21st century, nostalgia is more than a carousel—it’s a time machine. The Houston brothers, Mark and Jonnie, have made a name for themselves crafting powerful experiences for their guests with a highly successful string of themed Hollywood nightlife establishments. Mark and Jonnie Houston are the entrepreneurial gentlemen behind such LA mainstays as No Vacancy, La Descarga, Dirty Laundry, and Pour Vous; and this time, they’re dishing out a journey to the ‘80s with their latest venture, Break Room 86. The brothers’ first bar outside of Hollywood, Break Room 86 is one of the newest additions to K-town’s ultra-trendy Line Hotel. With boom box-lined walls, looped videos of ‘80s TV shows, arcade games, microphone chandeliers, and a host of other pop paraphernalia, the bar’s quirky-bordering-kitschy interior is certainly a feat; and yet, for the Houston brothers, such distinction is the status quo. Dedication to theme and a curated ambiance distinguish each and every one of their venues, and whether it’s the Cuban-inspired La Descarga or the ‘70s-themed Good Times at Davey Wayne’s, the Houston brothers know how to take a concept and work the hell out of it. From the moment they walk into a Houston establishment, patrons are treated to an experience; and LA’s legions are lapping it up. Still, none of their venues
would be so esteemed were it not for a well-constructed cocktail menu—a crucial piece of the Houston success model. Joseph Swifka is Houston Hospitality’s beverage director, and he takes responsibility for overseeing each destination’s menu in partnership with the resident bar manager. Joe and Christine (86’s bar managers) tell us their menu was inspired by memories of growing up during the ‘80s: “Each cocktail is based on a primary fruit flavor or color, then fleshed out with fine spirits and house-made syrups and juices.” Accordingly, each of the drinks is named after classic ‘80s jams or pop culture icons. On my visit, I start off trying the much-hyped Rock-It Pop, a vibrantly hued vodka cocktail made with Absolut Elyx (a higher-end, single-estate vodka) and laced with black tea raspberry syrup and lemon juice. The top two-thirds of the cocktail are lent a vivid hue with blue curacao that stands in stark contrast to the crimson-tinged bottom third. It’s sweet, straightforward, and both looks and tastes just like the ubiquitous rocket-shaped, blue-and-red popsicles of your childhood. Though it has its merits (and is perhaps worth trying simply for the jolt of youthful nostalgia), allow me to redirect you toward my favorite cocktail at 86: the Ecto Cooler. Based on the Ghostbusters-borne Hi-C drink, the Ecto Cooler, while also green in color, has a completely different flavor profile. An elegant mélange of flavors, the tequila concoction tastes of fresh cucumbers and lime, anchored with a subtle herbal note thanks to sage-infused vermouth. While some cocktails falter with competing flavors, the Ecto Cooler’s layers of cooling cucumber, effervescent citrus, and savory smoke meld brilliantly with the herbal, earthy touches of vermouth and celery bitters. If this drink had ever made an appearance in the lunchboxes of my youth, I’d definitely have traded in my Fruit Roll-Ups for a sip.
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LAC Events
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LAC Events
HTC One M9 Launch Party
Hotel Roosevelt Penthouse | 4.07.2015 photography by Captain
Consider us green text message converts. Last month, LA CANVAS joined forces with HTC for the launch of their latest phone, the HTC ONE M9. The interactive VIP event took place at the Hotel Roosevelt Penthouse + Rooftop, where guests experienced the innovative features of this third-generation, award-winning smartphone alongside savory bites, specialty cocktails, and a live performance by Jarell Perry. With the help of LA CANVAS experts—photographer Max Barsness, DJ Whitney Fierce, and Stephanie Elhayani from Seed Floral—guests got familiar with the device’s signature features like HTC Connect, the Zoe app, and the HTC Boom Sound Experience.
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The Taste Issue | scene
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4th Annual LA CANVAS Carnivale
LA River | 3.21.2015 photography by Mark Wales
Last season, we teamed up with the LA Circus, Bowtie Project, Jack Daniels Whiskey, and Golden Road Brewing for our 4th annual Carnivale. Guests enjoyed tunes by Jonni Hipp, Marion Hodges, DJ HAPA, and our favorite It-girl, DJ Amy Pham. Our pals at Ezekiel Clothing, Ludlow’s Cocktail Co., Paradise City, Third & Army, Stella Rosa, Jarritos, Luxe Valet, Eventbrite, TOMS, Tavik, G-Star, Neff, DOPE, and the LA River Corp set up shop to host vintage carnival games along the historic LA River. Special thanks to Wini McKay from LA CIRCUS & Larry Fulmer from State Parks
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LAC Events
Vestal Village
Thermal, CA | Weekend 1 photography by John Pascha
As predicted, Coachella 2015 left us sunburned, sore, and dehydrated yet again. But as everyone knows, you don’t have to go to Coachella to “go to Coachella”—so with this in mind, we linked up with our favorite collaborative music app, weeSPIN, our pals at TOMS, and the Sunnylife crew to pitch a tent at the annual VIP camping site, Vestal Village. Bands like Beach Party and DJs like Mystery Skulls set the score for the ultimate daytime kickback alongside an open bar and generous gifting suites. We came, we saw, we charged your phones…and gave you massive swan floaties.
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ART OPENING
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Purity Ring @ The Fonda Theatre
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Echo Park Craft Fair @ Mack Sennett Studios
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West Coast BBQ Classic @ The Queen Mary
Hollywood Club LA On Tap Crawl @ St. Felix @ Pomona Fairplex
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EVENT
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Ok Go Pancakes & @ The Wiltern Booze Art Show @ Lot 613
CONCERT
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Desert Daze @ Sunset Ranch Oacis
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Bat Boy @ Ralph Freud Playhouse
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FESTIVAL
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First Fridays @ Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
EVENT
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Dan Deacon @ Paris Photo LA @ Echoplex Paramount Studios
CONCERT
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May
EVENT
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Timber Timbre @ The Observatory
CONCERT
ART OPENING
Monday Social @ Playhouse Nightclub
PARTY
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Monday Night Blues @ House of Blues-Los Angeles
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Drawing In LA: The 1960s and 70s @ LACMA
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The Films of Hou Hsiao-Hsien @ Redcat
FILM
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Beer Bazaar @ Angel City Brewery
EVENT
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Look Together: How To Make A Book About Art @ Hammer Museum
ART
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Grand ‘ol Echo Gentlemen’s Club @ Los Globos @ The Echo
MUSIC
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YH 2 Buck Tuesdays @ Flappers Comedy Club
COMEDY
12
Alex’s Bar Karaoke @ Alex’s Bar
HAPPY HOUR
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Kodaline “Ones To Watch @ The Wiltern
CONCERT
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Cinco De Mayo On Cinco De Mayo @ Eastside Luv
BAR
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Heal the Bay Gala @ Jonathan Beach Club
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“Wine After Work” Class @ Patina Restaurant
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I Am Armenian: The River Ran Red @ Hammer Museum
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Sobriety Test Bar Trivia @ The Scarlett Lady Saloon
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Apparitions: Frottages and Rubbings From 1860 to Now @ Hammer Musieum
ART
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Soko @ Bootleg
CONCERT
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Lunch A La Park @ Grand Park
FOOD
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Mika @ The Belasco Theater
CONCERT
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Art & Other Tactics @ Craft and Folk Art Museum
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HAPPY HOUR
Liquid Brunch @ Micky’s
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ART OPENING
Elizabeth Neel @ Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects
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CONCERT
The Knocks @ Echoplex
ART OPENING
FILM
ART OPENING
Eve Fowler @ Mier Gallery
Almost Famous @ The Autry
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Weekend Brunch @ Franklin & Company Tavern
FOOD
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GIVE SIGHT
LED LA W/ Headhunterz @ Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall
MUSIC
Enjoy tacos and beers
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 16
at TOMS Headquarters
Gothic Tropic @ The Echo
FILM
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Purchase a pair of TRAVELER by TOMS at American Rag Cie and receive two free passes to see
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Hona Costello @ The Viper Room
CONCERT
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Topanga Days @ Topanga Canyon
FESTIVAL
Migos @ Club Nokia
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After Nations @ The Silverlake Lounge
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$3 Margaritas @ Pink Taco-Century City
HAPPY HOUR
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U2 Innocence + Experience Tour @ The Forum
CONCERT
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$4 Beer Specials @ Sevend Grand DTLA
Lana Del Rey @ Hollywood Bowl
Kyle @ The Roxy Theatre
Traveler by TOMS Launch Party @ TOMS Headquarters
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HAPPY HOUR
CONCERT
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Joshua Tree 2015 Paris at Bagatelle @ Joshua Tree @ Bagetelle National Park
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LAOKI @ Downtown Los Angeles
First Fridays! DJ-Art-Craft Beer @ Bar One: A Craft Beer Bar
Nola’s Down Home Blues Session @ Nola’s Taste of New Orleans
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MUSIC
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$1 Mini Tacos @ Kayndaves
MUSIC
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FOOD
CONCERT
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Launch Party
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Mess Projectiosn: A Poetry Reading with Douglas Kearney @ MOCA
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CONCERT
Com Truise @ The Observatory
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Lightning In A Bottle 21st-25th @ San Antonio Recreation Area
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Seinabo Sey @ El Rey Theatre
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Monday Night Supper @ Little Doms
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LA Pride @ West Hollywood
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Downtown Art La Film Walk Festival @ The Last @ L.A. Live Bookstore
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Phantom of The Opera @ Pantages Theatre
Ink-n-Iron Festival @ Queen Mary
FESTIVAL
Thursday Night Music @ Zona Rosa Cafe
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Pyscho @ Million Dollar Theater
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Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg, Up and Down @ Segerstrom Center for The Arts
THEATRE
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Agent Orange @ Whisky A Go Go
CONCERT
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Pretty Funny Women @ Flapper Comedy Club
COMEDY
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Pop Noir Dj Set @ Love Song Bar-The Regent Theater
CONCERT
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Prolong Twilight Cruise @ Pomona Fairplex
The Kids In The Hall @ The Theatre At Ace Hotel
Starsailor @ House of Blues
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COMEDY
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The Mountain Goats @ Mayan Night Club
$8 Tuesdays @ Regal LA Live Stadium
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Laibach @ The Roxy Theatre
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June
Martin Basher @ Anat Egbi
ART OPENING
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Playboy Jazz Festival @ The Hollywood Bowl
CONCERT
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Make Music Pasadena @ Old Pasadena
EVENT
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Great Horror Campout @ Griffith Park Old Abandoned Zoo
EVENT
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Taste of The Nation @ Media Park Culver City
FOOD
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Kahlil Joseph: Double Conscience @ Moca
FILM
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Shakespeare @ Grand Park
THEATRE
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Catcon LA @ LA Mart
EVENT
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Love The Ones You’re With @ Theatre Asylum
THEATRE
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HAPPY HOUR
Tuesday Wine Tasting Special @ Urban Radish
30
FILM
Back To The Future 30th Anniversary @ The Hollywood Bowl
CONCERT
Until The Ribbon Breaks @ The Roxy Theatre
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CONCERT
Jacco Gardner @ The Wayfarer
Bizbash Live: The Expo @ Los Angeles Convention Center
EVENT
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CONCERT
Ed Sheeran @ The Hollywood Bowl
PARTY
Absolut White @ The Black Rose Tavern
Belasco Fridays @ The Belasco
The Roots @ Club Nokia
CONCERT
27
LA’s Wine,Spirits,Beer & Food Festival @ Pomona Fairplex
EVENT
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Forever Hollywood Tour @ Egyptian Theatre
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Arts District Flea Market @ Arts District LA
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The BET Experience w/ Kevin Hart @ Staples Center
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Farmer’s Market @ Pershing Square
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Motown The Musical @ Segerstrom Center For The Arts
Surfer Blood @ Troubadour
$6 Large Hot Sake @ Bao Dim Sum
Bob Schneider @ Largo
Record Club @ El Prado Bar
EVENT
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CONCERT
Johanna Breiding @ Human Resources LA
HAPPY HOUR
ART OPENING
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Little Big Town @ Greek Theatre
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CONCERT
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$5 Food Menu @ Engince Co. No. 28
COMEDY
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Dub Club @ Echoplex
HAPPY HOUR
PARTY
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Ho Tub w/ Kurt & Kristen @ The Virgil
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COMEDY
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Veranda Sunday Brunch @ Hotel Figueroa
FOOD
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Afro Funké @ Levitt Pavillion Pasadena
CONCERT
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June 73
The Taste Issue |
PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD
Last Look
We just can’t leave Stephanie Gonot’s Tumblr alone.
text by Kristel Kovner
For artist Stephanie Gonot, what began as an innate fascination with the interplay of shapes, colors, and textures evolved into a fully-fledged career in food photography. We caught up with Stephanie while she unloaded props at her studio to discuss her love affair with still life, the merits of working with others, and where to get great ramen in Los Angeles.
What’s your favorite food? (as in, to eat)
I’m very into ramen right now. I go to Silverlake Ramen. It’s really, really good. I was just in Japan for the first time and I tried ramen there. Silverlake Ramen holds up. Will you be photographing ramen anytime soon?
Are you an LA native? I’m originally from Sacramento. I’ve lived in Los Angeles for five years, in Echo Park, and this is home now. So you’ve found your neighborhood. Yeah. I lived in LA once before. I was in Brentwood and that was not working for me. So, I left for a couple of years. I eventually moved back, came over to Echo Park, and was like “OK, I get it now. This is where I’m supposed to be.” Did you study photography?
I went to UC Davis and I got degrees in both Political Science and Studio Art. I mostly did painting; photography came later. After graduating, I worked at the State Capitol as a legislative aid to a senator. My job was to write letters to the senator’s constituents as him, and then he would sign them. It was my first job out of school and soon I was like… eh, I don’t know about this. So, I found an internship at a commercial and music video production company in Santa Monica doing whatever they needed me to do. One of my tasks was helping directors put treatments together. The directors would come to me and ask me to find pictures for their treatments. There was a photo library at the office, so I would go through photo books and scan a bunch of pictures. Sometimes they would have me go to Vidiots and pick up films so I could take stills from them. I was looking at a lot of still pictures at the time.
I would love to. Do you cook?
[Laughs] I’m not a very good cook. You just like to play with your food.
I guess so. When I was mostly shooting food, I couldn’t do my personal grocery shopping and my prop shopping at the same time. It got way too overwhelming. I couldn’t think about food both of those ways. Personal projects vs. commercial projects?
I think people come to me because I can add something to the art direction in addition to taking the photos. Clients often ask me to do things similar to my personal work. It’s cool, because most everything that I’m asked to do looks like stuff I already do. So I don’t separate my work on my website between fine art projects and commercial. I don’t have to be two different people. Any recent favorites?
I do a lot of work totally on my own in the studio. But some of my favorite jobs are ones where I have a team. It’s nice to collaborate with people who are on the same page with you. Those have been some of my favorite jobs—working with a creative team that really gets what you’re doing. Do you prefer photographing objects over people?
When did you first photograph food?
It was when I first moved to Echo Park. I started working at Coolhaus, and I was working with ice cream a lot. I had the idea to have my friend hold ice cream cones against her boobs. We did that shot, I put it online, and people went crazy for it. So, I was inspired to look for food nearby and photograph it. I was just using stuff I could find in my house, at the grocery store, or at restaurants in the neighborhood. Then, I did a series called Fad Diets. I was putting stuff up on the Internet and, after awhile, I got requests to shoot for magazines.
In the past few years doing still life, I’ve learned a lot about lighting; and I’m now applying that to portraiture. I started off doing black and white photography, and now I’m doing portraits that are in the same style as my brightly colored food photography. It feels totally different photographing people now. I can really see how the light falls and it makes more sense to me. It’s fun figuring out what colors and lighting goes with each person’s face. It’s funny; I guess I’m looking at faces as objects now.
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