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The Best Part of a Summertime Drinks Menu? Fancy Soda

The Best Part of a Summertime Drinks Menu? Fancy Soda

Vogue08-07-2025
Today, learning that a restaurant calls itself farm-to-table holds about as much shock value as hearing my server explain that everything at said restaurant is meant to be enjoyed family style. One part of the menu that remains a place of unexpected whimsy, however? The drinks list—and more specifically, the soda section. I find this to be especially true as the weather heats up and my neighborhood farmer's market in Manhattan turns into the place to be on a Saturday morning.
'Serving sodas affords us the ability to create a snapshot of the season. Whether it's a perfumy sweet strawberry or tingly fresh spearmint, using produce during its peak is the ultimate treat,' says Danielle Peters-Clossey, bar director at San Francisco-based Back Home Hospitality, which includes Che Fico restaurants and soon-to-open Bubbeleh. 'Without the use of artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives, we can offer our guests a natural alternative.'
Those local, seasonal snapshots are especially delightful in the summertime. At the newly opened Feathers restaurant inside Audrey Gelman's much-anticipated Six Bells Inn in the Hudson Valley, I ordered a simple, pastel pink soda that made use of local strawberries and rhubarb; at Bastia, beverage director Benjamin Kirke highlights eastern Pennsyvlannia produce with lacto-fermented sodas that, in June and July, include apricot and maquis; strawberry and mint; rhubarb and basil; lemon, lime, and thyme.
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TSA PreCheck® Enrollment Available at the ItsEasy.com Offices in the Iconic NYC Locations: The MetLife Building and Rockefeller Center
TSA PreCheck® Enrollment Available at the ItsEasy.com Offices in the Iconic NYC Locations: The MetLife Building and Rockefeller Center

Yahoo

timea day ago

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TSA PreCheck® Enrollment Available at the ItsEasy.com Offices in the Iconic NYC Locations: The MetLife Building and Rockefeller Center

and Telos Corporation announce new TSA PreCheck enrollment centers, reinforcing their commitment to making travel as easy and convenient as possible NEW YORK and ASHBURN, Va., July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Passport & Visa Services, the leading passport and visa expediting company that has processed over 2 million passport and visa applications, and Telos Corporation (NASDAQ: TLS), an authorized TSA PreCheck® enrollment provider, today announced the unveiling of two permanent TSA PreCheck enrollment centers at NYC office locations within the iconic and easily accessible Manhattan landmarks, the MetLife Building and Rockefeller Center (Concourse Level). This announcement follows the successful pop-up enrollment events held in March 2025 at these locations. 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This May Be the Most Underrated Wine Region on the West Coast—and It's Not in California
This May Be the Most Underrated Wine Region on the West Coast—and It's Not in California

Travel + Leisure

time2 days ago

  • Travel + Leisure

This May Be the Most Underrated Wine Region on the West Coast—and It's Not in California

Take part in the valley's most popular pastime, wine tasting, in strikingly beautiful tasting rooms. Have a bed-and-breakfast stay in the middle of a vineyard next to a working winery at Sosta House. Feast on seasonal fare at farm-to-table restaurants like Hayward. Hang out in quaint wine country towns like McMinnville and Newberg to get a taste of the local lifestyle. Plan your visit for the summer or fall; summer serves up foodie festivals and long daylight hours, while fall lets you see the wine harvest in action. Travelers often come to Oregon for one of two things: to taste Portland's (now) legendary culinary scene and experience this Pacific Northwestern state's rugged beauty. But just a short drive from Portland, you'll find that cuisine and countryside blend seamlessly together in the Willamette Valley: Oregon's de facto larder and wine cellar. Bookended by the Cascade Mountains and the Coast Range, the Willamette Valley is vast, stretching roughly 150 miles long from Portland to Eugene, Oregon, and 60 miles wide. Nourished by lengthy summer days, wet winters, and fertile soils left behind by Ice Age floods, it's an agricultural cornucopia. But it's the miles and miles of patchwork vineyards that draw the eye; interpersed by evergreen woodlands and presided over by Mount Hood, it's a picture-perfect wine country tableau. 'It's a beautiful place,' says Tony Soter, founder of Soter Vineyards. This is pinot noir country: nearly three-quarters of the valley's vineyard acreage is devoted to its marquee varietal. But across the over 700 wineries in the Willamette Valley American Viticultural Area, oenophiles can also find chardonnay, riesling, syrah, and pinot gris. The wine world is sometimes thought of as stuffy, but not the Willamette. Refined experiences like sophisticated tasting menus abound—including resorts beloved by Travel+Leisure readers—but are balanced out with a grounded, down-to-earth atmosphere. 'Anyone has the opportunity to feel like a local here,' says Kari Shaughnessy, head chef and owner of Hayward. The Willamette Valley invites you to come for the wine. But once you're on the ground, you'll find much more to pique your interest besides vino, from an on-the-rise food scene to trails for post-tasting jaunts. And, in case you're unsure of the pronunciation, just remember: it's Willamette, d*mn it. Here's what you need to know about Oregon's Willamette Valley before you visit. Exterior of Inn the Ground. If Hobbiton had a hotel, it would be Inn the Ground, where stays come with farm-to-table breakfasts and idyllic nature trails. Built into the side of a hill, this bed and breakfast bolthole takes in sweeping landscape views from its modern rooms with private patios. Set just steps from McMinnville's bustling Third Street, Atticus Hotel welcomes design lovers with its Wes Anderson-worthy interiors. Room styles range from cozy micro-studios to charming bunk rooms for group getaways, with something for all travelers. Take advantage of the property's fleet of Dutch bikes to explore around town. Part of the Relais & Chateaux portfolio, the all-suite Tributary Hotel occupies a revitalized 100-year-old building along McMinnville's main drag. Along with its spacious, well-appointed rooms, one of the best perks of staying here is having one of the valley's finest tasting menus, ​ōkta farm and kitchen, right downstairs. Some of the valley's oldest vines are your sleeping companions at Sosta House, a dreamy bed and breakfast located in the middle of a historic vineyard. Sip wines made right on-site, sweat out nights of excess in the barrel sauna and cold plunge, and savor in-room breakfasts and alfresco wine dinners. From a 15,000-square-foot spa to vineyard-view rooms, it's easy to see why The Allison Inn & Spa was voted one of the top resorts in the Western U.S. by T+L readers in the World's Best Awards 2025. Perched on 35 lush acres outside Newberg, this luxury retreat invites guests to unwind with indulgent treatments, elevated dining at Jory, and exceptional service. Waterfall in Silver Falls State back to the valley's roots at pioneering wineries like The Eyrie Vineyards, Adelsheim Vineyard, and Ponzi Vineyards, or try experimental bottlings at newer outfits like Cho Wines. Fancy some bubbly? Head to Corollary, Argyle, and Domaine Willamette to dive into the Willamette's sparkling wine scene. Love a design-driven tasting room? Check out Ambar Estate and Sequitur. Need a break from wine? Go to Wolves & People Farmhouse Brewery, TopWire Hop Project, or Xicha Brewing for craft beer, and Raw Cider Company and La Familia Cider for cider. No matter when you visit, the Willamette Valley nearly always has a festival on the calendar. Go on fungi-finding forays with truffle-sniffing dogs at the Oregon Truffle Festival, or attend epicurean bashes like Alt Wine Fest, Queer Wine Fest, AAPI Food & Wine Festival, and the International Pinot Noir Celebration. Spring's Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival is another highlight, with hot air balloon rides over fields of Technicolor tulips, as is McMinnville's McMenamins UFO Festival, which commemorates the alleged 1950s sighting of a flying saucer. Learn about the area's Indigenous history at the Chachalu Museum & Cultural Center, or step inside the Airplane Home, a one-of-a-kind dwelling fashioned out of a Boeing 727-200. Salem's Enchanted Forest theme park makes for a fun family day trip, and, between May and October, catch a movie at Newberg's historic 99W Drive-in Theatre. You've gotten a taste of the valley's food and wine. Now, it's time to discover the land itself. Embark on hikes along vineyard trails (Johan Vineyards has some lovely routes) or through the serene forests at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Trappist Abbey. Visit a glacial erratic (aka a glacially deposited rock) that traveled some 500 miles during the Missoula Floods at Erratic Rock State Natural Site. Or, take a page from Shaughnessy and Soter's book, and go for a float on the Willamette River. A side dish served at Hayward. Come hungry and expecting the unexpected, as the valley's cook-with-the-seasons ethos means most dishes aren't on the menu for long. Along with the farm-to-table and foraging fare, save room for delectable Mexican eats from spots like Tacos El Gordo, and popping over to the Willamette Valley Pie Co. for slices of marionberry goodness. Helmed by chef Shaughnessy, Hayward in Carlton is one of the restaurants that has put the Willamette Valley on the fine dining map. Its New Northwest cuisine has garnered multiple James Beard Award nods, marries the valley's seasonal finest with global influences. Truly putting the 'farm' in farm-to-table, Grounded Table's elevated homestyle classics come direct from its own regenerative farm. Tuck into roasted chicken and fresh-from-the-earth salads, before popping into its sister restaurant for its Oreos-inspired dessert. Many of the valley's best meals aren't found at traditional restaurants, but rather at wineries. Antica Terra is one such example. Sit down to an aptly-named 'Very Nice Lunch' from James Beard-winning chef Timothy Wastell at this cult-favorite Amity winery, which is as renowned for its culinary program as it is for its ethereal libations. Give your palate a breather from wine with craft cocktails or expertly executed classics at this intimate, witchy McMinnville eatery. Check the chalkboard upon walking in for what's on offer that day; oysters, rockfish, and lamb often make appearances. The best time to visit is between May and August, with summertime festivals, 15-hour days, and gorgeous weather. Autumn, with the harvest hustle and changing vineyards, is another stand-out. 'It's hard to find a more beautiful month than September,' says Shaughnessy. Winter—or cellar season—also has its charms, like sipping wine next to roaring fires or getting more one-on-one tasting time with winemakers after the hecticness of harvest. If you fly into Portland International Airport (PDX), it's a roughly one-hour drive to McMinnville, Oregon. Salem also has a small regional airport, the Salem-Willamette Valley Airport (SLE), but it takes about the same amount to get to McMinnville—plus, PDX generally has better flight availability and rates. A tree with a tire swing next to a vineyard in Dayton, Oregon. Home to some of the valley's top restaurants and hotels, and with tens of wineries on its doorstep, McMinnville makes for a fantastic Willamette base camp. Start the day with a cup of from Flag & Wire Coffee Co., stroll along the tree-lined Third Street, view the legendary Spruce Goose at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, and try local favorites like La Rambla and Pura Vida Cocina. For shopping, hit up Alchemist's Jam & Bakery and the Mac Market food hall and marketplace. Newberg may be known as the gateway to the Willamette, but don't just pass through. Fuel wine tasting adventures in the nearby Chehalem Mountains with Caravan Coffee, dine inside a grand Victorian home at The Painted Lady, and get a bird's-eye view from Bald Peak, the valley's tallest point at 1,633 feet. What was once a timber town is now one of the Willamette's gastronomic epicenters, home to heavy hitters like Hayward, Big Table Farms, Carlton Winemaker Studios, and Flâneur Wines. Just outside of town, you'll find Soter Vineyards, set on a 250-acre biodynamic farm with expansive panoramas. These neighboring towns go hand-in-hand for a day of wining and dining. Dundee highlights include Day Wines, Furioso, and Artist Block, as well as the multicourse Anthology tasting menu at The Four Graces. Grab lunch at Red Hills Market or Merenda Italian Deli (both make a mean sandwich) before popping into Sokol Blosser or Durant Vineyards, ending in Dayton with dinner at Loam and overnighting in a retro Airstream at The Vintages campground. While some hotels can help arrange transfers, renting a car is the best and most convenient way to reach the spread-out small towns and remote wineries. If you're planning on doing a lot of tastings, book a chauffeur car service like Black Tie Tours or a bespoke winery itinerary through Scissortail Wine Tours, so you can imbibe to your heart's content and keep the roads safe.

This Upstate New York Hotel Was Just Voted No. 1 in the State—and It Has a 6-acre Farm, 65 Stunning Cabins, and a Mercedes-Benz You Can Drive
This Upstate New York Hotel Was Just Voted No. 1 in the State—and It Has a 6-acre Farm, 65 Stunning Cabins, and a Mercedes-Benz You Can Drive

Travel + Leisure

time2 days ago

  • Travel + Leisure

This Upstate New York Hotel Was Just Voted No. 1 in the State—and It Has a 6-acre Farm, 65 Stunning Cabins, and a Mercedes-Benz You Can Drive

Wildflower Farms, in Gardiner, New York, was named the No. 1 hotel in New York state in T+L's 2025 World's Best Awards. From the central open-air firepit of the Great Porch, to the playful tile spewed throughout various common spaces and the 65 cabins and cottages, the design of Wildflower is exquisite. The majority of ingredients in the food and beverage program at Wildflower are sourced directly from the property's on-site farm, so every creative item on the menu is extremely fresh and delicious. There is a rotating schedule of activities, like daily Vinyasa yoga flows, a botanical-cocktail mixing class, and a Forage the Farm experience, where guests pick produce themselves alongside one of the farmers and then cook with the executive sous chef. The stunning spa, Thistle, is a peaceful escape that continues the hotel's theme of bringing the outside in; treatments incorporate botanicals grown right on the farm. My mom grew up in New York's Catskill Mountains, and throughout my childhood, I always looked forward to our summer visits to see family. I recall the scenic landscape of the rolling hills, the constant sounds of birds chirping, and the genuine smiles we received from neighbors while walking in town; a kind of warmth all around that's hard to come by in a major city, let alone anywhere else today. Of course, the Catskills and Hudson Valley have changed drastically in the past few decades, gaining a chic reputation that feels at odds with my childhood reality. But still, when I made plans to spend a night at Auberge Resort Collection's Wildflower Farms—one of the only properties from a luxury hotel operator set in this area—I was keen to see this area in a new light. My partner and I pulled up to the sprawling 140-acre property in Gardiner, New York, on a Thursday evening in June, after an easy two-hour drive north from New York City. It had been raining all week, and almost as if for our arrival, the sun decided to show off by peeking out through the clouds. It was quite the scene: The massive firepit of the aptly named Great Porch was burning bright, some guests in elevated loungewear peacefully read books while others walked along the pebbled pathways in the distance, hotel-branded Mercedes Benzes were pulling into the driveway behind us, and gorgeous cocktails continued to make their way out of Clay, the adjacent restaurant and major draw of the hotel. It felt as if we'd stepped into some form of alternate, curated universe, and in a way, we had. While Wildflower is managed by Auberge Resorts Collection, it is owned by Gardiner residents Phillip and Kristin Rapoport, who had spent seven years developing the property before it officially opened in the fall of 2022. Alfresco dining at Wildflower Farms. Tara Donne/Travel + Leisure What I realized after just 24 hours at Wildflower Farms is that everything you see or experience here is entirely intentional. The burnt orange and green colors of the Americana-inspired decor match the woodlands seen from the back decks of many of the cabins. The way in which the staff knew before we did that we wanted to end our dinner outside of the restaurant and had a s'mores kit ready for us at one of the firepits. The welcome ritual that invites you to scrub away stressors from the week prior is centered around products made directly from botanicals grown at the 6-acre, on-site farm. And it's at the farm where this spirit is most palpable. I had the pleasure of seeing it first hand from farm director Will Conway and executive sous chef Kyle Chandler through the Forage the Farm experience offered at Wildflower. I spent just about an hour or so in the fields with Conway, handpicking some of the very first Spring produce of the season—Tuscan basil, pea flowers, and asparagus. I took in all the facts from Conway: About 80 different herbs, vegetables, and flowers are grown on site; production happens year-round; and perhaps my favorite, 'broccoli is a loser' compared to broccolini. 'My job is to nourish people, not just put out pretty food,' Chandler told me, as he nonchalantly stirred green garlic, sending a vibrant scent throughout the space. He was cooking the three of us a casual lunch of mixed green salad and risotto, all made from the ingredients I had just picked—which when I think about it, is actually not casual at all. As I finished up my lunch, cooked by a chef born 10 minutes down the road in New Paltz, New York, that warm feeling returned, and lingered for the rest of my stay. Read on to see why T+L readers voted Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resorts Collection, the No. 1 resort in New York state in the 2025 World's Best Awards. The design of Wildflower is the product of the Rapoports' vision. They worked with California architects Electric Bowery and New York designers Ward & Gray to bring the natural elements of the landscape in, creating the exact right combination of minimalism and upholstered comfort. The look and feel of the 65 standalone cottages and cabins—some with floor-to-ceiling windows and fireplaces, others with private decks or outdoor firepits—is essential to the property. The angled, wooden buildings can be seen from the moment you step onto the Great Porch to check-in, standing out in the flowing meadow and pebbled pathway. Others are more tucked away within the property's woodlands. Cabin No. 32, where my partner and I stayed, is one of the latter. When I stepped onto our private back deck to check out the setting, I could hear the burbling tune of Shawangunk Kill, a free-flowing stream that runs along the back of the property. (It's formally known as a Bower Cabin.) From within, the aesthetics continued. The walls of the high-ceiling space are dark green, paired well with leather and velvet accents of the same color, and burnt orange, too. But my favorite part of the room was the little details sprinkled throughout to enhance the stay, like the portable steamer placed in my closet, the extra quilts that not only match the vibe but also the comfort level of the space, and the binoculars and lantern, both of which my partner and I used several times throughout our short stay. The culinary and beverage program at Wildflower, as well as all Auberge hotels, is key to the stay. At the epicenter is Clay—named because of the high content of clay found in the soil on the property—where executive chef Rob Lawson and executive sous chef Kyle Chandler lean on the land's produce to curate their creative menu. The Great Porch also has light bites that are best enjoyed by the open flames, and there's Dew Bar, the poolside restaurant opened seasonally. The vibe of Clay is buzzy, but impressively comfortable. When we sat around 7:30 p.m. that Thursday evening, guests and locals alike were starting to fill in, whether to sit at the chef's counter, at one of the tables along the back wall, or along the massive floor-to-ceiling windows. But the food is really the star of the show. The dinner menu varies from traditional country milk bread served with an extremely impressive miso butter, to braised cabbage served with black rice, to Montuk tilefish paired with charred asparagus. My pick for the night was the hanger steak served with tableside shiso chimichurri (which was very fun to watch them make), bok choy, and sumptuous black-butter potatoes. My partner went for the Hudson steelhead trout paired with glazed purple carrots; I later learned from Chandler that this was a recent addition to the menu for the season. The chefs here work hand in hand with the farmers, like Will Conway, to ensure that they are only using the freshest of ingredients, so the menu regularly changes. 'Whatever Will can throw at us, we come up with something,' Chandler said. 'We got to utilize it.' And they really do utilize it: Every day, the team collects about 50 pounds of scraps from the kitchen and turns that into compost. 'It really comes full circle, we try our best every day to have no waste and bring it back to the farm,' Chandler said. Then there's the drinks. Throughout my stay, I sipped on freshly brewed iced tea, a custom alcohol-free cucumber beverage, bone broth, and a gin cocktail that had edible flower pedals in it (I later picked these colorful flowers myself on the farm). All were exquisite, and nice to look at, too. The open-air movement studio. Auberge Resorts Collection There's no shortage of things to do at Wildflower Farms. There is a weekly schedule of events posted on the Great Porch—some of which are complementary, and others that require an extra fee. In a single day, that schedule can have a Vinyasa flow, an animal-feeding session at the farm, a biscuit-baking class, and a botanical mixology course. When I was there in June, my partner and I rose early to play tennis at the on-site courts, which require a lovely, short nature walk to get to. Then, later, I met up with Conway for a Forage the Farm experience—the very first of the season, as this activity is only available in the warmer months. Having exclusive time with two of the people responsible for the harvesting, and menu ideation at the property was one of the best things I've ever had the privilege of doing during a hotel stay. The farm education center, Maplehouse, is also a highlight; weekly hands-on classes are hosted here regularly, as well as private events. The spa pool. Tara Donne/Travel + Leisure Auberge is known for its phenomenal wellness programs, and Wildflower is no exception. At the spa, Thistle, guests can reset on daybeds surrounded by stunning blue-green tiled walls, dip into the indoor saltwater pool, or enjoy the saunas and steam room—all entirely complementary with your stay. On my second day, I got the 90-minute, Lymphatic Reset signature treatment, which is an anti-inflammatory experience that's meant to relieve fatigue and stress. It started with a 30-minute compression boot session, and in those first 10 minutes, I immediately fell asleep. I woke up about an hour later feeling perfectly dazed, and practically floated to the lounge area, where a custom non-alcoholic cucumber drink was waiting for me. I then sipped on the complimentary bone broth that was set next to the saltwater pool and waded in the water. It was pure bliss. Wellness is also sprinkled throughout the stay in other ways outside of Thistle, like the welcome ritual and the nightly turndown service. As part of the latter, each night, there is a new gift left on the nightstand, such as a piece of eucalyptus or a printed card with a breathing exercise on it. For our stay, it was a homemade CBD chocolate, meant to naturally reset the circadian rhythm. Wildflower Farms' outdoor pool. Auberge Resorts Collection As mentioned, there's no shortage of things to do at Wildflower, and this includes activities for kiddos. Daily activities like the 'Feed the Animals' session in the mornings, the cooking classes, or the painting classes would be great for family members of all ages. Outside of the scheduled events, the land is truly the playground here, whether that's in the meadows with the pebbled pathways, on the farm, or at the outdoor pool. The available s'mores kits to enjoy by any of the three outdoor fire pits are great, too. Due to the high price point and environment, though, I'd say the property is best fit for a romantic getaway. During my stay, the majority of guests on the property were couples, or adult friends and families. There are 65 cabins and cottages on the property's grounds. Tara Donne/Travel + Leisure The hotel is very accessible, with public spaces like the health club and pool having accessible entrances and pathways. Plus, there are accessible spaces in the parking area. Although, I will note that the pebbled pathways to get to each room may cause some difficulty, so I'd recommend getting a ride from a staff member, which is always an option. As for the rooms, there are four accessible cabins and suites that vary in size. Wildflowers on the grounds at Wildflower Farms. Tara Donne/Travel + Leisure Wildflower is set in Gardiner, New York—a quiet corner of the Catskills, just about an hour and a half to two hours north of New York City. In Gardiner and nearby New Paltz, walking, hiking, and biking trails are easy to come by, with the Shawangunk Mountains right there. The property is also conveniently located to some of the area's buzzing towns, like Kingston to the north with its great vintage shops and new-to-the-scene dining options, as well as Woodstock a bit further. Art-forward Beacon and New Windsor, both known for the museums Dia Beacon and Storm King respectively, are great spots to hit if you are driving south, or are just interested in taking in a bit of arts and culture. Auberge Resorts Collection does not have a loyalty program. That said, Wildflower Farms is bookable on Amex Travel for platinum card holders, with complimentary daily breakfast and a $100 resort credit. Nightly rates at Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resorts Collection, start from $1,000. Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.

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