Sublime Samana
Nestled away on the away on the Northeast coast of the DR, the Samaná Peninsula is known for its natural beauty, tropical jungle, and pristine beaches. And for Sublime Samana, an ideal spot to stay while visiting. This seven-acre resort is designed around a canal of pools that stretches nearly 500 feet end-to-end, with 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom suites and casitas available, the largest offering rooftop terraces, and all of them boasting floor-to-ceiling windows, oversized bathrooms, private balconies or terraces, fully-equipped kitchens, contemporary Caribbean decor, and views of either the pool or the Atlantic. Also on site is a beachfront spa, the upscale Bistro restaurant serving breakfast and dinner, and a beachside grill to take care of your lunch needs. The best part? For an island-based, seaside resort, it's surprisingly affordable. [via]
Headquarters Beercade
Trying to decide whether to go out to the bar or stay at home to play video games? Why not do both at Headquarters Beercade. This Lakeview-area funhouse offers 37 vintage arcade games for your enjoyment, as well as a menu full of game-inspired cocktails, a healthy selection of beers — over a dozen on tap as well as a selection of bottles and cans — and a reasonable stock of spirits for those who like their liquor straight. Better yet, the HQ just opened a 7,000 square-foot pinball alley expansion that's host to over 20 pinball games both new and old. Just don't forget to bring quarters — you're going to need them.
Burgatory
Burgers, fries, shakes, and beers. What more could you ask for? At Burgatory, they take all of them seriously. The burgers are made from a custom blend of sirloin, chuck, brisket, and short rib, and include selections like Morty's Steakhouse with horseradish cheddar, haystack onions and cabernet sauce, while the shakes are made with cream from local Titusville Dairy, fresh house-turned ice cream, and include everything from the rather simple PB&J to the savory Apple Pancakes & Bacon. Throw in steak fries with Thai peanut dipping sauce, sriracha wings, killer cocktails, and beer list that runs the gamut from American light lagers to Belgians, and you've got yourself a dinner.
Patagonia Cardiff-by-the-Sea
When most of us thing of Patagonia, our thoughts turn to snow-covered scenes and highly-insulated clothing. Patagonia Cardiff-by-the-Sea is here to dispel that notion. Thanks to its nearly-oceanfront location, this fairly unique store focuses most of its attention on surfing, with a more subdued selection of gear than you're likely to find at a skate/surf hybrid, a solid selection of surf boards, and, of course, tons of jackets, coats, and other implements for the type of weather you'll only find far, far away from here.
World Street Food Congress
Whether it comes from a truck, a trailer, a cart, or just a makeshift hut, street food plays an important part in nearly every culture. The World Street Food Congress is set to celebrate this rich tradition. Running from May 31 to June 9, the event will feature a jamboree of street foods from countries around the world, an awards ceremony, and a two-day thought leadership, networking and ideas conference hosted by noted food industry types like Anthony Bourdain, James Oseland, and Johnny Chan. Top it off with keynotes from the likes of Jose Andrés and Thailand's Iron Chef Ian Kittichai, and you've got yourself an event. A very tasty event.
Hotel ZaZa Dallas
Oh, sure — Hotel ZaZa Dallas offers some very nicely-appointed guest rooms. Some even have balconies. But the hotel's real claim to fame are its themed suites. The Concept Suites range wildly in theme, from the '60s-style Shag-a-Delic to the Paris-inspired Moulin Rouge, and things get even crazier in the Magnificent Seven Suites, with Hitchcock-, Geisha-, Leonardo-, and even Rock Star-themed rooms. There's more to the hotel than just the rooms, of course, including the award-winning Dragonfly restaurant, an art gallery, a spa and fitness center, and a poolside lounge.
Magazine St. Barber Shop
The shop itself isn't that old — owner Cesar Rivera first opened the doors in 2008 — but it's definitely old-school. The Magazine St. Barber Shop provides its customers with a simple list of services — haircuts, beard trims, hot towel shaves, and combinations of the three — in an inviting atmosphere that includes an antique towel steamer, vintage furnishings, friendly service, and, if you're lucky, maybe even a complementary beverage of the adult type. Oh, and consider calling ahead — they only have three barbers, so walk-ins, while welcome, might be waiting a while.
The Travelling Gin Co.
It's not exactly a bar, since it doesn't stay in one place, and it's not a food truck either, as this roaming business doesn't serve food. What we're trying to say is it's a little tough to categorize The Travelling Gin Co., as there's not really anything like it. As the name suggests, this travelling pop-up bar is based in London, and shows up at all sorts of events across Europe — concerts, gallery openings, even weddings — serving up amazing gin and tonics, as well as other gin-based cocktails. Better yet, everything is served straight from the bicycles the owners ride in on, making it one of the most intriguing, eco-friendly ways to get your drink on. [via]
Redd Wood
Sure, you can go upscale at its sister store Redd just down the street, but if you're looking for a casual meal in Napa, it's hard to beat Redd Wood. Helmed by chef Richard Reddington, this eatery features a rustic, industrial interior, and a menu that changes daily, focusing on wood oven-baked pizzas with toppings ranging from the simple — mozzarella, tomato, and basil — to the sublime — sausage, mushroom, rapini, Calabrian chili, tomato, smoked mozzarella, and onion. Also on offer are house-made pastas, charcuterie, and, unsurprisingly, a solid selection of wine.
The Pendennis Club
Just like the Kentucky Derby that's held up the road, The Pendennis Club is a true classic. Named to the National Register of Historic places, this private, member's only club has been in operation since 1881, and moved into its current, 78,000 square-foot clubhouse in 1928. Inside, you'll find a historic ballroom on the third floor, two bars, a barber shop, library, athletic facilities, and plenty of marble, natural walnut, and red-carpeted and teak wood floors. Need more motivation? The Pendennis was also the birthplace of the Old Fashioned, making it quite possibly the birthplace of the modern cocktail itself.
Ace-Hi Tavern
They've been brewing Coors in Golden since the late 1800s, and from the looks of the place, serving it up at the Ace-Hi Tavern for nearly as long. In reality, it's only been open for 50 years or so, but it still boasts all the key ingredients of a classic dive — cheap booze, a pool table, darts, a jukebox, a couple of arcade games, and a lively crowd that has a very specific goal in mind. Should you need to ask what that goal is, you probably shouldn't be going there, but we'll give you a hint: it rhymes with "thinking".
The People's Pig
Given the name, you might think that The People's Pig focuses solely on hog-related foodstuffs. While it does offer up a solid share of pork — the porchetta and arugula sandwhich is a local legend — this stately truck offers far more than just pork, with a ever-changing menu that includes brisket, steak, and even chicken sandwiches. No matter what meat you choose, you can rest assured that it's both hormone- and antibiotic-free, and if you're lucky, you might be able to enjoy one of the Pig's other treats, like chili, blood orange marmalade, or fresh strawberry shortcake.
