TOMMY HABETZ

Tommy Habetz is co-owner of Portland’s Bunk (multiple restaurants, one bar/music venue, and a truck) and Trigger. His take on the cuban sandwich is the subject of many a television show, magazine article, and road trip.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Wow! Is it the end of the year? What a weird, anxiety ridden, fun, delicious year it’s been. We started a mobile Bunk Truck, opened up Trigger (our new Tex Mex place) and I became a father (again) to the most beautiful baby girl, Vivienne.

The food highlight for me was probably going to NYC for the Oregon Bounty Food Assault, a precursor to our Portland Feast inaugural event. I got to see first hand that people really do dig what we’re doing in Oregon. I also got to eat at Roberta’s in Bushwick, which was pretty mind blowing. I also got to meet Danny Bowien and watch a bunch of famous chefs and food media folks devour a sheet tray full of Doritos and Fritos chili pie, made at the hands of Danny.

What was the music highlight of your year?

My favorite musical moment has got to be The guys from Built to Spill surprising us with a free show at Bunk Bar. It was crazy, packed to the gills and filled with friends that I have never seen smile so much. What a great band.

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

Sitting at a table at Bunk Bar, talking with John Reis from Hot Snakes, Drive Like Jehu, Rocket From The Crypt, etc. about Tex-Mex food. He couldn’t understand why we were opening up a Tex-Mex place, because he thought Tex-Mex sucked. But, of course, he’s from San Diego. I knew what he was talking about, though. He and his band mates had had many many bad experiences eating at bad Tex-Mex places. And, oddly, that’s what’s been inspiring me lately. It’s been fun to tackle the opposite of haute cuisines, get in there and find the sweet spots. To me, it’s endlessly more fascinating than seeing a grape deconstructed, then reconstructed as a grape.

All in all, a beautiful and inspiring year. I look forward to eating Jimmy Albee’s Queso Deluxe in the post-Apocolyptic, hopey changey, zombie wasteland of 2013!

GABE BROSBE

Gabe Brosbe lives in Brooklyn and works at Federated Media where he sells advertising on some of the largest independent food and music blogs.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Dining at Do or Dine in Bed Stuy: super inventive food like foie gras donuts (woah).

What was the music highlight of your year?

Live Show(s): Dr. Dog in Central Park, Kanye West & Jay-Z Watch the Throne at Madison Square Garden, and US Royalty at The Wooly during CMJ.

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

I got food poisoning at Bruce Springsteen at the Meadowlands in New Jersey (seriously). It was rough, but the show was still amazing from what I saw. Waiting on a sunny day indeed.

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…

KAT KINSMAN

Kat Kinsman is the Managing Editor of CNN’s Eatocracy. Photo: Running With Tweezers.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Ashley Christensen’s all-vegetable sides meal at Southern Foodways Alliance BBQ Symposium

What was the music highlight of your year? 

Dead Can Dance reunion show at The Beacon was simply transcendent.

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

The soundtrack on any given night at Thistle Hill Tavern in Brooklyn (Fat Mike from NOFX was a founding partner).

JOSH HABIGER

Josh Habiger is co-chef at Nashville’s Catbird Seat which Bon Appétit recently named one of the best new restaurants in America.

What was the food highlight of your year?

I think that my food highlight of the year was probably the Faviken dinner at McCrady’s in Charleston.  The food was great, Sean Brock is a fantastic host, Charleston is a beautiful city, and the entire dining room was filled with chefs from around the country.  We closed down a few bars that weekend.

What was the music highlight of your year?

That David Byrne/St Vincent show at the Ryman was insane.  They are traveling with a 8 piece horn section and percussion.  I think they played the entire album that they did together, and then also played about 5 of their own songs each.  David Byrne is 60 years old and looks and sounds better than ever.  He rode his bike across town to Mercy Lounge after the show to watch Antibalas encore set.

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

My friend Martin plays drums for Andrew Bird and they had a day off in Nashville before their show at the Ryman (Which happened to be a day that the restaurant was closed) so I asked if we could cook for them at Catbird.  We shortened the menu to about 6-7 courses and it was super laid back, but everyone was so appreciative and had a great time - it was super cool to see them in the restaurant and get to talk with them about food, especially Eugene Mirman, who was opening for Bird.  After dinner I took most of them out to Robert’s Western World and they loved it.

SHARKY LAGUANA

Sharky Laguana was in the band Creeper Lagoon and founded Bandago which provides customized van rentals for touring bands.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Laconda, Laconda, Laconda (San Francisco). I loved every meal I had there, and was fortunate to visit four times this year.

What was the music highlight of your year?

The National at the Bill Graham Civic Center: The best band in America delivering an exceptional and emotional show.

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

Verdi Club Jr. Edition. June 27th. Chef Sean Gawel (Frances, Chapeau) did a special dinner at the Verdi club, there were rare films and footage from ancient San Francisco that were fascinating, and the band Walking In Sunlight delivered a thoroughly enjoyable set of acoustic American with banjo and mandolin.

JOANIE MCCOLLOM

Joanie McCollom is the founder of Cookooree, an online platform for collecting and sharing recipes.

What was the food highlight of your year?

I enjoyed St. Vincent (San Francisco). My food highlight was various wines served. Here’s why it was memorable: I want a lean-back restaurant experience, and the staff at St. Vincent is prepared to recommend and serve all night, no need to think or make decisions. I love that!

What was the music highlight of your year?

I’d have to say I enjoyed The Flaming Lips at Bimbos for Noise Pop, although I also really enjoyed Father John Misty at Outside Lands.

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

Eating sushi at Blowfish while Thao played a mix of old school hip hop and esoteric indie stuff. Every song jumped to the foreground, grabbing my attention. Yes, it was a Noise Pop event. Yes, I have a crush on Thao. But this event was really special even without that.

MARK TROMBINO

Mark Trombino is a drummer (Drive Like Jehu) and producer (Blink 182, Jimmy Eat World). He recently signed a lease in LA for the first location of his Donut Friend concept.

What was the food highlight of your year?

I guess the food highlight of my year was discovering Guisados. It has become one of my favorite places in Los Angeles, the place I turn to whenever I’m running around and want something quick, cheap, and delicious. I love that they’ve taken something that everyone in LA is super familiar with, something you can find multiple times on just about every street here, unique and special. That’s an inspiration to me. I hope to achieve the same sort of thing with Donut Friend!

What was the music highlight of your year?

The musical highlight of my year was probably seeing both The Refused and The Faint at this year’s FYF. Both bands have been super important to me and kind of represent the two sides of my musical taste. To be able to see them both at the same festival was amazing. And I hate festivals!

STEVE SANDO

Steve Sando is the founder of Rancho Gordo and the co-author of the Heirloom Beans cookbook.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Eating flor de maguey at El Cardenal in Mexico City. These are those big tree-like flowers that come out of the century plants, announcing their death. Who knew you could eat them? Or that they’d be such a delicious vegetable?

What was the music highlight of your year?

Lila Downs came to Napa and put on a great show. You just want to make loud noises come out of your mouth and sound as pretty as hers. Mine don’t. At all.

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

I was at a barbacoa in Hidalgo, where they cook lamb in a pit and cover it with maguey leaves and it cooks overnight. They serve the meat with homemade tortillas (from corn the same guys grow) and there was a Huastecan musical group called Trio Renovacion and they were as sweet as the meat! I love when such a macho culture lets its guard down. When they sing they can’t wait to hit falsetto notes and make everyone cry. Tears mixed with lamb is really great.

STEPHEN CALEN

Stephen Calen is a line cook at Morimoto, Napa.

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

I cooked a dinner with my chef and mentor Kang Kuan (The French Laundry, Morimoto) at the Chateaunuef du Pott, home of Aaron and Claire Pott (and site of the Incubo vineyard of Pott Wine), with music provided by Jennifer Kloetzel of The Cypress String Quartet. She played the 1st and 2nd Cello concertos by Bach. I had read about these concertos in a book by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, who refers tho the Pablo Casals recordings. I asked Jennifer about them and she gave a thumbs up and said we should do a meal around a performance of them. It ended up being quite the memorable occasion for about 20 folk. The highlight wine was a ‘61 Trotanoy and my favorite course, of the eight we prepared, was the Foie Terrine with Huckleberry glaze (served with an ‘83 Rieussec). 

MIKE JONES

Mike Jones ran Schizophonic Records and NAIL Distribution before joining A to Z Media which provides “bespoke” packaging for bands like Sigur Ros, Best Coast, and OFF!

What was the food highlight of your year?

Discovering St. Jack, a new French Bistro that opened in Portland this year and having a feast there with a big group of friends including Tim Bierman from the 10Club and Nicole Cifani of MoheakRadio in LA where we all shared many dishes and wines and desserts and talked about music and food for hours.

What was the music highlight of your year?

Being asked to be an extra in Bob Mould’s video, The Descent. Having the opportunity to meet one of my musical heroes and taking part in his career for a micro-moment this summer was really special for me.

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

Immediately following the video shoot. I had dragged my 14 year old son, Max, along with me. He plays trumpet in the marching band at his high school and is a bit of a foodie (totally without pretense, though). I told him that after we were done I would take him to have the best hamburger of his life at Little Bird here in PDX. We wrapped, and after giving Mr. Mould a lift back to his hotel, Max and I sat down for a satisfying 11pm meal at the aforementioned Little Bird and I would have to say that the burger, ordered medium rare, blew his young, musical mind. A great evening.

SCOTT MCPHERSON

Scott McPherson has played drums with M. Ward, She & Him, Elliott Smith, and Sense Field.

What was the food highlight of your year?

The Screen Door in Portland. They take fried chicken to another level.

What was the music highlight of your year?

Best live show by far: David Byrne and St. Vincent.

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

Eating breakfast on Sunday morning listening to Big Harp’s last album.

EVA FRYE

Eva Frye writes about food for 7x7 Magazine. Photo: Ben Rhau

What was the food highlight of your year?

The food highlight had to have been the tasting menu and pairings at Benu. Chef Cory Lee has such intention with his food it is incredible. That tiny piece of chervil on top? Not just for garnish, but an integral part of the flavor composition. Everything served at perfect (and varying) temperatures, everything a play on texture and consistency. And the pairings? Well I never would have thought to pair a Belgian sour with a lemongrassy Asian lobster soup dumpling, but the combination blew my mind and taste buds. Not only did they compliment each other beautifully, but they each held their own and contributed to the overall flavor individually.

What was the music highlight of your year? 

The music highlight of the year either had to be M83 at the Fillmore - hearing “Wait” live, seeing their glimmering lights, experiencing the passion with which Anthony Gonzalez grips his mic, or how Morgan Kibby projects her striking vocals on stage is enough to raise you a little closer to heaven. Or, it was seeing Sigur Ros at Outside Lands. Their spirituality transcends the stage, and their haunting vocals make your spirit shiver. Don’t even get me started on the twinkling, star-like projections on stage that warmed your eyes like visual fire; you forgot about the icy chill in the air. All together, it was an ethereal experience.

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

I’d say my superwarm carnitas Tacolicious taco at Outside Lands was just the sustenance I needed to shrug off the SF chilliness so I could dance through Jack White. The salsa probably put a little pep in my step, too.

WILLIAM WERNER

William Werner owns Craftsman & Wolves, a patisserie in San Francisco’s Mission District. His savory pastry, The Rebel Within, begs the egg version of the question “How do they get the jelly in the donut?” Photo: Aubrie Pick

What was the food highlight of your year?

Eating oysters with my girl in Point Reyes.

What was the music highlight of your year?

The Melvins and Unsane at Great American Music Call in April.

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

Getting Mission Chinese Food delivered and watching the Joy Division documentary.