Discussed in this issue: A President, a Governor, and a CEO on why America is going to be okay — plus London's best restaurants, Sugar is finally on Netflix, and Nicole Richie's summer reading list.
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Photo Credit: Reuters
From Jamie’s Desk:
On Saturday, we mark the 250th birthday of America – and what should have been a pure celebration has turned into a bittersweet occasion for many. Spending time in Europe the last few weeks has opened my eyes to just how low our standing has become in the world. People genuinely would ask me, “Is everything going to be okay over there?” or tell me “I’m sorry for what you guys are going through.” It’s safe to say that all over the world, governments are being tested and tried. Thankfully, in many places, we are seeing rays of hope – and I think there are some back home, too.
Enter the World Cup. There is no way America intentionally tried to get the World Cup for the semiquincentennial, but the fact that these two things lined up is truly perfect. The US has never been a huge soccer/football country, so who knew what the response would be. Obviously internationally, all eyes would be on the World Cup – and I can confirm that after being in France and England for some games, the entire city literally shuts down. Restaurants bring in TVs, and every bar was packed with fans donning jerseys and shouting in excitement. It was amazing to witness in person and be a part of.
But while I haven’t been here, you would have to be living under a rock not to see that the US has really embraced the tournament. Ticket sales are through the roof, viewership is breaking records and the US men’s team is doing its part (how about last night’s win? This is the first time the US has made it out of the knockout round since 2002). The World Cup is on everybody’s lips, and jersey-wearing fans line the streets in LA and other host cities. Honestly, it’s just what the doctor ordered. That’s what’s special about sports: no matter your politics, gender, race, religion, etc., you can come together and support your country’s team. And the US being a host country has given us the PR we have been needing. This feels like the warm up to LA28, when we get to show off my favorite city. And now I'm confident we will be ready for it.
Many people from across the world are somehow just finding out that we Americans are generally warm, kind, and welcoming. And of course, these visitors are in awe of certain parts of our culture. The passion for ranch dressing has been hilarious to watch, and the Tartan Army takeover of Boston was straight out of a charming movie (hmmm, that gives me an idea). Social media has allowed us to share these moments: including the Japanese fan in Texas eating gargantuan ribs, a Kansas marching band learning the Algerian national anthem, and the Italian man who discovered that free Diet Coke refills are a thing in the states.
Perhaps the greatest part about all of this is that even in our darkest time in decades, we are shining like never before and people are loving us. It almost feels like How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Even with the threat of ICE raids, visas being revoked for players and refs, and threats to our co-hosts to the north and south — America is just doing its thing on our 250th birthday. It’s like we’re all down in Whoville, while the Grinch miserably plots to steal all of the presents.
Don't get me wrong, we have lots of serious problems, but to put it in perspective – we are still a baby in country terms. Comparatively, here are some founding dates of other nations: Japan at 661 BC, China at 221 BC, and England at 927 AD. The hateful rhetoric and constant chaos can’t break us. We are too strong as Americans, and are bonding together like ever before. The tide is turning. They’ve always called it the American experiment – and while lately it’s easy to feel like it’s failing, this tournament is making it clear why America still is the greatest country in the world, and I will be proudly waving my flag at a parade on our nation’s birthday.
A final thought: maybe if the toxic news media online and on television would stop focusing solely on what’s wrong with America (and sensationalizing it), our country would be able to bring back some of our glory around the world. Let’s highlight what’s great about our country and start with diversity, free speech, and ranch dressing.
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It’s America’s birthday, but they always say not to forget where you came from. Since I just returned from London, I have decided to share some can’t miss-spots across the pond as a thank you to our former motherland. Plus, I know many people visit for Frieze or London Film Fest or summer vacation – so be sure to check out these restaurants.
📍London: Hunan
Cuisine: Chinese
Crew: Iman Dakhil, Matt Haimes, Condé Nast Traveler, Eater, NY Times, The Infatuation, Time Out
Good For: Small Groups, Large Groups, Business Dinner, Special Occasion
Pro Tip: This is one of the rare Chinese restaurants where you can go with any number, as they portion things out based on your guest count, so even two is okay here.
What to Order: Let the team decide for you! Just share your allergies and preferences and trust the process.
Notes: Another OG restaurant in London is Hunan, which has been around for nearly 45 years, run by a guy named Y.S. Peng and his family. My friend described the restaurant to me as an all-you-can-eat restaurant. Although that might sound appealing to me and some of the crew, I haven’t been to an AYCE spot since – I don’t even know. So I was relieved to see that what he really meant was that every night the Hunan team makes a menu, and then they just serve it. So in essence, it’s a set menu or a tasting menu, but there are 15-20 dishes, tons of smaller plates, and a couple of bigger entrees. Overall, it’s just awesome. It’s almost like you’re going to a neighborhood spot in LA, nice people, and white tablecloths. It’s marketed as fine dining, but it’s not stuffy and casual attire is fine. Mr. Peng is still there running around, serving people, and being a great host. I can’t wait to come back. I loved so many of the dishes I tried. It’s a little off the beaten path in Pimlico, which isn’t exactly near where most people stay if you are visiting London. But even if it’s a bit out of the way for you, I can guarantee you’ll be happy. This is now a must on all of my London lists and itineraries. But I acknowledge the fact that it’s been here for over four decades – so I guess I’m just late to the party.
📍London: Brat
Cuisine: Basque
Crew: Ben Hundreds, Chris Rice, Max Shapiro, Bon Appetit, Condé Nast Traveler, Eater, Goop, LA Times, Michelin Guide, NY Times, The Infatuation, Time Out
Good For: Date Night, Special Occasion, Small Group, Large Group
Pro Tip: Check out Smoking Goat, which is below. Maybe even do a snack at the bar there first before hitting up Brat for your main course.
What to Order: The menu changes, with some offerings repeating. Some of my favorites: Turbot, Grilled Peas, Grilled Bread with Anchovies, Raw Seabass, Crudo, Cockles, and Tamworth Pork Belly.
Notes: This was my last stop on the Super 8 Restaurant group tour. Admittedly, I didn’t even know the name of the restaurant group when I completed it, which is ironic. In Shoreditch, I hit up Smoking Goat, which is the first restaurant out of the group (I’ll write about that one later) and the Michelin-starred Brat – which I want to highlight. It’s a really cool restaurant. Although people in Notting Hill, South Kensington, and Chelsea will complain about Shoreditch, if you’re in SoHo, or even Mayfair, it's actually not that far. And even if it is, it’s worth the trip. They are known for their turbot, which I sadly didn’t have. It’s the entire fish, so ideally you’re going with four people so you can all try some. Brat is also known for their Tamworth pork belly, which is a breed of pig known for deep flavor, robust fat, and tender meat. Apparently that makes all the difference because it’s probably the best pork belly I’ve ever had. The menu changes daily, but there’s something for everything here – on the night I went, we dined on grilled bread with anchovies, raw seabass, crudo, grilled peas, cockles, and more. These people just know what they’re doing. It was a great day. It’s cool to go down to Shoreditch, and these guys are just at the top of the game. They’re awesome.
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🇺🇸 We’re on summer break for the podcast, but I couldn’t miss this opportunity to highlight some of the most powerful quotes about America from our past guests.
While some of these were from when Lunch With Jamie was just a private conversation series (OGs will remember), some can be found on our Spotify or Youtube.
“I think it's very important to remember that people are not as different as we think, and what they want is not as different as we think—with some exceptions, like gun safety and the extent to which all abortions should be banned or not. But mostly we have a lot in common and what we differ in is how best to get there. And if we treat each other right, and talk about that, we’ve got a good chance to get to the right answer.” –President Bill Clinton, 2020
“I believe in shared experiences. I believe in universal service. I believe that we need to do more in that space. And I think those are the kind of seeds that need to be planted in this country and in this state to begin that progress anew, to strengthen and bring unity once again.” –Governor Gavin Newsom, 2024
“What makes this country different from every other country on the planet is the American Dream. We are a nation of entrepreneurs. We are a nation of people who create and innovate. Add to that—resilience.” –Mark Cuban, 2020
“When you look at something like 7 million people showing up for no kings, like people are getting more and more engaged every single day. Now, it’s sad that we had to get to this point to get the engagement, but I’ll take it whenever we can get it. And so I really believe that people are really fighting for our democracy. And I think that while he continues to try to divide us, I think that what we will see is that people are really going to start to come together.” –Rep. Jasmine Crockett, 2025
“You know Dr. King said the arc of the moral universe is long and it bends towards justice, but it doesn’t bend on its own. It only bends when people like you, like us, put their hands on an arc and pull it towards justice.” –AG Eric Holder, 2020
⚾️ Sugar (2008) is now on Netflix. I produced this film, which was written and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. Be sure to check it out and look for Jamie’s List members in the credits.
It’s summer – which means time to read on a beach, plane, boat, or in your backyard. Lucky for you, Jamie’s List member (and cultural icon) Nicole Richie has some suggestions from her reading list:
📖 Kin by Tayari Jones: “My favorite book I have read this year. A beautiful yet tragic story of 2 friends who are basically sisters set in the south.”
📖 Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash: “This book is hysterical and the writing is so original. It’s fun, kooky, and perfect for summer.”
📖 Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris: I love a book of essays in the summer to take with me on vacation, and who would I rather spend time with other than David Sedaris? No one! This book is a classic and feels like hanging with a friend.
🎂 Happy birthday to Anthony Jacobson and Mark Kram Jr.!!
Anything we should have on our radar? Just reply to this email with any upcoming releases, events, or something fun.
Gymkhana with Kevin Shivers, Brian Cross, Mike Jackson, Nick Cave, David Bradley, Maureen Traynor, Jay Berlin, and Stacy Vee; Brat and Smoking Goat with Georgia Grad; Hunan with Matt Haimes and Ezra Koenig; Mountain with David & Elise Jones and Keleigh Thomas Morgan; Bocca di Luppo with Stephen Sackur; Impala with Darin Friedman, Darnell Strum, Mimi Brown, and Justin Mikita; and The Grill at Hotel Du Cap with Scott & Beata Galloway and Jason Strauss, Pablo De Ritis, Avi Zimak, and Ronnie Madra.
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