On a not so typical Monday afternoon we gathered a few of our favorite things (& people) from The Soul Project and adventured straight across PCH, down to the beach to enjoy delicious East Borough Bahn Mi sandwiches, refreshing Seabold Ginger Beer+ inspiring conversations–all within a couple of hours of high tide!
We are so thrilled to have discovered a fast + fun way to get our creative juices flowing, uplift each other and thank our collaborators.
We always appreciate Luna Reece Ceramics who shared with us her latest rainbow designs, LOVE! You will always find her hand-made ceramics adorning our communal table.
This time we also get to show off a gorgeous Moroccan rug sourced from our gal, Mary O’Dell, at happy_tapis.
Super thankful to Melissa Brown of Mat3.Photography for capturing this carefree beach vibe! Images captured at Bluebird Street in Laguna Beach.
Create. Collaborate. Elevate. Come on a lark with us!
Next lark communal dinner party will be Thursday 7/25/19 with the talented Chef Kyle Powers at The Soul Project in Laguna Beach!
In this image (but mostly in my mind) I am doing my best to channel the admirable Wes Anderson.
Hello! I am Lisa Martinez founder of lark and creator of well styled dinner parties, marketplaces and guerrilla larks here in Southern California.
There is an intersection of reasons I started lark, but at its core is a desire to recreate an experience that “fed my soul”.
It can only be described as good fortune to have been exposed to a truly collaborative and creative environment-in the world of Still Photography-where I felt whole, connected, and began to see beauty in everything.
Through much thought, writing and rewriting of business plans and endless conversations (anyone who might listen) I figured out a way to recreate this experience and share with others.
With lark, I (we) invite everyone to step into a “photograph”—where you can be yourself, enjoy a glass of wine, be inspired by your surroundings and, best of all, partake in the rediscovered art of conversation.
Modern. Organic. Inspirational. Social Dining. Come on a lark with us!
Next lark 7/25/19 in the gorgeous garden of The SOUL Project in Laguna Beach!
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Thursday, July 25, 2019 6:30pm-9:30pm $125. per person, all-inclusive four course meal & wine pairing by the talented Chef Kyle Powers Purchase Tickets*: Let’s Go On A Lark! *Non-refundable/absolutely transferable
Vibrant is the best word to describe our evening of filled with conversation, delicious food & wine set amongst the hip + minimalistic vibes of @tressapothercary of Lido Marina Village in Newport Beach. The feeling inside this gorgeous space gave everyone just enough room to be themselves.
Here we made new friends, gazed at the bay, took in the cool salty air and sat fireside to enjoy a most delicious menu crafted by the talented Chef Kyle Powers.
We cannot think of a better way to welcome the first day of summer and we are super grateful to all the beautiful people who came together–and all the lovely conversations that were had– to make this a lark to remember.
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Menu + Wine Pairing crafted by Chef Kyle Powers
Opening: w/cheese board + sparkling cocktail
Seated: 1/burrata w/mandarin oranges, sweet green olives, fruity olive oil, cherries, lemon rosemary toast….paired with rosé
2/shrimp + crab cake w/avocado mousse + black garlic vinaigrette….paired with viognier
3/smoked New York steak, cherry balsamic, potato, fennel, mushrooms * veggie option: vegan meatloaf, cherry balsamic, potato, fennel, mushrooms….paired with merlot
Images captured by the effervescent @kathryncolbyphotograhy
Modern. Organic. Inspirational. Social Dining. Come on a lark with us!
Our larks are always an “open invite” meaning if you hear about a lark – you are invited!
Next lark will be Thursday 7/25/19 w/Chef Kyle Powers at The Soul Project in Laguna Beach, be sure to check our landing page for updates!: Lark Artisan Market.
Because it’s always about the people you meet along the way! Meet the inspirational Tera Stephens, Founder of TReSs Apothecary in Lido Marina Village, who has graciously open the doors to her vibrant-yet minimalist-shop to lark! Pull up a chair, we invite you to come along through our fun questions & answer session!
Q. Where do you call home?
A. I’ve lived in Huntington Beach for my whole life!!
Q. When did you decide to open your own business? What factors came into play?
A. I opened TReSs after working as a stylist for 17 years. For the last few years I had this growing feeling that my clients deserved and would appreciate a greater attention to detail that was missing in most salons and that led me to opening my own!
Q. Was the minimalist vibe what you had in mind OR did this come about organically?
A. I have a very busy brain so keeping my space minimal is key to keeping my anxiety low! I started a Pinterest board that I shared with my architect and we worked together in creating the vibe of the space.
Q. We noticed the fireplaces in the shop…do you know the history of the space? Was it once someone’s home?
A. Lido Marina Village was built in the 40’s and were originally custom homes. In the late 60’s or early 70’s they began to convert to retail, office and restaurant. We were the first lease signed under the new development of LMV and were lucky to keep our fireplace. I believe we have the only working, original fireplaces in the Village!
Q. The vibe in the shop is so positive, do you a work style/management philosophy?
A. ABSOLUTELY!!! I believe in treating our team like family and that has created a culture of mutual respect and care for each other. The benefit of our culture is that our clients feel the good vibes and that makes them love to hang out with us! It’s all good for business!
Q. We know your taste + love for beauty and style is expansive, have you always played in this arena?
A. I have loved beautiful things since I was a little girl! Some of my favorite possessions were handmade original garments from my grandmas and aunts who sewed and crocheted!
Q. What is your favorite food experience?
A. I’ll never forget my husband and I celebrating our 5th wedding anniversary at the French Laundry. It was a bit of a stretch financially at the time but something I had dreamt of for as long as I could remember. It felt a bit old and stuffy for us at first, we were babies, but our server found our rhythm and every dish was spectacular. Our dinner lasted over 5 hours!!!
Q. What is your favorite question to ask someone?
A. What was the best thing that happened to you today? My kids know I will ask them every single day!!!
Q. What does Summer Solstice mean to you?
A. Summer has always meant freedom for me and the Solstice, being the longest day of the year, is the kick off to my favorite season!
Q. Who or what currently inspires you?
A. My team at the salon inspire me; they are fun, talented, fresh, innovative, smart and adorable. They make me want to work hard for them!
What to know and see more? Join us Friday 6/21/19 to welcome the first day of summer with cocktails + mingling leading up to a delicious chef crafted four course meal & wine pairing…all while partaking in the rediscovered art of conversation, tickets and details available on our landing page: www.larkartisanmarket.com
On Thursday, May 30, 2019 we enjoyed a most gregarious lark at the design haven of @mcgeeandco in East Side Costa Mesa! Here gathered around the communal table to disconnect + reconnect over a chef crafted meal, delicious wine & the subtle art of conversation.
The Master of Makeshift, Chef Kyle Powers, rocked the menu once again – and the McGee gals came through with some serious style.
We are super thankful to all the beautiful people who came together to create such a memorable & adventurous evening @mcgee&co @mrforky @forkintheroadcatering @theurbanspring @lunareececeramics @emweber @dperlof @kaileeinthekitchen @mb.maher @amenahdesigns + @theflowerstand.
Our next lark finds us greeting the first day of summer, Friday 6/21/19, by taking in salty air + beautiful surroundings at the gorgeous waterfront retreat of @tressapothecary in Newport Beach.
Modern. Organic. Inspirational. Social Dining. Come on a lark with us!
Image credit to photographer, foodie, conversationalist: MB.Maher.com
Thrilled to be featured in Orange Coast Magazine’s “Hidden” Issue (Oct. 2018) . Here’s the story behind the image, if you want to know more, you’ll have to come on a lark with us!
Last winter we were fortunate to dine with friends – old and new – soaking up the hip vibes at the beautifully understated and modern aesthetic of Isles Interiors in Newport Beach while enjoying conversation between spoonfuls of piping hot Mortadella + Lobster Chowder.
The timely cold weather transported us home to simpler times. Thanks to all who gathered at the communal table to make this an evening to remember including @lunareececeramics + @theurbanspring. Special thanks to Maria & Max Isles.
It’s official, the dog days of summer are here! Our super hot guerrilla lark at Casa Blanca in downtown Long Beach took this fashionable crew on an adventure in style, food and conversation.
This fast, fun and unpredictable style of setting communal tables and sharing meals allows our crew to express themselves, generate ideas and inspiration, create beautiful imagery, highlight and thank our collaborators and dream of future larks.
We are grateful to all the beautiful people who gathered to make this a memorable experience – no doubt, a precursor to our upcoming lark communal dinner party at the super hip Cleobella Beach Bungalow in Sunset Beach.
Organic, modern. inspirational communal dining.
Come on a lark with us!
Open invite, limited seats.
16792 14th Street Sunset Beach, CA 92651 (Cross streets: PCH & 14th Street)
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Friday, August 17, 2018, 6:30pm-9:30pm $125 per person, all-inclusive good vibes, four course menu & wine pairing Purchase tickets*: Let’s Go On A Lark!
*Non-refundable/absolutely transferable
Images feature:
Beautiful pots + plates by @lunareececeramics
Gorgeous (& fun) fashion + bags by @cleobella
Delicious food by Chef Dan Perlof @rhymeandreasoncatering
Stunning Floral by @frenchbuckets
Conversation and creativity by all, including: @laurabrophyinteriors @jaxsea @billyaloha
Location, cocktails and photos by the talented Mitch Maher of MBMaher.com
Chef Daniel Perlof A native of Tustin California, learned his way around the kitchen at a young age partaking in the creation of family meals with his Grandmother and Father. Outside of the home, he studied Spanish and found this to be helpful in various kitchens and catering roles – always seeking to help talented crew members overcome this hurdle when expressing their talents with mostly English speaking managers. Chef Daniel recently took a leap of food and faith to expand this concept of elevating others by opening his own catering company Rhyme and Reason Catering. With lark #39at the gorgeous Cleobella being his official “lark” debut, we can’t wait to see what this eager and passionate chef has to offer.
Q & A
Which living Chef do you most admire?
Argentine Chef Francis Mallmann is absolutely fascinating. He emphasizes learning and a communal approach to the kitchen, which I love and respect. Also, he uses fire for everything, and I’ve always been a bit of a pyro.
What is the quality you most like in a meal?
Balance.
What do you consider your greatest culinary achievement?
Having my father tell others that I had surpassed his culinary talents.
What is your most marked characteristic?
My sense of humor.
What is your motto?
“Fortune favors the bold.”
Can you share a life changing culinary experience?
I had the fortunate opportunity to go on a post-graduation trip to Europe, a guided site-seeing experience over the course of three weeks, that took us to Rome, Florence, Paris, Interlaken, Bruges, and London.
In Rome I experienced veal for the first time in my life, something I didn’t foresee (but as they say, “When in Rome!”). Walking around the Forum and seeing the relics of that ancient world, I wondered to myself how the Romans must have eaten way back when those sites were first being developed– alongside of what would later come to be known as the “Western” world.
In Florence, I enjoyed prosciutto with cantaloupe for the first time, and had pizza for four days in a row.
Paris demonstrated to me the theatricality of cuisine, and I ate escargot in the Spanish Quarter one sweltering hot afternoon, after a long morning of touring the vast and vibrant city. In the same city on the Fourth of July (how American?!), our group ate at a restaurant that was cave-like in setting, and the appetizers and salad consisted of a large basket of cheese, cured meat, lettuce, and vegetables, with a knife so that every guest could take whatever they please, and pass the basket on to their neighbor.
In Interlaken, nestled between two crystal-blue glacial lakes, I learned that I have somewhat of disdain for white pepper, especially on my eggs.
A day later, (and one wicked Swiss hangover later), in Bruges, sitting underneath a centuries-old castle, I ate authentic Belgian waffles, with crisp, sweet strawberries, and the seemingly airiest whipped cream on Earth. Also, I became aware of their hip-as-could-be street vendors who almost exclusively sell potato fries– something oft attributed to the French, but originated in Belgium.
Finally, in England, I had pub food for the first time after crossing the English Channel into Canterbury, and was overwhelmed by the hospitality of the Brits, with an elderly couple inviting us to sit along side them at their table in an otherwise full restaurant. On a day-trip to the Windsor Castle, I ate fish and chips, skin-on and bone-in, with probably the blandest coleslaw in all the land, and washed it down with a delicious blonde ale.
All in all, the experience taught me so much about myself, and about how different foods and cultures can be from place to place. My appreciation for the adventure of food grew exponentially. The gastronomy of a locale is what sticks out the most to someone who loves food. I felt, and still feel, so lucky and grateful to be able to create these memories. My trip to Europe was an incredible adventure that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Super fun times were had on Thursday, May 24, 2018, thanks to all the beautiful people who gathered at the locally loved AREO in Laguna Beach on Thursday May 24, 2018.
This well curated boutique 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 Creative.
Special thanks to: AREO, Fork in the Road Catering,nThe Urban Spring, Andrea Luna Reece Ceramics, @mymiddlenameisstarr & The Hood Kitchen Space.
This winter we were fortunate to dine with friends – old and new – soaking up the hip vibes at the beautifully understated and modern aesthetic of Isles Interiors in Newport Beach while enjoying conversation between spoonfuls of piping hot Mortadella Lobster Chowder crafted by the talented Chef Kyle Powers.
The timely cold weather transported us home to simpler times. Thanks to all who gathered at the communal table to make this an evening to remember including @lunareececeramics + @theurbanspring. Special thanks to Maria & Max Isles.
Photo credit to MB.Maher.com + + + + +
Four Course Menu crafted by the talented Chef Kyle Powers ofFork In the Road Catering and Wine Pairing by wine aficionado Tyler Rodriguez