Tibi Eats 005: Funke

Classic. Modern. Timeless | Beverly Hills, CA

Funke, in a general sense, is a place where one can feel safe, free, and encouraged to nerd out on the little things - the smaller details that Chef Evan Funke and co-owner Kurt Rappaport so painstakingly sought out and included from top to bottom throughout their newest project in L.A. Tibi is Chill, Modern, and Classic - Funke is Classic, Modern, and Timeless - their words, not mine. Great minds think alike.

At Tibi, we also love to nerd out, in our case it’s on the little details of personal style, creative pragmatism, and luxury craftsmanship. Our obsession with this is an integral piece of our story, of who we are, and is ultimately the driving factor behind why we do what we do and create what we create. It all boils down to what we love, deeply and personally. Things from the past, present, and future that resonate with us because of their presence somewhere on that timeline.

For our Fall 2024 NYFW presentation, a major aspect of our creative vision shown through in the smaller, more particular components, the ones that you’ll only notice if you care about these sorts of things. How every hanger on the four display racks was a one of one ceramic art piece created by a small, local, South African artist, with love. How each hanger was looped, locked, and knotted by hand onto each rack by locally sourced brown leather ribbon and silver lock stops. How each shoe rested upon one of one ceramic art pieces that we named “the blobs”. How we worked with a local florist to create a specific floral sculpture that would embody and encapsulate the essence of the collection and the exhibition. How we worked with a London based photographer who flew to NYC to shoot our campaign in black and white, emphasizing the creative act of raw, unfiltered photography. How we worked with legend Kristen McMenamy, who was given, and took, free reign of the shoot to be, feel, and create whatever she desired. How every photo placard in the gallery was a handwritten, stream of consciousness description from Amy’s brain, to pen, to paper. How each song on our playlist for the event was curated to pair with the exact emotions that the collection, photographs, and art pieces were meant to evoke.

All of these details, when pieced together, worked to create a memorable moment in time.

I say all of this for two reasons. Firstly, I am writing this one day after we held the gallery exhibition and it is top of mind. But also because my experience at Funke a couple weeks ago was so deeply memorable for paralleled reasons that made our event yesterday so special.

Stepping out of our car in front of Funke we are greeted by two massive flame heaters, intuitively positioned to frame the entrance that is shielded by two massive, gold lined glass doors. Hosts welcomed and led us upstairs to our table which over looked the Damien Hirst inspired installation, think shark in formalin, but chef in pasta laboratory. We were also privy to a view of the entry foyer and bar, the place where “opportunities to see and be seen are balanced with the need to be discrete”.

Art lines the Loro Piana linen covered walls, and by art I mean pieces from Rappaport’s personal collection of Basquiat, Warhol, Ruscha, and Pigozzi. These pieces, among other design elements, like the beauty and luxury of the imported Crema Del Monte and Verde Imperiale marbles, become increasingly evident and eye catching as your dining experience proceeds throughout the night.

Our waiter was from the Bronx, and when dining at an Italian restaurant in America, I honestly would not have it any other way. Funke is an undeniable testament to how the little things, that when delicately pieced together with eager attention, create an ephemerally angelic final product. More to this point, my favorite dishes out of the delicate pastas, pizzas, and robust entrees ordered were actually two of the smallest ones we received: the insalata di finocchi, and the side of smashed, roasted potatoes that accompanied our Costata alla Fiorentina. A top 3 potato dish and certainly in the conversation for the best we’ve ever had. We were not going to get dessert, but are more than grateful that we did, and you should too.

Funke is a masterclass experience, a respectful nod to the old guard, as the torch is confidently passed to Chef Funke and his menus that represent the ultimate consistency, love, and care.