2023 left as swiftly and promptly as it arrived. Sometimes I wished time would slow down a bit so I could catch up. But then there were those days when I couldn’t wait for it to be over so I could get a fresh start the next day.
Like any other year before it, except for those two years during the pandemic, time in 2023 was busy, a bit of a roller coaster, and brief. It was a year of routines with a few new add-ons, comebacks, and some bright spots. I spent time with family as much as I could. There were visits with friends that reconnected me with my past and plans set to continue the ties in the future. My little family and I had countless lazy weekends dedicated to simple activities, quality naps, and anything that made us happy. There was nothing to complain about, really. And when I put things in perspective, 2023 bestowed upon me tremendous growth as a professional, a leader, and a human being. It was a year of good, ordinary things, growing, and learning how to make good choices.
In addition to the usual pleasure life had to offer, new and rediscovered pluses graced my life last year.
FOOD
Dining out is an unspoken mission of being a professional chef. It is a means to get inspired and learn the latest goings-on in the culinary scene. It is also a way to support the people in the industry…my people. However, my dining goals and expectations have evolved over the last several years as my life’s priorities have changed. Since a large part of my earnings is now dedicated to a mortgage payment and saving for my son’s college fund, choosing a restaurant to spend hundreds of dollars on a meal has become a thoughtful process. It is not only about trying a new place anymore. I must consider what my want is from the experience. I don’t like being disappointed, and, sadly, it happens quite often in restaurants. Eventually, my dining goals became a routine as well…choosing to spend my hard-earned dollar at places that have given me consistent good quality, joy, and inspiration on every visit.
I entered Saffy’s door for the first time in early 2023. Saffy’s is a Middle Eastern restaurant in East Hollywood from the owners of Bestia and Bavel. It’s on the east side of Fountain Avenue, beautifully nestled in the tight and busy neighborhood of old and weather-beaten Hollywood bungalows, Latino markets, swap meats, and small, family-owned restaurants. It was, at first, hard to find until one discovers that the restaurant sits on the same block as the enormous Scientology building, with its bright lights partially spotlighting the side of the eating establishment.
Saffy’s had me at hello from my first visit and continues to wow every time. I liked Bestia a lot. I loved Bavel. But Saffy’s is quite special. It seems they have it all figured out. The feeling of being in the right place and being with the right people at the right time all comes full force as soon as I enter. No matter how I was feeling before I get to Saffy’s, I always leave full (physically and emotionally), satisfied, and inspired, and with my faith in humanity (temporarily) restored.
As I walked in, there was an ambience that was hard to ignore. The energy is buzzing, with the music ranging from feel-good retro tunes to the current favorites. It is just loud enough to enjoy it but not too loud that you can’t have a good conversation. The sound from the diners’ talks mixed with the composed and measured clatter from the kitchen and service staff is almost melodious…giving off a vibe of positivity and the impression that everyone in it is in for one reason only…to have a good time and to enjoy life.
The service is casual, but impeccable. The staff have smiles on their faces, starting from the valet attendants to the host at the almost-on-the- sidewalk check in podium, all the way to the bussers. They make me feel like they are genuinely happy to see me!
The restaurant’s interior is beautiful and modern but also comfortable. The elegant bar is perfect for deuces and solo diners, offering the full dinner menu and handcrafted cocktails with hints of flavors we don’t usually find in beverages, like cardamom, cinnamon, fennel, borage, carraway, urfa chilies, lemon, and rose. The food is simply divine. Everything is well-seasoned and cooked just right. I had the silkiest hummus, the sweetest tomatoes, the most tender meats, and the freshest laffa bread. The shawarma plate, hummus tahini, pork shishlik, and turmeric mussels are just a few of the must-haves for me. Nothing on the menu is subpar. Everything on the menu is a star.
As I recall every visit at Saffy’s last year, whether it was with my family or with friends, what stood out about every visit was consistency. They have mastered the art of providing the same excellent products, techniques, and service every single time. It is almost like finding the right therapy. A therapy session for the palate and the soul. The visit is all about you. They know exactly what you want, and they anticipate the type of care you need. Their goal is to make it the right experience for you. And so, you feel good and healed after the session, but you also know you will want to go back. Saffy’s is cheaper than therapy, plus, it cures hunger! I am lifted after every meal.
As a chef, everything about Saffy’s inspires me to dream. They inspire me to be better at my craft. The operators of Saffy’s know what they are doing, and they are doing it right. This is the kind of place I want to have.
TELEVISION
To continue the route to positivity, hope, growth, and believing, the third season of Ted Lasso came in the right time-the time when I needed a boost in putting things in perspective. The first two seasons were right up my alley. They gave me joy and inspired me to be better. I often would consider what Ted or Rebecca would do when I was faced with some tough situations. When season three came out, I decided to rewatch the entire show, starting with season one in the spring of 2023 and finishing season three just as summer started. I would watch an episode each night. I purposely didn’t binge for the intention of making it last. Ted Lasso is one of those shows I never wanted to end…ever. On those days when I was feeling low, watching a 40-minute episode of Ted Lasso before bed was just the remedy and drug I needed. Its positive message gave me the high I craved. I wanted to feel good. I needed to believe.
Is there really anyone out there as nice, forgiving, and kind as Ted? Is it possible to not judge? Is it possible to be that optimistic? Are we all capable of being curious? Maybe…at least I can try. We can all try.
There are so many lessons to take away from watching the show. Every character is a representation of what we all go through in life. Many characters epitomize what we all aspire to be. And that we all need community. We all need a team of people who will support us, understand us, root for us, push us to be better, accept us for who we are, love us, and forgive us. We all make mistakes, but accountability is what makes us redeemable. We are all capable of change. And things can only affect us if we let it. So be a goldfish…that’s the secret to being happy. “BELIEVE.”
BOOKS
In 2023, I reread three books from my collections.
The Great Gatsby is one of those books that I retreat to often. I just love F. Scott Fitzgerald’s way with words. The Great Gatsby is a romantic and tragic novel and a perfect escape that transports me to an unfamiliar world. If I were to choose the quotes I like most in the book, it would be the beginning and the end. My takeaway this time around is the opening sentence. He wrote through the voice of Nick Carraway, “In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since. Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, he told me, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.”
I also read The Ride of a Lifetime by Robert A. Iger for the second time last year. As I was finding my pathway to be mentally and emotionally ready to lead and make decisions in 2023, I felt the need to re-read the lines and pages I marked in the book previously. There are many valuable lessons from this memoir. What resonated to me the most this time was: “The first rule is not to fake anything. You have to be humble, and you can’t pretend to be someone you’re not or to know something you don’t. You have to ask the questions you need to ask, admit without apology what you don’t understand, and do the work to learn what you need to learn as quickly as you can.”
All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr is one of my favorite books of all time. It is a story of courage, optimism, compassion, and hope. From this book, I wrote down in my journal this quote: “Every outcome has its cause, and every predicament has its solution. Every lock its key.”
In my moments in darkness in 2023, when I questioned my choices and decisions and when my decisions and choices were questioned, I continued to look for the light. I needed to reassess. Throughout my journey of self-evaluation, I was reminded that life is a series of choices. And that the alignment of my stars is actually up to me. From the moment I wake up until I turn off the lights at night, I am presented with choices. Every move, every word, every thought, every reaction was of my choosing. It is always my move. Even during those moments with feelings of defeat, the ball was in my court.
So, I shaped up. I controlled the chaos in my head, and I exercised my freedom to choose. I cooked when I could, I went to Saffy’s when my bank account allowed it, I watched Ted Lasso, I read good books, I hung out with good company, I spent time with family, I appreciated solitude.
Knowing that I have the power to choose, I felt freer. On those days that I didn’t make the right choice, I held myself accountable. I learned from it, but I chose not to beat myself up too much for it. And so, for a good part of 2023, I chose to be positive. I chose to face all situations with an open mind, and an understanding that I can only control what I can control. I chose to see the best in people even when they were unkind. I chose to ignore the unnecessary noise and to value the truth. I chose to see your point of view. I chose to smile when you didn’t smile back. I chose to not hate. I chose to put your feelings before mine. I chose to be kind and thoughtful. And I chose to love every chance I got.
We are two months in the new year. Just like 2023, 2024 seems to be in a hurry. Gosh, I just don’t want to miss anything this time around. I choose to be present and enjoy the moment. I choose to participate. I choose to see and hear as much as I can. I will be productive. I will commit to improve every day. I will value my time better. I will challenge myself. I will say yes. I will continue to appreciate the slow mornings, boring weekends, and easy workdays. I will nap whenever possible. I will choose and decide how my day will be. And no matter what kind of day it turns out to be, I will acknowledge that it is a gift, and I will be grateful for it.
I do hope 2024 brings many bright spots and many opportunities to explore new things.
Last week was a hectic week at work and at home, but I chose to add on a little creative action in my day for an extra lift. I made ricotta cheese, and I poached some pears in prosecco and honey. These two are on the top of my favorite combination of flavors of all time. The sweetness of the pears goes so well with the lemony and slight saltiness of the ricotta. My husband and I enjoyed them for dessert one night last week. On Saturday morning, I made ricotta and blueberry pancakes. I caramelized the poached pears in some butter and served them with the pancakes. It was a perfect treat on a slow lazy weekend morning.
I am sharing these recipes with you today. I hope you get to make these recipes with the people who always give you a boost of confidence and positivity. I hope you always remember that you get to choose who you want to be every day. I hope you always BELIEVE.
Bon Appetit!
CLICK HERE to download the recipe for
– homemade ricotta
– prosecco and honey-poached pears
– blueberry ricotta pancakes