Close encounters of the best kind

On New Year’s Eve, we dined at The Milky Way, a kosher dairy restaurant in West Los Angeles. Nestled among a stretch of Jewish bookstores, delicatessens and synagogues, this homey place belongs to Leah Adler, aka “Stephen Spielberg’s mom.”

The décor is a visual homage to Hollywood luminaries, from chalky autographs in the exposed brick entryway to Sharpie-signed glossies on the stucco walls. The hallways give special tribute to Spielberg’s movie accomplishments, E.T. to Schindler’s List.

But make no mistake: Leah’s the star of this establishment. She driftes between the kitchen and the cozy banquettes, hovering over her guests like the Jewish mother she is.

“Everyone loves my pistachio pasta,” she said, as she passed out copies of her eclectic menu. “Try it—you’ll want to take the recipe home.” My family ordered chimichangas, Asian stir-fry, spinach crepes, and cheese blintzes. But who was I to argue with Spielberg’s mama?

Everything was tasty, but oh, that pistachio pasta was out of this world! I complimented her, of course, and as predicted, I asked her for the recipe.

“It’s so simple,” she said, “You chop up your pistachios, and then you saute them with olive oil and garlic. Next, you add your shallots and soy sauce…”

“Wait, wait, wait,” I said. “I’m so not a cook! Could you help me by writing this down?”

“If you’re not a confident cook,” she said with twinkle in her eyes, “invite someone with decent taste buds to join you.” She grabbed my son’s arm, pulling him into our conversation. “Pretend you’re in Betty Crocker’s test kitchen.” Then she whispered a secret behind her hand, “If it doesn’t taste quite right, you probably need more soy sauce.”

As we made our way toward the door, I admired her photographic memorabilia. "That one’s my favorite," I said, pointing to a candid shot, in which Leah’s beaming face is cuddled up close to her smiling son’s.  "I can tell that you love being a mama."

She nodded. "Oh yes!" 

We exchanged knowing glances. "Yeah, me, too,”  I said.

We kvelled about our kids, of course, but we also talked about the joys of being our own true selves. "I love your spunky attitude," I said, giving her studio portrait as an example. Inside the milky white frame, Leah is sprawled in a snow-white chaise lounge. She’s wearing white from head to toe, save for black-rimmed eyeglasses and a Groucho Marx moustache. “That picture," I said, "has happiness written all over it."

“That’s why it’s hanging outside the bathrooms," she said with a wink. "People rush past Stephen’s posters in a blur, but while they’re waiting for the toilet, I’ve got a captive audience.”

We cozied up for a few pictures of our own, and as we hugged good-bye, I thanked her for a delicious meal—and more than that, for all the ways in which she’d fed my spirit.

She caressed my arm. “You nourished me."

I got all misty-eyed. "And you, me," I said.

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65 Comments

    • *is humbled by your very kind words*

      Thank you for allowing me to share this joyful experience. It makes me so happy to pass along to you the smiles Ms. Adler gave to me!

    • I’m so glad that you’re having fun with your art journal. I’ll bet you’ve created a lot of interesting pages in the last several days. SO sorry to hear about your hospital experience. I hope you have a full recovery very soon!

    • I’m so glad that you’re having fun with your art journal. I’ll bet you’ve created a lot of interesting pages in the last several days. SO sorry to hear about your hospital experience. I hope you have a full recovery very soon!

    • *swoons with you*

      If you ever make your way to Orange County/L.A., we should go to Milky Way together. I’d love to read about it from your perspective, as a true culinary expert!

    • *swoons with you*

      If you ever make your way to Orange County/L.A., we should go to Milky Way together. I’d love to read about it from your perspective, as a true culinary expert!

  12. I hope you don’t mind a long comment. Here is a newspaper column I wrote that was kind of about Leah Adler:

    I blame Leah Adler, Steven Spielberg’s mother, for yesterday’s incident. According to a TV interview I watched years ago, Ms. Adler encouraged her son’s dream to be a movie director. She schlepped young Steven to various shooting locales and also allowed him to film in her house. Ms. Adler even let Steven put cherry pie filling in her kitchen cupboards and let it drip all over the counter to look like blood.

    Inspired by Ms. Adler and the fact that Steven became a billionaire and bought his mother a very nice house, I’ve always encouraged my children’s creative pursuits. Last week, I let my son Aaron make a ham, cheese, ketchup and strawberry jelly sandwich. I reasoned that Aaron might become a great chef, and Emeril Lagasse probably bought a house for his mother too.

    I also have sung for a mock American Idol show and answered questions phrased in Jeopardy! format to support my son Mark’s dream of being a game show host. Luckily, he is not interested in hosting Fear Factor so I don’t have to eat live insects.

    And I’ve allowed my teenage daughter to take art classes, even though she’s ruined many clothes with paint, clay and disgusting unknown substances.

    But yesterday’s incident changed everything. My daughter surprised me by saying, “I accidentally sprayed tacky glue on the dog.”

    “What?” I responded, which was not the first four-letter word I’d thought of.

    “I was doing an art project in the bathroom–”

    “In the bathroom!” I shouted. “We have a garage. We have a backyard.”

    She continued her tale of woe while I stared at Edna’s tail of glue. “Edna walked in while I was spraying the glue. It’s all over her.”

    Did you know tacky glue is quick-drying and permanent? That it is used to adhere carpeting to car floors? That it is nicknamed the Snot of Satan by people who’ve spent days trying to get rid of it?

    On the Internet, I found advice about removing tacky glue, including soaking it with paint thinner, applying dry ice and using heat guns. All these procedures are to be performed while wearing chemical gloves and a gas mask. Though Edna is a pain in the neck, I do not wish to kill her. So I kept Googling.

    Finally, I read that Proclaim oil and shampoo, used to remove hair extensions, might safely get out the tacky glue. All I had to do was locate a beauty supply store that carried the products, drive to Lake Forest, buy the Proclaim with my daughter’s money and give Edna two oil treatments and two baths. Just like that, the tacky glue came off– along with much of Edna’s fur. At least we matched. I had pulled out much of my hair.

    My children are now forbidden from attempting any creative pursuits. It’s okay if they don’t buy me a house. I expect to get house money from the lawsuit I’m preparing against Leah Adler.

  17. Very nice story and what a happy ending. Did you get the recipe? Maybe your son will re-create it in your kitchen.
    I talked with Lulla Belle over at Lulla Bella’s BBQ and Chile parlor. She would be happy to show you how to prepare those great fried lizard tails anytime you can make it to town.

    • No, she didn’t give me the recipe. Just the list of ingredients and that advice about preparing it.

      Truth be told, I’d rather eat it again at her restaurant. I think the magic ingredient is the loving atmosphere in which it’s made.

    • Oh, Jeannine, it was a magical experience I’ll never forget. Thanks so much for stopping by so I could share it with you.

      Just imaging…encountering so much love and chutzpah and joy in one place!

    • I got a lump in my throat when she said that. It’s one of the best compliments I’ve ever received. No doubt in my mind, she’s Stephen Spielberg’s “rock.” xo

  22. I am never surprised that people are attracted to you, Melodye. You have an aura that compels people to want to bask in your glow of life.

    You may have met your match with Mama Adler.

    It is a joy to see two forces of nature in a body-glove hug.

    People love you, Melodye. I hope that knowledge sustains you day in and out. {}

    -Pamela

    • I’m so attracted to her spirit. She’s spunky, sweet, and… joyful. How can anyone resist an indominable woman like that?!? Especially when she serves such wonderful meals. 🙂

      As to what you’ve said to me personally, I’m going to tuck your words into my heart. Such a beautiful gift they are, and I’m forever grateful. xoxo

  23. I am never surprised that people are attracted to you, Melodye. You have an aura that compels people to want to bask in your glow of life.

    You may have met your match with Mama Adler.

    It is a joy to see two forces of nature in a body-glove hug.

    People love you, Melodye. I hope that knowledge sustains you day in and out. {}

    -Pamela

  24. I always love hearing your stories… not only do you have the BEST stories, you tell them so incredibly well. This sounds like such a one-of-a-kind experience, Melodye. What a sweet lady. Sounds like a very special close encounter.

    • Aw, Kevin, that’s an incredibly nice thing to say! I’m getting all misty-eyed, all over again. So many wonderful words from so many fabulous friends…

      Can’t wait to meet up with you again.

      • If there are wonderful words, it’s only because you deserve each and every one of them. 🙂

        We’re going to have to coordinate schedules so we can grab lunch again soon!

  25. I always love hearing your stories… not only do you have the BEST stories, you tell them so incredibly well. This sounds like such a one-of-a-kind experience, Melodye. What a sweet lady. Sounds like a very special close encounter.

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