Greetings from the West Coast! I just finished a road trip up from Los Angeles to Vancouver, during which we spent the night on the Samoa Peninsula outside Eureka. Humboldt Bay Social Club is a dog-friendly four-suite boutique hotel that would be as good for longer stays as it was for our one-night pitstop. It’s relatively low-frills when it comes to services—there’s no front desk or centralized staff—but the rooms are warm, inviting, and well-appointed with thoughtful touches like a free snack-filled minibar and picnic-ready beach wagons. (You can purchase cookout fixings, including bags of fresh oysters for grilling, from the lobby bar.) Explore the gorgeous and gloriously empty dunes in the morning and then take yourself just up the bay to South G Kitchen in Arcata for some seriously tasty food in an indoor-outdoor brewery setting.
-VvP
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I had planned to write this up before Trump tanked the economy, but a job listing, even if just part-time, feels like it’s about to be a rare commodity. If you’re not familiar with Walter De Maria’s seminal work of land art, The Lightning Field is a “one mile by one kilometer and six meters” installation piece in a remote area of New Mexico. The site consists of 400 polished stainless steel poles arranged in a grid, ostensibly in order to attract lightning, though strikes rarely happen. I had the pleasure of staying in the on-site cabin with five friends (it’s built for six) some years ago, and it was a beautiful experience. The way light—not lightning—was captured and reflected throughout different times of day and night is something I think of relatively often. The caretaker at the time, Robert, was a kind, older gentleman, whose craggy and deep features matched the surrounding high desert. I vividly remember staring at his hands, giant mitts with grooves that told tales, as they turned the steering wheel on our drive out to the middle of nowhere. We actually tried to interview Robert for multiple issues of the magazine, but it never worked out. The Dia Art Foundation is now looking for a new Robert, or a role close to that. It’s a wild job and a wild place to live, but unquestionably perfect for the right person.
- DW
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I have to admit that I’ve been gatekeeping Wilder for years now, ever since my friend Jayna first took me shopping at this vintage treasure chest just past Mohawk Junction in Los Angeles. The owner, Susan, is a denim savant who has a constant supply of perfectly distressed American-made jeans which she’ll custom fit to your specifications (or hers), as well as tees, hand-picked designer items, deadstock army pieces, and plenty of other surprises in between. I’ve never left empty-handed—or regretted a purchase. If you go, tell Susan I say hi, and send me a pic of your haul.
-VvP
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It takes a lot to entice me to a newish restaurant these days. The general cost, the babysitter expense, the energy needed to leave my house—these are all complicating factors. But I happened to dine at Demo in the West Village for an event on Monday night and it was love at first bite. Founded by some alums of Wildair (our past Stoner Donut partners), Demo is a bistro-y wine bar that does big things in a relatively small space. Everything I tried was excellent, but the chicory salad (something I’m a harsh judge of) was top-notch, as was their persimmons with ricotta and halibut meunière. The steak, pasta, and bread were also great. In a sea of pretenders, Demo feels like an authentic New York restaurant that hopefully becomes a classic eatery.
-DW
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This might be the Canadian in me speaking, but these chips from Italian snack brand San Carlo are absolutely delicious. Paper thin and crisp, with a lightly salty tomato flavor that’s ever so slightly reminiscent of a ketchup chip. Get them for your next road trip.
-VvP
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First, let me say that I've yet to go wrong with any MFNY edible I've tried. So if you can't find their Strawberry Mango x Honey Banana Live Rosin Edibles at a local dispensary, fear not. You can confidently pick up whichever of their products are available or sound good to you. But should you come across this fruit salad of strain names, I highly suggest grabbing a pack or two. Just an excellent, even, and enjoyable experience. Truly one of the best brands in the New York market.
- DW |
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