Ann Mah's newsletter / May 2019
May 2019 newsletter
Hello!
Happy May Day! I was delighted yesterday to receive a branch of muguet (lily of the valley). In France, the flower is everywhere on May 1st – Labor Day, the fête du travail – and I used to buy a bunch for our apartment building's gardienne and leave it anonymously at her door. The flowers are rarer here in the States, where they're usually used in bridal bouquets. But yesterday morning, I was delighted to see bunches of it in my daughter's classroom. The school receptionist grows it and she clipped the delicate blossoms from her garden. She made my day when she presented me with a sprig. Ça porte bonheur – it brings happiness and luck.
It has been quite a month! I had a terrific trip to California, where I loved meeting so many of you at my events in Laguna Beach, San Francisco, and Literary Orange. Thank you for the warm West Coast welcome – and thanks to everyone who followed along and sent messages on Instagram. I usually visit California in December, when it's dry and brown, and so it was a treat to be there in April, to witness the full bloom of spring. The familiar landscape was transformed into a wild riot of fluorescent wild mustard, sunshine daisies, and golden poppies.
This month, I'm back at my desk, diligently toiling away on my next novel. Writing fiction takes discipline and a steady routine, and I'm striving for both. In the meantime, I'm pleased to announce that The Lost Vintage is on sale for $1.99 across all e-book platforms – for the entire month of May! If you've already read the book, this is a great opportunity to recommend it to a friend, or suggest it for your book club. Thank you for your support!
Here's what else I've been up to...
What I've been eating
–My recent trip to San Francisco was like a greatest hits tour of California cuisine. My favorite meals were at Zuni Café, where the legendary roast chicken with bread salad was succulent, tender, and savory – indeed, all it's cracked up to be. I also loved the modern Vietnamese food at the Slanted Door. It was only Chez Panisse that didn't quite hit it out of the park. The four-course prix fixe was lovely, but dated and perhaps a little stale. I realize this is a controversial opinion. But while I'm still thinking about my meals at Zuni and the Slanted Door, recalling the details with crystal clear precision and joy, my memory of Chez Panisse is one of unfocused, nondescript pleasantness. If you've been there recently, what do you think? Do you love the place, or agree with this recent critical review from Soleil Ho at the San Francisco Chronicle?
–The Wednesday Chef writes of a salad of harissa roasted tomatoes, roasted fennel, and chickpeas with preserved lemon vinaigrette that I found to be absolutely delicious (if a little dish-heavy for a weeknight meal). PS It's good even if you substitute regular lemon for preserved, which I did.
–It's strawberry season! Forget shortcake and pie and try this simple strawberry granita recipe from David Lebovitz.
–Chicken Marbella, crepes, and 7-layer dip – do these dinosaurs deserve another turn in the sun? The Washington Post examines and updates these old food trends.
–Ruth Reichl was editor-in-chief of Gourmet Mag from 1999 to 2009. In celebration of her new memoir, Save Me the Plums, which I'm reading right now, Epicurious has gathered her favorite recipes from her tenure. I want to try the bacon and cheddar toasts. (H/t The Misanthropic Hostess)
What I've been reading
–Two author friends have just published fantastic new novels:
In Swimming for Sunlight by Allie Larkin, newly-divorced Katie finds herself in Florida, living with her grandmother, Nan, and buffeted by a group of octogenarians. In her youth, Nan was a mermaid performer in a roadside attraction show. Most of the mermaids have lost touch, but Katie helps Nan search for her old friends online, sparking hopes for a reunion show and reigniting Katie's crippling fear of water. I loved this tender, thoughtful tale about losing everything and starting all over again. You will adore Allie's quirky, endearing, and fully imagined characters. Plus – mermaids!
Set in 1920s Hollywood, City of Flickering Light by Juliette Fay tells the story of two girls hoping to make it in the "flickers" as movies were known. This book brings to life the wicked glamour of Tinseltown – and the story is so unputdownable I couldn't even tear my eyes away to make dinner. I read it while cooking. (Truth.)
–Speaking of which, ever since I read City of Flickering Light, I've wanted to eat at Musso and Frank Grill, a Hollywood institution that just turned 100! NPR has the story here.
–Is it harder for adults to learn a foreign language? Yes. Find out why in this opinion piece from the New York Times.
–I was in California when the fire broke out in Notre Dame. Like many of you, I watched the blaze in nauseated horror. Even for the non-religious, the church stands at the heart of Paris – the actual, physical center of the city – and I have always cherished the surprise glimpses of it from the bus, the moments when it looms in front of you to stun and awe. If you can bear to read it, this piece from the New Yorker discusses the restoration that may have led to the fire: "In wanting to give her a second youth, we have perhaps destroyed her."
A bientôt!
I heard on the radio this morning that today is one of the hottest days of the year in Washington DC. Already! While I'm not a fan of warm weather, I am looking forward to spending time with friends on the roof deck of our apartment building, sipping chilled white wine, and eating salty snacks. What are your thoughts on frosé, yay or nay?
Thank you so much for reading – don't forget to tell a friend or your book club about The Lost Vintage $1.99 sale – have a wonderful month – and see you in June!
Amitiés,
Ann