It’s the obligatory year-end “Best Of” list ya’ll. Enjoy!
FOOD
Dish: Chicken Katsu and Delice de Borgogne + Black Truffles @ Ototo“Ototo is the new Echo Park sake bar that opened in May, with not only world’s cutest menu design, but comfort food that makes your eyes roll back and give an audible ‘mmmhm’. Cheese + Bread + Fried Chicken = nirvana.”
Dish: Macaroni & Chickpea @ Majordomo “Creamy, peppery, magic. My grandma used to make a very similar pasta dish for me my whole childhood so the nostalgia sent this to the top of the list for me.”
Dish: Tom Yum “Tom YUMMERS!: I had never tried Tom Yum before, I am glad I did. Mushroom & Shrimp is my favorite. I had to bitch down to mild though. Some places don’t mess around with how spicy they make it.”
Dish: Gorditas “handmade on the back patio of someone’s house in San Miguel de Allende, MX”
Opening: Okay, just a little grandstanding for Abernethy’s, Bok Bok, and 8th Notch
DRINK
Beer: Golden Road Guava Dia “I really got into this beer this year. It is enjoyed best with a dash of chamoy, a tajin rim and direct sunlight.”
Drink: Mezcal neat, w/ spiced orange slices “The fun is in the smokey burn.”
Coffee: Chaggaccino @ Highly Likely “Sweet, earthy, shrooms and coffee.”
Cocktail: The Hollywood Antoinette @ Apothéke LA “So I hate eggs with a fiery passion, but the egg whites in this cocktail have convinced me to give them a second chance.”
Spot: Fairgrounds Coffee “It’s in a weird neighborhood, inside a hotel, but if it was closer, it would be my everyday coffee destination. Tons of roasters, cool brewing techniques, great branding, and solid food; I just wish it was more convenient.”
Cocktail: Flattened Priest @ Bar Henry “They nail what I consider the official drink of LA. Made with Illegal Mezcal, tamarindo (served on a little spoon), orange curaçao, lime, agave & a tajin rim.
AUDIO
Artist: Lizzo “Who loves themselves more than her – and says ‘fuck you’ to anyone that gets in her way.”
Podcast: Almost 30 “It’s jam-packed with conversations about health, wellness, and woowoo alien/horoscope/psychic crap which is right up my alley.”
Album: Thom Yorke – Anima “Specifically ‘Last I Heard.’ It’s one of those songs you can blast full volume, and the neighbors don’t mind.”
Album: Billie Eillish – When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? “Dark, eerie, beautiful…nuff said.”
Podcast: Podcast: Joe Rogan Experience #1315: Bob Lazar and Jeremy Corbell “It’s gravity propulsion technology!”
Podcast: Podcast: Bow Down – Women in Art History “Super short, binge-able 20 min. episodes from Frieze editor Jennifer Higgie & friends. Mix of insider art history and your daily dose of fuck-the-establishment.”
VIDEO
Film: JoJo Rabbit “We laughed, we cried, we let ourselves love a little kid whose imaginary best friend is Hitler. It made me spend money at an actual theater, plus made ScarJo likable. Hard to do!”
TV: Bodyguard “Riveting, couldn’t leave the couch.”
Installation: Mark Leckey – O’ Magic Power of Bleakness “The Tate Britain built a freeway overpass in a gallery to house this crazy multi-sensory media experience. Under a freeway overpass. In a museum.”
Film: Joker “I went to go see this twice and cried tears of joy the second time. It had Super cropped-in intimate scenes and it gives me hope for the future of DC movies.” “As controversial as “Joker” was, it takes the cake for me for most captivating film and performance… you can’t beat that type of character acting.”
TV: Fleabag “An absolutely captivating train-wreck that somehow stays on the tracks while rapidly tumbling end-over-end for 2 seasons.”
Film: Once Upon A Time in Hollywood
ADVERTISING / ART
Promotion: Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich “I NEVER stand in line for food – and I waited 1 hour for 6 damn sandwiches. The real secret to a successful launch, let everyone else talk about it!”
Brand: Evo “I like their branding, tagline, voice, style, everything. They came out with a funny ‘Don’t Buy This’ gift box, self explanatory.”
Campaign: The Unsent Project – Rora Blue “So simple, yet so heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time? Basically think of a collection of 50k unsent text messages to first loves all documented in one place just ready and waiting to tug at all the heartstrings.”
Brand: Jacquemus “So hot right now. Jacquemus. Designer and label namesake Simon had viral Spring and Fall shows, (see: tiny purse now clogging your feed). The Spring show, “Coup de Soleil” (“Sunstroke”) was the 10th anniversary with a runway inspired by installation artists Christo and Jean-Claude. Apparently, Simon and I both love “The Floating Piers (2016)”. Simon is the brand, and that brand just expanded to include a restaurant with a pretty tight interior.
Activation: Maisel Day “and all the Mrs. Maisel FYC activations in Los Angeles; such a clever, period-appropriate campaign.”
Campaign: Lucid Charts – Explains the Internet “They made flowcharts fun. I mean, damn. THEY MADE FLOWCHARTS FUN!”
Artists: CJ Hendry, Joan Cornella, Raman Djafari, Wooden Cyclops, Janel Foo
EXPERIENCES
Cherry Bombe Jubilee – Brooklyn, NY I went for the first time this year, and it was a pretty fascinating mix of industry event, girl-power rally and tasting event. Fun to gather with chefs, fans and professionals – and a great excuse for a weekend in New York.
Axe Throwing Competition – Victoria, BC “A little badass, with a little bachelorette thrown in.
Ecotopia Hot Springs – Ojai, CA “Go during a new moon. Floating in a natural canyon cauldron under an endless spread of stars. Perfect serenity.
Break the Matrix – Everywhere “Being aware of automatic(subconscious) behaviors, and being in control of outcome in the now. Example, diffusing arguments and anger. Next time it happens to you, Take a back row p.o.v. and yell out something that will flip it. Haha.”
Apothéke Academy – Los Angeles, CA “An interactive mixology class at Apothéke LA – not only did I learn all the basics about what makes a good cocktail, but I can make some funky-ass shit taste damn good now.”
