Plugs — Lucas Chemotti

L.A. food, drink, and leisure recs from a prolific DP + 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!)

#69 is Lucas Chemotti, a Los Angeles-based DP and photographer. He’s worked with brands like Nike, SKIMS, Gap, and Jacquemus and shot for publications including Interview, V Magazine, and Nylon. Lucas also works as an artist in various cinematic and photographic mediums—in 2023, his show Performer was exhibited at the downtown gallery THESE DAYS. Furthermore, he’s relaunching his scent brand SUM this spring. Impressive creative credentials aside, Lucas is also well-dined and well-opined on restaurants. Here he is with his L.A. Plugs.

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Restaurant — All Time

All Time is my girlfriend Isadora and my favorite place to eat, simply because it’s our favorite way to eat. We like to over order — and eat mostly vegetables. (We aren’t vegan or vegetarian, they just do such good veggie sides.) I haven't read any formal explanation of the food or really know that much about the restaurant’s purpose, but there is something that feels so California about the food that I love. Super fresh ingredients without any real genre to it. I’m an absolute salad maniac, and having theirs served in a massive bowl identical to my grandma’s kitchenware is huge for me. The Japanese sweet potatoes and lamb pasta are true comfort foods I crave when coming back from traveling. Our favorite place to sit is at the small counter because I’m a notorious same-side-sitter. When in a party of two, I think it’s so much better to sit next to the person and be able to have a conversation and share the food. I will often try to arrange this, even if it’s just me and the homie.

Photo by Lucas Chemotti.