-
Athlete Eats: Geoff Schwartz of the New York Giants
Athlete Eats is our periodic column where we speak to professional athletes about their favorite spots to eat when they are in their home city as well as on the road. If anyone knows the best spots to eat in a U.S. city, it’s going to be one of our sports stars. Geoff Schwartz is […] -
Feast Your Eyes on The Monarch Room
Now that the iconic French bistro Pastis has abandoned the Meatpacking District, New York’s style set needs a new place to dine and socialize, and The Monarch Room is well on its way to filling that gap. Located in a former 1930s warehouse, restaurateurs Lisle Richards and Eric Marx of The Metric opened The Monarch […] -
4 Summer Drinks to Keep You Cool
It’s getting pretty warm out, here are four summer drinks to keep you cool. Rosé Don’t think of it as a pink girly drink; think of it as having the best aspects of red wine and white wine fused together. This stuff will make you feel cool on a hot summer’s day. If you want […] -
Giveaway: Win $500 worth of wine and more!
Yep, that got you to click didn’t it? Today thru June 30th we are working with a stellar group of brands to giveaway some great goods. The giveaway includes: 12 bottles of wine curated by our boys over at WineAwesomeness A cocktail tote from the cool gents at W&P Designs An iconic Mason Shaker A GoVino […] -
The World Cup of Wines
The World Cup starts tomorrow! Whether you are swept up in the United States’ chances in the Group of Death without Landon Donovan, Brazil taking home the trophy as the host nation, or catching some of the magic of Argentina’s Lionel Messi, it’s a time to celebrate. Since this is the World Cup after all, […] -
London’s Hottest Garden Bars
Rooftop bars have become synonymous with summer fun in the city. A place to unwind with a drink in hand. But many of these bars have become overrun with loudmouths and loud music. Not in London. The city’s top summer destinations are decidedly less boorish than their stateside counterparts. London’s garden bars/restaurants are tranquil yet […] -
Want to Get Tipsi?
Memorial Day is in the rearview mirror, and you know what that means: summer is about to kick into high gear. You’ll be going out more often, so happy hour plans will be mandatory. As will long, leisurely dinners. But when you’re out, there’s nothing worse than the panic of picking the right wine for […] -
Feel Good Friday – Cathead Vodka
While working on this article, I was shocked to discover that Mississippi didn’t repeal prohibition until 1966. That is 59 years of bootleg and moonshine! So when Richard Patrick started up the first legal still in 104 years it caused quite a stir. His company, Cathead Vodka, is more than just a spirit; it’s a […] -
BBQ Trends Just in Time for Summer
Although summer is still officially a few weeks away, Memorial Day signifies the start of the season. Last Monday, people around the country dusted off their barbeque covers and lit up their grills, savoring juicy cuts of meat and fresh produce. BBQ trends change from year to year. Here are a few things to look for in 2014: […] -
Aviation Gin: An Adventurous Spirit
Generally speaking, gin is one of those things that people either love or hate. It seems there’s no middle ground with that signature juniper berry flavor. But in our experience, people who are averse to the flavor of gin typically don’t realize that not all gins are created equal. Gin is an extremely dynamic spirit, […] -
Create Boston – Pairing Food & Drinks With Art
So six artists, six chefs and six bartenders all walk into a venue. Sounds like the beginning to a corny joke, but this is real and it’s happening the afternoon of June 1, 2014 as part of CREATE Boston. Chef Louis DiBiccari, owner of Tavern Road and TR Street Foods, founded the event three years ago […] -
Reward your Hard-Working Mind with Firestone Walker’s Opal Farmhouse Ale
Firestone Walker put in the hours and the reward for their work is Opal, a balanced farmhouse ale that dry hops for added aromas and west coast flavor. -
DEWAR’S has the Perfect Father’s Day Gift
What are you getting dad for Father’s Day this year? If you were thinking a good bottle of whiskey is just what the doctor ordered, DEWAR’S has an even better suggestion. To celebrate dads everywhere, DEWAR’S Scotch whisky and Freemans Sporting Club in NYC are teaming up for two gifts that will make it the […] -
Jar Your Lunch: Mason Jar Meals and More
Mason jars seem to be everywhere these days — at our favorite bars, restaurants we frequent, and even in 7-Eleven. Julia Mirabella, who actually is a Washington, D.C.-based attorney, noticed the proliferation of mason jar salad recipes on the internet and thought, why not put them all in one place? That’s how the idea for […] -
Jacobsen Salt Company: A Pinch of Perfection
You might not think about it, but not all salts are created equal. As with most other goods, there are varying degrees of quality in the humble sodium chloride molecule, and on the continuum of salt quality, the stuff that Ben Jacobsen coaxes out of the coastal waters of Oregon is most definitely at the […] -
New Belgium La Folie is Sour Beer at its Finest
In our experience, sour beers are somewhat hit-or-miss. Sometimes they’re amazing, and other times they taste like rancid prison wine that’s been aging in a dirty sock for three weeks. It’s just a tricky style to brew in, and not everyone gets it right. In traditional brewing, great precaution is taken to prevent the introduction […] -
Celebrate National Hamburger Month With Some Creative Choices
Order up a burger and know that you’re right in style for National Hamburger Month. Of course, it takes more to make a great burger than just shaping a patty and putting it on the grill. We’ve found some restaurants around the country that will solve your burger craving with some unique options. The 21 […] -
BBQ Pitmasters Host Myron Mixon’s Guide to Memorial Day Barbecue
Memorial Day Weekend is just a week away. Came up fast, right? If you’re feeling behind with your holiday barbecue plans, don’t worry. We took some time to speak with Myron Mixon, the “winningest man in barbecue” and the host of TLC’s BBQ Pitmasters, about the keys to a good Memorial Day barbecue. Myron shared […] -
Supper Clubs Hit the Culinary Mark
The lone diner. You sit in restaurants by yourself, savoring your wine and food, listening in on conversations but never being a part of one. It’s a solitary experience that can sometimes become lonely. But loners need not suffer anymore. From Portland to Sydney to Buenos Aires, crafty entrepreneurs and chefs have created supper clubs […] -
HopBox: Handcrafted Homebrew Kit
More often than not, the deeper you get into building a serious home brewing operation, the more it starts to look like an oversized chemistry set. To be fair, that’s exactly what it is when you really get down to it, but just because you’re fermenting some stuff doesn’t mean your garage needs to look […] -
Q&A: The Yogurt Guru
Smári Ásmundsson is a native Icelander and the creator of Smári Organics, a brand of Icelandic-style yogurt made in the United States since 2013. Ásmundsson had a lucrative career as an advertising photographer but his love of food and his desire to feed his son a more nutritious snack eclipsed that obsession. Icelanders have long been […] -
America’s Best Baseball Stadium Eats
Take me out to the ball game, take me out to the crowd. Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack. Wait a minute, is that still what people eat at baseball stadiums? We can’t remember the last time we saw peanuts, and now that Cracker Jack comes in a bag instead of a box, we’re […] -
A Piece of Paris at Brooklyn’s French Louie
French Louie is one of the newest restaurants to open on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn—one of the borough’s biggest thoroughfares. The stretch of road that extends from the shadow of the Barclay’s Center to the waterfront has become an increasingly boutique and popular part of New York City. And French Louie’s “capital F” French cuisine […] -
Talking Mezcal with Tacombi
Happy Cinco de Mayo Manual readers! If you’re anything like us, you’re indulging in your favorite tacos and a few margaritas on this festive Monday. If you’re exactly like us, you’re ditching tequila for its smokier cousin mezcal. Distilled from the fermented juice of the core, or piña, of the agave plant, mezcal gets its […] -
Drinko de Mayo: Five Fantastic Cocktail Recipes
Since Cinco de Mayo falls on a Monday this year, you’ll probably want to bump any celebrations you have planned forward a couple days so they land on the weekend. A Tuesday morning tequila hangover is something we wouldn’t wish on even our worst enemies, so to help you prepare for your Cinco de Drinko […] -
Our Top Three Favorite Food Finds in Madrid
So you’re planning a trip to Madrid? There is nothing as great as tasting local gastronomy. And while El Bulli stole the Spanish spotlight for so long, Madrid has always held its weight in the kitchen. We have been on our own culinary tour around the capital and here are our top picks. Bistro Bla […] -
Have Some Fat Trout for Father’s Day
We know that Mother’s Day is less than two weeks away, but here at The Manual, we’re already thinking about Father’s Day. It’s not that we don’t love our mothers (every good man does), but it’s just we know how quickly the time between parental celebrations can pass. This Father’s Day (June 15 in case […] -
Batch Nashville’s Carefully Curated Bundles
Batch Nashville cultivates some of the finest confections and ingredients, organizing them into thoughtful, useful collections that are sure to impress. -
Insider’s Guide to Derby City
Louisville opens its arms to throngs of horse racing fans every spring. Derby City is the place to be: the bourbon’s flowing, the eating is good, and living is easy the first Saturday in May. If you’re headed to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby and want to see what else you might get up to […] -
Unfiltered: Understanding Your Coffee Bag Label
Unfiltered – a monthly column by coffee expert Sam Mylrea of CoffeeKind.com on what’s brewing in that world. Have you taken a good look at the label on your coffee lately? Today’s specialty coffee roasters are especially proud of the coffees they offer. Most work hard to source coffees that meet specific standards – coffees that are […] -
3 San Francisco Restaurants You Can’t Miss
We were in the City by the Bay the weekend for last, and we stopped by three restaurants that you must check out the next time you find yourself in the Bay Area. They’re all owned by Doug Washington, Mitchell Rosenthal and Steven Rosenthal: Anchor & Hope, Salt House and Town Hall. Anchor & Hope […] -
Get a Taste of Spring at The Elm
Chef Paul Liebrandt honed his skills under some of the greatest Michelin-starred restaurants, from Paris’s Restaurant Pierre Gagnaire to Marco Pierre White to Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons in Oxford to Pied à Terre in London, and on top of the Liebrandt became one of the youngest chefs to earn a three star New York Times […] -
Basil Hayden Bluegrass Punch
It’s no secret that we at The Manual love a good cocktail. We take pride in making sure that we are on top of our mixology game at all times. Not only does it help keep things fresh (I mean, how boring is it to stick to one drink all the time?), but also it […] -
Eat This: Zingerman’s Bacon of the Month Club
If The Manual post on Theresa Gilliam and E. Jane Armstrong ‘s book Bacon 24/7 is any indication, you guys love your bacon, and who wouldn’t? It’s crispy, greasy, and so delicious. Now if you want to mix it up a little, there’s a subscription service that’s just for you. Zingerman’s has a Bacon of […] -
The Perfect Stout Glass from Spiegelau
It’s just not fair — every grape varietal and wine style under the sun has its own specific glass, but beer –no matter what the style– typically just gets sloshed unceremoniously into a standard pint glass. It’s a shame, really, because the right glass can have amazing effects on the flavor of a beer. Specific […] -
The Manual’s Guide on Drinking
In the upcoming weeks, The Manual will be posting tips from people in the know on various industries. Today we take have a cocktail at Omar’s. Our thoughts on the subject: Trumpets blare! It’s cocktail time! Nothing wraps up a long day nicer than a well poured drink or a cool IPA. We get tipsy […] -
Meet Umi, The Hottest New Restaurant in Atlanta
We here at The Manual have had our eye on the Atlanta culinary scene for the last year or so. In that time, one of the hottest new restaurants the ATL is the modern Japanese restaurant, Umi. Located in the city’s Buckhead neighborhood, Umi was founded in 2013 by longtime Atlanta natives Farshid Arshid and […] -
Vertigo Worth Having with Averna
Looking for a new summer drink? Take your guests to new heights when you mix up a “Vertigo” at your next cocktail party. The main ingredient is Averna, which is one of the most celebrated Amaros in the world. Amaro is the Italian word for “bitter.” As a liquer, it’s typically consumed as an after-dinner […] -
Marcus Samuelsson’s Bermuda Pop-Up
As if you needed more of a reason to treat yourself to some rest and relaxation in a tropical paradise this summer, Chef Marcus Samuelsson just announced the opening of his two month pop-up at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess hotel in Bermuda. To preview his new signature restaurant set to open at the hotel in […] -
This Rum was Aged at the Bottom of the Ocean
Usually you’ve got to buy a bunch of boats, winches, and scuba gear to retrieve treasure from the bottom of the ocean, but thanks to Seven Fathoms Rum, now all you’ve got to do is head to the nearest liquor store. Much like a treasure chest full of gold doubloons, Seven Fathoms Rum spends a […] -
Chowing Down at Brooklyn’s Bergen Hill
Earlier this month, we ventured out to Brooklyn’s Carroll Gardens neighborhood to dine at recently-opened restaurant Bergen Hill. In the four hours that followed, we tasted some of the most delicious and diverse dishes by Chef Andrew D’Ambrosi, prepared with not much more than a few hot plates and elementary kitchen tools. Brooklyn-born and South […] -
Funky Buddha Brewery Maple Bacon Coffee Porter
Here at the Manual, we’re total advocates of having breakfast any time of the day, in anything. There’s the famous Secret Breakfast ice cream, which is made with bourbon, caramelized corn flakes at Humphry Slocombe in San Francisco; hamburgers with bacon and eggs and Funky Buddha Brewery’s latest special release, the Maple Bacon Coffee Porter. […] -
Whisky: The Manual
The debate may still be out on whether it’s spelled whisky or whiskey, but for the sake of the book we’re talking about in this post, we’ll go with whisky, since it’s called “Whisky: The Manual”. It’s pretty evident that we like manuals here at The Manual (just look at our name), and Dave Broom […] -
Best Chefs America Launches Regional Guides
Who are the best chefs in America? Everyone has their favorites and while names such as Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin and Andy Ricker of Pok Pok are often bandied about by gourmands around the country, Best Chefs America used a more scientific approach to determine the cream of the crop. The results, which are […] -
NYC’s Gotham West Market: Talking to One of The Men Behind the Market
The Gotham West Market, Manhattan’s newest, large-scale collection of high-end food and drink purveyors—as well as one of the city’s most respected bike shops—opened for business this past December. The Market, part of the luxurious (and also brand new) Gotham West apartment building, contains dining areas, store fronts and learning spaces from Blue Bottle Coffee, […] -
Giving Your Meals the Wow Factor
Thinking of hosting a get-together for friends? Or maybe you’re in a relationship that’s moved past the dining out stage and you’re ready to wow your date with a creation from your own kitchen. Take it from us—there’s an easy way to make your dinner a true conversation piece. It’s all about finding the right […] -
Orphan Barrel’s 26-year-old Old Blowhard bourbon gives ‘rare’ new meaning
The whiskey world likes to throw around words like “rare” and “limited” like it’s going out of style. But it’s not often that we, the drinkers, get a taste of what those terms truly mean. Such is not the case with Old Blowhard bourbon, the second unique release from Orphan Barrel Whiskey Distilling Company, which […] -
Epic Bar Packs Protein in One Nutritious Snack
With our fast, busy lives we often find ourselves on the go without enough time to eat. For those of us who are into working out, we need something that gives us the nutrients we need, not extra-added stuff like sugar. Taylor Collins and Katie Forrest, two outdoor enthusiasts who hail from Austin, Texas, discovered […] -
New York Goes Nuts for Narcissa
Naming your restaurant after a cow? Well, when that cow has a spunky personality and grazes at one of the best looking farms in Upstate New York, it makes a hell of a lot of sense. Meet Narcissa, the dairy cow and the restaurant, André Balazs’ newest culinary adventure. Located in The Standard East Village […] -
Unfiltered: Brewing the Best at TEDCoffee 2014
Unfiltered – a monthly column by coffee expert Sam Mylrea of CoffeeKind.com on what’s brewing in that world. If you’re up in Vancouver or Whistler for TED 2014, you’re going to be enjoying some extraordinary coffee along with the extraordinary ideas presented at the annual symposium of creative thought. This year, the coffee at TED will be […]