Dancing Grandmas, Dosas, and the California Jungle Primary

From Jamie’s Desk:

It’s safe to say that we cover a lot of topics here. In the last 5 weeks, Jamie’s List focused on Coachella, the SAVE Act, the Paramount/Warner Bros. merger, the Oscars, and AI.

And now I’m going to double down and touch on a topic I rarely discuss – foreign politics. More specifically – the Hungarian election. Péter Magyar becoming Prime Minister brought me a sense of joy that was completely unexpected. The feeling of freedom that brought hundreds of thousands of people to the streets. The breath of fresh air that led to grandmothers getting out of their cars and dancing with kids. I can’t even begin to understand the incredible feeling sweeping through Hungary.

What I realized is that despite my optimism about the world, I still had a defeatist attitude in some parts – and this victory proved me wrong. It gave me hope. So much so that even in the face of the horrible daily news we get at home, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. The will of the people prevailed.

Many thought that Viktor Orban losing was impossible. Lunch With Jamie alum Fareed Zakaria even wrote about Hungary in his 1997 book The Rise of Illiberal Democracy. Orban became a case study around the world on authoritarianism under the guise of democracy. As Anne Applebaum, who is an expert in this field (and a LWJ alum) wrote in her most recent story for The Atlantic, titled Illiberalism is Not Inevitable, Orban’s loss is a sign that the people can still have a voice and oust dictators. She spoke about this further on Morning Joe:

"Orban spent 16 years in power, and during that time he went right up to the edge of legality in seeking to control everything he could in the Hungarian state. He controlled the bureaucracy, the judiciary, 90% of the media. He empowered a group of oligarchs to buy media properties for him and to fund his party. He himself funded a huge network of party propaganda using Hungarian state money. He gerrymandered. He had driven Hungary to the bottom…

The opposition has won two-thirds of the seats in parliament, which will give them a constitutional majority. The majority was so large that even Orban — who had made noises before the election about contesting it, about maybe having to cancel it — even he had to concede…

So for those of you dismayed about the state of America and the world, it is hard to think I am saying this, but just look to Hungary.”

That last line in particular really speaks to me. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States, it’s scary that we have to look to Hungary and other countries for a ray of hope — but I’ll take it. Anyone up for a trip to Budapest this summer?

Discussed in this issue: The CA Governor’s race is heating up, I snagged one of the toughest reservations in NYC, and a Jamie’s List member has a new stand-up special out.

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

🎧 Lunch With Jamie is available as a podcast—perfect for easy, on-the-go listening. Follow along on Apple, Spotify, or Amazon Podcasts, and don’t forget to like, subscribe, share, and comment. We want to hear from you!

📆 You’re invited to our LIVE podcast taping with Mayor Karen Bass in West Hollywood on April 21st at 9 am, with Courage Bagels and coffee starting at 8. Get your tickets here.

📍Los Angeles: Ètra (reviewed by Max Shapiro for Mad Food World)
Cuisine: Italian
Crew: Andy Wang, Kate Burr, Jamie Patricof, Jordan Okun, Eater, The Infatuation
Good For: Date Night, Small Groups, Business Dinner, Good Wine List
Pro Tip: Check out their wine list, it’s perfectly curated.
What to Order: Meatballs, Chicories, Bluefin Tuna Crudo, NY Strip, Pork Country Chop, Grilled Ramps, Sticky Toffee Pudding
Notes: I’ve been to Ètra a handful of times since it opened toward the end of 2023, and the identity has been consistent from day one. Laid back, but confident hospitality. Good products, in season, treated simply with a bit of personality. We’re in a bit of a small restaurant renaissance in LA right now. Owner operated, tighter menus, real control. Most of my favorite places in the city are under 60 seats. Ètra fits squarely in that lane. Also, they’ve got a little something coming on the beverage side in a couple months. I’ll let them announce it, but it’s worth paying attention to.

To see the rest of Max’s review, as well as other hot LA dining picks, subscribe to Mad Food World.

📍New York City: Semma
Cuisine: Indian
Crew: Adam Saper, Andy Wang, Brian McGinn, Eli Meyer, Jordan Okun, Martha Patricof, Max Shapiro, Bon Appetit, Eater, Michelin Guide, The NY Times, The Infatuation
Good For: Date Night, Business Dinner, Small Group
Pro Tip: All reservations become available 15 days in advance at 9 AM EST. Think of it as a challenge!
What to Order: Paniyaram, Uzhavar Santhai Poriyai, Erai Thokku, Odiyal Kool, Gunpowder Dosa, Mattu Iraichi Sukka, Kozhi Allepey, Ghee Roast Lamb Chops, Goanese Oxtail, Dindigul Biryani, Parotta, Ponni Rice
Notes: I am a BIG FAN of Dhamaka. Let’s be honest, it is one of the best restaurants in NYC. And Semma, the Michelin-starred third restaurant from the group, is undeniably one of the hardest reservations in the city. I have been trying since they opened, but even I have spots that I cant get into – and Semma was one of them. However, for my most recent trip, I decided I was going to pull out all of the stops and get in, so I did. It’s unsurprising that this place knocks it out of the park. It’s a different type of Indian food than Dhamaka. It’s from the Southern region whereas Dhamaka is from the Provincial region. Either way, it’s worth the hype. The dining area is a beautiful room, which I found out afterwards is modeled after a type of boat in Southern India. Now I have to hit their first spot, Adda in Long Island City. If you haven’t been to Dhamaka, I’d recommend you start with that (and it is easier to get into), but Semma is a fantastic restaurant.

For those of you who have somehow missed it, the California Governor’s race just had a major shake-up. And for those of you who don’t live in the state, you might not understand the stakes in our primary. 

Unlike most states, where one member of each party goes on to the general election, California has what’s called a “jungle primary”. So the top two candidates, regardless of party affiliation, move forward. Which means we could have two Republicans on the ballot in November. 

The Democratic party in CA is splintered right now. With the major contenders each having their own following, but nobody is really breaking the Republican candidates in the polls. Tom Steyer is inching up (and I hope to have him on the podcast soon), but it’s more important than ever that we learn about the candidates and act thoughtfully at the ballot box. Which is why I want to interview as many as I can before the June 2nd primary. 

This week, I started with two: Matt Mahan, current mayor of San Jose, and Antonio Villaraigosa, former mayor of Los Angeles. I took the time to learn more about their platforms, focusing on pressing issues like homelessness, healthcare, crime, and the economy. Each candidate had the chance to lay out their plans and promises, tout their experience, and explain why they’re the right person for the job. I won’t give too much away, because this is definitely a podcast you should listen to for yourself. 

You can listen to the full conversation as a podcast on Apple, Spotify and Amazon.

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