Plugs — Katya Khazei

L.A. food, drink, and leisure recs from Grand Central Market's director of marketing + LINKS

Plugs is The Angel’s recs column. Every week, you’ll get six picks—a restaurant, a bar, a shop, an ingredient, a person, and a treat—from someone in Los Angeles who knows what they’re talking about, plus a selection of Angel-curated links. (Plugs are for paid subscribers of The Angel only; upgrade your subscription to receive all six!)

#61 is Katya Khazei, the Director of Marketing at Grand Central Market, the historic beating heart of L.A.’s food scene. Katya grew up in Chino Hills to Filipino and Persian parents, moved to D.C. for college, and then worked in art world PR in New York before landing back in Los Angeles (and moving into hospitality) in 2017. She’s worked for Spring Place, Second Home, and Saison Hospitality Group, the latter of which she credits with teaching her the ins and outs of the restaurant business and the importance of where our ingredients come from. Now at GCM—home to the longstanding Tacos Tumbras a Tomas, Shiku, Fat + Flour, and La Huerta Candy (since 1999), to name a few notable vendors—she leads marketing, partnerships, and programming. Here are her L.A. Plugs!

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Restaurant — Marvin

Living in West Hollywood, the pickings are slim when it comes to chill, neighborhood restaurants. That’s where Marvin comes in. It’s the perfect spot to grab a casual weekday dinner, celebrate a birthday, or take some friends from out of town. It also reminds me a bit of New York, which I love. Those who know me well know that I love chopped salad, mashed potatoes, crudo, and a chilled red—all of which you can get at Marvin.