Chopped Chilies: On the Road Again
NY/Chicago highlights
The burger at Raoul’s - I’ve heard about the legendary Raoul’s burger from my friend Jo (she served a stint as their coat check girl one winter) for as long as I’ve known her but it eluded me every trip for reason or another. The stars seemed to align when my dear friend Thomas texted, suggesting we do exactly that. Raoul’s itself is fabulous, the kind of black lacquer establishment that gives off the very sexy den-of-iniquity energy we so sorely lack in Los Angeles. They make twelve burgers nightly and to procure one, you must snag a bar seat which means timing your arrival precisely to their 5 pm opening. It sounds stressful but is the kind of theatre that only adds to the fun and once you’re in, it’s gravy. There are crisp potato chips, Donna Summer blaring under a sparkling disco ball, and the meanest martinis in town. The burger itself is very good (and slathered in brie which sets it apart) but it’s the ambiance and service that made me miss it the second I stepped (stumbled) out.
Oh Mary! - Speaking of theatre, this is where I headed post-Raoul’s which made for a madcap journey from Soho to the Lyceum. We missed Cole by a few days (and I, the opening act, by a few minutes) but caught the start ot Tituss Burgess’ (my favorite part Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) run. It was as wacky and silly and FUN as promised and I went down a Youtube hole of Cole Escola interviews later that night (ie: going to bed teary and emotional). If there’s ever been a call to keep making weird, wild and singular art, that was it for me!
Amy Sherald at the Whitney - As I’ve mentioned in passing, one of my favorite trip activities is taking myself on a solo museum date. I strolled from my cousin’s West Village brownstone to the Whitney to see Sherald’s exhibit on a clear Wednesday afternoon. As I walked around surrounded by the colorful kaleidoscope her work, tears sprung to my ears. Yes it may have been my luteal phase (which meant in addition to feeling emotional I also felty monstrous) but I was deeply moved by her meditation on identity and how we both project and perceive ourselves.
Bavette’s - It could’ve been a fool’s errand to chase Raoul’s with another steakhouse but Bavette’s surpassed our expectations and then some. Both moody steakhouse and French bistro, it reminded me of one of my favorite California vacation spots (Mister Parker at the Parker Palm Springs). The wedge was a standout but extra credit for the peppercorn crust and side of bone marrow add-ons.
This Empty Bottle tote bag - this was a merch-favoring crew we traveled to Chicago with, which meant at least 80% of us left with some sort of souvenir. My favorite came from this iconic Chicago establishment, where we closed out the festivities at the Chaparelle show. If you haven’t read my interview with Zella Day (or streamed Western Pleasure) what the hell are you waiting for?
Tropical Rob’s iconic 10 year anniversary shoot which he so graciously invited me to be a part of. It was a perfect day of mermaid-showgirl ready-to-wear, free-flowing wine and cheeky gossip on the balcony of his Hollywood apartment. Thank you to Rob for making me feel like a modern day Halstonette (Robette?!) <3
I’m hitting send of this from my very dreamy hotel room in Paris as we carry on to Costa Brava. I hope you’re having a magical summer and I can’t to share a full recap. A tout my friends!