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Discussed in this issue:
📝 From My Desk — Reflections on my personal experience caring for my mother ahead of World Alzheimer’s Day.
🍽️ Eating This Week — Two spots for lamb and a new LA bistro you don’t want to miss.
🎙️ The Conversation — Jessica Tarlov is the lone Democrat at a table of Republicans. We can all learn something from her.
From Jamie’s Desk:
This coming Monday, September 21st, is World Alzheimer’s Day. As some of you may know, I lost my mother Susan to Alzheimer’s just over five years ago – and there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t think about her. I learned so many things over the course of her 12 year battle with this punishing disease, and one of those lessons was the shocking number of people who have been affected by it, both directly and indirectly.
It’s easy to feel alone in the thick of it, but I came to realize that most people have been touched by Alzheimer’s or dementia in one way or another. I would be surprised if anyone reading this hasn’t either experienced it firsthand with a relative or watched a friend cope with it affecting their family member. To those who have been affected by Alzheimer’s, let me say that I’m sorry and my heart is with you. Rabbi Mordecai Finley, who helped me through part of my personal experience with my mother’s passing, once told me that it’s like grieving in slow motion. All forms of death are tragic, but there’s something uniquely cruel about what this disease does to people. The worst part is that although some recent drugs have shown modest slowing in mental decline, we are still a long way from a cure.
So without a real fix, what can people do? Like most things in life, you have to face the diagnosis head on and try to live the healthiest life you can, both physically and mentally. Challenge yourself and your brain to daily tasks to stay nimble. And if you’re caretaking for a loved one with this disease, you can be there for them as much as possible. Spend time with them, help them stay active and social. Additionally, for those caretaking, remember to make time for yourself. The question of who takes care of the caretaker is just as important to pay attention to.
Although I don’t have a real suggestion to make things easier, I do have one thing I always tell people — which is to take the time to sit down with your person and interview them. Make it a school project or just have a conversation. Where did they grow up? What was their first job? Who was their first love? Where did they meet their significant other? What was their fondest memory? What was their favorite flavor of ice cream? You get the idea. I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to film a conversation with my mother and some doctors where they went through her life’s history. Although she had forgotten a lot by then, I learned so much about her that I never knew. I wish I had done it earlier with a little more thought – so be sure to do that. You’ll thank me later.
And although there’s no cure yet, it isn’t for lack of trying. So many people have dedicated their lives to finding a cure, and as the eternal optimist I believe it is coming. Two organizations I want to highlight are Hilarity for Charity, founded by Seth and Lauren Miller Rogen, which has raised over $25 million for the cause – and Caring Kind, who helped my family tremendously throughout the whole process. These are just two organizations amongst thousands that fight daily to find a cure or make life easier for those affected by Alzheimer’s.
And to reiterate just how large the impact of this disease is – the WHO estimates that 57 million people worldwide are living with dementia (which Alzheimer’s falls under the umbrella of). By 2050, they estimate that number will have grown to 139 million, with two-thirds meeting Alzheimer’s criteria. This disease isn’t going anywhere, and is only getting worse. So take a moment today, this weekend, or Monday to do something for someone affected by this disease. Donate money, visit a loved one, call a burnt out caretaker, or work on your own health. Going through this experience is hard, but when you realize that you aren’t alone, it makes such a difference. This is a universal fight that we are all in together.
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📆 Los Angeles community members, save the date: on Saturday, September 26th from 3-6, Jamie’s List is holding a pre-reception leading into the 3rd Annual Melrose Hill Block Party hosted by Ggiata. More details to come soon — but you don’t want to miss it.
Several days per week, Jessica Tarlov clocks in for an hour of most people’s worst nightmare: a roundtable conversation on Fox News where she’s the only Democrat. Topics of conversation range from the DSA to transgender athletes to mail-in voting and beyond – and as you can imagine, with co-hosts like Jesse Watters and Greg Gutfeld, it’s not always a conversation that cares about facts. As a viewer, it’s maddening at times. But Jessica continuously holds her own at that table.
I often ask how she does it. And I know that’s what you’re asking too. Well, to find out – you should probably listen to the podcast episode. And then read her book, I Disagree: Winning Arguments Without Losing Friends.
Here’s a brief snippet from our conversation, where Jessie shares one part of her strategy for these debates.
I think that one of the most important things that you can do is to build that connective tissue in the beginning of a discussion. And we all, as humans, have the same desire to be heard. And for it to seem like when you are being heard, that the person is actually processing it, not just waiting for their turn to jump down your throat, but to really take stock of the fact that you have tussled with their ideas as an exercise.
Be sure to listen to the whole conversation – she gives some especially helpful advice on navigating holidays and contentious debates with the people you love.
You can purchase Jessica’s new book here.
Members can join Lunch With Jamie conversations live, and hear from thought leaders days before the episode is published. Patrons can do that, too — plus shape the conversation and continue it in the WhatsApp community.
Photo Credit: Max Shapiro
📍Los Angeles: Marée (reviewed by Max Shapiro for Mad Food World)
Cuisine: French
Crew: Andy Wang, Anthony Jacobson, Jamie Patricof, Jordan Okun, Matt Karatz, Eater, The Infatuation
Good For: Solo Dining, Small Groups, Large Groups
Pro Tip: It’s always worth splitting the burger with your party.
What to Order: Grilled Castelvetrano Olives, Tartare de Boeuf with Celery and Parmesan; Munak Tomatoes with Shiso Vinegar and Fig Leaf Oil; Salt Spring Mussels Gratin; Escargot Beignets, Spaghetti Vongole, Sea Bream, Veal Sausage with Lentils De Puy, The Burger, Canard a la Ravigote, Mixed Grill, Chocolate Mousse, Canalés les Bordeaux, Meyer Lemon Sorbetto, Pick Me Up Brûlée
Notes: Marée is officially open directly upstairs from Lielle, which means Marcus Jernmark now has 2 restaurants operating on top of one another in the same building. I guess we can officially call it the Marcusplex. I’ve talked about Lielle plenty. I’ve eaten there a bunch since it opened, I was a fan basically from day 1, and it deservedly picked up a Michelin star this year. Marée is a completely different animal. It’s bigger, more casual, brighter and airier. Tall ceilings. A proper bar. An open kitchen. It definitely gives bistro energy from the second you walk in. More importantly, this is very much a choose your own adventure restaurant. Want to sit at the bar, drink a glass of wine and eat a burger? Great. Want to come with 4 people, order most of the menu and go digging through the master wine list? Also great. Marcus doesn’t have a lot of ego involved here. He isn’t making food because he thinks it’s important that you experience his art. He wants to give people a good time and serve them food they actually want to eat. That’s what this restaurant should be.
To see the rest of Max’s review, as well as other hot dining picks, subscribe to Mad Food World.
Photo Credit: Chad Gutstein
📍London: Legado (reviewed by Chad Gutstein)
Cuisine: Spanish
Crew: Michelin Guide, The Infatuation, Time Out
Good For: Solo Dining, Date Night, Small Group, Good Wine List
Pro Tip: If you can, grab a seat at the kitchen counter directly next to the chef – it’s half the fun.
What to Order: Gambas Al Ajillo, Braised Lamb Neck, Saffron Ice Cream Over White Chocolate Mousse, Wine
Notes: While in London, I headed to Legado in Shoreditch. It's Nieves Barragan Mojico's follow-up to Sabor. I went in thinking I probably wasn't going to find Spanish food in London that I liked more than Barrafina. Turns out I was wrong. The gambas al ajillo blew my mind. Nothing remotely complicated, which is exactly the point. Fresh sweet shrimp swimming in hot olive oil and garlic. The shrimp still had that snap and sweetness you typically lose the second they're overcooked. It never lost it. I ordered a hunk of bread just so I could make sure that none of the oil was left behind, and there wasn't. But the dish that absolutely floored me was the braised lamb neck. It arrives with two forks and no knife, which tells you pretty much everything you need to know. The lamb had been cooked to the point where the connective tissue and fat had completely surrendered into the meat. Touch it with a fork, and it simply falls away from the bone. Deep, concentrated lamb flavor, incredibly rich without becoming heavy, with the braising juices amplifying rather than burying the meat. Easily the best bite I've had on the trip so far. At that point, I was completely done. I could not eat anything else. The chef apparently disagreed and sent out his favorite dessert, saffron ice cream over white chocolate mousse with arbequina olive oil. On paper, after lamb neck, this was the thing I needed last. In practice, the saffron and olive oil kept the white chocolate from becoming cloying, with all the oil adding that grassy, slightly bitter edge that pulled it all together back into balance. And despite being completely stuffed, there was literally nothing left in the bowl when I finished. The wine program deserves a mention too. Entirely Spanish, and the sommelier absolutely nailed the pairings, even working glass by glass rather than forcing a bottle. Honestly, I was really impressed with this restaurant. Confident cooking, deeply Spanish without feeling trapped by tradition, and a kitchen that understands when the best thing you can do to a great ingredient is very little. Next time you're in London, Legado is absolutely worth a trip to Shoreditch.
Photo Credit: The Infatuation
📍San Francisco: Kokkari Estiatorio (reviewed by Martha Patricof)
Cuisine: Greek
Crew: Alex Tse, Anthony Jacobson, Ben Hundreds, Jamie Patricof, Matt Karatz, Condé Nast Traveler, Eater, Goop, Michelin Guide, The Infatuation
Good For: Date Night, Small Groups, Good Wine List
Pro Tip: Go to the nearby Bar Sprezzatura for some pre-meal drinks.
What to Order: Lamb Riblets, Corn and Feta, Gigantes, Katsikaki Yiouvetsi, Rice Pudding, Locally Caught Sardines
Notes: This is a lovely experience starting with the excellent dishes but well-rounded out with lovely service. Order a bottle of Greek white wine and tuck in! We ordered locally caught sardines and highly recommend them if they are available. And no matter what, you must order the lamb riblets, which are truly an unforgettably perfect treatment of that protein. Finish with rice pudding for dessert!
🍗 Chicken lovers, you definitely can’t miss TENDERFEST, which is Saturday 9/19 at The Wallis in Beverly Hills. Be sure to get your tickets to the event bringing together some of the best chefs, restaurants, and tender makers in the country for an all-you-can-taste celebration of crispy, golden perfection.
🖼️ LA art fans, you can’t miss Roy DeCarava: the sound i saw. Curated by Ebony L. Haynes, the exhibition opens on Saturday, September 19, at Zwirner Gallery in Melrose Hill.
🏆 Congratulations to all of the winners and nominees from Monday’s Emmy Awards. Well deserved!
🎂 Happy birthday to Lewis Hatkoff, Mark Romanek, Perri Altman, Andrij Parekh, Ryan Fleck, Chris Barish, David Stern, Anthony Mackie, and Emma Grede!!
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