NY, LA, Chicago... And?

From Jamie’s Desk:

If you’re anything like me and occasionally get sucked into an Instagram or TikTok doom scroll, chances are you’ve come across the latest internet discourse: What are the four major U.S. cities? In my opinion, this question is flawed from the start—what qualifies as “major”? According to Merriam-Webster, it can mean everything from “notable” to “prominent” to “large in number”—not to mention the musical, military, and collegiate definitions I’ll ignore.

Still, after watching way too many videos on this, I had to try answering it myself. Stop reading for a second and give it a go. Think of your four.

Chances are, your thought process went something like this: “New York and L.A. are givens…” Then you probably spiraled through Dallas, Miami, San Francisco, Nashville, Vegas, D.C., Boston, or Philly before landing on Chicago as your third. And then… you got stuck. Because choosing a fourth is surprisingly hard.

America has so many incredible cities, but when you try to define “major,” it becomes tricky. For me, I boiled it down to a few criteria:

With that in mind, I landed on these four:

Honorable Mention: Washington, D.C. (I debated including D.C.—but I couldn’t leave it out entirely. I’m sticking with my top four, but the capital has a special place in my heart). Thanks to my good friend Eric Swalwell for writing a great review.

If you happen to be living in—or visiting—any of these cities this summer, keep scrolling for a restaurant recommendation in each that’s worth the reservation.

Discussed in this issue: Where to eat in the “major” cities; Chuck Rocha on LWJ; A must-watch comedy special

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’re always chasing what’s next—somewhere newer, better, more exciting. But summer in the city is a rare chance to slow down and actually see what’s around you. A restaurant with no wait. That exhibit you’ve been meaning to check out. A summer film series. It’s all there—you just have to look.

So, for those lucky enough to be home this season, I’ve rounded up one great restaurant in each “major” city.

📍Los Angeles: The Benjamin

Cuisine: American Bistro

Crew: Jamie Patricof, Eli Meyer, Anthony Jacobson, Kate Burr, Joseph Varet, Matt Karatz, Ben Hundreds, Chris Rice, Aaron Stern, Jason Spivak, Jon Buscemi, James Ponsoldt, David Nathanson, Eater, LA Times, Infatuation

Good For: Date Night, Dinner with Friends, Business Dinner, Good Drinks

Pro Tip: Go for a drink at Bar Benjamin before or after. IMO, a perfect night is going there for an early dinner and then a show at Rogue Machine theater, or even taking a walk to the Grove for a movie. I know—walking in LA is crazy.

What to Order: Parker House Rolls, Deviled Eggs, Asparagus Caesar, Orange Chicken Wings, Gem Salad, The Benjamin Burger (1/2 per person), Jimmy Nardellos, Twice Baked Potato, All Desserts, The Dirtier Martini.

Notes: "Owned by Jared Meisler and Jamie's List crew members Kate Burr and Ben “Hundreds” Shenassafar, The Benjamin is really doing something special in LA right now (all family ties aside). If you're not a regular, you’re missing out. It is filling the void that LA has had for years which New York does so well—the American Bistro. There are so few places you can go that have great food, a great vibe, and an approachable setting. This list of what to order above will guarantee a great meal, but right now, the off-menu lobster pasta is a must. I’m praying it stays on for good. Make sure to say hello to Ben, and let him know you’re a Jamie’s List subscriber—he’ll greet you with a big smile at some point in the night and maybe even a special treat. Like most great places, it is very hard to get a reservation, but you can usually snag a seat at the bar. With the recent addition of Bar Benjamin upstairs, you can experience some of the best cocktails in the city while you wait for your table.” - Jamie Patricof, founder of Jamie’s List and Hunting Lane

📍New York: Wildair

Cuisine: Euro Wine Bar/Small Plates

Crew: Eli Meyer, Anthony Jacobson, Kate Burr, Joseph Varet, Matt Karatz, Ben Hundreds, Aaron Stern, James Ponsoldt, Eater, Infatuation, NY Times, Goop

Good For: Date Night, Dinner with Friends

Pro Tip: Not a big place so it will feel like communal dining even when it's not. So crank up the deodorant and keep your fragrance game light.

What to Order: Beef Tartare, Snapper Crudo, Pommes Darphin with Uni

Notes: “Wildair is a culinary chameleon, a sexy swiss army knife. It can somehow feel bright and airy Astrud Gilberto during the day and by night it can feel like House of Balloons era Weeknd. The menu makes you think you're in Paris, so you order the beef tartare, then it comes and it doesn't look like beef tartare so maybe I'm in America, then you take a bite and taste Japanese plum so you think you're in California and then a lady takes her seat next to you with the gentlest of forearm shivers to your lower ribs without acknowledgement and you're reminded you're still in the LES. My kind of place!” - Alex Tse, Writer (Gran Turismo, Watchmen & Co-Creator Wu Tang: An American Saga)

📍Chicago: Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf

Cuisine: Steakhouse

Crew: Jordan Okun, Ben Hundreds, Anthony Jacobson, Courtney Storer, Jerrold Son, Max Winkler, Goop, Infatuation, Michelin Guide, Time Out, Eater

Good For: Date Night, Dinner with Friends, Business Dinner, Big Group

Pro Tip: Get the burger with no egg and no bacon (they’re unnecessary)

What to Order: Fresh Baked Sourdough & Cultured (that means really f*cking good) Butter, Sizzling Shrimp Scampi, French Dip, Dry-Aged Bone-In Ribeye, Sundae.

Notes: “Bavette’s is my kind of restaurant. And yet, I hate the place and its owners (Hogsalt) because they refuse to open in Los Angeles. They are experts at bread, shrimp, beef, and desserts—the cornerstones of any God tier steakhouse. Enter their darkened, cozy, skyrocketed cholesterol confines at your own risk as the addiction is real, just as it is inside their sister restaurants Au Cheval and 4 Charles Prime. They just get it. But unfortunately, LA does not.” - Jordan Okun, Host of Air Jordan Podcast

📍Atlanta: Paschal’s

Cuisine: Southern/Soul Food

Crew: James Ponsoldt, Alex Tse, Jamie Patricof, Eater, Infatuation

Good For: Casual, Small Groups, Dinner with Friends

Pro Tip: The neighborhood, Castleberry Hill, is one of the historic art centers of ATL. So I definitely recommend a pre or post-dinner walk around the district.

What to Order: Fried Chicken, Fish, Greens, Macaroni and Cheese, Yams. They also have some of the best sides.

Notes: “I chose Paschal’s because it’s just classic soul food. And the history of the restaurant is something that's very unique to Atlanta and also the Deep South. Paschal’s has been around since the 1940s. Sure, there are other staples in Atlanta—but I think Paschal’s has the best food, and the history perfectly encapsulates the rich tapestry of Atlanta. I’m reminded of the Civil Rights movement, when Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King would meet at Paschal’s, alongside other Civil Rights heroes such as John Lewis. From the start, Pascal’s was owned by two Black men, which was rare during that time—especially in the deep South. The restaurant turned into a sacred place to convene and talk strategy over a beautiful meal of soul food. Even today, politicians often hold events or have campaign stops there. Soul food is so personal—your preference and how you like it is always according to family and how you grew up. My family is from Georgia as well as Tennessee, so they might do macaroni and cheese differently, but my taste buds are built for those. Paschal’s food reminds me of home, and no matter your palette for soul food—you won’t be disappointed.” - Chelsey Hall, Principal at Propper Daley

📍Washington, D.C.: Stellina Pizzeria

Cuisine: Italian

Crew: Michelin Guide, Infatuation, Eater

Good For: Casual, Small Groups, Dinner with Friends

Pro Tip: Great walk-in spot. Always inventive on squeezing your family or group in. Low turnover on staff ensures that if you’re a regular they’ll pick up your habits/taste in no time.

What to Order: Aperol Spritz, Margherita Pizza, Piccante Pizza, Paccheri All’Avellinese, Bombolini

Notes: "Great family Italian pizza spot. Warm, friendly staff always willing to squeeze in a hungry family. If you go there more than once, they’ll know your order and it’ll be on the table before we even get a chance to say it. Your toddler wants to squander a Michelin star pizza experience for orange slices? No problem—they’re on the table before you sit down. In terms of pizza, we always go for the Margherita for the kids and Piccante for the adults. For pasta, don’t miss the homemade Paccheri All’Avellinese (paccheri pasta, beef and veal ragù, parmesan cheese). Don’t leave without trying the Bombolini (fried donuts, hazelnut chocolate spread). Great neighborhood pizza place, with a vibe and flavor that makes you feel like you’re yelling at your kids in the heart of Sicily!" - Rep. Eric Swalwell, Congressman serving California’s 14th Congressional District

This week, my guest was political strategist and host of The Latino Vote podcast, Chuck Rocha. We discussed one of the biggest news stories of the moment: the GOP plan to redistrict in Texas, and the Democratic response. We also discussed the controversial Sydney Sweeney American Eagle ad, who he thinks is in line for 2028, the Democrat’s strategy, and much more.

He also shared the Republican strategy of serving a “sugar-coated shit sandwich”, and what he thinks of the newest Democrat rising star, TX State Rep James Talarico.

Chuck is hilarious and a brilliant political mind who I honestly think is the next James Carville—this one is definitely worth checking out.

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

Members can also join our WhatsApp group where we discuss current events, recommendations, action plans, and vote on future guests and topics of conversation on Lunch With Jamie.

🎶 Khruangbin at 2025 Gunnersbury Park in London: TV on the Radio will also be performing—I used one of their songs in my first film over 20 years ago

👯‍♀️ Ginger Twinsies: Jamie’s List member Mandy Hackett (producer of Hell’s Kitchen) is behind Ginger Twinsies, a new Off-Broadway show that is a spoof of The Parent Trap

😂 Marc Maron’s new comedy special, Panicked 

🎧 Air Jordan: A Food Podcast is back. Make sure to follow and subscribe for the best LA food podcast

🥪 Cheesesteaks by Matū is coming to Pasadena and Calabasas this year

🎂 Happy Birthday to Rachel Halilej, Kevin McCormick and Stazy Mazo

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, Gwyneth Paltrow, 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, Michaela Sullivan and Lauren Malanga