Marfa, Texas

This past weekend, I returned home from a whirlwind two-week trip out west.  A trip that was supposed to begin in Los Angeles saw a very last minute change and ended up beginning in Texas.  I had tried to work Marfa, Texas into the original plan but was unable to.   So when Austin became the first stop on the trip, I couldn't help but make the six hour drive from Austin to Marfa for a 24 hour adventure.

Marfa, Texas feels more art installation in the middle of the dessert than small town.  Walking around on a Sunday afternoon, I felt like I was in a modern day ghost town.  The majority of stores and restaurants were closed, with plans to only open a couple of days a week at best.  However, despite feeling a little out of place, I took advantage of the quietude and walked the entire town at ease.  In hindsight, it was perfect.  Just as I would love to enjoy a museum or art gallery with little distraction, that's how I was able to enjoy Marfa.   Along the way, I took a dinner break at Pizza Foundation, a pizza joint with a gallery behind the kitchen (because, of course), visited the car repair shop turned Big Bend Coffee Roasters for an unexpected lesson in roasting, and started off Monday morning in what felt like someone's kitchen at Marfa Burrito for a breakfast burrito unmatched, in the best way, to any I have had in the past. 

Other highlights: Chinati Foundation's 300 acres filled with art installations, Fat Lyle's food truck for the brussel sprout sandwich, Marfa Contemporary gallery, the gallery/boutique Wrong Store, artists Elmgreen and Dragset's Prada Marfa, and the minimalist person's dream place to stay: Thunderbird Hotel

At Home in the Kitchen

I don't typically find myself shooting food.  But being at home with a mom who is an incredible baker and so fun to witness in the kitchen makes it hard not to pull out my camera and catch her in the act.  Christmas cookies have a pretty special place in both of our hearts, as it's the one thing we always look forward to doing together this time of year.  And while we have a fleet of recipes to choose from and normally end up spending an entire day baking, this year, specifically due to the 70 degree weather that is forcing us to enjoy the outdoors, we decided to keep our time in the kitchen minimal and went with this simple ginger cookie recipe. 

San Francisco / Four Barrel Coffee

Life without coffee sounds incomplete.  And I can only think of a handful of days since I started drinking it that didn't include it.  When I am on vacation, coffee is especially important, not only to keep me going through the long days of exploring, but also because the coffee culture is so fun to explore in different cities.  In New York, I find that it's a lot of the coffee to-go and the shops on every corner, whereas in San Francisco, there seems to be more of an appreciation for enjoyment, with every coffee shop offering pour-overs and coffee shops playing an essential role in their neighborhoods.  

Lucky for us, San Francisco really is dripping in good coffee.  And with all of the coffee, comes some top-notch roasters, Four Barrel being one of them.  We visited their store (which doubles as  the site where they roast) on Valencia Street in the Mission District.  The space was beautiful and open and I couldn’t help but comment on much room they have – Ive gotten so used to the small and quaint coffee shops of New York that it felt almost unnatural for a coffee shop to be so big.  They roast their beans in an open area in the back of the shop and have seating that overlooks the production process.  Plus, they have taxidermy and beautiful photography throughout the space, so it’s just really a win-win situation for anyone looking to really appreciate and enjoy their coffee in a place that has a ton of character. Sidenote: It's easy to overlook because the coffee is so good, but their pastries are to die for. 

Charleston in a Day

A day in Charleston was just the right amount of time to leave me wanting more.  This is a city fit for an adventure.  And although brief, we loved every second of it. Exploring King Street and it's treasures, admiring the architecture, walking the palm tree lined roads, and having an unforgettable meal at Husk (hands down best shrimp and grits & bloody mary's!) all made for a perfect day. 

The James Beard House

A dinner at the James Beard House is nothing short of an unforgettable, cool, and unique experience. Seeing the food being plated as you walk through the kitchen, hearing the chef speak passionately about the food that they've prepared, and sitting around a table with a handful of people who most likely share the same love for food as you do are just a few of the highlights. I wholeheartedly recommend this to new yorkers and out-of-town folks alike.