Atlanta's Own
Talks music, hustle, and relationships (well sorta), with the ever Fabulous Toccara. EDDIE MURPHY J O H N G R AV E S
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The
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jJ Photography By PHILIPPE BERTRAND
Atlanta rapper YFN Lucci has the makings of a superstar: confidence, talent, and drive. He recently spoke with model and actress toccara jones to discuss all things music, and how he plans to change the game. Page
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MONKEY KING WORDS BY MERILEE KERN
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San Diego’s famed Gaslamp Quarter is a bustling community filled with vibrant nightlife, which indubitably includes dining to die for. Amid the burgeoning downtown culinary scene is Monkey King, an elegant latenight Chinese cuisine eatery that swung into action in late 2017. The current iteration of Monkey King is a reprisal of a restaurant by the same name, which actually claimed the same space in the late 1800s. At that time, one of the most influential men in San Diego’s Chinatown, Tom Ah Quin, ran Monkey
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King, which was reportedly an illegal lottery house where politicians and San Diego’s elite could go to dine, drink and gamble into the late hours of the night. Now commanding the same location where the original establishment once was, the reprised Monkey King restaurant pays homage to its storied history and Prohibition-era past in combination with decidedly modern-era elements. One apparent aspect carried over from days of yore is that Monkey King is one of the few latenight dining options in the Gaslamp. The dining menu is available until midnight on weekdays and 2 a.m. on weekends. This bodes well for the throngs of nightclub and bar-goers (and staffers)
and other night owls who seek quality eats well into the wee hours. No matter your preferred time to dine, the restaurant’s Executive Chef Brendan Mica, who most recently served as chef de cuisine at The Standard, High Line in Manhattan, has developed an authentic and traditional Chinese dining experience with contemporary sensibilities. “I have always had a love for Chinese cuisine, its balance, complexity and deep flavor profiles,” notes Chef Mica. “The Monkey King menu has no tricks, combining traditional Chinese recipes and cooking techniques with locally sourced ingredients.” No downtown gastro-joint would be complete without a well-con-
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tender and succulent. Even Chef Mica adores this particular dish, citing that “it’s full of that umami flavor that I love about Asian cooking. It’s a sweet, sticky, fall of the bone situation that gets me every time.”
PHOTO BY JIM SULLIVAN
L O C AT I O N 467 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
ceived craft cocktail menu, and Monkey King duly delivers with signature Asian-focused hand-crafted elixirs. Large format drinks are creatively served up in punch bowls such as the “Scorpion King”– comprised of vodka, gin, light and dark rum, and a medley of fresh juices. My own personal fave is the not-too-sweet Golden Pear—Brut champagne infused with Absolute Pear Vodka, fresh ginger and pear puree. I also love that the bar area features television sets running an assortment of “old school” Chinese movies (muted) that add a compelling visual element to the overall ambiance. Popular music plays in the background, adding to the cool vibe that beckons hipsters inside. The open-air lounge actually serves as the focal point for the stylish dining area that surrounds. Most impressive among the furnishings is an authentic dim sum table imported straight from China that seats up to eight people. The décor is eclectic, featuring exposed brick and living flora structures infused with modern gold elements, neon lighting effects and a butterfly motif. The resulting effect is a warm, multifarious atmosphere. A row of booth seating alongside a wall running the length of the restaurant allows patrons to have an open-view dining experience overlooking the entirety of the restaurant—to see and be seen amid all of the action and interaction. Social media aficionados also adore the grandiose gold chair that sits directly under the Monkey King logo, which makes every customer feel as if they are the Monkey King themselves. Given San Diego’s near perfect year-round weather, it’s also a boon that the eatery offers an outdoor double patio area option. The menu is concise, offering a curated selection of traditional and signature dishes from Monkey King’s past, morphed for present-day palates. As an example of this, the eatery makes its Pork Bao Buns from scratch. “Our customers will experience our dedication to scratch cooking, and can expect that all dishes will have some connection to their traditional Chinese origins,” Chef Mica said. With my own visit to Monkey King, I was compelled to sample various “dim sum” appetizers, most notable of which was the Lobster Shumai— Maine lobster shrimp dumplings. At first glance, it’s apparent the tasty morsels were lovingly hand-crafted, and with every detail on the plate purposefully placed. Each dumpling, topped with a dollop of red masago, was complemented by a flavorful, peppery cream sauce that duly complemented the sweet seafood ensconced in each pocket. I did also sample other small plates like the Hamachi Sashimi, which was plated with cucumber, shiso leaf and chili oil, all doused with ponzu sauce and lemon. A crisp and potent garlic chip added just the right note of crunch and savory flavor. Another favorite of mine from this section was the Hoisin Barbeque Baby Back Ribs that, of course, had an Asian twist—a decadent hoisin chili glaze topped with sesame seeds. The amply-portioned meat itself
The entrées that followed did not disappoint, as I was thrust deeper into Chinese culture and the historical restaurant’s roots. The signature dish of the restaurant—The Drunken Lobster Hong Kong Style—arrived in a heap of the sumptuous shellfish (a full one-pound in total), stir fry vegetables and grilled scallions. This hearty dish packs a flavorful punch—and with a notable amount of spice. My suggestion is that you opt to order a side of white rice to balance out the dish overall and soak in the thick, rich sauce. Also memorable was the Black Pepper Beef—12 ounces of Prime New York steak served with bok choy, mushrooms, wok-roasted Maui onions, and crispy potatoes. Gladly, the preparation of the dish was not what I expected. Instead of the steak being served as one large piece of protein, it was carved into 12 sashimi-style sections seared with a delicately crusted and well-seasoned outer edge. The resurgence of this once bustling locale, now as an Asian restaurant that brings ethnic authenticity and nostalgia to the Gaslamp District as a latenight dining destination, is a charming addition to downtown San Diego. “I love that we offer a contemporary setting for people to enjoy while still getting to experience the warm comfort that Chinese cuisine often brings,” Mica said. “It’s an interesting contrast that I think San Diegans will really like.”
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Words By GEORGE KEVIN JORDAN Photography By JAI LENNARD Fashion By JAMES JEAN Grooming By MARGINA DEENIS
Brett takes
ON THE WORLD It’s a beautiful thing to see a young performer on the cusp of a come up. On My Block actor Brett Gray is taking on TV, Music and whatever door he can knock down.
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Brookfield Place is awash with people. Maybe it’s because the mall is 300,000 square feet of space currently occupied by the after hours crowd of folks who work around the World Trade Center.
seven and was surprised by her response.
Hundreds of commuters and tourists meander from store to store, or walk across the street to the 9/11 memorial site. It may not be the best place to meet someone, unless that person is Brett Gray.
With that, his dream was slowly pitched and forged into a career. Gray went to the acting camp, New Freedom Theater. He attended the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) and landed his first big role in New York at Radio City Music Hall, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Twelve shows a week, living and working in New York at the ripe old age of 18.
The young actor, singer, and walking poster for #blackboyjoy is surprisingly easy to spot in the local Starbucks. The Philly native may only be 21 years old, but he has a spirit that feels timeless and an energy that draws you near like a magnet. He is siting with one of his besties, rocking an ASOS shirt and is seriously channeling 1990s LA hip-hop. He and his bud are sharing a joke, a moment that can only be shared with someone who knows your thoughts, can read your tells and gestures, and laughs before you even get the joke out. They are all smiles and all laughs, and dammit it’s a sight to see. A young Black man, two including his bff, blessed with the ability to take in a moment and enjoy being young. They sit, not afraid to be loud, or take up a room. Because that is what you are supposed to do at that age. Gray has a lot to be joyful about; he just wrapped the Netflix show On My Block and is writing and recording a seven song EP entitled Easy Days in his spare time. What did you do for your winter break? In a few short years, with a curated collection of stand out roles and performances, Gray has established himself as an actor to watch. The weight of the future and pressures of keeping up with the Jones, or Kardashians depending on who you who ask, may get to most people. But Gray seems to be enjoying the ride. “I feel lucky,” Gray says. Growing up in the uptown area of Philadelphia, Gray was bit hard with the acting bug. He told his mom at
“My mom took me very serious,” Gray says. “Actually more serious than I expected.”
My mom said ‘if you’re not going to school it’s not an excuse not to work. I want you working harder than the kids that are going to musical theatre school and film school. B R E T T G R AY
“It was crazy,” Gray says. “It was my first time living by myself.” He spent the majority of this time, shopping, eating, and watching a friend’s two dogs. Oh, and giving his all on stage, he learned quickly about priorities, limitations, and what it was like to be grown-ish. When it was time to consider college, Gray made the very adult decision to try to pursue his dream without a formal education. Once again, his mother was right there with sage advice. “My mom said ‘if you’re not going to school it’s not an excuse not to work. I want you working harder than the kids that are going to musical theatre school and film
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school,’” Gray recalls. He took her advice to heart. He is grateful for the decision now. “I don’t have any debt. I’m just out here,” Gray says with a laugh. “Sometimes I miss it. I stay with my friends a lot and they are all in college. Sometimes I wish I could go to class and (have) the experience of meeting a culture of people. But I feel like I would much rather visit and come back to my own apartment when I want to chill.” Gray, who considers himself an actor who sings, is now spending hours in the studio, crafting songs for his EP. He cites pop icons Beyoncé, and Bruno Mars as influences, but has a special affinity for superstar crooner Tevin Campbell. “I think Tevin Campbell wasn’t the normal leading man in music,” Gray says. “I think he said I am coming with a high pitch voice and I’m not going to be buff or put on an act and you’re going to take me as I am.” It’s that same authenticity that Gray brings with all his performances. On My Block allows Gray to use all that energy to take up the space on camera. His performance has just as much energy as emotion. He vibrates through each scene. His high-octane energy level is something that translates off screen as well. “He controls the energy and emotion in the room,” Sadat Waddy, 18, a friend and fellow actor says about Gray. “When Brett is super happy everyone is like ‘Hey! It’s lit.’ When Brett is sad everybody is like, ‘What is going on?’” Gray, like Campbell, and other contemporary artists of the #Blackexcellence era, is bringing his best game while maintaining integrity and heart. He is his authentic self whether on stage, on television, or just joking with his friend in a mall. It’s a great time to be Brett Gray, and it’s the perfect time for us to meet him.
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Talks with Dascha Polanco CLOCKWORKCROS
HUGH HEFNER
4 V O L U M E
KOFI SIRIBOE J A S O N S A LT Z M A N
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C O L O G N E S A B R OA D
C O N S TA N C E C . R . W H I T E
CHINESE NEW YEAR
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