Photograph: Michael Juliano
If you need high-end kitchenware, local-favorite cookbooks or foreign food magazines, Ken Concepcion is your man. After more than a decade in Wolfgang Puck’s kitchens, Concepcion turned his attention to Now Serving, a lifestyle and cookware shop in Far East Plaza. Concepcion co-owns and operates the space with his wife, Michelle Mungcal. (“Without each other, Now Serving wouldn’t exist,” he says.) We turned to Concepcion for his favorite places to pick up gifts, warm up in the winter and where to escape holiday stress.
“I know the chef’s default answer is Santa Monica on Wednesday, but I actually prefer the whole vibe of the Hollywood Farmers’ Market on Sundays more. It’s a little more relaxed (until about 10:30am) and there’s great food there: Machete’s salsas, Thai coconut cakes, bread from Bub and Grandma’s, charcuterie from Gwen.”
“Our default is usually a pie from Nicole Rucker, whose new spot, Fiona, we’re really excited about. But if you’re lucky to nab one, the devil’s-food-cake doughnut at Bob’s in the Original Farmers Market is something special.”
“The boat noodles from Pa Ord or the chicken tinola from RiceBar are a great way to take the chill off your bones.”
“The holidays are the peak busy season, so there’s really no escaping it! We live right by L.A. State Historic Park, and it’s a relatively uncrowded slice of green space that’s nice to take a walk with Michelle and our daughter, Frankie. It has a nice view of the DTLA skyline.”
“Buy them some lactic love from Lydia and Marnie Clarke and Reed Herrick at DTLA Cheese in Grand Central Market.”
“For local beer, we’re spoiled to be within walking distance to Highland Park Brewery in Chinatown. It’s so fun picking up some crowlers of whatever fun stuff they’re working on.”
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