Latest news with #MarineLayer
Eater
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Eater
The Suave Cocktail Bar Companion to Melrose Hill's Corridor 109 Is Open
is the Lead Editor of the Southern California/Southwest region, and has covered dining, restaurants, food culture, and nightlife in Los Angeles since 2008. Ask Brian Baik what he would've opened in 2020 — when he relocated from New York City to his hometown of Los Angeles — what his first-ever restaurant would have been, and he probably wouldn't have answered with a bar. But on July 29, Baik will debut Bar 109 with bartender Kayla Garcia overseeing the drinks and general manager Jon Tran. The bar will open in the front portion of his forthcoming tasting menu restaurant, Corridor 109, which has been in development for years. Garcia was most recently at Kumiko, which just won the 2025 James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar and is currently number 10 in the North America 50 Best Bars. Kumiko is known for blending elements of a classic Japanese whisky bar with a beverage omakase. Garcia was also at Thunderbolt's Hollywood offshoot Night on Earth before landing at Bar 109. Ichigo Punch at Bar 109. Oolong Boulevardier at Bar 109. At Bar 109, Garcia will serve updated versions of classic cocktails, like the gently salted Marine Layer, a type of martini mixing gin, Manzanilla sherry, dry vermouth, saline, and white kelp. The Ichigo Punch blends summer ingredients of strawberry and basil with vodka, mezcal, clarified milk, and junmai sake. A Korean-inflected Chic Hey (named after sikhae) employs malted barley, fermented rice, and non-alcoholic kombucha for a spirit-free sipper. While at Kumiko, Garcia earned a sake sommelier certification, and she compiled a standalone sake menu alongside the greater wine list, which was curated by master sommelier Michael Englemann. As for food, Baik will serve a bar bites menu for probably the first time in his career, which has mostly occupied the world of New York City fine dining. Start with a smoked salmon dip with Ritz crackers and then ogle the massive shrimp cocktail using some of the largest shrimp (U-10, meaning under 10 shrimp per pound) on the market. A fried fish sandwich inspired by Japanese nanbankan comes with hefty tartar sauce and pickles between potato buns. A wagyu hot dog heavy on Dijon mustard comes with pickled pepper relish. For Bar 109, Montalba Architects designed a sleek, mostly black-painted space anchored by the striking Forest Gold marble countertop with tendrils of rusty brown running across its surface, an element that Baik said he went 'all out' on in terms of cost. Three elliptical tables allow for groups to congregate and potentially take in some pre- or post-dinner drinks once Corridor 109 opens. But unlike the likely pricey dinner that will await those folks, Bar 109 won't take reservations and is intended to be a casual neighborhood hangout open until midnight. Debuting on July 29, Bar 109 will be open Tuesday to Saturday, 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., and is located at 641 N. Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90004. Food and drinks at Bar 109. Marine Layer cocktail. Coconut Swizzle, a non-alcoholic cocktail at Bar 109. Kayla Garcia, Brian Baik, and Jon Tran at Bar 109 in Los Angeles.
CNN
17-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- CNN
I've been ordering from Backcountry for a decade. Here are my discounted summer faves
Backcountry has been my go-to online outdoors retailer for years. As much we love REI at CNN Underscored, Backcountry separates itself by having its finger on the pulse of up-and-coming brands, on-trend clothing pieces to sport all summer long and gear for activities like skateboarding or going to the beach. Luckily, Backcountry's Summer Sale has up to 30% off thousands of pieces that are functional enough to wear on the trail or dressier silhouettes for seaside picnics with friends. TravisMathew Women's Cloud T-Shirt Sometimes all you need is a basic everyday tee, and this one doesn't skimp on comfort or style with its flattering ribbed neckline. It's 30% off in five colors, ranging from a crisp white to a summery pink. Rhythm Women's Tyler Mini Dress Dash out of the house in minutes after throwing on this coastal summer-ready dress. It's made for days when you want to look put together with minimal effort, and now it's under $50 in a periwinkle blue. Marine Layer Women's Elle Midweight Pull-On Pants I own the shorts version of these pants and love how flattering they look with a snug baby tee or a cropped boxy shirt. The stretchy waistband is comfortable without looking sloppy, and its buttons and zippers are fully functional. Oiselle Women's Open Lane Bra High-impact sports bras are a favorite of mine since I do a mixture of weight lifting and cardio movements at the gym. This breathable racerback is suitable for B-C cups and has removable padding for those who prefer a slimmer look. Free People Women's Day To Day Solid Boxers Wearing lightweight shorts is a must over the summer and these breezy boxers will be your go-to for grabbing a cup of coffee or walking the dog. Lots of people wear these with scrunched socks and Birkenstock Boston's and now the lake blue color is under $30. Billabong Women's Best Session Short-Sleeve T-Shirt An oversized tee and chunky necklace combo is a must for summer, especially during lazy beach days or cooler nights relaxing around a fire. Billabong makes quintessential surf tees, and I'm loving this bright yellow and lilac graphic top. Kari Traa Women's Rothe Midlayer Jacket Wearing a zip-up fleece and Patagonia baggy shorts is a chef's kiss pairing for those days when it's 70 degrees and below. If you want to wear it during the fall or winter, the roomy sleeves and temperature-regulating materials make it great for layering. Beyond Yoga Women's Spacedye High Waisted Trek Shorts The 3.5-inch inseam on these athleisure shorts is the perfect in-between length for those who appreciate ample coverage. Beyond Yoga's stretchy and moisture-wicking fabric is pill-free, per the brand, designed to hold up wash after wash. Backcountry Women's Destination Dress Thanks to Outdoor Voices, I was introduced to the world of exercise dresses years ago. While Backcountry has a few variations of its own, this one stood out due to its convenient adjustable straps and high neck coverage for added sun protection. Dickies Women's Twill Bib Skirtall If you want overalls without the chafe, snag a skirtall. It looks a bit more sophisticated than shorts, but its oversized pockets and twill material embrace a relaxed vibe. Pair it with your favorite tee, bathing suit and more. Backcountry Men's Wasatch Ripstop Shorts Take these rugged hiking shorts from the trail to beach runs for maximum comfort and functionality. It touts a quick-drying material that can handle sweat and dips in a lake or ocean when it's time to cool off. Fjallraven Men's High Coast Wind Jacket A packable wind and rainbreaker is great to have on hand if you live in an area with frequent rainfall. The bright mustard yellow jacket is down to $131 and is wind-resistant for intense bike rides and brisk walks. The North Face Men's Evolution Box Fit Short-Sleeve T-Shirt It's hard to find a high-quality basic for under $50 nowadays, but The North Face's classic tee is $25 in a handful of neutral colors. The boxy design gives it a relaxed silhouette, and it's even made from eco-conscious materials, according to the brand. Stan Ray Men's Work Short-Sleeve Shirt I've been eyeing this work shirt and the matching pants for months and might finally snag the unisex top now that it's under $100. Practical workwear pieces are great to have in your wardrobe and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Marine Layer Men's Oversized Cloud 9 Fleece Hoodie If you didn't see Dad this Father's Day weekend, consider mailing him a belated gift. This faded navy hoodie from Marine Layer has an adorable embroidered palm tree and will become his favorite layering piece for summer. Rab 5-Inch Men's Talus Ultra Shorts Keep your legs moving freely on your next training day with Rab's slim shorts. The build is lightweight to withstand scorching hot days, where less clothing is better. Score the black pair for under $60 while you can. District Vision Men's Half-Zip Pile Fleece Jacket Elevate your WFH sweats game with District Vision's cozy fleece. The Blue Arrow print is better than a boring solid color and effortlessly blends style and functional apparel. Pro tip: Wear it with clogs and chinos this fall. New Balance 5-Inch Men's Athletics French Terry Shorts For the days when you're not working out but still want to be comfortable, terry cloth is a great alternative to nylon. Its deep side pockets can hold wallets, phones and the like, while its drawstring is stitched to help it stay put. Adidas Men's Terrex Multi T-Shirt This tech tee will keep you cool all day with its sweat-wicking capabilities and reflective details. It's crafted from 100% polyester and was created for adventure seekers who participate in a variety of activities. Katin Men's Fraser Volley Swim Trunks For those unfamiliar with Katin, the brand was born in the 1950s and has designed high-quality beach gear ever since. These nylon swim trunks hit at the mid-thigh and can even double as shorts. Getting major discounts right ahead of the season is rare. At a time when retailers could be marking prices up, Backcountry is taking up to 30% off essentials for the summer. While the mega online store sells camping gear, functional apparel and more, I appreciate that they have tons of options for those seeking everyday pieces at reasonable prices. Our deals team has over a decade of combined commerce journalism experience. Rikka Altland, Jacqueline Saguin and Elena Matarazzo source the deals for the day to curate one-offs and retailer-specific roundups of the best sales to shop. Searching everything from coveted outdoor sales to Lululemon finds of the week, the team works across a wide variety of categories to ensure they're finding the best buys for CNN Underscored readers.
Los Angeles Times
07-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Pacific Symphony composer-in-residence Viet Cuong builds on lessons, relationships
Before Viet Cuong took a seat on the floor to listen to the Pacific Symphony rehearsal on Wednesday night, more than one reporter asked him to recall his time working with the orchestra. While his music has taken him many places, a constant in his love for music has been the relationships, Cuong said. That was true when he was a clarinet player and a percussionist attending high school in Georgia. Cuong, a Lake Forest resident, is now in his third year as the composer-in-residence for the Pacific Symphony, which calls the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa its home. The time spent working with the orchestra has been 'special,' said Cuong, who added that he feels like he is 'writing for people.' That feeling of connectivity and trust extends to his relationship with Carl the longtime conductor of the Pacific Symphony. 'I feel like I'm in a safe space,' Cuong said of collaborating with 'I know that the music will be taken care of well.' a Laguna Beach resident, is in his final season as music director, a role he has held for 35 years. He will stay connected to the symphony as music director laureate. (Alexander Shelley was named as successor in November.) That relationship began when Cuong heard that his music was going to be played at USC during the coronavirus pandemic. That's when he met who was guest conducting a concert with the USC Thornton School of Music's wind ensemble. 'Everything was being canceled all the time, and I hadn't heard a piece of mine played in months,' Cuong said. 'I reached out to USC, and I was like, 'Would you allow me to come on campus, so I could hear this piece played? … [ was so excited that I was there, and I got to talk to him a little bit. I think I was one of three people in the audience for that concert because it was a livestream concert.' Pacific Symphony picked up a fifth piece from Cuong, 'Marine Layer,' for a world premier during its performances this weekend. 'I think it's really hard to do anything that's truly one of a kind or never been done before,' Cuong said. 'There's so many composers who have tried so many things, so many chords, so many melodies, so many different orchestrations. For me, things stay exciting when I feel like I've figured something out for myself that I probably wouldn't have thought of a year ago, or even yesterday. 'Whenever I'm writing a piece, whenever I get that feeling, the piece feels like it starts to write itself when I have that excitement.' Cuong, 34, got his start in music when his mother put him in piano lessons as a young boy. 'I always joke that I took it too seriously, like I got too interested in it,' said Cuong, who noted that he was encouraged to pursue fields with more stability as the son of Vietnamese immigrants. By his senior year of high school, classmates were playing pieces he wrote, and he was beginning to win support at home, albeit with a healthy bit of skepticism. 'I think that their apprehension made me work even harder because I always thought to myself, 'Well, they took a big leap of faith, and I want them to see that it was worth it,'' Cuong said. Cuong attended the Peabody Conservatory, before enrolling in graduate studies at Princeton University and the Curtis Institute of Music. 'I feel grateful for all my teachers I've had,' said Cuong. 'There's a composer here based in Southern California named Frank Ticheli, who was the composer-in-residence for the Pacific Symphony [from 1991 to 1998]. … I played a lot of his music when I was in high school, and he still is writing really amazing music and still has a really wonderful career as a composer. 'He has always been really kind to me, and he even guest conducted a group in Korea, a piece of mine, this past summer. I think if you had told me when I was 14 that one day Frank Ticheli would be a fan of mine and conducting my music, I would have freaked out.' Cuong now splits his time between Orange County and Las Vegas, where he is an assistant professor of music composition at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 'Students today have the same insecurities and dreams and ambitions as when I was a student,' he said. 'I think my role as a teacher is to use all the knowledge that I've gained over the years, and all the lessons I've learned, and have those lessons be in service of someone other than myself. It's really rewarding in that way.'
