Full Belly Files | P!nk’s Performance, Universal’s Excitement, and Amarano’s Oasis

P!nk flies through Sofi Stadium | Credit: Matt Kettmann

This edition of Full Belly Files was originally emailed to subscribers on October 27, 2023. To receive Matt Kettmann’s food newsletter in your inbox each Friday, sign up at independent.com/newsletters.

Yea, she’s close. | Credit: Matt Kettmann

We rode all sorts of rails during a recent family adventure into the daytime diversions and evening excitements of Los Angeles.

There was the metaphorical version of riding the rail, a k a getting front row tickets right up against the guardrails of the stage. That was the four of us at Sofi Stadium on October 5, when we watched our Santa Ynez Valley neighbor P!nk reach rock-supernova status, belting out her endless string of chart-topping hits while flying like Superwoman through the arena affixed to an aerial rig.

I’ve gotten to know P!nk over the years through my wine work, primarily through this 2018 cover story on her Two Wolves brand, again in this interview for Wine Enthusiast, and by seeing each other a few more times over the years at events, including the one time up in Atascadero where I actually got her a last-minute ticket to attend. (As you could guess, it was the easiest free ticket I’ve ever requested.)

So when she invited my family to her L.A. show, we all jumped. The offer only grew sweeter the night before when I found out we had backstage passes and those front row seats. It was my first time at Sofi, which is instantly impressive on the architecture front though oddly difficult to navigate, at least when trying to find a hidden door to the backstage. While the free eats and drinks provided there were perfectly adequate — I managed to find the last Sriracha packets, which amplified the fried bites — the post-show bacon-wrapped hot dog from a cart topped with everything (including what seemed to be an entire cilantro plant) was the evening’s culinary highlight. I snapped a photo with my family in the background and called it a family portrait.

Kettmann family portraits outside Sofi: before and after. | Credit: Matt Kettmann

Then there were our more literal rides on rails: strapped into the zippy, multimedia-mastering roller coasters of Universal Studios the following day. The compact but mighty amusement park continues to conquer an incredibly hilly, rather constrained square footage by employing all levels of technology to make even rides with short physical movements hit big. Though almost double the price of the usual $109 ticket, the $199 Universal Express Pass essentially eliminates all the lines, making it a wise choice if you want to click off more than a handful of rides on a busy day. Food & drink isn’t why you go to Universal, but I found ample refreshment in the Harry Potter-themed cold brews at the Hog’s Head Pub and crushed some post-Super Nintendo World hanger with liquid cheese carnitas nachos from Bumblebee Man’s Taco Truck.

Super Nintendo World | Credit: Matt Kettmann
Madeline dons Mario cap | Credit: Matt Kettmann
Madeline and Matt with Bowser | Credit: Matt Kettmann
Carnitas nachos at Universal Studios | Credit: Matt Kettmann

Given this 24-hour rocket ride of thrills, I assumed that whatever hotel we found would simply play background canvas to our more colorful exploits, especially when the best option tucked away in a mostly residential corner of Burbank. But the Hotel Amarano somehow challenged both front row seats and heart-racing rides as the third highlight of our quick trip, providing an oasis of friendly faces, a magically peaceful swimming pool, and restaurant-bar that served a modern menu of satisfying sips and eats for both dinner and breakfast.

Not my Lambo, at the Hotel Amarano | Credit: Matt Kettmann

The 132-room hotel — located east of 101, just north of 134, and about 10 surface-street minutes from Universal — is popular for film industry professionals working in the nearby studios, including, on occasion, famous actors and directors. Developed by Robert Zarnegin of Peninsula Beverly Hills fame and opened in 2002 as the Graciela Burbank, the property underwent a top-to-bottom renovation three years ago. That included launching FYC Bar + Kitchen, which spreads from the lounges and tight bar top of the lobby onto a leafy outdoor patio, near where Ferraris and Lamborghinis jostle for position in the driveway.

We piled into FYC following our exhausting Universal visit — did I mention the 100-degree heat? — and began rattling off menu items to the server: Spicy passionfruit paloma! Blood orange spritz! “In the Clouds” gin drink! Korean barbecue wings! Quinoa & kale salad! When my friend Jared, who lives nearby, showed up, he added his own demands: Potato bravas with jalapeno honey! Tuna tartare with soy-ginger dressing! Another drink!

FYC’s quinoa & kale salad | Credit: Matt Kettmann
Avocado toast | Credit: Matt Kettmann
Korean barbecue wings with In the Clouds gin drink | Credit: Matt Kettmann

We held court at FYC for much longer than expected, eventually wandering the neighborhood for fresh air and returning for some goodnight ales. I discovered the pool the next morning and, as my daughter had the afternoon before, found it rather relaxing, quiet, and tranquil despite just being a wall away from a busy street. Again, I stayed longer than expected, before rejoining my family for the eggwich, avocado toast, and more off of FYC’s breakfast menu.

By the time the valet arrived with the car, our less-than-48-hour romp through L.A. was feeling like a full-circle, clicked-many-buttons escape. We went from in-our-face rock ‘n’ roll to techno-enhanced roller coasters to decompressing relaxation, tallying up a family trip that we’ll be reliving for years to come.

From Our Table

Bettina took the cake (err, pie?) for Best Montecito Restaurant and Best Pizza in this year’s Best of Santa Barbara® reader’s poll | Credit: Ingrid Bostrom

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