Magnolias Are in Bloom. It's Time to Eat Them.
Stay Here
A Tranquil Hotel at the Edge of Joshua Tree National Park
By Jessie Schiewe
Just 15 minutes from Joshua Tree National Park, an arrow-shaped sign beckons drivers off historic Route 62 and down brush-lined roads to the Mojave Desert's newest accommodations, Hotel Wren. Initially built in the 1940s as a motor lodge, the 12-room hotel in Twentynine Palms, Calif., that opened in March offers kitchenettes and private patios that open onto the desert, along with access to a saltwater pool, hot tub and native plant garden. A two-and-a-half hour drive from Los Angeles and three-and-a-half hours from Las Vegas, the adults-only property was remodeled with an emphasis on tranquillity. The rooms, which feature pitched ceilings, vintage décor and furniture made in Joshua Tree, are absent of TVs. Though the original midcentury carport remains, the bones of the buildings were softened with hand-troweled plaster, corners were rounded and the floors were replaced with flagstones and tiles embedded with fossilized plant material and animal tracks. The on-site bodega, Windsong, is stocked with wine and provisions, including organic Italian pasta and tinned fish. There is also a community pantry with free herbs and seasonings, and the complimentary breakfast includes eggs and locally made bagels. The less-visited north entrance to Joshua Tree National Park is close by, but guests can just as easily take in the area's rugged beauty from their rooms. Rates from about $330 a night, hotelwren29.com.
Smell This
Marin Montagut's First Fragrance Channels Summer in Sicily
By Camille Freestone
The Parisian illustrator and designer Marin Montagut is known for his fanciful objects and romantic aesthetic. His work, whether it's a porcelain jug or a hand-drawn postcard, prioritizes craftsmanship and often references the past. Now he's releasing his first eau de parfum, L'Eau Douce. Four years ago, he began attempting to encapsulate his fond memories of Sicilian summers in a fragrance. Collaborating with the nose Maïa Lernout, who has worked with Dior, Kenzo and Burberry, among other fashion brands, Montagut began with the scent of orange blossoms. He then added white musk to evoke the smell of freshly washed linen strung out to dry in the sun. Notes of mint, lemon, fig and bergamot round out the perfume. For its packaging, Montagut used marbled paper, a signature of his brand, to create an illustrated box. Each bottle is decorated with a gold medallion featuring two hands that can be removed and worn as a necklace. 'I wanted to give a gift in a gift,' he says. Montagut's name, Marin, has Latin roots pertaining to the sea, and L'Eau Douce, fittingly, translates to 'freshwater.' From about $190, marinmontagut.com.
In Season
The New York Chefs Making Magnolia Blossoms Last
By Ella Riley-Adams
On a drizzly April afternoon in Brooklyn, the New Jersey-based forager Tama Matsuoka Wong pulled up to the Prospect Heights restaurant Cafe Mado with a bounty in the back of her van. One of her produce bins was filled with plastic clamshells that held dozens of pointy pink saucer magnolia buds. Her chef clients 'are always wanting flowers,' she says. And in the northeast, saucer magnolia is 'one of the earliest blooming,' a herald of spring that typically emerges in March and lasts about a month. The petals have a gingery taste and a texture similar to a squash blossom. Wong foraged the buds in Pennsylvania and Maryland at the start of the season, before making her way north to New Jersey. Cafe Mado's chef, Nico Russell, is preserving the flowers in sour honey. He plans to serve them in a dessert with buttermilk and local strawberries when the latter is in season around June. The restaurant's bar team is working on a nonalcoholic cocktail that combines amazake, a Japanese fermented rice drink, with magnolia tea. Wong also provides the buds to Flynn McGarry, the chef at Gem Home in NoLIta and the forthcoming Hudson Square restaurant Cove (scheduled to open this fall). He's been soaking the petals in vinegar and plans to serve them 'like pickled ginger,' he says, with crudo at Cove. The Brooklyn-based chef Hannah Musante collected her own flowers from a friend's backyard, then stuffed them with sourdough toast ice cream. She covered other buds in sugar to create a syrup, and used the leftover macerated flowers to fill a tart shell that she topped with crème fraîche and dried thyme flowers. 'The first products of spring are always so exciting,' she says.
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Los Angeles Times
7 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
Rating Southern California's worst and best freeways
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Los Angeles Times
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- Los Angeles Times
Taking Flight From the (Empty) Nest
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The Galapagos Islands are the home of incredible wildlife and natural beauty – a true living laboratory of evolution. If you want the max enjoyment for the long travel time, a small-ship cruise is truly the only way to travel. The magic lies in the size of the vessels. Small ships (think: 20-100 guests onboard) not only offer a more intimate and personalized experience, they're also permitted to visit more remote islands that larger vessels can't reach, giving you a richer and less crowded wildlife encounter. Onboard a luxury yacht (like the offerings from Relais & Châteaux) you'll find spacious cabins, gourmet dining and personalized service that makes you feel like a true VIP. The trips are guided by expert naturalists who are passionate about the islands' unique ecosystems, making the experience both educational and awe-inspiring. As a guest, you can join guided excursions or group activities each day, such as spying with playful sea lions, watching magnificent frigatebirds puffing their scarlet throats and trodding among giant tortoises that roam these special islands. You'll also have the chance to talk with expert naturalists or fellow guests, deepening your understanding of the Galápagos' wonders. This is a bucket-list trip that is both thrilling and completely comfortable – unpack once, settle in and let the adventure unfold around you. Traveling by small ship allows for a more immersive experience, letting you truly connect with the islands and their wildlife. It's a wonderful way to feel like a true explorer, but with the added bonus of a hot tub on the top deck to relax in as the sun sets over the Pacific. This trip is for travelers who want to bear witness to the extraordinary without sacrificing any of those comforts they expect from a luxe stay: that 'stay' just happens to be mobile! 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Business Insider
a day ago
- Business Insider
I lived in Italy for 8 years. These 6 places in the US make me feel like I'm back in my favorite Italian cities.
I lived in Italy for eight years, and I still go back every summer to visit family and enjoy Europe. I wish I could go even more often, but it's not always possible to hop on an international flight. Luckily, I've found US cities in California, Michigan, and Florida that feel like Italy to me. When I was in college, studying abroad in Italy was a no-brainer. My great-grandparents are from a tiny village just outside Modena, and I was curious about my heritage. Something that took me by surprise, though, was the realization that I didn't want to leave. After my semester ended, I lived and worked in Rome throughout my early 20s. Eventually, I moved back to the US and became an Italian teacher. Although I now live in Chicago, Italy still feels like my second home: I make a point to spend every summer there, mainly so my daughter can bond with her nonna. As lucky as I am to visit Italy every year, I still wish I could go more often. Thankfully, I've discovered a handful of places across the US that capture the energy of my favorite Italian regions. These cities offer Americans a slice of Italian culture, minus the hourslong flight overseas — and help quench my insatiable thirst for Italy with soul-stirring food, wine, history, and charm. Catalina Island's hidden coves and crystalline waters feel just like Capri. Located off the coast of southern California, Catalina Island is about 22 miles long. It's easily accessible via ferry service, which operates out of three ports near Los Angeles. When I first visited Catalina Island, I was awed by the dramatic shorelines, crystal-clear waters, and hidden coves. I felt like I was back in Capri. I hiked to the top of the Garden to Sky trail, catching panoramic views that felt straight out of a Mediterranean postcard. Then, I soaked up the sunshine at Descanso Beach while sipping a chilled glass of prosecco. Florida is home to Coral Gables, a city that always reminds me of Lake Como. With its glamorous Mediterranean-style architecture, lush gardens, and waterfront estates, Coral Gables feels like Florida's answer to Italy's Lake Como. The Italian Renaissance-inspired Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, built in the early 1900s, reminds me of the grand villas that line Como's shores. If you plan your own visit, don't forget to check out the Venetian Pool — this public swimming spot was carved from a coral rock quarry, and (true to its name) feels straight out of Italy. Chicago and Milan are "sister cities," and it's easy to see why. It's no surprise to me that my hometown of Chicago and the metropolis of Milan are officially sister cities. Both cities feature vibrant street art, designer boutiques, and — unsurprisingly, maybe — delicious Italian food. I always recommend that tourists plan a trip to coincide with the Randolph Street Market, a pop-up vintage extravaganza. You can also explore Chicago's dynamic mural scene with a street art tour. Finally, Chicago's pizza is as hearty and rich as any slices you'd find in Italy. You can't leave my hometown without trying our legendary deep dish. For a classic experience, head to Giordano's. The stuffed pizza here is a masterpiece of cheese and sauce wrapped in a golden crust. Sonoma bears an uncanny resemblance to Tuscany. The first time I visited Sonoma, California, I was struck by how much it resembled the Tuscan countryside, from the golden hills to rustic farmhouses. When I found myself gathered around a long wooden table at Pedroncelli Winery, surrounded by laughter, clinking glasses, and the comforting scent of fresh herbs and olive oil, I felt wrapped in the same warmth and magic of the Italian countryside. Perhaps the most obvious similarity, though, is the locals' deep appreciation for wine. You can even immerse yourself in vineyard life by staying at one of the several wineries that offer accommodations. Venice Beach in California feels just like the Italian city of the same name. Venice Beach's bohemian vibe and canals are an almost perfect replica of Venice, Italy. Developed in 1905, the canals of this coastal Los Angeles neighborhood were designed to look like those in Venice. Whenever I stroll along the picturesque bridges and waterfront homes, I almost feel like I'm in Italy … all that's missing are the gondolas. Frankenmuth, a mountain town in Michigan, reminds me of the Italian Dolomites. This Michigan city's Alpine-style buildings, hearty cuisine, and mountain-town charm really resemble the Dolomites in northeastern Italy. Moments like browsing handcrafted wooden ornaments at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland (the world's largest Christmas store), enjoying a traditional Alpine feast, and setting off on a riverboat cruise on the Cass River made me feel like I was celebrating Natale — or Christmas — in Europe.
