11.8.2019. In Situ. San Francisco. California.

Nissa and I were supposed to have dinner Friday night. But since I had a giant lunch and she had a late lunch, we ended up getting dessert and a drink instead. Friday turned out to be rather fancy over all. Sometimes that happens. Both our desserts were outstanding. Go check it out before they rotate them out.

In Situ
151 3rd St
San Francisco, CA 94103

Ice Cream of Salted Butter
hazelnuts, molasses
Esben Holmboe Bang, Maaemo
Oslo, Norway, 2010

Warn Stuffed Brioche
spiced caramel, pumpkin praline and ice cream 
In Situ

11.8.2019. International Smoke. San Francisco. California.

It was Brian's last day at work, so we decided to go to International Smoke for lunch. It's literally around the corner from our office. I've heard great things about this Michael Mina & Ayesha Curry high end BBQ restaurant, and I was pleasantly surprised. We opted for some more classic dishes to check it out for the first time, and we had half of it leftover between the 2 of us. I would be excited to go back to try other items off this menu!

International Smoke
301 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94105
415.543.7474

AYESHA’S FRESH BAKED CORNBREAD thai red curry butter
‘INSTANT’ BACON BAO BUNS pork belly, five-spice, sweet chili sauce
QUINOA & KALE avocado, cucumber, radish, sunflower seeds, ginger vinaigrette
CRISPY CAULIFLOWER tehina, golden raisins, za’atar, pistachio
SMOKE ST. LOUIS CUT PORK RIBS American barbecue

10.27.2019. La Mercerie. New York. New York.

La Mercerie in the Roman and Williams Guild was top of my list for dining and shopping. So when the Château girls suggested it for our reunion brunch, I laughed. Don't you love it when things work out naturally? When the girls heard that I will be in NY for the opera, we did an impromptu reunion. Karen and Heather also flew in since they are in the East Coast so that was an extra treat. So great to see all these lovely ladies before I fly out and back to my crazy project! Happiness is connecting with people I have met and don't get to see often, and to do so in a gorgeous space with the best dinnerware. Yes. Please. I actually left without replacing all my dinnerware with KH Würtz ceramics, and trust me I really want to.

La Mercerie
53 Howard St
New York, NY 10013
212.852.9097

10.26.2019. Manon. Metropolitan Opera. New York. New York.

My friend Laura found out she will be debuting at The Met for Manon early this year, naturally I had to go and see her in all her glory. Also, I had no been to New York in a hot minute and I had every intention of eating my way across town and seeing everyone. Despite the fact that this turned into a work trip, I still did some serious damage to my stomach and saw a bit of people. This was my first time going to an opera at The Met. We went on the closing day and they also broadcasted it on HD. The sets were stunning. The singing phenomenal. Laura was extremely charming as Javotte. Manon is a not a likable character. CONGRATULATIONS LAURA!!! Look, I left Soho.

Metropolitan Opera House
30 Lincoln Center Plaza
New York, NY 10023

10.26.2019. Balthazar. New York. New York.

Balthazar is my New York institution. I have to eat breakfast there every time I go to New York and I totally freak out if I do not, which only happened once. I always have to get the scrambled eggs in puff pastry with wild mushrooms and asparagus with an English breakfast tea. Our pre-opera game was strong.

Balthazar
80 Spring St
New York, NY 10012
212.965.1414

10.25.2019. Omen Azen. New York. New York.

Finally, another not French place aside from Estela. It was quite a treat to catch up with another friend. She reached out for putting me on hold for a shoot, sadly I was not available, but we were able to get dinner at least! She recommended Omen Azen as she noticed that I had no Asian foods in my reservations. We were unable to get into Cote for an earlier dinner sadly, but I thoroughly enjoyed Omen Azen. It reminds me of Japan, but in a much bigger space. We both opted for the smaller tasting menu. I loved the pumpkin soup.

Omen Azen
13 Thompson St
New York, NY 10012
212.925.8923

10.25.2019. Dominique Ansel Bakery. New York. New York.

Since I basically worked out of my hotel room at 11 Howard, I had to force myself to take a break for lunch and get some fresh air. Since I had dinner plans and had a nice hearty breakfast at Le Coucou, I opted for a sweet treat and caffeine instead. I walked myself to Dominique Ansel and lined up to see their offerings of the day. They had just switched over to their fall menu. I opted for the frozen more as it's an experience. I was very proud of myself for not having walked out with a few of the other goodies in tow...

Dominique Ansel Bakery
189 Spring St
New York, NY 10012
212.219.2773

10.25.2019. Le Coucou. New York. New York.

Le Coucou was on my list of places for breakfast, and hilariously I had no idea it was in the same building as my hotel. Naturally, I had to have a proper breakfast catch up with one of my girls here. Pro tip: breakfast and lunch is where it's at here. As one of the chefs at Frenchette opened Le Coucou and gave me that tip. Enjoy! It's kind of hilarious how French this trip has been...

Le Coucou
138 Lafayette St
New York, NY 10013
212.271.4252

10.24.2019. Estela. New York. New York.

I have not seen Ignacio since the Edible Selby dinner where he fed me an empanada. Although, he did make it into my first Live In Levi's film. The funny thing is, he had just received his first Michelin star qhwn I had dinner there. I was supposed to go there last summer, but my Justin Timberlake shoot got moved to Paris last minute instead. Ignacio loves hiding food in layers. I also love the way he does the juices for each dish. It's quite nice to have light juices with flavors to enhance each dish rather than them being slathered in thick sauces. My favorite was the squid ink rice.

Sorry for the crap and lack of pictures. It was dark and I really hate using the flash. It's more important to me in being a great dinner guest and for good ambiance than taking great pictures and being a pest.

At the end of dinner, I got a text from Ayumi who was at the Food Film Festival and she told me that our film Black Sesame won the Food Porn Award. You may now call us food porn stars.

Estela
47 E Houston St
New York, NY 10012
212.219.7693

Beef tartare, elderberries, and sunchoke
Endive, walnuts, anchovy, and ubriaco rosso
Fried arroz negro with squid and romesco
Lamb ribs with charmoula and honey
Ricotta dumplings, mushrooms, and pecorino sardo

10.24.2019. Frenchette. New York. New York.

When I found out I didn't have to cancel my New York trip altogether due to my project, Frenchette had just won the best James Beard Award for best new restaurant. Naturally, I texted Charlie right away to get a reservation for lunch. I met Charlie in Miami during the Winter Music Conference. Back then we were both still house DJs and we were in the DJ booth with Derrick Carter. Charlie then became a chef. We remained friends and have eaten at some insane meals together. Now he is the sous chef at Frenchette and he will be at their new restaurant when that opens next year. Well done my friend.

Frenchette
241 W Broadway
New York, NY 10013
212.334.3883

GNOCCHI PARISIENNE ham, comté, parsley
CHARRED CARROTS, LENTILS, BEETS labneh, za’atar
OMELETTE mixed mushrooms, fines herbs, crème fraîche
PARIS-BREST A LA PISTACHE

Be sure to try the escargot and the roast chicken.

10.23.2019-10.27.2019. 11 Howard. New York. New York.

I had booked this New York trip beginning of this year as my friend was debuting at The Met in Manon. Since fall in New York is the my favorite and I had not been in a while, I intended to eat my way through town in all my friends' restaurants, who just happened to get their first Michelin stars and got voted the best new restaurant in town. Sadly, the project I am currently on was extra crazy, and I was unable to take time off to actually enjoy down time in New York and just be Auntie Amy to Zev and Maya. Instead I ended up using all my points and got myself a room at 11 Howard to work and be in Soho, my stomping ground. I loved the decor at 11 Howard and it's very relaxing. The room I was in also had a tub, so I took baths every night to relax. I forgot to bring my own shampoo and conditioner, and I fell in love with their Grown Alchemist products. It is also in the same building of Le Coucou. I guess I have a new regular hotel in Soho.

11 Howard
11 Howard St
New York, NY 10013
212.235.1111