september 2022 - Wanderlogue

september

2022

September began with a heat wave in LA and ended with frigid cold rain in NYC half the temperature of LA.

I realized that in three years of living in NYC, I have yet to spend a Labor Day Weekend in the city. This year, I spent it in a beautifully sunny and not overly hot Seattle, escaping the LA heat weave just in time.

September was filled with a tortured return to “routine” after a month of relishing summer. Back to the office we went. Into the city I ventured, still very pleased to be here. Spontaneous days and nights are what make the city worth the challenges, the euphoria of being outside on a weeknight, or spending an entire day unplanned in the bustling streets. Feeling alive with the crowds, wondering where all of these people came from.

And then of course, the full stop that comes with a positive COVID test. Alas, two and a half years finally got me. Quarantine simplifies life, as I’d experienced before, in a very different place, in a very different context. It’s in some ways a relief, in others a complication, but it forces you to just stop. And perhaps that’s what was needed before the chaos of the year continued.

LA things, again

Sometimes it’s the mundane things that really make the trip. Coffee runs to Standing Egg, a place I hadn’t been since I myself lived in the neighborhood years ago. Lunch at All Time, something that would have felt so indulgent years ago when we all worked from office every day. Al fresco drinks at The Black Cat, in what once was a parking lot. City views from parking structures, still always the best. Still want to make a book out of it.

The small of Philz coffee. Another very early dinner at Chifa on a hot summer night. Indulging in ice cream at Wanderlust.

and then, Seattle

Seattle was a great choice. Took an early flight out of Burbank before the heat really settled in for the day and landed in a lovely blue skied Seattle for Labor Day Weekend.

01 | First order of business was lunch, which, like last time, meant a straight shot to Pho Bac, but this time ordering soupless noodles for the warm weather

02 | plenty of shopping with no goal, but appreciate the boutique-y shops with a PNW twist

03 | lunch at a very busy Musang

04 | many coffee runs, several to Herkimer

05 | so much appreciation for the perfect temperate weather

&& of course a visit to the farmers market. mostly for the pastries, but also generally just love this farmers market.

new favorites

LA | Wine + Eggs

A super cute wine and provisions shop in the middle of that super cute block of Atwater. Very well curated and plenty to discover in a small shop.

SEATTLE | Cafe Flora

Had this one bookmarked for years and it did not disappoint, the bright, plant-filled space made for a lovely lunch ambience on a sunny day.

NYC | Le Petit Monstre

A little annoyed that there are so many cute spots opening up by the Navy Yard considering how difficult it is to get there, but on a nice day it makes for a pleasant walk along the water and this vegan bakery is the perfect treat for the walk.

art & stuff

went to the affordable art fair (and realized affordability is really relative), realized i am probably more fit to just appreciate art at museums

current obsessions

<< this nonalcoholic mixer that is super refreshing

dark chocolate citrus anything, but also tony’s chocolonely and how they are actually good >>

verve is an always love but particularly loving this larrea blend for iced pourovers >>>>

culture fix

this month was filled with high brow and low brow consumption

finally got around to watching Succession and Severance

gave into watching She Hulk after being inundated with ads all over LA

and binge watched (well, background TV binged) so many seasons of Pretty Little Liars (honestly, the perfect background TV)

good bites

twas another month of eating out a lot and not really cooking. even after returning to NYC.

— a “summer friday” start with a beautiful breakfast sandwich at Ciao Gloria followed by a nice walk around Prospect Park

— a day up in harlem with coffee at Double Dutch followed by chicken and waffles at Sylvia’s

— indulging in a vegan treat from Terms of Endearment while waiting for a nail appointment on a day off

— the prettiest toast, the most perfect lunch at Agi’s Counter

— ok actually Four Horsemen might be the most perfect lunch

— comfort food takeout rly hitting the spot from 3 Times

what's cooking (not that much)

01 | chocolate chip cookies, the first time the oven has been on in a while

02 | blistered some shishito peppers, made a spicy mayo dip and called it dinner

03 | discovered some leftover gochujang bolognese in the freezer, ate it with tteok

04 | ok this was not cooked, but assembled, nothing hits quite like grass jelly on a hot day and the black sugar syrup and mochi was a nice touch

05 | favorite go-to 10 minute meal: knife cut noodles, leafy greens and hot pot sliced meat doused in soy & chili oil

06 | tomatoes, cucumbers, rich feta and lots of herbs make for the perfect summer meal

spontaneous days in the city

these are the days that make me love living in new york.

one day, mid week, during NYFW, stopped by a showcase and then, since we were already out, proceeded to look for a place to grab a drink or a bite. and ended up going to Uluh (a place we had planned to go for so long but never actually made plans for) and convincing another friend to come out for it, and then ended the night walking around manhattan with yet another friend dragged out. warm night and the euphoria of not having planned any of it.

another day, saturday morning, get a text from a friend who just landed at JFK for work and happened to have the day off. ventured to NoMad for decadent pastries while my pupils were still dilated, proceeded to spend the rest of the day eating and drinking and playing tourist all around Manhattan because why not? again filled with the glee of having a whole day out without expecting any of it when i woke up that morning.