Curated – Lark Artisan Market

July 19, 2025July 19, 2025

Q+A with Chef Matthew Roberts | Long Beach, CA

It’s always about the people you meet along the way! By design, we get to collaborate and learn from the coolest people. With Chef Matthew Roberts, we have grown our appreciation for kitchen preparation. He takes extraordinary care and effort with his ingredients, seeming to praise and honor their very essence. To watch him at work is meditative. To enjoy his meals is an honor. Thrilled to offer this dive below the surface with this Proust inspired questionnaire:

Chef Matthew Roberts on a super fun (& delicious) lark w/Artist Cyndi Finkle in Hollywood, CA. Image captured by Tyler William Parker.

Where did you grow up and where do you live now?

I grew up in San Diego and currently reside in Long Beach.

We know you have an all-around relationship with food; what is your earliest childhood memory related to food?

Smell has a way of transporting you back in time. I can vividly remember the summer garden of Teresa, our Italian nanny. Tomatoes ready to burst by the kiss of the sun and the lingering smell of basil as we played.

Is there a moment in your youth that inspired you to become a Chef?

There were many moments scattered throughout my young life that contributed. It was a slow build until the massive leap at 25.

I had worked in the Photography Industry for 7 years prior and up until my arrival in L.A., my food experience had been rather limited. As a boy, celebrity chefs and competitive cooking shows were non-existent. This was before social media. I watched quite a bit of Yin Can Cook on PBS (aired after Bob Ross) on sick days from school.

At 18, I began to travel throughout California on long road trips at and eventually settled in L.A. at 19. Having a base, I began branching my travels throughout the United States. I immersed myself in communities and cultures, soaking up all I could. I recognized the power of food. It spoke to me in a different language and emotion.

After several years working as a high-end photo retoucher in fashion, I was burnt out; Creatively drained. This led to cooking consistently for friends and family. People seemed to really enjoy my food. After quite a bit of encouragement, I signed up for Le Cordon Blue in Pasadena and never looked back. I knew I could always return to photography. Having spent time as a breakfast line cook in high school, I was not disillusioned by what lay ahead and set my mind to it. My culinary path has been unconventional to say the least. That being said, I would not replace the experiences and exposure one finds outside the confines of four walls for anything.

Fields + Farms to Kitchens + Plate, what do most people miss about the process?

Covid brought us closer to our food sources but we have quickly settled back into convenience. Food is medicine, plain and simple. There is a saying I hear often, “You can pay your farmer (rancher, fishermen, etc.) or you can pay your doctor. Food for thought. Pun intended.

Any fun/funny hard won kitchen stories to share?

Those stories span 20+ years and would probably justify a book!

What perspectives or unique understandings have been gained from being immersed in the culinary world?

The Hospitality Industry can chew you up and spit you out. It calls upon a certain human conditioning. It is nice to see quality working conditions and mental health coming to the forefront in the last 10 years or so.

I left the confines of restaurants in 2017 and set my gaze across California, hosting live fire dinners and food and wine pairings. I was able to connect directly to the source from that point on and foster strong relationships wherever I landed.

Dinners began to develop an educational component to them. I wanted to tell the story of the hands that feed us to the best of my ability. The focused became narrowed, intention ever present, and the food more refined.

Throughout this process I realized I am one cog in the wheel and best not to take myself so serious.There has been many lessons in humility and grace.

We see your path in the culinary world constantly evolving, what currently inspires you?

The two worsts questions you can ask a chef, what is your favorite thing to cook and what is your specialty? I will be a forever student and am very fortunate to cook in the capacities I do with the freedom that I have. I am still very much inspired by the seasons and new ingredients I come across in my travels.

Where do you want to “steer the ship” next?

The next chapter is unknown and has been a conversation amongst friends and peers. I have not been cooking in the same capacities and have considered venturing into food styling. I’m also contemplating a more educational mentorship roll.

Pork Jowl bermuda onion | ramp | ramp & bluefoot mushroom tare | trotter demi. Food + Photo by Chef Mathew Roberts

Do you have a culinary idol?

The usual suspects… Alice Waters, Marco Pierre White, Anthony Bourdain, anyone who denounces their stars!

What are your most marked characteristics?

Another hard question to answer. I have been told I possess qualities of patience, compassion, curiosity, and determination. Often leading with my heart while providing a sense of calm. When creating and preparing a meal, love is always at the forefront.

What is your go-to meal at home?

I am not attached to a restaurant; I essentially cook as I do for any dinner. Always inspired by the seasons and what I come across in my travels.

What is your go-to meal outside the home?

I am all over the place.

What is your favorite tool in the kitchen?

I have a wooden spoon that was passed on to me from our childhood camping equipment. It is nearly as old as I am. I have been cooking with it since I was 18. When I stop to think of the thousands of people it has fed over the years it is humbling. The patina is something of beauty.

If you could dine with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?

Would come down to a choice between Escoffier or Carême.

Culinary school, yay or nay?

Depends on the individual. If you have a clear vision and drive, it is a great way to fast track your skill set. For others, climbing the ranks at a restaurant is best.

What is your idea of happiness?

I think the question, “where do I find peace” is more attainable. Finding and maintaining the middle ground. There cannot be light without darkness. In essence, I practice mindfulness on a daily basis to the best of my ability. When I can manage to set ego aside and be present, I am most at peace.

If you could enjoy another profession, what would it be?

I have been recently fixated on free diving and spear fishing. Could also be ceramics / pottery or bonsai.

Who are your heroes in real life?

Those striving to be the best version of themselves.

Have you watched or read anything interesting/inspiring lately?

Obsessed with “The Taste of Things”. A wonderful French period / culinary piece. I am currently re visiting several books from my young 20’s. An interesting process into past perceptions and assumptions!

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Fortunate for us, Chef Matthew Roberts, will be taking the helm of our upcoming lark communal dinner party next Saturday—7/26/25—with Designer Lyla Moll at her expertly curated boutique known as Jo & Rose in the seaside Town of Huntington Beach.

Amuse:
Steamed & Chilled Scallop
+ shish & juniper tea | preserved meyer lemon, cucumber
paired w/welcome cocktail by mixologist Eric Kassel

Arrival:
Melon Gazpacho
+ calamansi crema, garden herbs
paired w/2023 Main & Geary Pinot Grigio, California

Start:
Yellowtail Crudo
+ stone fruit, tomato water, basil oilpaired w/2023 Raymond Sauvignon Blanc , North Coast California

Middle:
Smoked Costillas
+ a mole of cherry & morita, chickpea succotash
paired w/2023 Heritage Vineyards Pinot Noir, California

End:
Strawberry & Buttermilk Panna Cotta
+ saba pearls, pink peppercorn, pistachio
paired w/Wilson’s Organic Cold Brew Coffee

Modern. Organic. Inspirational. Social Dining.

Come on a lark with us!

Purchase Ticket: Let’s Go On A Lark!

Open invite. Limited Seats.

June 3, 2025June 3, 2025

Q+A with Lindsey Goldberg of Herron House | Costa Mesa, CA

We met Lindsey Goldberg outside her gallery on our way to a lark the well styled atelier & marketplace of always fashionable designer Laura Brophy known as Brophy Market—Herron House, their new neighbor, is literally steps away.

Entering the gallery you are greeted by bold, vibrant, powerful art curated with uplifting affect. Always and forever curious, we took a dive below the surface and invite you along through these Proust inspired dinner party questions:

Where did you grow up and where do you live now?

I grew up in Irvine, California, and now live in Newport Beach with my husband Yoni, our two boys—Jude (5) and Leo (3) and our dog Maverick.

What is your favorite childhood memory?

Surfing with my sister on Thanksgiving morning. In high school, we made it a tradition no matter the weather, we’d head to Bolsa Chica with punk rock anthems from Yellowcard and The Ataris blaring in the car. It was our ritual, and those memories are etched into my heart.

Is there a moment in your youth that, looking back, inspired you to become an Art Advisor?

Looking back, there were early hints that I had a connection to the arts—one of my childhood paintings was even selected for the Laguna Festival of the Arts in 1st grade. But as a kid, I ended up channeling most of my energy into sports.

A pivotal moment came much later, when my husband gifted me a vibrant abstract painting that reminded me of my late sister. It was alive with color and energy, and somehow it, to me, captured her joyful spirit. The emotion it stirred made me realize how powerful living with art could be. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that painting would become the catalyst for everything that followed. It opened my eyes to the power of living with art—how it can hold memory, emotion, and connection all at once.

My grandparents also played a role. They were artists and adventurers at heart—always traveling, always creating. Their curiosity and expressive way of living left a lasting impression on me.

Why the name Herron House?

“Herron” is my maiden name, so the name Herron House carries a personal legacy. But more than that, it reflects the heart of what I wanted to create—a space that feels inviting, while highlighting art.

Herron House was born out of a desire for something I felt was missing in the way I experienced art. I wanted more than pristine white walls and perfect lighting. I longed for something more intimate, more alive—something that invited genuine connection.

Creating Herron House wasn’t just about launching an art advisory or gallery; it was about building a place that feels personal, contextual and welcoming. A space that says: Come in. Sit down. Stay awhile. Let the art speak to you.

Any fun/funny early day stories to share about becoming an Art Advisor?

There was definitely an aha moment when I realized I wanted to be an Art Advisor. I had considered interior design, but art felt more personal, more meaningful.

What perspectives or unique understandings have been gained from being immersed in Art?

Art has taught me to look and then look again. It’s really changed how I move through the world. It’s also helped me trust my intuition more, because it lets me tap into different emotions and get a little lost, while still feeling really present.

One of my favorite quotes is from Twyla Tharp: “Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.”

What is it that you most want people to know about collecting art?

Collecting art isn’t about chasing trends or finding something that matches your decor. It’s about connection. The most meaningful collections are built over time, piece by piece, through instinct, emotion, and personal resonance.

What is your most treasured possession?

The Graham Residence. It holds a central place in our lives. We feel incredibly lucky to have found it—and we have no intention of ever letting it go. It’s where Herron House first took root, and today it serves as a seasonal artist residency and a place we open to others through short-term stays.

There’s something about the land itself that’s hard to put into words. The quiet, the shifting light, the ancient boulders—it invites presence. We often see hummingbirds, coyotes, and the desert’s native plant life all around us. It’s not just a beautiful space; it’s a place that offers perspective. Every time we return, we feel re-centered.

The Graham Residence captured by @lastyoni

How do you describe Joshua Tree to people who have never been?

Joshua Tree feels otherworldly. The stillness, the light, the vast open sky—it expands something in you. It’s a landscape that invites both awe and introspection, like stepping into a dream that somehow roots you more deeply in the present.

At its core, being there makes you feel like a kid again. It’s nature’s greatest playground—wild, raw, and full of wonder. Every time I’m there, I’m reminded how much beauty there is in simply slowing down and looking around.

What are your most marked characteristics?

Curious, intuitive, warm. I’m a natural connector—I love creating space for people to feel inspired, seen, and lit up by beauty.

Are you the chef at home?

Not exactly—I’m more the gatherer and the mood-setter. I love setting the tone with good music, a well-dressed table, and beautiful ingredients.

If so, what is your most prized ingredient?

Farmers market everything! There’s nothing better than ingredients that are fresh, local, and full of life.

If you could dine with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?

Right now, I’d say Niki de Saint Phalle. She was a fearless artist and an early feminist voice—bold, visionary, and totally unafraid to break rules. Her life story is just as compelling as her work, and I imagine a dinner with her would be equal parts wild, inspiring, and unforgettable.

What is your idea of happiness?

Tapping into my inner child. I feel most alive in the small, pure moments with my boys—watching them light up with wonder or burst out laughing in delight. That’s it, right there.

If you could enjoy another profession, what would it be?

This is it! Herron House was my leap into the dream profession. Curating, connecting, working with artists and collectors—I’m in it for life.

Who are your heroes in real life?

My husband, Yoni—our partnership is the foundation of everything we’ve built. His steadiness and support ground me and fuel the entire vision behind Herron House.

And a teacher from my senior year of high school who showed up for me in a way I’ll never forget. When my sister died, I was completely lost. She supported me without question and gave me a sense of stability and strength during the hardest chapter of my life. We’re still close to this day.

Have you watched or read anything interesting/inspiring lately?

Yes—Joyful by Ingrid Fetell Lee really stayed with me. It explores the surprising ways that color, shape, and design can spark joy in our lives, not in a superficial sense, but in a deeply human one. It reminded me how much our surroundings impact our emotional well-being—and how intentional, joyful design can be a quiet but powerful act of care. It made me think differently about the spaces I create and the art I live with.

★★★

It’s always about the people you meet along the way! We are thrilled to create + collaborate with Lindsey on our upcoming lark pop-up communal dinner party, Thursday, June 6, 2025, w/the talented Chef Alex Bolar.

Modern. Organic. Inspirational. Social Dining.

Come on a lark with us!

Open invite. Limited seats.

May 12, 2025May 12, 2025

Q+A with Lawrence Fodor & John Rochester | DTLA, CA

We are thrilled to create, collaborate and elevate with the inspirational Photographer + Painter Lawrence Fodor & his charismatic husband John Rochester. Soon we’ll be gathering around the communal table, once again, in their 1908 Artist Loft amongst the vibrant energy of DTLA. The beauty of lark is that we can easily invite you along through our images & stories. Take a dive below the surface with the following Proust inspired questionnaire with our hosts.

Note from Lawrence: John was super busy traveling for work this past week, so in the name of efficiency and timeliness, I improvised for him. After almost 30 years together, I should be able to answer most of these questions for him! If not, something is definitely wrong!

Where did you each grow up and where do you live now?

LF: I grew up in Southern California, while John grew up in Northern New Mexico. We now live and work both in Los Angeles, and Santa Fe, New Mexico—where we both have roots and deep connections.

What is your favorite childhood memory?

LF: Hmmm…. tough! Rickie Lee Jones said something to the effect of how the traumatic events in our lives creates more indelible marks on our psyche than the good stuff, and I totally agree. Perhaps discovering Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings in a book in my aunt’s home… or getting my first camera? Which did not happen without its share of drama! For John, maybe getting his first horse. He grew on an Arabian horse farm.

We feel like you put a lot of thought into how you live your lives both careful & carefree.

LF: We both work hard so that we can play hard—like taking six-week trips traveling through France, Italy, and Spain visiting museums, discovering incredible places to stay, walking cities, hiking through magnificent natural environments, and the most important part: finding new amazing bottles of rosé to drink every day. My strong suit is intuition, John’s is intellectual, and while our work couldn’t be more different, (he works in the financial world), our play, which is primarily travel, is a total collaboration of spontaneous discovery within a loosely structured itinerary providing plenty of room for improvisation.

Is there a moment you can pinpoint that inspired your lifestyle in your youth?

LF: Complicated question for me! Parts of my childhood were quite rough, but my parents were super supportive of my need to find a way to express myself through the visual arts, so they provided me with art supplies, cameras, and film whenever I asked for them—which was all the time! Art was my salvation, something I could disappear into, my safe place, and I think they realized that from the beginning.

I know John intended to be a Vet, but took an accounting/ranch management class in college and was hooked into the financial management world.

When we met, we were leading very different lives, but over the years we’ve influenced each other for sure. I’ve loosened up his style and he’s tightened up mine!

Where do you find inspiration?

LF: Nature, museums, the perspective through which I view the world and life, digging into the deeply personal to discover the universal, and my family. And John: cooking, gardening, and reading for sure! It is his obsession—when he is not working.

What words do you use to describe L.A. to people in Santa Fe?

LF: L.A. is a city of stark contrasts. It is scattered, divided, and dispersed, grey, congested, active, diverse, buzzing, loud, frustrating, and harsh, but stimulating, busy, fun, and can be incredibly beautiful at times. It is good to have some “edge” in my life—keeps me on my toes.

What words do you use to describe Santa Fe to people in L.A.?

LF: Clear, clean, wild, spacious, dynamic, green in summer, brown and white in winter, community oriented, and super friendly. The city sits on a bed of quartz, so healing is a big deal there, but it is harsh too. Santa Fe forces one to deal with their shit, or it spits you out.

What perspectives or unique understandings have been gained from living in an Artist Loft?

LF: Acquiring this specific space was intentional. A live/work space was crucial for a “second home” eliminating the need for a separate studio. I wake up and look at my work and the last thing I do before I go to sleep is look at my work. I am always looking, finding, and attempting to really see that which wants to reveal itself through my work. My life is my work, and my work is my life, so having an incredibly supportive partner that is thoroughly on board for this kind of live/work loft space/situation has been as important as anything.

Who is the chef at home?

LF: John for sure! He went to Culinary Art Institute to study cooking, almost became a chef himself, so he knows what he is doing in a kitchen, much more so than do I. I’m a hack… I can get by, but nothing that is beyond basic and simple. Ask me for chicken tacos, ask John for miso glazed Chilean Sea Bass.

What is your most prized ingredient?

LF: Pomegranate seeds. Love them! I could put them in any dish. And for John, probably too many to choose just one—but he loves herbaceous ingredients.

If you could dine with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?

LF: Michelangelo Buonarroti, for sure. For John, I would guess Charles Dickens, it’s that literary thing.

What is the best thing about dinner parties?

LF: Both John and I love engaging in a lively conversation while sharing a great meal, meeting new people, learning new things, and all the while drinking a bottle or two of a really great rosé.

What is your idea of happiness?

LF: Again, super complicated. Waking up every morning and being able to pursue what I most love to do: painting, gardening, traveling, swimming, long walk/runs with our Aussie Shepherd, and for John – I’m going to say hanging out on a sofa or hammock reading. And maybe cooking a great meal. Oh, traveling, for fun, too!

What are your most marked characteristics?

LF: Hmmm… I’m not going to touch this one…

If you could enjoy another profession, what would it be?

LF: Architecture, definitely. I studied it in college, did architectural drafting to get by when I first moved to Santa Fe, designed a remodel for our house and studio in Santa Fe, and think all the time about designing and building a new place there.

John would be a chef—that I know.

Have you watched or read anything interesting lately?

LF: I’m listening to Rickie Lee Jones read her autobiography, Last Chance Texaco. It is remarkably poignant, engaging, scary, sad, hilarious, brilliantly honest, tragic, happy, and sweetly touching. She reveals herself through sharing her emotional motivations for her music, her story telling, her characters, and all the decisions in living her life to the fullest. No excuses. No regrets. And it is a miracle she survived it all! She is my hero! And for John, he reads non-stop, so probably best to ask him that at dinner!

Films: the Conclave. It is relevant, timely, and very well-acted, and my life was headed in that direction at one time. While I’m definitely no longer a practicing Catholic, the ritual and secrecy are utterly compelling—but not the dogma, herd mentality, the “hook”, nor the conservative base.

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We always say this, but it is true—it’s always about he people you meet along the way! We can’t wait to share some great food & a glass of great rose as the connections + conversations unfold at the communal table.

Join us for lark 79—Friday 5/16/24—as we gather around the communal table at the
1908 Artist Loft of Lawrence Fodor & John Rochester in DTLA w/the talented
Chef Kyle Powers.

Here we’ll enjoy welcome drinks + mingling, soak up the creative vibes (& rooftop views ), share a curated dining experience. and—best of all—partake in the (rediscovered) art of conversation.

Modern. Organic. Inspirational. Social Dining.

Come on a lark with us!

Purchase Tickets: Let’s Go On A Lark!

Open invite. Limited seats.

April 1, 2024May 12, 2025

Q+A with Artist Lorraine Pennington | Costa Mesa, CA

We fell in love with Lorraine’s Pennington‘s minimalist paintings first. It was years later that we met her, by chance, and it honestly felt like a dream-come-to-life. Since then we have supported each other from afar but recently our brief scout at her gorgeous atelier turned into hours long conversation that still lingers and evokes thought + laughter. All we can say is, if you don’t know Lorraine Pennington, you should! We are grateful to bring everyone along on our next lark through these Proust inspired dinner party questions:

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Echo Park with a musician father and mother who encouraged being artistic.

What is your favorite places to visit?

I really love Italy, France and Spain.

When did you decide to become an artist?

I feel like I have always been drawn to creating…I enjoyed designing jewelry and tabletop accessories like a very large wall necklace I sold at A’MAREE’S and at Garde in Los Angeles.

Art School yay or nay?

No. I didn’t go to art school.

We love your paintings and can easily describe it as peaceful, serene, organic…can you share any other cool or fun descriptions you’ve heard?

I have heard the words Wabi-sabi and Calming.

One of the best compliments was a client told me, who had one of my painting in their bedroom that they loved waking up and seeing my artwork, it put them in a good mood. I am a very positive person so my art has that energy.

We also love your jewelry which speaks so much to your aesthetic, you are no longer making but can you share any photos for us to swoon over?

I still design a few pieces of jewelry but I don’t do retail anymore.

I love that people that bought my jewelry tell me they still wear it after buying it 8 years ago.

It is still the only jewelry I wear.

What is your idea of a great dining experience?

My idea of a great dining experience is having people you enjoy with great music and lighting and of course amazing food and drinks.

Are you the chef at home?

Yes I really enjoy cooking, I usually never use a recipe.

What is you most coveted ingredient?

Fresh herbs and salt. My favorite food is sushi.

Any interesting stories of where your paintings have landed?

My paintings have been in a few magazines…recently I was at my moms looking at her magazines and I opened a house beautiful and saw my artwork. I think almost every time my work has been published I found out by surprise opening up the magazine. I have sold art throughout United States. My favorite is when I get to see where the artwork is going in their home so local is always nice.

We would find it hard to “let go” of something so beautiful, how do reconcile with parting with your art?

Yes, I find it hard to let certain pieces of artwork go. I usually hide a few I am not ready to part with!

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

I find that perfect happiness comes when you are fully present, and not expecting anything from the moment.

Any current books, shows or music you are enjoying?

I love to read and read a lot. I have been reading /studying Breaking The Habit Of Being Yourself by Joe Dispenza very intriguing book. I also read a lot of fiction.

I really enjoy going to the library since I was a little kid so books are a big part of my life. I still like to hold a book in my hand and use a handmade bookmark so no kindle for me.

I try not to watch a lot of TV but on the weekends I do watch some like we just finished Succession and I watched Yellowstone.

Music is another big deal for me I like a lot of different artist. One that comes to mind that I have listened to lately is Khruanghin.

Lark imagery by @missymphotograhy & all others compliments of Lorraine Pennington.

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

Lark #73 x Lorraine Pennington x Chef Matthew Roberts

We were honored to set the communal table, April 10, 2024, with our favorite minimalist artist @lorrainepennington at her beautiful + inviting atelier in West Side Costa Mesa. 

Here we enjoyed welcome drinks & mingling, delighted in the beauty of imperfection, shared a chef curated dining experience and—best of all—partook in the (rediscovered) art of conversation.