To all my friends who have either lost their homes or are still evacuated – my heart goes out to you. The devastation in Los Angeles is like nothing anyone could have ever imagined. The only silver lining I can find is how the LA community has come together to help each other; it makes me love this city even more.
President Bush said it best in January 2017 when Donald Trump was first sworn in as President: “well that was some weird shit”. It’s safe to say that the 2025 Inauguration can be summed up the same way. From Trump’s divisive speeches to the onslaught of executive orders to the ridiculous Gulf of Mexico thing to Melania’s hat – it was all a little surreal. I had planned not to watch it, but I wound up glued to my television all day long. Although I ran through every feeling known to mankind that day – anger and despair were the two that kept coming back for me.
For many people, it’s understandably hard to get past Donald Trump’s rhetoric, but personally I am going to make that a priority of mine. Let’s face it: Donald Trump won the election, the Republicans won the House and the Senate. It’s clear that this is what the majority of the voters wanted. I want to work harder to engage with people who have differing points of view, differing beliefs, and meet them in the middle. I was so quick to dismiss anyone who would consider voting for Donald Trump – and that attitude isn’t helpful in bridging the divide in our country. Going forward, I promise to have more of an open mind.
Instead of harping on some of these things or the other upsetting moments throughout the day, I am going to spend my energy focusing on Trump’s actions and the policies that he tries to enact. This is not going to be an easy four years, but I genuinely believe that our institutions can withstand the policies that are intended to tear us apart.
To those of you who are heartbroken & disappointed I know where you are coming from and I feel your pain. But I strongly believe that the only way to move forward and learn from our mistakes is to try and hear people with other points of view and find some common ground. For those of you who voted for Donald Trump, I pray that the worst of people’s concerns don’t come true, especially as it pertains to issues like climate change, women’s rights, healthcare and so many more. But if they do, I expect you to be the first ones to step up and help us to fight back against them.
If you are afraid, the most important thing to remember here is that democracy is a contact sport. This isn't the time to sit back, it is time to start supporting the leaders across the country who are on the front lines, working everyday to make America the country we want it to be. 2026 is just around the corner, and the best way to make sure the policies that scare you the most don’t get passed is to start working today to get those people elected and win back at least one branch of government.
It’s been well-established that I'm an optimist. I believe in the promise of America, and have faith that our institutions will withstand whatever these next four years bring. As my good friend Jessie Tarlov said on Tuesday’s Lunch With Jamie, it’s time for us to be resilient, not resistant.
If you are a long time reader of this newsletter, you know that Sundance is one of my favorite times of the year. I am heading back for my 20th year and it couldn't have come at a better time. I’m looking forward to losing myself in movies from exciting new filmmakers and some established ones as well. Every year I come back from Park City energized, excited, enlightened, and ready to create. This year will be no different. That being said, if you are a long time reader you also know that food is a major component of this trip for me (and my life in general, to be fair). Contrary to popular belief, Park City/Deer Valley actually has a lot to offer when it comes to food. Sure, it’s no NY or LA or even Charlotte, but there are more than enough places to keep festival goers well-fed. With help from my friends and fellow foodies Blair Kohan, Scott Dahnke, Brian Depersia and many more, I have tried to curate this list to the best of what is there.
Obviously, I couldn’t fit every great spot in Park City on this list — but you can check out my Sundance list from last year for more of my picks.
Aubergine Kitchen – Delicious mediterranean-inspired dishes – plus, it’s healthy (for those of you oddly concerned with that at the festival) Address: 900 Main St, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 631-1198
Bangkok Thai on Main – One of my top spots every year and great for take-out. Address: 605 Main St, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 649-8424
Bar Nohm – Japanese spot. Address: 136 Heber Ave, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 604-0580
Collie's Sports Bar & Grill – There are few things I like more than a sports bar, and no Sundance trip is complete without some wings and some beer from Collie’s. Address: 738 Main St, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 649-0888
Davanza's – If only this place wasn’t packed 24/7. It is a great casual spot for beer, pizza, tacos, and burgers. Address: 690 Park Ave, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 649-2222
El Chubasco – Without a doubt my favorite Sundance restaurant. There are fests where I am here once a day. The Camarones a la Diabla is my favorite, but everything is great. Don’t forget the mango salsa. Address: 1890 Bonanza Dr, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 645-9114
Five5eeds – A cool Australian-inspired café, great for breakfast and lunch (also healthy). Address: 1600 Snow Creek Dr, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 901-8242
Freshies Lobster Co. – It’s all about lobster rolls and New England-style seafood here. Really good, arguably one of the best spots in the area. One of the few places (along with El Chubasco) that I would regularly eat if it was in LA. Address: 1897 Prospector Ave, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 631-9861
Handle – Some small plates, some entrees – all yummy. Address: 136 Heber Ave, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 602-1155
Hearth and Hill – An extensive American-cuisine menu with great vegetarian options for non-meat eaters (I am trying to be more accommodating to vegetarians in my old age. Vegans – you are still out of luck). Address: 1153 Center Dr, Park City, UT 84098 | Phone: (435) 200-8840
Luna's Kitchen – A good spot if you’re looking for gluten-free bites (said me never). Address: 1400 Snow Creek Dr, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 649-1200 |
Palomino – A great spot for drinks and small plates. Address: 540 Main St, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 649-3536
Park City Roadhouse Grill – A good spot for large groups, with bar-style classic food. Address: 2155 Sidewinder Dr, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 649-9868
SaltBox – A counter-serve spot to hit for breakfast and lunch. Fresh and delicious. Address: 1782 Prospector Ave, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 655-5591
Sammy's Bistro – A casual bistro. Address: 1890 Bonanza Dr, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 649-9868
Shabu – A nice sit-down Japanese spot on Main Street. Address: 442 Main St, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 645-7253
The Pearl – Another great seafood spot, known for their oysters. Address: 509 Main St, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 640-2645
Tilly's Charcoal Chicken – Peruvian chicken spot with great sides to choose from. Address: 1560 Snow Creek Dr, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 631-9671
Tupelo – A more upscale spot on main. Address: 508 Main St, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 615-7700
Twisted Fern – Described by others as “chic”, this spot has a changing menu and delicious cocktails. Address: 1300 Snow Creek Dr, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 731-8238
Yuki Yama Sushi – Sushi and Japanese food on Main Street. Address: 586 Main St, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 649-6293
Schreiber’s on Rye solo; Blasian Asian Way and La Caseta with Alex Orlovsky, Duncan Montgomery, and Rachel Halilej; Jackbeagle’s Morehead with Alex Orlovsky, Duncan Montgomery, Lynette Howell-Taylor, and Lauren Wilson; Ototo with The Spivak Family, Kelly Sawyer Patricof, Riley Patricof, and Sawyer Patricof; RVR with Todd Steinman and Kevin Iwashina; Helms Bakery with Riley Patricof; Dunsmoor with Kelly Sawyer Patricof, Carlos Lopez, Jamie Mizrahi, Nicole Richie, and Liat Baruch; Baroo with Howard Altman, Jeremy Smith, and Ashley Sawyer; Kuya Lord with Alan Patricof, Kelly Sawyer Patricof, Barbara Guggenheim, Jeremy Smith, Ashley Sawyer, and Sawyer Patricof; Sichuan Impression with Ashley Sawyer and Jeremy Smith; ixlb Dimsum Eats with The Office; The Benjamin with Kelly Sawyer Patricof, Ashley Sawyer, Sawyer Patricof, and Jeremy Smith; Bird Streets with John Terzian, Cash Warren, Marc Bretter, and Danny Khrubian; Kato with Ben Hundreds, Jordan Okun, and Max Shapiro; Cat and Fiddle with Ashley Sawyer and Jeremy Smith; Antico Nuovo with Nick and Georgia Grad and Sawyer Patricof.
Who: Jessica Yellin, Jessica Tarlov, Rep. Jasmine Crockett & Rep. Eric Swalwell
Where: Online
Why: To debrief the second Inauguration of Donald Trump
Quote: “And you want to be really effective, that when you do object, it's for a good reason… Greenland, is it dumb? Yes. Is the Gulf of America dumb? Yes. Do we need to make a big deal out of it? My approach is – what does that do to bring down the cost of eggs? Because that's what were promised…cheaper eggs. And I think he is very insecure about his ability to actually deliver on that, and so he's distracting us with a lot of this nonsense.” -Rep. Eric Swalwell
You can view the full conversation here.
Aaron Michaelson, Aaron Stern, Adam Saper, Adam Smith, Alex Tse, Andy Wang, Anthony Jacobson, Ashley Sawyer, Ben Hundreds, Blake Lively, Bobby Kim, Chad Gutstein, David Geffen, David Gelb, David Katzenberg, David Nathanson, Eater, Eli Meyer, Food & Wine, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jamie Patricof, Jason Spivak, Jerry Greenberg, Jeremy Smith, Jerrold Son, Jessica Alba, Joe Varet, Jon Buscemi, Jon Shook, Jordan Okun, James Ponsoldt, Kate Burr, Katie McNeill, Kelly Sawyer Patricof, Lawrence Longo, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Rosenthal, Marc Rose, Martha Patricof, Matt Haimes, Matt Karatz, Max Chow, Max Shapiro, Max Winkler, Neal Moritz, Paul Zucker, Peter Goldwyn, Phil Rosenthal, Rachel Halilej, Riley Patricof, Sawyer Patricof, Sarah Meyer, Shu Chowdhury, Todd Steinman, The Hungry Tourist, The Infatuation, Vinny Dotolo.
Today's email was brought to you by Jamie Patricof and team, including Stazy Mazo and Michaela Sullivan.
