MODERN LIFESTYLES Y O U R
L I F E
•
Y O U R
S T Y L E
HAWAII LONG COVE BOMBAY
RATHBUN
FASHION
|
HOME
|
LEISURE
|
DINING
|
TRAVEL
|
C U LT U R E
16 beverlydrivemagazine.com
beverlydrivemagazine.com 17
ML CONTENTS 10
10 Hawaiian Traditions The Modern Hotel 18 Tiki’s Grill & Bar Home of the original Mai Tai 20 The Crown Jewel Hyatt Regency Waikiki 22 Lake Living Lake Side on Long Cove 32 Bombay Sapphire New Distillery
18
22
6 ModernLifestyles.tv
32
20
ML SUMMER20 40 Kent Rathbun Setting Out On Your Own 48 First Tier California Cabernet 54 Most Wanted Great Escape, Grand Design 56 The Queen’s Jewels Classic Stemware 60 Luxury SUV Expedition 74 Luxury Truck Tremor
40 60
55
ModernLifestyles.tv 7
8 ModernLifestyles.tv
READ ANYTIME, ANYWHERE
ON YOUR SMARTPHONE, TABLET AND PC
SUMMER ISSUE 2020 PUBLISHER Madwest Media GRAPHIC DESIGN Madwest Media SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT Madwest Media VIDEO PRODUCTION Madwest Media CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Andrew Chalk, Richard S. Pollak, Timothy Miller PHOTOGRAPHY Kelli Mahand, Robb McDonough, Iwan Baan, Jill Broussard, Stephen Karlisch EDITORIAL INQUIRIES & SUBMISSIONS tim@modernlifestyles.vip ADVERTISING SALES tim@modernlifestyles.vip
WWW.MODERNLIFESTYLES.VIP MODERN LIFESTYLES is published by Madwest Media, LLC. Dallas, Texas PUBLISHED DIGITALLY IN THE U.S.A. Modern Lifestyles is available FREE on your smartphone, tablet and computer at www.modernlifestyles.tv. All advertising is subject to publisher approval before acceptance. Modern Lifestyles reserves the right to refuse any ad for any reason. Advertiser’s warrant and represent that the descriptions of the products and services advertised are true in all respects. Modern Lifestyles assumes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Modern Lifestyles, Madwest Media, LLC, its officers, directors, employees and agents make no recommendations as to the purchase or sale of any product, service, or other items. As an open source publication various features, photography, graphics and articles have been reprinted with permission given by their authors and/or publishers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Modern Lifestyles. Modern Lifestyles is a trademark of Madwest Media, LLC. Copyright ©2020 All rights reserved. Reprinting, in whole or in part, is expressly encouraged with or without written permission of the publisher.
ModernLifestyles.tv 9
&
The Modern
The Traditions
of hawaii WORDS RICHARD S POLLAK
10 ModernLifestyles.tv
FA S H I O N
|
H O M E
|
L E I S U R E
|
D I N I N G
| T R AV E L
|
C U LT U R E
The traditions of Hawaii’s past blends perfectly with a new modern lifestyle that we simply call paradise. Today, the beaches of Waikiki are a bustling oasis of not only the traditional sun and fun but a new era of outstanding dining, shopping and living. The ancient spirit of aloha with the old sites of traditions are still within walking distance while also exploring the modern Hawaii.
ModernLifestyles.tv 11
T
he Modern Honolulu Hotel is the best example of the new chic modern lifestyle which is right in the heart of the Waikiki Beach. It has taken over as the beach’s resort for celebrities. At the Modern, the famous don’t mind being discovered as they relax right next to you! If you are a celebrity who wants to hide out, then you will prefer your rendezvous at the Trump or the Halekulani. Both properties boast five star services and cater mostly to an affluent Japanese wealth. Just a lei’s throw away from the Modern, both properties are also within walking distance to the most expensive retail shopping which is located on the main drag of Kalakaua Avenue. Gone are the cheap tee-shirt and fake pearl necklace shops that are now replaced by Gucci, Tiffany & Co., Chanel and Hugo Boss. It is amazing how many pairs of sheep fur UGG’s boots are sold in this 85 degree weather, especially to the Japanese. The store has tripled in size since our last visit less than a year ago!
12 ModernLifestyles.tv
ModernLifestyles.tv 13
Back at The Modern, the hotel has become the weekend outpost of choice for the cast of the locally filmed Hawaii Five-O series. The CBS remake of the classic Jack Lord series, now stars actor Alex O’Loughlin as Steve McGarrett. Every week the show opens with that same panoramic view of Waikiki Beach as McGarrett stands atop of the infamous Ilikai Hotel. He can also peer straight down directly into the Modern’s man made beach and sundeck which is actually part of the original Ilikai and still connected by a second floor walkway . Then, after the opening scene, O’Loughlin can head down to relax at the Modern’s exclusive man made adult guests only beach and sundeck on the second floor with his fiancee. The adults only sun deck features a three inch wading pool that brings the spirit of Waikiki beach right to the hotel since the Modern is actually one half block from the sandy beach. The Modern Honolulu offers suite accommodations for guests who are seeking a little more space and a private terrace overlooking the Waikiki Marina and beautiful blue Pacific Ocean. The irresistible ocean view rooms tantalize your spirit to relax and enjoy paradise. The contemporary decor of the Modern Honolulu rooms and their
14 ModernLifestyles.tv
refreshing looking Lanai urges the guest to sit outside and “enjoy the view of the tranquil marina, sparkling pool and the mesmerizing ocean which lures guests outside to their private terraces for many hours of the day and the nights.”. The hotel reminds their guests,”whether its the sun or the moon above that the light lingers into their rooms as they slip into a complimentary Sarong and Slippers. Just two of the many courtesy amenities of the Modern. You can even cross paths with Danny “Danno” Williams (actor Scott Caan) the Hawaii Five-O sidekick as he and his new German Shepard puppy can be seen walking down the beach past all the luxury yacht docks just in front of the Hotel. At the end of the beach you can gaze out to the Pacific Ocean to your right and to the Halekulani to your left. There is even a replica of the Kamekona Shrimp Food Truck from the famed TV show right in front of you. Dive into their Fried Shrimp platter or return to the Modern to dine at Hawaii’s number #1 restaurant. Morimoto’s. We would recommend to Hawaii Five-O’s Medical Examiner, Dr Max Bergmann (actor Masi Oka) a known
ModernLifestyles.tv 15
celebrity foodie to dine at the only five star restaurant in all of the Islands of Hawaii, Morimoto’s inside the Modern. Our once in a lifetime dining experience for two begins with the Chef ’s raw bar which comes in the $80, $100 or $150 sizes. Large samplings of his sushi or sashimi combinations run from $45 to $200. Then you have to experience the one pound Australian Wagyu Ribeye (the best beef on the island) for $98. The Seafood ‘Toban Yaki’ comes with Keahole Lobster, Alaskan King Crab, Mussels, Clams, Diver Scallops in a spicy red Miso Sake broth for $50. The simple Duck, Duck, Duck: features a trio of seared Duck breast, a Duck confit Spring Roll and Duck Meatball soup for $29. Morimoto’s is easily the most impressive meal on all of the Islands and perhaps even a lifetime.. The Modern’s study turns into a sexy bar for their hidden Happy Hour. It isn’t what it immediately seems. It waits demurely behind a wall of books in the lobby till 5 p.m. Each evening the bookshelves rotate to reveal The Study. The decor is neutral palette and clean lines which are whispers of the Modern’s subtle sophistication. That’s your invitation to get to know The Study – a knockout cached in an understatement bar. Cocktail tables are barely an arm’s length from
16 ModernLifestyles.tv
endless sectionals, lush ottomans and melt-into-me chairs where you can always command a comforting seat at the bar. The cocktails here are legendary. A varied menu in the Study features Fried Calamari, creative Pizzas, a Gourmet Burger and Island style Ahi Tuna Poke that works well with the Liquor refreshments. The $13 specialty Cocktails with creative names such as Huckleberry Fin,The Scarlet Letter, Dante’s Inferno or Men are from Mars/Women are from Venus reflects the Study’s theme of books on the shelves. VIP Service is standard with the Island’s best bottle service for premium Spirits starting at $250. The Poolside Passageway and the Grove are the Modern’s all day breakfast, lunch and dinner spots. They are nestled in a tranquil garden of Arbors, Bougainvilleas and Hibiscus alongside the main pool. With daily rays of sunshine and cool breezes, the Modern’s own dining venue is a must during your stay. The night view of the harbor during dinner at The Grove is one of the most romantic yet casual dining experiences on the island. It is a new tradition to watch the nightly fireworks from your Lanai or stroll down to the beach for the spectacular show. This is the best way to end your day at the Modern!
ModernLifestyles.tv 17
TIKI’S GRILL & BAR WE MADE THE MAI TAI FAMOUS If you happen to walk down Kalaua Avenue by the Aston Hotel, Honolulu, you have to stop by Tiki’s Grill & Bar. The Tiki’s Grill & Bar is beautifully located on their second floor. The view is right across the street from the best beach in Waikiki. The restaurant with its breathtaking romantic sundown dinner for two is also the most partying place at their Lanai Bar. The bar is known not for creating the Mai Tai (where they let Don the Beachcomer and Trader Vic fight it out for who invented it) but at Tiki’s Grill & Bar they just made it the most famous drink in Waikiki! Tiki’s Executive Chef is infamously known as Chef Ronnie, who left the Executive Corporate Chef position with Roy’s to create the Tiki’s award winning cuisine. The menu is a culinary adventure where everything is locally produced . We enjoyed a priceless four course menu sampling of 5 incredible tastes of each course showcasing: Coconut Shrimp, Kalbi Beef Gyoza, Ahi Tataki, Duck Duet, Miso Pork Pot Roast, and the Beach Boy Seafood Combo with Shrimp and Scallops. For month’s, I was looking forward to trying Hawaiian Poke for the first time. After reviewing the Tiki’s Grill & Bar menu many times before my trip, I salivated for their Prime Rib Poke! After all, how wonderful 18 ModernLifestyles.tv
could Prime Rib Poke be? Randy, the Restaurant Assistant Manager, ensured me that I had an additional full order of the Prime Rib Poke for myself and every course we sampled! Hangin’ at the Best Lanai (patio) Bar in Waikiki, Tiki’s Master Hawaiian Mixologists create their
TOP FIVE: the Surf Mai Tai, the “Five-O” Lava Flow, Ocean Potion, Mega Mango Mojito and Pro Bowl Punch all served in Hawaii Keepsake Glassware. Some of Tiki’s other favorites from the Bar are the Shark Bait, Skinny Chi, Kalkoa Sunset, Blue Bikini and the Ultimate Malibu Mai Tai. The list never ends with popular cocktails including Top Shelf Margaritas and Coladas served in Coconuts! According to an old Hawaiian Legend, Mama has worked in the Kitchen of Tiki’s Grill & Bar forever preparing her World Famous Thai Chicken & Green Papaya Salad. Her secret recipe is unknown even to Executive Chef Ronnie and she plans on keeping Thailand’s most famous national recipe a delicious secret. It’s the view at Tiki’s that makes the cuisine taste even better! As the sun sets and we were finishing a sampling of 5 desserts including Lilikoi Creme Brulee, Molten Hot Hawaiian S’mores, Crunchy Chocolate Spring Rolls, Baked Apple Volcano and our favorite, Hawaii’s Most Ridiculous Small Brownie with a World Famous Mai Tai in our hands, we say “aloha” and ”mahalo” to Tiki’s Grill & Bar for a true culinary paradise.
WORDS RICHARD S POLLAK
ModernLifestyles.tv 19
CROWN JH EY W E L A T T
R E G E N C Y W A I K I K I WORDS RICHARD S POLLAK
T
he Hyatt Regency is the Crown Jewel of resorts in Waikiki and is situated at the prime beachfront locale. The resort offers guests the most amenities of any hotel in Hawaii. As a beach driven property, the Hyatt’s exclusive Waikiki bungalows are the most sought after on the beachfront. A simple crossing of Kalakaua Avenue and you are there. A true nirvana of sand, sun and great guest services.
At Japengo, the premier Pacific Rim Restaurant in Waikiki, Chef de Cuisine Jon Matsubara creates the MAKAI TASTING MENU. It is a tour of the Pacific Rim with truly inspirational locally Hawaiian grown and raised produce and proteins. Before even starting this seven course feast, we munched on their Crispy Japengo Chicken in a dynamic Chili Oil dipping sauce. Our next courses featured Oyster Shooters with Quail Egg, Caviar, Sesame Chili and a Sashimi of Hamachi with Toasted Garlic, shaved Jalapeno
20 beverlydrivemagazine.com
and a Tojo sauce. Then we dined on the Scallop Truffleyaki which was torched and lacquered. A Saka steamed Kona Abalone was presented with Emoki Mushrooms, green Garlic butter and a Bacon Dashi. My highlight was the Singaporean Chili Lobster Tail garnished with Lemon grass,Coriander and a Kalei Egg. Next, a bowl of Japengo Bouillabaisse was a creation of refined aromatic spiced Kaffir Lime broth swimming with Alaskan Crab, fresh island Fish and Chinese flowering Cabbage. One of the marquee dishes on the Japengo menu is the LOCO “FOIE GRAS” MOCO which is Japengo’s gourmet take on the Island’s plate lunch. It combined Hawaiian ranchers three oz. Filet Mignon, a two oz Foie Gras, Quail Egg and a special Hamakua Mushroom Rice covered with Bourdelaise sauce. A far cry of inspiration from the World Famous Rainbow Drive-In’s original version of Hamburger Patties covered in brown gravy topped with a fried Egg on a paper plate with Rice and Macaroni Salad. For dessert, the Tiramisu was an island favorite of Kona Coffee, Mascarpone and lady fingers. We sneaked in a fresh Coconut Brulee, as well for dessert. The Hyatt features a majestic Pool on the second level with wonderful views of the Pacific ocean through the most beautiful Palm trees in Hawaii. There is the unlimited shops and conveniences that are right in the Hotel’s lobby. You can have this all for 3 days and 2 nights after making $1000 in purchases within the first 3 months with your Hyatt Credit Card. Yes, even the majestic Hyatt Regency Waikiki is accessible to a new card member. The Modern Lifestyle has now Journeyed to the famed tropical Island of Oahu to honor the old traditional life with the modern beat of today’s Waikiki Beach. A true Paradise with a Modern taste for all senses! beverlydrivemagazine.com 21
FA S H I O N
| H O M E
|
L E I S U R E
|
D I N I N G
| T R AV E L
|
C U LT U R E
Lake Side on
Long Cove 22 ModernLifestyles.tv
HOW WE FOUND WATERCOLOR, SEASIDE AND ROSEMARY BEACH IN TEXAS
ModernLifestyles.tv 23
I
ntroducing Long Cove, inspired by and modeled after the popular Florida destinations Watercolor and Seaside, is located on posh Cedar Creek Lake in Texas, just over an hour outside of Dallas. The location makes it a convenient retreat for city dwellers all over North Texas to come unwind and relax, but not miss an ounce of the of the good life. Long Cove truly offers a luxury getaway, while promoting an unplugged, relaxing family-oriented experience. The lakefront property is a fullservice luxury retreat, yielding itself to a lifestyle many come to look for in a second-home. Amenities at Long Cove include boat valet and concierge, lakefront swim club, fishing and canoeing pond, driving range, biking trails, outdoor gathering spaces and fire pits, tennis courts, fitness center, amphitheater and more. A full staff also is available night and day to accommodate any homeowner’s request – from catering arrangements to grocery shopping. The property offers custom second homes, which can be built-to-suit, accommodating the unique needs of each resident. Long Cove also offers special land plots for waterside cottages,
24 ModernLifestyles.tv
FA S H I O N
| H O M E
|
L E I S U R E
|
D I N I N G
| T R AV E L
|
C U LT U R E
lakefront homes and family compounds, which can all be constructed and finished to your heart’s desire. Love Cove’s floating docks and boat valet service allows lake access all summer. Long Cove was created by Dallas real estate developer, Don McNamara, who has invested in notable projects, such as Cityplace and West Village in Uptown. As a long-time resident of Cedar Creek Lake himself, McNamara spent 10 years planning the perfect, familyfriendly lake community. The Long Cove project architect, John Boyd, a DFW resident, implemented a new style of architecture on this special development. He calls it “Texas Lakefront Architecture,” and believes it is a style completely new to the region. He is an expert on architectural and interior design, and his work focuses on creating spaces that facilitate and encourage family “together time.” Cedar Creek Lake ownership opportunities continue to grow as sophisticated developers target the lake for planned upscale second home environments. Others include Beacon Hill, The 505 Ranch and now, further south by about 25 minutes, closer to Malakoff and Log Cabin, there is Long Cove.
ModernLifestyles.tv 25
“My hope is that Long Cove gives families a one-of-a-kind chance to enjoy Cedar Creek Lake in the way that my friends and family have for years now,” says Don McNamara, developer of Long Cove and president and CEO of Hampstead Holdings, the developer. “This development represents a personal passion for me, and I’m thrilled to be able to introduce Long Cove to families in Dallas who are searching for that quick, convenient getaway that can be their go-to place for getting back to the basics of family life.” Location, location, location. Long Cove is just 75 miles southeast of Dallas, via a pastoral drive down U.S. Highway 175, past Gun Barrel City, crossing south on 198. Here is also the best, deepest, side of the lake. McNamara knit together 1200 acres brimming with 80-year-old Post oaks, located along six miles of untouched shoreline on the south side of Cedar Creek. Long Cove is really the last great development opportunity on the lake. For the longest time access and a low-lying bridge made it difficult for boats to get under as it sat on the water line, anything bigger than a rowboat could not pass. This kept many developers away until the state built a four-lane arching bridge, state highway 198, which 26 ModernLifestyles.tv
FA S H I O N
| H O M E
|
L E I S U R E
|
D I N I N G
| T R AV E L
|
C U LT U R E
made the southeast portion of the lake much more accessible for watercraft. The finger of the lake where Long Cove is located is itself the size of Lake Athens, and holds some of the deepest, calmest, clearest water on Cedar Creek, more coveted features of recreational lakes. Texas lakes are prone to drought, and Cedar Creek has seen the worst. But this side of the lake has the geography to keep water levels higher even during the worst five-year droughts. For one, this is the southern end, the dam is here, and water is always naturally flowing downward. This end is closer to Athens, which enjoys a rolling natural terrain of hills that slope into the lake. By car, homeowners enter a gated community, then proceed down a two-mile entry road winding through forest and meadows, passing by fishing ponds and over a 100 year old one-way iron bridge. The wooded surroundings offers a sense of privacy and seclusion, which combined with the on-site concierge service, makes owning a lake home far less of a chore, which is a basic premise of the development. The Waterside Cottages are turnkey lakefront homes, offered in seven different floor plans and a “low country meets Hill country” architectural style –with customized finishes and the “Seaside” look: pastel clapboard, beach house classic made of faux cedar shakes. Custom homes are available in one of five styles: craftsman, rustic shingle, ModernLifestyles.tv 27
low country, ranch, Austin stone and Hill Country contemporary. Waterside cottage square footage runs from 2000 to 3600, 3 to 6 bedrooms. The lakefront lots feature up to 150 feet of shoreline and are sized between 1/2 acre to 1 acre, while the waterfront Family Compound properties are sized to accommodate multiple structures, with up to 470 whopping feet of shoreline and up to 2.5 acres per lot. Ultimately, Long Cove will be comprised of multiple neighborhoods and more than 300 waterfront properties. Future phases include a new marina now under construction, restaurant and the excavation of major extensions to the lake that will increase Long Cove’s existing shoreline from six miles to eight miles or more, which is already underway. In addition to lake and pool activities, Long Cove has a toy barn with a “lending library” for every piece of on land sports equipment or water gear you could imagine for fun at the lake. Beyond the shores of Cedar Creek, in the piney woods, a regulation-sized sports field encourages quick football, rugby, tennis or soccer games. There is also a PGA quality driving range and short golf game practice area 28 ModernLifestyles.tv
where the family can get away to swing the clubs without feeling the pressure to play a full 18 holes of golf. Above all, Long Cove is an upscale community where you might be wearing flip flops and shorts the whole weekend, but help from a friendly staff will be there when you want it, if you want it. Boat valet services mean your boat is always gassed up and ready to go. The floating docks keep your boats available no matter the lake level. Lawns can be mowed, trimmed, houses cleaned and refrigerators stocked upon your arrival. The whole point is to relax, take it easy, and play with the kids when you get here. “Every consideration has been taken in the design of the Long Cove development and in the combination of amenities we offer. It’s all about putting the right ingredients in place to make for a phenomenal family experience,” said Chris Kelsey, Long Cove president. “Long Cove is unlike any other lakefront residential community in Texas, trading the traditional private golf community feel for a new idea – a luxury getaway that redefines quality family time.”
ModernLifestyles.tv 29
Bombay Sapphire Builds Global Distillery WORDS ANDREW CHALK PHOTOS IWAN BAAN
Includes Botanical Glasshouses Designed by Heatherwick Studios 32 ModernLifestyles.tv
FA S H I O N
| H O M E
|
L E I S U R E
|
D I N I N G
| T R AV E L
|
C U LT U R E
It is a distillery, a visitor center, a green project, a who-we-are statement in corporate definition. In the space of two hours it is hard to take it all in and comprehend. That is Bombay Sapphire’s new global distillery situated in Laverstoke Village, Hampshire in the heart of the English countryside just a mile from where Richard Adams set some of the rabbit scenes in Watership Down.
ModernLifestyles.tv 33
T
he site is mentioned in The Domesday Book (a medieval census performed in 1086) that later became a paper mill (run by French Huguenots who fled to England to escape persecution) that for a time printed colonial bank notes. Bombay Sapphire set down roots in 2010. The bold vision for the run down site took four years to realize. They moved the Carterhead stills from the old distillery in the northern English city of Warrington. They tore down over 20 corrugated steel sheds, built new buildings in complementary redbrick, replaced all the utility systems with modern equivalents and restored open access to the river. So focused was their environmental goal that the old water mill became a hydroelectric generator along with solar panels covering the roofs of many of the buildings. The distillery buildings now run over, but do not interact with, the waters of the River Test, the cleanest river in England (fishing permits cost $1,500/day). A nature reserve at the back has seen resurgent wildlife including the recent return of otters. However the biggest, most eye-catching innovation was the commissioning of Heatherwick Studio to create two orb-shaped greenhouses, positioning them as organic growths bursting out of the side of the distillery building. Waste heat from the distilling process is redirected here, keeping one greenhouse at tropical, the other at a Mediterranean temperatures. Inside are the living plants, or ‘botanicals’, that go into Bombay Sapphire Gin (these are merely examples--the annual production of over 24 million bottles 34 ModernLifestyles.tv
ABOVE The River Test runs underneath the distillery. RIGHT Domesday Book Entry. BELOW Botanical component tasting example. FAR RIGHT The spectacular greenhouses.
ModernLifestyles.tv 35
36 ModernLifestyles.tv
demands a much larger quantity). In an adjacent building visitors see and sniff each of the botanicals in a selfguided component tasting, marking those preferred, with mixologists onhand to whip you up a cocktail based around them in the gin bar at the end of the tour (designated drivers get to take a gin and tonic pack home). Before the bar is the impressive distillery room with two giant Carterhead Stills. It is here that Bombay Sapphire uses its distinctive ‘vapor infusion’ process to introduce the botanicals into the gin. Under vapor infusion a cage of botanicals is suspended above the distillate and, as they are heated by the distilling vapor, infuse their flavors. The challenge, as expressed by master distiller Nik Fordham, is to maintain consistency in an environment in which botanicals are subject to weather and supply volatility. Responsibility for that falls to Bombay’s Master of Botanicals, Ivano Tonutti, who has established a record of consistent supply going back a decade. There is already a gin shop but plans include a cafeteria and corporate events area. Cocktail classes are underway and are fully-booked. Future plans may include specially distilled gins for sale at the distillery only. This distillery is a captivating experience for professional and consumer alike. Bartenders will come away with a deeper appreciation for the product, while aficionados will derive new insights into how gin is made. Make the all-essential reservation at distillery.bombaysapphire.com.
FAR LEFT The historical Dakin Stills used in the unique Vapour Infusion process at Laverstoke Mill. ABOVE Master distiller Nik Fordham explains how the greenhouse uses heat recirculated from the distillery. LEFT Cocktail made to order in the gin bar.
ModernLifestyles.tv 37
ModernLifestyles.tv 47
FA S H I O N
| H O M E
|
L E I S U R E
|
D I N I N G
| T R AV E L
|
C U LT U R E
KENT RATHBUN Setting out on your own. WORDS ANDREW CHALK
40 ModernLifestyles.tv
ModernLifestyles.tv 41
S
o
you
went
through culinary school and have some years in the industry
under
your belt. You have worked at a handful of kichens, gaining experience in different types of cuisine. Finally you have risen to the position of Executive Chef at someone else’s restaurant and now you feel a need to expand even further -- your own place. Is it really the right time? How do you go about this biggest of steps in your career? Where should you go? How much capital do you need? Without a moneybags family member, how do you get the capital? An investor? What type of investor, and what should be in, and out, of the contract between you?
42 ModernLifestyles.tv
T
here are few people more qualified to answer this, with an eye to the chef’s best interests, than Kent Rathbun. He has seen the highs and the very deep lows of owning your own place and, freely admitting his mistakes, could save many a young chef from the same thing. Starting as a sous chef at The Mansion, Rathbun rose to Executive Chef at The Melrose, and Executive Vice President and General Manager at Dani Partners (they managed the Seventeen Seventeen restaurant at the Dallas Museum of Art). He even teamed with his brother, Kevin, to beat Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America along the way. In 1999 he founded Abacus with investment partner the late Robert Hoffman. Awards were showered on the restaurant and it became a firm favorite with Dallasites and a Forbes 4-star award winner, while doing up to 400 covers a night. He has been a pillar of the charity circuit, with a personal record of raising $100,000 on one auction lot for the American Heart Association. A lot in which he was one of a team of chefs at the Cattle Baron’s Ball went for $265,000, and Cattle Baron Ball auction lots with which he has been associated have raised $2,500,000 since inception. Then, in 2006, Robert Hoffman passed away. His shares passed to William (Bill) Hyde, Jr., a former CEO of Ruth’s Chris. In 2016, the two split in what was to become the most fractious restaurant dispute in Dallas. It was not fully resolved until late 2018. During the near three year hiatus Rathbun’s livelihood was wrecked. No bad acts were cited against him. In-
stead, the disputes centered around whether he could continue to use his name and likeness in commercial activities, given an agreement he had signed in March 2009. For two years, the courts prevented him from doing so until he was able to convince the judge to overturn the injunction and the ruling was affirmed by the Texas 5th District Court of Appeals in November 2017. Based largely on the legal doctrine of ‘unclean hands’. A settlement swiftly followed. I asked Kent when he decided he wanted to run his own place. He explained that for the first few years of his career he was focused on getting broad culinary experience. He had learned classic French technique in his hometown of Kansas City. The Mansion on Turtle Creek, under Dean Fearing, taught him refinement of that, and also the New Southwest Cooking that briefly surfaced in Texas. The Melrose turned out to be a particularly productive move as the hotel was acquired by the Dusit Group, a luxury hotel chain based in Thailand. They flew previously passportless Rathbun to Thailand three times during his tenure to infuse Thai cooking. Diners who went to Abacus can attest that it left an indelible mark on his culinary style. No high-end chef in Dallas is more conversant with southeast Asian food. After The Melrose, at Seventeen Seventeen, he developed a high-end New American menu. Now, he points out to me something so incisive that when you hear it, it is obvious, like a lot of good ideas “Cuisines from specific countries have spread around the world. Culinarily, we are one county. We may be sepa-
rate national entities, but culinarily, there is just the world”. That gives us First Rule Of Going It Alone Don’t go it alone until you have broad experience in a number of cuisines and feel completely comfortable with all of them. Get a reality check. He says to ask established top-tier chef-proprietors “If I were considering starting my own place, what would you say are my strengths and what are my weaknesses?” I would alter the example slightly. Get a trusted colleague to ask the question about you. The other chef is likely to be more forthcoming as they will not be concerned about hurting your feelings. I turn the question around. If he were asked to stake a young chef in his or her first sole venture, what would he look for in them? In his view, the chef must: • be honest; • have good financial nose; • have good guest relations skills; • have good vendor and employee skills; • handle massive pressure with reason, not emotion; He would want to see the chef’s idea written down in the form of a business plan. And he would have to feel ‘strong about the deal’. In the restaurant business a new concept typically has one ownerproprietor at the top. However, sometimes there are two. This especially makes sense if the other person is a top-class front-of-house person. PRECONDITIONS When he started to think about ModernLifestyles.tv 43
4 4 ModernLifestyles.tv
being a restaurateur rather than a chef, Rathbun’s broad experience had given him culinary expertise. As he puts it “You have to own the plate”. He had been a restaurant general manager (GM) so he had dealt with staff, suppliers, and customers. He had got past the stage of wearing his baseball cap backwards habitually, and now did it with forethought. He had over a decade in the industry, and he still loved it. He went to work excited every morning and willingly worked long hours. That gives us Rathbun’s second rule of going it alone.
tination restaurant out of the box, particularly if traffic is bad and the area is dodgy. In cities, people have too much choice to go to the trouble of finding you at all or as often as they would if you were located near them. He recognizes it can be done, and cites his brother, Kevin, in Atlanta for having an impact in turning around the Inman Park neighborhood. However, usually that lower rent is too expensive. Cooking styles: Right now highend dining is out of favor with consumers and expensive to put on effectively. Avoid it. Second Rule Of Going It Alone Sites: Don’t get so swept up with You must go to work every day the idea of opening a restaurant that excited and intent on achieving. Any you sign a lease on a site without doubts, then don’t do it. examining lots of alternatives and getting a second opinion. The agent GOING ABOUT GOING IT ALONE may call it a “hot location” but guess He points out that there is no what, so is every site. manual on setting up your own restaurant. The most important way to INVESTORS get the information is to network. Talk Robert Hoffman entered the to experienced chefs who have suc- scene as a customer at The Melrose. ceeded and those who have failed He did not just hand over millions of (so as to avoid their repeatable erdollars for what would be Abacus. rors). Talk to experts in real estate and He set Rathbun tests, unbeknownst finance about locations and financto him, to see how he could cook. ing. Befriend, befriend, befriend. He part-owned Dani catering and brought Kent in as executive chef on Third Rule Of Going It Alone the recommendation of Dean FearNetwork with experienced chefs, ing to replace Nick Barclay who was and experts in real estate and finance. leaving to open his own place, BarIt may be a year before you need to clay’s. After three months, Rathbun ask them a specific question, but you was promoted to Executive Vice Preswill already have their contact inforident and General Manager. The two mation and an introduction. spoke about opening a restaurant, Some hard lessons he learned on and Rathbun established that here which he will draw a line: was someone who, like him, wanted Location: Go where the customer to create something world-class in goes. Don’t expect to become a des- Dallas.
During an extended planning period, the two travelled to New York, and made several trips to Italy. Rathbun realized that Hoffman really did know world class food and beverage, despite no formal training in culinary arts, and he also knew business, which Rathbun was modest enough to admit he did not. More importantly, the two realized that they saw eye to eye on the concept for Abacus. They had similar goals, they got along, and Rathbun enjoyed travelling with Hoffman (something he characterizes as important about a business partner). That leads us to Rathbun’s Fourth Rule about going it alone. Fourth Rule Of Going It Alone Trust and respect is the most important thing in choosing a business partner. It is a ‘nice to have’ if a partner has legal, real estate, or financial skills, but not key. Those specialties can be hired, trust cannot. Numerically, Rathbun would ideally deal with one investor, but that isn’t a hard and fast rule. In particular, restaurants are one of the riskiest investments around, so investors like to share the risk. Rathbun tests me with a question about the relative value of two potential investors who otherwise meet all criteria: If I had to choose between a billionaire oil driller from West Texas or an in-town socialite who is ingratiated with the business and art communities, as an investor, which one would I choose? The correct answer is the latter because every connection they bring is multiple reservations. ModernLifestyles.tv 45
Rathbun and Hoffman had a written agreement but Rathbun negotiated it without his own attorney. It worked out because he had fortuitously linked up with someone very special. Rathbun describes how Hoffman taught him business and widened his horizons. In his words “I would not be where I’m sitting without Robert”. However, in the fourteen years since Hoffman’s passing he has learned other lessons. I ask him point blank, should a budding chef-proprietor have their own attorney when negotiating an investor agreement? “Absolutely, yes” he replies. The cost is trivial compared with the amount at stake. You are about to start a multimillion dollar business.
he planned to hire as sous chef at Abacus. Hoffman suggested raising the applicant’s salary by $10,000 and additionally putting him on a bonus. The objective was to make the sous chef really want to be in the job. The quid pro quo was that he would be expected to work hard, something which is pretty much a given among sous chefs anyway. You must be able to earn a living if the partnership does not work out. Have a buyout agreement in advance and don’t accept restrictions that stop you working. Small geographical restrictions can be acceptable, but should you be forced to move out of town? Certainly not, in Rathbun’s view. And while you may grant the investor the right to continue to use your name on existing establishFifth Rule Of Going It Alone ments, the agreement should not You absolutely must have your restrict you from using your name in own attorney when negotiating with commercial activities. an investor. Include mandatory arbitration. It will save you a lot of legal costs and THE INVESTMENT AGREEMENT resolve legal issues in months, not Some provisions that Rathbun years. The decisions of an arbitrator thinks should be in the agreement: are legally binding on the parties and The investor (or investors) will will be enforced by the courts. likely own the lion’s share of the equity starting out, but the agreement Sixth Rule Of Going It Alone should include a buyout provision Include mandatory arbitration in whereby the chef can buy back the the agreement. Include everything in equity, likely over time. The smart the agreement on which there could investor (as well as the chef ) will like be a parting of the ways. Rathbun exthis as it incentivizes the chef to con- pects that the exact contents in any stantly achieve. given agreement would vary but it Salary levels should be reasonmust cover: able, not hammered down on the • Culinary freedom (can the chef basis that the chef is an owner. This decide to make ‘Le Bistro’ suddenly is true at all levels. Rathbun describes Tex-Mex?) Robert Hoffman’s advice when he • Conditions under which the went to him regarding someone chef can be fired (e.g. embezzlement, 46 ModernLifestyles.tv
drug dependency, moral turpitude, etc.) • Terms regarding other activities (e.g. does a speaking fee go into corporate funds? What about that $100,000 in cookbook royalties? What about the royalties on the chef’s book on motorcycle maintenance that he began to write in college and published after the investment agreement came into effect?) • Succession rules? Rathbun repeats that everything that could possibly be divisive should be discussed in advance so that chef and investor are on the same page. OTHER CAPITAL I ask about Trinity Groves, Phil Romano’s solution to the capital-raising issue in which he and his investors back multiple restaurants, all in one location, in exchange for equity. Rathbun finds the concept interesting and thinks that it may be the answer for some chefs. Ultimately, the arrangement has to feel equitable to all involved. Crowdfunding has got a lot of attention in recent years and Rathbun has participated in a GoFundMe campaign for restaurant equipment. He isn’t sure whether it would work for a restaurant where presumably investors would get food coupons.
FA S H I O N
| H O M E
|
L E I S U R E
|
D I N I N G
| T R AV E L
|
C U LT U R E
KENT’S BOTTOM LINE Striking out on your own is likely the biggest decision of your professional life. Don’t hurry it. Get lots of advice. Find an attorney you trust. When finding investors, spend lots of time with them before committing.
ModernLifestyles.tv 47
A FIRST TIER California Cabernet WORDS ANDREW CHALK
48 ModernLifestyles.tv
I
f you are still kicking yourself for not getting in early to the lists of Napa cult wineries Screaming Eagle, Colgin or Harlan check this out. Ovid Napa Valley is a newer, lesser known Napa cult wine founded with a nothing but the best approach by medical software entrepreneurs Mark Nelson and Dana Johnson. Consider that Ovid is on Pritchard Hill, sharing land with the likes of Chappellet and Mondavi’s Continuum. The vineyard was planted and continues to be managed by David Abreu. The first winemaker was Screaming Eagle/ Harlan/Staglin winemaker Andy Erickson and France’s most famous enologist Michel Rolland is a
ModernLifestyles.tv 49
consultant. Ovid makes only four wines each year. All Estate Grown. Ovid Napa Valley is a red blend of four of the five Bordeaux varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot). “Experiment, an experimental blend of red Bordeaux varieties that varies each year. Hexameter , a Cabernet Francintensive blend and Loc. Cit., a site specific Cabernet Sauvignon blend. I tried the 2012 Ovid Napa Valley . It has a ruby red color and medium plus viscosity. The color is intense at the core, lightening towards the meniscus. In the nose, the ripe raspberry fruit is accompanied by black pepper and mushrooms. In the mouth, the fruit is expansive and benefits from breathing. The raspberry fruit is confirmed along with thyme. There is a bottomless pit of subtle nuances of fruit and herb flavors. Tannins are soft and lush, making this a wine that is easy to drink now, but it will keep for several years. 50 ModernLifestyles.tv
The forward fruit style marks this unmistakably as a Napa Valley wine but one with tremendous breed that exemplifies all that is best in Napa fruit. Currently Ovid sells for between $150 and $200 a bottle but the history of other Napa cult Cabernets suggest that this could increase substantially. The best way to get on the conveyor belt is to sign up on their web site now and plan a trip to the stunning winery this summer. Tours are private and by appointment only.
ModernLifestyles.tv 51
62 ModernLifestyles.tv
ModernLifestyles.tv 63
But how to translate this into jewelry? It’s all in the V. The inverted triangle shape appears across the collection as an accent in onyx, a repeated shape in diamond pave, or diamond shoulders at the outer edges of an enormous opal set as a ring. It’s suggested in the shape of the bold black onyx surround that frames a vivid emerald in the bold “Newport” ring, and the blue enamel shapes surrounded by diamonds, pearls, and equally blue tourmalines in the generous lengths of the Exelsior necklace.
Louis Vuitton’s Great Escape Acte V/The Escape takes its cue from the artist movement Streamline Moderne
As far as aesthetic and artistic movements go, I’m more fascinated layman than expert. Art Nouveau I pretty much have sussed. Art Deco I get – not least because everything I’m most attracted to, be it furniture, textiles, jewellery or vintage fashion – usually hails from that era, as I keep finding out. But Streamline Moderne? That’s a new one for me. It’s also the inspiration behind the sixth and latest high jewelery collection from Louis Vuitton, “Acte V/The Escape”. As it turns out, Streamline Moderne is what it says on the box – streamlined. Those smooth curves of cars from the 1930s – the long, sweeping lines of their fenders – and the austere, ballooning shape of the Zeppelin, that’s all Streamline Moderne. A lot of the furniture we think of as Mid-Century Modern – the fat, squat chairs with smooth, curved lines, often in gleaming steel and soft leather – are all under the influence of this forward-looking movement. 54 ModernLifestyles.tv
But just as prevalent as this iconic V shape is the tassel – multiple strands of tsavorite beads or pearls suspended as bunches from drop earrings, choker-like diamond necklaces and a cuff. The tassel is synonymous with jewellery of the Art Deco era, but as Acte V/The Escape is the second chapter of a high jewelery collection which started with the Art Deco-inspired first chapter, it makes sense. And, as always with the luxury French maison, travel is an underlying theme, and in the case of this high jewelery collection, it is in the colours of the materials that travel is evoked – a remarkable grey Burmese sapphire like a sea fog, iridescent Australian opals evoking the colours of the ocean, and the exotic blues of a particular shade of tourmaline. Tahitian pearls, Australian opals, Burmese sapphires – Acte V/The Escape lives up to its name with a round-the-world trip of a collection inspired by a bold aesthetic movement that has me fascinated. Louis Vuitton www.louisvuitton.com
Grand Design Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Master Grand Tradition Grande Complication takes the notion of a “grande complication” into orbit
Of all the astronomical watches at last month’s SIHH in Geneva (all matters starry emerged as something of a theme at the show), Jaeger-LeCoultre’s rose gold version of its Grande Complication proved that this is still the one watch that takes the idea furthest and in the most unexpected way. An otherwise standard “grande complication”, if such a description is not too strong an oxymoron, Jaeger’s latest offering plays with the variance that can be observed during the year between “mean” time and the time as indicated by the stars. Of course, there is really no such thing as a conventional grand complication. The term traditionally means a watch that has both perpetual calendar and minute repetition functions (and quite often a chronograph as well) and Jaeger-LeCoultre’s example incorporates the best of the expertise developed over the centuries of watchmaking tradition in La Vallée, long acknowledged as the hotbed of excellence for complicated watches in Switzerland (neighbours in the Vallée de Joux include Audemars Piguet, Breguet, Blancpain and Bulgari as well as specialist ateliers for Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and others). That means superlative finish and an absolute dedication to refining and improving existing knowledge, as with the Trebuchet hammers developed to give the gongs a more precise strike or the super-light flying tourbillon at the heart of the watch. The tourbillon includes some 73 parts, several key components being printed silicon, weighs less than a gramme thanks to its titanium cage and runs on lubricant-free ceramic ball-bearings at a very modern 4Hz.
The tourbillon is at the heart of the watch’s ability to indicate sidereal; i.e. star time. Thanks to a mechanism below the dial, the tourbillon carriage and the blue lacquer star chart that it sits within rotate counter-clockwise in 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4 seconds, while the hands and sun indicator follow the normal day. A suitably heavenly sound is produced from a specially developed crystal gong that has a square section to optimise the contact with the hammer when it strikes. While the watch has an almost extreme concentration of tradition and technology packed into it, Jaeger’s preference for relatively conservative case shapes and details allows the functions to take precedence in the design. This watch is set to join the galaxy of stand-out timepieces. Jaeger-LeCoultre www.jaeger-lecoultre.com ModernLifestyles.tv 55
The Queen’s Jewels Jeweled stemware adds a touch of class by Andrew Chalk
56 ModernLifestyles.tv
The Queens’ Jewels is an exquisite collection of handcrafted jeweled glassware made in the heart of the Midwest – St. Louis, Missouri. The Queens’ Jewels was founded on the idea that wine glasses should not be plain and boring, but beautiful and full of sparkle to complement life’s beauty. Our glasses are created to represent individual personalities, moments in time, serve as great conversation pieces, and given as gifts to be treasured forever. The Brand The Queens’ Jewels brand was created by Candice herself, inspired after receiving a wine glass as a gift that lacked flair. She had an idea while holding her jeweled earring to the glass, “I can make this wine glass really sparkle”. The rest is history! Going from small booths at local events all the way to now having National and International distribution in a manufacturing facility where Candice personally creates each and every glass herself. The Artist As the Chief Jeweled Officer, Candice had a dream to spice up and add a unique flair to her parties and gatherings. So in 2015 she set out to create something so unique it would be the talk of the town. She did just that. She has handmade tens of thousands of glasses that have shipped all over the world. Her vision and keen eye for quality is paramount to any design she brings forward to add to the growing collection of jeweled wine glasses. Candice’s jeweled glassware has caught the eye of large companies including Caesar’s Palace, The Peabody Hotel, Buc-ee’s, Arbonne, The Queen Mary and several others to specially design custom pieces.
ModernLifestyles.tv 57
66 ModernLifestyles.tv
ModernLifestyles.tv 67
The Expedition
60 ModernLifestyles.tv 72 ModernLifestyles.tv
E
xpeditions are surreal for the heart and mind. And so is the 2020 Ford Expedition. Strictly heavy emotion on two sets of wheels with power and figures to carry loads of your baggage and maybe your house, the 2020 Expedition SUV charms the adventurer in you. Available in both two wheel and four wheel drive options, the Expedition comes in four different trim levels. Separated by features such as adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring system, the latest version of the SUV is fully loaded with capabilities and strength. Priced $55,835 for the base Expedition Max XLT trim, the SUV is capable of taking you places far and wide. The limited-edition XLT trim will cost you $66,375 while Kingranch max and Expedition premium costs $75,590 and $76,965 respectively. Further customization under the four different packages can make the SUV perform in every possible way and equip it with features such as offroading mechanics, trailer punches and aesthetic upgradations. An additional $1,895 to the base price of $55,835 will add wider tires, gloss black skid plates and center armrest to the SUV. $1,195 will make it pull even the heaviest of loads with a new heavy-duty radiator, electronic slip axle and integrated brake controller for the trailer. Other than these, two different off-roading packages are available too which adds features such as off-roading coded rear and front suspension, skid plates and fuel tank underbody protection. Keeping its emotional quotient aside, this full-size SUV disappoints as we move up the ladder of its trim lineup. We recommend you get the base 2020 Ford Expedition Max XLT and couple it with $1,195 worth of heavy-duty trailer tow package and the FX4 off-road package with a 360-degree camera for $2,035. This will make the 2020 Expedition Ford SUV cost $59,065 and make it capable to handle every wear and tear it’s designed for.
ModernLifestyles.tv 61
‘Punchy’ is an understatement if we talk about the acceleration of the 2020 Ford Expedition. Thanks to the 2018 update of the SUV, the body is now developed with aluminum-intensive material which makes the Expedition weight about 300 pounds lighter. The twin-turbocharged mill couple with this makes the Expedition gore through its gut and achieve glory. This definitely adds to the already fast mega SUV. It weighs over 5500 tons and still accelerates like a performer. The 2020 Ford Expedition goes 0 to 60 MPH (miles per hour) in 6.2 seconds and runs the quarter-mile in 14.8 seconds. The acceleration acts as the bases of its towing capabilities which is a crucial part of Expeditions mark in the market. Of course, it’s fast and heavy but it is not so mannered in its driving habits. Due to its size, the 2020 Expedition needs correction and tweaks to stay within the lane. Although, a well-crafted lane assist system helps in its drivability. The highway runs on a weekend are sure to make you feel spellbound with how quiet and smooth it is to drive this SUV. A big chunky steering wheel in the front feels planted and commands well with the drivetrain in all weather conditions. “Hold your horses” maybe just an expression but its a reality for the 2020 Ford Expedition. 13-inch front brakes and 13.5 in the rear hold the tires intact in best and worst of situations. Stopping from 60 to 0 miles per hour will take about 129 ft. after you push the pedal which is pretty decent for an SUV of this giant proportions. 62 ModernLifestyles.tv
Breaking mechanics are specially designed to give perfection in driving and keeping the safety factor high. Features such as Pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking keeps the SUV intact in ‘not-so-lucky’ situations. Sharing a lot of its resemblance with the F-150, which is a popular pickup truck in the segment, the 2020 Ford Expedition’s interiors can be
explained as simple and practical. A square dashboard in the center hosts air conditioning vents and is made up of plush material as you walk up the ladder of trim level. It holds 15 cup holders and enough space to keep your belongings all throughout the cabin. Comfortable seats for long routes, more than sufficient legroom and headroom makes the Expedition
a perfect cruiser. Features such as multi-contour front seats with a massage function, leather door-trim accents, center console made up of real wood, and a steering wheel wrapped in premium leather adds to the portfolio in higher trims. The only drawback we can see spot in the cabin in the use of cheap plastic in base trims which doesn’t go with the signature of Ford SUVs. Bench seat for
three people come as standard in the 2020 Expedition while two captain chairs are optional. Superior comfort comes with a price tag in this SUV with features such as massage seats only available in the higher trim levels. Roomy interiors welcome you with a sense of utmost comfort in the base trims as well with 8-way adjustable seats, armrest for both front and rear passengers, and head
restraints. 8 people can easily accommodate in the cabin and the 3rd row can be retracted too for extra space in the cargo. Did we mention, the 2020 Ford Expedition Max is a hell of a humongous machine. 76.4 inches of height, 83.6 inches of width and 221.9 inches of length makes the Expedition one of the most generously designed SUV in the market. A big bold chrome grille with Ford branding introduces the SUV to the onlooker with ‘macho’ being the key emotion here. Brilliantly integrated LED headlamps with the chrome grille adds to the perfection of design in the Expedition. Fog lamps hugging the fenders with black air intakes and skid plate further complement the aesthetics. Big wide tires with chrome alloys give the Expedition a wagon appeal while its raised height places it in the mammoth size SUV segment. Outshining its competitors in almost all aspects of design, the Expedition has high ground clearance, long wheelbase and raised the height. Suttle creases follow the trail all the way to the C-pillar with Expedition branding on chrome in the rear. Tremendous power figures, worthy pricing, and amazing towing capacity make the 2020 Ford Expedition Max SUV a brilliance in whatever it’s designed for. Long road cruising, off-road, hopping or city exploration, the Expedition is an all-rounder vehicle with not so thirsty power mill. Drive it right and you won’t be pushing the steering wheel to put your anger out in the open.
ModernLifestyles.tv 63
! S A D N E TREMOR-MENDAS! M R O TREM With the introduction of the new Super Duty line, Ford has presented it’s faithful with the most powerful, techsavvy trucks to come from the blue oval to date. Sporting an updated grille, along with redesigned headlamps and fascia, the 2020 Ford Super Duty models should cause plenty of excitement for the Ford truck enthusiast, as well as those depending upon the big truck for their livelihood.
Tremor Off-Road Package Ford has added a new, off-road package to the Super Duty range of heavy trucks – the Tremor. Available on crew-cab models with either of the available upgrade engines is the Tremor Off-Road Package. It adds off-road equipment such as meaty tires, a lifted suspension, and other rugged bits. The Tremor package is available on the updated 2020 F-250 and F-350 models and will be offered on XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum trim levels. The Tremor will include a lift kit that raises the front suspension by two inches, along with a front axle with a limited-slip differential and a locking rear differential. This kit also includes a set of 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac off-road tires will be wrapped around 18-inch matte black wheels. Also differing from the standard Super Duty, The Tremor will feature different shocks, and the front air dam is five inches higher than normal trucks, which helps the Super Duty’s approach angle. According to Ford, the Tremor model can traverse water up to 33 inches deep, and a new rock-crawl mode operates in low range. Also offered is an optional Trail Control system that operates like an off-road cruise control type feature. Under the Hood 7.3-Liter V8 If you want more power and torque than previous models offered, a new step-up engine will be available for 2020, bringing 430 horsepower and 475 lbft of torque driven by a 7.3-liter V8 engine. To handle the challenging commercial and towing duties, a redesigned 6.7-liter V8 will provide more than suitable power, as well as being quick for its class. 6.7-Liter Power Stroke Turbo Diesel Having proven its reliability with over ten years of work under the most demanding conditions, the 6.7L Power Stroke Turbo Diesel remains one of Ford’s most popular engines, with over 1.4 million Power Stroke diesels out there. 64 ModernLifestyles.tv
10-Speed WORDS JIMTransmission SHERMAN The available all-new 10-speed TorqShift w/Select Shift optimizes drive ratios and improves performance and efficiency. The new transmission also reduces emissions and minimizes wear and tear on other parts of the truck, and with more torque improves power take-off applications. This transmission offers drivers selectable drive modes that include normal, tow/haul, eco, slippery, and deep sand/snow options. Despite adding four gears, Ford managed to fit the 10-speed unit in the same space as the prior six-gear system, while weighing in at just 3.5 pounds more. Automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind spot warning, and rear cross traffic alert
THE TRUCK EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT
2020 Ford Tremor are options available with the basic XL trim package. All are standard on the XLT trim and above, with adaptive cruise optional starting on the Lariat and standard on the Platinum and Limited trim models. Pro Trailer Backup Assist, or Trailer Reverse Guidance, is now available with the Super Duty, enabling the driver to steer via a knob, rather than the steering wheel while monitoring the hitch from a rearview camera display.
a front-end collision. When the system detects a potential collision, a warning flashes on the windshield with an alert sounding to warn you of a potential collision. If you don’t respond, the system will pre-charge and increase brake-assist sensitivity providing full responsiveness to the brakes. If corrective action isn’t taken and a collision is imminent, the system can even respond automatically by applying the brakes to stop the vehicle.
Pre-Collision Assist/Emergency Braking A new innovative system now available on the Super Duty can detect a potential collision with pedestrians and vehicles in front of you, helping to reduce the severity and potential for
BLIS with Cross-Traffic Alert and Trailer Coverage The Super Duty now features an available Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert and Trailer Coverage. By signaling on the outside mirror when ModernLifestyles.tv 65
The Super Duty Lineup is Tremor-mendas! Tremor-mendas! 66 ModernLifestyles.tv
a vehicle is detected in your blind spot, the BLIS system provides a warning light for the truck you’re driving as well as the trailer you’re towing. With the Cross-Traffic Alert feature, available for the truck only, you can detect a vehicle passing behind you as you are backing from a parking space or driveway. Trailer Reverse Guidance The Trailer Reverse Guidance system provides visual guides in the center dash screen, enhancing visibility by way of cameras in the side-view mirrors. The system gives you a clear view of where the trailer is heading, and the helpful guidelines change with movements of the steering wheel. The view from the camera is digitally expanded to show the direction of the truck and trailer. Pro-Trailer Backup Assist Navigating two vehicles at the same time, while backing up a trailer is no easy task, but with the new Pro-Trailer Back Assist from Ford makes it as easy as turning a knob left or right to indicate the direction you want the trailer to go. Super Duty is the first heavy-duty pickup to offer this feature. Interior With a variety of cab and bed configurations, along with interior appointments that can appeal to construction and business drivers alike, the 2020 Super Duty lineup can handle it all. The spacious crew cab that is available offers a luxurious passenger space, and every cabin has a standard 4G LTE mobile hotspot that can be outfitted with infotainment features like touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. Top-tier Limited models can be optioned with even more colors and higher quality materials.
Tremor Conclusion “We Love This Truck!”
ModernLifestyles.tv 67
