The Google Jacket

A popular argument New Yorkers and all East Coasters make is how great the seasons are. Specifically, the fashion. Its tough to wear a double breasted jacket with gold buttons in San Francisco or Los Angeles. A nice pair of boots, wool pants, and a land's end coat is a foreign concept to some Californians but the norm in New England.

The whole "seasons'' talk is rubbish. If someone is telling you they like the cold because it provides something different or makes one appreciate the spring more just slap them in the face.

I'm all for the changing of the fashion, however. What I'm not for is what this gentleman has going on. Its a damn good thing he already has a lady holding his hand; we can all assume they have been together for a long time or at least longer than he has owned this jacket. No way he was wearing this at the time they met.

Avoiding black and navy and opting for a midnight blue or charcoal grey is one thing, but to get a puffy jacket in the skittles colors is too much.

Sure, you stick out. Sure, you can be different. But after 3 or 4 wears, its not funny anymore. You cannot walk into a restaurant looking like an original Nintendo video game after someone has bumped into the TV. Can you go into a meeting with this thing? As I have said before: I'm all for sticking out but come on. Let's leave the loud colors for spring and summer time or at least a little more subtle.

Hats Off

The resurgence of the hat has been well documented over the last few years. Some attribute the comeback to Justin Timberlake while others cannot pinpoint where it started. The fedora was the first to really burst back on the scene. Often seen on both men and women, it is the go-to fashionable yet simple head piece.

As it is winter, the straw and light colors have to be left at home. The two gentlemen I saw were not only wearing great hats but were also wearing great and very appropriate outfits. The younger lad stuck with two shades of gray; charcoal and heather. With a loose fitting scarf, nice chords, and a fitted sweater that accentuates his figure in a non arrogant manner, he is properly and classically dressed to walk the streets of Manhattan.

Although difficult, the older gentleman is even better dressed than his younger, presumably more spry counterpart. Sporting a hat that was easily older than myself with the proper worn and tattered look, this man also and a nice, somewhat loose cable knit sweater and sunglasses that suited him perfectly. What's great about his look is that he has had all of this for years. He did not need a GQ or a 'Fall Fashion Guide' to figure it out but just to open up a drawer or two.

Not to say the younger gent did, however. But even if he did, so what?

My own hat goes off to each of them but a little more to the older gent because there is something special about an older, well dressed man.

Checkmate

I don't know what stands out more on this lad: the tightness of the pants or the pattern. Oh who am I kidding? Its the pattern. Sure, they are tight. Sure, they are spandex. But they really seem like they belong in an Acid driven music video from the 80's. When I saw this guy I almost went into a trance. I felt like the longer I stared at the pants the more likely it became that I would end up seeing a sailboat or some picture slowly forming.

The tight pants look, if obligatory, should be kept to jeans. This guy tried to go for the "not mainstream" look which I'm all about but we must draw lines. On a side note, he could cut the pants up and get a few good games of chess going.

(And yes that is my shadow)

Mr. Wine & Bowties

A man who needs no introduction or assistance in the blog or website game is going to get it anyway.

After hearing my good friend Max tell me he started a blog but had no idea what he was going to do with it, I was curious to see where he would end up. Who would have thought he would have blown up like he did now? Based out of L.A. and covering everything imaginable from new musicians, crazy artwork and exhibits, exclusive movie footage, sports videos, and everything in between (and outside) , Max has managed to have several readers without having a singular focus or angle which is quite amazing and quite an accomplishment.

Be sure to view his site and, if you have time, go to some of the older posts and make sure you have a few minutes because you will want to stay.

www.wineandbowties.com

The Intrepid Cook

I would like to take this opportunity to urge you, the reader, to check out a favorite website of mine.

Started by Maren Ellingboe earlier this year, her blog is, quite simply, about food and wine. They are a collection of her own reicpe's as well as variations of those found on Bon Appetit.

From homemade pasta to homemade pizza to restaurant and wine reviews, most of her recipes are, at first glance ,intimidating. But she swears they are easy to make. (Don't chefs always say that?)

Seriously spectacular food and wine from a seriously spectacular young woman.

http://www.intrepidcook.blogspot.com/

Cupcakes-Butter Lane

Everyone loves cupcakes. From vanilla to chocolate to banana cake (yes, they make that here) everyone has their flavor. After my mom decided to buy a dozen cupcakes valued at $30 for $15 (yeah, best believe we get down like that) from Butter Lane in the lower east side, I immediately went to their website to check out the flavors. Although initially overwhelming because I have a hard time choosing from menus, I decided that I wouldn't make it a birthday surprise as originally planned but ask Maren to choose what flavors she wanted.

With three different cakes to choose from and several frosting, Butter Lane makes it both easy and hard on their customers. A counter lady who looks (tattoos included) and acts like Amy Winehouse does not help either. With the exception of one of the cupcakes, she decided on vanilla and chocolate for the cake and a few of the frosting in addition to: peanut butter, espresso, coconut, raspberry, and burnt caramel.

We both agreed that the chocolate cake, although good, was on the dry side. My personal favorite was the peanut butter frosting which was more peanut buttery than a Reese's and the espresso. I'm not a big coffee person but this flavor was truly great and the little coffee bean on the frosting provided a soft crunch and small, intense flavor. Unfortunately we didn't get to try the raspberry but it looked really good especially with the raspberry placed on top. The burnt caramel (not pictured) carried a unique flavor as well partly due to the fact that a single piece of popcorn was placed on top of the frosting.

I recommend Butter Lane but at $3 a cupcake I would say go to Sugar Sweet Sunshine in Soho. Better price and taste.

http://www.butterlane.com/

New York Holidays

After hearing several screams from outside my apartment I looked out my window to find hundreds of people dressed in various holiday outfits. I quickly grabbed the camera and went outside as quickly as I could. I struck up a conversation with one of the Santa's off to the side and found out that day, December 12th was 'Santacon'. I didn't quite understand what it was because he didn't provide too many details but also because every minute or so about 20 people would emerge from the subway dressed like those above.

My favorite was by far the gingerbread man but the guy dressed as Will Ferrell in 'Elf' was good, too. I did, however, ask him where he got his costume and he replied: "Macy's" I don't know if this guy was drunk already or trying to keep his shopping spots secret.

I wish I went to the meeting place they were all going to because its hard to convey just how many people there were. Here is the link in case anyone is interested for next year. http://www.nycsantacon.com/

Just Say No

I'm all for an adventure but one has to draw the line somewhere. After cruisin' around Union Sq. for an hour or so, this guy caught my eye. I didn't even have to look for him, he literally just popped up. Shall we start from the bottom? Splendid.

Running shoes are never good. Under any circumstances outside of running. Wear them on the track or the treadmill. They are always meant to be worn with shorts or possibly sweat pants or athletic pants. They give away that "really, that's what you have on?" label which nobody wants.

The jeans are fine. Nothing wrong with some regular old blue jeans. But, again, jeans and running shorts never look good so don't try it. Not even Clooney could pull this off. (well, maybe he could)

And lastly we have the shirt. Oh the shirt. The tucked in (denim) shirt into jeans is very tricky. I have tried it a few times and don't always feel right but I stick with the denim color. Not the toothpaste hue like this gentleman. What's even more baffling is the company with him. Not sure if he came over to them blindly or actually knows them. My money is on the former given the fact that the other group looks a little more put together.

You can actually see one of the woman just look him over and in her head go: "Really Todd? Really??"

Super Superbad

Don't even try to tell them. These guys already know. They. Are. Cooooooool. I came across this strapping young crew while in Soho. The fact that they are all wearing the same shoes (different colors), the same jeans, and the same jackets, was just too much. What's more, nobody tried to conceal it or change it up. Every time I have been close to wearing something similar to a friend of mine when we go out one of us at least tries to modify it. Nope, not these young lads.

When I see these guys I can't help but think of the movie 'Superbad'. Yes, I have a pair of well fitting jeans but they are labeled 'slim' not 'nut huggers'. When I see these pictures I think of a Michael Cera quote toward the end of the movie: "I feel like there should be more jean where there isn't"

I imagine these guys would be the type to call each other before hanging out to make sure they aren't wearing the same thing but I guess I'm wrong. With the shoes, pants, jackets, sweatshirts, and presumably same new clothes bought, these guys are well on their way to being the coolest kids in school. Or the most likely to reappear, in a negative light, on The Duke & The Gentleman.

Doughnut Plant

After receiving a tip from a friend of mine (what up Jenny) and her father (Dr. Ajl), I ventured out to this lower east side place that does doughnuts only. That's right: doughnuts, not donuts. I had asked them some of their favorite food spots and this was one of the first one's they mentioned. Although on a peculiar block, this 'plant' is quite unique. With a very small and narrow ordering section, the majority of the property is devoted to the preparation and baking. With flavors such as cranberry, tres leches, and roasted chestnut, one would hope so. I decided to order the 'blackout choclate and 'creme brulee'. Although I was not blown away by them, I enjoyed them very much. I could tell that they were carefully made and contained flavors that DD can't even dream of.

The prices aren't cheap but I believe, although it may take awhile, once you find your flavor, it will be worth it. Next up for me shall be the 'peanut butter glaze' and the 'tres leches' Or the Valrhona chocolate. Or the Coconut...

379 Grand St. NY, NY

http://www.doughnutplant.com/

Soho on Black Friday

Now this is a man with style. No, no, not the guy in the tired black pea coat and Yankee cap. With a small jacket not meant to be buttoned, a classic white shirt, and hip again bow tie, this guy is using the ordinary to make himself the extra ordinary.

Oh yeah, the half white half burgundy mohawk helps his case out as well. What I particulary like about this guy is the simple aspect he has. He takes the originals and makes it work. Everyone has a black coat but this one is short, almost jacket like. If he were to button it, he would just look foolish but he already knows that. Avoiding the loud color shirt and bowtie was another good move as he strives to let people like me notice him without noticing him. I was a little surprised to see a pair of somewhat baggy jeans on him, however. But maybe that is another little thing seperating him from the masses.

Welcome To The Duke & The Gentleman

Food and Style. As I navigate the different bouroughs of New York, I will be looking for the most unique style this city has to offer and snappin up photos along the way.

In addition, I will be writing up a short commentary on restaurants, bakeries, and every food option in between that does not require a tip nor a waiter.

That is what I do.

This, is The Duke & The Gentleman.

Le Bergamote

To say this bakery is good would be an insult. I have always enjoyed dessert but this French Bakery makes me love them. I consulted my Miss Maren Ellingboe on what to get after she insisted on us going there and she told me she always goes for the eclaires. I have never been a big cream or jelly filled donut type guy but I trusted her and she did not dissapoint. With three flavors to choose from (choclate, vanilla, and coffee) you simply cannot go wrong. I have tried all three and I really can't choose a favorite. Its the type of thing that you want to eat as slow as possible because you know you will be devasted upon finishing it. I even reached a point, while eating the vanilla, where I simply wanted to stop altogether because the thought of having no more was almost too much to bare.

From macarons to the Napoleon to fruit tarts to fresh croissants baked in the back, this place has it all. Even sandwiches (review to come soon). For those of you lucky enough to have been to France this quaint bakery will transport you back and put a smile on your face in the process. (And possibly a few lbs in the hips) You might even be lucky enough to sit next to someone speaking French.

Le Bergamote has two locations. The first is 515 W. 52nd St (between 10th and 11th ave) and the second is 169 9th Ave (at the corner of 20th st.) They can also be visited on the web: http://labergamotenyc.com/index.html