3 Books With Neil Pasricha Chapter 35: Jen Agg on fussy feminism and ferocious fastidiousness
"Whatever Jen Agg says is worth listening to," said Anthony Bourdain.
I fully agree!
If you live in Toronto you probably know Jen Agg. If you don't, let me tell you she runs the best restaurants in town! Come visit and try them!
Her most recent stunner is a two-story converted auto-body shop turned Toronto Life #1 ranked restaurant called "General Public" and it is a feast for the senses.
Jen describes the place as "part Narnia, part fancy British pub, and part '80s cocaine dream" which gives you a sample of her incredible way with words on top of dishes on top of lighting on top of music on top of ... vibe. I was at General Public last week with my friend Agostino and we split Rainbow Trout Tartare, Hiramasa Crudo, Chicory Salad, and Popcorn Clams and Mussels. And those were just our appetizers! And precisely none of the items fully described the depth of surprising and fresh ingredients leading to the full-body sensory experiences we had when taking our first bites...
Jen Agg has opened many other award-winning restaurants including Bar Vendetta, Grey Gardens, Le Swan, Rhum Corner, Hoof Cocktail Bar and, famously, The Black Hoof (RIP), where I still remember my friend Drew ordering a Spicy Raw Horse Sandwich with raw egg on top many years ago. His verdict? "Delicious!" Of course that place turned the restaurant scene in the city sharply sideways!
And sharply sideways is such a great way to live...
I admire Jen Agg's sharply sideways ways and also highly recommend her bestselling memoir "I Hear She's A Real Bitch" (perhaps the best memoir title of all time?)
Now there is of course no where else to sit down with Jen than one of her restaurants so for this one we slip into the front booth at the delectable "french diner" that is Le Swan. Btw, if you go you might find yourself making a new Spotify playlist like I did to remember the great music you're hearing—"Ooh la la" by Ronnie Lane followed by "My Sweet Lord" by George Harrison followed by "Everybody's Talkin'" by Harry Nilsson followed by "Tangled Up In Blue" by Bob Dylan!
Of course it's hard to pay attention to the music when you're gobbling Smoked Trout Rillette, Steak Tartare, and the city's best Corn Dogs!
Let's sit down and talk about fussiness as a virtue, the art of dining alone, having a healthy marriage with someone much older than you, the brilliant Jen Agg's 3 most formative books, and much, much, MUCH more...
It was an honour and privilege to talk to Jen Agg in this classic chapter of 3 Books.