NXT 
I don’t have the time or the patience or the money to spend this weekend in the desert. (We actually officially moved on from Coachella last year). But I do have time and patience and the money to park it on my couch and watch it all weekend on my internet TV.
And while my Coachella viewing will be HD and the sound will be full stereo and the lounging will be quite deep, apparently I’ll be missing out on the fine food Coachella now offers. Did you know cuisine is now a huge thing out there? I didn’t. I guess I was too busy sweating to Rage Against the Machine to notice the artisanal Vietnamese congee food truck in the corner.
Anyway, there are now some truly great vendors posted up to fill your belly. Over 100 to choose from. And while I can’t cook like them, I can be inspired by them. Here are some DIY food options inspired by the real fancy food options being served this weekend to the VIP’s in the desert.
Beer Belly’s Grilled Cheese with Bacon
Beer Belly (Long Beach, Korea Town) will be in the desert, hopefully making their great (and $14) Grilled Cheese with Bacon. Theirs is is a Quad-Deck 4×4 with “Cheddar, Swiss, Asiago, Goat Cheese, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Maple Syrup.” Can you make a grilled cheese? Can you make bacon? Good, do that, stack high, and enjoy this over-the-top sandwich and show.
Little Sister Style Wings
Little Sister, the amazing Downtown LA restaurant, makes some really special regional Asian food, including Vietnamese lemongrass chicken (wings I think) that are spicy and sweet and topped with fried garlic. The chef gives the recipe here, or if you’re not into Vietnamese flavors, make these award winning but still non-traditional ones.
Erven Eats
For the plant lovers, Erven in Santa Monica really brings it. Their layering of flavors is crazy, so thankfully they’re on the Polo fields this Coachella to keep folks healthy and happy. I bet that if you check out their menu, you’ll be inspired and fully capable of making some plant-based creations of your own. Even if it’s just hummus and crudité.
Homemade Mainland Poke Bowls
I went to Mainland in Marina Del Rey once, and they have the best poke I’ve ever had. And I currently live in Kauai, so I’m sort of an expert by now. I think it’s because their fish is insanely fresh, but more importantly sustainable, which means a lot when you do your research. Grab your copy of Issue 11 and follow Adam Warren’s lead in making your own poke bowls. Fresh and clean.
Drinking
While I wish I was there to check out PDT’s Coachella craft cocktail set-up, the live stream goes for like 10 hours for the next three days, so that’s 30 hours of viewing. That means lots of sipping, so do heed our recent All Day drinking guide here so you can power through with vigor to see the headliners each night.
Editor’s note: I wasn’t able to attend Coachella for the reunion of Refused (one of my favorite bands ever) and proceeded to drink myself to black out alone on a couch. Heed the advice, don’t get too comfortable just because you’re at home…—Travis
More Drinks!
Broken Shaker has been known to make some magic with syrups and potions made from fresh herbs. They also do a punch bowl for $200, so, yeah. Since this is Couchella, make some herby magic of your own at home. Click here, learn and mix away.
Enjoy the show, casually. and don’t you dare get FOMO.—Paul Brewer
