Kris Yenbamroong Talks Family, Thai Food, and Making it in LA

Keeping it in the family

Los Angeles has not traditionally been a city that overvalues its history. Buildings get torn down all the time, long-running restaurants manage to shutter with just a moments notice, and yet the young, vibrant city continues to churn on. That’s what makes truly local success stories so popular here, especially ones with as much history as Night + Market behind them.

Chef/owner Kris Yenbamroong talks to Bon Appetit about coming into his family’s Thai restaurant business Talesai on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, and how he almost managed to run the place into the ground in his mid-20s. Now of course he’s expanding his own Night + Market brand from that location into Silver Lake and soon the far west side as well, but he’s quick to talk to his father about what it took to make Talesai stand out in the first place, and what it means to keep a successful business afloat after all those years. Go ahead and give the charming piece a read.

A Varnish party

There’s a rad-sounding drag party happening tonight at The Varnish, starting at 7 p.m. tonight and running until last call. Called the Disco Dragiversary, the evening will be part dance party and part easygoing mixer, with lots of $8 champagne flutes and martinis to go around.

The Andante team’s next move

There’s a new coffee and boba shop in Koreatown called Beau Bar, and it’s got some backing from members of the Andante coffee universe. An upscale newcomer right next to Umami Sushi, the place is a luxe hideaway for specialty drinks and bubble tea.

A loss for Playa Vista

Wellfed in Playa Vista has moved on, says Toddrickallen. The short-lived spot only came about in April, but now for lease signs are up at the defunct space.

More First Fridays

First Fridays are back at the Natural History Museum, and the upcoming March initiative will once again focus on food. This go-round expect a few different panel discussions on the history and science of food, along with the requisite tours and musical groups to boot.

Yamashiro’s new late night moves

Yamashiro in Hollywood is getting into the late night happy hour game, offering a reduced-price $7 slate of drinks and bites every Monday through Thursday. The gig kicks off at 9 p.m. those nights, and runs through closing.

Getting even more Mega

Downtown’s Mega Bodega just added some much-needed cooler space to their small South Park location, which makes them not only a destination for AM coffee, a quick lunch, and an evening beer — you can now get a variety of craft beer options on the go.