Gone From The Peripheral Vision Of Our Everyday Lives

So sad that oftentimes it takes beloved city institutions going out of business to make us yearn for how good we had it. Such is the case with Sunday’s closing of Jan’s Restaurant on Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles for me.

Jan's Restaurant in Los Angeles

Jan’s was one of the first places I ever went to in Los Angeles when I moved out from Texas to pursue a career in entertainment, following my college graduation in the summer of 2000. My college professor mom had accompanied me on my road trip out here from Dallas, and we had the mission of finding me an apartment as quickly as possible, before her fall semester commenced. Every morning, we would start the day, fueling up on my dreams and diner grub at Jan’s, a restaurant reminiscent of the diner on Alice, that was eternally and delightfully stuck in a 70s time warp. There, I would order their deliciously unhealthy powdered sugar-slathered French toast (back when I was still able to eat carbs with abandon), and Mom would order their signature spinach salad, even in those early hours of the morning.

The epic spinach salad at Jan's Restaurant

Upon Mom’s last day in LA, after 3 weeks of being out here setting up my first real apartment, before returning to Dallas – and leaving her baby for good in Los Angeles – our regular waitress at Jan’s, named Ann, helped ease the transition for us. As we sat in our regular booth, Mom and I were tearful, and a bit shaky, as I could already feel the homesickness creeping up in my throat. Ann came over to our booth and patted me on the back. She told my mom, “Don’t worry, Mommy. I’ll take care of her.” She turned to me, “Whenever you are homesick, honey, you come here and see me!” She then took out a pen from her apron and wrote down some words on the back of our check.  It was a Buddhist chant that she felt had changed her life, and she told me to say it to myself whenever I needed help falling asleep at night or when I felt homesick, lonely and far from home: Nam-Myo-Ho-Renge-Kyo.

Mother & Daughter in 2000

I think of how many things have changed since those days so long ago at Jan’s as I set out on this new adventure in a new city as a new adult – I’ve had different boyfriends and different jobs, I’ve moved to Nashville and moved back from Nashville, I’ve made two records, lived in four different houses, fallen in love a few times, broken up with those same loves, started a blog, been the voiceover for numerous national commercials, and have achieved my own little corner of sweet success out here in Los Angeles. Yet, one of the constants in my life is that I still say that chant that Ann gave me in times of unrest, when I need calming.

On the next to last day that it would be open, before it becomes a Chipotle, I went to Jan’s. I asked to sit in Ann’s section (there was a wait of course, due to her popularity), ordered the spinach salad, quietly watched her work, and observed the other patrons, who looked as though they were feeling as sad and nostalgic as I was.

I saw elderly men arguing about the bill, an offbeat, artistic-looking mother and daughter team taking in the menu, groups of friends reminiscing in the corner booths, lots of 40-something parents who had brought their little kids to give them one last sip of their own lost youth, and a young man upset that the oatmeal and iced tea had run out. After all, no need to order more when you’re closing up shop the next day.

But, mostly, I saw folks like me – people visiting their memories of yesteryear, housed in this family diner – and trying to taste that last bittersweet bite of nostalgia before every morsel was gone. In the booth across from me, sat a little old lady, armed with a parked walker and a smile. She was eating an Egg Beaters omelet, drowning in picante sauce. She told me that she had come to Jan’s every Saturday and Sunday. When I asked her how long she had been coming, she replied, “Too many years to count!” I have a feeling she’s one of many who would have had that same answer.

As much as it warmed my heart to see all of these patrons who loved Jan’s there, I couldn’t help but think how annoyed the owners and employees must be with us - “If you guys had been loyal and turned out like this all along, we wouldn’t be going out of business.” Sure, I can head over to their sister restaurant, Astro in the valley, for that spinach salad, or to splurge on french toast when the craving hits me, but it’s less about the food and establishment; it’s more about the people who fill the space, run it every day, give it its soul, and make it feel alive…people like Ann.

Ann.

While it hurts us as individual patrons – and our whole society – that institutions like Jan’s are closing in droves and will be no more, it hurts even more that the figures at the heart center of these institutions will no longer be living in the peripheral vision of our everyday lives. Whenever I went there, it felt like home – as much as anything did, and now the time has come to bid adieu to another home I knew. Another home I loved.

Before I left today, I shared with Ann, that I still have that check with her handwritten chant on it, and have been repeating that chant, almost nightly, for 15 years now. She remembered me, and inquired as to how my mom was. I told her that Mom was fine, but she would sorely miss those spinach salads.

Then, I asked Ann what she would be doing now that Jan’s was closing. She said that after 31 years there, she won’t be relocating to the Astro location. Instead, she’ll be retiring, and then hopefully, moving back to her native Thailand. I can only hope that she gets as much peace in her retirement, as she has given me these past 15 years. I hugged Ann, gave her my business card, she gave me her address in that same familiar handwriting, and said,  “Maybe you can come visit me in Thailand!” I left her a $50 tip on a $12 bill.

Somehow, it still doesn’t feel like enough.

 

xoxo,
Dawn

 

Foodie Friday: Lyfe Kitchen is loooovely!

Dear LYFE KITCHEN,

 

Lyfe Kitchen in Culver City

Thank you for opening your doors in Culver City and opening your kitchen and comforts to all of Los Angeles. Your chef, manager and staff were so friendly and concerned with customer care that it felt like you were opening your hearts to us, as well.

LYFE Kitchen stands for Love Your Food Everyday and if I could eat like this every day, I would.  As a gal who likes to eat healthy 80% of the time and allows 20% for those charming “cheaty” foods, I love that at Lyfe Kitchen, I don’t have to choose. While you have menus for the gluten-free/celiac crowd and the vegans among us, you also have a full-service and fully pleasing menu for all the rest of us. Best part? All of the dishes and drinks are on the low-moderate-calorie side at under 600 calories. And it marries the best of both worlds: sustainable practices and natural, healthy, whole foods.

I came in last Monday night with my dear friend – and foodie guru – Whitney of HoopLA. I had no expectations and was at the mercy of Whitney and your fine executive chef, Jeremy Bringardner, which was totally my pleasure.

Some of my favorites on your menu?

Just a few of my favorites from Lyfe Kitchen...

 

Starters & Salads: The grilled artichoke ($7.99) paired with garlic aioli and the vegan caesar dressing. Let me tell you, honey, that I will be back to buy a pint of that caesar dressing, it is so delicious. And, sir, I’m not even a vegan. Yes, it’s that killer. The chunky guacamole ($5.99) was the best guacamole I’ve had besides my Mama’s with that perfect amount of citrus, acidity and creaminess. Served with gluten-free, house-baked tortilla chips and salsa fresca, I’ll be back soon for a true taste of the border! And the Farmer’s Market salad ($8.99) was simple, tangy and delicious thanks to the blackberries, spiced pecans, goat cheese and balsamic vinaigrette.

Entrees:  Art’s Unfried chicken ($12.99) with roasted brussels sprouts, butternut squash, dried cranberries, cashew cream and dijon vinaigrette was again something that reminded me of something Mama would make. Terrifically tasty with a juicy, mouthwatering texture, it’s sure to please. And you also offered a Gardein “chicken” version, as well.

Desserts: Well, now this was just ridiculous. We were delighted with the vegan and gluten-free ChoColaTe Budino with pomegranate-soaked chia seeds and slivered almonds ($3.99) and the Apple and Quinoa crisp ($3.99). We realized that you really cannot go wrong with either one and I don’t recommend that anyone leaves there without trying at least one of these delicious desserts.

Drinks: I sampled each of their red wines and they were divine!

Setting & Ambiance: This is a perfect spot for everyone. With comfy booths, a bright feel and inspiring quotes on the wall, everyone will feel at home here. Great for couples, kids and singles alike!

Lyfe Kitchen is full of life!

Overall, Lyfe Kitchen converted me into being a believer that low-cal, vegan and gluten-free cooking cannot only be as good as its higher caloric, nutrient-lacking counterparts but that it can actually taste BETTER. Job well done.

 

xoxo,

Dawn McCoy

Foodie Fridays

BeautyFrosting

Cost: $

Lyfe Kitchen

9540 Culver Blvd.

Culver City, 90232

*Keep your hearts full and your taste buds happy, people!*

New Column Alert: Foodie Friday

While I know we have had “Foodie Fridays” before here on BeautyFrosting, we are starting a new chapter today. I hope you will join us for the ride!

A beautiful benefit of BeautyFrosting is that I get to experience so many excellent restaurants, try out new tastes and sample some of the best chefs in the world. It has always seemed like such a loss that I had no place to share this praise. Then it hit me. I have the perfect place to do just this! BeautyFrosting, of course. And, thus, Foodie Friday was reborn!

On Foodie Fridays, BeautyFrosting is going to bring you some of our favorite foodie finds, eats and drinks. While a lot of the fare will be based in L.A. and its surrounding areas, you might find us covering food from our travels, hometowns and more. So you can expect some tex-mex in there for sure from this girl! (I’m talking to you, Mi Cocina, in Dallas)

And I am so excited to have my foodie friend, Rebecca Meyer, along for the ride! Like me, she is a true foodie – a lover of food, libations and delicacies. Rebecca also had the oh-so-clever idea of using our mutual love of gratitude to serve as our template for reviews. As she said, “We get to go in, experience these delicious tastes and fall in love. It seems the least we could do is write a thank you note.” I couldn’t have said it better myself, Rebecca. Together, we can’t wait to bring you our old favorites and new-to-us delights!

If you have a place or product you would like for us to try for Foodie Friday, just comment below or shoot us an email.

Keep your hearts full and your taste buda happy, people!

 

xoxo,
BF