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Anthony Bourdain food trail coming

Follow in Anthony Bourdain’s footsteps through the New Jersey food scene with this new Bourdain-themed restaurant trail. Bourdain spent much of his childhood in Leonia, New Jersey, and in honor of the deceased food and travel show host, the New Jersey Legislature approved the Anthony Bourdain Food Trail at the end of January. The trail will, of course, include some of the restaurants Bourdain visited while filming the New Jersey episodes of Parts Unknown in 2015.

Photo: Parts Unknown/Netflix

As reported by the Asbury Park Press, New Jersey Assemblywoman Carol Murphy called Bourdain a New Jersey food icon, and said that she believes the trail is “a fitting way to honor the memory of one of New Jersey’s best known chefs […] he never forgot his Jersey roots. Each episode, Bourdain brought his homegrown wit, charm, and sense of humanity to his viewers. He became a New Jersey food icon.”

Bourdain himself was always quick to rebuke any negative stigma surrounding his home state. In the New Jersey episode of Parts Unknown, he said, “New Jersey has got beaches, beautiful beaches, and they’re not all crawling with roid-raging trolls with reality shows. I grew up summering on those beaches and they’re awesome.”

It hasn’t yet been revealed when the trail will officially open, but the following restaurants are slated to be included:

Kubel’s (Barnegat Light)
Hiram’s Roadstand (Fort Lee)
Tony & Ruth Steaks (Camden)
Donkey’s Place (Camden)
Lucille’s Country Cooking (Barnegat)
Frank’s Deli (Asbury Park)
James’ Salt Water Taffy (Atlantic City)
Knife and Fork Inn (Atlantic City)
Dock’s Oyster House (Atlantic City)
Tony’s Baltimore Grill (Atlantic City)

H/T: Travel & Leisure

More like this: The 13 wisest things Anthony Bourdain said about travel

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Best places for beignets in NOLA

New Orleans’ most famous dessert, the beignet, is simply fried dough covered in powdered sugar, but it’s simplicity belies its appeal. The beignet is the official state doughnut of Louisiana — yes, Louisiana has a state doughnut — and is often served alongside cafe au lait, which is French for coffee with milk.

The French connection, like so many things in Louisiana, goes back to the French settlers who moved from the Canadian region of Acadia in the 17th century. One of the food traditions that the Acadians brought with them was choux pastries, which are made from dough that rises with its own steam rather than with yeast. Today, you can find beignets just about anywhere in New Orleans, and eating one (or, to be real, many) is as essential a part of a New Orleans trip as cruising Bourbon Street’s best bars and overeating during Sunday brunch. Just make sure you go to the right place. These are the seven best restaurants and cafes for beignets in New Orleans.

1. Café Du Monde

Photo: Café Du Monde/Facebook

Without a doubt the most famous, and probably most visited, spot for beignets is Café Du Monde. Café Du Monde started as a coffee stand in 1862, and now has eight stands in the New Orleans area. The location by the Mississippi River is the most famous, and you should be prepared to wait if you go during a crowd rush. The good news is that Café Du Monde is open 24 hours, seven days a week (except for Christmas and “on the day an occasional Hurricane passes too close to New Orleans”) for whenever that beignet urge hits you.

Location: 800 Decatur St

2. Cafe Beignet

Photo: Cafe Beignet New Orleans/Facebook

Cafe Beignet is a good alternative when Café Du Monde is too packed. Three locations dot the French Quarter and serve traditional beignets along with coffee and other breakfast specials. Cafe Beignet claims to have the “Best Beignets in New Orleans,” a highly contested claim depending on who you’re speaking with. It does, however, have the best tagline: “Beignet, done that.”

Location: 334 Royal St, 311 Bourbon St, and 600 Decatur St

3. New Orleans Coffee & Beignet Company

Photo: New Orleans Coffee & Beignet Co/Facebook

New Orleans Coffee & Beignet Company is a sister restaurant to New Orleans Hamburger & Seafood Company and is located right behind the restaurant. It’s the perfect spot if you’re looking to avoid the crowds of the French Quarter. Along with traditional beignets and specialty coffees, New Orleans Coffee & Beignet Co. serves modern takes on the dessert like a chocolate beignet.

Location: 4141 St Charles Ave

4. Luca Eats

Photo: LUCA eats/Facebook

Luca Eats leaves behind tradition and takes beignets to the next level. Luca Eats is known for its Oreo beignets, which are made by taking the traditional fried dough and filling it with an Oreo cookie mix then topping it off with powdered sugar.

Location: 7329 Cohn St

5. Loretta’s Authentic Pralines

Photo: Loretta’s Authentic Pralines/Facebook

Loretta’s Authentic Pralines is primarily a praline shop as the name suggests, but its take on beignets is like nowhere else. In addition to serving traditional beignets, Loretta’s also serves up praline beignets which it claims are “the talk of New Orleans.” For savory fans, Loretta’s serves crabmeat-filled beignets and beignet breakfast sandwiches.

Locations: 2101 N Rampart St and 1100 N Peters St

6. Bakery Bar

Photo: Bakery Bar/Facebook

During Carnival season, Bakery Bar is known for its king cake-inspired beignets filled with Grand Marnier cream cheese and topped with cinnamon-infused sugar. It’s worth a visit year-round, and its menu also includes beignet twists like chocolate chip cookie beignets that are like a deep-fried chocolate chip cookie served alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Location: 1179 Annunciation St

7. The Vintage

Photo: The Vintage NOLA/Facebook

At The Vintage, located in the Irish Channel neighborhood, beignets are served from open to close and you can have some wine or Champagne with your dessert if you’re not feeling coffee. There are traditional options and twists like beignets bites that come in two sizes and with powdered or cinnamon sugar. Beignets also come “fancy” with choices such as s’mores, matcha, raspberry, and apple pie.

Location: 3121 Magazine St

More like this: The 9 best places to try king cake in Louisiana this Mardi Gras

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Things bartenders hate

Serving people five nights a week can make the nicest of bartenders judgmental. But we bartenders learn to comfort ourselves by complaining about the little things. From making vodka-based drinks to watching customers on a Tinder date, here are the seven things bartenders love to hate.

1. Vodka

The white bread of the spirits world. You rarely see vodka on the menu at trendy cocktail bars and it’s considered an insult to gin by cocktail purists. Vodka martinis and bloody Marys are often the only acceptable outlets for this spirit. But, here’s the thing — it’s hard to actually be mad at vodka. It’s flavorless, malleable, and vodka sodas are the perfect “I want to drink all night and not be too hungover” drink.

2. Anything trendy

Whenever a drink takes off in popularity, even if it’s a good drink, bartenders quickly start to hate it. Spicy margaritas, Aperol spritzes, and anything with mezcal. If you order it, the bartender will judge you. But if you really like a trendy cocktail, give it a few years. We love making old fashioneds now.

3. People who ask for ice in their water

And people who demand “no ice” in their water. Or the worst, people who actually refuse water. It’s just water. You don’t have to drink it, even though you probably should. Unless you’re in a part of the world with undrinkable tap water, chill out and hydrate.

4. Trashy cocktails

For some, it’s the cosmopolitan; for others it’s the Long Island iced tea. There are certain cocktails that only amateur drinkers tend to order. We will definitely roll our eyes while making them, but secretly, we kind of like cosmos too. One word of warning, if you’d an espresso martini, make sure the bartender is in a good mood — they’re delicious, but annoying to make.

5. The music

Even if it is our own playlist, we love to complain about music while at work. I’m not quite sure why we’re so picky, but if a song has the wrong vibe at any given moment, we’ll stop what we’re doing to change it. We’ll even vow to never play “Hotel California” at our bar ever again. But then, on the right night, it’ll come over the speaker and we’ll sing along to every word.

6. The guy/girl who always brings their online dates to your bar

Depending on the sleaziness factor of the person, we either love them or hate them. The voyeur in us certainly gets a kick out of this unabashed view of a stranger’s dating life. And our hearts fill with joy when a date seems to go well for them. But, unless you live in a small town, why bring every date to the same bar? We’ve definitely blown up regulars’ spots before by calling a date by another date’s name.

7. Regulars

The number one thing we love to hate. We love regulars; you can’t run a successful bar without them. But they do require a lot of energy. And some nights you just aren’t up for it. On occasion, you’ll even need your co-bartenders to entertain your regulars because you just don’t have it in you.


More like this: 8 rites of passage all bartenders go through

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How to visit the Red Light District

Amsterdam’s Red Light District consists of just two canal streets and a few side alleys. This compact area, also known as De Wallen, is densely packed with some of Amsterdam’s best-known features. There’s cannabis memorabilia, bars, coffee shops, and Barbie-like vixens beckoning from behind red-curtained windows just about everywhere you look. But the Red Light District is also fascinating for its mix of art venues and unusual museums that can be enjoyed by everyone. Here are seven do’s and don’ts of visiting Amsterdam’s Red Light District.

Don’t: Drink in public

Photo: Tupungato/Shutterstock

There is indeed no shortage of places where you can get an adult beverage with some adult entertainment. But limit your drinking to designated areas, i.e. indoors and the terraces outside of bars. Don’t drink alcohol on the street unless you want a $108 fine (95 euros). Public intoxication is also not tolerated (even beer bikes are banned), and you could face legal action for disorderly conduct. Police are everywhere. You will get caught.

Do: Go to church

Photo: A. Storm Photography/Shutterstock

Two of Amsterdam’s most important cultural sites are located in the RLD, and they happen to both be churches turned into museums. The first is the Oude Kerk (old church). Built in 1305, it’s the oldest building in Amsterdam. Inside, you can learn about the history of the church and catch a classical music concert or check out a contemporary art exhibition.

Onze Lieve Heer op Zolder (Our Lord in the Attic) is a little less conventional. Built in 1663 in a beautifully furnished canal house that once belonged to a wealthy inhabitant of the city, Our Lord in the Attic is, indeed, in the attic. It was built as a clandestine church — celebrating mass in public was forbidden in 17th-century Amsterdam — and today is a museum dedicated to tolerance and religious freedom.

Do: Treat others as you would like to be treated — including sex workers

Photo: Tupungato/Shutterstock

Many residents of the Red Light District complain that the tourists treat the area like a theme park. The RLD is a neighborhood of Amsterdam where people live, work, and go about their daily lives. You can show the neighborhood respect by, as the Dutch say, even normal doen, or “just be normal.” Keep your voice to a respectable level at night, don’t throw up on people’s doorstep, and don’t leave trash behind. Most importantly, don’t harass the sex workers or take photos of them without their consent. They’re people, too.

Don’t: Buy illegal drugs

Photo: Steven Bostock/Shutterstock

Cannabis is illegal in Amsterdam. That said, the authorities have a tolerance policy, so coffee shops are allowed to sell cannabis and you won’t be prosecuted for possessing or buying cannabis if the amount is smaller than 0.18 ounces (five grams). Above that volume, however, all bets are off.

The tolerance policy doesn’t extend to “hard drugs.” Amsterdam is not a free-for-all, so don’t go about town possessing, buying, and using pills, heroin, cocaine, and meth — you will face legal action if caught.

Do: Visit the Red Light Secrets Museum of Prostitution

Photo: Museum of Prostitution – Red Light Secrets/Facebook

If you want to find out what is behind the windows of the shops in the RDL without visiting one yourself, check out the Red Light Secrets Museum of Prostitution.

Located in a former brothel in a 17th-century canal house, the museum is a window into the lives of the sex workers in De Wallen. Inside, you can walk through replicas of the rooms where the sex workers meet their clients, listen to interviews of the women and men who work in the RLD, and even sit in the window yourself.

Do: Try some delicious authentic Asian food

Photo: Sergei Afanasev/Shutterstock

Don’t eat the Nutella-covered waffles and green cannabis-flavored lollipops on offer in De Wallen — those are for stoned tourists with a bad case of the munchies. Instead, hop one street over for some of the best Asian food in the Netherlands.

While not located in the RLD, Zeedijk street is directly adjacent to it. There, the only things you will see in the window are rows of crispy Peking duck and other delectable Asian treats. Whether it’s Chinese dim sum, Vietnamese pho, or an Indonesian rijsttafel, cuisine from just about every Asian nation is represented on that tiny little street!

And if you’re in a calm, contemplative mood, visit the Fo Guang Shan Holland Temple, an active Buddhist temple where you can leave an offering for the Buddha (oranges are customary).

Do: Take some quality hemp goods home as souvenirs

Photo: Hempstory/Facebook

You should definitely take home some hemp souvenirs for your buddies at home, but not one of those tacky hats with cannabis leaves on them and certainly not weed. Instead, get some truly creative, sustainable, and beautifully designed souvenirs at Hempstory.

Everything in the store is fair-trade and connected to hemp in some way — there’s jewelry, clothing, bags, home goods, coffee, and healthy hemp snacks. The interior of the shop has a cool, bright, and hip aesthetic, which is a nice contrast to the grittiness of the RLD.


More like this: Everything tourists miss when they come to Amsterdam

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Best things to do in Santa Barbara

When most people think of Santa Barbara — that coastal California town built out in a Spanish mission style with its red clay tile roofs — they think of wineries, beaches, and interesting restaurants. While Santa Barbara’s food scene is indeed excellent, the SoCal city sandwiched between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean is also a fantastic destination for outdoor pursuits. From sailing and surfing to mountain biking and hiking, Santa Barbara has plenty to keep your weekend full. Here’s what to do — and where to eat along the way.

Fuel up in the morning.

Photo: Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach/Facebook

A favored breakfast spot is Jeannine’s Bakery, with two locations in Santa Barbara and one next door in Montecito. It serves everything from classic Benedicts to organic quinoa with berry compote, toasted nuts, and almond milk.

At The Shop Kitchen, you could go all out with the French Melt, a French toast sandwich with ham, cheddar, and maple syrup, or go healthy with a Sunshine salad of greens, kale, and a poached egg. Drink options include Bulletproof butter coffee or kombucha on tap. Furry friends are also welcome, and there’s plentiful outdoor seating.

For breakfast with an ocean view, and the possibility of a whale or dolphin sighting, check out the Boathouse at Hendry’s Beach. The signature breakfast comes with poached eggs on top of house-made snow and rock crab cakes with chipotle hollandaise. Although not the best energy drink before a day of active outdoor pursuits, the specialty morning cocktail is butterscotch schnapps followed by an orange juice chaser and a strip of smoked bacon.

Take to the water.

Photo: David M. Schrader/Shutterstock

There are plenty of ways to enjoy the Pacific waters that sparkle in front of Santa Barbara. Stop by the Santa Barbara Harbor and take your pick of a variety of marine activities including kayaking, sailing, or whale watching. The Santa Barbara Sailing Center offers beginner sailing lessons, boat rentals, and kayak or stand-up paddle rentals. There’s hardly a better place to see migrating whales than near the Channel Islands off Santa Barbara, and Condor Express has a variety of whale-watching tours.

Santa Barbara beaches are also perfect for both surf pros and anyone new to the sport, with several key spots — depending on the experience you seek. Leadbetter Beach sits across the street from Santa Barbara City College and west of Santa Barbara Harbor. The smaller waves offer the opportunity for a good surf (or paddleboard) and are especially great for those new to surfing. If you’re super green, head to the Santa Barbara Surf School and learn from the real pros. More advanced surfers can catch the waves off of Jalama Beach, a wooded area dotted with oak trees about an hour north of the city. The isolated, off-the-beaten-path beach draws fewer crowds and makes Jamala perfect for the serious wave rider.

About 20 miles from the mainland lies Santa Cruz Island. As the largest of the Channel Islands, Santa Cruz Island is the perfect day trip from Santa Barbara. Explore the sea caves or take in the exotic marine life on the largely uninhabited island. Whether it’s a group of migrating whales or a pod of dolphins, the island offers a wide array of beaches and vantage points. If you want to spend more than one day on the island, try camping overnight. A moderate hike from Prisoners Harbor will bring you to the Del Norte campground.

Have a midday Mexican meal.

Photo: goa-taco/Facebook

You can’t leave SB without trying its renowned Mexican cuisine, and lunch is the perfect time to visit any one of the many taco spots around the city. A famous dive spot that serves cheap and delicious tacos is Lilly’s Tacos, where you can get two tacos for under $5. If you’re a fan of the famed chef Julia Child, be sure to check out her personal favorite La Super-Rica Taqueria. You may find a line winding down the street, but its most passionate fans will say the tacos are more than worth it.

For something more unique, check out Goa Taco. Playing off the Australian slang “go (for) a taco,” the restaurant is known for its paratha taco. Paratha tacos are a combination between a tortilla and a croissant. For dessert try the ice cream nachos, which come with mango cheese, strawberry salsa, and cinnamon seasoned corn chips.

Head for the hills.

Photo: David M. Schrader/Shutterstock

Santa Barbara was made for hikers. From the Santa Ynez Mountains that look out over the city to the parks within SB itself, there’s no shortage of places to walk off your midday tacos. In the middle of the city, the Douglas Family Preserve is a 70-acre park with plenty of places to walk and take in the ocean views. Inspiration Point is another popular hike that starts at the Inspiration Point trailhead almost at the end of Tunnel Road above town. You’ll hike two miles and 800 feet uphill to be rewarded with sweeping views of the city and ocean.

For avid hikers who like a challenge, Gaviota Peak is the trail to try. The 6.2-mile loop inside Gaviota State Park has an elevation gain of over 2,000 feet and an unparalleled coastal view. The trailhead is a 45-minute drive north of Santa Barbara. To tackle Santa Barbara’s mountains on two wheels, try the Jesusita Trail, which will also take you up to Inspiration Point, 1,800 feet above Santa Barbara. Seven-mile track is one of the city’s most popular and well-known mountain biking trails and features a waterfall and, at the top, a spectacular view of the Channel Islands and the Pacific coast.

Sit down to dinner.

Photo: Yoichi’s/Facebook

After a day of outdoor activities, it’s time to enjoy another excellent Santa Barbara meal. Finch and Fork, hidden within the Kimpton Canary Hotel downtown, is a popular spot for fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced plates. Try the sweet potato baba ganoush for a unique twist on the Mediterranean classic. The burrata and roasted squash is also a fan favorite and comes with a pumpkin seed pesto and pomegranate.

Yoichi’s is a foodie’s paradise and a well-earned splurge after an active day, offering a classic Japanese multi-course dining experience. The 7-course and $100 set menu features an array of traditional appetizers, seafood offerings, dessert, and chef’s specials — all presented in an artful and minimalist style. The Japanese Kaiseki experience is the perfect splurge and end to an adventurous day exploring Santa Barbara — and will prepare you for more sea and mountain experiences on your second weekend day.


More like this: How to have the perfect wellness weekend in Washington State

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Best US ski resorts for spring break

Spring Break doesn’t have to be about the beach. Nowhere can you complement the parties and late nights of a proper spring break with outdoor adventure and even a bit of exercise like you can in a ski town. These five skiing and snowboarding areas offer ample opportunity for the whole shebang. You should still bring your swimsuit, though, because the hot tub has your name written all over it.

1. Heavenly — Lake Tahoe, California

Photo: Jeffrey T. Kreulen/Shutterstock

Lake Tahoe has been pounded with snow this winter, including 247 inches — more than 20 feet — at Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows this February. Skiing over spring break is all about finding that perfect mix between partying and skiing, and nowhere does that better than Tahoe, even if dipping your skis into chest-deep powder sounds like more effort than it’s worth. Make South Lake Tahoe your host town as its proximity to the Nevada state line means casinos and 24-hour booze and makes it the hub of all things party in the area. If you blow your hand in the casino and decide to stick to the more regulated side of the border, stop into Whiskey Dick’s for live music or do what ski bums the world over have done for decades — rent an absurdly large party house in the Al Tahoe neighborhood and stock the minibar with a quick run to BevMo.

In the morning, head out to the Heavenly Ski Resort gondola — a stone’s throw from Harrah’s casino — and snap a selfie of yourself skiing in two states at once. You can see for miles in every direction from the top of the Sky Express Lift before dropping into the Ski Ways Glades for your fill of all that snow that’s fallen this winter. The cruisers off Dipper Express are among the best in California and offer easy access to gladed terrain and lifts that cover a majority of the mountain. This is a great spot to head for first-time visitors to the resort, where the only worry you’ll have is keeping your focus as the views of the lake as you cruise a groomer down to the base are nothing short of jaw-dropping.

2. Loon Mountain — Lincoln, New Hampshire

Photo: Casey Clough/Shutterstock

Loon Mountain is New England skiing at its finest — fast groomers, open tree fields, and a gondola ride that’s just long enough to warm up your fingertips. For a challenging morning session, park at the base of South Peak and do a few laps on Ripsaw, Undercut, and both Upper and Lower Twitcher. For a mellower experience, take the gondola and stick to the blues of Loon Peak.

The resort is also an easy drive from Boston, making it a hotspot for university students craving a few days away from the urban chaos. Stay in North Woodstock or Lincoln, both with ample lodging options and nightlife scenes that liven up nicely when the college crowd comes to town, though deals at lodging properties nearer to the resort can be found as well. The on-mountain scene happens at Babe’s Blue Ox Lounge and the Paul Bunyon Room, and afterwards many make the move down to the Woodstock Inn Brewery.

3. Steamboat — Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Photo: Rachele A. Morlan/Shutterstock

Steamboat is the type of place where you can have your powder cake and ski it too. The town is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the resorts on Colorado’s I-70 corridor, but the resort is massive, chock-full of the high-speed lifts and world-class terrain you rightfully expect when paying for a trip to Ski Country USA. Wake up early and head directly to the Morningside lift where on sunny days the east-facing powder is warmed to Steamboat’s famous fluffy and soft state just in time for first chair. Local tip: Save a bit of your bagel, as you can likely use it to lure a bird to your shoulder as you ride up the lift.

Once you’ve carved plenty of turns, two prime choices await you for apres action. The first is the patio at Slopeside Bar and Grill, located on-mountain at Ski Time Square. Here you can sample craft beer and likely catch live music happening inside, though the place does tend to fill up — so don’t wait until the lifts close to make your appearance. The Gondola Pub and Grill at the base of the mountain serves the best Bloody Marys in town. Or, hop on the free bus towards downtown and hit one of the joints on Lincoln Avenue. Late-night action in Steamboat tends to center around Schmiggity’s, particularly if there’s a good band in town, or a couple blocks down at Sunpie’s on Yampa Avenue.

4. Mount Baker — Deming, Washington

Photo: vanpeltj87/Shutterstock

Mammoth Mountain used to be the hub of the West Coast snowboard scene. In recent years, the party has moved north to Mt. Baker, thanks to iconic events like the annual Legendary Banked Slalom and an independent spirit that appeals to riders and skiers wanting an experience free of corporate prices and whitewashed offerings. If riding hard is your priority, Mt. Baker is the place to be. The terrain is challenging and generally covered in fresh snowfall, and the mountain is far enough from any major urban hub — Seattle is over three hours away, Vancouver is two and a half — that the groomer crowds don’t tend to make the journey.

A variety of lodging options including B&Bs, lodge-style hotels, and short-term rentals are available about 20-30 minutes down Highway 542, though there are a few options closer to the mountain. The Tap Room in the Heather Meadows Day Lodge is your spot for a drink at the mountain. Deming is about an hour away, where the North Fork Brewery is worth a stop. It’s a brewpub, restaurant, and oddly compelling shrine to who knows what, probably beer, that is sure to look good on your Instagram feed. Bellingham is about 90 minutes away and home to much of the area’s best nightlife and restaurants. There you’ll find the local ski bums, tucked into barstools at The Local Public House plotting their lines for the next day. If you want to know where the powder lies, buy a round and pop a squat.

5. Arizona Snowbowl — Flagstaff, Arizona

Photo: Austin Corum/Shutterstock

Spring break and Arizona are a match made in heaven, partly because of the state’s preference for massive party schools but also because there’s no ocean nearby to drown in once the keg is cashed. The scene up in Flagstaff, however, is far different than what you’ll find in Tempe or Lake Havasu. The city of about 75,000 is home to Northern Arizona University and offers incredible access to both mountain and desert-based outdoor activities. Plus, the town boasts a great nightlife and chill vibes and is fewer than 30 minutes from Arizona Snowbowl. The resort has had a solid winter and brings a 50-inch base depth into March following more than two feet of snow in February. Mellow cruisers and trails toeing the line between blue and black diamond are aplenty here, though the challenging Upper Bowl is there for the taking if you’re up for a good hike. In honor of its spring break legacy, the Snowbowl is peddling $29 lift tickets in March.

Excellent Mexican food abounds, and the chilaquiles at Martanne’s are a must-do. Nights out in Flagstaff tend to cap at the Uptown Pubhouse after live music at The Green Room or cocktails at the Southside Tavern. Be sure to stop by The Museum Club while in town to get your line dance on. Mix that with the skiing and an easy drive to Grand Canyon National Park and your trip is already planned out.


More like this: 5 mistakes everyone makes on their first ski trip

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Where to eat and drink at LAX

Flying can cause all kinds of stresses and worries. Flight delays, for example. But eating is one thing you don’t need to worry about if you’re traveling through Los Angeles International Airport — especially if you’re hungry for burgers. LAX is one of the airports around the US that’s bringing in local restaurants to improve the airport eating experience, and it’s easy to find a kickass airport meal here. It’s also open to you bringing marijuana on regional flights.

With all that said, though, LAX is a giant airport and one of the busiest in the world. We’re here to help you narrow down your options. These are the best places to eat and drink in every terminal of LAX.

Terminal 1

Photo: Cassell’s Hamburgers/Facebook

Cassell’s Hamburgers: The original burger joint opened more than half a century ago and was recently transported to the airport. Eating here will take you back to mid-century burger counters with cheeseburgers, patty melts, fries, and milkshakes.

Trejo’s Tacos: Part of actor Danny Trejo’s taco shop empire. The airport version is a little pared down but still offers a fair amount of taco, bowl, and burrito options. Steak asada and spicy shrimp are the favorites here.

Pei Wei Asian Diner: Quick food on the go that’s fresh and light (depending on what you get, of course). This Americanized Chinese chain restaurant has options like lettuce wraps, chicken teriyaki rice bowls, and lo mein.

Rock & Brews Concert Bar and Grill: You’re probably not going to be doing too much rocking and rolling, but you can’t go wrong with a full bar and some craft beer options. There are also plenty of TVs if you’re trying to catch a game before flying out. Also has an outpost in Terminal 5.

Terminal 2

Photo: Slapfish/Facebook

Slapfish: A seafood-focused spot serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Nothing says decadent pre-flight breakfast like a lobster, egg, and avocado taco in the morning. Tacos, burritos, sandwiches, and lobster rolls round out the menu.

SeaLegs Wine Bar: Don’t let the name confuse you as this is not a seafood restaurant or seafood-focused wine bar. It does have a by-the-glass and by-the-bottle wine list worthy of California wine country, though. The food is on the pricier side, but there are takes you won’t find many other places in the airport like spicy Chianti chicken tacos and chilaquiles.

Terminal 3

Photo: LAX/Facebook

Ashland Hill: The Santa Monica craft beer and wine gastropub serves up drinks and fresh California food like wraps and bowls. Also has a location in Terminal 7.

La Familia: Tacos, burritos, and tequila. What more could you want in this life?

The Parlor: This is the type of bar where you order a fancy cocktail, not cheap beer. It’s worth it. The food is typical, including grilled cheese and burgers and other classic sports bar snacks.

Terminal 4

Photo: LAX/Facebook

Cole’s: Outpost of a restaurant that’s been open in LA since 1908. It claims to be the originator of the French Dip, although that’s more than slightly disputed. Regardless, it’s a great place to eat one. Cole’s is also a solid spot for a cocktail like the signature Old Fashioned.

Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza: Personal pizzas and beer that’s above average as airport pies go. There are also standard and classic egg breakfasts.

Campanile: A downsized outpost of the La Brea bakery. A little more on the upscale side if you have a long delay or you arrived far too early.

Terminal 5

Photo: Ford’s Filling Station/Facebook

Ford’s Filling Station: A scaled-down and airport-appropriate version of the (now closed) gastropub by chef Ben Ford. You’ll find burgers as well as flatbreads, tacos, and off-beat apps like bacon-wrapped dates and smoked pork taquitos.

Loteria Grill: A full bar and classic Mexican food from the same team that brought LA’s Farmers Market Loteria Grill. Stop by for a quick Margarita or mezcal cocktail and a burrito. Also has a location in Terminal 7.

Skewers by Morimoto: Yakitori stand from Iron Chef star Masaharu Morimoto. Stop by for ramen, a rice bowl, or, you know, skewers and a beer.

Rock & Brews Concert Bar and Grill: You’re probably not going to be doing too much rocking and rolling, but you can’t go wrong with a full bar and some craft beer options. There are also plenty of TVs if you’re trying to catch a game before flying out. Also has an outpost in Terminal 1.

Terminal 6

Photo: LAX/Facebook

Point the Way Cafe: Gastropub from LA’s own Golden Road Brewery with house-brewed beers and typical California bar food.

The Habit: California’s other favorite local burger chain. Get the Teriyaki burger and fries.

Wahoo’s Fish Tacos: A quick food stop that serves up chicken, wild-caught fish, and vegetarian tacos. Beer and wine also available.

The Wine Bar by Wolfgang Puck: A full-service bar where you go to relax and spend a pretty penny on some nice wine, craft beer, or craft cocktails. Terminal 6 also features The Kitchen and WPizza from the Wolfgang Puck crew.

Terminal 7

Photo: Loteria Grill Farmers Market/Facebook

Loteria Grill: A full bar and classic Mexican food from the same team that brought LA’s Farmers Market Loteria Grill. Stop by for a quick Margarita or mezcal cocktail and a burrito. Also has a location in Terminal 5.

Ashland Hill: The Santa Monica craft beer and wine gastropub serves up drinks and fresh California food like wraps and bowls. Also has a location in Terminal 3.

B Grill by BOA Steakhouse: Say you’ve got some time and your hands and a bunch of money to spend before going back home. If that’s you, then this is your place: steaks, salads, and pasta with a big wine list.

Terminal 8

Photo:
Engine Co. No. 28
/Facebook

Engine Co. No. 28: Basic salads and comfort food. About your only option if you’re looking to stay in Terminal 8 for a drink and anything other than fast food.

Tom Bradley International Terminal

Photo: LAX/Facebook

ink.sack: Artisanal sandwich shop with affordable options that’s perfect for quick, good food on the go.

The Border Grill: Fresh California Mexican food including tacos, steaks, and tamales. Complete your meal with Sangria or a Margarita. It’s located in the restaurant and shopping section and is nearby pizza from 800 Degrees and other options, so it’s a good spot for the indecisive.

Umami Burger: Southern California burger chain offering affordable (for an airport) burgers that will keep you full until you land no matter how long your flight is.

Vino Volo: Wine bar chain that’s found in airports around the US. Small plates are available, as well as a hefty by-the-glass wine list.

Drink.LA: Craft cocktail bar with a New Age look. Small plates like potstickers available for the hungry.


More like this: Airport food is actually good now, at least at these US airports

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RuPaul changed nightlife in NYC

Thanks to the internet and social media, most people are familiar with the art of drag. The way we currently know it, however, really only became part of mainstream culture in the last decade. This shift in the landscape is in large part due to the work of RuPaul Charles.

Heavily influenced by the way individuals have been conveying gender expression throughout history, RuPaul has helped drag reach never-before-seen heights. In 1992, he released the song “Supermodel (You Better Work),” a dance club song that found a mainstream audience. Arguably, it was the success of this single that opened the door for a new part of RuPaul’s career and eventually lead to the production of RuPaul’s Drag Race that first aired on Logo.

Though airing on a niche network, gender impersonation became accessible to the masses from the comfort of their living rooms. But as the TV show reached a wider audience, we’ve seen influence trickle down into the entertainment and hospitality industry in New York City, among other places. From a drastic increase in performances to venues putting on viewing parties, here’s how RuPaul changed the landscape of nightlife in NYC.

More queens, more shows

One of the most tangible changes to the social environment in NYC is the rise in the number of drag shows. It’s pretty much always possible to find a queen dancing and lip-synching somewhere. Though common at gay clubs, the number of venues offering performances has risen right alongside the publicity of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Artists have more spaces available to perform at — though competition between performers has also increased with the viewership of the program.

Bolstered by the influence of RuPaul, drag is increasingly accessible to everyone, as is the idea that there’s no universally correct method. In the past, drag routines and looks were commonly modeled after celebrities like Cher and Britney Spears, but RuPaul’s competition inspires new acts to be more confidently explored off-screen. It’s not rare to see queens of all body sizes, makeup styles, and amount of facial hair compete. Regardless of appearance, these performers encourage those not on TV that they, too, have the ability and the platform to perform.

Photo: Hardware Bar NYC/Facebook

The popularity of Drag Race has also inspired more engaging and immersive experiences. Many of these events have been happening for years, some with roots dating back as far as the 1950s and before. With the explosive acclaim of Drag Race, though, events are now more widely attended. Drag brunches are increasingly popular, with places like Lips and the Highline Ballroom doing weekly shows. Drag bingo — enjoyed since the 1990s — is more in demand than ever and is offered all over the city from Albatross in Astoria to Boobie Trap in Brooklyn. And if you’re lucky, you could even catch DragCon where you can attend panels with famous queens the next time it’s held at the Javits Center.

Drag Race watch parties across the city

It’s not all live events. There are also watch parties for new episodes of Drag Race at bars and restaurants. These are even held in non-LGBTQ+ specific venues, which offer screenings and discounts on menus.

Neighborhoods like Chelsea, Williamsburg, Hell’s Kitchen, and Astoria are home to tons of spaces that host these get-togethers. Albatross streams the show regularly, and on Drag Race days it has to turn people away at the door due to the huge crowds that attend. Better known places like Boxers, which has locations in Hell’s Kitchen, Chelsea, and Washington Heights, often have lines that stretch down the block. The Hell’s Kitchen restaurant Mom’s offers discounts on drinks and trivia during the screening, as well as a menu chock-full of comfort food. With the large LGBTQ+ population NYC is known for welcoming, it’s no surprise that the amount and variety of watch parties continue to increase.

Photo: Albatross Bar

These screenings also introduce a new method of meeting people that doesn’t involve dating apps or clubs. In stark contrast to both of those approaches, watch parties create a space where people can gather and introduce themselves over food, drinks, and the love of an art form in a more positive and less overstimulating manner.

RuPaul inspires the freedom to be you.

The way that people express themselves has changed. For a long time, much of the freedom to acknowledge and display one’s authentic self was sequestered to Pride, which was one of the only events where members of the community could gather in public to celebrate their identities. And though gay clubs were intended to provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ folks, visitors still faced judgment, even from within the community.

Photo: Hardware Bar NYC/Facebook

Drag Race, however, has taught so many people that it’s not only okay but also important to express themselves freely. The most important premise the show attempts to convey is that the expression of oneself is not to be taken too seriously, and that personal presentation is an individual experience. Drag, at its heart, has always been a statement on the constraints of gender and normativity that we, as members of society, are continually pressured to fit. The influence of this idea extends beyond drag queens, however, and encourages people of all genders to present themselves in whichever way fits best.

The House of Yes in Bushwick is quite possibly the best example providing a space for everyone to be his, her, or themselves. The mission statement reads, “We have created this space as a temple of expression dedicated to connection, creativity and celebrating life. We believe in the creative energy of every person who enters this space. We believe that performance, dance, and art can inspire and heal us. We believe the world can be a better place. We believe that weird is wonderful. See you on the dance floor.”

There’s something to be said for heading out for a night of fun and not being judged on your clothes or the application (or not) of makeup. Places feel freer, and confidence levels are boosted by a more inclusive environment.

How to experience these changes for yourself

The best way to experience these changes is to simply head out to one of the city’s many LGBTQ+ friendly bars and clubs. No matter where you go, you’ll be welcomed by a gathering of people who know that your differences are what make you beautiful. The community has had to endure terrible treatment throughout much of history but has learned to cope through art, dance, and laughter.

Photo: Hardware Bar NYC/Facebook

It’s not hard to sense the differences that came about when RuPaul’s Drag Race became popular. Head out to Hardware or Therapy in Hell’s Kitchen on almost any given day and there’s pretty much guaranteed to be a drag show. Meet the locals in Astoria’s Albatross — if you can get in the door that is. Take in the spectrum of gender expression at Boxers where all the bartenders are in, well, their boxers, and flashy queens serve up sass and shade on the screens. Or, if food is more your thing, check out the handful of restaurants that serve apps and drinks as well as looks. No matter which venue or form of personal presentation you choose, the changes Drag Race has inspired are clear, and the nightlife in New York City is better for it.


More like this: 10 epic group tours for LGBTQ travelers

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Best local food in New York City

New York City is vast, busy, and multicultural. The mix of the three can be overwhelming for visitors, especially when it comes time to decide on where to go to eat. Whether it’s amazing breakfast spots, juicy burgers, or vegan- and vegetarian-friendly locales, NYC has it all. Food is an important part of the culture in this city, and you can’t visit without trying some of the places it’s known for. But while John’s Pizza and Levain Bakery are amazing in their own right, it’s worth getting off the beaten path and eating like a local. From a bakery in the Bronx to brunch in Staten Island, here are eight food spots only locals know about.

1. Johnny’s Reef

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If you want good, greasy food along with a great view, there’s no better place than Johnny’s Reef in the Bronx. Located right on the edge of City Island, this fast-casual, cash-only joint’s mission is to “serve the freshest and most delicious seafood City Island has to offer,” though it also has burgers, hot dogs, and fries. It’s been in operation since 1950, and while there is indoor seating, you’ll want to head outside to the vast number of picnic tables overlooking the water to you feel the sea breeze while you eat. There are a number of boating clubs along the island’s sides, so you can look into day sailing or fishing as additional activities to do.

Where: 2 City Island Ave, Bronx, NY 10464

2. Lloyd’s

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Bronxites rave about Lloyd’s, and once you have a slice of cake from this local bakery, you’ll see why. It all started when the late owner, Lloyd, starting messing around with a recipe his mother gave him. Then he set up shop in Riverdale in 1985, and business boomed from there. We recommend the carrot cake with nuts and raisins, but if you’re allergic or not a fan of carrot cake, there’s other flavors including red velvet, pineapple coconut, strawberry coconut, chocolate, and pecan. Slices are either $2.75 or $3 depending on what you get, but you can’t go wrong here.

Where: 6087 Broadway, Bronx, NY 10471

3. Dollar Pizza

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Sure, there’s John’s and Ray’s. They’re all great and taste fine, but nothing can compare to dollar pizza. In true New York fashion — cheap and greasy — these pizza slices cost just one dollar. An entire pie costs just $8, and there are not many other places where you can get a gigantic pie for such a low price. Of course, the cost goes up if you add toppings, but not by much. Locations are all over the five boroughs, and some have varying names, but you’ll know a dollar pizza location when you see it by the “99 cent pizza” signs plastered all over the storefront or through a quick internet search.

Where: Multiple locations around NYC

4. Patacon Pisao

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We love our sandwiches in NYC, from revered deli sandwiches to burgers. But a lesser-known option is a patacon, where flattened fried plantains are used to hold delicious fillings within. Patacon Pisao is the best place to try one, and there are two locations in Manhattan that you can visit. It started as a food truck offering authentic Venezuelan cuisine in the Inwood neighborhood back in 2005, and true to its roots, one of its permanent homes is still there — there’s no seating at this location, but it’s a short walk to Fort Tryon Park where you can also visit the Met Cloisters.

At Patacon Pisao, you’ll have the option to choose a sandwich in the style of a patacon, cachapa (sweet corn crepes), tacucho (burrito), or an arepa (cornmeal patty). Then you’ll pick what fillings you want, such as beef, chicken, pork, chorizo, or cheese, though the sandwiches already come with fried cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, ketchup, and salsa verde. There are also extras like a fried egg, black beans, avocado, and sweet plantains. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.

Where: Two locations in Manhattan

5. Absolute Bagels

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Most sustainable mezcal brands

Spend a few minutes talking to any mezcal aficionado these days and conversation will inevitably turn to sustainability. Many brands have built sustainability into the very core of their identities, business practices, and farming techniques. This is partly to do justice to the generations of Mexicans who operate the palenques (mezcal distilleries). But many in the business also fear runaway unsustainable practices as the spirit grows more popular abroad.

“[Mezcal] was sustainable because it was small and it didn’t take away too much from the earth,” Gabriel Bonfanti, director of sustainability for Del Maguey, tells Matador Network. “A lot of people like to say mezcal has always been sustainable, but now we have to keep it that way.”

As with any agricultural product that catches the eye of voracious Americans, the agave used to make mezcal could easily fall victim to unbridled demand, leading to over-harvesting and inflated prices that threaten the traditional supply chain. If you need further proof of this possibility, just look at tequila. “Tequila has shown us that when the industry or farmers are greedy, there’s long term damage for everyone,” Dr. Ivan Saldaña, founder of Montelobos, says. Over the last few decades, the volatile boom and bust cycle of demand for tequila encouraged bad practices among farmers, tequileros, and foreign investors that led to overharvesting and aggressive price throttling.

For mezcal, sustainable practices are more than a buzzword. Sustainability offers a shield to protect a regional product from exploding with global demand. As the industry continues to expand, it’s important for customers to support companies committed to sustainable practices, no matter the margins.

Sustainability appears in many guises. Some brands focus on environmental efforts to establish farms big enough to meet future demand, preserve wild agave varieties, and recycle waste. Others push for social initiatives that support communities in Mexico. Still others work to protect workers’ rights, ensure safe working environments, and maintain fair prices.

Many brands are working toward all of these areas at once, and more. If you’d like to help and make sure your money goes to a sustainable business, here are a few brands to look out for. Luckily, they all produce pretty tasty mezcal, so buying any of them is both responsible and rewarding.

1. Del Maguey

Photo: Del Maguey, Single Village Mezcal/Shutterstock

Largely responsible for popularizing mezcal in the US, Del Maguey was also one of the earliest companies to popularize sustainability. The brand’s most popular and available mezcal is its Vida, but Del Maguey is famous for the Single Village releases that promote the unique customs of different communities, which often restrain harvesting and production in favor of sustainable crop cycles.

Del Maguey is also working to protect wild agave populations. Bonfanti explains, “A lot of people have taken initiatives to plant what were previously wild agaves, so they’re now considered semi-wild or semi-cultivated.” Del Maguey uses nurseries across the Sierra Sur, Valles Centrales, Mixteca, and Sierra Norte regions to farm semi-wild agave, thereby removing pressure on wild agave populations. The brand is also at the forefront of initiatives in reforestation, waste management, and solar energy.

“In many parts of Mexico, especially in Oaxaca, there are land grant rights that each community has and the people fought for in the Mexican Revolution,” Bonfanti says. Communities, not the government, often control the land around their villages, so Del Maguey partners with these locals. “It’s more about establishing relationships with the people in the towns and the decision makers in the villages, just to get an idea of their perception of sustainability.” To support these relationships, Del Maguey has implemented some impressive social programs. The brand has helped supply water, internet, and even scholarships to communities, all in the hopes of empowering their local partners.

2. Mezcales de Leyenda

Mezcales de Leyenda brings sustainability right to you, delivering mezcal in a sustainably sourced bottle made with recycled glass, recycled paper labels, and natural corks. This sort of work earned the brand the first organic seal of any mezcal brand from the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). Mezcales de Leyenda has also earned the approval of IMOgroup AG, which crowns the brand with its “fair for life” fair-trade logo. The brand pays workers above market rate and gives five percent of earnings back to the region. It also makes sure employees receive social security and time off. The brand’s most unique initiatives come from its special edition releases, each of which benefits a different social and environmental cause, from cultivating rare wild agave varieties to protecting local customs.

3. Montelobos

Photo: Montelobos Mezcal/Facebook

Before launching Montelobos, Saldaña was a biologist studying agave, and he has maintained his commitment to only using farmed agave for his brand. After earning legions of fans with the brand’s farmed espadin agave, Montelobos leapt to the forefront of sustainability in 2018 by producing a totally unique mezcal made entirely from farmed Tobala agave, a variety previously only found in the wild. The distillery also composts waste, and parent company Casa Lumbre invests in infrastructure for agave farmers and fixes fair prices.

Montelobos has also notably improved working conditions for the employees at its palenques by installing ergonomic designs of the stills. Additionally, the pipes and chimneys used in the distillery are designed to capture smoke, ensuring ventilation so workers aren’t constantly inhaling it.

4. El Jolgorio

The Cortés family of Casa Cortés, which produces the beloved El Jolgorio mezcal, has spent the last few years massively investing in sustainability. Since 2017, they’ve been implementing a comprehensive inventory system for their mezcaleros, tracking agave supplies and planning for future boom-bust cycles. The family also invested in 10,000 young Arroqueño agave plants, which can take up to 20 years to mature, proving the brand’s interest in providing farmed semi-wild agave well into the future. They’ve been researching new waste-management strategies, as well, including using agave fibers for fertilizer and filtering liquid waste to make it recyclable. Finally, the brand hired a full-time agronomist, who works with mezcaleros on issues like organic weeds and pest control.

5. Sombra

Photo: Sombra Mezcal/Facebook

Master sommelier Richard Betts launched Sombra back in 2006, producing mezcal from organically farmed espadin. He’s spent the years since improving the sustainability of his brand, and in 2017, Sombra announced the opening of a brand new palenque to fulfill Betts’ work.

The palenque mashes roasted agave with a solar-powered tahona, which is the large stone wheel used to crush agave. It upcycles bagazo (physical waste) and vinasa (liquid waste) into adobe bricks, which the distillery donates for public use. The team has also been looking into repurposing the waste as biofuel for its stills. The palenque catches rainwater for cooling during the distillation process and uses natural gas to heat the insulated stills instead of traditional wood, which can spur on deforestation. Even Sombra’s bottles are sustainable as they’re made from recycled glass.

Sombra’s initiatives don’t end at the Mexican border, though. The brand encouraged global conversation about sustainability by hosting the first-ever sustainable cocktail competition in 2018, collecting digital recipe submissions from bartenders across the US and Canada.


More like this: 9 international spirits worth smuggling back in your suitcase

The post 5 sustainable mezcals you can feel good about drinking appeared first on Matador Network.