Jonathan Stein – Ocean Blue WORLD

The Newport Car Museum

For anyone who is remotely interested in cars, history or engineering, taking a tour of the Newport Car Museum in Rhode Island is a thrill ride. The private collection of roughly 70 cars shows the variety and ingenuity of many companies, countries and decades. From the 1950s onward the collection shows cars as a work of art. They boast automobiles for everyone, not just men of a certain generation but to women and men of all generations. “The whole family can come and see something of interest,” say Gunther and Maggie Buerman who showcase their private collection to make up the museum.

These cars, such as: the 1989 Lamborghini Countach, a 1979 Porsche 930 Turbo (the widowmaker) and a Mercedes-Benz 1961 300SL, highlight some of the fastest and most iconic cars from around the world. Others exhibit how artistic the carmakers were likening them to the great sculptors of the Renaissance period in modernity. Using metal, rubber and glass instead of marble of course, these are not just cars, they are truly masterpieces.

As a car enthusiast who might not be able to afford having a collection such as Jay Leno or Jerry Seinfeld, this trip will give you a taste of luxury and history, elegance and power, and maybe inspire you to start your collection. Seinfeld’s latest hit series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee showcases many fine vehicles and some rather quirky, eccentric ones as well. Part of the hook of the show is that he chooses a car specifically for his guest such as the 1978 AMC Gremlin for former Daily Show host Jon Stewart.

For another giant of stand up comedy, Bill Burr, Jerry chose the 1970 Ford Boss 302 Mustang (also a part of the Buerman’s collection). For his friend Gerry Shandling, he chose the aforementioned 1979 Porsche 930 Turbo. For Jerry Lewis he chose the 1966 Jaguar E-Type and for Sarah Silverman the 1969 Jaguar E-Type series 2. The Newport Car Museum has their 1967 Jaguar E-Type Roadster as one of three cars celebrating British built performance cars.

If you love cars and want to share your enthusiasm with your friends and family you can get a membership granting you unlimited admission, several guest passes, extra keys for extra time at the driving simulators, movie nights and more events!

Celebrate Roaring Twenties Style at Las Ventanas al Paraíso’s Hidden Speakeasy

Celebrate the Style of the Roaring Twenties at La Botica Speakeasy

The roaring twenties are making a comeback in style at Los Cabos’ most elegant resort. For years the pinnacle of service and hospitality, Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort, did not need to change anything. Never one to rest on their laurels though, this award-winning hotel continues to lead the competition in guest experience.

Photo Courtesy of www.rosewoodhotels.com

La Botica, which translates to apothecary or pharmacy, is a hidden gem. Completely soundproof, one might walk by and not even know it is there and certainly would not know the fun being had inside! It is designed as an homage to prohibition era fronts for people to consume alcohol and socialize. A secret code is needed to enter through a hidden door and discover another place, another time. The bar at first glance are shelves lined with jars of spices, tinctures, herbs, dehydrated fruit and other innocuous items. When the coast is clear the shelves slide back to reveal the contraband drinks. La Botica stays true to the apothecary theme with expertly prepared curative cocktails using infusions, herbs, smoke, and rare ingredients not found in most bars. For example they have a bottle of Sotol, a rare cousin of Tequila and Mezcal with a rattlesnake inside whose venom add a hint of sweetness and medicinal benefits.

While there are also many traditional drinks and spirits for the less adventurous, try their unique cocktails such as the Bee’s Wax Old Fashioned made with Bee’s wax infused Johnnie Walker Double Black Whisky, honey, Angostura bitters and Peychaud bitters, stirred, for a smokey and velvety drink.

The decor is stunning in every little detail from the menu to the checkbook, magnificently appointed tile floors, various lights, lamps and colors all in the art deco design of the era. Rosalia de Cuba and her band, local legends is Los Cabos, entertain with Afro Cuban Jazz common in a 20s speak easy, various latin rhythms, American classics and more. As the elixirs flow and music courses through patrons the dance floor opens up for a boisterous evening, unbeknownst to other hotel guests.

The first of its kind in the Baja, La Botica offers a truly unique experience for guests and other visitors looking for a good time, a night cap, a change of scenery and live music at Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort.

Cheers to Good Wine!

Choosing the Right Wine for You

National Drink Wine Day is here! There is no need to celebrate this differently than any other day, but someone created a holiday and it is up to avid and sporadic wine drinkers to take up their glasses for this new tradition.

How does one choose the good wine from the regular, overrated, overpriced or even bad wine? There are a variety of factors that influence what makes one wine better than another but a lot is subjective, like art. Each person’s palate is different and consequently so are their preferences in wine.

To help find one’s preference the following distinctions can be helpful. Dry wines are not sweet and sweet wines are not dry but it is a whole spectrum, semi sweet is in between. Acidity in wine produces tartness while low acidity wines tend to come out rounder or fuller. Most newcomers enjoy rosé or white, and work their way into some fuller bodied and more tannin-rich reds.

Knowing what one’s tastes are in food or drinks can be useful to apply to wine. Black coffee drinkers might enjoy tarter wine like Pinot Noir while cream and sugar in their coffee drinkers might opt for a sweeter wine like a Riesling.

Higher quality distinctions such as Organic and Biodynamic wines produce cleaner, more natural and authentic wines true to the history of the location. “Rooted in the concept of balance, sustainable viticulture aims to boost environmental quality, enhance grape quality, maintain economic viability and ensure quality of life for all actors within our world.” Deloach and Raymond Wines out of Napa Valley are a couple of incredible wineries that produce lovely wines using biodynamic farming.

Wine Spectactor uses a 100 point system to rate wine. Most wines in stores do not present a rating unless they are 85 or above, which is a mark of distinction. Any wine rated above 85 is a very good wine, but as mentioned it might be good, although not be to your taste. At the end of the day, experiment, try something new and enjoy the process. Cheers to good wine!

Molecular Gastronomy

Molecular Gastronomy in Los Cabos

The culinary reputation of Los Cabos continues to grow with incredible annual festivals such as Sabor a Cabo and a multitude of fine dining options in town and in the luxury hotels that line the beautiful coast. With menus created by multi Michelin starred chefs, Paradisus and Grand Velas show off their flair for creative and artistic cuisine. The movement of molecular gastronomy is expanding as more people understand and appreciate the skill and dedication involved.

Molecular gastronomy is an imprecise term to incorporate essentially everything included in preparing a meal yet it is also a specific term describing a new thought process for curating meals and providing unique culinary journeys. Looking at the history of preparing meals, humans have developed and changed techniques, played and experimented with ingredients before employing design and aesthetics to their meals. All of this falls under the broad term molecular gastronomy.

The more precise molecular gastronomy came from early ‘foodies’ in the last few decades who sought to understand the chemical reactions of heating and cooling food, mixing certain ingredients to create ‘new’ ingredients, and others still who focused on the environment and experience of all the senses when eating.

Chefs that ascribe to molecular gastronomy have been more scientific in their approach to seeing just how much a few degrees can make a difference in combining certain items or ingredients. Using foods in different forms, such as dehydrated fruits, is one layer that can be added for appearance or as a main part of the show. Often times liquid nitrogen will be used to prepare a dish but also for the visual effect with its slow rolling cloud of curiosity for the onlooker.

By studying molecular gastronomy it opens up the cookbook for experimentation, with more options to choose from these creative chefs take it to another level. Grant Achatz pushing the envelope at Alinea says “we lean towards science to figure out ways to extract flavor and aroma.”

Some dishes are smoked on the grill or on the table inviting the person dining to be part of the experience instead of solely a consumer. Foams or reductions, crisps or dehydrates, the texture of choice plays a part in the artistry and chemistry of a dish.

On your next visit to Los Cabos, discover this gourmet phenomenon while enjoying paradise!

Heart4Cabo

Transforming Lives One Heart at a Time

#MakeItHappen for Los Cabos

In a tourist hub known more for it’s party night life, most people who visit Los Cabos only see one side of the diverse destination. Scratch under the surface a little bit and many gems are to be found, from local choirs and orchestras to locally sourced authentic restaurants and tiny isolated beaches. When you go even deeper you find people doing incredible things for the community and people that live and work to make this paradise what it is.

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Project RCKLESS, founded by DJs Rik Sotero and Less Santana, started Heart For Cabo after Hurricane Odile destroyed many homes and businesses in 2014. A Category 4 making landfall is a rare and devastating occurrence and was a source of great pain for many families. The silver lining is that it also woke up the need for community action and support.

Heart For Cabo provides many different types of help for the people including: raising money and donations for food and clothing, building houses, providing medical supplies, education and counseling. These are just a few of the amazing things they have done over the last 5 years. Heart For Cabo recently provided Christmas gifts for many families bringing smiles and joy to roughly 85 children through the help of donations and volunteers.

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Altruistic to the core, Heart For Cabo is a non profit organization and are truly doing this to make the world a better place. They believe in the pursuit of love and service to others, improving the welfare of the people. Nearly 30 homes have been built but more than just the structure, which on it’s own is impressive, each family has been taken in as part of the community, adopted, and loved.

Writer David Rakoff said, “Altruism is innate but not instinctual. Everybody’s wired for it, but a switch has to be flipped.”

Thank you Heart For Cabo for making it happen and flipping the switch!

Ducati’s New Diavel 1260 S Shows the Power

Maximum Riding Pleasure With Ducati Diavel 1260 S

Ducati’s new Diavel 1260 defies classification – part cruiser, part sport naked, and part superbike. Ducati blends all three styles into one enthralling motorcycle. For 2019 Ducati has reworked the Diavel formula, intentionally setting out to disrupt convention. The top of the line 1260 S is a totally new animal. Powerful. Muscular. Responsive and effective between the curves for maximum riding pleasure.

The beefy lines and striking front confirm the personality of the new Diavel, which features an extended, slender rear with a 240 mm rear wheel. The ample air inlets and the trellis frame support the engine, completing the picture of masculine elegance. Featuring total black livery and Öhlins suspension, the 1260 S is the embodiment of determined and sophisticated style. The attention given to perfecting ergonomics is evidenced by the perfect amalgamation of a higher handlebar, a lower seat, and central footpegs, ensuring a relaxed and adaptable riding position. Sophistication and elegance are seen in the details, such as carbon fiber elements and a finely-stitched premium quality seat.

The new Diavel is built around the Testastretta DVT 1262 engine – the real beating heart of this bike. The Ride by Wire (RbW) control matched with three Riding Modes and three Power Modes allowing personalized engine responsiveness is a genuine game-changer on the road. Its 152 hp translates to astonishing acceleration and pick-up, while the flat and consistent torque curve since low rpm allows steady and easy to handle delivery.

The V-twin engine packs 1262cc of displacement and Desmodromic Variable Timing to ensure the Diavel can punch hard, high, and low. Ducati’s Quick Shift up&down (DQS) system lets you shift gear without using the clutch, ensuring superior riding pleasure, and comfort, especially in inner-city routes. The Diavel features a two-tailpipe, chambered 2-in-1 exhaust unit, designed to show off the engine.

None of this means anything without integrated but unobtrusive safety features. The Brembo braking system and ABS Bosch 9.1MP control unit are both integral parts of the Ducati Safety Pack (DSP). Ducati Traction Control (DTC) is a system borrowed from the racing arena and is essentially a filter between the rider’s right hand and the rear tire. Ducati Wheelie Control Evo (DWC) analyses the position of the bike and accordingly manages torque and power to guarantee maximum acceleration in safety without misalignments. However, the design team hasn’t forgotten the fun aspect. The 1260 S’s Dragster attitude is discreetly managed by the Ducati Power Launch Evo (DPL), which ensures a fast, safe start, all thanks to the optimized management of the maximum available torque.

Get in touch with your local Ducati dealer now to meet the 1260 S in the flesh.

Monaco: Epitome of Luxury

The Luxury Playground of Monaco

Monaco embodies a sense of style, adventure, luxury and elegance. Monte Carlo has been the setting for numerous movie scenes and perhaps most notably James Bond movies: Never Say Never Again, Goldeneye and of course Casino Royale. Arguably the smallest country in the world (some sources count the Vatican), this principality is a tax haven and luxury playground for the wealthy. Stunning views and architecture are paired with classy hotels, sumptuous cuisine and a world famous casino. Sporting events such as the Grand Prix and ATP 1000 tennis masters tournament as well as multiple museums are all present in this tiny yet culturally rich principality.

The top of the list of sites to see is the Casino de Monte Carlo. This is a must for anyone with even a minuscule interest in gambling or for those who want to see some of the movers and shakers in this wealthy nation. Another place to rub elbows with the finest is the iconic Hotel de Paris which has also featured in many movies. Lavish is an understatement, the service is above and beyond and the wine cellar has over 400,000 bottles including some of the highest scored wines as well as renowned labels.

For anyone seeking top quality food and organic ingredients, Monaco is home to the first 100% organic, Michelin-starred restaurant in the world. In Monte Carlo, Elsa is set with a spectacular view of the horizon and the cuisine pays tribute to the Mediterranean style and local ingredients with a modern touch.

The Oceanographic Museum on Monaco was founded by Prince Albert the First, who was also a sea captain. Many of the exhibits came from his personal voyages including a whale skeleton in the museum’s zoology room. The aquarium is widely considered to be one of the best in Europe and has almost 100 tanks. There are over 6,000 specimens on display in the museum as well as a shark lagoon. The building is equally impressive as it is situated on a cliff overlooking the sea and took almost 11 years to build! A must-see to round out your next trip to Monaco!

Photo Courtesy by yachtsinternational.com

Arena Di Verona

Architecture Spotlight: Arena Di Verona

In the beautiful Italian city of Verona sits a stunning architectural achievement in the form of an amphitheater almost 2000 years old. With the same structure as the Colosseum in Rome one would think it was inspired by the capital but in fact it predates the larger Roman counterpart by about 50 years. The Arena Di Verona is also in considerably better condition than the Colosseum. Still in use, it is home to one of the largest opera festivals in the world since 1936 while the first opera performance there took place in 1913 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Giuseppi Verdi’s birth with his prominent work, Aida.

The Arena di Verona Opera Festival runs for almost 3 months in the summer with a rotation of 4 shows. In any theatre these are all amazing spectacles but to take in a show in a living piece of history is an extraordinary experience. The massive set pieces and changes that take place, the world class performers and magnificent acoustics make for a performance one will not forget. This year showcased the famous works: La Traviata, Carmen, Aida and Tosca.

Premium tickets provide padded chairs on the lower levels while the cheaper seats give the authentic ancient Roman experience of sitting on the stone steps high up with first come first serve seating and no particular limit on how many people sit in a certain section. Needless to say, this experience is better in theory than reality. Typically 15,000 people is the limit for performances and each year over 500,000 people come to enjoy the opera festival.

Even for those not enthusiastic about opera, it is well worth enjoying this operatic performance since it is impressive in so many ways. That being said, the Arena di Verona has also hosted concerts from relatively more recent famous musicians including: Pink Floyd, The Who, Sting, Leonard Cohen, and Whitney Houston.

Terroir Rediscovered with Natural Wines

DOWN TO EARTH NATURAL WINES

Mankind has indulged in the joys of wine for a long, long time. A forgotten amphora of grape juice began to froth, its aroma changing from fresh and innocent to something intriguingly fermentatious, and some brave soul took a sip. Fast forward 5000 years and adventure-seeking wine drinkers are again tentatively raising a glass of untamed natural liquor to find out what all the fuss is about. Your friends in the know have been carrying on about the benefits of Natural Wine – but that unrefined hazy liquid with sediment at the bottom of the bottle looks a little too much like the kombucha your hipster mates are brewing.

To be fair, you’re not wrong. While there are no official regulations around the production of natural wine, artisanal vintners are following their own strict standards to produce “raw” wine with as little intervention as possible. They begin with organic or biodynamic cultivation, hand-picking the grapes, extracting the juice by good old barefoot stomping in a barrel, and then allowing the extract to spontaneously do its own thing with the help of naturally occurring yeast. Some producers prefer to safeguard their precious vintage with a tiny dose of sulfites, but certainly none of the artificial colors or flavored yeasts that you find in a typical commercially produced wine. It’s primal wine, the stuff that may have been miracled into existence for a certain wedding two millennia ago. And by all accounts, those yeasty, microbial life-forms in your glass are really good for you.

The world of natural wine is affable and unpretentious. Wine bottles often feature unique artwork on the label that playfully describes the contents as well as the creator. In this scene, you can frequently judge a book by its cover. Nevertheless, there is enough natural wine on the market to confuse new followers. Some producers manage to achieve homogeny with each vintage. For others, its mostly luck of the season and no two vintages are the same. There are fruity, fizzy fun natural wines, others are musky and wild, some are more like cider. Depending on whether they are bottled as they are or lightly filtered, some natural wines will be cloudier than others and may contain flecks of grape skin. To begin your journey of discovery, get to know your local wine store owner. They will advise you based on your general preferences, but be prepared to try something out of your comfort zone. Natural wine can be quite different from any other you’ve experienced.

A Cabernet Sauvignon from a South African winery that has a flock of Indian runner ducks as a capable and ecologically sound pest control squad. This medium-bodied Western Cape wine oozes blackcurrant and fresh raspberry flavors. Organically grown with no added sulfites, its “Fair for Life” certification guarantees human rights and sound working conditions for all those involved in its production.

“This Italian-made blend of Grechetto, Montepulciano, Cilegiolo, and Canaiolois smells like a seaside breeze carrying wafts from a cranberry lemonade stand. It tastes likes a Vespa joy ride down Cypress-lined dirt roads that catapults you into brambles of raspberry and blackcurrant, with stray watermelons, and ripe, juicy red plums.”— Marissa Ross, Bon Appétit
The label portrays a sheep, vital to the farm’s ecosystem, taking part in the winemaking process.

Shockingly crimson in color, the aromas from “Château Paquita” bring to mind a stroll in the rainy countryside. Flavors include cranberries, fennel, and black pepper. New labels are created for each vintage. The 2015 edition features the work of street artist Pere Banek and illustrates the process of grapes becoming wine.

Described as “A vampire’s treat” because of its fresh blood aroma, this natural beauty unsurprisingly pairs well with venison and foraged cuisine. Something different for the brave-hearted.

A South Australian blend of shiraz and grenache, unfiltered, and made with no additional yeasts, enzymes, tannins or sulfites. Earthy and medium-bodied, it overflows with dark fruit flavors calmed by notes of spice and cocoa. The winery cat, Tikka, watches languidly from the bottle label.

Cheers to International Beer Day!

Get ready for one of the best recently created holidays! Friday August 2nd is International Beer Day and is celebrated on the first Friday of every August to avoid having to work the next day or go to class (please drink responsibly according to the age requirement of your local laws).

This day to observe the beers of the world, Brewsters, Bartenders and Bars was first founded in 2007 in Santa Cruz, California by Jesse Avshalomov. It has since grown to be truly international with over 1000 cities and 100 countries estimated to take part this year.

What are the best ways to enjoy this day? Invite your friends for beer at a local bar of course! Be especially friendly to the bartenders and learn what you can about different beers, sampling new ones and ordering imported beers to see what other countries have to offer!

Typically German, Belgian and English beers rule the international market with big names, rich history and bold flavors. Canada and the US have decent large production brands but microbreweries are fast becoming popular as people look for regional and distinctive beers.

So what kind of beers should one try? For someone looking to start tasting beers, blondes have low to medium bitterness while having some aroma from the hops and sweetness from malt. For those slightly more adventurous try a wheat or a honey. Pale Ales and India Pale Ales have more hops, are robust and go well with some spicier foods but can lean towards bitter. This is the beer of choice for those looking for full flavor in a lighter colored beer.

Bold and strong beers are often darker, maltier and contain nutty or chocolaty, sometimes even coffee tones in them. These have the most flavor but can feel heavy or overwhelming for some. That being said, many beer enthusiasts prefer these like wine drinkers picking a strong red over an easy white. There is more to appreciate in each glass.

Whatever your style and preference, International Beer Day is a day to enjoy a classic cold one or mix it up with a new craft brew. If your local bar has a sampler flight, this is the best way to celebrate!

Ford’s Most Powerful Car is the New Mustang Shelby GT500 2020

Ford is unveiling a new power car in bringing back the Mustang Shelby GT500. With over 700 horse power there is no doubt this cobra can uncoil and burn up the quarter mile. This is Ford’s most powerful street legal car in its history. Official numbers are not in but estimates put it at under 11 seconds for the quarter mile with a 0-60 acceleration around 3.5 seconds!

For those looking for a kick, this power comes from a 5.2 liter supercharged V8. The GT500 has some record setting features to handle that engine. The louver hood is the biggest Ford has made in order to manage all the air needed for cooling. It starts with a front opening for airflow that is roughly double the size of the GT350. Using a 600-watt electric fan and half a dozen radiators, each of the quad exhaust pipes measure an ample 5 inches across.

To handle slowing down from the extreme speeds this beast is capable of, the 16.5 inch rotors up front and 14.5 inch rotors in the back are the biggest brakes fitted to an American coupe. An interesting decision was made to not make a standard (stick shift) option. While the purist might not appreciate the lack of manual transition, the 7 speed dual clutch transmission “will perform far faster than even the best race car driver could” says Jim Owens, Mustang’s marketing manager.

For ultimate performance, especially on the track, the Carbon Fibre Track Package adds a big rear wing and 20 inch Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires which lowers the un-sprung weight by around 60 pounds. This helps generate up to 550 pounds of downforce for an incredible feeling of stability at higher speeds. It is an amazing feat that this car is available and street legal. The top speed is regulated at 180 miles per hour, lower than some of the competition but the acceleration and handling mean this car can beat out many that claim a top speed or 190 or 200.

Indian’s FTR 1200 Motorcycle is a Flat Track Racer Built for the Road

The 2019 Indian FTR 1200 Flat Track Racer

Flat track racing has been gaining popularity again over the last few years and the first motorcycle company to cross the finish line in the race for a street legal bike is Indian. With a rich history in professional flat track racing dating back to the 1950s, Indian certainly has the knowledge and brand power to take on this adventurous new line. Fast forward and Indian won back to back championships in 2017 and 2018 as well as multiple American Flat Track podium sweeps. This success meant the perfect timing to develop and launch this incredible motorcycle.

Since the model has to be street legal it is toned down ever so slightly but still carries quite a kick. The 1203 cc liquid cooled 60 degree V twin engine has four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 12.5:1. This generates 120 horsepower at 8,250 rpm and 85 foot pounds of torque at 6,000 rpm. Considering it weighs around 500 pounds, this is a lot of power.

The S model gets a TFT touchscreen display, built in blue tooth, USB charger for your phone, traction control and three switchable riding modes: rain, standard and sport for different traction control and throttle response. Sachs suspension cushions when necessary and can be accommodated to your preferences as both ends are adjustable for preload, rebound and compression. Another feature of this model is an inertial measurement unit which means ABS can sense the bikes lean angle and adjust accordingly. There is also the option to disable ABS if desired.

The range is about 130 miles if cruising on the highway as one can get almost 40 miles per gallon. With the comfort of the bike not being an issue, this may seem a bit short but most riders appreciate the chance to stop and stretch the legs every couple of hours anyway. This also allows for more people to stare at your marvelous ride and ask all about it so you can show off in style now and then.