Awards Season is Over. Eat Dumplings.

From Jamie’s Desk:

I can’t sit here and pretend I wasn’t bummed that my movie Roofman wasn't nominated for any Oscars. When you make a film, you obviously want it to reach the widest audience possible, and achieve both critical and commercial success. That can include box office, reviews and awards. Sometimes you get them all, sometimes you just get one, and sometimes you get none. I have experienced all of the above. But Roofman was special and I was hopeful that it would get some awards attention. Alas, it did not. 

Still, we are in good company–The Shining, Do the Right Thing, Heat, Singin’ in the Rain are just a few films with no nominations. Although I am not so bold as to say our movie is as good as those, they have stood the test of time, which is honestly worth more than any award or box office gold. Let’s regroup in 20 years and see if people remember the film–that will be the real Oscar. I was still beyond excited for all of the nominated films and was moved by so many of them, from the documentary shorts to best picture and everything in between. 

Not to mention, I loved the actual show. I thought Conan did a great job, and I was happy with most of the outcomes. Most importantly, I was beyond proud of newly elected Academy President Lynette Howell-Taylor, with whom I have been producing movies for over 20 years. She did a great job with the organization in her first year, and knocked it out of the park for her first show.

There were too many moments and highlights to mention, but Autumn Durald Arkapaw being the first woman to win Best Cinematography had to be number one. I hope you all got a chance to watch the show, but either way I wanted to share a few quotes that I think embody how Hollywood plays so much more than the role of pure entertainment (which it does damn well, too):

“Yes, tonight is an international event. If I can be serious for just a moment, everyone watching right now around the world is all too aware that these are very chaotic, frightening times…It's at moments like these that I believe that the Oscars are particularly resonant. Check it out: 31 countries across six continents are represented this evening. And every film we salute is the product of thousands of people speaking different languages, working hard to make something of beauty. We pay tribute tonight, not just to film, but to the ideals of global artistry, collaboration, patience, resilience, and that rarest of qualities today, optimism. So let us please celebrate, not because we think all is well, but because we work and hope for better in the days ahead.” – Conan O’Brien

“I wrote this for my kids to say sorry for the housekeeping mess that we left in this world we are handing off to them, but also with the encouragement that they will be the generation that hopefully brings us some common sense and decency.”  – Paul Thomas Anderson

“Mr. Nobody Against Putin is about how you lose your country. And what we saw when working with this footage is that you lose it through countless, small, little acts of complicity. We all face a moral choice, but luckily, a nobody is more powerful than you think.” – David Borenstein

And finally, it was fitting that Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman ended the night with “All You Need Is Love”. 

Awards season is officially over. Congratulations to everyone who was nominated, and to those who weren’t–keep making art. We need it more than ever. 

Another note on the topic of film: I was saddened to hear about the passing of Angelika Saleh, the namesake of the iconic Angelika Film Center in New York City. There was no theater you wanted to play more with an indie film. I was fortunate to have made some great memories there. It’s nice to know that her name will live on in lights.

Discussed in this issue: A tiki-themed diner in NYC, the best potstickers in LA, and season 2 of Jury Duty.

Have a restaurant rec, cultural gem, can’t-miss event, or a hot sauce that changed your life? Send it my way: [email protected]

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🎧 We were off this week, but I recommend listening to my conversation with Kara Swisher from September 2025. We spoke about AI, Tech Bros, and media mergers—which feels pretty relevant right now. You can listen here.

📍Los Angeles: Luscious Dumplings
Cuisine: Chinese
Crew: Alex Tse, Anthony Jacobson, Ben Hundreds, David Nathanson, Jerry Greenberg, Matt Karatz, Michael Kives, Eater, Michelin Guide, The Infatuation
Good For: Casual, Take Out, Small Groups
Pro Tip:  It’s a no-frills small spot with limited tables, so get there early to snag a seat–especially during the lunch rush. Plus, try the chili oil.
What to Order: Pan Fried Pork Dumplings, Seaweed Salad, Steamed Pork Soup Dumplings, Spicy Pork and Shrimp Wontons, Scallion Pancakes, Shrimp and Pork Dumplings
Notes: As someone who grew up in NYC, it's safe to say that I know a thing or two about dumplings — specifically potstickers. Luscious Dumpling, founded in 2001 by Alan Lam and Grace Li, officially has the best potsticker in Los Angeles. The family legacy has only grown over the years. Their daughter Michelle and her husband Ker left their respective careers to carry on the tradition, opening a Monrovia location in 2012 and later, Mason's Dumpling Shop in Highland Park.

Every morning the team sources fresh produce, watches their meat ground to order at the butcher, and hand-folds hundreds of dumplings from scratch—and that dedication shows in every bite. The new Beverly Hills location keeps the same beloved menu for now, but a few thoughtful touches set it apart: side dishes have been portioned specifically for sharing multiple, their broths are now all chicken-based to keep things kosher-friendly, and they're serving everything on eco-conscious rice husk plates.

Beyond the legendary potstickers, don't sleep on the spicy shrimp wonton—which rivals Din Tai Fung—or the scallion pancakes, which are flavorful and surprisingly light. If you're in Beverly Hills, add this to your rotation immediately. Even if you’re not, it’s still worth the drive.

📍New York City: Thai Diner
Cuisine: Thai
Crew: Aaron Stern, Adam Saper, Andy Wang, Brian McGinn, Chris Rice, Eli Meyer, Jerry Greenberg, Joseph Varet, Kate Burr, Lloyd Sacks, Marc Rose, Rachel Halilej, Eater, Condé Nast Traveler, Goop, The Infatuation, Michelin Guide
Good For: Dinner with Friends, Casual, Take Out
Pro Tip: Be sure to go around the corner to Yi Ji Shi Mo for a snack before or after your meal. 
What to Order: Disco Fries, Duck Wonton Soup, Laab with Fried Chicken, Thai Diner Egg Sandwich, Stuffed Cabbage Thom Kaa, Khao Soi, Som Tum Papaya Salad, Green Curry Clams, Mango Sticky Rice, Frozen Beer, Brownie Sundae
Notes:  One of the best Thai restaurants in NYC, and I'm not arguing about it. The menu changes, but there are a few staples that consistently remain. The thai diner egg sandwich, served on roti, is a perfect marriage of Thai flavors and American comfort food. The disco fries hit that sweet spot between indulgent and somehow still feeling like dinner, and the papaya salad is always a hit. Not to mention, the 70’s tiki interior and breezy sidewalk patio will transport you somewhere far from Soho.

Aaron Michaelson, Aaron Stern, Adam Saper, Adam Smith, Alex Tse, Andy Wang, Anthony Jacobson, Ashley Sawyer, Ben Hundreds, Blake Lively, Bobby Kim, Brian McGinn, Chad Colby, Chad Gutstein, Chris Rice, Condé Nast Traveler, David Gelb, David Katzenberg, David Nathanson, Evan Funke, Eater, Eli Meyer, Food & Wine, Goop, Kristina O’Neill, Iman Dakhil, Infatuation, James Beard Award, Jason Spivak, Jerry Greenberg, Jeremy Smith, Jerrold Son, Jessica Alba, Joe Varet, Jon Buscemi, Jon Alagem, Jon Shook, Jordan Okun, James Ponsoldt, Kate Burr, Katie McNeill, Kelly Sawyer Patricof, The LA Times, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lloyd Sacks, Marc Rose, Marc Mezvinsky, Martha Patricof, Matt Haimes, Matt Karatz, Max Chow, Max Shapiro, Max Winkler, Michael Kives, Michelin Guide, Nicole Richie, Neal Moritz, The NY Times, Paul Zucker, Peter Goldwyn, Phil Rosenthal, Phill Ettinger, Rachel Halilej, Riley Patricof, Sawyer Patricof, Shu Chowdhury, Todd Steinman, The Hungry Tourist, The Infatuation, Vinny Dotolo.

Today’s email was brought to you by: Jamie Patricof and Michaela Sullivan