on april 2025.
slow days, bright bites, and spring comforts worth sharing.
It’s been a weird year so far — so, unsurprisingly, April was a weird month.
Time has felt both stretched and flattened, somehow all at once.
There was a visit from my in-laws, who came to see Yo-Yo Ma, Gustavo Dudamel, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic perform a John Williams retrospective.
My wife’s birthday. (Happy, happy birthday, Audrey.)
The launch of “mise en place”.
A seemingly endless flurry of friends visiting from near and far.
So much good food.
As I reflect on April 2025, I’m also thinking about how to structure this “highlight reel” format going forward. Would love your thoughts.
where i’ve been eating.
This month leaned heavily into the Los Angeles scene. I was a bit of a homebody. Sorry not sorry.
Chi Spacca (Favorite) — No contest. Each of Nancy Silverton’s restaurants has its own personality: Osteria Mozza is formal and upscale (the fanciest of the bunch)1, while Pizzeria Mozza is a pizza joint with Nancy’s signature twist. Chi Spacca is the most laid-back — family-style, cozy, and a little harder to get into. We hadn’t been before (reservations are notoriously tough), but I finally snagged one for Audrey’s birthday while her parents were in town. Kismet. And let me tell you: it really is that special. Nancy Silverton strikes again.
Leora — Pros: great food, great vibe, and an undeniably charming café overall. Cons: a truly awful entrance and an awkward setup. Do I love sitting in the back alley of the UTA building? No. Will I do it for excellent hummus and a killer breakfast burrito? Absolutely. I’ll be back.
Heavy Handed — I had to check it out so I could properly rank the burger for The Burgerists (tl;dr: I need two visits before giving anything an official score). That said, the double smash burger is absolutely making the list. Stay tuned.
Night + Market — It’s a staple for a reason. When I’m craving Thai, I’m either ordering from Night + Market or comparing wherever I do order from to it. That’s the power of the Crispy Rice Salad and Pastrami Pad Kee Mao.
Paisita — A great little coffee shop in Venice serving special drinks, tasty empanadas, and a solid-looking brunch menu. If you’re in or around Abbot Kinney, it’s worth a stop.
what i’ve been making.
Launching “mise en place” started as an attempt to document (some of) my kitchen adventures.
Almost immediately, it became something else: a more earnest attempt to explore and share my relationship with food.
That said, I have been cooking more — especially this past month.
Here are a few standouts:
Endive Citrus Salad — This needs a better name. And a recipe. I’m working on both (will link it here once posted). Inspired by a salad I had at Chi Spacca, it’s a stunner: refreshing, vibrant, and a guaranteed table-brightener. Serve it all summer long.
Crudo — I’ve been on a citrus kick lately (see above), and crudo is one of my favorite ways to let it shine. It’s simple but technique-driven — a great excuse to work on knife skills, fish prep, and maybe get to know your local fishmonger.
Spanish Tortilla — A recipe that instantly transported us back to San Sebastián. Thank you, Jack and Will. Surprisingly easier than I expected — it’s all about confidence in the flip.2
grab bag, potpourri.
Ok, a few other favorites from April:
I’m a big “music playing in the kitchen” kind of guy, and Loaded Honey’s “Don’t Speak” (below) has been on repeat. Initially formed as an enigmatic outlet for Jamie Lloyd and Lydia Kitto of Jungle (another favorite of mine), Loaded Honey is fast gaining notoriety — and for good reason. You heard it here first.
Also in heavy rotation this month:
My Loro Piana baseball cap — seldom go anywhere without it.
The Hedley & Bennett Apron in French Blue — stylish, sturdy, and makes me feel like I know what I’m doing.
Kitchen towels — yes, I ordered the 36-pack. Yes, it felt like overkill. Yes, they’re amazing.
Zwilling Sorrento double-walled cortado cups — technically multipurpose, but I found them on some Reddit coffee thread that insisted they were perfect for cortados, so that’s gospel now.
The Next Day by Melinda French Gates — recommendation courtesy of… basically every podcast I’ve listened to recently and Susan Goldstein. It’s as thought-provoking as promised.
en place.
Gathering and jotting down my thoughts on food felt daunting when Audrey first suggested it.
Honestly, gathering and sharing my thoughts on anything felt daunting.
But here we are, one month in.
And dear reader — I’m glad you’re here, along for the ride.
More to come in May: recipes (including that Endive Citrus Salad — name TBD), gastronomical adventures, musings on food and life, and some beautiful visuals to boot.
See you soon.
And deservedly, Osteria Mozza has a Michelin star.
My recommendation: opt for the store bought chips (Torres are best) versus making them at home. Save yourself time and hassle.