Tag Archives: Lupe’s East L.A. Kitchen

Point & Shoot: Dinner Date with David, The Owner of Boca Chica Owner

January 3, 2012 – 7:26 am
Posted in Point & Shoot: Film, Point & Shoot: My Date with ...
Tagged A Bohemian Like You, Boca Chica, Carly Sioux, Dating, East Village Restaurants, Film, Lupe's East L.A. Kitchen, My Date with, Paparazza, Photography, Point & Shoot, The Dandy Warhols
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Dinner with David

The Owner of Boca Chica

Meet David

Location: Chinatown, NY

Origin: Manhattan, NY

Occupation: Owner of two cool downtown restaurants.

Hobbies: Yoga, sculpture and the fine art of brewing coffee.

How We Met: I am a regular at one of David’s restaurants.

Interesting Facts: In addition to Boca Chica, David also owns Lupe’s East L.A. Kitchen (my favorite spot in all of NYC). And although David is old enough to be my father, he can hang like a bro.

Drinks

After two years of holler’n about Lupe’s, I finally grabbed David’s attention and cleverly used this opportunity to invite myself on a dinner date with the man behind Lupe’s, the kitschy pink diner I call my home away from home. David suggested that we share a meal at Boca Chica, his festive Latin American restaurant located in the heart of the East Village. The first thing that immediately sets Boca Chica apart from Lupe’s (besides live Latin music and dancing) is a full cocktail menu. We got to drinking straight away. Payman, bartender extraordinaire, whipped us up several tropical concoctions (off the menu) that were all made from fresh ingredients and served with TLC. Just to jazz things up a bit, I brought along my favorite drinking accessory— fun straws! For about the first half of our cocktail hour, I gushed like a school girl about my adoration for Lupe’s (“Groupie” deduction points). But seriously, if there was an apocalypse, Lupe’s is where you would find me, rationing out the fish tacos and coco water among my beloved. David seemed touched by my sentiment.

Payman, Bartender Extraordinaire

Thumbs Up!

Savoring Every Sip

Dinner

After throwing back a few drinks, David and I were ready for our grand feast. I insisted David order for me, so he recommended we share a fresh avocado salad and the coco shrimp appetizer (which were both D-licious). Despite the fact that David is a pescatarian, he insisted that I order the Piniones—sweet plantain rings filled with seasoned ground beef—although I did feel a bit guilty not choosing something that we could share (“Greedy Little Pig” deduction points). During dinner, David and I bonded over our passion for art and art history. We gossiped about the mischief of Caravaggio, and unriddled the puns of Modern Art. Being an artist himself, David has a great appreciation for the human form which he channels through sculpture (“Bohemian” bonus points). David also painted the large panels in Boca Chica and is solely responsible for the décor at both Lupe’s and Boca Chica. I just love a man who possesses both an eye and a talent for the visual arts.

YUM!

Old World Humor

The Conclusion

Pros: Is a handsome Bohemian entrepreneur and is the genius behind Lupe’s.

Cons: Likes the Grateful Dead and is old enough to be my father.

David is a real bohemian whose artistic touch is equal to his keen business sensibility. His hospitality is warming, especially on a cold wintry night. Unfortunately, we stuffed ourselves silly during dinner and left no room to try any of the sweets at Boca Chica. Perhaps David and I will save room for dessert another time. Until then, I look forward to that cup of coffee David promised to make me at Lupe’s with their new espresso machine. Now that’s what I’m talking about.

Goodnight Sleepyhead

Song by The Dandy Warhols

Point & Shoot: My Date with a Supermodel, Luke Nel

My Date with Supermodel Luke Nel

Meet Luke

Location: London/New York/Zimbabwe

Origin: Zimbabwe, South Africa

Occupation: Supermodel

Hobbies: Going on missions, playing the hand drum, and meeting new people.

How We Met: Our paths crossed right in front of my apartment. Luke was playing a harmonica while riding his bike. I asked to take his photograph.

Fun Facts: Blonde| Blue| 6’1″| 38″| 32″| 15.5″| 9.5 UK| Also— Luke was twice on the cover of GQ Style and cannot say No to ANYTHING!

Fashionably Late

It was the first heatwave of the year and looking cool was not easy, especially as I waited almost an hour for my date to arrive. Luke got a last minute “modeling gig,” so I was sure he was just blowing me off, and I’m not the kinda girl that waits around, especially not in the sweltering heat. I was just about cut my losses and write-off our date when Luke called insisting that he was en route and would only be a few more minutes (which ended up being thirty). Hot and bothered, I began tallying up his tardy points when, like some Avril Lavigne Sk8er Boi Dream come true, Luke came sailing in on a skateboard completely nullifying all penalty points. I have to admit that it was quite an entrance.

The Dinner

Luke thrives off of adventure and discovery so I decided to take the reigns on this date and show him a few hidden gems in this city that you won’t find in an issue of Timeout. I suggested Lupe’s East L.A. Kitchen for dinner because Luke and I instantly bonded over our love for coco water when we first meet. Not only is Lupe’s the cutest diner in all of NYC, but they also serve fresh coco water right out of the coconut. We cooled off under the neon pink lights, sipped on pure bliss, and shared in a heap of laughs. Dinner highlights included our waiter Victor explaining to Luke what a taco is (“Precious” bonus points) and Luke licking salsa off his arm at the dinner table (“Double-Precious” bonus points). The table etiquette in Zimbabwe must be a bit different than in the States but I have to admit that I found it quite charming.

Cuckoo for Coco Water!

Victor Explaining The Concept of a Taco

The Date

Next on our agenda was Sheriff Uncle Bob’s Bluegrass Jam at the Grisly Pear. Luke is a big fan of Bluegrass music so it was an absolute must that he meet The Sheriff of Good Times. The bar was pretty crowded, mostly with musicians who were jumping in and out of the jam circle. Sheriff Uncle Bob gave us both a warm welcome and cleared an entire bench of guitar cases and random instruments so that we could have the best seat in the house, thereby earning me some “I’m with the Band” bonus points. Shortly thereafter, Bob took a little break to hang out and catch up and even showered us with gifts! I got a copy of his new CD “Hold Whatcha Got,” and we both got one of his “Get out of Jail Free” cards, just in case we got into any trouble later in the night.

Luke & Sheriff Uncle Bob

Carly Sioux & The Sheriff of Good Times

Holy Hotness

Luke Wins Back Lost Points for Cruising in on a Skateboard

Paparazza Jack Pot

Luke Hits The Jack Pot for Talking-Up My Photo Blog

Got Holes in My New Skirt for You

His skateboard shredded my favorite skirt

The Conclusion

Pros: Is a Supermodel, things like Tacos are a new adventure, and he always says “Yes.”

Cons: Is a Supermodel, is prone to being fashionably late, and he always says “Yes.”

Luke Nel is adventurous, optimistic and did I forget to mention handsome? He’s always in the moment, which explains his trouble with punctuality. Would I wait an hour again for him? I probably would— I’d try to do handstands for Luke! I’ve already booked my flight to South Africa, invested in a mosquito net body suit, and enough Raid to wipe out an entire species. Now I just have to get over my fear of I.O.U.S. (Insects of Unusual Size).