The Big Country

Clip Job

Ahem, a now, a little self-promotion: The last three months of the Deals page from Travel + Leisure can be found here, here, and here. I'm pleased that in the last few months we've had properties in Nepal, Mozambique, Croatia, Gambia, and Sicily on the page.

Also of note, my cover story from Time Out New York Kids, available in easy-to-digest pdfs! Here's each neighborhood I covered from the May "Where to Buy Now" Real Estate Issue: Downtown Staten Island, Jersey City, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, and Washington Heights. What did I learn? New Jersey's biggest problem is still that it's called New Jersey.

A Toe in the Water

The pool at the Miramonte Resort and Spa is heated, sure but also cooled in the toasty months. And not with bags of ice, but by using technology I don't understand!*

*OK, so the property could use bags of ice for all I know, though I'm pretty sure they don't.

One Sentence Review: Sptizer's Corner

Spitzer's Corner: The high-concept burgers and salads here would be a lot more enjoyable if the suit and frat heavy clientele were beaten senseless between courses.

One Sentence Review: Tet

Tet: Inoffensive.

Scheveningen

See? Just like a casino in Vegas.

Europeans: They're Just Like Us!

Witness the monolithic monstrosity that is Heineken "Extra Cold", my children.  It's available throughout the Netherlands--just look for the special taps!--though I came across it in Delft. It's exactly what you think it is, that is to say, a tall frosty one. In a special glass, no less. It tastes like the too-cold beer that's found in airport bars. Also: not as refreshing in the winter months.

What I liked best about it was the ordering experience.

Me: I'd like a Heineken Extra Cold, please.

Waitress: Sure! You do know it's EXTRA COLD, though, don't you?

Yes, I did notice that on the menu. At least I didn't have to sign a waiver.

One Sentence Review: La Zarza

La Zarza: Argentinian-Spanish fusion produces steak and paella that's halfway decent.

One Sentence Review: Keen's

Keen's: Possibly the last place in New York that serves mutton and a complimentary dish of celery and carrots on ice to start the meal, both privileges for which you will pay handsomely.

Keen Boys at Keen's

Eating at Keen's for the first time last week, a rather interesting demographic trend presented itself to me: since when it Keen's a popular first date spot for gay men? As it stood, the restaurant hosted a strange mix of suits and men eating alone, but were quite a few male couples there getting to know each other better as well. Then I realized that men cooing about big, fat, juicy cuts of meat... it doesn't take much imagination to move that enthusiasm to the bedroom.