Bialetti Moka Espresso Maker
January 15, 2010 by Sam Jacobs · 2 Comments
Espresso evokes an image of an old Italian man sipping the hot, black liquid while sitting outside at an old café in Sienna, head down, occasionally whispering to other old men. It’s meant to be enjoyed slowly, perhaps with some sugar or a bit of the oil from an orange peel. Today, places like Starbucks can crank out the stuff in a matter of seconds using machines worth thousands of dollars. When purchasing espresso makers for home use we tend to look in the $60 range at Target, or for the more serious espresso drinkers $200-$500 range. But for the more discerning espresso drinker including those little old Italian men, the more traditional way to make espresso is right on the stovetop using a kettle-like devise such as this one by Bialetti ($39.95 Crate & Barrel). Just fill the base with water and the filter with ground coffee or espresso, and place on any heating surface. Water is forced upward through the coffee, brewing a fresh pot in minutes. In today’s world minutes are like hours, but when brewing the perfect cup of espresso, it’s well worth the wait.
Affordable Champagne for Your New Year’s Soirée
December 22, 2009 by Sam Jacobs · Leave a Comment
Patrick Watson owner of Brooklyn Wine Exchange recommends five outstanding sparkling wines for this New Years Eve, or anytime, most of which are under the $30 price point. See his top picks for sparking wines at debonairmag.com.
Lands’ End Canvas-A New Chapter in a Storied Brand
December 16, 2009 by Sam Jacobs · Leave a Comment
When thinking of Lands’ End, many tend to think of that cotton windbreaker their dad wears in the spring, mom jeans, or perhaps sturdy canvas luggage. Lands’ End began in 1963 in Chicago with one man’s passion for sailing. He made the kind of simple, functional clothing that he and his friends liked. Lands’ End still makes the same functional clothing of exceptional quality to this day. A few years ago the resurgence in the popularity of the puffer vest brought new life to the brand with their version of the vest selling for a mere $29.50.
Their newly launched label, Lands’ End Canvas targets a younger, more stylish customer – someone who is probably a fan of J.Crew, Steven Alan, and other labels of the sort, but at a much more affordable price point. Upon perusing the site we were delighted to find straight leg jeans for $39.50, chambray shirts for $32.50, and the heritage cotton coat – a hip-length casual rain coat for $79.50.
They also carry a selection of knitwear, sweaters, chinos, woven shirts, and footwear, plus a more extensive women’s line that is both casual & sexy.
Canvas can presently be purchased online only. Retail locations are set to open in the near future at the Paramus Park Mall in Paramus, NJ, and the company’s home turf of Madison, WI. For more on Canvas you can visit their Facebook page, or their own blog, The Montage.
The Bordeaux Matchmaking Event
December 7, 2009 by Sam Jacobs · 9 Comments
For many years, Bordeaux has been known as an expensive, unattainable wine. Many will also say they don’t enjoy the taste of Bordeaux. The first problem with this is that Bordeaux is a region in France – one that makes a variety of tasty wines, red & white, bold & sweet. Second, is that Bordeaux wines are no longer so unattainable that a wine lover on a more modest budget can’t enjoy them.
The Bordeaux Matchmaking event is a tasting set up in conjunction with the European Union and France’s council on Bordeaux wines with the intention of reintroducing the variety to the American public. The tasting was set up in a modest room on the second and third floors of Cipriani on Wall Street in Manhattan. Read more