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How a guy who’d never caught a fish learned the beauty of the sport in the wilds of Alaska

There’s an old cliché that goes something like:

“Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime.”

Which is great, unless you don’t eat fish. In which case learning to fish is about as useful as learning Aramaic. Teaching me to fish would feed me for about five seconds before I made a face like a five year old, spit it out, and drank three glasses of wine to wash away the flavor. This is why I’d never really learned to fish, and subsequently never in my lifetime actually caught one.

I’d tried. We took a family salmon fishing trip to Alaska when I was 18, and my 13-year old sister caught three massive fish to my zero. She may have mentioned it once or twice since then. I went ice fishing in Quebec, and managed to drill a hole in the one place on the lake no fish swam. I am, for the most part, the Charlie Brown of fishing.

Hearing of my lifelong losing streak, a friend who worked for the Waterfall Resort in Alaska convinced me a trip to her resort would get me off the schnide.

“There’s no way you don’t catch fish here,” she said. “People spend good money to come up here and fish, trust me, our guides aren’t letting them leave without catching something big.”

A layup like this seemed a little like going to Thailand to lose your virginity. Sure, it gets the job done, but it doesn’t do much to boost your confidence. But nobody wants to be a 40-year-old fish virgin, so off to Alaska I went.

Photo: Waterfall Resort

Outdoorsman’s paradise and true disconnection

The Waterfall Resort sits on Prince of Wales Island, a space roughly the size of Delaware populated by about 5,500 people and 500 times as many seals. Waterfall was once a commercial cannery where workers packed seafood for soldiers during World War II. The resort’s cleaning and processing operations are now housed in the old cannery buildings, while guests stay in cabins converted from the workers’ old living quarters.

Guests are whisked from Ketchikan to the resort via a scenic 40-minute float plane flight, and almost immediately put on heated, 27-foot cabin cruisers to navigate the islands of Alaska’s inner passage. There’s no cell service, limited Wifi, and not much to do other than fish. Which is perfect for an actual vacation.

Photo: Waterfall Resort

Immediately upon arrival I was brought to the docks and introduced to my guide, Jeff — a bearded, fit guy in this 50’s who’d served in the Navy — and Brandon, my fishing buddy for the weekend.

Brandon was one of those good-looking, genuinely nice people who was better than you at everything the first time he tried it, but was so nice about it that you could never get mad. He was the kind of guy you wanted to be rivals with, but since he was always better, he never saw anything as a competition. Even with a Notre Dame hat on, you couldn’t dislike the guy. If this were a romantic comedy, Brandon would be the love interest’s existing fiancée.

Of course the only love we were competing for was the bite of a King Salmon, which Jeff the guide said was the big trophy we’d come up here to fish. As a guy who had a hard time getting his pet betta into a net, to me this seemed a little ambitious.

Photo: Waterfall Resort

Lesson #1: Fishing isn’t hard if you’re in the right places

The fishing we were learning to do is called “mooching,” where you drop a piece of bait to the bottom of the water, reel it in 15 or 20 revolutions, and drop it back down until something bites. Jeff informed us we’d be doing this roughly 400 times over the course of the day.

This seemed roughly as entertaining as a NASCAR race with no crashes. Lacking anything to drink with more kick than a Mr. Pibb, I braced myself for a mind-numbing afternoon.

But I wasn’t even mooching 20 minutes before I felt my line pull, and as I tried to reel it back my line wouldn’t budge.

“Oh, ya got one,” Jeff said as he rushed over to my line. “Looks like it’s got some shoulders too.”

This is a fishermen’s term for a fish that fights.

After about 100 feet of reeling it in my forearms started to burn. Since most of the avid fisherman I knew looked like they enjoyed exercise about as much as I enjoyed seafood, I never realized there was any actual exertion involved. But I fought through it, gritted it out, and soon saw the poor fish who was about to be my first-ever catch dragged to the surface by his mouth.

“Oh, a halibut!” Jeff exclaimed. “Excellent, ok.” He pulled on my line and grabbed a wooden club with a hook on the end (called a gaff), then whapped the fish in the head to kill it fast.

It was probably a foot and a half long and didn’t weigh more than 10 pounds, but I took a picture holding it up on the gaff because after a lifetime of futility, a fish is a fish.

Brandon, for his part, caught nothing. But he was all smiley and congratulatory and happy for me and all that stuff you’re supposed to be. He was even good at being bad.

Photo: Waterfall Resort

Lesson #2: Don’t ever take a picture with a tiny fish

Apparently I was right about the unimpressiveness of my catch. I posted my picture on Facebook Thursday night and awoke to a string of congratulatory comments.

“Is that fish even legal?” said a guy I haven’t seen since high school.

“More like Ketchi-can’t” quipped another.

“Did you really need a gaff for that tiny fish?” said I guy I’ve met maybe twice.

“That thing is too small to legally take out of a canal in southwest Florida. You disgust me.” That one, of course, was from a guy I’ve been friends with for 20 years.

Photo: Waterfall Resort

Lesson #3: The goal isn’t catching ANY fish, it’s catching the right fish

Over the next couple of days we caught all kinds of stuff. Mostly they were Rockfish, who are apparently about as tasty as a slice of linoleum. They’re also covered in poisonous spikes that, if they pierce your skin, will have you on the next $100,000 medical airlift to Seattle. Jeff threw those back.

We also stumbled upon a school of Black Bass at a spot 15 miles offshore. Fishing for these is a little like hitting the slow machine at the batting cages. We couldn’t get a line down 50 feet without getting a bite. It reminded me of that King of the Hill where Hank starts fishing with crack.

Confidence brimming, we returned to the shoreline and caught a couple of 20-pound Lingcod that put up a decent fight before we reeled them in. We even said “they’ve got some shoulders” like we were salty old vets. Though when looking at them later on the dock, we realized they basically qualified as “respectable.” Without the big sexy King Salmon, we were still just gonna be a boat of beginners who’d never caught anything “real.”

Photo: Waterfall Resort

Lesson #4 – Fishing can be like playing a slot machine, so don’t get up

Around noon on our last full day we were still King Salmon-less, so Brandon broke for lunch and busted out the Mediterranean spinach wrap he’d ordered from the kitchen. He handed his line to Jeff and within 30 seconds the guide yelled “Oh I GOT something here.”

He began dipping and pulling his rod, clearly fighting something trying to get away.

“Brandon, come over here and fight this! I think we got a King,” he yelled.

Brandon dropped his spinach wrap and took the reel from our guide. For the next 10 minutes or so, Jeff led Brandon through the fish fight, telling him when to let it go, then when to reel it back in. This repeated until it was close enough to net. They high fived after they got it in the boat. I just stood there with my rod in my hand.

As we were only allotted two King Salmon between us, I was determined to catch the next one. So I moved to the side of the boat where Jeff had gotten his bite while Brandon took over my side. Not five minutes later he yells “Oh, I think I got another one!”

Son of a bitch.

Photo: Waterfall Resort

“Oh, that is a sal-MON!” our guide exclaimed, his eyes getting wide as he rushed for the net. I felt like the old lady who gets up from a slot machine after five hours and sees the next person hit the jackpot.

Again, I watched Jeff and Brandon fight the King Salmon, letting it swim out, reeling it back in. Brandon let out an excited “YES!” as they finally got it in the boat. Then got another high five I was not invited to.

“Musta been the spinach wrap!” Brandon smiled at me.

“Fuck off, Brandon,” I thought as I opened up my third bag of sour cream and onion Lay’s.

Photo: Waterfall Resort

With our legal limit of King Salmon now in the boat, there was no chance for me to catch one on this trip. I wasn’t sure if I’d gotten any good at fishing, since I probably could have stuck my 13 year-old niece on that boat and she’d have rolled home with enough Black Bass to cater her Bat Mitzvah.

I drank away the disappointment of the day at the Lagoon Saloon, Waterfall’s bar on a serene lake where guides tell fishing stories and drink freely with the guests. Even though our next morning started at 6 a.m., I stayed out a lot longer than I should. And didn’t turn down any shot put out in front of me.

Photo: Waterfall Resort

Lesson #5: No sport lets you relax and disconnect like fishing

“Long night last night?” Jeff asked as I showed up at the boat ten minutes late. I didn’t respond and just asked for coffee. Brandon had gone to bed at 10.

Having caught our limit of pretty much everything, we spent the morning with quiet music fishing tranquil waters and not reeling in much. Jeff taught me how to bait a hook. We reeled in a few Rockfish. We each caught another halibut.

As I looked out at whales breaching in the distance and eagles swooping down for breakfast, I learned why dads the world over love to fish. It is pure peace, quiet, and disconnection. It doesn’t matter how much you catch, or how big the fish is. It matters that you’re out on the water with no one to answer to, just you and your friends and whatever’s under the water. And for those brief few hours nothing else in the world much matters. Despite the vodka flu pounding in my head, that morning was the best I’d felt in a while.

Photo: Waterfall Resort

The sun came out and we returned to the dock. The airline reps at the resort asked me where I wanted my 30-some-odd pounds of cleaned-and-gutted fish filets checked to. As a non-seafood eater it wouldn’t even feed me for a day, so I saw no point in lugging it all the way back to Miami. I told my friend to take it home as a thank you for the invite. Judging by her Instagram, she’s made good use.

The post How a guy who’d never caught a fish learned the beauty of the sport in the wilds of Alaska appeared first on Matador Network.

The best high tea spots in the UK

High tea is as iconic in Britain as the Queen’s corgis. Served in hotels and restaurants across the country, and often referred to as afternoon tea, this celebrated tradition originated in the 19th century as a means for the middle and upper classes to fill a hunger gap between lunch and supper. Today, high tea is served between 3:00 and 5:00 PM and is an excellent way to celebrate a special occasion or meet up with friends. But don’t expect a basic pot of English Breakfast and a few scones; high tea is a full-on indulgence of cakes, finger sandwiches, pastries and… yeah, scones. Here are some of the most beautiful places in Britain to enjoy high tea.

1. The Scarlet Hotel, Cornwall

Photo: The Scarlet/Shutterstock

This adult-only clifftop hotel is close to the surf scene in Newquay, Cornwall, and has spectacular views of the coast. The Scarlet is known for its spa and famed hot tubs, which are perched on the edge of the cliffs. But the real treat here is afternoon tea, served from 3:00 to 4:30 PM. daily. The tea comes from the Tregothnan Estate in Cornwall, and the clotted cream is local. With delicious cakes and sandwiches served with the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop, this is a spectacular destination for tea. Afternoon tea costs $33 per person and $49 with champagne. Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance.

2. Royal Crescent Hotel, Bath

Photo: 1000 Words/Shutterstock

Bath’s architecture is world-renowned because of its Regency-style buildings. The Royal Crescent, one of Bath’s top hotels, was built between 1767 and 1775 and consists of 30 terraced buildings in front of an immaculate lawn; it is one of the most photographed places in the city. Take your traditional afternoon tea in the gardens or the restaurant, and feast on perfect scones, a selection of cakes, and finger sandwiches in a beautiful and historic setting. Afternoon tea costs $49 per person ($26 per child).

3. Claridges Hotel, London

Photo: Claridge’s

Claridges is one of the most famous hotels in the world, known for its glamorous surroundings and iconic Art Deco features. The afternoon tea here is legendary and served daily in the Foyer. Choose from 24 different loose teas, and enjoy the patisserie and finger sandwiches followed by scones. The food reflects traditional British flavors and changes to reflect the seasons. Reservations must be made in advance. Afternoon tea costs $79.

4. Fortnum and Mason, London

Photo: Fortnum & Mason

This tourist-favorite grocery store on Piccadilly is one of the most elegant places to find quality foods in London. The royal warrants over the doorway signify that this is where royalty gets its groceries. Beautifully presented, it is a delight to walk around the counter displays and see rare teas, beautifully packaged cookies, and more. After shopping, head to the restaurant area for a divine afternoon tea in sublime surroundings. Guests can select tea from a variety of Fortnum blends. Afternoon tea costs $64 with a Fortnum’s blend tea and $70 with a rare tea blend.

5. Bettys Tea Room, Harrogate

Photo: Bettys

You’ll receive a warm welcome at any Bettys Tea Room in Yorkshire (also known as God’s Own Country). The tea room began when a Swiss chocolatier, Frederick Belmont, mistakenly took a train in the south of England and ended up in Yorkshire in the early-20th century. He settled, introducing his patisserie to Yorkshire, and the tearooms became a top destination for high tea. The Harrogate location allows you to explore a beautiful town and pastoral Yorkshire countryside. Or you could indulge in a Lady Betty afternoon tea with even more savories and cakes. Afternoon tea costs $26; Lady Betty Afternoon Tea costs $45 per person.

6. Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh

Photo: The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel

Located on Princes Street, near the popular gardens and a short distance from Edinburgh Castle, the Balmoral Hotel is among the city’s finest hotels. Its famous clock is one of the defining features of the local landscape. Inside, the Palm Court — with its Venetian chandeliers and glass dome — is the perfect venue for afternoon tea, especially after a day of sightseeing in Scotland’s capital. The award-winning high tea, complete with sandwiches and pastries, is served with a choice of teas in a beautiful setting. A harpist also usually plays during afternoon tea, which costs $52 per person.

7. Moreton Tea Rooms, Dorset

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The village of Moreton in Dorset may lay claim to being the burial place of Lawrence of Arabia, but it also has an absolutely delicious afternoon tea room. Take a hike on the walking trails that surround this charming rural setting then finish at Moreton Tea Rooms, where you can relax in the converted schoolroom or sit in the courtyard garden. Afternoon tea of finger sandwiches, cakes, and scones needs to be ordered 24 hours in advance. You can get a traditional cream tea here, too, which is popular in South West England. The ginger scones are divine served with jam, clotted cream, and a pot of tea. Special afternoon tea is $16; a traditional cream tea is $7.

8. Cliveden House Hotel, Berkshire

Photo: Cliveden House

If Cliveden House Hotel seems familiar, it may be because the establishment recently played a part in a wedding of some acclaim. This was the place where Meghan Markle spent her last night before marrying Prince Harry, and it is one of Britain’s most luxurious hotels. Afternoon tea is a special experience served in the Great Hall. Sip specially blended teas and feast on scones, beautifully presented miniature cakes, and a selection of finger sandwiches. Don’t forget to explore the beautiful gardens at Cliveden as part of your visit. Afternoon tea costs $49, and you can add a glass of champagne for a total of $75.

9. Angel Hotel, Abergavenny

Photo: The Angel Hotel & Oak Room Restaurant

The town of Abergavenny, the “Gateway to Wales,” has a reputation for good food. Its food festival every September is one of the best in Britain, but you can sample high tea here any day of the week. The award-winning Angel Hotel is a member of the prestigious Tea Guild and offers a high tea with sandwiches, savory pastries, cakes, and scones. Served in the hotel’s Wedgewood Room, it is the ideal pit stop before seeing more of the Welsh countryside that surrounds the town. Afternoon tea is $33. High tea is $40.

10. Lakeside Hotel, Cumbria

Photo: Lakeside Hotel

The Lake District has inspired poets and artists for centuries, and the Lakeside Hotel on the edge of Lake Windermere is a truly spectacular setting. With hiking routes at its doorstep and stunning scenery to explore, the shores of Windermere make for the perfect place for afternoon tea. Enjoy a four-course high tea starting with a chilled soup and followed by sandwiches. The cake selection includes buttermilk scones and a chocolate and passionfruit éclair, and the experience finishes with sorbet. Afternoon tea costs $84 for two.

More like this: 7 unique ways people drink tea around the world

The post The 10 most stunning places to have high tea in the UK appeared first on Matador Network.

Croatian recipes for the World Cup

The dark sky turned red with flares, the noise from the crowd in central Zagreb bouncing off the buildings in riotous, deafening revelry. The celebration of Mario Mandžukić’s game-winning goal against England in the 109th minute on July 11 put Croatia’s national soccer team in a spotlight it has never been in before — on its way to the world’s most popular sporting match where it will face the heavily-favored French national team.

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Yet, for many of us, Croatia is much more of a mystery than France. How many Croatian restaurants are in your hometown? Whether you’ve got a tie to Croatia or just like rooting for the underdog, here’s how to cheer Croatian-style during Sunday’s World Cup Final in Moscow.

Set up the spread.

With just 4.5 million residents, Croatia is a small country by population, but it boasts a widely diverse cuisine that varies between regions. Seafood abounds along Croatia’s 1,104 miles of Adriatic coastline. In Zagreb and elsewhere inland, however, the cuisine is more meat-centric.

Most of the ingredients you’ll need to make these items can be found at your local supermarket and seafood shop. Note that garlic is a staple ingredient in Croatia. If something doesn’t taste quite right, try adding a touch more garlic. Here are a few common foods and plates to try.

Mlinci

Photo: Veronika Kovalenko/Shutterstock

A baked pasta dish popular throughout Croatia, Mlinci can be served with or without meat. It is often served with whole or sliced roast turkey or duck. This recipe walks you through making the dish from scratch.

Crni rižot

Photo: Dani Vincek/Shutterstock

If you haven’t come around to the squid-ink craze yet, crni rižot is the dish that might finally get you on board. Squid is the main protein in this black risotto dish popular along the coast, which is enhanced by olive oil, garlic, red wine, and of course the ink itself. Here’s how to make it happen.

Šnicle

Photo: Alexander Prokopenko/Shutterstock

Croatia’s take on schnitzel is similar to what you’d find in Germany. Croatians typically use cutlets of chicken or veal, pounding them with a meat tenderizer and then frying them to crispy perfection. This is one of the most straightforward dishes to make en masse if you’re hosting people for the match, especially if you follow this recipe.

Strukli

Photo: Gordana Sermek/Shutterstock

Strukli is an appetizer that might just be the most iconically Croatian dish there is. It’s made of thin-baked dough that’s been stuffed with cheese, often curd cottage cheese or ricotta, and a good helping of cream. This dish will disappear within the first ten minutes of the match. Here’s how to put it together.

Burek

Photo: AS Food studio/Shutterstock

Similar to what’s found in Turkey, Croatian burek is meat-filled pastry that makes the perfect finger food for football matches. Ground beef is wrapped in phyllo dough with a filling of onion, yogurt, and pepper. Here is an easy recipe to try.

Oysters

Photo: Veronika Kovalenko/Shutterstock

You can make this dish happen with a simple trip to the seafood market. Pick up enough oysters for your party; season them with garlic, black pepper, and oregano; and display shucked them and ready to roll on a large serving dish. Try this recipe.

Carpaccio

Photo: Ryzhkov Photography/Shutterstock

Carpaccio is sure to be a hit if you plan to serve a hearty appetizer. It’s traditionally made of meat from long-haired Boškarin oxen in Croatia, but you can use quality tenderloin beef cuts that can be thinly sliced and served raw. Here is a great recipe you can make in about an hour and a half, since 90 minutes is the theme of the day.

Buzaru

Photo: Mikulas P/Shutterstock

Mussels are popular along Croatia’s coast, and this dish will appeal to those hesitant to step too far out of their comfort zones. Buzaru is simply fresh Buzara mussels cooked in a white-wine sauce and garlic, with bread crumbs mixed in as well. Here’s a simple recipe that you can whip up before the crowd shows up.

Set up the drinks.

Drinking establishments in Croatia, known as konobas, will be filled to the brim with football fans and revelers on Sunday. Croatia’s drinking culture is built largely on beer, with fruity spirits and wines being popular throughout the country, as well.

The good news here is that prep time is minimal compared to the food. We recommend setting up the booze situation first, if only because prepping food is that much more enjoyable after a few sips of brandy.

Espresso

Croatians are fond of drinking espresso at social events, no matter the time of day. The game starts at 11:00 AM EST and 8:00 AM on the west coast. While football fans aren’t usually shy about drinking in the morning, it’s still a good idea to have espresso, or at least drip coffee, for those who are still waking up when they arrive.

Beer

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Many Eastern European countries have incredibly strong beer cultures, and Croatia is no exception. Rarely does a social event or outing take place without pints of cold, light-bodied brews flowing freely. Perhaps the most well known of Croatian beers, and the easiest to find in the United States, is Karlovacko. The country’s oldest beer is Osjecko, in fashion since 1697. Other popular beers are Ozujsko and Pan.

If you’re unable to find Croatian beer at your local liquor store, the next best thing is to buy a six-pack (or more) from your favorite local brewpub. Craft beer has exploded in Croatia. While finding a small-market Croatian brew on the shelf at an American liquor store is highly unlikely, raising your favorite craft pilsner or red ale is much closer in spirit to what beer-savvy locals in Zagreb are drinking than PBR or Budweiser.

Wine

Photo: dampphoto/Shutterstock

You can still drink like the underdogs even if beer isn’t your jam. Having a two-liter bottle of cola on hand might not seem natural when drinking wine, but in this case, it’s totally acceptable. Many Croatians are quite fond of bambus, red wine mixed with cola and served over ice.

In addition to bambus, fruity whites are the name of the game. Croatians love their native Grasevina wine and consume it in rather outrageous quantities, given the country’s small population. The wine is ripe with a fruity nose, with hints of elderberry in many varieties. While you might not think about Croatia as a prime wine country, top producers are now exporting their wines, and Grasevina has been seen on liquor store shelves as far away as Great Britain.

Some Croatian vineyards make a bubbly Grasevina, and the trend is on the rise among locals. Nothing will toast more appropriately should Mandžukić strike again in the clutch. If you can’t find that, any fruity, white sparkling wine will do.

Spirits

Photo: Yakov Oskanov/Shutterstock

Croatians pour their drinks as strong as Luka Modric’s right foot, so don’t worry about stocking your bar full of mixers. What you will need is brandy. Specifically, a plum brandy known as sljivovica is common across the country, and you should be able to find a variety of it at a good liquor store. Ask for Maraska or Psenner.

If you can’t find plum brandy, go with another dark and fruity variety. When someone at your party asks what it is, tell them it’s a rakija.


More like this: 11 photos that will make you want to visit Croatia right now

The post The essential Croatian dishes and drinks for the World Cup final appeared first on Matador Network.

The 10 coolest bookstores in the US

Even with the convenience of downloading eBooks, many of us still prefer flipping paper pages and seeing the progress of a bookmark working its way from beginning to end to staring at a glowing iPad. The printed word isn’t dead, and if you’re one who prefers hard copies of your favorite books, here are the coolest locations in the US to find them.

1. Powell’s City of Books, Portland

Photo: ARTYOORAN/Shutterstock

Powell’s touts itself as The World’s Largest Independent Bookstore, and it certainly seems to live up to the claim when you step inside the flagship location on Burnside. The main draw here isn’t its quintessential Portland weirdness but rather the selection. Books that you may see dismissed on Amazon as being out of print or impossible to find can probably be found at Powell’s.

2. City Lights, San Francisco

Photo: Steve Wood/Shutterstock

San Francisco’s North Beach area has a history of housing Beat Generation poets, and nowhere is the selection more complete than at City Lights. This bookstore was the first to publish Allen Ginsberg’s Howl and continues to release at least a dozen new titles every year. It hasn’t sold out at all in the past century and a half — the shop eschews those fancy countertop fillers and still carries only paperbacks, with a big focus on the work of poets and authors you won’t find in most bookstores.

3. BookPeople, Austin

A post shared by BookPeople (@bookpeople) on Jun 21, 2018 at 1:04pm PDT

Despite being located on an intersection teeming with big brand names like Whole Foods and REI, BookPeople is still well known among Austinities as the place to go for good reading material. This is the largest bookstore in the entire state of Texas, which prides itself on having the biggest and best of everything. Because there are no used books, the main draws to BookPeople for true nerds are events like readings and costume contests.

4. The Last Bookstore, Los Angeles

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In addition to its excellent selection of new and used books and location right in the heart of downtown LA, what brings visitors to The Last Bookstore is the interior design. Marble columns tower over the highest bookshelves, many of the books are color coded, a woolly mammoth head adorns the wall, and patrons can even walk under a half-archway made entirely out of used books. The shop is relatively young, having opened in 2005, and blends a nonchalant book-nerd hipness with the classic SoCal vibe.

5. Skylight Books, Los Angeles

Photo: Skylight Books

While The Last Bookstore stands out for its elaborate décor, Skylight Books does so with its simplicity. Natural light fills this tiny shop on Vermont Ave, and customers come face to face with a tree in the center as soon as they enter. The vibe is an epic complement to the celebrated architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright and the other legendary designers that dot the surrounding neighborhoods, creating one of the most stunning reading and book-perusing environments anywhere in the world.

6. Space Oddities, Chicago

Photo: Space Oddities Chicago

You could technically call this a bookstore and get away with it, but there’s so much more to see at this small shop. Advertising itself as a bookstore, gallery space, and curiosity shop, Space Oddities is full of occult-like items, zany decorations, and the books to match. If you’re in Chicago and looking for an experience that appeals to both your weird and bookwormy sides, you’ll find it here.

7. The Elliott Bay Book Company, Seattle

Photo: Elliott Bay Book Company

Based in a city whose largest employer is at least partially responsible for the decimation of the book publishing industry, The Elliott Bay Book Company stands out as a breath of fresh air in downtown Seattle. This quirky bookstore, with its attractive solid wood beams and trendy cafe, is one of the cooler places to shop in all of Washington.

8. Strand Books, New York City

Photo: Drop of Light/Shutterstock

“[Eighteen] miles of books” is Strand Books’ claim to fame. The number may be up for debate, but this Manhattan bookstore has between two and three million books available for purchase on any given day, meaning there is literally something for everyone (and if you can’t find something here, you’re officially too picky).

9. Faulkner House, New Orleans

Photo: Faulkner House Books

Located in the heart of the French Quarter, Faulkner House lives up to its name, a fact that earns the shop instant credibility. This bookshop is actually the former home of writer and Nobel laureate William Faulkner, and you’ll feel his presence as you peruse the shelves in this historic estate. Just don’t bring any beignets into the shop when you’re flipping the pages.

10. The Montague Bookmill, Massachusetts

Photo: The Montague Bookmill

This adorable used bookstore operates out of an old grist mill, which means it wins the contest for “most New England.” Set on the Sawmill River just outside of Amherst, The Montague Bookmill is probably the most remote shop on this list, but also one of the most unique. The original gristmill was built in 1842, and in addition to hosting an ample collection of used books, it’s also a haven for artists and writers in greater Amherst and Northampton.


More like this: 11 books we want to read in 2018

The post The 10 coolest bookstores in the United States appeared first on Matador Network.

7 facts about Bastille Day

Although America’s Independence Day has come and gone, France can still look forward to its national holiday on July 14 — Bastille Day (which may be extra patriotic this year given that the France vs. Croatia World Cup finals are the very next day). Bastille Day celebrates the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789 by the French revolutionaries, and its fall symbolizes the fall of royal tyranny and oppression. But beyond a few basic facts, you might not know a whole lot about Bastille Day or how it’s celebrated by the French. Here are seven things you probably don’t know about Bastille Day.

1. July 14 isn’t just significant for the Bastille storming.

When the French government was trying to decide on a national holiday in 1880, it was a rather controversial subject. Conservatives opposed the July 14 date because they believed the Bastille storming was too bloody to merit celebration. Several other options were considered, including September 21 when the original French Republic was created, and August 4, the anniversary of the feudal system’s abolishment. Eventually, July 14 won out because it represented two historic occasions in French history: the storming of the Bastille in 1789 and 1790’s peaceful Festival of the Federation. Citizens were invited to decide for themselves which event they’d rather celebrate, though Bastille Day has certainly emerged as the predominant event.

2. The storming only freed seven prisoners.

While much is made of the freeing of prisoners at the Bastille on July 14, there were actually only seven captives left inside the prison. Some reports say these prisoners were insane, forgers, and disgraced noblemen, though we may never know for sure exactly who they were. The dearth of prisoners didn’t spoil the revolutionaries’ victory, however, because…

3. The Bastille was stormed primarily for gunpowder.

Preparing for war, the National Assembly and ordinary French citizens realized they needed weapons and ammunition. Before the storming of the Bastille, they broke into a soldiers’ hospital in Paris and seized 3,000 guns and five canons, but this firepower was useless without gunpowder. Immediately after seizing the guns, the group continued on to the closest location with the largest stockpile of gunpowder: the Bastille.

4. The Bastille wasn’t originally a prison.

When the Bastille was built in 1357, it was designed as a fortress to keep out invading armies during the Hundred Years’ War with England. The Bastille was meant to stall an attack on Paris from the east. After the war, the fortress’s rectangular walls and tall towers made it an effective prison, though it didn’t actually house a prisoner until the 17th century when Cardinal de Richelieu began jailing Louis XIII’s enemies there.

5. All the action happens at fire stations.

If you happen to be in France on Bastille Day and want to celebrate as authentically as possible, head to your local fire station. On the night of July 13 or 14, most fire stations throw large dance parties for the entire neighborhood. Some charge an admission fee, though for those that don’t, it’s customary to leave behind a donation.

6. The annual parade is one of the oldest military parades in the world.

For Parisians, one of the main attractions of Bastille Day is the annual military parade down the Champs-Elysees. The parade begins in the morning with drums and trumpets announcing the arrival of the French president and proceeds from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde. There’s a lot happening on the ground, but don’t forget to look up. Planes and helicopters will be putting on an unforgettable show in the sky.

7. In France, no one calls it “Bastille Day.”

Surprisingly, calling the holiday “Bastille Day” is probably the most touristy mistake you can make if you’re traveling around France on July 14. Officially, the French refer to the day as la Fête Nationale, or “The National Holiday.” Informally, natives call it le Quatorze Juillet (July 14). “Bastille Day” is actually an English term rarely used in France — except by tourists.


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There is only one Blockbuster left

Nothing reminds us of our childhoods like Blockbuster. Wandering through the aisles, looking for a DVD or VHS cover that catches our eye, reading the movie descriptions, and sneaking into the adult section is all but history for most of us. But in Bend, Oregon, a whole new generation of movie-lovers is growing up for whom Blockbuster isn’t just a relic of the past. With the closure of franchise locations in Anchorage and Fairbanks, the Bend Blockbuster is the last remaining Blockbuster in the country.

On Sunday night, the two Alaskan Blockbusters will officially close for rentals before reopening for video liquidation sales throughout the end of August. Kevin Daymude, the general manager of Blockbuster Alaska, said that residents were sad when they heard the news and that many have been reminiscing about their Blockbuster memories. Although John Oliver’s “Last Week Tonight” feature on the Anchorage Blockbuster (which included donating Russell Crowe’s jockstrap from Gladiator, which John Oliver won in Crowe’s bizarre divorce auction) gave the store much-needed exposure, it wasn’t enough to dispel the effects of lease increases.

Blockbuster stores have lasted longer in Alaska than in the rest of the US, which many attribute to Alaska’s more expensive, less accessible internet.

On being the only remaining location, Bend Blockbuster owner Sandi Harding said, “How exciting. It might end up being a little chaotic for a couple of weeks.” And most importantly, she added, “We have no plans on closing anytime soon.”

H/T: New York Post

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Advice for new bartenders

Starting out behind the bar can be rough. While making mistakes is a given, there are certain steps you can take to make your learning curve a little bit smoother. From a veteran of the bartending scene, here are eight essential pieces of advice to help all you new bartenders.

1. It’s okay to ask for help.

This is true in almost every field and especially behind the bar. Asking a barback to help you move a keg or an experienced bartender for pointers on technique is totally normal. Don’t come to work unprepared (have your main drink recipes memorized and always have your wine key/bottle opener), but asking for help when you really need it will help you learn faster.

2. If you don’t know a drink, be honest.

Even if you have a hundred cocktail recipes memorized, you will one day be asked to make an unfamiliar cocktail. In this situation, the best policy is honesty. Admit that you are not familiar with the drink in question. Often, the bar guest can tell you how to make it. If not, you can always look up the drink recipe on your phone or in a reference book at the bar. You learn a new drink, and it makes your guest feel extra knowledgeable.

3. If you’re getting your ass kicked, adjust.

Many new bartenders want to do everything perfectly. A ten-minute shake on a Ramos Gin Fizz, pristine ice for each drink, a perfectly measured lemonade. But when you are in the weeds, sometimes done is better than perfect. When giving drink recommendations, suggest a simpler cocktail. Push wine sales. Try to get multiple drink orders at a time, so you can build drinks more efficiently. Don’t lower your standards, but adjust your service to accommodate the situation.

4. Get to work early.

One of the hardest parts of bartending, especially when you are starting out, is all the prep work involved in setting up a bar. Depending on the bar, you may have assistance from barbacks and bar managers, but you will still be expected to prepare garnishes, syrups, batches, and stock/re-stock the bar. Giving yourself extra time is crucial. Glasses break, bars get slammed all at once, and computers go down, so anything you can do to be ready will help you manage the inevitable crises.

5. It’s okay to interrupt people.

Tending bar is a little different than serving tables. When you walk up to a table, guests usually pause their conversation and give you their attention if they need something. At the bar, that’s not the case. Many times, bar customers will be in the midst of a conversation but also ready to order another round. Interrupt politely by offering another drink. If you wait for a lull in the conversation, you could be there all night.

6. There is always something to do.

Whenever you have a spare moment at the bar, find something to do. Can syrups be topped off? Or bottles polished? Or straws restocked? If there is no side work to do, taking the time to engage with customers can be a great way to build your clientele. Not only will you look good to your managers, but you will also keep your momentum going. Keeping your energy up is really important because you never know when you will get a rush and need to gear up.

7. Your energy is the bar’s energy.

On that note, be aware of your energy because it can be contagious. At the bar, you are the host of the party. If you are angry, frustrated, or stressed, often that emotion will be absorbed by your customers and reflected back at you. When you are feeling negative, try your best to fake it. All it takes is one nice customer to turn your night around.

8. Breathe.

There will come a shift when you are so busy and overwhelmed that you want to cry. But instead of tears, try taking a deep breath. Yes, multitasking is important, but it is a skill you will improve upon over time. When you feel completely overwhelmed, breathe and focus on the next task at hand. It’s okay to do one thing at a time when you are starting out. Make sure to acknowledge your guests, so they know you are there, but it’s your bar. If guests can see that you are busy, 95 percent of people don’t mind waiting a few extra minutes.


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10 things Philadelphians love

Frigid winters, multi-cultural influences, and traditions that run deep. If you hail from the City of Brotherly Love, you catch my drift. If you are just passing through, you may want to be take notice of these things that Philly folks hold near and dear to their hearts.

1. Football in freezing temperatures

There are only two ways to take in the frigid Philly weather: bundle up with every piece of clothing you own or go shirtless, while screaming “E-A-G-L-E-S, Eagles!” at other tailgaters, no matter which team they’re rooting for.

2. Fabulous bread

Whether it’s the foundation for a cheesesteak or crafted into soft pretzel form, we Philadelphians do love good, freshly baked bread. The influence of both Italian and Pennsylvania Dutch cultures means that a taste for quality bread is embedded in our DNA.

3. Drive-ins (and thrus)

Long gone are drive-in movie theatres of yesteryear in every state, but in Pennsylvania they’re still going strong. If you’re in the suburbs, the ability to take in a movie on the big, BIG screen is a treat. Bonus points go to those who hit up the drive-thru beverage shop on the way to the drive-in.

4. Holiday traditions

From standing in line to see Dickens Village to vying for a spot to see the light show at Wanamaker’s (okay, Macy’s), generations of crowds gather to do the same same thing year after year.

5. Wawa

Central Pennsylvania can have its Sheetz. We on the eastern side get giddy when we see that sunset sign with shadowed geese because it always means that great coffee and sandwiches are within reach.

6. Public transit

Live on the outskirts of the city? No problem! Catching the train to Center City is a breeze, especially when public buses are waiting to take you just where you want to go.

7. Love

Who knows when the other statues came about, but we consider ours the first. From our signature LOVE statue to LOVE Park, all of it centers around the City of Brotherly Love. Is there really any other way?

8. Patriotism in sports

With all of our historical highlights, it’s no wonder that we have teams named the 76ers and the Eagles, right? And our fans know how to exercise their freedom of speech like most good Americans do.

9. Places that are ridiculously hard to spell

If you are on the Schuylkill Expressway you may have to drive through the Conshohocken Curve before you head to Manayunk. Confession: We STILL have to look up all of those spellings.

10. Museums

Philly folks crave variety, and Center City has a bunch of museums to satisfy our diverse tastes. Whether for children, science lovers, history buffs, or art enthusiasts, there is a stop for every type of museum aficionado. Just don’t expect us to go full Rocky at the Museum of Art like all the tourists — there are way too many steps for a born-and-bred Philadelphian!


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Wall-E-like robot to carry luggage

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a personal assistant to make travel a little easier? Someone to carry your luggage, guide you through the terminal, and point you in the right direction? Well, KLM’s new Wall-E-like robot is at your service. The bright-blue robot, called Care-E, is programmed to lead you to your gate and carry your luggage and will be tested at JFK and San Francisco airports this summer.

How does it work? Easy. Just toss your bags onto its trolly-like caboose, leaving you free to wander the airport luggage-free. It will even wait dutifully for you as you use the bathroom, or stop for a meal at a restaurant.

To secure your own Care-E — which will be waiting for your just after security — scan your boarding pass by holding it up to the robot’s RGB-D Camera, stack your luggage (up to 85 pounds), and follow the robot to your gate. Care-E communicates using a series of nonverbal sounds, like R2-D2, and moves at the leisurely pace of three miles per hour. And you won’t have to worry about it crashing into other travelers, as Care-E’s sensors allow for “peripheral collision avoidance.”

Here’s a preview of Care-E in action:

H/T: Condé Nast Traveler

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Parts Unknown nominated for 6 Emmys

Anthony Bourdain is still racking up the accolades, even a month after his death. On Thursday, Bourdain and his CNN series “Parts Unknown” were nominated for six Primetime Emmys, including: outstanding informational series or special; outstanding cinematography for a nonfiction program; outstanding picture editing for a nonfiction program; outstanding sound editing for a nonfiction program; outstanding sound mixing for a nonfiction program; and outstanding writing for a nonfiction program. An online component of the show, “Anthony Bourdain: Explore Parts Unknown,” also received a nomination for outstanding short form nonfiction or reality series.

Any Emmys won by Bourdain this year will join the five Emmys the show has already won since it debuted in 2013. And since the final four episodes of this season aired after this year’s Emmy eligibility period, Bourdain could even be looking at more awards coming in 2019.

Anderson Cooper, who introduced Bourdain’s final episode of “Parts Unknown” that aired after his death, joined colleagues and friends in praise of Bourdain’s work. “If Tony could hear this,” Cooper said in his introduction, “he’d probably be embarrassed by the praise…he also preferred to let his work speak for itself.”

The first eight seasons are currently available on Netflix.

H/T: Condé Nast Traveler

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