RICK GENCARELLI

Rick Gencarelli is chef/owner at Lardo and Grassa in Portland.

What was the food highlight of your year?

The highlight in food for me was all of the amazing New England seafood I had during my two weeks on Cape Cod. I hadn’t visited in a few years so I was ready to get down! I ate my weight in lobster and steamers, Block Island swordfish, mussels and Wellfleet littlenecks! There is nothing better than watching the sunset with a cold beer, surrounded by your loved ones as you throw a fat piece of glisteningly fresh Striped Bass on the grill! I won’t be skipping next year’s trip.

What was the music highlight of your year?

The music highlight for me was by far was the Dinosaur Jr. show at The Wonder Ballroom! I’ve been a fan for many years. it was the soundtrack to my early line cooking years in Boston but I never caught them live. It was punishingly loud! I definitely lost a little hearing but it was worth it. 

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Food and music come together everyday at Grassa, our new pasta joint downtown right next to Lardo. We bought a turntable that is hooked to vintage Boston Acoustics and 4 - 17” subwoofers. It sounds fantastic. I get there early in the morning, pick out a stack of vinyl, fire up a pot of coffee, and make a shitload of pasta while I watch Portland slowly come to life outside our giant windows. Total harmony.

@lardopdx 

SERGIE LOOBKOFF

Sergie is a founding member of Samiam and has played guitar in Solea and Knapsack. He has designed as many punk rock records, t-shirts, and logos as anyone on this planet.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Mo Chica is a hella yummy peruvian asian fusion place in downtown LA. It does have that hipster vibe that sort of bugs me and most people love…but at least there isn’t a DJ or anything. There is this spicy drink that literally knocks your socks off over your shoes. I suggest: LOMO SALTADO to eat and OAXACALIFORNIA LOVE too drink. What? You want me to descibe them? I don’t know, they taste GOOD…that’s all I know.

What was the music highlight of your year?

I would have to go with Dinosaur Jr. at the observatory a few weeks ago. I’ve seen them about a thousand times since the late ’80s and they are still on my favorite band list. So good. Were they too loud? Yup. Did J wank the whole time instead of playing the tasty leads from the recordings? Unfortunately. Are they unpleasant to look at in their advanced age? Not to be mean, but yes. But they still are awesome!

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

I never eat fast food…how could I keep my boyish figure as an old fella? I mean McDonald’s tastes as exotic to me as a 5-star meal. Let’s face it…it’s different and shittier…but also delicious. On the way back from helacious Orange County to downtown after that Dinosaur show, we decided to try that new Taco Bell Fresco crap…there is nothing else in the suburbs late at night. So we sampled from, ahem, that ‘health alternative’ gourmet (sic) menu. I have to say, it went down the shoot pretty well but almost instantaneously we both got huge stomach aches….it actually really HURT! Memorable? I’ll always think of it as I pass their sign on the highway…