Fitting subject
ARI KOLENDER • Found Oyster & Queen’s Raw Bar & Grill
WORK • Thursday Routine
ARI KOLENDER • chef & partner • Found Oyster & Queen’s Raw Bar & Grill
Neighborhood you work in: East Hollywood & Eagle Rock
Neighborhood you live in: Eagle Rock
It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
The workplace is my home kitchen today (or at least the first half of the day), if I don’t need to run into the restaurant to go over an order, a new dish, or the ever-useful pep talk. Since Leo was born, I haven’t been working nighttime service as often.
Waking up (early, always) somewhere between 5-6a, my day starts by taking care of our two dogs, an Italian Mastiff named Pina and a pitbull named Birdie. We eat, make coffee for mom, take a walk, and then back up to the house to relieve her of our beautiful baby boy. He’s six months old, and sleeping in a little later.
What’s on the agenda for today?
I’m going over our list of catering jobs and private events outstanding, working to make sure everything is put together so service runs smoothly. I’m also about to review the final kitchen plans for Lord Fletcher, a restoration of a classic restaurant space in Palm Springs. Hoping to open later this year — we’ve been working very hard to get the space ready for a facelift.
I’ll then be headed into Found Oyster at about 1p to taste a new vegetable dish our sous chef Mere has come up with. It’s exciting to help the team grow in developing flavors and techniques, and I’m always ecstatic when they bring a new idea to the table.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
The big plan this weekend is date night at Etra! I’m excited — we really haven’t been back since the first month they opened, and I can never eat enough Italian food. Also on the horizon: my friend Tim is in town and taking me to one of his favorite sushi spots, Asuka. I’ve never been, but apparently it’s been around for a long time, and the young chef helming the counter is from Hokkaido.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I have a reso with friends at the Vermont Courts, the best public tennis courts in town. I love my mornings up there. I’m also meeting up with my friend Annabelle later in the weekend at The Padel Courts, to see what all the fuss is about.
Any weekend getaways?
We’re headed to Palm Springs to visit my in-laws next weekend. Always a blast to spend time with them and eat some schnitzel at Johannes. It’s our favorite restaurant in town. I’m excited to check out the new bar Beaton’s as well. With any luck, we’ll make some time for golf at Indian Canyons south course as well as a day trip up to Pioneertown to check in on our bar The Red Dog Saloon. If you haven’t been up to Pioneertown, you’re missing out.
What was your last great vacation?
We took time last summer to go to Greece for the first time. We started in Athens, which I thought was going to be a short blip, but turned out to be such a beautifully enriching time. We discovered so many great markets, places to eat and drink, as well as a handful of incredible artisans making jewelry and art.
After Athens we went to Milos, Folegandros, and Paros. All amazing in their own right, but the tiny island of Folegandros has our heart. There is certainly something in the air on that rugged island. It was warm, welcoming, and full of great seafood.