WORK • Thursday Routine
THOMAS FUKS • founder • 111 Hospitality
Neighborhood/city you live: Hancock Park
It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Thursday mornings at our French restaurant in West Hollywood, Amour, are the calm before the storm; our chefs prep for the big weekend ahead. As morning moves into night, you’ll find co-workers coming for a quick drink by the outdoor fireplace and lounge. Peek inside, and you’ll typically see couples enjoying a romantic candlelit dinner in one of our cozy booths, or in the private dining room, a company dinner or a birthday celebration. While friends trickle into the garden for al fresco dining, some neighbors simply slip in alone for a quick dinner at the bar.
What’s on the agenda for today?
7:30a: I wake up and start with 30 minutes of meditation and stretching outside in the backyard
8a: Go inside to help my daughter get ready for school by cooking breakfast and preparing her lunch, while my wife gets the kids dressed and feeds them
8:45a: We’re in the car, where we listen to 15 minutes of Cinderella (or deep house music) on the way to school
9:30a: Cold plunge and sauna, followed by some calisthenics.
11:11a: Check my phone, emails, and messages, then read managers’ reports and financials of my restaurants from the previous night
1p: Lunch meeting followed by more meetings with my team of managers and chefs regarding the current restaurants and new projects
4p: Probably stuck in LA traffic
5p: Back home, a few phone calls with my restaurant manager and director of operations to catch up on our upcoming openings
6p: Family time with my wife and kids
7:30p: Back to Amour for dinner with a friend
10:30p: Head to Members
1:11a: Back home, finally in bed
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, or this weekend?
I like to go on a lunch date with my wife once or twice a week. We like to go back to the same few places. This week, we’ll probably have lunch at Angelini, which has the best carbonara in town. On Sunday nights, we love to order sushi from Blue Ribbon to enjoy at home after we put the kids to bed.
How about a little leisure or culture?
Since I started working in nightlife, I’ve become extremely picky with music events. I used to go to a lot of different music events a couple times a month. Now I only go to "All Day I Dream" parties and Burning Man. I love to go on a quick hike at Runyon Canyon with the whole family; my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter loves to hike, and my son enjoys being carried on my back! I try to go on a long five-to-eight-hour hike every Monday. Being in nature without my phone resets my mind for the week.
Any weekend getaways?
I was just in Palm Springs with my wife and no kids last Monday (we like going during the week instead of weekends, while no one else is there). We were able to enjoy the silence and read books by the pool. Sometimes we need a break from the chaos of LA and life with two toddlers (plus a third on the way). We often stay at L’Horizon. It’s well designed, plus it has good food, and service is always great. I also try to go to Joshua Tree for every full moon. I have an old camper from the ’80s that I’ve been renovating. I love to park it in the middle of Joshua Tree National Park, hike in the middle of the night, and get lost under the moon.
What was your last great vacation?
During the summer we like to go to the South of France so our kids can spend some time with my family. We rent a car and drive around to discover small, charming villages. (My wife is from Mississippi, so I like to show her the charm and authenticity of French architecture.)
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
The cedar sauna and cold plunge from Redwood Outdoor that I just bought for my backyard. It’s become a necessity in my routine for my physical and mental health. It changed the way I start my day, giving me the energy to do even more (I splurged for the cedar version, which made my wife happy, since she’s an interior designer, and it’s very aesthetically pleasing).
What store or service do you always recommend?
I always recommend a foot massage. We’re standing on our feet all day, every day, so I believe it’s important to give them a little TLC. To be honest, I have yet to find the right place; I’m always in search of a better reflexology massage. If you know a good place, please let me know! For a quick lunch, I love Potato Chips Deli. I go there at least once or twice a week. Best sandwiches in town!