When I was younger, I always thought that by the time I was twenty-five I would have a beautiful Downtown LA loft with brick walls, I would drink cocktails and eat dinner with my friends three times a week, and I would have the cutest outfits and curliest hair. If you couldn’t tell, these thoughts were just a version of my life as the black Carrie Bradshaw in Sex in the City and “younger” was 2004. Reality kicks in and sure I eat out with friends three times a week, I may have curly hair if my afro acts right, and maybe my outfits are kind of cute if you look at me with one eye closed. But the gorgeous loft was a dream I let go of when I realized how expensive DTLA rent is. But for one night, the universe blessed me and my SITC fantasy came to life when I went to the Los Angeles Magazine “2016 Best New Restaurant” party (Tickets $70 for unlimited food and drink). Granted, the party was in an event space that had no furnishings in the style of a loft, but if I got my hands on it then the space would be loft ready in no time. That’s a lie, it would probably be 7 months—but it would be worth the wait!

For the past three years, Los Angeles Magazine has showcased the city’s best restaurant arrivals from the year prior. Additionally, to kick off the New Year the publication features the best restaurants as well as the past honorees in their January issue. Walking into their party at 440 Seaton in the Arts District felt like the beginning of the HBO show. I just met up with my friend Tanaya and we could see a night of eating, taking photos, and maybe meeting a Mr. Big. Let me tell you now, the last part doesn’t happen, so don’t get your hopes up.

But what did happen, was we got to try great dishes from some of the city’s best eateries. In attendance were: The Bellwether, Birch, Broken Spanish, California Donuts, Cassia, Faith & Flower, Jon & Vinny’s, Le Comptoir, Love & Salt, Redbird, Terrine, and Union, handcrafted Bombay Sapphire cocktails, Peroni Nastro Azzurro. With only a little time available we hit up as many of the restaurants that we could. Only problem, my camera was kind of broken so the photos didn’t come out as great as I would like. So un-Carrie.

The donut shop on 3^rd Street makes some of the most creative and fun confections. Matcha Green Tea, M&M, and sprinkles were lined across a wall that not only caught our attention, but turned us into liars. No seriously. The California Donut staff asked if we got the chance to get a donut and we said no. They proceeded to give us one each and we smiled, walked away, and stuffed it in our purse with the other 3 donuts we grabbed from the wall. We live a life of crime, I know! But it was full of all the sugary deliciousness I could ask for. Trust me, it tore me up inside until I ate my donut. Then I licked my fingers and got over it.

Terrine’s station served a small slice of their Knockwurst. Paired with sourkrawt braised in Reisling, the sausage was ok. It wasn’t as flavorful as I would have hoped, but to a degree my expectation for sausage wasn’t set so high to begin with. I looked at the station with the hope that they would take a dish that could be seen as ordinary and prepare it in a way that’s memorable. Maybe they would pack it with a prominent seasoning of spice or sweetness to make my mouth fire or water but unfortunately, they didn’t. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t something that I would hop back in line to get.

At the Union booth, the chefs served Pork Meatballs and Polenta. I would love to explain this dish by saying that there was crack in the polenta, but that sounds so crass and unprofessional. So if you’re a business minded individual then begin reading now. The meatball and polenta served from Union was expertly made as the meatball was full of flavor. However, the part of the dish that was a catalyst for me to return for a second helping was the polenta that sat under the meatball. The texture was incredible and tasted so pleasant that it almost melted in my mouth. Stop reading. Now if you’re on the level where I can talk to you like we’re friends, start reading now. Yo, that polenta was crack. It was so good I got back in the line, ate it again, and was like, “Yup, there has to be crack in that because I’m hooked”. Stop reading now.

That pretty much sums up my feelings toward the amazing dish that came from Union.

The last of the dishes that I enjoyed was a soup from Le Comptoir. The restaurant took a veloute sauce and mixed it with crème fraiche and added sourdough breadcrumbs. My serving, was freshly made as I got to see them pour it our slowly right in front of me. Just watching them pour it felt tempting and made me want it even more. Once he handed it to me, I smiled and devoured it. It was an incredibly smooth soup that tasted of squash or was it pumpkin. Since I finished it so quickly, I couldn’t pick up the exact ingredient that made the soup delicious. So un-Carrie, again. Either way, I really liked it but the line was entirely too long for me to wait for another. I guess everyone else really liked it too.

Ok, this isn’t even a restaurant but the photo booth set up by MVS Studio Photo Booth was awesome. I love how great the photos came out and how it looks like I don’t have a single blotch on my skin. I know it’s a fake appeal of myself, but even Carrie Bradshaw doesn’t look like Carrie Bradshaw when she’s off camera.

The Los Angeles Magazine party was such a great night that I was so happy I got to attend. The food, the people, the drinks, and the photo booth were all so much fun. The team behind the event did such a nice job bringing together the best restaurants for attendees, and the SITC fantasy for me. While they didn’t know they were doing the latter, they did. Now if I could just find a way for them to do that everyday in my life, I would be the happiest girl on the planet. No, the galaxy.