July 22, 2021

Let’s just get on with this, shall we?

1.

With the exception of a recent trip to the west coast, I haven’t traveled beyond a small tri-state region these last sixteen months. And while many of us are rushing to book flights to faraway locales, now that we can, this recent piece by the French-based travel writer Alexander Lobrano reminds us that the most gratifying aspects of travel can often be curiosity and discovery, regardless of distance.

2.

Keeping Up With the Kretz’s: I’m currently addicted to the real estate-centric French tv series, The Parisian Agency (aka “L’Agence” in French), which—not to be confused with Call My Agent!—blends the rarefied world of high-end property sales with reality tv and family drama…the French way. The starring agency is comprised of Olivier and Sandrine Kretz, and their three equally dashing sons: Martin, Valentin and Louis. My favorite family member at the moment, though, is Majo, Sandrine’s wickedly smart and extremely hip 80-something mother who lives next door. 

3.

Dog days of summer: Remember when NYC experienced a wave of fancified and artisanal hot dog joints cropping up all over town? Well the dogs are back—and on steroids. The corn dog craze is here, with a growing number of new establishments hawking battered up, wieners covered with everything from space-agey studs of potatoes to rice crisps and curious powders. There’s the Korean import, Two Hands, on Avenue A in the East Village, as well as in Soho, which features a menu ranging from classic state fair-style dogs, to loaded-up batons, with colorful swirls of sauces that look like something you’d wave around at a rave. Oh K Dog on the Lower East Side, meanwhile offers up another take on the Korean-style hot dog, with optional non-meat fillings such a mozzarella, squid ink, rice cake and potato. Should anyone doubt that corn dogs make good date food, consider the slightly more petite, andouille sausage-filled version currently on the bar menu at Sidney’s Five in the East Village. 

4.

Speaking of reality tv…and dogs! It turns out canines are even more unpredictably entertaining than Real Housewives, as evidenced through this shockingly abundant round-up of dog-focused television programming. The only sub-genre missing: doggie dating shows, perhaps even with romances blossoming between owners. From what I hear, a lot of social activity occurs at public dog parks. Who’s not down for It’s A Dog-Meets-Dog World??? (Colu, that pun was for you!)

5.

I’m surprised I haven’t bought a case of this semi-sparkling Greek wine yet, considering how frequently I spring for it at my local wine shop, and just as quickly guzzle it down. (Lest anyone get judgy, the bottles are two-thirds the size of a standard bottle of wine, and also quite affordable. And I do share it.) It’s checks all the buzz boxes: natural, orange, a little bit effervescent a la pet-nat, and it’s also delicious: delicately sweet and toasty, with notes of apricot, and a teeny bit of spice. It’s like a fine champagne in peasant’s clothing. 

Something I wrote recently: For those who are traveling again, regaining one’s sea legs and remembering how to pack shouldn’t be such a daunting endeavor. Here’s what four stylish women are bringing on their latest getaways.

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