Matador Network's Blog, page 658
May 5, 2021
A bottle of French wine aged in space is expected to sell for $1 million
Add a case of wine, along with legos and a lightsaber, to the list of surprising objects that have been launched into space. Researchers for a private company called Space Cargo Unlimited sent a case of Chateau Pétrus wine to the International Space State for 14 months in an effort to “better understand the aging process, fermentation and bubbles in wine,” according to the AP. Now one of those bottles might sell for around $1 million at Christie’s Auction House.
In November 2019, Space Cargo Unlimited sent the famous French wine to space as part of an “effort to make plants on Earth more resilient to climate change and disease by exposing them to new stresses.” More than a year later, in January 2021, the wine has returned to Earth, and experts who sampled it at a tasting say that the flavor was indeed altered by the microgravity of the space station.
Sommeliers at the Institute for Wine and Vine Research in Bordeaux sampled a bottle of Pétrus Pomerol back in April. Travel and Leisure reported that experts said the space wine “evoked scents like cured leather, ‘burnt-orange’ or a campfire.” At the time, Jane Anson, one of the panelists, told the AP that “the one that had been up into space, the tannins had softened, the side of more floral aromatics came out.”
A bottle of Petrus wine aged here on Earth usually costs thousands of dollars, but Christie’s predicts that the bottle aged in space will auction for around $1 million dollars. That’s a hefty price tag for a wine, but for wealthy people who are fascinated by outer space and wine connoisseurs who want to add one of the most unique bottles of wine on the planet to their collection, it might be worth it.
The lucky buyer will also get a bottle of Petrus aged on Earth so that the flavors of each can be compared to each other — if they decide to pop the cork on this exceptional bottle, of course. Tim Tiptree, international director of Christie’s wine and spirits department, told the AP that the wine is at its peak drinkability right now, but could last a couple more decades. Proceeds from the sale will fund further research at Space Cargo Unlimited, but there are no plans to sell the rest of the space-aged wine in the case. 
The post A bottle of French wine aged in space is expected to sell for $1 million appeared first on Matador Network.
Live shows are coming back to Broadway and Las Vegas as restrictions are lifted
During this pandemic, we have all succumbed to binge-watching our favorite shows at home, but there’s nothing quite like a live show, and New York and Las Vegas know it. As more and more people get vaccinated throughout the country, restrictions on live shows and caps on venue capacities are being lifted, allowing for Broadway and Vegas to get back to providing much sought-after entertainment.
New YorkThe closure of Broadway productions began in March 2020 and was extended in June of the same year until 2021. On May 3, 2021, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo approved the reopening of Broadway beginning May 19. Still, due to the needs of production and rehearsals, you shouldn’t expect the return of your favorite shows, and perhaps some new ones, until September.
Venues are expected to open following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s mask and social distancing guidelines but could get around this by demanding documentation of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test results upon entry. The reopening will include theaters, gyms, museums, restaurants, bars, amusement parks, and shops. New York City is expected to completely reopen July 1, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio.
“We are ready for stores to open, for businesses to open, offices, theaters, full strength, ” he said in an interview on MSNBC’s Morning Joe.
Las Vegas“This is the moment we have all been waiting for,” Daniel Lamarre, president and CEO of Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group, said in a press release.
After announcing in November 2020 that Cirque’s “Zumanity” production would permanently close due to the pandemic, two of its shows are expected to return this summer at full capacity. “Mystere” will reopen at Treasure Island on June 28 with around 1,800 seats, and “O” will reopen at the Bellagio on July 1 with 1,600 seats.
Other shows expected to return soon include the Blue Man Group at the Luxor Hotel on June 24; “The Beatles Love” at the Mirage sometime in July; “Michael Jackson One” at Mandalay Bay in late August; and “KA” to the MGM Grand in September or October, Lamarre told the Las Vegas Sun.
Gaming floors at some casinos are also getting rid of some of their COVID-19 precautions. While gaming floors are currently permitted to operate at 80 percent capacity by the Nevada Gaming Control Board, Wynn and Encore are expected to soon open at 100 percent capacity and will remove plexiglass dividers.
“Wynn Resorts announced today that, as of May 1, 2021, 88 percent of its Wynn Las Vegas employees have been vaccinated,” a spokesperson said. “As a result…the gaming areas at both Wynn and Encore will be permitted to run at 100% occupancy, and plexiglass dividers will be removed from all table games and slot machines. Our employees and guests will continue to follow health and safety guidelines, including mask compliance, to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for all.”
The post Live shows are coming back to Broadway and Las Vegas as restrictions are lifted appeared first on Matador Network.
For the best Armenian food in the US, head to East Hollywood
Haikuhie Keshishyan and her staff at Marouch are rolling out homemade dough that they’ll first cut into strips, then into small squares. Then, they’ll hand-fill the dough with savory ground beef marinated with Keshishyan’s secret family sauce. The squares will be folded in two, and the edges combined and pinched shut into a bundle-like shape.
These are manti, a traditional Armenian dumpling that has as many variations as there are family recipes. In Keshishyan’s case, the tiny little boats of dough are boiled in a rich broth and served with a luscious garlicky yogurt-tomato sauce.
Until early 2019, 35-year-old Keshishyan was a full-time artist. Her Armenian great-aunt Sossi Brady and her Lebanese husband, Serge Brady, ran their restaurant in East Hollywood, aka Little Armenia, since 1982. They retired, and now Keshishyan is one of the rare women running an Armenian restaurant in a male-dominated industry — and hers is one of the oldest Armenian-Lebanese restaurants in Los Angeles.
From Glendale to Westwood, the Los Angeles metropolitan area is one of the centers of the Armenian diaspora. It has the largest Armenian population of any city in the US — 200,000 people of Armenian descent live in the area, according to the BBC. With this community comes traditions and, of course, food.
Armenia is a small landlocked nation in the southwest Caucasus, straddling Europe and Asia. Armenians left their homeland — which now borders Turkey, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Georgia — in three significant waves. The first was in the 1890s. Then, starting in 1915, the Ottoman Empire killed or forcibly deported people of Armenian descent. By the end of 1922, when the Ottoman Empire was dissolved and replaced by the Republic of Turkey, more than a million Armenians had been killed or forcibly deported, according to the Armenian National Institute. Recently, President Joe Biden became the first US president to declare formal recognition of the Armenian genocide, which many consider a precursor to the Nazi Holocaust.
Armenia briefly experienced independence after WWI but was quickly annexed by the Soviet Republic. The third wave of immigration happened under Joseph Stalin when the Soviet Republic ruled present-day Armenia.
When Armenians left their homeland, they traveled the world, and many came to America.
“The Armenians in California first migrated to Fresno because it reminded them of home, with vast fields to grow crops and grapes, corn, and potatoes,” notes Roman Keshishyan, Haikuhie’s husband. “Then they slowly trickled down to LA county, especially to Glendale and Hollywood. The area’s big melting pot of cultures made it possible for them to settle here.”
Today, LA is still one of the best places to taste how the region’s melting pot of cultures allowed Armenian restaurants to flourish. Each Armenian restaurant influences the LA culinary scene with its own version of Armenian food. There’s a vast diversity of offerings that vary by family traditions, ingredients, and techniques. These are the ones to try.
Where to eat Armenian food in LA
Photo: Marouch Restaurant/Facebook
Marouch: Here, traditional techniques and a combination of Aleppo pepper, fenugreek, and other spices come together in complex dishes. Take, for example, the muhammara dip, which is flavored with peppers and pomegranate seeds, and kibbeh, an appetizer made with lean beef, crushed wheat, and pine nuts. Dolma (meat-stuffed vegetables) and basturma (spiced Armenian veal salami cut thin) are also crowd-pleasers. The Keshishyan’s traditional manti is served as an entree alongside shawarma plates, barbecued quail, and vegetarian mezze options of tabouleh, hummus, falafel, and baba ghanoush.
Marouch’s popular kababs (or kabobs) are amped up with an alluring secret ingredient that makes the chunks of beef, lamb, and chicken extra-tender. Eighty-nine-year-old Smbat Tataryan, Sr., Haikuhie’s grandfather, uses the same beef grinding technique he employed at his first restaurant in Sovetashen, Armenia. He also used them at Del Amo Steakhouse, a spot he opened in 1988 in Torrance, California, for 27 years. The kabobs come with onion, tomato, garlic sauce, almonds, rice, and pickles for an extra dose of flavor that can be topped with yogurt for tartness.
Where: 4905 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90029
Carousel: The Tcholakian family offers Armenian-Lebanese fine dining at its best, complemented by live entertainment and belly dancing shows. There are more than sixty mezze (appetizers) to choose from, including the specialties of red tabbuleh made with bulgur and sautéed tomatoes and liver sautee, topped with sliced onions and spices.
Where: Two locations, one at 304 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale, CA 91203; and another at 5112 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90027
Elena’s: The variety of different kabob platters is generous, flavorful, and priced under $20. The hummus is extra creamy, the tabouleh is fresh, and the strong coffee and consistently friendly staff have kept this Greek-Armenian eatery in business for over thirty years.
Where: 1000 S Glendale Ave., Glendale, CA 91205
Photo: Mini Kabob/Facebook
Miki Kabob: This 300-square-foot kabob joint in Glendale has been going strong for more than three decades, which is the result of the Martirosyan family’s hard work and love for their home country’s traditional grilled meats. This is the spot for plates of charred and juicy beef, chicken, and lamb kabobs that are cooked to perfection and served with rice, vegetables, hummus, and pita bread.
Where: 313 1/2 Vine St, Glendale, CA, 91204
Old Gyumri: Named after one of Armenia’s largest cities, Old Gyumri serves dependably good fare in private booths. The list of comforting soups and massive salads is complemented by dishes of Icki-bir, a mix of lamb heart and lung barbecue, flame-broiled oxtail khashlama, beef kufta, and an array of kabob sandwiches to wash down with tarragon lemonade or tahn (a salty yogurt drink).
Where: 4441 San Fernando Rd, Glendale, CA 91204
Papillon Bakery: Each of the multiple locations in Hollywood and Glendale takes pride in serving classic and modernized versions of perfect Armenian snacks and Soviet-inflected delicacies. Customers from all over LA come back for freshly-baked batches of doughnuts called ponchiks and the baked Armenian pizza (a thin piece topped here with minced meat, minced vegetables, a number of herbs, and earthy spices). There’s also a wide variety of sweet cakes and savory perashkis, elongated dumplings stuffed here with potato, meat, and cheese.
Where: Multiple Locations
Sahag’s Basturma Sandwich Shop: Many know to stop at this Anthony Bourdain-approved spot for a bite when passing through the heart of Hollywood’s Little Armenia. Since 1987, this small mom-and-pop deli has been dishing out hearty creations like soujok (Armenian sausage), maanek (Lebanese sausage), and filet mignon. The beloved basturma (seasoned, air-dried cured meats) are sliced paper-thin by Harry Tashyan, who’s continuing his family culinary legacy. Grab one to go.
Where: 5183 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
The post For the best Armenian food in the US, head to East Hollywood appeared first on Matador Network.
Italy announces plans to reopen for tourism in mid-May
On May 4, Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi announced that the country plans to reopen for tourism in the middle of May. The authorities aim to ensure safe travel in Italy with the rollout of a special “national green pass,” which will contain proof of vaccination and history of COVID-19 test results.
The pass will ensure freedom of travel between the regions of the country with the hope that international travelers can visit by summer. The European Union is also currently working on a wider Digital Green Certificate which will support travel between all 27 of its member states. This is expected to take effect by June.
“In mid-May tourists can have the Italian pass…so the time has come to book your holidays in Italy,” Draghi said in a meeting with the ministers of tourism, as reported by Reuters. “Waiting for the European Certificate…we have a national green pass that will enable people to move from region to region and will be operational by mid-May, so let us not wait until mid-June for the EU pass.”
Italy relies on tourism to a large degree, which is why the government is eager to safely reopen as soon as possible instead of waiting for the broader EU-wide travel plan to be introduced.
The country is not alone in its efforts to expedite the restart of tourism. Greece, Iceland, Spain, and France are also planning to reopen sooner by creating their own versions of the pass in order to give a much-needed boost to their travel and hospitality industries which have suffered greatly over the last year and a half.
The post Italy announces plans to reopen for tourism in mid-May appeared first on Matador Network.
You can do outdoor yoga 1,100 feet in the air on NYC’s newest skyscraper
Edge, the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere located in New York City, has collaborated with fitness club Equinox to offer yoga classes on the building’s 100th-floor observation deck. The first class will be held on May 6, with a morning session from 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM, and promises an adrenaline-filled start to the day.
The Edge’s sky deck sits 1,100 feet in the air and features glass floors, 360-degree views, and curved glass walls allowing visitors to feel like they are truly suspended in the sky. In order to comply with COVID-19 regulations, all class attendees will have their temperature checked, face coverings will be required, and capacity will be limited. Guests don’t need to bring their own yoga mats as they will be provided and sanitized by the Equinox team.
Photo: Edge/Facebook
The unique yoga class will be held every week after May 6, with Wednesdays being reserved exclusively for Equinox members. Tickets for the first month of the classes were sold out shortly after being released on April 30 at $50 a pop. Tickets for June and beyond are expected to be released later this month, so there will be plenty of opportunities to work on your inner balance while taking in the jaw-dropping city views.
The post You can do outdoor yoga 1,100 feet in the air on NYC’s newest skyscraper appeared first on Matador Network.
May 4, 2021
The best Airbnbs in Aspen to vacation like a celebrity without the price tag
We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
When you peruse Airbnbs listings in Aspen, you witness a showdown of virtual bragging rights — multi-million dollar houses, condos, and slopeside residences listing their purchase price as the top amenity; all things actually applicable to the guest seem a mere afterthought. This might not come as a surprise in a town synonymous with big numbers and celebrity sightings. Fortunately, we’ve taken the work out of dissecting these boisterous listings and compiled this handy list of the best Airbnbs in Aspen for each type of traveler. Before you book, keep in mind that Aspen lodging is best enjoyed in groups, slashing the prices but not the access to high-end amenities. Gather your partner or crew, and get ready for a high-altitude trip with the stars.
Quick tips on booking lodging in AspenKeep in mind that despite its immense reputation, Aspen is a small town. This means pretty much anyplace you book in downtown, at Highlands, or in neighboring Snowmass Village, is within walking distance to dining, shopping, and nightlife. And moving between the three cores is easy via the free bus system, Uber, and taxis. Thus, rather than focusing on the perfect location, the more important factor is identifying what you want to do and what amenities will make it the best experience possible. Free parking is a significant perk, so keep an eye out for that.
Stays in resorts and hotels, many of which are listed here, often include perks like pool and hot tub access, a gym, and even on-site dining and nightlife. Many, however, require a seven-night minimum. We’ve filtered out those who require a more extended stay, so you can book shorter trips while still enjoying the niceties. We’ve pulled up some of the best private homes and condos outside of resorts, which are much more relaxed and offer a more authentic mountain town experience.
Large Aspen Highlands condo that sleeps eight
Photo: Airbnb
This creative condo is an excellent opportunity to experience Aspen Highlands luxury and split the rate between up to eight people. Located in a private resort at Aspen Highlands, you’ll arrive to the high-end trimmings that Aspen promises and be within walking distance of the Highlands chairlifts (for the ski-minded, this means you could be atop the legendary Highlands Bowl — including the hike — by 10:00 AM). This unit features four bathrooms, access to all the base area amenities, including shops, coffee and liquor, casual and fine dining, and free parking (a major perk in Aspen). Aspen Highlands is right there, and when you do want to skip over to downtown or Snowmass, you can hop on the free bus.
Eight guests, four bedrooms
Price: $350-$723 per night, depending on season
Photo: Airbnb
For a comfortable, quiet stay in downtown Aspen, this one-bedroom apartment will do the trick. It’s ideal for solo travelers and couples, is much more affordable compared to most Airbnbs in Aspen, and doesn’t have a seven-night minimum to book. Victorian homes are among the small charms of staying downtown, and you’ll experience it properly here. The host promises decent Wi-Fi, and unlike basic hotel rooms, you’ll have a kitchen as well.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $258 per night
Photo: Airbnb
This downtown Aspen penthouse is an ideal spot to ball out with your crew. You’re three blocks from the historic Hotel Jerome, home to the bar where Hunter S. Thompson ran his campaign for Pitkin County Sheriff. Best, this penthouse is located in the highly sought-after West End. When standing outside this property and facing north, odds are you’re looking at, at least one house owned by someone you’ve heard of and maybe even admire. Movie stars, big-name musicians, and pro athletes have all owned homes in the West End, and a casual morning walk through the neighborhood is a great way to draw some artistic (and architectural) inspiration.
11 guests, four bedrooms
Price: $3,000 per night
Photo: Airbnb
YHere’s your chance to do Aspen as it’s usually done. Less than one block from the gondola, this historic Aspen hotel offers mountain and town views and an outdoor deck with a hot tub and even more impressive views. It is also within easy access to downtown hot spots like the Belly Up, which brings in big-name musical acts, and Mi Chola, a Mexican restaurant whose bar is routinely occupied by a rotating cast of household names.
Two guests, studio
Price: $490 per night
Photo: Airbnb
For a relaxed stay on the east side of Aspen, away from the bustle of downtown but still within walking distance to the restaurant row and the gondola, this high-end condo is an ideal choice. The premises offer free parking and great views, and if you visit in the summer, you’ll enjoy easy access to the Ute Trail. This is a rental you can also hop across town to Smuggler Mountain and the bike path across the Roaring Fork Valley through Woody Creek and Carbondale to Glenwood Springs.
Six guests, two bedrooms
Price: $582 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Here’s your chance to experience Aspen in all its glory. The Grand Hyatt is among the best properties in town, home to a collection of top-notch condos and rooms that attract everyone from the rich and famous to the time-share crowd. And now, you and yours — those ready to ball out for a few nights of luxury in the best place in the world — can do so too. You’ll have access to the pool and hot tub, dining and shopping, and room service and delivery options galore. This is Aspen, how it was intended to be.
Six guests, two bedrooms
Price: $3,182 per night
Private guest room in stunning home
Photo: Airbnb
Affordable. Quiet. Easy access to nature. If these are your priorities, then this private guest room in a classic home just outside downtown is for you. You’ll have a nice bed with great views of the surrounding mountains and can take advantage of the deck and a “guest lounge” with a fridge and freezer, tea, and coffee. For a solo traveler or couple, this is a solid bet that keeps you close to the action. But it comes with a buffer from which to enjoy some solitude.
Two guests, studio
Price: $200 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Rustic. Wooden. Wild. This private room in a Snowmass chalet is the classic vision of a ski (or summer) vacation in the mountains. There’s even a hot tub and sauna on-site, and while you’re in a beautiful spot near trails and solitude, Snowmass Village is a quick (and free) bus ride away. If getting outdoors is the focus and you just need a quiet and relaxing place to crash, this is the spot.
Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $129 per night
Photo: Airbnb
Everything Snowmass Village offers is within a couple of minutes’ walk (or ski) from this high-end condo. It’s the best deal in the village with resort amenities, including a pool and indoor fireplace, without the sky-high prices of the surrounding properties. The best dining and shopping in Snowmass is right there, as is the gondola and the slopes, and the little-known secret is that Snowmass is the best of the four mountain resorts at Aspen.
Six guests, two bedrooms
Price: $333 per night
The post The best Airbnbs in Aspen to vacation like a celebrity without the price tag appeared first on Matador Network.
A total lunar eclipse will be visible in the US and Canada this month
May 26 will be rich in astronomical events. Not only will there be an entire lunar eclipse, but there will also be a supermoon for everyone to see.
The lunar eclipse will last three hours in total, but it’s the 15 minutes of total phase, when the moon turns red, that will be the most impressive. The colorful phenomenon is also called a “super blood moon” and happens when the earth lines up between the moon and the sun, filtering the sun’s light through its atmosphere. The light that reflects off the moon’s surface is then a beautiful shade of red.
Not everyone will have the best look at the total lunar eclipse. People in Melanesia, Micronesia, Polynesia, and most of Australia will be able to admire an entire lunar eclipse. The total phase of the eclipse will also be visible in parts of North America, such as western Canada, Alaska, the western United States, and Mexico. Check out NASA’s map and animation of the eclipse’s path to know if you’ll be able to see the spectacle from home and at what time.
Even if you don’t live on the eclipse’s path, you can still look up at the sky to check out the supermoon (without the red glow) — a full moon that appears seven percent larger than normal.
The post A total lunar eclipse will be visible in the US and Canada this month appeared first on Matador Network.
The ultimate guide to climbing Idaho’s City of Rocks
Idaho enjoys many superlatives when it comes to the outdoors, such as the country’s most sought-after white-water rafting and its earliest ski resort. It’s time to add another one: rock climbing. Not only does Idaho have a variety of climbing options across the state, it’s also home to the City of Rocks.
Located near the small towns of Almo and Oakley, City of Rocks is roughly a three-hour drive from Salt Lake City, Utah, or Boise, Idaho. Made literally of spires of towering granite resembling skyscrapers and buildings, “the City,” as it’s often referred to, is a national reserve in the National Parks Service system. The park has an otherworldly feel as you wind through a maze of unique rock formations, each of which is home to world-class sport and traditional, or trad, climbs. While there are visitors who come to camp, hike, bike, and ride horses — and it’s worth a visit for those activities alone — the City is truly a climber’s heaven.
The City’s climbing history
Photo: J.M. Weber/Shutterstock
Roped climbing first started at the City in the 1960s, a time when climbing was still considered an eccentric pastime for dirt-bags, and the City was a remote, out-of-the-way area to visit. A group of climbers from Utah calling themselves “the Steinfell Club,” led by noted climber Greg Lowe, put up hundreds of the park’s routes from the 1960s through the early seventies, shaping much of the City’s climbing today.
In the eighties, the City was home to some of the most challenging routes in the country. And routes in the park are still notoriously difficult for the grade. In other words, the grading system has been “sandbagged” — giving climbers who spent their time at the City a leg up over those who spent time in the bigger climbing areas of the day like Yosemite. In 1990, City of Rocks was featured on the cover of Climbing, making the area a draw for those looking to rock climb and put up new routes as well.
Camping at City of Rocks
Photo: CSNafzger/Shutterstock
Throughout the park are 64 dispersed, primitive campsites, most with fire rings, picnic tables, and access to toilets. These campsites are popular, and reserving in advance is highly recommended, particularly on weekends and holidays. Sites can be booked on Reserve America. Just to the south of the City of Rocks is free and primitive Bureau of Land Management (BLM) camping land. And to the north, there’s US Forest Service land. There is no bathroom or water access, and because they’re public lands, the Leave No Trace principles strongly apply.
The best climbs at the City
Photo: Hayden Seder
With over 1,000 routes of fine-grained granite, there’s something for everybody. You’ll find features like chicken heads, large knobs or protrusions where you can anchor your belay or grab a hold, and huecos, which mean in climbing the same thing they mean in Spanish: holes or depressions.
The best times to climb are the spring and fall when the temperatures are in the 50s to 80s but expect to see lots of other climbers and visitors at this time. City of Rocks is climbable in the summer if you can tolerate temperatures in the high 80s to low 90s; it’s hot, but there are much fewer people. Winter is a no-go; at an elevation of just over 6,000 feet, the City is blanketed by snow.
If you’re not one for much of a walk or hike, visit one of the roadside crags like Bath Rock, home to classic fun routes like Rollercoaster (5.9) and Colossus (5.10c) or Elephant Rock, home to Wheat Thin (5.7 trad) and Rye Crisp (5.8 trad). No trip to the City is complete without climbing Tribal Boundaries (5.10a/b), one of only a handful of four-star routes in the area. This route has cool editing moves, great exposure, and a testy slab finish.
If you just want to get a sense of the park but aren’t ready for a full-on rock climbing experience, there is plenty of bouldering — where you’re lower to the ground and don’t need belays and other gear — to be found at the City of Rocks as well. You’ll find Easy Arete and Unidentified Boulder Problem by the campgrounds and other boulders at the Dungeon.
Tips for first-timers
Photo: Gestalt Imagery/Shutterstock
Before heading to the City of Rocks, you’ll want to get yourself a guidebook: City of Rocks and Castle Rocks State Park by Dave Bingham, who’s been climbing at the City since the ‘60s and printed his first version of the book 30 years ago. Bingham gives hike times and sun/shade icons to show the best time of day to climb at each crag. There’s also icons for what type of climbing the route is (trad, sport, mixed), how many stars it’s rated, and a description that often includes some humorous history of the route. If you’re a fan of the Mountain Project app, make sure to download the whole area before visiting, as there’s rarely any service to be found in the City.
Due to budget cuts, the City became trash-can-free in 2019, so anything you pack in must be packed out. Drinking water is accessible at the City of Rocks Visitor Center or a Bath Rock, both of which also have vault toilets.
With little else in this desert area other than rocks, what’s a climber to do after a long send (derived from ascend, that means “climb)? First, head to the top of Bath Rock to watch an epic sunset. There are two ways to the top: for the fearless, free solo up the front side. For those warier, make your way up an easy scramble and some final rebar rungs to the top.
If you’re too tired to cook, grab some fresh pizza at Rock City Mercantile, a small store in Almo with a great selection of beer, a few essentials, and a working pizza kitchen. The Tracy General Store also has some groceries, a post office, and showers. Lastly, rest those tired muscles in the Durfee Hot Springs, which have four hot pools of varying temperatures and are open until 10 PM.
Nearby Castle Rocks
Photo: Inbound Horizons/Shutterstock
Castle Rocks State Park, located just 15 minutes from City of Rocks and four miles from the town of Almo, is fairly synonymous with City of Rocks — much like Brooklyn and Manhattan are both parts of New York City. This once private ranch became a state park in 2003 and has over 300 climbs. While also made of granite, the formations at Castle have fewer spires and more blobs, domes, fins, and towers. Much of the park’s climbs are in the sun, making it a good spot to head to if the weather in the City is feeling a little cold. Since this is an Idaho state park, there is a $5 self-serve entry fee and cash only.
The post The ultimate guide to climbing Idaho’s City of Rocks appeared first on Matador Network.
This street artist gives Portugal’s tile tradition a playful, vibrant, and modern twist
A walk through the Portuguese cities of Lisbon or Porto reveals one building after another whose facade is covered in decorative glazed tiles. Even in less affluent neighborhoods, where many structures have been worn down by time, these intricately painted azulejo tiles lend an elegance to the buildings they grace.
Ascending into Lisbon’s higher neighborhoods from the water’s edge on Sante Infante Avenue — the so-called Avenue of the Azulejos — you’d be forgiven for first thinking that a broad, multi-tiered stairwell displays more of these historic tiles.
Photo: Ana Pierce
A closer look at the tiles, painted in the most classic azulejo colors of white and deep blue, though, reveals little robotic creatures hiding behind old-style telephone cords and pointy-headed beings emerging from not-quite flower bulbs.
That confusion is very much the intention of artist Portuguese Diogo Machado, whose work is known by the name ADD FUEL, and which can be found throughout his country and in many others as well.
“So in the end, it’s the viewer’s perception that puts it all together,” Machado tells me outside his airy workshop in Cascais, Portugal. It’s a warm day, and Machado’s black T-shirt reveals forearms tattooed with his tile motifs.
Machado explains how the curved lines of his typical designs resemble the iron work that has inspired Portuguese tiles and that floral patterns are a well-known feature of azulejos.
“Then there’s the chromatic itself, which makes it also connected to a very Portuguese style, being white and blue. So it’s a mixture, and that also contributes to this very particular feeling of being something new versus traditional — but still keeping the traditional, but also new. It’s a cycle.”
Should someone skip the opportunity to look more closely at the unusual characters lurking within the seemingly traditional tile designs, that’s okay, he says. “To the untrained eye, it can be that someone looks at my work and says, ‘Okay, it’s Portuguese tile,’ and just moves on. So that’s also interesting. I mean, I can also blend in.”
It’s a fascinating concept, but it would be a shame for that passerby. They’d miss the way that Machado has taken a prized artistic style for which Portugal is so well-known and updated it in a sneakily playful way.
Photo: Diogo Machado
In other works of Machado’s, it’s harder to miss his contemporary take on Portugal’s artistic heritage. He paints massive murals on walls and buildings, where layers of tile seem to peel away to show other tiles behind them. Often, Machado’s creatures are craftily hidden amidst the patterns, although every now and again the creature is exceptionally large.
The tradition that Machado builds upon is the azulejo style that arrived in Portugal via the Islamic Moors who occupied the Iberian Peninsula for hundreds of years. Azulejo comes from the Arabic word for polished stone. After Portugal began earning wealth through its maritime exploits in the 15th century, its king, Manuel I, urged their adoption throughout the country — from floors to exterior facades and interior walls.
While azulejos can be found in many colors, the predominant one is blue, made with cobalt pigments that are byproducts of metal extraction. In fact, the word “azul,” spelled the same but pronounced differently in both Portuguese and Spanish, means “blue.”
Photo: JM Travel Photography/Shutterstock
Machado’s interest in the azulejo tradition arose in 2008, after he was asked to design a cover for a building in his hometown of Cascais for the Cascais ArtSpace Festival. Although he’d earned a degree in graphic design, had worked abroad, and had corporate clients in his graphic design work, Machado always continued to populate his notebooks with a world of unusual beings.
When asked to participate in the Cascais festival, he asked himself how he might reflect the heritage of Cascais. He considered Portugal’s cross-stitch lace work and other classic cultural traditions, but decided that since he was covering a building, a tile motif would be most apt.
After the success of the Cascais building, Machado was hooked, soon teaching himself how to paint and glaze tiles in his basement. While he did create some raised tile patterns, he generally prefers the cleaner lines of printed tile. Today, he works with a well-known tile company in Portugal that prints his tiles for him.
And Machado also paints tile patterns on buildings, some of them quite large. For that he creates three-foot-square stencils of his intended patterns. He incorporates hand painting and adding color in the computer to produce the designs that will become the stencils. His work can be seen not just all over Portugal, but throughout Europe, several US cities, and farther afield.
In Macao, Portugal’s former colony west of Hong Kong, Machado painted the exterior wall of a building with interspersed blue and red tiers, mixing a traditional azulejo appearance with a sprightly dragon and a handsome lotus flower — blending Portuguese and Chinese themes.
Machado researches locations beyond Portugal to bring in local elements and adapt his work to that location. For a single story building in Tunisia, he tweaked the shades of blue and emphasized the Islamic patterning that originally influenced azulejos.
“Tunisia has a beautiful and amazing culture connected to tiles and ceramic paint. So what I did was I adapted the colors a little bit to go into more like aqua blues… plus turquoise. So this simple change in chromatics just made all the difference,” says Machado. “And within the patterns themselves, I used more geometric Islamic patterns.”
While Machado is inspired by his country’s artistic heritage, he does not want to impose it in his works done outside Portugal.
“I think the Portuguese have already done a lot of cultural appropriation. And in these conquests throughout all these years when navigating the seas and enslaving people and whatever. I don’t want to do that at all. I just want to bring my art to people,” says Machado. “I try to make it part of the location where it’s painted.”
Photo: Diogo Machado/Ian Cox
In a work in Aberdeen, Scotland, for example, Machado discovered a centuries-old tilework heritage that is seldom seen today, where the entryway floors in homes were covered in decorative tiles. Machado celebrated that history on the side of a building painted in tones of ochre, chestnut, and maroon. Yet he still kept the mural fresh and modern with his characteristic torn layers. And, of course, a closer look reveals mischievous designs that resemble dog bones and single-eyed robots.
In Norway, Machado incorporated the country rosemåling style of painting onto the exterior of a large, circular stairwell, while a work on the side of a small building in Aruba reveals that the curved lines that look like ironwork are actually snakes and that the floral motifs on the tiles’ corners are in fact sea turtles.
You can see Machado’s work in the United States. Should you happen to be in Denver, dustry Western hues and designs mingle with friendly, cobalt-blue snakes. Among Machado’s Miami works is an unmissable vibrant wall in Wynwood, and you can also find Machado’s works in California, Arkansas, and Massachusetts.
Photo: Diogo Machado
Wherever you go, you’re likely to see how Machado, informed by his own artistic training and style, as well as by his Portuguese roots, has deeply thought about how to embrace and celebrate the heritage of the place where he is painting.
He shows me a collection of spray paint cans in pinks, purples, and whites, saying these have a “Miami 80s vibe” for an upcoming work in Florida. For an earlier work in Miami, he says he turned to the natural world for inspiration.
“I used alligators in the patterns and sea turtles, animals that are present in South Florida. I mean, in some way it connects. The mockingbird [Florida’s state bird] was one of them,” says Machado. “Just as long as I feel connected, I believe that people will in some way feel connected too.”
The post This street artist gives Portugal’s tile tradition a playful, vibrant, and modern twist appeared first on Matador Network.
Searching for the best Mexican food in Texas? You need to visit El Paso
El Paso is a frontier city. Situated in the westernmost tip of Texas, El Paso is a 600-mile drive through a dry, desert landscape to the state capital of Austin. With a towering backdrop of the Franklin Mountains on one side and the Rio Grande border on the other, it’s a city molded by its natural boundaries.
True to its name, El Paso is an international passageway, connecting Texas to the Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez. In 2007, The New York Times reported that “the El Paso-Juárez region is the largest bilingual, binational work force in the Western Hemisphere.” El Paso’s fusion cuisine, which combines Tex-Mex flair with traditional Mexican flavors and ingredients from neighboring New Mexico, reflects the city’s reputation as a welcoming stop for immigrants, laborers, and travelers — and everyone else just passing through for a bite to eat.
As a consequence of its position on the Texas-Mexico border, El Paso was a Mexican town until Texas became part of the Union in 1845. The opening of Fort Bliss and the western railroads attracted military men, migrant workers, and lawless cowboys to El Paso, who all contributed to a Wild West boomtown. Today, the city is home to one of the largest populations of Hispanic people in America.
Photo: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock
Despite the drawing of the Rio Grande international boundary, the river always remained more of a political distinction than a cultural one. Bars bloomed in Juarez during Prohibition, attracting American drinkers who were suddenly banned from their favorite establishments back home, and many of El Paso’s most famous restaurants have operated on both sides of the border. That strong cross-border connection can be seen in the food today.
Sun City’s cuisine blurs the flavors of Tex-Mex further into Mex territory, combined with a spicy whiff of nearby New Mexico’s fragrant chilies and a heavy pour of Texas cowboy culture in saloon environs that feature a lengthy selection of cold beer and spirits. Expect hearty meat and cheese fare that’s heavily influenced by the foods of the state of Chihuahua across the border.
The influence of Mexican culture is what defines El Paso’s culinary scene, and it remains a hub of restaurants that serve traditional and modern twists on Mexican dishes. Here are eight of the most popular and beloved Mexican dishes to try in El Paso.
1. Tacos alambresWhether you call them vaqueros or cowboys, both Chihuahua and Texas share the same open-range cattle culture. Although pork is popular throughout Mexican cuisine, in true Texan fashion, beef is king on the other side of the border. The perfect example are tacos alambres, which are delicious street tacos usually made with beef in El Paso. East Side’s Piedras street has numerous dining options where this particular taco is the star of the menu, and most are run by families originally from Juarez (the city that shares the border with El Paso) who cater mostly to the local Hispanic community. Per Chihuahuan tradition, the tacos are accompanied with a baked potato.
Los Tragones Taqueria is an assuming little spot in central El Paso where diners continually praise the high quality tacos, free pitchers of agua frescas, and the many choices at the salsa bar.
Where to try it: Los Tragones Taqueria, 3830 N Piedras St, El Paso, TX 79930
2. Rolled tacos
Photo: Guajillo studio/Shutterstock
Arguably the city’s most iconic Mexican dish is a deep-fried affair synonymous with the institution that serves it: Chico’s Tacos. Known interchangeably as rolled tacos, flautas, or taquitos, it’s made with fresh corn tortillas stuffed with ground beef, then rolled up and fried. Orders of three are covered in a soup-like tomato sauce — the recipe for which is a well-kept secret — and topped with heaps of melted cheese. Operating since 1953, the menu has kept prices reasonable at $5, and keeps its doors open late into the night for post-bar greasy satisfaction.
Where to try it: Chico’s Tacos, 3401 Dyer St, El Paso, TX 79930
3. Tamales
Photo: Marcos Castillo/Shutterstock
Tamales are a staple of Meso-American cuisine. They’re widespread throughout Central and South America, and were long before the arrival of the Spanish. Corn-based masa dough is rolled into corn husks and steamed with a variety of fillings ranging from vegetables to meats to sweets. Tamales became a staple of El Paso bakeries in the mid 20th century, most frequently stuffed with pork, cheese, and Hatch chilies, the latter of which reflects the city’s proximity to New Mexico.
Gussie’s Tamales and Bakery specializes in Hatch green and red chili tamales with pork, plus a special sweet tamale containing raisins, cinnamon, anise, and coconut. The spot also prides itself on its menudo made with beef tripe and red chilies, which is only available to diners on Wednesdays.
Where to try it: Gussie’s Tamales and Bakery, 2200 N Piedras St, El Paso, TX 79930
4. Entomatadas
Photo: GabrielBahena/Shutterstock
A close relative to enchiladas, entomatadas are distinct in their lack of spiciness and submersion in tomato sauce rather than cheese. L&J Cafe specializes in the El Paso variant on the dish, which rolls the cheese inside the tortilla and then deep fries it rather than melting the cheese on top. The dish is typically prepared vegetarian, with an option for a chicken garnish on top, and always served with a filling side of Spanish rice and beans.
Where to try it: L & J Cafe, 3622 E Missouri Ave, El Paso, TX 79903
5. Menudo
Photo: Alejandro A. Martinez/Shutterstock
Menudo, a thick deep red stew made with beef tripe, red chilies, hominy, and spices, is traditionally prepared for big family gatherings across Mexico. Many restaurants in El Paso started serving the dish on Sundays to save the labor-intensive effort of preparation at home. It became so popular that the stew has emerged as a comforting staple served any day of the week in restaurants and even bakeries.
The menudo at Good Luck Cafe is famous in El Paso, and its spicy flavors are often praised in local newspapers. But “good luck” learning the recipe — it’s a secret.
Where to try it: Good Luck Cafe, 3813 Alameda Ave, El Paso, TX 79905
6. Gordita
Photo: Jackelyn Torres/Shutterstock
Gorditas are perhaps the most underrated cornflour creations, at least in the minds of Americans who aren’t familiar with every facet of Mexican cooking. Large plate-shaped pillows of dough are stuffed with everything from beans and mole to stewed meats. To the unfamiliar eye, a gordita might look similar to a pita sandwich. For the classic El Paso lunch, sample the local specialty of egg and potato gorditas.
Gorditas Papi Joe specializes in this dish, offering a range of options like gorditas with eggs, beans, cheese, chicharrones, nopalitos (cactus), and deshebrada (shredded beef). The salsas come with a kick, so wash your lunch down with a large horchata for a hearty midday pick me up.
Where to try it: Gorditas Papi Joe, 2800 N Piedras St, El Paso, TX 79930
7. Margarita
Photo: Steve Cukrov/Shutterstock
Multiple Texas cities say their claim to fame is this perfect patio sipper, but Juarez-El Paso’s origin story is deemed the most credible. According legend, Francisco Morales first concocted the cocktail at a Juarez bar called Tommy’s Place. Frequented by American soldiers border-hopping from Fort Bliss, Morales whipped up the first margarita as a last-minute substitute for a different cocktail called a magnolia. Using limes, tequila, Cointreau, and a hint of salt, Morales made the first south of the border rendition, and the margarita quickly became the drink of choice for the entire neighboring state.
Los Bandidos De Carlos & Mickey’s claims to make the best margarita in El Paso. It famously comes in a glass so large customers are only allowed one per visit. The flavors on the menu reflect Mexico’s strong influence on the city, and include prickly pear, mango, and chamoy-cucumber (chamoy is a Mexican condiment made from apricots, mangoes, plums, and chilies).
Where to try it: Los Bandidos de Carlos & Mickey’s, 1310 Magruder St, El Paso, TX 79925
8. Chile relleno burritoThis dish is a perfect blend of traditional Mexican food and El Paso’s Tex-Mex sensibility — and it even incorporates the influences of neighboring New Mexico. Most famously served at James Beard award-winning diner H & H Coffee Shop, the chili relleno burrito combines Chihuahuan soft white cheese stuffed into New Mexico-grown green chile, and since this is burrito country, the chili is wrapped in a large flour tortilla. For an even greater Tex-Mex flair, throw in an egg and call it breakfast.
Where to try it: H & H Coffee Shop, 701 Yandell Dr, El Paso, TX 79902
The post Searching for the best Mexican food in Texas? You need to visit El Paso appeared first on Matador Network.
Matador Network's Blog
- Matador Network's profile
- 6 followers
