Giovanni Achille Gaggia, a bar owner in Milan, born in 1895 in Milan, was experimenting with screw-type pistons to make coffee and that after the war he tried the lever piston and it worked. Another story goes that...

“Le Diciotto Lune” or “18 Moons” from maker Marzadro is a high quality aged Grappa that hails from Trentino, Italy. Made from selected vines and distilled in stills, it is left to refine for over two years in small cherry ash, oak, and robinia casks, each of which...

The devil is in the details, or rather the Skull in this case, from British designer Alexander McQueen. These cool looking silk scarves would be the perfect detail to add to your sport coat or suit. Upon closer inspection the lucky viewer will find the meticulous detail of the hand woven...

From French designer Lucien Pellat-Finet comes these cool looking swimsuits. One for him and one for her. No they are not made of LPF’s cashmere but they do have the signature Skull. Available in the US at LUCIEN PELLAT-FINET boutiques 14 Christopher Street, NY, NY or in Paris, at 1,...

Located in Manhattan Beach is this cozy restaurant named Petros. Greek food is the specialty however don’t let that fool you. The food is the most unique and delicious Greek food you will try. Not your usual heavy, meat laden dishes. These are light, tasty dishes. Grilled fish,...

This Artisanal French liquor begins it’s life in the Alps as fresh handpicked Elderflower Blossoms during a three to four day window. These Elderflower Blossoms are then bicycled down to the distillery and immediately macerated to capture the freshest flavor. The St. Germain liquor is...

This is a cool little idea that is so simple.  You simply drop it into your bbq pit and light it, it takes 15 minutes and it’s ready.  No lighter fluid necessary and it’s made from 100% recyclable materials.  Grill on!  BAJA...

Now available is this ultra portable, ultra slim outdoor grill. The Notebook Portable Grill folds up and slips right into your trunk or back seat. Take to the beach or park. Perfect for a quick summertime cookout. This design is so simple it’s ridiculous. From A+R Store. Under $50.00...

In the town of Valdarno, located in the heart of the Chianti valley, along the “Cassia Vetus” (ancient road) is a quaint little place I want to tell you about. It is called the Cassia Vetus Osteria de Cavalieri. We pulled our Alfa Romeo into the small empty parking lot and turned...

Touted as “The Largest retail wine cellar in the West”, Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa, California is quite huge. With over 24,000 square feet, this family owned retail store has been in operation since 1957. Founded by Fritz Hanson and Jim McVay the business is still in the...

From Sigg Switzerland, a water canteen maker since 1908 comes a product that is relevant to saving the earth now more than ever. These water bottles are aluminum on the outside and coated on the inside making them resistant to fruit juice acids, energy drinks, alcohol and virtually any...

One night my friend Dante and I were wandering around Manhattan looking for a bite to eat. Dante asks me if I’d like to try out “San Domenico’. He follows this with the brief history of the restaurant, that it is the main restaurant at Imola, where the Ferrari team dines,...

The “it” pizza restaurant of the moment in Los Angeles. I usually stay away from these types of places. You know, the waiting list, can’t get a reservation for months, are you cool enough? Geez, it’s only pizza right? I am paying for it too, right? It’s not...

Aperol is the Italian drink of the moment for this is the first year it has been imported to the United States. Aperol is an orange bitter aperitif made from a combination of herbs, rhubarb root and orange. The recipe has not changed since 1919. This goes great on the rocks with club soda,...

Cachaca, or Aguardiente “Fire Water” is the perfect spring/summer cocktail from Brazil. Cachaca produced only in Brazil is made from distilled sugar cane juice. It differs from Rum in that it is not made from molasses. Caipirinha, is the perfectly typical Brazilian cocktail. To...

Best hamburger and baked potato in the “Big Easy”. The Port of Call, located on 838 Esplanade Ave, New Orleans was my thrice a week hang. Lively bar, with a huge menu of tropical drinks but it was the huge hamburgers that kept me coming back time and time again. Next time you...

“The Bad Language” is what it translates to in Italian. But that’s the only thing bad at this family style establishment. Located in a homey neighborhood in Long Beach you will be greeted warmly and given fast service. They offer homemade food with unique dishes and a...

The Golden Cup indeed, this Tapas bar, located half a block away from the Marina Village in Barcelona was touted as “The Best Tapas” in Barcelona by my local guide. We slipped into this narrow bar and I began to order but was told that the bartender will not take your order, you...

Out in the field, camping, hiking? Can’t find a local Starbucks? No electricity? The Handpresso is the first non-electric espresso maker I have ever seen. It utilizes a hand pump that makes 16 bars of pressure, just enough to extract that perfect shot. All you need is a thermos of...

Who says Grappa should taste like you’ve sipped on jet fuel. This Grappa from Marolo is like pure nectar of the grapes. The Brunello Grappa made from 100% Sangiovese grape pomace, the rich flavors from some of the finest Brunello Wines in the region come through as well as the pleasing...