Nancy Mehagian
Nancy Mehagian is a culinary memoirist. In her book, Siren’s Feast: An Edible Odyssey, Mehagian details her fascinating travels as a young woman trekking through Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. She talks of the far-flung adventures of her youth and reminisces about the tastes and smells she discovered abroad. A friend once called her the “Picasso of the Potato” (seriously, I have no idea what that means – perhaps that she artistically portrays vegetables?)
Mehagian is a first generation Armenian-American whose family narrowly escaped genocide. She left from her suburban Phoenix life to wander the globe, and established the first vegetarian restaurant in Spain, on the magical island of Ibiza. (Please, please, someone take me there…I want to experience life on a magical island!) After a stint dancing cabaret in Syria, she endured 16 months incarcerated in an infamous London prison, along with her newborn baby, where she managed, even there, to pioneer a healthy way of eating. You can’t make this stuff up – it’s better than a soap opera.
For the past 30+ years, Mehagian has been a Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner and massage therapist in Los Angeles. Quincy Jones calls her book: “A spicy brew of recipes and adventures. I don’t know whether to eat this book, smoke it or make love to it."
Your favorite place in LA to have a cocktail?
I love Malo in Silver Lake for their wicked margaritas and mojitos. My favorite is the Impala Margarita, made with sea foam.
Your favorite LA place for bargain shopping?
I go right down the road to Laura's Designer Resale Boutique in Studio City. I still wear the Gaultier jacket I found there a few years ago.
You could change one thing about LA - what would it be?
I love LA but sometimes the traffic is unbearable. If I had my way I would definitely ban Hummers, the most absurd vehicle on the road.
You’ve always wanted to go to this LA spot – but just haven’t made it there yet?
I'm planning to visit the Los Angeles River Center, then I'd like to take the bike path through Frogtown (aka Elysian Park).
Your favorite LA extravagance?
Nothing beats lunch at Geoffrey's in Malibu on a weekday.
Your favorite neighborhood haunt?
Several days a week I can be found hiking through Franklin Canyon with my dogs, Buddha and Cisco. It's like wilderness five minutes from home.
Your favorite local getaway?
I love escaping to Montecito.
Your favorite place for cheap eats?
I love to eat. It can be cheap or expensive as long as it's good! I adore the tacos at Hugo's Tacos in Studio City and I go to Loteria in the original Farmer's Market whenever I can. Great chile rellenos and
chilaquiles.
You always take out of town guests to this spot?
Huntington Gardens is awesome and it is always changing depending on the time of year. I especially love April when the wisteria is blooming in the Japanese Garden.
You're most connected to this charity or your last volunteer experience?
I have been a supporter of Tibet for a very long time. So the International Campaign for Tibet is high on my list of charities as well as the Tibetan Homes School in Mussoorie, India where I have "adopted" my second Tibetan daughter. I feel it's so important to not allow these precious ancient cultures to disappear.
