Q+A with Cleobella | Sunset Beach, CA

Our muse for our 1/25/24 lark at Cleobellaā€™s gorgeous 1920’s seaside cottage can be summed up in two words: Ciao Bella! 

Cleobella has outgrown their gorgeous boutique, on PCH in Sunset Beach, and the time has come for release but not without gratitude and a proper goodbye.

In the beginning the boutique served as an oasis where the dream + determination behind Cleobella came together as one. And over the years has delighted the community with itā€™s style + vibe and has also hosted many gatherings. 

Because founder Angela Oā€™Brien loves to create, collaborate & elevate, our gathering is an opportunity to honor the idea of chasing oneā€™s dream and paving a path that empowers others.  

We are thrilled to set our communal table with Cleobellaā€”and we invite you along as we dive below the surface with our (ode to Proust) dinner party questionnaire with ā€œAngeā€: 

Cleobella’s Founder & Creative Director, Angela O’Brien

Where did you grow up? 

I grew up Huntington Beach, California. 

Have you always been into fashion & style? 

Yes! Ever since I can remember I loved dressing up, whether it was dolls, my brothers or myself.  Itā€™s when I feel most aliveā€¦I step into a creative portal and I get lost.  My high school days were spent modeling and that exposed me to the fashion world and travel and gave me a deeper appreciation for the art of fashion.  I am an avid vintage shopper, and I find inspiration in decades from the past, its like a history lesson for me.  I often describe it as a treasure hunt to spend the day searching for something that sparks the next design detail on our latest collection.  I pinch myself that this is my job:-)

Can you remember your earliest inspiration (people/books/places/experiences)?

My earliest inspiration is shopping with my Grandmotherā€¦sheā€™s a professional shopper ;-)ā€¦sheā€™s always down for the hunt and she does it with so much joy!  When I was 18 I got an opportunity to have a modeling contract in Tokyo for 6 months and thatā€™s when my true love for travel inspiration started.  It was then that I was bitten by the travel bug and that has continued to be a source of inspiration for all of Cleobellaā€™s collections.

What is your most marked creative characteristic? 

I lead from the heart. Intuition drives my creativity. The journey of entrepreneurship is such a journey of self, and tapping into the truth of who we areā€¦give us wings to fly!!! 

Who are your hero’s? 

My mom, Cleobelle. This is also my great grandmotherā€™s nameā€¦I have a long lineage of Irish women in my family who possess this unique duality of feminine//strength and they inspire me daily. 

Would you say food & fashion go hand in hand? 

100%!  Iā€™m very sensitive energetically, and I believe in the value of creating meaningful experiences when all the senses are thoughtfully curated. The smells, the community, the atmosphere, they all raise the vibrations. I believe food should be equally beautiful and delicious and should awaken all your senses. This is why Iā€™m so excited to partner with Lark as I know we share the same values.

We know you love a good dinner party, are you the chef at home?

Iā€™m the chef and my husband does the dishes:-). Our daughter, Indigo, loves to cook with me. She also loves to set up a beautiful tableā€¦she has such an eye for creativity and she thoughtfully designs our dinners with fresh flowers, candles and our handmade Cleobella block printed napkins.  We bake together because we love dessert!

What is your go-to meal OR most prized ingredient?

Our backyard is an edible garden. We grow herbs like sage, lavender, rosemary, and thyme. I visit our local farmers market on Sundays with the kids and pick out whatā€™s fresh and that helps determine our meals for the week. I enjoy making soups and I love to use spices from our travels. We recently made a curry soup using spices that our team in India sent us.  Iā€™m not much for using recipes, Iā€™m a lazy chefā€¦.I throw it inā€¦cook for taste and serve:-)

We have always loved the look and feel of your boutique in Sunset Beach, can you tell us how you discovered it?

When my husband and I started Cleobella, we were doing business out of our home and we were spending half of the year in California and half of the year in Bali, Indonesia. At this time, our oldest, Keenan was just a baby. I wanted a separation of the work and family life.  When I found this 1920ā€™s cottage it was a grow house for marijuana and looked like a halfway house inside.  I had a vision and I knew if I could renovate it, if I could sell enough handbags in the front then I could afford an office space in the back. Within 2 years we tripled our sales and outgrew the space and moved our offices to our current headquarters and design studio and fulfillment center just down the street in Huntington Beach. Our wholesale and online business began to grow and it was a dream come true. 

What dream was in your heart at the time you moved in?

The dream was to build a sustainable lifestyle fashion brand that created jobs for our artisan partners and build a life that is rich in experience and travel as this is our passion.

Was there anyone instrumental in helping you transform the cottage into a dreamy + well styled boutique?

My husband, Jim O’Brien. He has always been such an amazing supporter.  I have also had so many friends and family along the way who supported us from the early days when I was selling my designs at farmers markets and out of the trunk of my carā€¦.I believe in the philosophy of growing a business for good. Aligning our personal values with our professional values to support our family has been a dream come true. WE now support more that 1,200 artisan partner around the world, where we have an office in India with a talented team who brings our vision to life.

How long has the boutique donned the Cleobella sign?

11 years!  Keenan, my son, was a baby and now he’s a teenager…how time flys by…when you’re having fun :-0!

We know due to time and circumstance you will be letting the space go, do you want to share more about this transition?

Cleobella is in over 500 retailers across the country including Nordstrom, Shop Bop, Revolve, Anthropologie.  We are focusing on building our e-commerce business and delivering timeless, sustainably made collections. Our company has grown tremendously over the last 5 years and we have some very exciting projects ahead of us.

What is your current state of mind? 

Joy. My focus is moving with flow and ease.  My currency is freedom and I continue to have this as the forefront of my decision making.

Business school, yay or nay? 

Nay for me, personally. Growing Cleobella has been business school for me. We started this brand with $12,000 and have grown it grass roots, and always stay curious and open to the wisdom we learn from others.  This has been my business school. 

What is one thing people most often donā€™t realize about Fashion?

I would say the time it takes to build a collection. Typically, it takes about 12 months. From concept to sketch review, then to producing and perfecting samples, from there to selling, then production. Then comes the behind the scenes stuff like marketing, telling the story, then finally the product is brought to the customer. We are always working on future collections about a year ahead. We just launched our Spring ā€˜24 collection while currently designing for Spring ā€˜25.

What advice do you find yourself most often sharing with other female business owners? 

Entrepreneurship is such a journey of self when youā€™re curious and open hearted you will thrive. Believe in yourself and donā€™t compromise your values and life will happen for you in the way itā€™s meant to beā€¦trust the journey. 

What is your motto? 

I have an optimistic point of view and I always have, it’s in my nature.  I believe it’s a muscle and the more you lead with love…the more meaningful your life will become. Iā€™ve always seen life through rose colored glasses, which is something I learned from my grandma.  A positive mindset is so important to me. Sure, this is a trait that can get me into situations that I have to learn to work my way through, but that is the beauty in it. It keeps you learning and growing and for that I am forever grateful and humbled by this beautiful Cleobella world I have created with my husband, he’s my best friend and business partner. As well as our beautiful community of talented and hardworking people that have supported this dream come true.

āœš  āœš  āœš 

Thoroughly inspired, we are looking forward gathering around the communal table to enjoy a delicious chef curated meal, be warmed by each others company, andā€”best of allā€”partake in the (rediscovered) art of conversation.

Although our Thursday 1/25/24 Lark at Cleobella w/the talented Chef Matthew Roberts is sold out, we invite you to come along through our images and stories!

Modern. Organic. Inspirational. Social Dining. Come on a lark with us!

Q+A with HƤti Home | Costa Mesa, California

We are thrilled to have Hati Home open their doors to lark! We cannot wait to set our communal table in their cool + crafty showroom in West Side Costa Mesa. Their space is warm, inviting and inspiring. Lucky for us, everyone can come along with this fun Dinner Party Q+A with founders Adam & Kallie Thomson. 

Where are you from and where do you live now? 

Kallie and I are both from the Pacific Northwest, but have been bouncing between Bali and Costa Mesa for the last 15 years.

What experience introduced you to creating your business? 

Kallie and I had both worked with artisan groups in Uganda in a previous life, and we’ve always loved that connection with makers. Kallie is a creative at heart and I like to use my analytical brain to solve complex problems, which makes us a great pair. When we were outfitting our villa in Bali, we met a bunch of artisans and I think both of us thought, wow, this is pretty cool. It took the encouragement from a friend and the co-founder of the brand (Kayla Adams) for us to think of this furniture project in Bali as a really business opportunity. 

What drives you to create?

We’ve always been really interested in the question of how business can be used as a means to create economic change in communities in far of lands. Neither Kallie or myself would have thought of ourselves as creatives 15 years ago, but I think we figured out how to be good at things that brought the most value to the artisans we have been working with over the years. Creative design, understanding of the market here in the US and a drive to work hard were the things we were best positioned to bring to the table. 

What is behind the name HƤti Home?

Hati means heart in Indonesian. The meaning of Heart Home was really attractive when we were looking for a name that was inspired by our intentions for how we would run the brand. I will tell you thoughā€¦ the next business we start will be called Furniture Company, LLC, because we always pick names that people are confused by.

When and where did HƤti Home come about?

When we were outfitting our villa in Bali, we met a bunch of artisans and I think both of us thought, wow, this is pretty cool. It took the encouragement from a friend and the co-founder of the brand (Kayla Adams) for us to think of this furniture project in Bali as a really business opportunity. 

Was there anyone instrumental in making this happen?

Yes, we partnered with two co-founders when we first launched the business. Kayla Adams and Mindy Gayer were and have continued to be absolutely instrumental in creating the business as it is today. Also, shout out to the two groups of artisans we work with in Indonesia. The owners of those workshops have been really open to our dream of creating really amazing furniture in parts of the world where that isn’t always the easiest. 

What are people overlooking when it comes to choosing furnishing for their home?

I think people forget that there is so much energy built into every product. From the sun that grows the trees, to the energy that the tree puts into growing itself, the hard work of artisans working to support their families., etc. There’s so much energy put into these products. They are like little super-charged artifacts. They can either be supercharged with positive energy or negative energy depending on how things are produced and the materials that are used. Our customers live their life around these pieces of furniture, so I think it’s really important to bring the most positive vibes into your home. 

We know having your own business comes with twist and turns. Any fun beginner stories to share? 

Oh goshā€¦ yes, make sure that your furniture doesn’t break when peoples sit in it. That was our first lesson. šŸ™‚ All failure is a gift because it’s the only way we grow.

HƤti Home is constantly evolving, we are intrigued by your current small batch designs, can you share more about them and/or this concept?

Our editions collection came from a desire to be creative and push the boundaries of what we thought was possible in ourselves and with the artisans. We’ve spent most of our existence trying to catch up with orders for the same general products. Obviously we are really grateful for that, but we always wanted to be building a brand that evolved as our interest (and those of our customers) changed over time. Our editions collection is really just a way for us to experiment, see what our customers are liking. Some items fall flat and then others I’m sure will become best-sellers. 

Business school, yay or nay? 

Sometimes I wish I have a bit more book knowledge, but overall I think we get the most value out of being scrappy. I look at our difficult seasons in business as a free MBA. 

Where do you draw your inspiration (people/books/places/experiences)?

A lot of Kallie’s inspiration comes from Bali. For us, it’s one of the most creative places on earth, where you can do and or be almost anything. But I wouldn’t say that our brand really wants to have a Bali aesthetic. Most of the inspiration for our new items are rooted in antiques that we find in markets or on the internet. 

Do you cook at home?  If so, what is your favorite go-to?

We cook a lot at home. We have season’s of inspiration when it comes to what we cook. Now days we eat a lot of salads with fish. The kids grew up in Bali, so there’s always rice on the table. 

Adam & Kallie Thomson on a lark of their own in Bali!

Although our 10/12/23 lark at HƤti Home w/the talented Chef Taylor Elam + Sous Chef Matthew Roberts is sold out, we invite you to come along and through our images and stories!

Modern. Organic. Inspirational. Social Dining. Come on a lark with us!

Q & A with Zachery Mundt of Costa Mesa’s event “Jewel Box” known as The Shindy

We are excited to introduce Zack Mundt whose talent + love for design to breathe new life into a storied WWII bungalow in West Side Costa Mesa. You cannot walk into the space without feeling a bolt of celebratory energy & happiness. Everything from the textured wallpaper to the colorful floor tiles is a delight. We love what you have done with the placeā€“and we have so many questions for you!Ā 

Where did you grow up? I grew up in Spearfish, South Dakota and spent most of my time outside in the Black Hills. 

Did you have a love of design as a child? As a child I didnā€™t really know that design was even a thing. Most everything around me was generally based on function rather than fashion. I definitely had a deep love of building things – tree houses, skateboard ramps, random things made of wood, and always loved the old wood structures – barns, root cellars, etc – that were in the fields behind my house and were left by the homesteaders and other early inhabitants of the area. 

You are close with designers in the commercial/hospitality world, what are some of your favorite projects? Oh my – there are so manyā€¦ My favorite place to go and stay and eat is the Chiltern Firehouse in London. The hotel itself is absolutely gorgeous. They have this amazing balance of true, rich, luxury in their finishes and fixtures, and there are a ton of plants and flowers that really balance it out and make it feel welcoming and calming. The service is absolutely top notch, which is vital for a complete experience.  Iā€™m working on the Magnolia Hotel in Waco TX right now and am so excited!! This one is more about bragging rights with my family šŸ™‚  Everyone loves Chip and Joanna and this one gives me a little street cred since a lot of what we do in my world is unknown to the average person. 

What is it that catches your eye (or heart) about a product/design element? When something is absolutely beautiful, or unique, or completely strange and eye catching, but still functions perfectly for a particular purpose – I love that. I also love multi-colored stripesā€¦ I cant wear them, and they donā€™t usually fit in our home etc, but I just love it visually – definitely brings me joy. 

What led you to create The Shindy? During the pandemic, our wonderful neighbor restaurant, Trenta, expanded into the parking lot in front of our office space. People kept looking in and then some started asking if they could rent it out for a party. At first we said no, but then, Leilah, my wife and partner in The Shindy, pitched the idea that we hire a designer and create a small, beautifully curated, event space. We then sourced as much as we could from manufacturers that I represent so I can use the space for design meetings, presentations, etc as well. 

We know some of your favorite restaurants are Bavel and Bestia? Do you feel they may have informed the look/feel of The Shindyā€”in what way? The look of Bavel and Bestia are entirely their own and The Shindy is in quite a different direction. Something that is certainly reminiscent of those amazing establishments is the care and detail in how they present their product to the world. When youā€™re there you can feel that it is absolutely necessary that each bite is just right, and we strive to provide that with the experience we provide at The Shindy. 

Are you the chef at home? Weā€™re actually a home full of home chefs!! Leilah, Willa (our 12 year old) and I all love to cook and create and eat delicious things. That said, I do quite a bit of the cooking. It is a time for me to decompress and unwind at the end of the day, or a great cathartic project to create something larger on a weekend.  I truly love the detail of cutting each ingredient to a specific size or shape so that each cooks to a specific texture or flavor or doneness – and when those pieces come together as a whole – it is truly magical. 

What is your most memorable mealā€“one you made or one you’ve had? Leilah and I went to Alinea in Chicago for our anniversary one year and it was absolutely incredible. Each dish is generally one bite, sometimes a couple, and truly mind blowing. The flavors and textures they create is unbelievable and the beauty of each is stunning. Each plate, eating utensil, etc is made specifically for that dish. It is like a gorgeous, miniature food circus, with the most amazing service. 

What is your most prized design element? I donā€™t know that Iā€™ve got one yetā€¦.I more value my kitchen tools – my cast iron pans, my knives and kitchen shears, the tortilla press, things I use daily. 

What is your idea of perfect happiness? Perfect happiness for me would be a small farm with enough land to grow most of the food and livestock we eat, a beautiful farm house with two amazing kitchens – one indoor and one outdoor – and enough money to hire great people to help make sure it all runs smoothly. 

What is your greatest extravagance? Food – definitely. We love to go out to a great restaurant and truly enjoy it. 

If you could change one thing about how people enjoy food or design spaces, what would it be? I do think people could respect the places theyā€™re in and the people who are working hard to provide them with a good experience. 

What do you most value about The Shindy and how to see its future? I love that The Shindy is used for people to get together – be it for a dinner, a baby or wedding shower, a graduation, a birthday – I love being around my friends and family and get recharged by doing so. I love it that we are able to provide a place for people to to just that. 

Who/What inspires you? Leilah and Willa inspire me daily. Iā€™m inspired by almost anyone who decides they want something and then goes after it. Life is tough and sometimes itā€™s a challenge to get up and go but youā€™ve got to do it and you feel better once you get going. Thereā€™s beauty everywhere – I definitely take tiny moments and use them to inspire me, a hummingbird in the back yard in the morning, flowers in yard when we get in the car, laughing with my daughter on the way to school, a smile from another parent as we pull out of the parking lotā€¦ I tend to look for little moments of joy and keep them within to help through the day. 

What is your motto? “Keep swimming!ā€  Once again, it truly is all about the people you meet along the way!

Modern. Organic. Inspirational. Social Dining. Come on a lark with us!

Friday, June 16, 2023 6:30pm-9:30pm
$178. per person, all-inclusive
four course meal + wine pairing by
the talented Chef Kyle Powers + Sous Chef Bryan Barnes⚡️.

The Shindy
1663 Superior Avenue, Suite A
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(17th x Superior)

Purchase Tickets:

Let’s Go On A Lark!

Open invite. Limited seats.

Guerrilla Lark, Kihei, Maui – Fall 2022

Chef Daniel Perlof and The Golden M.D. on a guerrilla lark in Kihei, Maui, image captured by Anna Gokieli

Create + Collaborate + Elevate, on repeat.

Super fun (& delicious) times a guerrilla lark in Kihei, Maui, image captured by Anna Gokieli

Here we find our wandering selves on the gorgeous island of Maui with fellow larker (and now resident) Chef Daniel Perlof who curated a delicious menu for our gathering:

+ + + maui sunrise menu + + +

quiche florentine accompanied by Hi-Spice hot sauce

burrata, molokai purple sweet potatoes topped w/pumpkin spice crumble 

kielbasa sausage + tree fruits w/cranberry garnish

local cold brew coffee

earthy juice blend 

Super fun (& delicious) times a guerrilla lark in Kihei, Maui, image captured by Anna Gokieli

Images captured by photographer @annagokieli feature the people, places, & things that inspire and keep us moving forward.

Super fun (& delicious) times a guerrilla lark in Kihei, Maui, image captured by Anna Gokieli

#itcomesinwaves #alwaysonalark #guerrillalark #lark #intentional #creativesession #chefdanielperlof #menusubjecttochange #mastersofmakeshift #goodtimes #goodvibes #create #collaborate #elevate #cultivate #inspire #food #fashion #flowers #passion #hawaii #maui #kihei #fall2022

Earrings discovered at TRIBE on a day trip to the awesome and stylish mountain town of Makawoa
Having fun with the people and places that inspire us. Guerrilla lark, Kihei, Maui

Modern. Organic. Inspirational. Social Dining.

Come on a lark with us!

Lark w/Chef Kyle Powers @ AREO in Laguna Beach, California

Super fun times were had on Thursday, May 24, 2018, thanks to all the beautiful people whoĀ gathered at the locallyĀ loved AREOā€‹ in Laguna Beach on Thursday May 24, 2018.

This well curated boutiqueĀ filled with both swank and humor, encased with high ceilings and floating candle chandeliers, made a most inspirational space for our guest to gather.

It was an evening filled with engaging conversations over delicious food & drinks crafted by the talented Chef Kyle Powers.

Photos captured by the Neighborhood Creativeā€‹.

Special thanks to: AREO, Fork in the Road Catering,nThe Urban Springā€‹, Andrea Luna Reeceā€‹ Ceramics, @mymiddlenameisstarr &Ā The Hood Kitchen Space.

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Simple. Refreshing. Inspirational.

Come on a lark with us!

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Meet Chef Benjamin Martinek | Laguna Beach, California

Chef Benjamin Martinek grew up in Colorado and had a family that (fortunately) loved both travel and food.  As a person of both adventure and discipline, he began his professional relationship with food, working in a restaurant, at the age of 11 – moving on to the kitchen at age 16. Fittingly this explorer made his way to California to attend culinary school in San Francisco. Here he grew his talents at fine dining establishments — and proudly became a husband & father. Now, as a family, they continue the tradition of embracing both travel and food. Calling Southern California home for over a decade, Benjamin practices his craft in the challenging and rewarding luxury resort kitchens along the coast.

If we could use three words to describe Benjamin, it would be responsible, thoughtful, and creative.  We can’t wait to see what magic comes from our lark on 1/8/18 in Seal Beach –which, as of today, sold out; however you are welcome to come along though our stories and imagery.

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Lark#19 + Chef Kyle Powers + Heritage Mercantile Co. | Local Love in East Side Costa Mesa, California

We had an amazing time popping up in East Side Costa Mesa at the locally loved (and vice versa) Heritage Mercantile Co., with a gathering of those who are both adventurous and curious.

While casual introductions were made, we mingled indoors and out, eventually settling at the communal table simply adorned with gorgeous hand made ceramic pots and plates by Andrea Luna Reece (@lunabirdie) and a decorative menu by artist Jeri Vann (@jerivanncreations) that detailed the carefully crafted meal.

We are grateful that the talents of Chef Kyle Powers who not only created a makeshift kitchen, but also presented us with four courses of which is best described as ā€œpassion on an a plateā€, each one better than the next. As each entree was introduced, Mike Otto of Tolosa Winery thoughtfully poured each glass of wine while sharing the nuances of the blends and pairings.

As the sun slowly set and the lights above became more vibrant, friendships were formed, food was savored, wine was enjoyed, art was discovered, music was played and true connections were made.

Thank you to everyone came together to create such a beautiful evening. Special thanks to Host Jennifer Bloch of Heritage Mercantile Co. and all of our guests for coming on a lark with us!

Xo~l

Established in 2013, Heritage Mercantile Co. is a purveyor of unique, handmade goods. They believe in sustainable products, local makers, timeless design, and USA goods.

Photo credits to @missmphotography

On  lark at Heritage Mercantile June 2016.
On lark at Heritage Mercantile June 2016.

On  lark at Heritage Mercantile June 2016.
On lark at Heritage Mercantile June 2016.

On  lark at Heritage Mercantile June 2016.
On lark at Heritage Mercantile June 2016.

On  lark at Heritage Mercantile June 2016.
On lark at Heritage Mercantile June 2016.

On  lark at Heritage Mercantile June 2016.
On lark at Heritage Mercantile June 2016.

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Chef Kyle Powers Creative Crafted Menu
+ Tolosa Wine Pairing Pairing by Mike Otto

Welcome drinks + cheese platter + mingling

Course 1 corn/goat cheese souffle/ toast/ warm olives
Tolosa No Oak Chardonnay

Course 2 treviso/arugula/watercress salad with pine nuts and a blueberry coconut vinaigrette
Tolosa Rose

Course 3 meat trio- skirt steak, pork belly, chicken/cauliflower puree/haricot verts/carrots
Tolosa Pinot Noir

*Veggie Option* falafel /cauliflower puree/haricot verts/carrots
Tolosa Pinot Noir

Course 4 melon ice cream/lavender/kiwi coulis/donut
Spiked coffee

Come on a lark with us! Next lark to be announced soon, follow us on Instagram @letsgoonalark

 

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Lark + Chef Kyle Powers + Sourced Collective | Lovin’ it Up in Laguna Beach, California

Thank you to all who attended our lark at Sourced CollectiveĀ aĀ charmingĀ old blue a-framed house on Glenneyre Street “where dreamers become doers”.Ā WeĀ gathered around the communal table to enjoy the art of conversation, become inspired by design, raise our glasses in unison and enjoy delicious food.

We are grateful for our adventurousĀ guests,Ā Host Michelle Mercado, Chef Kyle Powers, Mike Otto of Tolosa Winery, Wunderland & Co., LetterSparrow and Andrea Luna Reece. We also had the pleasure of meetingĀ @inviscusĀ who brought their good vibes, appetites and curiosity to capture ourĀ story:

 

Thursday 3/24/16Ā Menu curated byĀ CHEF KYLE POWERS {fork in the road catering}

upon arrival and paired w/chefs choice blackberry pie martini:

lobster roll toast + pickled mushroom flatbread

on the table and paired w/Tolosa Wine:

spicy clam in broth sip

grilled little gem w/picked plum & gorgonzola topped w/plum vinaigrette

skirt steak w/egg, celery root, beans chimi sauce.

Sweet coffee bread pudding w/lavender budino

āŒ˜veggie optionāŒ˜Ā mushroom ravioli w/capers, celery leek puree & herb oil micro salad garnish

Simple. Refreshing. Inspirational.

Come on a lark with us!

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Meet Chef & Food Photographer Jim Sullivan of San Diego, California

Chef Jim Sullivan on a lark at The Hood Kitchen Space
Chef Jim Sullivan on a lark at The Hood Kitchen Space

We are thrilled to introduce Chef Jim Sullivan of Medium Raw Arts who we met on a lark at The Hood Kitchen Space last summer. Chef Jim is also a talented culinary photographer who captures food and pretty much anything associated with food. The best thing about Jim is his boundless enthusiasm for his craft. He will be cooking up the good vibes at our 1/30/16Ā DTLA lark at the Lawrence Fodor Loft.

What is your idea of the perfect meal?

I always think about this and ask my friends. What would my last meal be if I could pick anything? For me thatā€™s easy, a hot spicy bowl of ramen w pork belly, poached egg and fresh herbs.

What living chef do you most admire?

I wouldnā€™t necessarily say a chef, more like person, my grandmother! This is a woman who was in WWII as a prisoner in a camp, left everything with just the clothes on her back and came to the US. Worked her ass off to raise 5 childrenĀ (all are veryĀ successful) and hasĀ 16 grandchildren. Thatā€™s what inspires me!

What is you best, most simple, culinary advice?

Have FUN!

What is your motto?

Work hard, be humbleā€¦repeat!

What came first, food or photography?

Food/chef. I was doing pop up events after culinary school and people were taking images of my food with their iPhones, which were terrible. So I finally decided to get a DLSR and delve into food photography. This was about 3 years ago and since then my focus has been food/cocktail photography but still cook as much as I can.

How does your food and food photography influence each other?

For me they go hand in hand. My love for food drives my photography.

What foods/ingredients do you consider over or under rated?

I think a lot of ā€œfoodiesā€ get caught up with the fancy ingredients i.e., foie gras or truffles. I like to keep it simple and just focus on fresh ingredients. Iā€™m more of the adage less is more, which I feel you can see in my food and photography.

What was your most favorite dining experience?

Well Per Se in NYC definitely was the best restaurant dining experience. The way the FOH/BOH work in symmetry was amazing. BUT I will have to say the absolute best ā€œfoodā€ experience was when I spent time in Paris. I stayed in a flat just a few blocks from the Eiffel Tower and was able to walk across street to all the available purveyors on a daily basis. I would walk to the fishmonger, pick out some fresh seafood and then walk over to vegetable stand and then go back and cook! The ability to have such amazing fresh and various purveyors right there was awesome! I wish I could have that every day! Being able talk to the purveyors and get what was fresh was so inspiring. Definitely want to have that experience again, soon! (on a side note: I do have this secret love for street food. The best thing Iā€™ve eaten in awhile has to be in Tijuana. The food at Carwash del Torta is badass!)

Who is your favorite person to cook for?

My wife! Hands down. She is a foodie at heart, a great baker and my toughest critic.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Being able to provide for my family. My family is everything to me.

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We love how this Chef/Photographer captures the heart of the culinary community. See Chef Jim’s delicious Baja inspiredĀ menuĀ and come on a lark with us!

 

 

 

Lark + Chef Kyle + 503found in Newport Beach, California

We will forever revel in our super fun lark at the beautiful 503found. Chef Kyle delivered BIG time on effort and flavor. He crafted his own makeshift kitchen steps away from our communal table and servedĀ up a fine menu. Music flowed, wine was poured and friends were made in the midst of the beautiful, eclectic artwork and furnishings.

We had a beautifully styled table thanks to our lark crew, 503found’s offerings, and the hand-lettered menus created by LetterSparrow.

Thank you to all the beautiful people who attended, we are grateful to the good energy and love you brought to this occasion. We hope we inspired you to come on a future lark!

In closing, we are super thankful to Kim J., owner of 503found, for her free spirit, style and inspiration. 503found is housed in a former boathouse sure to be full of good times and stories ā€“ and we are proud to have added to them.

Special thanks to Photographer Brian Tropiano, Marisa Powers, & Lark stylists: Ginger Wallace, Monique Schulfer & Catherine Rex.

Lark #12 @503found
Lark #12 @503found

Proofs_Lark@503_0063

Lark #12 @503found
Lark #12 @503found

Proofs_Lark@503_0066

Proofs_Lark@503_0071
Cheers! Lark #12 @503found

Lark #12 @503found
Lark #12 @503found

Proofs_Lark@503_0086
Cheers! Lark #12 @503found

Proofs_Lark@503_0091
Cheers! Lark #12 @503found

Lark #12 @503found
Lark #12 @503found

Lark #12 @503found
Lark #12 @503found

Lark #12 @503found
Lark #12 @503found