Wonton Soup & a Blue Wave

From Jamie’s Desk:

On Tuesday night, I watched the midterm election results roll in from a college bar at UNC Chapel Hill. There were hundreds of students packed into this small bar, with results blasting from every screen. When Roy Cooper won the Senate seat, the crowd went wild as if the Tar Heels had just won the national title. If you've been worried about the kids – don't be. They're engaged, they’re passionate, and they’ve just been given hope again.

And they aren’t the only ones. Since the birth of this country, people have asked if the American experiment would hold. And it’s been tested more in the last two years than it has in a long time. But Tuesday proved that we’re strong enough to withstand whatever is thrown our way – despite gerrymandering, voter intimidation, attacks on voter rolls, election deniers, and countless other unconstitutional acts – we the people showed up, used our voice, and resoundingly rejected the direction this country was heading in.

I’ve shared this quote from Bill Clinton many times, but it’s one of my favorites, so here it is again: "There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America." 

Tuesday’s results perfectly exemplified what’s right with America: our diversity, strength, and ability to overcome the odds. Just look at the Senate – a Democratic pediatrician won South Carolina, and Kansas voted for a blue megachurch pastor. In Michigan, we elected our first Muslim senator, and Chris Pappas in New Hampshire will become the first openly gay man to serve in the Senate. Julia Letlow is the first Republican woman to win a Louisiana Senate seat. Then of course you have Paralympian Josh Turek in Iowa, and odds-defying former schoolteacher James Talarico who lit Texas on fire. Those are just a few of the new faces that highlight who we are as a country – and make me even prouder to be an American. 

And it goes beyond the Senate. After 250 years, Georgia elected the first Black woman governor in our nation’s history. Texas chose to oust Greg Abbott in favor of Gina Hinojosa – their first Latina governor. Amy Acton is set to be sworn in as Ohio’s first Jewish governor, and Byron Donalds became Florida’s first Black governor-elect. So many other governors-elect made history: Deb Haaland, David Crowley, Xavier Becerra, Amy Klobuchar, Marsha Blackburn, and more. And House races surprised pundits by turning blue even in districts that were meant to be safe R, with candidates from all backgrounds securing seats. 

It was an election that flawlessly demonstrated the rich tapestry of our country – creating a governing body that actually represents the people. 

Don’t get me wrong – the work starts now. This isn’t a magic wand to erase the division, corruption, and turmoil our country has faced over the past decade (or more). The difference is that now we have people in government who can actually hold the Trump administration to account, work on important issues like affordability, fair elections, healthcare, AI regulation, and human rights. It’s their job now to cut through the noise and ultimately deliver for the American people. And if they don’t – Tuesday further proved that our democracy works, and they too will be voted out of office.

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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📍Los Angeles: Yuca’s (reviewed by Jon Hamm)
Cuisine: Mexican
Crew: James Ponsoldt, Jordan Okun, Eater, Goop, The LA Times, The Infatuation, Time Out
Good For: Casual, No Reservations, Take Out
Pro Tip: They opened a Pasadena location, too – but the OG is in Los Feliz.
What to Order: Carne Asada Taco, Bean Burrito, Cheeseburger
Notes: Everyone needs to check out the east side tradition that is Yuca’s. It’s literally located in a shack (known as “the hut”) on Hillhurst, in the parking lot of a liquor store, but has some of the greatest Mexican food on the planet. The bean burrito is delicious and the carne asada is outstanding – and those are two of my favorite things. They’re also known for their cheeseburger, which I still haven’t tried. Their original location has been open since 1976, and up until her death in 2024, owner Socorro Herrera was there taking orders. They’ve been recognized by the James Beard Foundation, so the secret’s out, but it’s a good one. You can tell it’s good food, because the firefighters always eat there, too. This place is my jam. 

📍New York City: Maxi’s Noodle
Cuisine: Chinese
Crew: Aaron Stern, Adam Saper, Andy Wang, Joseph Varet, Eater, The Infatuation
Good For: Casual, Take Out, No Reservations
Pro Tip: Take the short walk to Yi Ji Shi Mo for a rice roll as an appetizer. 
What to Order: Wonton Noodle Soup
Notes: For those of you who love eating Chinese food as much as I do, you know that wonton soup is one of the most iconic and widespread dishes. Every Chinese restaurant in the world probably has it – however, once you taste great soup, you can never really go back. For decades, the crown of the best wonton soup in New York City sat on the head of Great N.Y. Noodletown. Sadly, for whatever reasons (COVID being one of them), they went off their game a bit. Wu’s, in my opinion, took over. But recently, Maxi’s Noodle, which started in Flushing and has since opened in Chinatown, has officially taken the crown. It’s a nondescript place, and honestly I can’t even tell you if the other dishes are good – you’re coming here for one reason and one reason only: wonton soup. There isn’t anything better to eat on a cold fall or winter NYC day than a wonton noodle soup, and Maxi’s is now the king of New York. 

Aaron Michaelson, Aaron Stern, Adam Saper, Adam Smith, Alex Tse, Andy Wang, Anthony Jacobson, Ashley Sawyer, Ben Hundreds, Bobby Kim, Brian McGinn, Chad Colby, Chad Gutstein, Chris Camillo, Chris Rice, David Gelb, David Katzenberg, David Nathanson, Evan Funke, Eli Meyer, Kristina O’Neill, Iman Dakhil, 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, Kevin Shivers, Leonardo DiCaprio, Lloyd Sacks, Marc Rose, Marc Mezvinsky, Martha Patricof, Matt Haimes, Matt Karatz, Max Chow, Max Shapiro, Max Winkler, Michael Kives, Michael Albenberg, Nicole Richie, Neal Moritz, Nick Grad, Nick Tran, Paul Zucker, Peter Goldwyn, Phil Rosenthal, Phil Ettinger, Rachel Halilej, Riley Patricof, Sawyer Patricof, Shu Chowdhury, Todd Steinman, The Hungry Tourist, Vinny Dotolo.

Today’s email was brought to you by: Jamie Patricof and Michaela Sullivan