In pursuit of the classics

SUE CHAN, Care of Chan

WORK • Thursday Routine

SUE CHAN • founder • Care of Chan
Neighborhood you live in: Elysian Heights

It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace? 
I’m currently at Cafe Telegrama waiting for my first meeting. I don’t totally believe in New Year’s resolutions, but I’m definitely trying to take more IRL meetings in 2024. I’m so over the monotony of video meetings, text messaging, and DMing. Can we also bring back the telephone? 

What’s on the agenda for today? 
I had a production meeting with our managing director, Alexandra, and our director of production, Dani, before heading out the door this morning. We caught up on some upcoming productions for A24, Resy, and J.Crew. At Café Telegrama, I meet my friend Olive, a former Hollywood agent who now hosts a matchmaking supper club. We share some insights about the business of gatherings. My friend Cooper, a producer on The Bear, just called — something about an awards show after party — so I made a note to call him back. Later I’ll stop by our client Gucci Osteria on my way home, on a site visit for an upcoming event. Before dinner, I’m looking forward to seeing Gina of Yola Mezcal and picking up a bottle of their latest expression: Pechuga, mezcal smoother than you’ve ever tasted before. 

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
As a recent LA transplant, I’m on a mission to check out all the classic LA institutions — the icons whose standards influenced others in the industry when they first opened, changing dining forever. For my birthday I went to Mr. Chow (above) with a large group, and we all agreed that the restaurant has passed the test of time. The ice-cold lychee martini still hits, the theatrics are delightful, and the signature dishes are still divine. Tonight I’m going to Spago; it’s their 42nd anniversary this year. But this weekend, I’m sticking to my regular spots, because I’m a creature of habit and find comfort in being a regular. I’ll start with drinks at Stir Crazy and then dinner at Étra, both currently on heavy rotation.

How about a little leisure or culture?
New York is much more respected for its institutional art scene, but LA art is also thriving, and the city offers an impressively wide spectrum of art and design shows. Some recent past and present shows of note: Franz West at Zwirner, Jonas Wood at Karma, Courtney Applebaum at Seventh House, George Sherman at Marta, Alex Katz at MAK Center, Sonya Sombreuil (aka Come Tees) at Deitch and Shaniqwa Jarvis and Othelo Gervacio at Control Gallery. Luna Luna is also worth checking out, especially if you have kids, mostly for the history lesson on one of the most exciting periods of pop art, the era when street culture was born. The exhibit features carnival rides made in the 1980s by some of the most influential artists of our time such as Basquiat, Haring, Lichtenstein and Hockney. Definitely get the VIP Moon Pass. 

Any weekend getaways? 
Weekend getaways are for spending time in nature, even in solitude when I’m able to get the chance. Since I’m bi-coastal, I’ll share a spot on each coast that I love. In California, I recommend Inverness, a small town north of San Francisco along the coast. Rent a small cabin. Get your groceries at Inverness Park Market and the farmer’s market, have dinner at Saltwater Oyster Depot, and then hang by the beaches in Tomales Bay. If you happen to meet a guy named Tony Conrad in town, then I highly suggest trying to make him take you out on his boat.

In New York, I recommend Piaule, an eco-friendly minimalist boutique “landscape” hotel in the Catskills. They have a great restaurant onsite, a perfect spa, and offer unique experiences such as Forest Bathing. Do their spa circuit after a hike in the mountains and you’ll be thoroughly restored. While you’re Upstate, don’t forget to hit Stissing House, if anything, just to have their coconut cake. I’m tearing up just thinking about it. 

What was your last great vacation? 
Ballymaloe House Hotel & Cooking School in Cork, Ireland, aka the birthplace of modern Irish cuisine. Ballymaloe is truly one-of-a-kind. I’ve experienced some of the world’s best hospitality, but Ballymaloe takes impeccable service to a whole new level. If you stay there, definitely eat from the dessert trolley every night because life is too short not to. Don’t forget to take a cooking class from the cooking school, revered as one of the best in the world. The almond tart will forever haunt my dreams. 

Also, Santa Fe, New Mexico. For my summer vacation, I was adamant about going somewhere where I wouldn’t see a selfie stick (i.e., not Europe), which led me to Santa Fe. The city is such a mystical, magical place. It’s no wonder Georgia O'Keeffe called it home. A visit to Georgia’s house and Ghost Ranch is a must, as is Ten Thousand Waves Spa. Go to their Japanese restaurant, Izanami, after your treatment. It’s probably as close to feeling like you’re in Kyoto other than Kyoto.