GET: WILDSAM FIELD GUIDES
A lot of places are retailing these little books. We’ve seen them across the country on restaurant and cafe shelves, countertops and even in hotel rooms - and that’s where they should be, because they are simply splendid. Informative, fun and giving guidance to the best of the best in some the leading cities in the U.S., including Austin, Brooklyn, Charleston, Denver, Detroit, LA, Nashville, New Orleans, San Antonio, and San Francisco. They even have a bodacious (Southern) Barbecue Guide, a few Road Trip Guides and lovely art prints on their website. Point being, if you see a WildSam Field Guide in a city you’re visiting, definitely pick it up. If you want to plan ahead, you can order one right here. As they say, “Let Wildsam plan your next trip.”
EMBIBE: WHISLER'S
Like many of the coolest places in Austin, Whisler’s arose from an old, dilapidated building on the Eastside and quickly became an anchor of East 6th Street. Smart drinks, highly skilled bartenders, and a kitschy but focused menu aren’t the only things that make this place first-rate. The interior finish-out has class while keeping the bones of the original building, even where they added the open air patio via glass garage doors. Is that a Mother Mary with prayer candles adjacent to taxidermy wild cats? Is that an old claw-foot bathtub? Yep, sure is. Surrounded by raw and weathered concrete, river rock walls, unique murals, and ornate ceiling tiles, your drinks aren’t complete without your friends - and at Whisler’s there are always plenty of them.
READ: RED NOTICE: A TRUE STORY OF HIGH FINANCE, MURDER, AND ONE MAN'S FIGHT FOR JUSTICE
The subtitle only scratches the surface of beginning to describe this thrilling true story. Hailed by Fortune as one of this year’s best books, it immediately throws you into the political throngs of business and finance woven through the enormous corruption and murder of Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Bill Browder is an uber successful Wall Street maverick-turned-accidental-activist against the country from which he made his fortune. We highly suggest you read this mind-blowing crusade against crime. It’s definitely one of the most fascinating accounts we’ve ever read.
SHOP: ARMITAGE AND MCMILLAN
Named "Denver's best men's store" by GQ Magazine, Armitage & McMillan is a men's clothing and lifestyle boutique located in the Lower Highlands (LoHi) neighborhood of Denver, CO. The owners hail from New York, having been with Brooklyn Circus and Smith+Butler, and you can also sense the influence from their times in antiques and vintage. A&M is a true neighborhood spot that stocks a tasteful assortment of men's clothing, shoes, and accessories. Select (and some of our personal favorite) brands include Unis New York, A.P.C., Steven Alan, Save Khaki, Saturdays Surf NYC, Mt. Rainier, BillyKirk, FairEnds, Epperson Mountaineering and The Hill-side. You can read more here about the owners and the store here, and if you’re in Denver you better stop in and tell them we sent you.
ADMIRE: STEVEN CLOUSE PHOTOGRAPHY
Stephen Clouse is hands down one of our favorite photographers. We highly admire his work and are sure to tune in to his Instagram feed often. His ability to locate his subjects combined with his eye for an alternative view of nature, animals, people and objects ushers one into a dreamlike state. The abrupt pause of crashing waves somewhere lost out in the middle of the ocean allows you to see and almost hear what is otherwise an unknown. Landscapes of endless sand, undulating mountains and cascading waterfalls share the same vibrant yet silent reverence - somehow a motionless motion. Steven’s work catches “normal life” and transforms it into sacred. His prints are available for purchase here.
EAT: JACOBY'S RESTAURANT & MERCANTILE
When you go to Jacoby’s, you feel the charm of a warm, welcoming Southern meal with more than a touch of classy fine dining. Not unlike the entire space, the bar is clean, rustic and well designed. The layout of the lush garden and patio are marvelous, making you feel like you’re at a fancy evening picnic, and the food - oh man, the food. Made from farm-fresh ingredients and beef from the Jacoby’s ranch, we say that anything on the menu is totally worth it, usually ordering the “Family Style” options. We especially love the Pimento Cheese Grits made with BBQ butter, house pimento, and pickled red peppers. The Mac & Cheese is another favorite made with sharp cabot cheddar, smoked Gouda, Mozzarella cheese curds and pistachio crust - and add the summer sausage! Our most recent visit included a generous slice of Grandma’s (true recipe) strawberry cake, and it left us nothing shy of elated. Lastly, on your way out, visit the mercantile shop - you’re always sure to find something superb.