Dining Faces: Govind Armstrong

One of LA's most recognizable chefs, for those who can see him through the perpetual throng of ladies surrounding him at all times, Govind Armstrong has a reinvigorated hit in his newly redesigned Table 8 (and its new sister restaurant in Miami). Armstrong claims he didn't even flinch when he heard designer Thomas Schoos use the words "mohair walls." Well, maybe a little—but they're now writing a book together, so it all worked out. —Lonny Pugh

Which farmer's market is your favorite?

Definitely Santa Monica on Wednesdays. And Hollywood on Sundays. That's where I draw my inspiration.

Where do you go for a relaxing meal?

I love Sushi Tenn on Sawtelle. The owner is always there, the fish is incredibly fresh, and though it's always busy you can always manage to get a table there. He goes down to the fish market and hand-picks everything.

And for a livelier meal?

I go to Sushi Roku when I'm in the mood for scene—that's normally not the case. But they do have really good fish there.

What is your neighborhood favorite?

I go to Campanile every sunday for brunch. I can walk there from my house.

Where is the best meal you've had in the last year?

My last really great meal was at Providence. Michael [Cimarusti] does an amazing meal there.

This interview would somehow seem incomplete without mention of Mozza.

I've been there twice. A quick lunch once, once to go. It traveled really well.

A woman in my office is a fashion addict and wants to know where you buy the scarves you use to tie your hair back.

My scarves are made by this woman at Suss Design on Beverly. They're really cool. She once saw me wearing an old, ripped T-shirt around my head and said I couldn't be wearing that. She's made the scarves for me ever since.