5 Questions for Susan Feniger

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Susan Feniger is the chef-owner of Street and the co-chef-owner (along with Mary Sue Milliken) of Border Grill. Feniger is currently working on the Street cookbook, set to be published next year. In between projects (another Street?), you might find her in the hot tub ... .

Your favorite day-off away from the kitchen is … ? Well, probably it’s waking up to a delicious coffee with my gal and animals, hot tub, reading the newspaper (L.A. Times, of course), movie and dinner!

Favorite breakfast? Rice, toasted sesame oil, ponzu and furikake, or rye toast, California avocados, cottage cheese, extra virgin olive oil, tomatoes and hot sauce.

Latest ingredient obsession? Probably pandan leaves still, but the combo of fish sauce, sugar and vinegar brought to a boil until it gets a honey texture … fantastic as a base for a dipping sauce.

What restaurant do you find yourself going to again and again? The Brentwood -- it’s open late, serves till midnight, it’s close to our house, the staff is warm and friendly and know us, and I love their vegetarian plate, salad with tomatoes, roasted onions and blue cheese … what can I say! It’s simple. Or Golden Bull, love Don the owner, it’s a neighborhood joint, close by and has great dirty martinis.

The one piece of kitchen equipment you can’t live without, other than your knives? Rice cooker, microplane, 9-inch sauté pan.

Street, 742 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles; (323) 203-0500; www.eatatstreet.com. Border Grill, 1445 4th St., Santa Monica, (310) 451-1655; 445 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, (213) 486-5171; Border Grill Truck, Twitter @bordergrill; www.bordergrill.com.