From Bon Appétit · Ella Quittner · · 1m 30s
Andy Baraghani Ends Compromise
Andy Baraghani, the chef and writer, stops footnoting his vision after a decade of balancing creativity and family.
In brief
Andy Baraghani, the chef and writer, stops footnoting his vision after a decade of balancing creativity and family. Andy Baraghani has stopped compromising his vision for his new café Ditto after a decade of balancing creativity and family. Originally reported by Bon Appétit.
Stagnancy vs Stillness
Andy Baraghani fears becoming stagnant rather than dying, defining stagnancy as a fetid pond.
“Stagnancy, he’s quick to clarify, is different from stillness. Stagnancy is like a fetid pond; stillness is meditative.”
Ditto Café Launch
Andy Baraghani opens Ditto café near Union Square with restaurateur Michael Silber.
“Baraghani announced he would be opening a restaurant this fall near Union Square with restaurateur Michael Silber.”
Andy's Social Impact
Andy Baraghani has 370,000 Instagram and TikTok followers and is called 'the Internet boyfriend of our dreams'.
“He has more than 370,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok. He’s been called 'the Internet boyfriend of our dreams'.”
Cultural Background
Andy Baraghani grew up in the Bay Area, son of Iranian parents who emigrated to Berkeley in 1977.
“He grew up in the Bay Area, the son of parents who had emigrated from Iran to Berkeley in 1977.”
Health Challenge
Andy Baraghani lost his father to small-cell lung cancer in 2024.
“In 2024, after a battle with small-cell lung cancer, his beloved father passed away.”
Creative Process
Andy Baraghani writes recipes with caveats about lemony flavors and herb usage.
“I know that my food may be a touch too lemony for some, and that I use what has been called a ridiculous amount of herbs.”
Ditto Menu
Ditto café features seasonal vegetables with Persian flourishes and a 'beyond chicken program'.
“The dishes will weave together all of the threads of Baraghani-ism: seasonal vegetables prepared deftly with Persian flourishes, blending tart and sour and aromatic with a firm point-of-view.”
Name Origin
Andy Baraghani chose 'Ditto' as a code for 'I love you' from the movie Ghost.
“It’s another way to say 'I love you,' he says simply, before disappearing to join a meeting.”
Restaurant Details
Ditto café is a revival of counter-service restaurants with a focus on California-ish sides and salads.
“The goal is dishes that are palpably human, in a space Baraghani hopes will seem accessible to everyone.”
Family and Identity
Andy Baraghani grew up surrounded by immigrant communities and learned to accept his sexuality in kitchens.
“He wrote about learning to accept his sexuality in restaurant kitchens, where he rarely encountered other gay men.”
Current Focus
Andy Baraghani is done footnoting his vision after a decade of balancing creativity and family.
“Now, though, Baraghani says he is done footnoting his vision.”
The one thing
Andy Baraghani has stopped compromising his vision for his new café Ditto after a decade of balancing creativity and family.
