After winning multiple Emmys as the creator-writer-producer of Everybody Loves Raymond, Phil Rosenthal has stepped into the spotlight on his own in the past decade.
With his 2015 PBS documentary series I’ll Have What Phil’s Having, Rosenthal became a respected personality on the culinary circuit. Next, the self-described foodie started traveling the globe in search of delicious dishes and fun on Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil, a hit food and travel show now in its eighth season.
He and his daughter Lily co-authored the book Just Try It!, inspired by her adventures with new foods, and his Naked Lunch podcast features Phil’s midday meals paired with a smorgasbord of guests. The cherry on top: his work with Somebody Feed the People, his family’s philanthropic mission to combat food insecurity and strengthen communities’ access to healthy foods.
Here, Rosenthal gives a chef’s kiss to his favorite places to eat, shop, and relax around the Golden State.
Where do you live? Hancock Park, Los Angeles.
Why there? It’s centrally located within Los Angeles. It’s near all the great things! I’m minutes away from everything, which is why I love it.
Who or what is your greatest California love? It has to be the Original Farmers' Market at 3rd St. and Fairfax Ave. It’s this old center that has a food festival open all year. It’s a real outdoor space year-round—it celebrates the great weather, as well as being food-centric and people-centric.
What is the biggest misperception about Californians? I think the obvious answer is that they’re airheads and stupid. I think people tend to mistake sweetness and kindness for being dumb. Californians are sweet and kind!
What is the stereotype that most holds true? That Californians love the outdoors—that’s completely true! They love hiking, surfing, and really anything else you can do outside. You’re only minutes away from not only beautiful mountains but also the refreshing ocean air.
What is your favorite Golden State splurge? My favorite splurge would have to be a trip to Napa. It’s our Tuscany—it feels like you’re leaving the country. The thing about California that makes it such a great state is that it has every type of climate and environment.
Time for a road trip—where are you going? A trip up the coast is one of the greatest things to do in the state. You have mountains on one side, the ocean on the other, and the coast is just filled with great little towns and food to explore along the way.
Some cities that immediately come to mind are Santa Barbara, Cambria, Monterey, and then of course San Francisco, which is one of the greatest cities in the world. Then you have Napa and beyond, which, as mentioned, is like Italy’s wine country in the States!
If you could decree an official state culinary experience, what would it be? I know a lot of people would say In-N-Out burgers, but I think it’s a taco. It just celebrates the diversity of the city. My favorite is made by my friend Roy Choi. He put Korean culture into a taco, and it represents both cultures perfectly.
What is your favorite way to play in California? It would definitely be eating my way through the state! Again, it’s so diverse that you can truly never be sick of its options.
Where would you go for the ultimate shopping spree in California? Los Angeles seems to have everything for shopping, from indoor to outdoor. The Grove or the Century City malls come to mind, and, of course, Rodeo Drive if you’re feeling fancy schmancy.
Best California song? “I Love L.A.” (Randy Newman, 1983). It’s a somewhat tongue-in-cheek song. It has a sense of humor, but you can also enjoy it as the city’s anthem. And of course, “California Dreamin’” (The Mamas & The Papas, 1965) is great too!
How would your California dream day unfold? Well, of course it would start with a walk to Larchmont Village. I walk there almost every day and love to bring my dog to meet with friends and grab coffee. Then it would have to be followed by a breakfast burrito with my family at one of my favorite spots (like Great White on Larchmont), but there’s so many to choose from! Breakfast burritos would have to be another candidate for the official food of L.A.
Afterwards, the Original Farmer’s Market for lunch. There’s always such a diverse lineup of food there. You can graze and try lots of different things in one spot! A hike is always great after good food, especially at Runyon Canyon.
In the evening, dinner at one of my favorite restaurants to end the perfect day. In L.A., there’s everything from Korean BBQ to great Mexican so it’s hard to pick where to eat! Some of my favorites, though, include fantastic Italian at Mozza, French Californian at République, or a great steakhouse. There is truly no shortage of fantastic food!