A Small and Simple Thing

Articles

Industry Notes: Do YOU like butter?

5 days ago | brooksreitz.substack.com | Brooks Reitz

Several years ago, I took my wife, Erin, to lunch at Paul Rothe & Son, a small deli in London’s Marylebone neighborhood. It’s one of my favorite kinds of places: time-worn (operating since 1900), untouched by trend, unapologetically itself. I insisted she try their Coronation Chicken Salad, an English classic made each morning. I sat in the small dining area while Erin ordered at the adjacent counter. “For you, miss?” the woman behind the counter asked.
On Style: What A Difference A Belt Makes

1 week ago | brooksreitz.substack.com | Brooks Reitz

Recently I’ve been seeing more of Simon Porte Jacquemus, owing to his recent openings in NYC and Los Angeles. Jacquemus (the man and the brand) is a real thrill to follow. I don’t own any of the clothes, but I love the whimsy of their marketing - very fun, unorthodox, and playful. Based on the continued and growing success of the brand, I’m not the only one responding to their messaging. Simon is not only an absolute unit but the guy knows how to dress.
On Design: COLOR!

2 weeks ago | brooksreitz.substack.com | Brooks Reitz

On a recent flight, I watched Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Room Next Door” with Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton. I was particularly taken by the set design and costuming of Tilda’s character, Mary. Her struggle with terminal cancer and the final weeks of her life was juxtaposed by her apartment and wardrobe, full of color, verve, and LIFE. I liked the film, but found myself less concerned with the morose plot line and focused on the visuals instead.
Make This: Matzoh Ball Soup Meatball

1 month ago | brooksreitz.substack.com | Brooks Reitz

At the end of March, I threw a party with E.A.T. in New York, an Upper East Side fixture in the portfolio of businesses owned and operated by Eli Zabar and his family. The day before the party I ate lunch at E.A.T. - matzo ball soup. I’m not an aficionado, but I know good food, and this was the best version of the soup I’ve ever had. It is a comforting dish - simple and pure. What it lacks in culinary drama, it makes up for with good old-fashioned nourishment and, when done right: FLAVOR.
Beached Whale

1 month ago | brooksreitz.substack.com | Brooks Reitz

We spring broked at Palm Heights this year. I have a friend associated with the project, which is what took me there the first time in 2024. I was skeptical about the place as it had been breathlesslycoveredinthepress, and it seemed (from afar) to be a bit of an Instagrammer haven. I pictured arriving to copious photoshoots and servile husbands trying to capture outfit pics on the beach during golden hour.
Make This: A Nourishing Nut Milk 'Chai'

1 month ago | brooksreitz.substack.com | Brooks Reitz

I’m just home from Palm Heights, which I’ll write more about later this week. I covered the property for Yolo Journal last year and was anxious for a return visit. I was skeptical about it “holding up,” as I am about most things with an endless supply of buzz. It exceeded our expectations. I love a resort experience because it is basically a protracted people-watching opportunity - my favorite activity.
Make This: Citrus Salad, two ways

1 month ago | brooksreitz.substack.com | Brooks Reitz

After my college graduation ceremony, I went back to the house I shared with several friends and packed my things, stuffing my car with the remnants of a 4-year undergraduate education. That night, my roommates and I threw a party in our backyard. The next morning I got in my car and left town. I moved to Louisville, Kentucky where I applied for a job at a newly opened restaurant - restaurants being the main option for a young man with a BFA in English and Drama.
Make This: Raw Mushroom Salad

1 month ago | brooksreitz.substack.com | Brooks Reitz

I made this salad for my buddy Jay Carrol. Jay is the co-founder of Wonder Valley, along with this his wife, Allison. They are featuring this same recipe on their website among an already great collection of recipes using their products. Wonder Valley is one of my favorite brands - a celebration of olive oil in many forms. I love olive oil. Not only do they grow and mill their own oil, they also produce bath and body products using their oil.
Monday Morning Grab Bag

1 month ago | brooksreitz.substack.com | Brooks Reitz

Since opening a restaurant in New Orleans, I’ve been getting a lot of requests from friends, customers, and readers about where to go in that fine city. Good news for anyone planning to visit The Big Easy: Yolo Journal just published their New Orleans Black Book, which is exhaustive. I’ve been writing for Yolo founder Yolanda Edwards for years, dating back to MomFilter, her early blog about parenting. I was honored to contribute my New Orleans favorites to this roundup. Check it out.
Make This: Radish Salad

2 months ago | brooksreitz.substack.com | Brooks Reitz

At the market recently, there were signs of spring atop the tables - stacks of greens, bags of tender lettuces, spring onions, green garlic, and tight bunches of freshly dug radish, all bearing peppy, healthy greens that begged to be eaten. I stuffed several into my tote and carted them home. I love radish because it is a pedestrian vegetable, available in varying degrees of quality at any grocery store in America.