I guess “weekly wine newsletter” was ambitious.
I don’t know if it’s lack of inspiration or lack of time, but it’s been oddly difficult to sit down in front of this beautifully-designed Substack composition window and write anything. Maybe I spend too much time on Twitter and can only think in 280 characters or fewer.
Frankly I’ve just been enjoying being “outside!” again, savoring all of the drinks, meals, activities, and unfortunately traffic that Los Angeles has to offer. It feels great to talk and laugh with friends over sandwiches or a bottle of wine again, reminiscing of days before lockdown and making plans for the summer and beyond.
When I first started writing this newsletter earlier in the year, I decided to focus on wine, but as a lover of food, music, and more, I want to share more than just something to drink (don’t worry, the wine isn’t going anywhere!)
With that, here’s a few things you can do during a day this summer in LA, with friends of course.
A coffee shop to start your morning off right - Coffee Coffee
A West Hollywood gem and a staple of my weekend routine, Coffee Coffee is the low-key, mostly outdoor coffee shop you need in your life to get your day started. By your 4th visit, the friendly baristas will know your name and whether or not your dog wants some of the treats they keep behind the counter. Grab a cold brew, a bright orange table, and the chilaquiles from their chef in the back, Andres. (Ask for the red salsa).
A sandwich spot for lunch - Ggiata Delicatessen
Ggiata is a newcomer to the always-burgeoning LA sandwich scene. Started by 4 friends from New Jersey, this Hollywood spot serves up East Coast-style deli sandwiches that could probably put you in a coma. If you’re in the mood for my favorite food, chicken parm, in sandwich form, get the Spicy-P, which includes an absolutely insane vodka sauce. Want something a little lighter but just as decadent? The J-Stilly (Grilled chicken, prosciutto di parma, stracciatella, heirloom tomato, arugula, calabrian aioli, honey, on charred seeded baguette) is fantastic.
A shop for new clothes, maybe a movie to escape the heat - Brain Dead Studios
We’ve done a lot of eating so far, let’s find a new activity. While the Fairfax/Melrose district is a mob scene on the weekends, LA-based brand Brain Dead has built a curated escape just north of all of the action. This part-clothing store, part-movie theater, part-cafe carries the brand’s eccentric line of everything from t-shirts and hats to rugs and dishware, and the space includes a recently-renovated movie theater which shows everything from classic horror movies to music documentaries. Slammer’s Cafe, which operates out of a truck on the back patio, serves up bowls, banh mi, and coffee if you need a mid-day caffeine boost.
A wine bar for a pre-dinner drink - Melody
Let’s make our way east. The traffic on Santa Monica Blvd or the 101-South isn’t too fun at rush hour, so by the time you get to the east side of town, you’ll definitely want a glass of wine. Melody, a converted bungalow in Virgil Village with a killer patio, offers up a curated glass list of unique natural wines every night in addition to its bottle shop, where you can purchase a chilled bottle to drink on the spot. On any given evening, you can grab some snacks from a pop-up chef or catch my friend Tim Fetcher aka Clive Miles Davis playing the best records you’ve never heard before.
A great meal to finish off the day - Night + Market Song
While there are tons of great Thai restaurants in Los Angeles, Kris Yenbamroong’s Night + Market might be one of the most iconic. Their Silver Lake location (they’ve also got ones in West Hollywood, Venice, and most recently Las Vegas) doesn’t take reservations, so be prepared to wait. It’s worth it. One of the liveliest dinner spots in LA, Night + Market keeps magnums of natural wine flowing to pair perfectly with the spicy, yet flavorful cuisine. My order usually consists of some crispy rice salad, panang curry (with extra roti), and pad see ew. If lunch didn’t fill you up too much, definitely get the fried chicken sandwich. Topped with thai papaya salad, ranch, and jalapeños, it’s one of the best around.
Some music to listen to along the way:
Don’t read, just listen.
For the sake of consistency, a bottle to pick up on the way home to drink in your living room - So Far Out, $19.50 at Silver Lake Wine
It’s summertime, so let’s keep it chill. This chillable California red blend by Field Recordings and Amy Atwood is punchy enough to pair with food, yet refined enough to drink on its own. Pour a few glasses in the living room with Netflix on in the background or bring it to that house party happening later.
If you want more of these type of guides, or you just want more wine and stories, respond and let me know! This is a newsletter for the people. I hope you’re enjoying the return of life outside of your house as much as I am — maybe I’ll see you at one of these spots this summer.
Be back sooner than last time,
Jordan