Future perfect

MATT NEWBERG, HNGRY

WORK • Thursday Routine

MATT NEWBERG • founder • HNGRY
Neighborhood you work in: Hollywood
Neighborhood you live in: Silver Lake

It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I run a media startup that covers the future of food. Today I'll be writing up my weekly curated digest of this week's most interesting happenings across the entire industry. I also have lunch with my best friend at Langer's Deli, so I'll be working from my home office/makeshift podcast nook in Silver Lake. It's a total mess in here, but I love the chaos of it. When I'm not there, you can find me at NeueHouse Hollywood.

What’s on the agenda for today?
I'm finalizing some last minute marketing materials for my upcoming HNGRY Summit @ ChowNow HQ in Culver City on October 25. We’re hosting a mix of panels, breakout sessions, and food and beverage activations, with leaders from companies like Square, Tock, Sweetgreen, Kismet Rotisserie, Goop Kitchen, Hedley & Bennett, YUZUCO, and more.

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
Tonight, I'm heading to see a friend for a burger and a beer in Atwater Village at the new (sister restaurant to Dune) Bar Sinizki. Tomorrow, I have a very special date night at Pizzeria Mozza for its pop-up with chef Sarah Minnick of Lovely's Fifty Fifty in PDX. This place is one of my top five pizzerias in the WORLD! (Ask me for my top five, and yes #1 is in Tokyo — and it's not Seirinkan.) 

How about a little leisure or culture?
Outdoor jazz and natural wine in LA… I recently saw Brazilian jazz-funk group Azymuth and the legendary Marcos Valle at The Ford and Herbie Hancock at the Hollywood Bowl. Get the special concert takeout meal from Kismet Rotisserie and a twist-off of Jumbo Time Wine's Simply Red (50% Grenache / 50% Carignan) from Silverlake Wine — va fuckin bene.

Any weekend getaways?
My girlfriend and I recently drove to Santa Barbara to meet family and made a day of it. Hike at Castle Hot Springs and dinner at Bettina, another amazing sourdough pizza spot using the best local produce. Chef Brendan Smith is the former head baker at Roberta's — one of my staples from when I lived in NYC — so you're in for a real treat. I also highly recommend La Super-Rica Taqueria, once a favorite of Julia Child. I’d honestly drive up just to eat at either of these spots.

What was your last great vacation? 
Aspen in the fall. We stayed at the MOLLIE and did a bunch of great hikes like Smuggler Mountain and Maroon Bells, as well as amazing horseback riding nearby. The air is insanely crisp, and it was beautiful to see the foliage start to golden. Don't forget to take e-bikes on the Rio Grande to Woody Creek Tavern and enjoy a whiskey and a burger at J-Bar.

What store or service do you always recommend?
I always can find something utilitarian for myself or a fun gift at OK in Silver Lake. Everything is expertly curated, and there are some great staples like this Comme des Garçons wallet and my favorite Timex watch that almost looks like a "Pepsi" Rolex if you squint hard enough.