Muses Everywhere

Of kindred spirits, lasting bonds, and a restaurant like no other

Jul 06, 2025

"Are you around in L.A. the weekend of May 29th? I'm coming from Hawaii on my way back to Boston," read Mo's text message, just sitting there patiently while I sweat my soul out at the gym.

Between grabbing my things, wiping my forehead, and blowing air kisses to my workout crew with an "I'll see you tomorrow," I picked up my phone and wrote back: "Such great news!!! Yes, I'll be here and would love to see you."

It had been six months since I last saw Mo. And really, since we met.

On December 29th, I was supposed to be in Finland, riding snowmobiles and hoping to spot the Northern Lights to welcome 2025. However, something wasn't clicking about that plan. It had been a challenging and lonely end to 2024, and I couldn't imagine myself in the dark and cold, far away from home. My soul screamed sunshine, sea, and piña coladas (plural), and I paid close attention. So, I flipped my whole plan to Belize.

Champagne problems? Yes. A radical change? Maybe—but it was meant to be.

I was craving a pause, time in nature, and connection with inspiring, like-minded women. I never made a vision board about it. Still, someone—or something—was paying attention. Because when I showed up in San Ignacio, Belize, to join a group of solo travelers I'd be spending the next nine days with, I met Mo—along with her soul sisters, Ada and Oge—right there at the hotel bar.

These three women—powerhouses—felt like guardian angels. From the moment we met, I was inspired by their strength, confidence, and poise. I didn't know much about them, but it was the energy they emanated—inviting and unapologetic—that I felt drawn to.

Throughout the trip—as we snorkeled with sea turtles, climbed Mayan temples, and learned about the importance of mangroves—we got to know one another.

They were from Nigeria but lived in London. However, Mo bravely was in the middle of a one-year sabbatical in Boston, allowing herself to take stock, gain perspective, and continue building a meaningful life with intention.

My kind of people—bold, full of certainty and self-love, and hungry for a fulfilling life.

As we said goodbye on the paradisiacal island of Caye Caulker, I hoped to see them again soon.

Fast-forward four months, in April, I had the opportunity to see Ada and Oge in London during a work trip. Mo, however, was still in the U.S., so the news of her coming to L.A. was very exciting.

"I'll plan the perfect L.A. day and we can spend Saturday together," I texted Mo a few days before her arrival, to make sure it worked for her.

There were many things I wanted to show her, but since we only had 24 hours, some highlights had to be prioritized. I crafted an itinerary that included spending the morning on the East Side and the afternoon on the West Side. Ying and yang. Urban and beach. Two very different faces of the city.

Saturday arrived. The morning was bright with that picture-perfect California weather. It was early, the streets were quiet, and I cruised with my window down, feeling the breeze from the ocean, only three miles away, and singing Shakira, as I had yet to infuse caffeine into my system and needed to wake up.

"You made it to La La Land!!!" I said as I got out of the car in front of Mo's hotel to give her a big welcome hug. It felt like only yesterday when we last saw each other—a testament to the strength of our bond.

And just like that, we drove off to enjoy the sunny day—hiking up to Griffith Observatory to take in the city views, indulging in a mini food crawl through Grand Central Market (tasting tacos, pupusas, and a plate of fresh oysters while, randomly, heavy metal played in the background), and walking through a powerful art exhibit by Jeffrey Gibson at The Broad—exploring themes of Indigeneity, identity, and place.

Driving around with Mo on a day filled with nature, art, and great food, I remembered how special L.A. is. It's not as photogenic as Paris or as captivating as New York, and—at least in my experience—it's an acquired taste. But when you find your people and your places, that's when it reveals its true magic.

I feel gratitude for L.A. It's the city that formed me in my late 20s, half of my 30s, and now my 40s. It nurtured my independence, strengthened my voice, and—through some tough love—let me build a career in entertainment and, now, in writing.

L.A. inspires me—its natural beauty and diverse community—and sharing some of it with Mo that day filled me with a renewed sense of appreciation.

I wanted to end the day with something extra special, and since you might know me by now, that meant dinner at one of the many restaurants I've been saving on my ever-growing bucket list.

It didn't take much effort to decide that the Santa Monica restaurant Muse was the perfect spot. One, because Mo's journey has been inspiring, and I wanted to double down on the importance of women continuing to support and inspire each other, so the name Muse felt perfect. Two, because I'd been reading about this place for a while, and I loved the origin story.

It all started with two college roommates: Fardad Khayami, a finance major, and David Gelland, an art history student. While attending USC, they began hosting dinner parties at their dorm under the name "Museum"—since, aside from food, they displayed student art on the walls. These dinners became so popular that by their senior year, they'd cooked for around 3,000 people, with an impressive waitlist of 6,000. A fan later offered Khayami financial backing to open a proper restaurant—and that's how Muse was born. From dorm parties to a fine dining establishment in Santa Monica—not bad at all.

I told this story to Mo as we drove along the Pacific Coast Highway on our way to the restaurant.

I hadn't been in that area since the wildfires in January. It was near some of the affected zones and had only recently reopened to non-residents.

My throat tightened as I noticed lingering damage in the distance and police cars stationed around, monitoring the area for looting, which had sadly been increasing.

It was a strange moment—we were coming off a beautiful day and were suddenly confronted with a reminder of a traumatic event the community was still slowly recovering from.

But when we entered Muse, the sadness transformed into joy, as if we'd stepped into a happy bubble.

It was cozy, inviting, and pink! (Well, I'm not a designer, so maybe the Pantone tone is more like "Tea Rose" or "Peach," but still—it was stunning.) A bit of a Wes Anderson vibe mixed with the elegance of Parisian and Italian chic.

On the walls hung impressive works of art, continuing Museum's legacy. This time, however—and impressively—it was Joan Miró on display, as part of the restaurant's plan to have different artists and pieces on rotation.

"Where the hell are we?" I said to Mo, smiling as I grabbed a (pink!) cocktail while we waited for our table, admiring the small, speakeasy-like yet comfortable space.

Everyone who worked there seemed genuinely thrilled to have us. From the hostess to the bartender to the servers, they all wore big smiles. And while the environment felt luxurious, it also felt playful and welcoming.

As we sat down, a friendly young server greeted us and handed us menus that paired well with the decor, as the dishes were also inspired by French cuisine.

Scanning the menu, everything looked appetizing, and thanks to the fact that both Mo and I turned out to be YES people, it took no time for both of us to align on everything we wanted to order.

So the indulgence began, and when the first dish landed on the table—a brioche feuilletée with softened Bordier butter—I knew Muse meant serious culinary business. A feuilletée is like a croissant and a brioche had a baby. The pastry technique at Muse shone, and paired with the world-renowned Bordier butter—hard to find in the U.S. due to its limited distribution and short shelf life—it was an exciting opening act.

I had never tried Bordier before, and right there, I understood the hype. It was rich and velvety, and I was tempted to sneak into the kitchen to take some home… though I'd never actually do that. (But I was close this time.)

What followed was a parade of outstanding dishes: veal bonbons with sauce verte, Catalana risotto with California spot prawns, and a rack of lamb à la Provençal with sauce Solferino and mushroom purée—this last one drawn from Fardad's childhood memories of his grandfather cooking lamb in London, where Fardad is from.

Speaking of—while we were enjoying these dishes, we spotted Fardad dancing around the dining room, greeting every table, thanking guests, and exuding an energy that screamed: I manifested this! Can you believe it? That buzz of someone living the dream they once doodled on a napkin.

It was contagious and genuine, making me wish more places like Muse existed—places that are serious about their food, but led by authenticity and enthusiasm.

The hospitality was also impressive. For such a young restaurant (and young owners), the attention to detail, service, and the elevated yet friendly vibe were truly admirable.

"Thank you for such a fun day," Mo said as our plates were being cleared and our server dropped off a tray of desserts to choose from.

Between the crowd-favorite Vanilla St. Honoré and the mango and passion fruit sorbet, Mo and I clinked spoons, toasted to the day, the meal, and the magic of our reunion.

"Thank you for letting me show you my town," I said, smiling and wishing for days like this to multiply.

When the check arrived, it included a handwritten note:

It was truly a pleasure serving you tonight.

A simple gesture that meant so much—a heartprint that planted the desire to go back to Muse soon.

As I hugged Mo goodbye outside of her hotel, I felt it—how full a day can make you when you're seen, nourished, and inspired.

There are muses all around us.

Some in the form of friends.

Some in the form of cities.

Some hidden inside restaurants that started as dorm-room dreams.

And if you pay attention, they find you exactly when you need them to.

Muses Wanted!

I've shared mine—now it's your turn. Who (or what) has been a muse in your life lately? A friend, a place, a perfect plate of food? Don't be shy, drop your heartwarming, unexpected, or delicious stories in the comments.

Karen Loves Food

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