New Digs For Nick Fouquet Hats!

It was crazy how much had changed in Venice while I had been gone this summer. Being back in my familiar streets wasn't as familiar this time ... and I fear it's only getting worse. Losing Canal Club was bad, as it had its last days while I was gone, and so did Surfside. Now I'm hearing that we're losing the absolute institution that is Windward Farms! And then this just in, Tamara's Tamales is going away now too! Geez! You really have to wonder if any of our places that originally made Venice cool will be left soon, and it's really sad. I was happy, however, to see that my friend Nick Fouquet and his hats had NOT left Venice, but has moved into a new space formerly occupied by my beloved Marla's on the mellow end of Abbot Kinney, right across from the French Market (where French Fouquet and I both often frequent). And it is great.

You would never know that this bright, airy space had housed a restaurant, as it is now a posh showroom for what Venetians and celebrities all agree are THE world's coolest hats. I've written about Fouquet and his hats ever since he was an apprentice to Greg Westbrook, making hats in the basement parking garage on Abbot Kinney. Fouquet went out on his own, moving his shop up the street to a little bungalow on Abbot Kinney (that formerly housed Fioré Designs), where things really started to take off. Yes, a Fouquet hat is going to set you back, but I'm all for someone who started local and made good locally, so good for him!

The hatter then moved his shop to another little bungalow on Lincoln Boulevard, where they continued to thrive. Things have gotten so big that they needed more space, and that's when they found the Marla's space.

They have the gorgeous showroom, but they also have office space, production space, and even a chill space outside, complete with a living plant wall.

The wonderful hats coming out of here, with their trademark matchstick tucked into the brims, are now topping the heads of some of the world's biggest stars. Everyone from Gary Clark, Jr. to Gigi Hadid, Madonna to Bob Dylan ... they're all wearing Nick Fouquet hats. It all blew up when Pharell wore a Nick Fouquet chapeau to the Grammys a few years back, and now to stand in front of the wall of alphabetically sorted hat forms with client names on them is to stand before a who's who of ALL the stars, from rock to sports. I'm SO proud of what Fouquet has built, and it has been a delight to witness it all from the beginning.

I stopped in to congratulate Fouquet on the new headquarters, but he was off in Portugal or Prague or somewhere, bringing his hats to the entire globe. I did get to visit with Fouquet's right hand woman - and my friend - Ali Jenkins, and wish her well as she's about to be married this coming weekend in New York! CONGRATULATIONS to these excellent Venice friends on all the good! Cheers and much love! One of my very favorite Venice quotes ever was when I first moved here, and there was a man selling hats on the Boardwalk shouting, "Venus is in retrograde, everyone needs a hat!" The logic made some kind of sense to me then, and now, as VENICE itself is in retrograde, everyone REALLY needs a hat. And I hope for mine to be a Nick Fouquet. Lit.

Nick Fouquet Hats
2300 Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Venice
#310-310-2315
Monday-Saturday 11-7
Sunday 11-5

Munch Mural!

There is an absolutely gorgeous new mural in progress on the front of Munch that is nearly completed, and it's a traffic stopper. Located on the south end of Abbot Kinney, it is sure to become a selfie destination immediately.

The beautiful work was done by Stefan Thelen, aka Kid Super A, and it's wonderful. I also urge you all to frequent Munch (and not just stop for photos in front), either in their mellow restaurant location, or via their late-night - and delicious! - delivery.

Before it was Munch, it was Marla's ... and I hold them both dear. Support your local Mom and Pop and Sons and Daughters and FAMILY businesses in Venice! They're all too rare around these parts lately, and they're also awesome.

LOVE to the Munch Family, and Congratulations on a new landmark!

Happy Weekend, All! Maybe I'll see you at Munch.

Marla's Is Now Munch - And Better Than Ever

Venice has enjoyed the delicious home cooking of Marla's Cafe for years, and now Marla Barreira has passed her baton off to her son, Matt, and Marla's has become Munch. There's a new sign out front, with arrows pointing you around to the brand new back patio that is an oasis of chill right here in the neighborhood. The menu is almost exactly the same, with all of our favorites, so when the carnitas taco craving (or salad, or pasta, or awesome sandwich, or awesome anything ...) , hit last night, we knew right where to go.

You'll immediately notice that the big Nutcracker (year round) and silk butterflies decorating the outdoor patio have been removed, and replaced by twinkle lights, comfy chairs, and a fire pit to dine by. You can now also eat inside, in the newly renovated room adorned with a big, colorful mural created by family friend and artist, Duncan Lemmon. Lowriders rev and hula girls dance around the walls, in a scenario that's perfect for Venice.

Munch is consistently delicious, and the line of folks placing after-work orders were all regulars, and all from the surrounding neighborhood - again, exactly what Venice needs to protect and preserve - our Community. I love a place where you regularly hear, "Having the usual?" That's solid.

Eating outside is always a delight, and now with the new fire pit (that we took over the second some dudes left), it's extra cozy - especially with the bottle(s) of wine that you bring in, because though there's no liquor license, there's also no corkage. Sipping wine outside after a perfectly satisfying and delectable meal, with a complimentary Marla's cookie, is pretty great.

It's great for many reasons, and yet another one is that you can bring your dog, and they'll get their own water bowl and chill right next to you, no problem. Kids love it, Grandmas love it, and so does everyone in between. Though the kids have largely taken over, and Marla is getting a sorely needed break, her hands and heart are still tangibly felt in each dish - that she created. And honestly, I've never had better carnitas - Anywhere.

Munch serves their great food until 2:30 am - and delivers that late too - so there is never a need to subject yourself to a drive-thru or anything like that after the party. In fact, the party will most likely be happening at Munch when you get there late too. They're having an art opening for their muralist and several other local artists on August 5th, and that night promises to be way better than the First Friday stuff going on up the street. Locals are always recognized and hooked up, and you can just tell that the love is there, in everything they do.

Matt Barreira and his family call their brand of cuisine "Feel Good Food", and it is certainly that. Freshly made, home recipe food is the Barreira family tradition, and I'm thrilled to see it being carried on in such a new and excellent way. I'm looking forward to seeing you all there - all the time.

Munch
2300 Abbot Kinney
Venice
310-827-1843
Open Tuesday - Sunday, 5 pm-2:30 am

Munch, Venice!

No way. I went to get some delicious food at Marla's the other night, and she told me that her son, Matt, had now started up a late night delivery service of her awesome food called MUNCH. Her AWESOME food, at two, three in the morning, when you get back from a show and nothing good is open and nowhere good delivers ... Now you're all set.

Carnitas tacos (the very best, and I've been to Juanita's Carnitas in Encinitas). Wings. Salads. Soups (with perfect, melt in your mouth rolls). Every kind of sandwich, from eggplant to pulled pork, veggie to steak, all with great sides. Lasagne. Drinks (soft ones, as you've probably had the hard ones by the time you're ordering). Every last bite like someone's great cook Mom made it. Because someone's great cook Mom DID.

Munch will deliver to you, Tuesday through Sunday, 10pm - 3:30am.

Venice, you are welcome.

MUNCH - (424) 603-3333

MMMmm-arla's!

I walked past the place every day for years having no idea what delicious cooking was going on inside. Our wonderful new(ish) neighborhood restaurant, Marla's, began as a catering operation on the corner of Victoria and Abbot Kinney (2300 Abbot Kinney, South side of Venice Blvd, across from The French Market), and only earlier this year opened up for public consumption, when Marla decided that she'd rather have a stool to rest on once in a while, vs. hauling food for thousands to events around town. Lucky us!


Marla Berreira grew up in Wisconsin, but headed out to California as soon as she figured out that one doesn't HAVE to be cold all winter (I get it, Marla). Then she traveled Europe solo, shipping her VW Van back and forth 3 times, adventuring all the while. She learned catering from cooking for dozens of friends on her little van hot plate, and naturally progressed, like people who follow their hearts do, to sorting out how to make a living doing what she loved to do. Feed people good old home cooking. I asked her how she came up with her menu - that varies from AMAZING tacos (I dig the carnitas most) to daily specials like Coconut Shrimp or Baby Back Ribs - and she said, "It's all just the things I make at home, that I love making." Well, you can't really get more comforting food than that.



Comfort. That is about the best word for Marla's. You order and pay in the front part, (where there's a couple of tables, but you really want to sit in the back patio) and then go find a couch or table in the dominantly green patio that you swear is someone's house. There's a little subtle jazz or reggae playing as you settle in, with that bottle of wine (or beers. or flask. we've done all three) you brought from home - that doesn't require corkage. It feels like you're at home, sitting on the comfy couches or chairs, laid back ... with your dog chilling with some water beside you, if you have one. Marla's sons, Danny and Mathew work there too - for free, for now - as it's a total family labor of love. When Marla talks about her husband, Fernando, you can see by her glow that she's as in love with him as the day he swept her off her feet on a dance floor in Greece (though he's Portuguese). They've lived in the Venice Canals for years and years, so they're locals here, and know what the locals like. Family. Food. Comfort. AND Delivery! (3-9 p.m.) I'm in. And have been since the first day I walked in (Right, Jez?).

Her chips and guacamole are delicious, and when I asked about them, she told me how with corn chips, kids could choke on them, but flour would dissolve, so she started making them that way - and spicing them up with her special red spice mix. Well ... Yum.


It's really hard work to run a restaurant, and I told Marla I completely admire it as someone who likes to cook. She said, "Well, you're putting food into peoples' bodies, what could be more intimate? And what a big responsibility!" True that. And rare to hear in this day and age of faster, less nutritious, eat on the run lifestyles people justify themselves into. No need, folks. Just head over to Marla's. Healthy, savory, and it IS fast - but you get to know people, and relax, in an environment that feels like home. Complete with reggae on the stereo.

Marla's is open Monday, 11:30 - 7. Tuesday through Friday, 11:30 - 9, Call about Saturdays (sometimes closed for private events), and Sundays you're out of luck.

#310.827.1843 - for pick-up, delivery or a chat with Marla for more info.