FROM PERKS
If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? That all depends. If it’s a rich black walnut tree that ends up in the workshop of Princeton Audio where they design, engineer and build these beautiful hi-fi Bluetooth speakers by hand from said wood. Then yes, many wonderful sounds.
ALL GROWN UP
This place is called Cowboys and Astronauts. This place is not a toy store. In fact, it’s a place with a very grown-up menagerie of Schott NYC leather jackets, Topo Design bags and Ranger Station Supply Co. tobacco-scented candles. Holiday gifting: done.
SKY’S THE LIMIT
You may know Chef Stephen Gillanders from the experimental dining sensation, Intro. But you’ll soon know him as the guy making your Maine lobster dumplings with jade butter at a new Pilsen spot called S.K.Y. that was inspired by his travels around the world. Nice to re-meet you, Stephen.
PAGE TURNER
You’ve been to art fairs. You’ve been to book fairs. Now, meet the hybrid at Chicago Athletic Association Hotel, which will bring together hundreds of independent authors, artists and publishers. Plus, there’ll be an adjacent pop-up filled with magazines, special-edition prints and records. Stocking stuffers: check.
GET A ROOM
Midtown—the members only athletic club—is now a fancy hotel with two stories of guest rooms facing either the skyline or the pool. It’s got a new American restaurant called Chromium that serves things like whole snapper with fregola tabbouleh, too. It’s also still a members only athletic club.
EARLY-AFTERNOON DELIGHT
Should you need yet another excuse to visit the MCA, Marisol just rolled out its brunch menu with things like lemon poppy seed French toast and tofu scrambles. All of which should pair nicely with a vodka- and Baileys-spiked espresso. Not to be presumptuous or anything.
MAN ON FIRE
So says one writer, who has suspiciously strong opinions on the matter. In other news: we tried out Steven Soderbergh’s new interactive storytelling app, Mosaic, to mixed results. And we also found you the Napa Valley of weed. You’re welcome.
Sarah Freeman is often accused of hiding secrets in her hair. She can make any cocktail, as long as that cocktail is a rye Old Fashioned, and has never met a saison she didn’t like.
