Stamp it out

DEBBIE & CARLO SCHMID • Red Dining Book

WORK • Thursday Routine

DEBBIE & CARLO SCHMID • founders • Red Dining Book
Neighborhood where you live and work in: West LA

It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
We’re fortunate to call my aunt’s charming house both our home and office. Carlo enjoys his morning coffee in bed reading the news, while I like to start the day by burning a few calories. Then we sit down for a breakfast of homemade bread. Our workday begins with emails, meetings, and content creation for ads and social media. We’re always on the lookout for exciting new restaurant openings.

Almost two years ago, we made the move from Switzerland to Los Angeles (though we still spend a few months each year in Switzerland) and launched Red Dining Book, a boutique restaurant guidebook. Leaving behind our corporate jobs in Zurich, we embarked on this incredible adventure led by our love for food and great hospitality. The Red Dining Book has been a beloved concept in Switzerland for over 16 years, and now, it’s here in LA. Think of it like a restaurant scavenger hunt: Each time you dine at a featured restaurant, you receive a stamp or signature in your book and a comped entrée.

We can do most of our work remotely, often opting to work from coffee shops like Café Telegrama in Melrose Hill (the sister café to one of our featured restaurants, Étra) or Gnarwhal Coffee Co. in Santa Monica, which pairs perfectly with a beach walk.

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, or this weekend?
This week, we’re planning to revisit two of our featured restaurants, Lasita and Butchr Bar. Both are incredible spots with amazing teams, and we can’t wait to experience them again.

How about a little leisure or culture?
As Swiss, we have a deep love for hiking, so you’ll often find us tackling every trail we can. One of our favorite trails is Switzer Falls — but there are so many breathtaking hikes to discover! Recently, we’ve hiked in Joshua Tree (Lost Horse Loop, Boy Scout Trail) and Sedona (Devil’s Bridge Trail). Beyond nature, we also love LA’s vibrant art scene. For example, the Hauser & Wirth gallery always showcases fantastic exhibitions. We like to combine it with a walk through the Arts District and a great dinner at somewhere like Camphor, Yess, Kodo, or Damian.

Any weekend getaways?
We love spending time at Bodega in Los Alamos, sipping wine and enjoying a BBQ. And of course, no trip is complete without wine tastings at some of the region’s most wonderful wineries like So Far Out, Dovecote, Donnachadh, Storm Wines, and Pence. A nice way to let the evening draw to a close is by having a drink at the bar of the Inn at Mattei’s Tavern in Los Olivos.

What was your last great vacation?
Marrakech, a city bursting with color, culture, and incredible energy. We stayed at the stunning Riad Pure House and Kasbah Tameslothe. During the day, we explored the YSL Museum and the enchanting Jardin Majorelle, a must-visit for design and fashion lovers. Another highlight was a visit to the Beni Rugs Studio near Marrakech, where we got an inside look at their beautiful showroom, weaving floor, washing facility, and design headquarters.

What store or service do you always recommend?
Läderach for some truly great Swiss chocolate. We go there twice a week.