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Eater
3 days ago
- Eater
Why Seattleites Drive Two Hours for This Oyster Bar
There's no way around it, oysters are indulgences. Seattle has many great oyster bars, each with their own charms but all embodiments of some vision of luxury: The Walrus and the Carpenter is the pinnacle of laid-back 2010s hipster cool, Elliott's is a touristy waterfront paradise, Shuckers is all dark wood and old-school class. Oysters at these places are presented like works of art, their exposed bodies glistening and wet, framed by their craggy, primordial, endlessly photogenic shells. You do a little dance with lemon and acidic pink mignonette, maybe hot sauce in an eyedropper, slurp down the briny morsel, and place the shell back down on the plate of ice. Oyster bars aim for elegance because they have to cast a spell. You must walk in and see yourself as a carefree epicurean, so unconcerned with money, you don't bother asking about market price before airily ordering a dozen for the table. But there's another oyster fantasy, one that involves getting in a car and driving south on I-5 toward Tacoma. If you hit midday traffic, Google Maps will tell you to peel off onto 16 near the Tacoma Dome, cross the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, and go up to Gig Harbor before turning west, toward the Olympic Peninsula. Car dealerships with American flags and signs for Costco gradually give way to evergreens and sky. The highway shrinks to two lanes, sometimes hemmed in on one side by trees and the other by water. You hit 101 and head north, skirting the edge of the Skokomish Nation Reservation and passing a tribal-owned casino and grocery store, along with some fireworks stands in various states of disrepair. Two hours and a whole world later, you can finally pull into the gravel parking lot at the Hama Hama Oyster Saloon, maybe Washington state's best oyster bar and certainly the one that's hardest to get to. The Oyster Saloon looks the kind of place humans build after a zombie apocalypse. There's a food truck, a little farm store, Adirondack chairs facing a gently burning wood fire. Most of the tables are under weather-beaten A-frame structures that shield them, partly, from the rain. On a sunny day, you get a panoramic view of the Hood Canal — not a canal but one of North America's few fjords — tree-lined hills across it, and, directly in front of you, the tide flats that constitute the Hama Hama oyster farm, the reason you're here. You probably know the name Hama Hama; the company's oysters are served and celebrated all over the West Coast, and sometimes elsewhere (a few are exported to Singapore). Oysters taste like the waters they grow in, and Hama Hamas are generally described as tasting clean, or green and cucumber-like. In his book The Essential Oyster , Rowan Jacobsen says the flavor is 'nettle soup, with lots of vibrant, herbaceous spring greens and briny sea stock.' The Blue Pool varietal, which is 'tumbled' in bags rather than grown on beaches, has a deeper cup and a slightly creamier flavor profile; Jacobsen calls it 'white miso-shiitake soup.' There's no better place to linger over Hama Hamas and Blue Pools than the saloon, wood smoke in your nose, looking out at the beach where, at night, Hama Hama workers in headlamps harvest oysters out of the shallow, cold water. It's a farm-to-table restaurant in the sense that you can see the (oyster) farm from the table. If you're an oyster person, it's a different vibe than you get at a city oyster bar — more rugged, wilder. It's a way to remove oysters from the manicured restaurant context you usually find them in and get closer to their briny source. If you're not an oyster person, sorry someone dragged you here. The menu is essentially all oysters: raw, marinated escabeche-style, and roasted with chipotle bourbon butter. The last one is what you get if you insist you don't like oysters — they are smoky-sweet and flaky rather than gooey. (There are also crabcakes, salads, and clams; kids can get a grilled cheese sandwich, and adventurous kids can add Douglas fir jelly.) Hama Hama is a family business in its sixth generation. Lissa James Monberg, the company's vice president of shellfish, has told the story countless times. Her mother's grandfather, Daniel Miller Robbins, bought this land in the 1890s to log it. The logging company did well until the Depression, then fell on hard times; at one point, Monberg says, the company was selling scrap metal so it could afford to pay taxes. The family was determined to hang on to this strip of land next to the Hood Canal — Monberg's grandfather 'couldn't let such a good trout stream get away from him,' she says. He sold Christmas trees, logs, iron, shrimp, whatever he could find. Then he tried oysters. The beach in front of the saloon is an ideal natural oyster farm, Monberg explains. On sunny summer days the tide flats absorb heat from the sun at low tide; when the tide comes back in, the water warms up. Without wind mixing the shallows with the colder, deeper water in the middle of the Hood Canal, the water on the tide flats stays warm. It's too hot and sunny — and it gets too cold at night — for the native Olympia oyster. But when Pacific oysters were brought from Japan to Puget Sound in the early 20th century, they flourished: That warm water is just what they need to spawn. Oysters make more oysters by spewing sperm and eggs into the water, which then form larvae. The larvae, if they're lucky and changes in the water temperature don't kill them, eventually settle down on a rock or an oyster shell and start forming a shell of their own. Monberg's family 'always worked with the naturally occurring reproduction,' she says, putting oyster shells out on the beach to 'recruit' larvae during the summer spawning season. She compares it to 'farming dandelions.' They manage the population by not harvesting all the oysters at once. 'It's more like a food forest than a modern industrial farm,' she says. 'You're just working with what's there to try to grow more food than would be there otherwise.' The Oyster Saloon was a natural outgrowth of the family's evolving business. The Hama Hama company got into oysters in the 1950s and opened a retail store next to the farm in the '70s, since locals kept dropping by looking to buy a half-gallon of bivalves. Inspired by Hog Island Oyster Company in Northern California, Hama Hama opened the Oyster Saloon in 2014. Initially, the saloon was just a few tables close to the store. During the pandemic lockdown era, the company expanded it by setting up more tables and building those A-frames. The Oyster Saloon has become wildly popular despite a seeming contradiction. Peak oyster season is in winter, and the saloon is open — but since it's entirely outdoors, diners have to huddle around half-sheltered heat lamps and contend with the wind and the rain. (Granted, this is some people's idea of a good time.) The Oyster Saloon is at its bucolic best in the summer, when oysters aren't traditionally eaten, as spawning changes their flavor. These days, however, people have discarded the old 'only eat oysters in months with an 'r'' rule, and on busy summer weekends the saloon serves 700 people a day, who eat around 300 dozen oysters. These are oyster-obsessed city folk from Seattle and Portland, hikers trekking around the nearby national park, bikers taking a break from roaring their Harleys down 101. (There's a rural-urban divide when it comes to oysters, according to Monberg: City folk like raw oysters. People who grew up out here on the peninsula prefer them cooked.) This popularity has made the saloon more central to Hama Hama's business than ever before. A family of loggers turned into a family of oyster farmers, turned into the owners of maybe the only true destination restaurant in Mason County, Washington. Would Hama Hama ever get more fully into the restaurant game, following the footsteps of Taylor Shellfish Farms, another regional seafood producer, which has three Seattle oyster bars? Taylor is doing a great job, says Hama Hama head chef Dillon Pennell, but Hama Hama doesn't want to do that. The Oyster Saloon isn't just a place to get oysters. 'It's air, it's the wood smoke,' says Pennell. 'I don't think we'd ever be very interested in sterilizing it to the point of shoehorning it into the bottom of a condo in Seattle... It would lose some of the spirit.' You can take the oyster off the beach. You can keep it chilled and damp until the moment comes to carefully, expertly shuck it so that its belly and mantle are unbroken, glistening, ready to be served. But maybe something is lost along the way to that citified oyster bar at the bottom of a condo complex, and maybe you have to drive out to Hama Hama again to remember what that was. See More:
Tom's Guide
6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Tom's Guide
4th of July sales knock 50% off grills and patio furniture — 31 deals worth grabbing today
Prime Day is almost here — but we can't skip over the 4th of July! In honor of Independence Day, I'm rounding up the best deals on patio furniture, grills, outdoor essentials and more. Some of our favorite retailers — like Lowe's, Home Depot, Target, Wayfair and more — are hosting epic 4th of July sales with up to 50% off everything you need for summer celebrations, pool parties and barbecues. And with deals starting at just $21, this is an event you won't want to miss. Below, I've rounded up my favorite outdoor deals to shop this 4th of July. Keep scrolling to check them out! Nothing adds outdoor ambiance like a killer playlist and the very best solar lights. This outdoor-rated pack is built with shatterproof plastic bulbs that are currently 54% off at Amazon. Plug them in when the sun sets and enjoy 27 feet-worth and up to six full hours of a soft, white glow. If you're looking to add some plants to your home, these self watering pots are the perfect place to house them. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, they feature drainage holes and saucers. They're also lightweight and made of recycled plastic. Get a set of these cushions, and your chairs will be both more comfortable and more stylish. They have a cheerful tropical flower print and are suitable for outdoor use, with ties to keep them securely on your chairs. It's hard not to lean into thick cabana stripes when outfitting an outdoor space or pool area— the look instantly reminds us of vacation. And this particular indoor-outdoor pouf doubles as both extra seating (reviewers have placed theirs amongst a few Adirondack chairs around the fire or on smaller balcony arrangements). At a whopping 74% off, this outdoor umbrella will block the sun during the day with its strong polyester fabric and light up the night with its solar-powered LED lights. It features a handy crank that makes it simple to open or close and you can push the button to tilt the umbrella along with the rising or falling of the sun. However, we should note that an umbrella base is not included. There's no better way to enjoy the outdoors than from the comfort of a hammock. This one can fit two people, with its own stand and a comfy pillow included. Refresh your porch or patio with discounted outdoor goods from Wayfair. We're firm believers that every space doesn't feel complete without the addition of a rug — even your backyard. And this jute lookalike, beige design is actually a blend of polypropylene and polyester, so you don't have to worry as much if it's exposed to the elements. It's water-, fade-, and stain-resistant. But our favorite part? The 8'x10' size for 73% off. Level up your outdoor events with an all-in-one cooler cart! Perfect for entertaining, its huge capacity can hold up to 50 bottles, 70 cans or all your favorite food and snacks. It also has four sturdy wheels that allow you to easily move the cooler or even take it on the go. This sizeable storage shed is perfect for storing patio cushions, gardening equipment and outdoor essentials. This 154-gallon chest comes with a removable waterproof liner, a durable steel frame, soft-close hinges, and side handles for easy transportation. Plus, this roomy storage bin is constructed from weather-resistant PR rattan wicker. Walmart is taking $140 off this folding Adirondack Chair, a durable piece of patio furniture that doesn't come cheap. But for just $99, this foldable, weather-proof design (it's constructed from high-density polyethylene lumber) is a steal. Reviewers rave that these are easy to put together and are built to last for many summers to come. One buyer even notes it's "a very solid chair for the money!" Lounge in your backyard, on your patio or poolside in ultimate comfort with this set of padded, weather-resistant reclining chairs. The chairs conform to your body while an adjustable headrest adds an extra level of comfort. They also feature a lightweight, folding design so you can bring them along with you to the beach, park or your next tailgate. Made of premium iron material, this swing bench is long and durable enough to seat at least two people. It features strong hooks and chains that can hold up the swing seat securely. Perfect for a deck, garden or patio, this hanging bench will add a touch of elegant charm to your outdoor space. This 3-piece set from Nuu Garden includes swivel bar chairs made of high-quality steel treated with rust and weather-resistant frames. The chairs also come with a footrest and armrest for added comfort. If you don't need a full outdoor dining table — though there are plenty to pick from in the sale — this side table and chair combo might be your best bet. The all-weather wicker seat and back adds an elevated touch to the powder-coated metal frame. It's hard to find a set of patio furniture for under $1,000 these days, but you can get all four of these power-coated pieces for less than $300 — that's a steal. Reviewers write it's "great quality for the price," and it comes together quickly. Others also note it's packaged well, and in most cases, will arrive as early as next week if you order today. This clean and simple dining set will instantly upgrade any patio. It features a wooden tabletop and six rattan dining chairs. The beautiful table and comfortable chairs are guaranteed to give you a weather-resistant set that will last you for years to come. This cushioned loveseat and acacia wood coffee table is the perfect addition to your patio. Reviewers note the water-resistant cushion is comfy and thick and is easy enough to assemble. Score a discount on this Joyside wicker patio set. It comes with two swivel chairs and a side table, making it a great center piece for your outdoor space. There are four different cushion color options to match your decor. This 7-piece modular wicker patio set comes with 4 single chairs, 2 corner chairs and one glass-topped table, giving you all you need to relax outside. The gray wicker is complemented with matching cushions and two striped pillows. Its biggest bonus (aside from the discount) is that the modular design allows you to customize the seating to suit your patio or deck. Belly up to this outdoor wicker bar that's now 50% off. It features six stools that easily slide out from underneath. Ideal for outdoor entertaining, the glass tabletop adds a touch of elegance to your space and is super easy to clean. The wicker furniture and the premium seat cushions are all weather-resistant. Score $129 off this Ovios 5-piece outdoor seating set. It comes with a 3-seat sofa, two lounge chairs and two ottomans, all in an attractive dark gray wicker that's weather resistant. You have your choice of six different cushion colors, although note that it's recommended to store the cushions inside when it's raining. The Jumbo Joe Grill is the highest-rated portable charcoal grill on Weber's site. And while it's also the most expensive, it's the biggest one too at 18-inches. Thankfully, it's on sale and that means you can own a premium compact grill, that can cook up to eight burgers at a time, for less. So, if you're looking to grill on-the-go, this one's for you. Satisfy your hunger with this tabletop propane griddle that you can use on the go just as easily as you do in your backyard. It also comes with a matching hardcover to help keep your griddle clean in between uses. Fueled by all-natural hardwood pellets and controlled with a digital controller, this grill can cook up anything from a rack of ribs to a freshly baked pie. All you have to do is set the grill temperature like you would your oven and let your Traeger do the work for you. You'll get consistent results every single time. If you want a versatile outdoor cooker, this Ninja grill is the answer. Our Ninja FlexFlame Grill review praised its excellent cooking and smoking performance. Plus, with its easy set up and speedy heat-up time, you'll be able to get grilling in a flash. On the downside, it requires electricity, and it gets pricy if you want to add Ninja accessories. Weber's most powerful line, a Genesis grill can set you back thousands of dollars, so this $350 discount is a welcome sight. It features a side burner, grill locker for storage, and high-performance burners for flare-free grilling. For those chilly days and nights spent outdoors, you need this standing propane gas heater that combines exceptional functionality with sleek design. It's easy to use and will bring you ultimate warmth, not to mention it will create a unique and warm atmosphere that all your friends and family will love. For those chilly spring nights, this powerful fire pit will help extend your time outdoors. The gas tank hides away in the base with a magnetic door, making it simple to replace. You can adjust the heat to your liking and it comes with a lid so you can also use it as a table. The fire pit table is made of high-quality wicker and it comes with a durable fabric cover to ensure it will withstand the elements. Plus, you can't beat its $467 discount. Spend your evenings outdoors, curled up by this wood burning fireplace. The fireplace features a removable grill and pan, making it simple to clean up any ash or soot. It's also constructed from heavy-duty rust resistant steel, so you can feel confident it will stay protected from the outdoor elements. Constructed with heavy-gauge steel, this raised base protects your patio or deck. The simple, bowl-shaped design should fit into any setup and a complimentary spark screen, fire poker and grate means you'll have all the tools needed to take any summer gathering past sunset at once. Just add some marshmallows and chocolate. From cool nights to crisp days, this powerful fire pit will help extend your time outdoors this spring. You'll love cozying up to the portable fire pit that includes a spark screen, log poker, log grate and vinyl storage cover.
Business Insider
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Outer furniture review: We entertain, have a dog, and live in the blustery Northeast — this outdoor furniture holds up
Buying outdoor furniture has been on my to-do list since I bought my house. The deck is one of the first things that grabbed me during the walk-through, and it's the one feature guests always comment on, mostly because it's so spacious. There is a lot of room to fill, and outdoor furniture sets can be expensive. I've put off buying new indoor furniture because with a kid, a dog, and a love of entertaining, our furniture gets a lot of use around here. I decided that for my outdoor space, I wanted to invest in something that would hold up for years with only the best outdoor furniture. I had seen ads for Outer furniture on Instagram, and it seemed like exactly what I was after. The furniture has a contemporary look, but more importantly, it's built to be practically bulletproof. The cushions are weatherproof — not just from the occasional rain shower but also UV light that fades most outdoor fabric. They also resist mold, mildew, and, as I discovered, tree sap and bird droppings. Plus, everything is washable. The brand has a range of options, but I was drawn to the modular seating because you can design whatever configuration you want. I also appreciate the brand's commitment to sustainability. They use natural and recycled materials, plus they make a quality product, so you're not filling a landfill with discarded wicker or plastic Adirondack chairs and chaises every few years. Outer's stuff really holds up, even to my rambunctious life. About Outer Outer was founded in 2018 to fill a need for durable, eco-friendly, and attractive outdoor furniture. The company's first product was the Outer sofa, which it designed using memory foam cushions to make it as comfortable as a bed and weatherproofing to make it as durable as camping gear. It's also 100% recyclable. Built-in cushion covers are an innovation of the company, as were its " neighborhood showrooms" — places where homeowners offer to show you their purchased Outer pieces in a real-life setting. Delivery I was impressed when I learned that Outer offers white-glove delivery service, something I had previously thought was only for mattresses. With white-glove delivery, they deliver the furniture, unpack and assemble it on-site, and haul away any packing materials. While white-glove delivery is seamless, I did have a few hiccups with my actual order. Outer's pieces take between two and four weeks for delivery. Mine was closer to two weeks. The shipping company arrived right at the beginning of the window they gave me, but there was a mix-up, and they could not unpack or set up the couch. When I contacted Outer, they apologized for the inconvenience and sent someone out the same day to unpack and assemble it. The person they sent did a great job, and even hauled away all the cardboard and other packing materials, so I didn't have to deal with disposing of them. He also demonstrated how the seat covers worked and how the sofa can be rearranged or moved. I had been concerned with the weight, but because the sofa breaks apart into individual seats that only weigh about 30 pounds each, moving it to a new place on the deck or for off-season storage couldn't be easier. Design Outer has a variety of outdoor seating to choose from, as well as dining options, firepits, umbrellas, rugs, and blankets. I liked the modular line because it allowed me to figure out what kind of seating would work in my space (one leg of an L-shaped deck) and make a nice gathering area while coordinating with my existing dining set. I could also select the frame material and cushion color. Outer offers three frames in this line: aluminum (in black or white), natural teak, and a wicker made from recycled materials. Aluminum is the brand's best seller, followed by the handwoven all-weather wicker. Some people might shy away from wood because of fears about warping or splintering, but I love the look of wood and don't mind doing a little maintenance like applying teak cleaner, brightener, and oil. I'm a fan of natural wood, and thought the teak would coordinate nicely with my similarly stained deck and my existing wood dining set. The teak starts out a golden honey color, but without maintenance, it will patina over time to a silvery gray. I chose the 3-seater sofa, which has two corner seats and one armless center seat. I also love that I can add pieces onto this basic couch to make it into a sectional later if I want. I can't stress how much I love being able to pull this couch apart and change it depending on how I'm using the space. Often, it's just me and my laptop working out there to enjoy the nice weather, so a loveseat and chair are lovely. When I host more people, I can push all three seats together for a larger sitting area. The pieces attach with metal hooks, and a removable velcro strap on each base secures the cushions in place so nothing is loose or moving around. I have been so impressed with this sofa, I'm already looking to add another modular seat or two. The Teak is a grade-A hardwood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and sustainably harvested. It's the same kind of wood used on ships, and it's known for its water-resistant properties. Outer plants three new trees for each tree cut to manufacture a piece of furniture. This is the anti-IKEA seat. There is no assembly required or screws to tighten. The seats have a rod and dowel frame is almost one piece. It's also got a very classic design, but the curved sides and tapered legs give it a flair that makes it modern and unique. When I catch a glimpse of the backyard from the street, the sofa definitely stands out and makes the entire deck look classier. Visitors are always asking where I got my outdoor couch. The cushions are filled with memory foam, the same kind used in luxury mattresses and bean bag chairs. The cushions will not lose their shape and contour to your body, so you will feel comfortable sitting on them. The main selling point for me, though, was the built-in cushion covers, which pull out from under each seat to wrap around and protect the entire seat when not in use, including the back, side, and seat cushions. The fabric covers of each cushion are made from a fabric that resists dirt, stains, pollen, mold, and the UV light that fades most outdoor items. They're also removable and machine washable. All you have to do is unzip them, cover the velcro strips that hold the cushions to the frame (Outer provides velcro strips for this purpose) to avoid the fabric pilling, and toss them in the washing machine on a gentle cycle using a mild detergent, then hang to dry. I haven't needed to wash them more than once a season because the fabric is so great at repelling stains, and spot cleaning has been enough. The cushion fabric has a slightly rugged texture but is still soft and comfortable to sit on. Outer does have a somewhat limited color palette with only 5 colors to choose from: white, cream, a light and dark gray, and navy. I chose the darker gray because I'm used to having to hide stains in my house, even when cushions claim to be stain-resistant and washable. If you can't decide on a design or configuration, Outer even has a free design service. Even though I was pretty sure what I wanted, I used Outer's design consultant just to see what it was like. I found it to be a great service. A consultant will discuss your space and even look at photos and measurements to help you decide on the best furniture and configuration. The appointment was fast and pleasant, and my consultant gave me some good pointers about where to place the sofa. Comfort I'm a stickler for form and function, so as pretty as the Outer modular teak sofa looks, it wouldn't have been a win for me if it weren't also comfortable and durable. Thankfully, it covers all of those bases. The teak wood frame is very sturdy, but you don't feel hard slats or ridges through the 6-inch-thick cushions. Except for the fabric, which isn't as soft as what you'd find inside, it feels like sitting on an indoor couch — a well-made one, too. The cushions are comfortable but supportive enough that you can set a tray of drinks on one without worrying about it spilling. The memory foam core resists sagging over time, so the cushions look and feel as new as the day I got them. The fabric is thick but not scratchy, and even the zippers are weatherproof and durable. Durability Durability was my top concern, and the reason I looked at Outer in the first place. To be fair, they are not the most affordable option. And, while they offer one of the longest warranties (10 years for the frame and five years for the cushions) in the industry for outdoor furniture, my preference is to never have to use it. I wanted outdoor seating that I would only have to buy once, and something that would stand up to the abuse my family gives it. We are a household of very active, and very clumsy, people, plus a dog who can get wild in her own right and sheds the most lint-roller-resistant hair ever. I had fallen for the clickbait Outer ads showing a pitcher of water being poured on a cushion and just running off, and I was dying to know if it could be even close to accurate. To my pleasant surprise, the ads were accurate. Within days of delivery, despite my overprotective attempts to shield this beautiful couch from the elements, a cedar tree had sprinkled dirt on the cushions, my dog clawed at them several times, and a bird did its business on one. That gave me the opportunity to see how they spot cleaned, and it was impressive. A quick swipe with a paper towel, a few blots with some mild detergent, and a rinse with running water, and there was no residue, no fading, and no stain. It didn't really get wet, but when it did, it dried quickly. The water beaded up and ran off, just like in the ad. I live in the Northeast, and the weather here exposes these cushions to all kinds of conditions, often in the same week: blistering sun, wind, heavy rain. Initially, I didn't even have an awning or cover over them, so they were fully at the mercy of my backyard full of trees, plants, and assorted wildlife. I store my outdoor furniture for the winter and try to stay on top of covering it and bringing cushions indoors during storms, but sometimes a quick-moving rain cloud will catch me off guard. Outer stands up to it all. There is no pilling, discoloration, or fading. At the end of the season, I use a teak cleaner and oil on the frame to keep the wood in good shape and keep the color bright. It's very minor maintenance in my book, and I like not having to worry about rust, rot, or mold. The cushion covers are machine washable, although the built-in covers (called the OuterShell) have to be wiped down by hand. Sustainability I'll admit, sustainability isn't usually at the top of my list when making a purchase, but in this case, I was looking for something that I wouldn't be hauling to a landfill in a year or two. Outer takes it a step further, because it not only makes a product that will last longer than your average outdoor seating, but the company also goes to great lengths to use sustainable materials. The cushions can actually be recycled when they've reached the end of their long life. The frame is also easier to dispose of because it uses no hardware, so it's all wood. Cons to consider The upfront cost of this couch is no small thing, but you pay for quality. No outdoor seating is truly buy it for life (BIFL), but if I don't have to worry about it for a decade, I'll feel like I've gotten my money's worth. Outer does have sales occasionally as well, so you might snag a deal if you're not super picky. My more immediate gripe was the wait time. If you are considering this brand or similar ones with a customizable product, make sure you plan ahead and allow enough time for it to ship, especially during the busy season starting in spring. I did have trouble with the delivery, but Outer assured me it was a one-time glitch, and they've taken steps to remedy that with their shipping partner. I was satisfied with how it was resolved. The bottom line Outer makes the closest thing to buy it for life outdoor furniture I've experienced. In addition to being as durable as promised, it is a fine-looking piece of furniture made with great craftsmanship, and comfortable to boot. Its unique features, like built-in cushion covers and modular components, set it apart from the competition. Plus, you can feel good about knowing you can recycle it and it won't end up in a landfill even at the end of its lifetime.
Vancouver Sun
29-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Vancouver Sun
The Bookless Club: What are your Canada Day or summer rituals?
Long weekend comin' up. You're gonna need limes. And don't forget to put some tall glasses in the freezer. You see, it's not officially summer until someone breaks out the gin and tonics. A cold beer — and when I say cold, I mean arctic — makes a suitable alternative, but it's got to be icy cold. Frosty glasses help. These drinks might be just ceremonial libations, but they're required. It's got to be something you only have in the summertime. You might only have one G&T this year, so make it perfectly: thick wheels of lime, frosty glasses, and not the tonic left over from before the pandemic. If you're off booze, consider a Rose's Lime Cordial — this chartreuse sparkler pinch hits for G&T quite nicely. Watermelons are the seasonal equivalent of the Halloween pumpkin, so you're going to need one of those. Yes, they make a big mess, but it'll probably be the only watermelon you lug home this year. There's a whole science of reading watermelon rinds — do your homework so that you don't accidentally bring home a big pink ball of styrofoam. Watermelon is best served chilled, so before you head to the grocery store, evacuate an entire shelf of the fridge to make space for this seasonal behemoth. Chunk it up for a feta, mint and watermelon salad or just slice it in wedges. Here's a pro tip: Put it on a rimmed baking sheet before you start hacking at it. A daily roundup of Opinion pieces from the Sun and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Informed Opinion will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The summer sky is part of the program. You're going to need to recline and regard the firmament. An Adirondack chair will do, but a hammock is next level. The important thing is that you get on your back and stop for a moment to consider your total and utter insignificance. If it's daytime, there are clouds to identify or anthropomorphize or zoomorphize. Yes, that one is, indeed, a cumulonimbus. Yes, that one does look like Bernie Sanders. A pod of dolphins? Yes, I see it, too. An ice cream cone is a sacrament of the season. I can say with certainty that the only ice cream cones I have eaten in my adult life are in the months of July or August. Ice cream beguiles in other seasons, but never in a cone — that's a feature of summer. These days, corn on the cob gets some fancy treatment. It used to be just boiled and buttered. These days you should expect the unexpected, like parmesan, chilli flakes or crumbled bacon. But if the corn is good — local and freshly picked — it really only requires a little heating to make it delectable. Here's a little performance enhancing tip for your corn: Try a little honey mixed in with the butter. You'll thank me later. In observance of Canada Day, you can count on some sort of red-and-white dessert being offered. Strawberries adorning a red velvet cake festooned with cream cheese icing, perhaps? Our tradition is a Devonshire strawberry tart. A friend tells me that he must — simply must — go fishing each summer. It's how he sets his annual personal odometer. Many's the trip where he's come home empty handed, but that's not the point. Without that fishing trip, the year would blend into the flanking years. If he's been lucky, there will be a fish dinner, and the menu never varies: baked potatoes, roasted zucchini, tomato, mushroom kabobs, and his salmon lashed with mayonnaise and sliced lemons. If this meal takes place and the weather is fine, well, that's summer fait accompli. Done like dinner! We all have our summer observances. They can be as small as having coffee outdoors or finding time to read a book on a park bench. Maybe you always catch a Canadians baseball game? Or visit the PNE? The important thing is not to let these glory days slip by unobserved. Happy Canada Day! Jane Macdougall is a freelance writer and former National Post columnist who lives in Vancouver. She writes The Bookless Club every Saturday online and in The Vancouver Sun. For more of what Jane's up to, check out her website, Question: What are your Canada Day or summer rituals? Send your answers by email text, not an attachment, in 100 words or less, along with your full name to Jane at thebooklessclub@ . We will print some next week in this space. Question: Has geopolitical conflict directly affected your life? • If this is the first time you are noticing that people are distressed about the Middle East, you have been living under a rock. The Jewish community has been distressed for the last 20 months. Our synagogues have been vandalized. Our families in Israel have been living in bomb shelters, and those of us with family in Israel whose nieces and nephews are serving live on pins and needles. Iran and its proxies (Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis) are trying to kill everyone who believes in freedom. The Iranian people deserve to be free from this. But war is terrible, Iran is just now feeling it, but the rest of us have been on edge since Oct. 7, 2023. Mentioning both sides in your column would have been better. Am Yisrael Chai! Sue Hector • A tragic situation for your hairdresser, Vicky, and for all Iranians. A big subject, Jane, with no real solution. All Gulf countries (Saudi, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman) have incredible wealth, and there are U.S. and U.K. military bases in these countries. Iran, in theory, is a threat to all of those strategic interests. How can there be any compromise? The U.S. and Israel knew that the bombing would bring 'collateral damage'. There are all kinds of negotiations going on, but Israel and the U.S. will not stop their current attacks on Iran until they are certain that all nuclear sites are disabled. Paul Rhodes • You bet it has affected our life. As I write this, our daughter, Wendy, and our six-year-old grandson are hunkered down in Doha, Qatar with Iranian missiles exploding overhead. We are frantic to get them back here. George Kristensen • We left Chile in the 1970s to escape the political upheaval and violence there. If you've ever lived through that sort of pervasive fear, you never forget the feeling. Name withheld • My family has lived through kidnappings and politically motivated killings. It can and does happen anywhere and everywhere — Argentina, Lebanon, China. One must stay ever vigilant and adhere to the rule of law if one wishes to live free. Name withheld
Eater
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
De La Nonna Expands to Big Bear With a Dazzling Lakeside View
Over the last few years, Los Angeles operators have opened new locations in adjacent getaway cities like Santa Barbara (Ospi Montecito, Marisella, and the Window) and Palm Springs (Bar Issi debuted in June). Big Bear is the latest to experience this type of expansion: The De La Nonna team, who introduced their casual restaurant to the Arts District in 2021, opened a Big Bear outpost on June 4 that overlooks Big Bear Lake from inside the recently reimagined Hotel Marina Riviera. De La Nonna Big Bear resides just yards away from the water and has massive floor-to-ceiling windows that face north. A handful of area operators have a similar vantage point (like the Pines Lakefront and Santana Mavericks Bar), but De La Nonna's expansive display comes alongside one of Los Angeles's most popular menus. Partners Jose L. Cordon, Lee Zaremba, and chef Patrick Costa brought the hits (focaccia sandwiches, whipped eggplant dip, salads, and thick, rectangular Sicilian-style pizzas) along with new additions like the tinned fish with butter crackers, a chopped ocean smoked trout dip, and rotating soft serve flavors finished with Maldon salt and olive oil. No crudos for now, though Costa says they'll try to keep a seasonal menu. De La Nonna's wine list showcases biodynamic and organic smaller producers, while the staff prepare cocktails for summer or ski season, such as a frozen Aperol spritz and espresso martini. They've got an orange bitter soda with zero-proof sparkling wine and Skyduster Italian Pils on draft. Boutique hotelier Casetta Hotels approached the De La Nonna trio about expanding in Big Bear while partnering with them on their next restaurant project inside Silver Lake's forthcoming Hotel Lucille. Big Bear's Hotel Marina was originally built in 1968 with a new design by Electric Bowery, who kept the mid-century bones but took a modern sensibility with a cluster of custom banquette tables, high top chairs overlooking the lake, and Adirondack chairs surrounding two fire pits. In all, the restaurant seats approximately 120 diners. 'We saw the vision,' says Costa. 'We walked around the town, saw the beautiful settings, surroundings, and great community. We thought we could bring nothing new to that area, but something great and approachable for the Big Bear community.' De La Nonna Big Bear is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 40770 Big Bear Boulevard, Big Bear Lake, CA, 92315. See More:
