541: Los Angeles Restaurants Right Now with The Angel’s Emily Wilson
Feb 10, 2025
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Emily Wilson, a Los Angeles-based writer and founder of The Angel, shares her insights on the city’s vibrant restaurant scene and the importance of community-focused dining, especially in the wake of wildfires. She highlights favorite spots for various occasions and discusses the unique flavors and dining experiences across neighborhoods. The conversation also touches on the Winter Fancy Food Show, showcasing exciting new products and trends that celebrate culinary diversity. Get ready to discover lesser-known gems that make LA's food culture truly remarkable!
Emily Wilson emphasizes the vibrant culinary scene of Los Angeles, fueling her passion for creating meaningful food narratives through The Angel.
The podcast highlights the vital role local restaurants play in community support during disasters, especially following the devastating wildfires.
Cultural dining approaches between New York and L.A. differ significantly, with Angelenos favoring their local favorites over constantly chasing trends.
Deep dives
The Inspiration Behind The Angel
An angel story is defined by its connection to Los Angeles, emphasizing the significance of the city's influence on people and places. The host discusses how their interest in profiling is driven by exploring what each story says about L.A. and its cultural fabric. Emily Wilson, the founder of The Angel, highlights how she fell in love with the food scene in Los Angeles and how it inspired her to create a dedicated platform. The Angel focuses on local dining and stories that reflect the diverse culinary landscape of the city.
The Impact of Recent Wildfires
The recent wildfires in Los Angeles caused unprecedented destruction, inspiring significant community efforts to support those affected. With 29 lives lost and over 16,000 structures destroyed, the scale of the disaster was overwhelming. Local restaurants played a crucial role in relief efforts, fundraising to support impacted businesses while providing meals to those in need. The dialogue underscores the importance of supporting these local establishments, especially during traditionally slow months.
Building a Food-Centric Substack
Emily Wilson discusses the unique challenges and opportunities of launching a food-centric substack like The Angel in Los Angeles, where fewer publications cover local stories extensively. She emphasizes the freedom and creativity that comes with independent publishing, allowing her to delve deep into food profiles without the constraints often found in larger media organizations. Engaging with the local food community has proven essential to her growth as a writer and media creator. The conversational format of her profiles invites readers to connect with the stories and individuals behind Los Angeles food culture.
Innovative Local Dining Experiences
The conversation highlights several exciting dining experiences in Los Angeles, showcasing the vibrant cultural and culinary diversity of the city. Popular recommendations from both hosts include places like S&P for their matzo ball soup and Long Island Bar in Brooklyn for classic cocktails. They also discuss eateries like Bridges and Yama Sushi Marketplace, which offer unique flavors and experiences that reflect L.A.'s eclectic food scene. The dialogue suggests that exploring these restaurants provides valuable insight into the broader cultural narratives tied to Los Angeles's diverse neighborhoods.
The Evolution of Dining Culture
A significant point of discussion is the contrasting dining cultures between New York and Los Angeles, particularly in terms of how food enthusiasts approach restaurant outings. In New York, the focus is often on new and trending spots, with a high demand for spontaneity and energy. In contrast, L.A. offers a slower pace where people tend to frequent their local favorites, often building closer connections with establishments in their neighborhoods. The hosts suggest that this difference creates a richer tapestry of food experiences in Los Angeles, shaped by its diverse communities and geographic layout.
Emily Wilson is a writer based in Los Angeles and runs the terrific publication The Angel, covering the city’s legendary restaurant scene. On this episode, recorded before the devastating wildfires, we hear about how Emily views her city’s technicolor restaurant scene. What are her favorite places to visit for all occasions? She has quite a list. And check out The Angel’s guide on how to support wildfire recovery efforts.
Also on the show, Matt walks the floor of the Winter Fancy Food Show, an annual trade show featuring the best in grocery and CPG. He spotted a number of exciting discoveries, including:
