A day by the pool, a date night, a board meeting, a gala— no matter where your life takes you, Woodbury Mens Shop can provide the perfect look. p. 36
spring/summer 2025
FEATURES
21 IT’S ALL IN THE JEANS
Feeling blue over finding perfect denim? Let Woodbury Mens Shop go to work for you—knowing pants is in our blood.
24 A SHORE THING
Communal and casual, a lobster bake is the ultimate summer feast. With a few thoughtful touches, it can be elegant too.
DEPARTMENTS
4 Memo
Spring is our favorite time of the year to dress.
7 The WMS Guide
Rubirosa sneakers...beautiful belts...cool pants for hot weather... and more!
12 Come On Over
Feel casual and cool when layering with an overshirt from Woodbury Mens Shop.
15 The Techie
These high-tech toys may not be true necessities, but we still want ’em!
The Gravity brings a fresh, sleek style— and a longer range—to the booming electric SUV market. Isaac Newton would approve. 18 Essentials
Reflect your mood—or create one— with the season’s hottest essentials. 22 Leading Man
The movies’ talented Mr. Oscar Isaac is ready for any role—including style icon.
Sporting Life
In a golf era when pure power seems to rule, there’s one modest-sized course that’s all about finesse.
30
LONG LIVE SARDINIA
Once you explore this Italian island rich in healthy-living centenarians, wild horses couldn’t tear you away. (And you just may see some.)
58 FORMAL TRAINING
For your next special event, dress to impress with fine details and accessories.
64 STYLE PROS
Woodbury Mens Shop’s stylists share their favorite looks and pieces of the season, and more.
48 Yachts
A new generation of boaters brings the best of land life out to sea.
52 Pursuits
Light, inflatable and powered by the sun, the Electricat 450 simplifies boating trips, but with no sacrifice of style.
54 Food
Sourdough is tangy, funky and distinctive—and the famous bread is only the beginning.
56 Grape
Seeking a drink to complement the fired-up flavors of barbecue? Don’t count wine out.
60 Grooming
We’re seeing a comeback for growth on the chin, but that doesn’t mean the scraggly look is in.
On the cover:
This page:
Sportcoat by Trussini, shirt by Stenströms, trousers by PT, marbled calf belt by L.E.N.
Photo by Dan Springston.
Jacket by Fradi, shirt by Emanuel Berg, trousers by PT, shoes by Di Bianco Gallo.
Photo by Dan Springston.
WOODBURY MENS SHOP
Our
Focus
Is On You
WOODBURY MENS SHOP
8025 Jericho Turnpike Woodbury, NY 11797
Telephone: 516.802.5280 woodburymensshop.com
Store Hours
Monday To Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Editor In Chief RITA GUARNA
Creative Director STEPHEN M. VITARBO
Senior Associate Editor DARIUS AMOS
Assistant Editor KIRSTEN MEEHAN
Contributing Editors EVERETT POTTER, DONNA ROLANDO
Contributing Photographer DAN SPRINGSTON
Group Publisher LIZETTE CHIN
Associate Publisher CHARLES GARONE
Director of Operations CATHERINE ROSARIO
Director of Advertising Services
JACQUELYNN FISCHER
Production Manager FERN MESHULAM
Production Artist CHRIS FERRANTE
Accounting KASIE CARLETON, URSZULA JANECZKO, STEVEN RESNICK
Published By
In the past 13 years, we’ve all seen many changes. At Woodbury Mens Shop, you might see more of some people, and less of others.
But some things are always consistent at the Woodbury Mens Shop: our unwavering focus on taking care of our customers, our passionate dedication to discovering new and exciting fashion, our loyalty to our staff and our continuous support of our community.
As a small business, this is an “all-hands-on-deck” store: Each team member is always ready to jump in at any time and for any reason. Our overarching goal is to ensure that our customers look their best—in the ballroom, the boardroom, the country club or on the town.
Whether you’re a longtime customer or someone who’s never been to our store, we look forward to showing you our beautiful spring collections—and growing our long term friendships. We look forward to seeing you!
Mirtha, Hilary, Jim, Amir, Rich, Antonia and Nelson
Chairman CARROLL V. DOWDEN
President & CEO MARK DOWDEN
Senior Vice Presidents LIZETTE CHIN, RITA GUARNA
Vice Presidents NIGEL EDELSHAIN, THOMAS FLANNERY, NOELLE HEFFERNAN, MARIA REGAN, STEVEN RESNICK
Woodbury
WOODBURY MENS SHOP
theGUIDE
The Pride of PARTENOPEA
From afar, a sportcoat from Sartoria Partenopea will always look good. But look a little closer and the view gets so much better. Their jackets have modern silhouettes and innovative fabrics, and they’re made with the same time-honored techniques as yesteryear. Born a century ago in Naples, Sartoria Partenopea always has stressed meticulous craftsmanship, fine fabrics and attention to detail—the hallmarks of Italian tailoring. The spring collection, which includes garments in relaxing colors and playful patterns, is available at Woodbury Mens Shop. Stop by and experience the Sartoria Partenopea tradition.
Step
FORWARD
You wouldn’t wear patent leather shoes to run a marathon, and you surely wouldn’t wear running sneakers to a client meeting. Rubirosa, however, has you covered for everything in between. With its brand of stylish sneakers, Swiss brand Rubirosa can smartly dress down any tailored look as well as make the most casual outfit appear put-together and elegant. Handmade with the softest leather and available in a wide range of colors and textures (suede or leather, for instance), these shoes are comfortable but classy in a way your running sneakers will never be. Check out the different styles at Woodbury Mens Shop.
BELT IT OUT
Acronyms help us speak with fewer words, but make no mistake: We here at WMS have plenty to say about L.E.N. The letters are the initials of Larry Ervin Noelting, the founder of the Tennessee-based company, but L.E.N. also stands for beautiful leather and exotic belts for your beautiful clothing. Those pieces add enjoyment to every outfit, and its customer is a discerning man who appreciates classic style with a modern twist. Little subtleties on L.E.N.’s hand crafted creations, especially its belts, are what differentiate them from others, whether it’s an impeccable exotic skin leather, border stitch or contrast trimming. Which will you choose? The style pros at Woodbury Mens Shop can show you the best.
The A–Z list
WOODBURY MENS SHOP is proud to feature more than 75 designer brands! Visit us to find your favorites and discover new collections.
ANDERSON’S
ANGELO
AUTUMN CASHMERE
BARMAS
BELVEST
BORRELLI
BRESCIANI
CALABRESE
CARROT & GIBBS
CIRCOLO
CITIZENS OF HUMANITY
EMANUEL BERG
Who Wears THE PANTS?
ETRO
FEDELI
FERRANTE
FIORELLO
FIORONI
FISSORE
FRADI
FRAME
GRAN SASSO
GALLO DIBIANCO
GALO
GHERARDI
GERMANO
GIMO’S
INIS MEÁIN
INGRAM
ITALO FERRETTI
JACK OF SPADES
JAN LESLIE
L.E.N. BELTS
LUCIANO BARBERA
MAC
MAGNANNI
MARCOLIANI
MASON’S
MAURIZIO BALDASSARI
MICHAEL’S SWIMWEAR
NIKKY
PAOLO ALBIZZATI
PARTENOPEA
PAUL & SHARK
PIACENZA
PLOUMANAC’H
PT
RAVAZZOLO
RUBIROSA
SILVIO FIORELLO
SOL ANGELES
STENSTRÖMS
TELERIA ZED
TACCALITI
TINTORIA MATTEI
VINCE
WATERVILLE
Your first instinct be to grab shorts when weather turns humid, but can keep you long. These create a variety in various cuts elevated patterns they’ll keep or night. Choose chinos, a slim-fit the occasion us at Woodbury next go-to
WHERE TO DONATE YOUR OLD CLOTHES
Maybe you dropped a few pounds or stopped going to the office in a suit and you’re wondering what to do with the great clothing you no longer use. Our answer: Clear your closet of the items that no longer fit and the ones that are taking up space—and donate them! One of our favorite places to donate clothing is Beautiful Memories Gemach.
Based in New Hyde Park, the charity clothing pantry collects donations and then offers attire suitable for business, religious and holiday events, special occasions and more for no cost. They serve a range of clients, from veterans and families whose home and possessions have been damanged in a fire or flood to young adults who age out of foster care and are homeless. “We don’t turn away anybody,” says founder Mark Krieger, whom started the organization with his wife, Beth, about 15 years ago. Their small but mighty team of volunteers, who Krieger calls “Gemacheteers,” believe in extending kindness to those in need.
Be sure to call a week in advance to make sure they are prepared to accept your donations. Call Mark at 917.703.4694 to set up a donation appointment. The Gemach operates out of Young Israel of New Hyde Park, 264-15 77th Ave., New Hyde Park. Find out more at beautifulmemoriesgemach.org.
TRUSSINI
Let’s CELEBRATE!
It’s that time of year again! Celebrating the spring issue of Woodbury Mens Shop magazine has become a rite of passage, and we’re doing it again on March 29. Dress to the nines and join us at the store, where we’ll raise a glass in honor of the new magazine. Our friends at Ruta Oaxaca will be catering the event, so you can sample delicious food while browsing the store’s latest collections. Our style experts will be on hand to answer all your questions.
Ruta Oaxaca, with other locations in Patchogue, Astoria and Brooklyn, cooks using old-fashioned Oaxacan culinary traditions. In addition, they serve more than 40 artisanal and ancestral mezcals and more than 50 different types of tequila.
We hope to see you all on March 29 so you can try the very best from Woodbury Mens Shop and Ruta Oaxaca.
Ask MR. ETIQUETTE
Jim Foley explains how to sail through life without giving offense.
I love my exotic skin belts and dress shoes, but I’m confused about how to properly match them.
—Wondering in Woodbury You don’t have to match accessories exactly. A good rule of thumb is to match the materials of the belt and shoe—focus less on color. In other words, pair a suede belt with suede shoes or sneakers to achieve a cohesive look. Now, if you have an exotic skin belt made of crocodile or ostrich, it’s unlikely you have shoes of the same material. In this case, match the colors and/or textures. In all these examples, you will have a harmonious look that elevates your outfit.
Style, ICONIC STYLE
You’ve seen all the movies, and you might’ve even had a cocktail or picked out a suit inspired by 007 himself. There’s no denying the impact James Bond has had on us, as the uber suave, fictitious British Secret Service agent’s classic style and masculine bravado is engrained in our culture. Now, both are immortalized in book form: James Bond Style (Assouline, $120) is a large-format showcase of the hero’s timeless fashion. Authors Lindy Hemming (a costume designer who worked on five Bond films) and Dylan Jones offer a behind-thescenes look at the outfits and the designers that made the cool character a true style icon. Complete with insight, photographs and sketches from all 25 Bond flicks—from Sean Connery’s Dr. No to Daniel Craig’s No Time to Die —the book is a must for every gentleman, whether he’s a fan of Bond or a fashion.
Style By DESIGN
Don’t miss the following special events and trunk shows happening at Woodbury Mens Shop. Trunk shows are an opportunity to meet representatives of your favorite brands and have clothing and other items custom-made. All shows below take place from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. unless noted.
March 15: Made-to-measure and formalwear event
March 22: PT with Aaron Garcia
March 29: Magazine launch party; L.E.N. belts and MAC jeans with Galina Mironoff. Catering by Ruta Oaxaca.
April 5: Tintoria Mattei with Loretta Schneider
April 12: Stenströms with Anders Hjarne
April 19: Luciano Barbera with Lael Wheeler
April 26: Teleria Zed jeans event
May 5: Made-to-measure event
May 10: MAC jeans with Galina Mironoff
timeless sophistication, crafted for the modern man.
Style Watch
COME ON OVER
Feel casual and cool when an overshirt from Woodbury
There’s a sportcoat for every occasion, but sometimes lifestyles take us to places where we can dress a casual. When the setting calls for a relaxed alternative classic sportcoat, there’s the overshirt.
Sitting between a lightweight jacket and a regular the overshirt is quickly becoming a wardrobe essential. Running errands on a cool Saturday morning or into town for Sunday brunch? Simply throw on on top of a button-up shirt or sweater for a sophisticated, modern layering look for spring.
The best part is that Woodbury Mens Shop the best overshirts of the season just for you. We love the pieces from Ravazzolo and Maurizio Baldassari well as Fradi’s tan hooded overshirt. This piece great layered look, and it’s lightweight with technical, resistant fabric. Looking for the perfect garment Island’s spring weather? The overshirt is your
Gadgets & GEAR
These high-tech toys may not be true necessities, but we want ’em anyway.
1 THE FUTURE IS HANDWRITTEN
A good fountain pen is timeless and classic, and the Hoverpen Interstellar brings that old-school class into the space age. Both functional and head-turning work of art, this pen seems to float at the center of its stand, always ready and seemingly eager for you to grab it and put it to paper. When you do, you’ll unlock a smooth, luxurious writing experience. Want more extravagance? Go for the Touch version, which band of shimmering gold. $130.
HOLD LINE
secret to an untroubled sleep? A home security you can trust. The Guardline Driveway Alarm than earns that trust. range of 500 feet, this system is also wireless, install and sensitive both heat and motion. also small and sleek enough that there’s no need to disturb your landscaping. Set it up and rest confident in your safety. $84.
3 PERFECT SHOT
You don’t need to choose between the nostalgic feel and hand-weight of a retro camera and the photo quality of a modern one. Nikon brings the two together with the Zf Mirrorless Camera. While the body recalls the filmic, vintage feel with the marbled texture and heavy dials, the inside is the height of Nikon’s technology for clear, crisp digital photos. Duel memory card slots, an AR-11 soft shutter release and a mechanic shutter with the perfect click —you really get the best of all worlds. $1,800.
4 LOUD AND CLEAR
You may be ready to take your first step into podcasting (you certainly have the charisma to carry a show)—or maybe you need to
come across clear and crisp on the Zoom call. No matter your needs, the Logitech Blue Yeti USB Microphone will do more than impress. With its three-capsule array, this mic captures broadcast-quality sound wit h none of the hassle. Even set up is easy; all you need to do is plug it in to have access to headphone volume, mic gain, instant mute and more. $83.
5 FOLLOW BACK
This is not an ordinary phone stand. The Belkin Auto-Tracking Stand Pro with DockKit does what it says on the tin—it moves and tilts your phone to follow you when you are video chatting or recording on the device. It will adjust up to 90 degrees to ensure that you’re always at the optimal angle for the screen. And you don’t need to worry about that movement interrupting your calls because the motor is quiet and smooth enough not to be picked up. $1,100.
6 GO ANYWHERE
Electric scooters aren’t just for city streets anymore. Segway’s ZT3 Pro Electric Scooter takes the technology to the next level, and off the road. With dual suspension, flash charge and a battery that can last up to 43.5 miles, this is a ride that can take you almost anywhere you want to go. The 11-inch tires can handle any terrain you throw at them, and you can cruise over that terrain almost 25 miles per hour. $950.
7 PRINT ANYTHING
Eager to try out the science fiction technology of 3D printing but feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start? AnkerMake’s M5 Speedy 3D Printer is the perfect introduction. Only 15 minutes after unboxing this device, you should be ready to print your first masterpiece. It also connects to laptops or smartphones for even more convenience, uses an integrated camera with AI recognition to ensure your print stays on track and has built-in auto leveling to ensure consistent prints. $350. 1 2 7 6 3 5 4
LUCID’S NEW LOOK
The Gravity brings a fresh, sleek style— and a longer range—to the booming electric SUV market. Isaac Newton would approve.
Once the head-and-shoulders leader of the electric vehicle (EV) industry, Tesla is now standing eye to eye with the competition.
Elon Musk’s company has had to make room for EVs produced by the automotive world’s old guard as well as by upstart American companies. Lucid, for instance, made waves when its four-door Air was unveiled in 2021 to rival other EV sedans. Now the brand is sending a shock wave into the EV sports utility vehicle (SUV) market with the 2025 debut of the Gravity. The Lucid Gravity brings a fresh look to the full-size SUV, its angles and sporty lines a departure
from the smooth curves that defined EVs of the mid-to-late 2010s. And these looks aren’t deceiving—the Gravity’s sleek aesthetics as well as its performance can take anyone’s breath away. Lucid offers two trims: Gravity Touring and the pricier Grand Touring. Engineers say the Grand Touring edition boasts a dual electric motor that produces more than 800 horsepower and, for those speed demons, a 0-to-60 time of less than 3.5 seconds. While those numbers put the premium Gravity at the same level as other class leaders, the claimed charging and range specifications separate them. Lucid reports that
the Gravity Grand Touring can travel 450 miles on a single charge. (Tesla’s Model X and Model Y have a range of about 329 miles.)
Speaking of charging, the Gravity’s battery charges quickly: In just 15 minutes, the SUV can recover 200 miles of charge. That’s on par with other EVs, though you can travel farther in a Gravity.
Besides battery life, Lucid’s interior refinements also will put drivers and passengers at ease, with an industry-leading infotainment screen front and center and an intuitive digital driver gauge cluster. The Gravity also features the company’s DreamDrive technology,
which includes parking assistance, surround-view cameras, a panoramic moon roof and other premium features. Seven passengers can sit comfortably and enjoy those amenities, and that’s thanks to a third row of seating, which is easily reachable through rear doors that open a full 90 degrees. Lucid’s SUV does trail competitors in some categories, however. For instance, its towing capacity of 6,000 pounds can tow a boat, but the number is still less than Rivian’s R1S, which can tow up to 7,700 pounds.
The Lucid Gravity Grand Touring starts at $96,550.
SPRING STYLE GUIDE
Reflect your mood—or create one—in the season’s hottest essentials.
From top, left to right: knit shirts by Luciano Barbera, sneakers by Rubirosa and Magnanni, belts by L.E.N., ties by Italo Ferretti.
From top, left to right: pocket squares by Italo Ferretti, sport shirts by Tintoria Mattei, shorts by PT, socks by Marcoliani, wallets by Magnanni, linen shirts by Taccaliti.
From top, left to right: Driver jeans by MAC, bracelets by Robin Kahn, sweatsuit by Orchard & Broome, sweaters by Fedeli, knit shirts by Maurizio Baldassari, jeans by Dondup.
Perfect Pants
IT’S ALL IN THE JEANS
Feeling blue over finding perfect denim? Let Woodbury Mens go to work for you—knowing pants is in our blood.
Most men didn’t spend their childhood playing dress boys protest which T-shirt or sweater they would wear, they make a fuss over a pair of pants. For these guys, over the years. Even the most discerning gentleman to spend a lot of time in a dressing room: It’s usually go”—especially when it comes to wardrobe basics like
At Woodbury Mens Shop, we understand that many to get worked up while looking for jeans, but we also perfect pair takes more than searching for a size tag department store brand with a 32x30 tag, for instance, when compared with Woodbury Mens Shop’s high-quality designers like PT and Teleria Zed.
When you visit Woodbury Mens Shop, Jim Foley pros will talk to you even before you start trying on pants. getting the fit right as quickly as possible,” says Foley. three basic questions:
1. Do you like low rise or mid rise? “Mid-rise jeans popular with our customers.”
2. How fitted do you want them? “Some men like quite fitted around the thigh, but others want to be more
3. What kind of leg opening do you like? “The trend best-selling fit is still regular straight leg.”
Once the staff gets your answers, they’re good to go. experts, they’ll know to grab jeans from brands like MAC Jeans and Teleria Zed. Other great options? Try Humanity, Frame or Dondup, just to name a few.
“We’ll get the fit right the first time,” says Foley.
But Woodbury Mens Shop goes beyond fit. Denim
“Then we can talk about washes—a dark, clean pair dress up or something more fun with detailing and says. “We have a jean for every guy of every age…but find the right fit first.”
Leading Man
A WINNING OSCAR
The movies’ talented Mr. Isaac is ready for any role—including style icon.
Actor-producer Oscar Isaac doesn’t want to miss a thing. Born Óscar Isaac Hernández Estrada in Guatemala City, Guatemala, to a Guatemalan mother and a Cuban father, he quipped while hosting SNL in 2022 that Hollywood had cut his four-word name down to two words—the “white” ones. But in fact he’s happy not to miss out on roles by being typecast as a Latino. On one notable occasion— one that went viral—he was even OK with wearing a skirt, a Thom Browne pleated number he rocked on London’s red carpet for Marvel Studios’s Moon Knigh t in 2022.
A master of versatility, Isaac was named by The New York Times in 2020 as one of the 25 greatest actors of the still-young century. He played Mary’s husband, Joseph, in the 2006 The Nativity Story and the robot-building CEO of a search engine company in 2014’s sci-fi thriller Ex Machina . And this year we’ll be seeing him as a hedonistic hubby in Flesh of the Gods
Ever the connoisseur of style, Isaac also impresses with the versatility of his wardrobe—from denim shirts to formal wear—and as ambassador for Italian luxury house Brioni, for which he sported both vibrant and monochrome styles for spring/summer 2024. Who is the real Oscar Isaac? Despite a mischievous boyhood that got him expelled from Westminster Christian School in southern Florida, this 45-year-old Brooklynite is reserved and thoughtful off screen. He has two children with Danish film director/writer Elvira Lind and together they own Mad Gene Media.
In his climb from smaller roles to global stardom, Isaac owes much to the breakout impact of his 2013 lead as a struggling folk singer in the Coen brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis , about which his agent reportedly proclaimed, “Now you’re bona-fide, kid.” He was nominated for
a Golden Globe Award, and no wonder—Isaac did all his own vocals. “It was the role of a lifetime,” he says.
Well, we’ll see—this lifetime promises plenty more to come. But fans know Isaac as X-wing pilot Poe Dameron in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), the titular villain in X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) and a politician in the HBO miniseries Show Me a Hero (2015), for which he did win a Golden Globe.
The acting bug bit early. Isaac has recalled that at age 10 he played a ninja assassin in a home movie called The Avenger , filmed in his Miami backyard, a yard in which he’d also put on plays. Another passion also called him—his ska-punk band once opened for Green Day, but music took second fiddle after his on-a-whim decision to audition and pursue acting at Juilliard.
The star’s fascination with style also dates to his youth, when he’d scout vintage stores for smoking jackets and other reflections of the ’90s band scene. Whatever he wears seems golden—like the knit tops, brown cords, button-up shirts and New Balances that made guys want to look like the divorced professor in the 2021 miniseries Scenes from a Marriage .
Oh, and Isaac’s viral episode with the just-below-the-knee skirt— paired with matching jacket, oxford shirt and boots—was no mere whimsy. Says stylist Michael Fisher in Vogue : “His first Marvel project, and he plays an unconventional hero. We wanted to talk about that, different roles and what a superhero looks like.” That was OK with Isaac. He says of Fisher generously that “he always knows what I like before I do.”
So far, lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II is the only man named Oscar to have won an Academy Award. So far.
Entertaining
A SHORE THING
Communal and casual, a lobster bake is the ultimate summer feast. With a few thoughtful touches, it can be elegant too.
It’s about time to kick off the shoes, loosen the tie and head to the shore. We embrace a more casual lifestyle when warm weather arrives, and that relaxed vibe carries over to our outdoor get-togethers. But when you plan your next party, remember that “relaxed” can still be elegant. Take, for instance, a traditional lobster bake, the quintessential summer bash. In her newest book, Swing By! Entertaining Recipes and the New Art of Gathering (Rizzoli New York, 2024), New York City-based entertaining expert Stephanie Nass demonstrates how anyone can elevate this waterside feast with well-planned menu items and décor. For an event at Maryland’s Inn at Perry Cabin, she considered a few thoughtful but simple elements, among them food presentation, decoration colors and a signature cocktail.
Lobster is luxurious, but preparing the giant crustacean need not be a taxing task. Entertaining expert Stephanie Nass suggests boiling a lobster in salty water, then baking it to extract any excess liquid. Serve it to guests with lemon, drawn butter—and a bib, of course.
OLD BAY PALOMA
I wanted a refreshing citrusy cocktail to complement everything else—but with a local twist. Maryland’s hallmark spice blend gives this orange drink a kick. This drink cannot be made in advance, as the soda will lose its bubbles. Makes 1 drink
I N G R E D I E N T S
n ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
n 1 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
n ice
n 2 oz. tequila
n 2½ oz. orange soda
D I R E C T I O N S
Pour the lemon juice onto a shallow plate and put the Old Bay on another. Dip the rim of a tumbler glass into the lemon juice, then place the wet rim into the Old Bay and turn the glass to coat.
Fill the glass with ice, then add the tequila and orange soda. Stir to combine.
MAC & CHEESE
As someone with an endless appetite for macaroni & cheese—and who has tried many iterations of it all over the United States—this is my favorite version. It’s gooey with an English mustard kick.
Serves 8 to 10
I N G R E D I E N T S
n 9 Tbs. (1 stick plus 1 Tbs.)
unsalted butter
n 2 lbs. rigatoni or other tubular pasta
n kosher salt
n 2 Tbs. olive oil
n ½ cup all-purpose flour
n 2 cups whole milk
n 2 cups heavy cream
n 2¼ cups plus 1 Tbs. grated Pecorino
Romano
n 2¼ cups plus 1 Tbs. Gruyère, grated
n 1 Tbs. dry English mustard, such as Colman’s
n 2 Tbs. panko
D I R E C T I O N S
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Butter a 9-x13-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon of the butter.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add your pasta and cook to al dente according to the directions on the pasta box.
Drain the pasta in a colander and transfer to a large bowl. Coat with the olive oil to prevent the pasta from sticking together. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the remaining 8 tablespoons butter, moving it around with a wooden spoon. Add the flour, stirring constantly, until the mixture (a roux), thickens and colors to a golden paste. Reduce the heat to mediumlow and slowly add the milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly. Continue to stir until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon, 5 to 10 minutes.
This page: Instead of the traditional red-and-white gingham, Nass prefers a toile in the same color scheme. Red and white flowers and candles also lend an elegant touch to the otherwise casual setting. Opposite: An Old Bay paloma combines flavors regularly associated with lobster bakes and outdoor parties, while this version of classic macaroni and cheese is extra gooey with a kick.
This page: The menu, with bright red lobster and golden mac and cheese, lemons and corn, inspired the color palette for the décor. “The table linens were a mix of red and white,” Nass says. “I also kept in mind that guests would be wearing the disposable lobster bibs that are so kitschy and sweet, so I continued the red and white theme to the glassware and candles.” Opposite: When life gives you lemons, use them as place cards.
All images and recipes are reprinted with permission from Swing By! Entertaining Recipes and the New Art of Gathering
Photography
(Rizzoli New York, 2024) by Stephanie Nass.
by Quentin Bacon and Scott Suchman.
Long Live SARDINIA!
Once you explore this island rich in healthy centenarians, wild horses couldn’t tear you away. (And you just may see some.) By Everett Potter
Beautiful Sardinia, lying off Italy’s west coast, is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean. It’s less heralded (and less tourist-filled) than the first, Sicily. And while it too is a part of Italy, Sardinia stands apart—it’s closer to France’s Corsica, or even to Tunisia on the African coast, than to Sicily.
Sardinia is a product of seagoing trade that has given it one of Europe’s most remarkable melting-pot cultures.
The island’s southern part was home to the Bronze Age Nuragic civilization. Wave after wave of visitors came here—from Phoenicia, Carthage and Rome. The native language, Sard, a rough-hewn version of Latin, is still the lingua franca among locals, further complicated by various dialects. Many times, on my first visit to the island and even on a return visit 25 years later, I felt as if I’d been the first to discover this half-forgotten place.
Visually, Sardinia is a wild and rugged place, mountainous and dry, yet possessing some of the most beautiful rocky
This page, top: On Sardinia’s northern tip is the quaint marina in La Maddalena, the largest town in the Maddalena archipelago. Bottom: There’s always time for friends to gather in Orgosolo, Sardinia, to discuss the day’s events. Opposite page: Every February, citizens enjoy the carnival of Santu Lussurgiu, a commune in Sardinia.
shorelines and crystalline bays imaginable. The island’s spiagge bianche, or white sand beaches, are probably its most famous asset.
It’s also considered one of the healthiest places on the planet. This rugged landscape, often spartan existence and rural agricultural lifestyle have allowed many Sardinians to live to age 100 or beyond, making an eastern region of Sardinia one of the world’s first so-called Blue Zones. The miracle of longevity that a Blue Zone designation rewards doesn’t just magically occur. It requires emphasis on a diet of whole grains, vegetables and fruits, organic if possible. Protein is from the seafood-rich shores, with very small quantities of other meat, and moderate red wine consumption. Toss in plenty of exercise in everyday life, from walking as a means of transportation to demanding agricultural work, such as herding sheep in the mountainous interior. It makes it hard for a visitor like me to determine the age of older Sardinians, and the island’s fame for spawning longer lives has even led celebrities such as actress-comedian Whoopi Goldberg to buy homes here.
You can divide the island of Sardinia roughly in half. The north is where spectacular beauty can be found in the jet-setter town
of Porto Cervo and along Costa Smeralda, the Emerald Coast. This is where the billionaires and glitterati congregate, anchoring their yachts in bays with the bluest water imaginable and spending the languid summer months coming and going and generally cavorting with their kind. It’s where former soccer star David Beckham and his fashion designer wife, Victoria, anchor their yacht, and recent visitors have included billionaire and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Orlando Bloom and singer-songwriter Katy Perry.
If you aspire to rub shoulders with Hollywood royalty and billionaires, you can check into the Hotel Cala di Volpe on the Costa Smeralda. Built by the Aga Khan in the 1960s, this vast complex has an Olympic-sized saltwater pool, six restaurants and bars, multiple tennis courts and fitness centers and a private beach. It’s a favorite of rock star Elton John and Princess Caroline of Monaco. Other luxurious choices include Valle dell’Erica, owned by Delphina Hotels & Resorts, a seaside resort, and space that’s so far to the north that you can gaze across the water and see the cliffs of Bonifacio on neighboring Corsica.
The other Sardinia lies in the south, in
the jagged mountains and sheep-covered hills along the undulating southern coastline. Sparsely populated, it’s where you find the capital city of Cagliari, an outlier among Italian cities. This is not a crowded Florence, Venice or Rome but a regional capital with rough-hewn local restaurants and bars on winding, narrow streets. Cagliari is a great walking city, and among its sites are the Duomo, a Baroque masterpiece, and the National Archaeological Museum, with its collection of Nuragic, Phoenician and Roman antiquities.
Take the steep walk up to Saint Remy Bastion, the city’s finest lookout point. Don’t miss the Roman amphitheater, dating from the second century A.D., which lets you readily imagine competition between gladiators. A walk along the harbor front, with its fading red and ochre buildings, gives the flavor of this ancient port.
Things change very slowly in much of Sardinia, so there’s still time to enjoy it. But the south is ever so languidly being discovered—and developed. A new promenade and park for the waterfront is in the planning stages, and a light-rail line opened in 2008 and being extended will connect parts of Cagliari’s metropolitan area. A new port is also being built to take cruise ships farther away from the city center.
The first time I visited, more than three decades ago, it felt like a place out of step with the present, somewhat cloistered, with the locals a bit wary. In truth, it took a while to break through their reserve. There was a cautious welcome in restaurants and bars, which were the lair of neighborhood residents, with only the occasional tourist like me tolerated. The cuisine was little known on the island—broadly speaking, it was the kind of peasant fare that is now routinely celebrated in chic Italian restaurants worldwide. The base of Sardinian cuisine is fregula, a semolina pasta celebrated now because it offers dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins, protein and carbohydrates. It’s frequently offered with clams, chickpeas or corn. Lorighittas is semolina pasta made into rings (it is said to resemble the iron rings used to tie up horses outside a house), while malloreddus are local gnocchi.
Seafood is a staple, but pork is on most menus, a relic of when many Sardinians lived in the mountains, away from coastal invaders, and raised livestock. Sheep are abundant, and the island exports much of its Pecorino Romano cheese. As for wine growing, the Cannonau grape produces a red wine that has earned a prestigious Cannonau di Sardegna DOC.
Trattoria Lillicu is arguably the best traditional restaurant in Cagliari. Still, there is a new wave of restaurants expanding the gastronomic vocabulary
This page, top: Visitors spend hours at the Cala Goloritze along the Gulf of Orosei shore. Middle and bottom: Chic styling can be found throughout the Casa Clàt hotel, from The Garden terrace to modern suites. Opposite page: Adventures in Sardinia include paddling and exploring the island’s cliffs and caves.
of the city, places like Retrobanco, a modern bistro serving variations on the classic Sardinian fare and offering an extensive wine list. Sabores in the Marina district serves terrific regional cuisine. The city’s bars, once dark and rather unwelcoming affairs, are now serving aperitivos to a younger crowd.
The newish five-star Palazzo Tirso is the closest thing to luxury in Cagliari, an 85room boutique hotel with an elevated perch overlooking the port. Casa Clàt is a chic and quiet boutique property tucked into the heart of the old city.
When the ocean is calling, city residents and visitors head to the seemingly endless strand of Poetto Beach. Deep green vegetation rings gleaming white sand and neon turquoise bays. Sparkling water aside, it’s the home of beach bars and great seafood restaurants like Ristorante Calamosca. Rent a car and get further out of town, heading to places like Barumini, where you’ll find Su Nuraxi, one of Sardinia’s most remarkable prehistoric sites, dating back to 1600 B.C. You’ll see megalithic towers
called nuraghi, beehive-shaped tombs that are remnants of the Nuragic civilization, the Mediterranean’s oldest culture. Head into the hills, and there are remote but elegant hotels such as Su Gologone in Barbagia.
On the island’s southwestern coast, Le Dune Piscinas is a welcome newcomer. It is surrounded by dunes and was singled out by UNESCO because of its ancient juniper trees, Sardinian deer and a vast stretch of empty beach.
On a mountain drive, immerse yourself in the wilderness, acres of fuchsia blossoms and some of the last wild horses in Europe, with fields of sheep and glimpses of the turquoise coastal waters far below. Or perhaps book a small hotel in a town like Chia, a southern village happily removed from the glam of the north, a place to explore the dunes, watch pink flamingos and take long swims.
In a country besieged and loved to death by crowds, finding an uncrowded and relatively undiscovered place is a gift. Take heart. It’s called Sardinia, and trust me, it’s unlike anywhere else in Italy.
READY FOR SPRING
A day by the pool, a date night, a board meeting, a gala—no matter where your life takes you, Woodbury Mens Shop can provide the perfect look.
Photography by DAN SPRINGSTON
Sport shirt by Emanuel Berg, shorts by PT, bracelet by Robin Kahn.
From left: polo shirt by Gran Sasso, jeans by Teleria Zed, stingray belt by Paolo Vitale, sneakers by Magnanni.
T-shirt by Ferrante, swim trunks by Paul & Shark.
This page, from left: vest by Luciano Barbera, sweater by Gran Sasso, Driver pants by MAC, sneakers by Rubirosa, bracelet by Robin Kahn. Jacket by Maurizio Baldassari, sport shirt by Taccaliti, lightweight denim by MAC, buffed alligator belt by L.E.N., sneakers by Magnanni.
Opposite page, from left: knit shirt by Gran Sasso, trousers by PT, alligator belt by L.E.N., shoes by Gallo di Bianco. Sport shirt by Tintoria Mattei, traveler pants by PT, pebble grain belt by L.E.N.
WOODB
This page, from left: typhoon jacket by Paul & Shark, knit shirt by Gran Sasso, jeans by Teleria Zed, stingray belt by Paolo Vitale, sneakers by Magnanni.
Sportcoat by Partenopea, sport shirt by Gherardi, casual pants by PT, suede
loafers by Magnanni, buffed alligator belt by L.E.N. Opposite page, from left: vest by Waterville, shirt by Tintoria Mattei, pants by Teleria Zed, stingray belt by Paolo Vitale, sneakers by Rubirosa. Sweater by Inis Meáin, jeans by Teleria Zed.
This page, from left: sportcoat by Trussini, shirt by Stenströms, trousers by PT, marbled calf belt by L.E.N. Sportcoat by Luciano Barbera, linen shirt by Taccaliti, pocket square by Paolo Albizzati, pants by Teleria Zed, shoes by Gallo di Bianco. Opposite page, from left: sportcoat by Ravazzolo, shirt by Stenströms, pocket square by Silvio Fiorello, trousers by PT, marbled calf belt by L.E.N., loafers by Gallo di Bianco. Sportcoat and shirt by Etro, trousers by PT, calf skin belt by L.E.N.
This page, from left: suit by Ravazzolo, shirt by Taccaliti, tie and pocket square by Italo Ferretti, crocodile belt by Paolo Vitale, shoes by Gallo di Bianco. Dinner
jacket by Etro, formal shirt by Stenströms, bow tie and pocket square by Carrot & Gibbs, cuff links by Jan Leslie, trousers by PT, formal shoes by Magnanni. Opposite page, from left: tuxedo by Trussini, formal shirt by Stenströms, tie by Italo Ferretti, formal shoes by Magnanni. Dinner jacket by Etro, formal shirt by Taccaliti, bow tie by Italo Ferretti, pocket square by Carrot & Gibbs, trousers by PT.
Sporting Life
SIZE ISN’T EVERYTHING
In a golf era when pure power seems to rule, there’s one modest-sized course that’s all about finesse. By Robert Beringela
In recent decades, many golf courses have gone the way of McDonald’s meals: They’ve been “supersized.” The trend makes sense in one way—armed with increasingly advanced equipment and beefed up by rigorous workout routines, the best golfers today hit the ball preposterously far, and longer layouts are required to contain them. But these larger grassy footprints come with drawbacks, and not just because they take more time, money and resources to build and maintain. Extra-long courses also make scant sense for the average player. The humbling truth is that most golfers aren’t tour pros. Because they can’t blast shots into the stratosphere, they pose little risk of overpowering courses. Bigger isn’t better for everyone.
What everyday golfers need, and what many have come to realize they actually want, are venues that favor style over scale, testing creativity and shot-making skill, rather than merely measuring strength—shorter layouts that supersize the fun. Take Sedge Valley as a case in point.
The fourth and newest 18-hole course at Sand Valley, a destination resort in central Wisconsin, Sedge Valley sits on rumpled, sandy land that was shaped by glaciers during the last Ice Age. On this wrinkled canvas, ideal for golf, the architect Tom Doak was allowed to do his thing. Widely regarded as the Mozart of his trade for his virtuosity and versatility, Doak has designed celebrated courses around the world in a range of settings. He has stitched his work through forests, stretched it along coastlines, set it at the base of desert mountains. At 63, he can pick and choose his projects, and mostly what he chooses is to blaze new trails. With Sedge Valley, he opted for a concept that he’d long dreamed of pursuing if he ever had the chance: a course inspired by the sporty, heathland layouts of the English countryside. These courses, many of them designed more than a century ago, harken to a different time in golf, before an equipment arms race transformed the game. Typically, they sit on modest-sized parcels, and spill through petite corridors fringed by wispy native grasses. Intimate
layouts, they are easy to walk, on gently lilting land, with tees set in close proximity to greens, leaving little distance between holes. As a consequence of their compactness, they can be played quickly. Three hours are usually enough for 18 holes.
Sedge Valley checks all those boxes. A par-68, it measures a shade over 6,000 yards from the back tees. (Most new courses stretch well over 7,000 yards.) But what it lacks in length it makes up for in nuance. The par-4 first hole establishes the tone. A 366-yard one, it’s a relative pipsqueak by modern standards, with a wide target awaiting off the tee. But that doesn’t mean you can just rear back and nuke it. Like many fairways at Sedge Valley, this one has plenty of humps and bumps. If your drive strays to the right, it risks bounding down a slope toward a bunker, leaving you with a difficult lie and an awkward angle to the green.
So it goes from start to finish. Power takes a back seat to positioning. Sedge Valley calls for you to pick a line and follow it precisely. Finding your ball is not the hard part. The tricky task is figuring out how to play it next.
True to Doak’s iconoclastic leanings, the configuration of holes is unconventional. Sedge Valley has, for instance, back-to-back par 3s, a rarity in golf, and just one par 5—the 11th hole, which prioritizes brains over brawn. With plenty of room for error on the right, it invites you to go for it in two. But once again, sloppy execution will put you in trouble, with a slippery short shot up a bank to a generously contoured green.
How you choose to hit the next one is up to you. You can flop it high, or bump it low. The turf is firm and fast, so shots knocked along the ground are often an option, using the hillocks and hollows of the land. That’s what Doak intended: a course that gives you choices other than to bomb it. The result is a smorgasbord for your imagination. Sedge Valley doesn’t make you bite off more than you chew. But it’s all the golf that you can gobble up.
A
NOT YOUR GRANDPA’S YACHT
new generation
of boaters brings the best of land life out to sea.
These days the perks of financial success aren’t limited to silver-haired folk—if they ever were. With the tech boom and the expansion of business opportunities, a luxury lifestyle can now be earned earlier in life. DuPont Registry estimates the average age of a Rolls-Royce owner is just 42, and the clientele in the yachting industry is getting younger as well. Over the next 20 years, the median age of a yacht owner is expected to decrease from the 45-to-55 bracket to the 35-to-45-ers, according to Business Insider. Manufacturers have taken notice, and they’re coming up with designs and features that break old-school traditions and cater to the next generation’s preferences. For example:
Open concept
Yachts of old boasted a saloon, lounges and entertaining spaces, each separated into distinct rooms, along with many nooks and crannies. Those segmented interiors are features from yesteryear, as young owners—many of whom grew up with airy, open-concept living rooms—want to bring their home life to the sea. Think about a wide-open floor plan and bringing it on board a yacht, with large spaces and undisturbed sightlines from stern to bow.
Suit your style
New yacht owners still set sail for luxurious destinations and a little R&R, but many use their craft for adventure as well. While the French Riviera and the Caribbean will always be popular, explorer yachts are venturing to unchartered waters. Imagine captaining a yacht to the icy waters of Alaska or Antarctica, along the Great Barrier Reef in Australia or toward the deep blue inlets of Norway. An increase in adventure and exploration also means outfitting yachts with upgrades such as hydraulic aft platforms for tenders, firepits and larger storage for water toys such as jet skis and submersibles.
Going green
Today’s consumers stress the desire for more environmentally friendly products (even Rolls-Royce has an electric vehicle!), and this includes yachts. Sustainable yachting is more than a trend; it’s a priority. Manufacturers are swapping out traditional fiberglass and synthetic materials for recycled carbon fiber, which reduces waste without sacrificing performance, and bio-resins derived from plant-based materials. Many yachts are also powered by hybrid propulsion systems, combining the power of a diesel engine with an emissionsfriendly electric motor. The integration of solar and wind energy can help power onboard systems too.
Foredeck forecast
Once reserved for sunbeds and helipads because of its uncovered, open area, the forward deck is quickly being reinvented to accommodate many other uses. With some “forward” thinking, companies like Ferretti Yachts are creating sheltered foredecks with terraces that can be used during any weather— from bright, shiny afternoons to stormy days at sea. Others are opting for infinity pools, hot tubs and tented areas, as younger owners value space more for entertaining than for housing a helicopter.
What’s on top
There’s a grand feeling of openness and much to see when you’re looking out at the sea, but the interiors of many traditional yachts often do not match that ambience. More modern yachts, however, include interior design details that boost visual interest. Designers are paying extra attention to ceilings, which tend to be lower than those found in homes, adding textures, intricate patterns, colors and tiles.
THE ZEROEQUIPMENT OPTION
Haven’t time for a gym visit or space for bulky exercise apparatus? There’s a simpler way to get fit.
Today’s sophisticated exercise equipment is great—there’s no doubt that, properly and regularly used with discipline and determination, it can help you achieve the body of your dreams. But it’s not your only choice. Right in your home, using only things that every home contains, there’s another path open to you: the no-equipment approach.
Home has one big selling point: it isn’t hard to get to. In the comfort of your own living room (or rec room, bedroom, office, basement, garage, whatever) and without a workout bench or a Nautilus machine, you can use your own body weight—along with gravity—to power an effective workout. And after all, isn’t the most effective exercise regimen the one you’ll actually perform regularly?
A January 2025 New York Times article called at-home workouts and strength training without equipment the latest health trends that fitness experts “hate”—they’re so easy that anyone can do them with little to no supervision. (You’ll want to check with your doctor, however, to make sure you’re physically able to exercise.)
Is your time limited? Take advantage of those small blocks of unclaimed time that pop up throughout your day. Consider doing
squats while you wait for your morning coffee to brew, for example, or find a spot to do wall push-ups or sit-to-stand exercises while lunch is heating up. Waiting for water to boil? Do a couple of lunges in the kitchen or stand on one leg for 20 seconds (then switch to the other) to work on your balance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, after all, recommends strength training for 30 minutes, two nonconsecutive days per week, so you may as well fit in a quick workout when you can.
Try this at-home exercise routine, which is suitable for any level of skill (or strength) and requires zero equipment, other than objects found in most homes:
• Bicep curl: Run a towel underneath the seat of a chair. With the back of the chair facing away from you, do a set of curls by lifting the chair with the towel. Most four-legged chairs weigh around 10 pounds.
• Triceps dip: Sit on the edge of the chair and rest your hands on the seat behind you. Position your feet away from the bench, legs straight and heels on the floor. Lower yourself until your upper arms are parallel to the ground, then push back up.
• Step-ups: With one leg, step up onto that sturdy chair and back down again, then repeat with the other leg. (Keep legs straight and try not to bend forward.)
• Squats: Stand in front of that trusty chair with your feet shoulderwidth apart. Place your weight more on your heels than on the balls of your feet, and bend your knees as you lower your butt toward the chair in a slow, controlled motion while you count to four. Pause, then slowly rise back up to a standing position.
• Bicycle crunches: Lie on your back with knees bent and feet on the floor. Place your hands behind your head with your elbows out and lift your upper body slightly off the floor. Extend one leg out while bending the other knee toward your chest and twist your upper body so that the opposite elbow almost touches the knee. Repeat for the desired number of reps.
FLOAT ON
Light, inflatable and powered by the sun, the Electricat 450 simplifies boating trips, but with no sacrifice of style.
A serene day on the water feels effortless once you’re there, but getting there—with your boat hitched to your vehicle—can be a hassle. Happily, there’s another way. On days when you feel a bit less nautical and a bit more nonchalant, why not go floating by on something more convenient and easy, say, an air-filled catamaran?
The Catairan Electricat 450 is inflatable, yes, but don’t get it confused with a lazy-river inner tube. This catamaran-style craft can reach speeds up to six knots and will comfortably accommodate six people. It’s made with double-wall fabric and an innovated drop-stitch technology, which is a long-winded way of saying that every part of this boat is form-stable, robust and durable, even though it changes its shape when air is added or let out. When not inflated, it can also fit into the trunk of your car, and it’s light enough to carry.
Oh, and it’s solar-powered. The panels on the roof charge the engine even while it’s running, meaning that you can stay on the water all day without fueling up or plugging in—and also without subjecting yourself and your guests to the sounds and smells of a gas motor.
Every inch of the Electricat 450 is designed to enhance a day-trip experience. Climb on the roof for sunbathing or a view, then duck inside to enjoy the shade. (You can pull down the blinds for even more protection.) Take a dip off the side and enjoy the sounds of nature around you with no motor noise to disrupt them. And, when you’re done for the day, don’t worry about the trailer hitch—just let out the air, fold your flexible vessel back up and load it into your car for the drive home. No stress, no hassle, no fuss.
The Electricat 450 starts at $6,300.
Sour POWER
Sourdough is tangy, funky and distinctive—and the famous bread is only the beginning.
Sure, a lot of what you do in the kitchen can be generously described as magic, but there’s something particularly Merlinesque about sourdough. People will discuss one of their starters—a fermented mixture of flour and water that gives the bread its distinctive tang and allows it to rise without traditional yeast—as if it’s a friendly creature out of a piece of fantasy fiction. They feed it, they check if it’s alive and moving, they brag about its age and abilities. Online storefronts sell pieces of starters that are more than 100 years old, each describing the sour-tangy flavor profile it produces the way one might introduce a beloved child’s accomplishments. Each one is unique, some more sour and some more mild. They’re like culinary fingerprints.
Though the population’s lockdowninduced fixation on baking bread has largely faded, sourdough’s stock is still rising. A scroll through social media (particularly TikTok and Instagram, where visuals rule) will show you all manner of round and artisanal loaves, and satisfying videos of people crafting them (or
showing off those slowly-bubbling starters). And it’s not just something on a screen—international bakery supply group Puratos predicts a 40 percent rise in the popularity of sourdough in 2025. Whole Foods Market’s Trends Council agrees, identifying it as one of the ten most important food trends of the year.
It’s also gone beyond bread. Home cooks, your favorite local pizza joint and celebrity chefs like Marc Forgione have all have turned to the light of sourdough pizza. The fermentation of the starter blooms beautiful air bubbles throughout the crust while also giving it more structure. The result is the perfect balance between the texture of a Neapolitan slice and a crunch that would satisfy even the pickiest NYC foodie. That slight added acidity also tastes great with tomato sauce. Use sourdough starter instead of yeast in donuts and you have a chewier bite and something a little more complex for your favorite sugary topping to play off. You’re probably already familiar with the sourdough pretzel, but you may be seeing them pop up more on the appetizer menus of
your favorite bars—fresh, warm and ready for dipping. Any doughy confection, be it savory or sweet, can be made into something a little bit more with the addition of that magical starter and some time for it do its work.
Organic pasta wholesaler Bionaturae has even put out an innovated sourdough spaghetti you can sample, and U.K.-based Pump Street Chocolate released a sourdoughand-sea-salt chocolate bar.
And get this: you can also feel less guilty for indulging. Research published in Nutrients in 2019 suggests that sourdough bread is easier to digest than bread made with regular yeast. It is also lower in gluten, and ideal for some people with intolerances to gluten (though not actual allergies). The fermentation process also means that sourdough is packed with probiotics, the healthy bacteria that aid in digestion and gut health, in addition to prebiotics and fiber.
So spoon in more flour to feed that bubbling starter. This is a culinary magic worth embracing.
Grill and CHILL
Seeking a drink to complement the fired-up flavors of barbecue? Don’t count wine out.
Yes, beer and barbecue are pals from way back. Pitmasters take a swig of a cold ale while they’re tending to the grill, while guests gathered on the patio socialize with stouts. But have you thought of accompanying the rugged flavors of the sauce and char with just the right wine?
When one sits for a tasting menu or any fine-dining affair, each course is paired with the best red or white. A sommelier may suggest varietals for a sirloin or salmon, for instance, so that the sip complements the flavor of the meal. The same is true for ’cue. From steaks and burgers to pork chops and chicken, the meats fired up on the barbie are each just waiting to be matched with a companionable vino that brings out its best.
Not all wines are equally apropos, however—which is why it pays to be guided by an expert such as Martin Reyes, one of only 58 Americans to hold the title Master of Wine (MW). To become an MW, candidates must pass the strict MW Exam offered by the London-based Institute of Masters of Wine. Here, Reyes, a partner at San Francisco wine importer WineWise, offers matchmaking tips for three basic barbie meats.
GRILLED BEEF.
Red wine and red meat go hand in hand, and one can’t go wrong pairing grilled steak with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Syrah. But you may also consider a refreshing Spanish wine, Reyes says. “It’s fun to try a masterful Tempranillo from either Rioja or Ribera del Duero,” he says. “Tempranillo has all the equanimity that imbues wine with super-flexibility with most dishes, plus it links up with beef well. It has good tannins but not too aggressive, invigorating acidity but not too shrill, medium to full-bodied but not too tiresome.” White wine also is a wonderful option for beef dishes. “People also like fizzy stuff like soda go with a burger or steak, so try a sparkling wine like Cava,” our expert says. “A premium Cava has an earthy complexity and characterwonder that can easily pair with grilled beef. Sparkling wines are extraordinarily versatile, and I say take advantage of this by elevating your dish with a luxury Cava.”
Reyes’s recommendations:
An ideal red wine to pair with beef is Lopez de Heredia Rioja, Viña Bosconia Reserva, 2012, in which Reyes finds a “classic, polished, purposely aged style that’s smooth, with a balanced, red-berried medley and well-aged oak-barrel/woodsy nuance.” If you prefer white wine, try Mestres 2019 Coquet Brut Cava.
GRILLED PORK.
With rich fat and flavor, pork can match extraordinarily with wine. “Of course, you can go Riesling—from semi-sweet to dry—but my choice is a Gruner Veltliner,” Reyes says. “That variety has an x-factor, a kind of beautifully pungent, savory-fruity, herb-like medley of flavors that smashes deliciously with grilled pork.” Red wines also pair well with “the other white meat,” which when grilled accentuates smoky, charred elements. “The trifecta of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre—known as a Rhone blend—is famous for its Mediterranean-inspired joy: exotic, seductive, full of wild, brambly fruit,” Reyes says. “You can go with France or Spain, but Australia has a noteworthy tradition of old-vine beauties.”
Reyes’s recommendations: For white wine, he chooses Illahe Estate Gruner Veltliner, Willamette Valley, 2023. His selection for red is Torbreck The Steading, Barossa Valley, 2022. “It’s a wine I’ve been impressed with for years,” he says
GRILLED CHICKEN.
With chicken, unlike with other proteins, fat isn’t the prize. That makes it a flexible meat with which nearly any white wine pairs well. A Chardonnay or Pinot Blanc, Reyes says, can easily dazzle. “Called Weissburgunder in Austria and Germany, Teutonic Pinot Blanc is hard to find in part because these wines are not well known,” he says. “But if you find one, there’s a good chance it’s damn good because an importer fought hard to bring it in.” For those who prefer red, “a top-tier Cru Beaujolais is typically a slam-dunk with grilled chicken,” our expert says. In addition, Gamay, a relative of Pinot Noir, “can be a compelling red when grown granite slopes just north of Lyon,” he says. “It’s a lively, light-bodied red, boasting loads of charming floral and fruit flavors and pliant, unintrusive tannins. It’s an effortless dance partner to almost any grilled-chicken dish.”
Reyes’s recommendations: Weissburgunder (white burgundy) is an ideal white wine to pair with grilled chicken. Reyes says try either Weingut Keller Weissburgunder, 2022 or 2023, or Dönnhoff Wiessburgunder Trocken, 2023. A great red wine is Jean Foillard–Morgon, 2023.
FORMAL TRAINING
For your next dress to impress details and accessories.
From top, left to right: bow ties Carrot & Gibbs, braces by Sartorous, formal shoes by Magnanni, cuff links by Jan Leslie. On model: tuxedo by Trussini, formal shirt by Stenströms, bow tie and pocket square by Italo Ferretti, formal shoes by Magnanni.
FOR A BETTER BEARD
We’re seeing a comeback for growth on the chin, but that doesn’t mean a scraggly look is in.
Love him or hate him, James Harden is one of the most recognized professional basketball players—and his celebrity is for more than his skill on the court. The uber-stylish NBA superstar is (and has) one of the most marketable faces in sports, with a nickname that sells: The Beard. Harden is known for his full, thick beard, but he’s just one of countless men around the globe whose chins are similarly freighted. Hollywood A-listers and pro athletes grow beards; so do politicians, doctors, lawyers and the guy next door. To be a fitting fellow in this hirsute assemblage—and to make sure you remain fresh and comfortable beneath all that facial hair—proper beard maintenance is required. If you’re on the road or don’t have time to visit your trusted groomer, here are a few tips to keep your beard neat and orderly:
KEEP IT CLEAN. Whether you play basketball or practice law, clean your beard regularly with an appropriate shampoo—not the one you use on your scalp. Beard shampoos are designed for facial hair and skin, and they’ll preserve natural oils and soothe the skin beneath the beard. Massage and lather the shampoo into a wet beard, rinse with warm water and gently pat it down with a clean towel to dry the hair. You’ll want to avoid rubbing your hair to dry it, as this can lead to irritation.
RUB A SCRUB. Just as your forehead, nose and cheeks benefit from an exfoliating scrub, the skin beneath your facial hair deserves the same treatment. Use a gentle face scrub on its own—or mix it with a beard shampoo to save time—and work it into your wet facial hairs. But don’t rush the process. Gently rub between the hairs and along the contours of your face. This can help unclog pores, prevent ingrown hairs and keep your beard free of any flaky skin.
SLICK IT DOWN. Washing and exfoliating should be regular, but they need not be daily rituals. Though you may not clean every day, your beard always should be suitable for the senses. Massage a few drops of beard oil (check out Harden’s line of grooming products or those released last year by fellow basketball icon LeBron James) to keep your mug looking and smelling great. A quality oil provides hairs with nutrients, keeping them soft and shiny without a greasy appearance.
TIDY UP. Whether he’s rocking a full beard or a five o’clock shadow, actor John Krasinski is always a stunner—and those looks helped him nab People’s “Sexiest Man Alive” title. Want a face like his? Invest in an adjustable beard trimmer to keep stray hairs at bay and even out edges. You’ll also want to consistently trim neck hairs to give your beard a neat and organized look. Doing this will give you a strong jaw line as well. Consider letting your beard grow for a week or two; this will make trimming and shaping it easier Once hairs are trimmed to your desired length, “train” them with a beard brush. Doing this will detangle your beard without damaging hairs and allow them to grow in exactly the way you want.
Everything You Need...
At These Fine Woodbury Town Plaza Merchants
Ruta Oaxaca • Innovation Weight Loss & Fitness • Rags Boutique • Woodbury Mens Shop
Eastern Breeze Nail & Spa • Aire Salon & Beauty Bar • Stretch Zone • Gym Tech • Maddy Fine Jewelers
Spring styles bring a wealth of wardrobe possibilities. Woodbury Mens Shop’s stylists share their favorite looks and pieces of the season and more. Read what they have to say, then visit the store and chat with the team in person. They’re full of knowledge—and personality—and are ready to make your shopping experience a memorable one!
JIM FOLEY:
What inspires you this season? The world continues to be casual— “dressing up” might not mean wearing a suit and tie anymore; instead, it means “looking your best.” You can be casual and still wear the best fabrics, flattering fits and updates styles.
What’s your favorite restaurant? My favorite restaurant is Chachama in East Patchogue. I always say it’s the Woodbury Mens Shop of Restaurants, because they have an outstanding menu and always greet you by name. It’s worth the ride! Where is your next bucket list travel destination? We’re planning a biking trip in Ireland. Any suggestions?
AMIR MORADI:
What inspires you this season? I love the trend nowadays of moving away from traditional suits and getting into minimalist contemporary tailoring. Maurizio Baldassari captures the elegance of the season with tonal coordinated sets of bomber or overshirts with relaxed tailored trousers. Please give us an update on the newest addition to your family. Liam is 18 months old now and we are enjoying every moment of being with him. When he turns 24 months, I think he will be ready for his first custom suit. What are the best Persian restaurants nearby? I recommend Eyval Restaurant in Brooklyn—it’s known for its modern take on traditional Persian cuisine with a lively and stylish atmosphere. If you go there, don’t miss Fesenjan and Tahdig!
HILARY EARLY:
What inspires you this season? The energy of the change of seasons. The warmer temperatures and longer days get people out and about to enjoy. Dining alfresco on a Saturday evening, garden parties in the Hamptons and the Spring/Summer wedding season give lots of opportunity to dress to impress. What’s your favorite outdoor adventure? I always love sailing off the North Fork. Heading out from Shelter Island and then sailing east to Plum Island and out into the open ocean is always an adventure.
Tell us about your dog. My favorite subject! I have a 2-yearold mini dachshund named Avocado. He’s got short legs and a huge personality. He can be frequently found on one of various North Shore beaches digging for clams and mussels.
MARC FENSTER:
What inspires you this season? Comfort is the key word. Fabrics with the plush feeling of cashmere, linen and combed cotton dominate the necessities in everyone’s wardrobe. Gran Sasso cashmere knits and sportswear have a luxurious feel. Stenströms and Emanuel Berg’s cotton and linen shirtings are a pleasure to wear. PT always gives you a perfect fit whether pants or jeans. Being semi-retired, people always ask: What do you do? Anything I want! Living down in Florida lets me play golf, go to the beach or swim in the pool. On a bad day, I go shopping. What’s your favorite restaurant in New York? Testarosa in Syosset has great food, nice people and a very comfortable setting. Tell Billy, the owner, that you know me!
ANTONIA SCARPACI:
What inspires you this season? Modern casual has a more luxurious feel this Spring. The neutral color palettes—beige, taupe, gray and subtle tonal prints—make this season super versatile. I love the knitted polos in cashmere and silk by Fedeli and Gran Sasso. The elevated all-white sneakers by Rubirosa and Magnanni effortlessly make the transition from day to night. How does your fashion sense go beyond styling your male clients? My Frenchie, Senna, loves getting dressed up! We wear matching outfits when we go on our adventures. Any other creative outlets? I love home décor, where my style is “modern glam.” There’s nothing more satisfying than uncovering a treasure at HomeGoods!
RICH O’BOYLE:
What inspires you this season? I love to see fashion trends that embrace and reimagine great styles from years past. This season, I love the short sleeve knits from Gran Sasso, Maurizio Baldassai and Luciano Barbera. They’re deciedly retro—vertical or horizontal stripes, Johnny collars and knitted details. But at the same time, they are updated and don’t look old fashioned at all. Do you have any outdoor activities planned for the summer? My son and I are continuing our hiking and camping adventures with a three-night trip to New Hampshire. Tell us about your new puppy. I thought you’d never ask! We adopted Lucy from the Islip Animal Shelter in November. She’s smart and feisty and keeping us all on our toes. She loves the outdoors just like her dad.
