Eat. Drink. Design.

Founded in 2007

Eat. Drink. Design.

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Founded in 2007

The Fox is Black

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    Studio Cookbook Shares Beloved Recipes from Creatives

    In my household we cook a lot, especially during the week. Keeping things interesting is always a challenge, along with doing our best to cook seasonally. So when I see a new cookbook, I’m always interested. Hato Press has released their third edition of their Studio Cookbook series, inviting collaborators, friends and creators we admire to share a dish they enjoy as part of their working day. 

    “The featured recipes are influenced by taste, team and resources – think: minimal cooking equipment, make-do utensils and dwindling energy. There are sweet treats, speedy reheats and communal stews cooked over open fires. Dishes made on deadline, for recovery from a long day, or to share with friends, inspiring collaboration. We feature two conceptual cocktails and one mug of boiled water.”

    I’m sold. There are 37 recipes in all, organized by Snacks, Mains, Sweets and Drinks. I’m so curious to try “The Pin” (photo below) which appears to be a cocktail with pear and lime and something sparkling, all pulled together with a giant nail.

    Studio Cookbook by Hato Press Shares Beloved Recipes from Creatives
    Studio Cookbook by Hato Press Shares Beloved Recipes from Creatives
    Studio Cookbook by Hato Press Shares Beloved Recipes from Creatives

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    Sips in Barcelona Named Best Bar in the World

    A few weeks back, I wrote in my newsletter about visiting Sips, a bar here in Barcelona which at the time had been crowned the fourth best bar in the world. Well, as of a few days ago, Sips has now been named the best bar in the world. When I moved to Barcelona I knew things would be culturally different from Los Angeles. There is a gluttony of things to do in LA, so how would Barcelona fare, or compare, in contrast? So it’s little things like this, knowing that the best bar in the world is a literal 8 minute walk from my apartment, that make me so happy to be here.

    The whole list of Best Bars in the World is always fascinating to look through, especially seeing which cities/parts of the world tend to over-index. Plus you get so many great ideas for cocktails you can try to make at home.

    Sips in Barcelona Named Best Bar in the World
    Sips in Barcelona Named Best Bar in the World
    Sips in Barcelona Named Best Bar in the World

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    Anthony Bourdain in San Sebastián

    Recently, I was made aware of the fact that Anthony Bourdain had visited San Sebastián, and the Basque Country, on three separate occasions: in 2001 with A Cook’s Tour, in 2007 on No Reservations, and in 2016 for Parts Unknown. Like anyone else who admires Bourdain, I had to see if I could watch these episodes. Sure enough, I was able to find his last visit. It was fascinating to see the places he loved, the other areas around San Sebastián he also visited, and of course, see the area through his eyes.

    What made watching this more exciting is that I’m about to head out for a long lunch at Restaurante Arzak. Juan Mari Arzak and his daughter Elena are the owners and chef de cuisine of Arzak, and play a huge part in the episode, with Bourdain calling Juan Mari not only his friend, but his mentor. The fact that Bourdain found this place so special to go to only gives even more weight to the experience, I’m so excited to have a chance to eat here.

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    Let’s Make Summer Cocktails Fun Again

    I’ve been seeing this trend lately which goes against the serious, mixologist puritanism we’ve endured for quite a time now. What I keep seeing is, “let’s drink silly cocktails this summer,” which I’m totally on board for. There’s enough crazy shit going on the world, let’s stop fussing over our drinks and enjoy ourselves. We’re talking piña coladas, mojitos, sex on the beaches!

    Ice Cream for Astronauts, a drink by Two Schmucks

    This piece by Ed Cumming titled Five Cocktails to Help Beat the Heat is a perfect example (ok, some of these are kinda mixologist-y 🙄) featuring drinks from bartenders around the world. The one I’m excited to try is the Ice Cream for Astronauts, which is made here in Barcelona at Two Schmucks:

    “This drink started off as a gin basil smash meets a gin and tonic, but as summer arrived in Barcelona and it got hotter, we found ourselves needing to add ice cream to everything. The coconut complements the vegetal flavor of the basil, and it works great with tonic as a highball. The result is a fresh, ice-cold fizzy drink for summer.