MAY-JUNE 2022

S A N F R A N C I S C O | S I L I C O N VA L L E Y | M A R I N | N A PA | N O R T H E R N C A L I F O R N I A

$20.00

M AY/J U N E 2 0 2 2

LUXURY LIFESTYLE WITH PURPOSE

THE TRAVEL ISSUE GETAWAY GUIDE: THE BEST IN LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS

California Lifestyle Collection Belvedere Grand View Estate

Belvedere Grand View Estate

bar, wine cellar and deck with panoramic views. The dining room is next to the spacious open plan kitchen/family room/breakfast nook with fireplace and wallto-wall glass doors to view decks and a second family room/office with half bath around the corner. The kitchen with enormous center island is equipped with top An approximately 11,200 square foot home with stunning views from the Bay of the line appliances fit for a Michelin Star chef.

Bridge to San Francisco to the Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito, on appx. 1.2 Master suite features sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San acre lush garden double lot, this resort-like magnifi c ent view estate is truly a Francisco, a fireplace, a deck and an opulent bathroom of exquisite marble. one-of-a-kind property on the prestigious Belvedere Island. Incredible scale Three other en-suite bedrooms complete this floor. A separate guest floor with and unrivaled opportunity, in one of the most exceptional settings in Northern two bedroom en-suite sharing a living room with wet bar and a private view deck.

California, overlooking San Francisco Bay with breathtaking panoramic views.

Sweeping entertainer’s decks and walls of glass that bring phenomenal views The estate’s resort-like luxurious amenities are as impressive as the residence, to the forefront of the living experience, all in a beautiful and private resort-like offering the versatility to retreat in serenity or entertain elaborate and lavish events, featuring the indoor pool on the garden level with steam room, sauna, setting. spa, an exercise nook, an entertaining kitchen, dining, bar, two bathrooms, wallRebuilt in 2008, this gated contemporary style home off e rs 6 b edrooms, 1 0 to-wall glass doors opening onto a spacious deck with a hot tub and outdoor bathrooms, a 60 foot indoor pool and entertainment area with multiple decks dining overlooking the exquisite gardens, various terraces with seating areas and to enjoy world class views, with elevator and walkways connecting the levels and endless views. Ample parking within the gate, plus three-car garage. uniting the indoor with the fabulous gardens and sculptures.

This is a perfect home to enjoy luxurious gardens, breathtaking views and resortDouble doors open into a light-infused, two-story atrium entrance of the home’s like amenities in the most exclusive Belvedere location. incredible fl o or-to-ceiling window walls, fl oo ding the space in natural light and For photos and details, please visit: immersing guests in breathtaking views. Offi c e nook with a fi rep lace, majestic BelvedereGrandEstate.com formal living room with soaring high ceilings, wall of glass windows, fi replace, wet

Price Upon Request

Olivia Hsu Decker

SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

Direct Line 415.720.5915

Olivia @ SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

|

Lic.# 00712080

California Lifestyle Collection Belvedere, California

Olivia Hsu Decker

SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

Direct Line 415.720.5915

Olivia @ SanFranciscoFineHomes.com

|

Lic.# 00712080

California Lifestyle Collection Rare Belvedere Waterfront Compound of 2 Homes on 4 Lots with Stunning Views

4 Beds | 5 Baths | 1 Half-Bath | ±8,131 sq. ft Featured in Architectural Digest, this world-class residence showcases panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, the entire city skyline of San Francisco, and Sausalito. This magnifi cent masterpiece in a dramatic setting on the most prestigious location is comprised of a ±8,131 sq .ft. home on a ±0.67 acre lot, featuring 4 bedrooms and 5.5 baths. This architectural work of art was designed by architect Charles Gwathmey, with spectacular outlooks from every corner of the expansive 4-level fl oor plan. The primarily vertical organization of this house takes advantage of its sloped site on the southern coast of Belvedere Island. The uppermost level contains a 3-car garage with glass doors, an elevator which descends to a courtyard, a detached one bedroom, one bath guesthouse and a spacious wine cellar. The remaining levels of the main house are situated between two large retaining walls, which follow the natural contours of the site and splay outwards towards the Bay. The house’s compact organization within the precinct formed by

Price Upon Request the retaining walls ensures privacy. An interior circular stair winds around an elevator and forms the cylindrical focal point of the house’s massing. A barrel-vaulted ceiling articulates the living and dining room at the entry level of the main house, and a large deck projects towards the Bay to extend the space into the landscape. 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, a study and a two-story entertainment room occupy the intermediate floors, while a media room, a beautiful wet bar, a full bath with steam shower and sauna on the lowest level open onto a spacious outdoor terrace with a pool, whose “infinity edge” of water establishes a poetic connection to the Bay. The interior floors are limestone and wide plank, Bubinga wood and cabinets are lightly stained maple. The exterior is clad in gray stained cedar, with a curved standing seam zinc roof. All exterior windows, doors and decks are teak, all terraces are beige/gray flamed limestone pavers and the retaining walls are painted warm white stucco.

More photos and information can be found at: 445BelvedereAve.com

Olivia Hsu Decker | SanFranciscoFineHomes.com Cell: 415.720.5915 | Olivia@SanFranciscoFineHomes.com | Lic.# 00712080

California Lifestyle Collection Rare Belvedere Waterfront Compound of 2 Homes on 4 Lots with Stunning Views

Olivia Hsu Decker | SanFranciscoFineHomes.com Cell: 415.720.5915 | Olivia@SanFranciscoFineHomes.com | Lic.# 00712080

California Lifestyle Collection Magnificent St. Helena Vineyard Estate

7 Beds | 5 Baths | 1 Half-Bath | ±8 Acres This picturesque villa of nearly 10,000 square feet of living space is perched on its own promontory with panoramic views of vineyards, lush gardens, and Napa Valley. The custom-built Main Residence and Guest House boast quality finishes and high ceilings showcasing grand proportions and scale including 7 bedrooms, 6 baths, wine cellar, tasting room, a grand motor court, an 80 foot pool, outdoor kitchen with pizza oven, meandering gardens, koi ponds, stone terraces,

St. Helena, California

$17,500,000 vegetable gardens, fl o wer g ardens c overing t he s prawling grounds. The guest house has one bedroom and bath. The property has its own self-sustaining water source – a rarity in Napa Valley. Don’t miss the opportunity to own this breathtaking view property that is synonymous with the quintessential wine country lifestyle and only minutes away from the vibrant downtown St Helena. www.SpringMountainEstateNapaValley.com

Olivia Hsu Decker | SanFranciscoFineHomes.com Cell: 415.720.5915 | Olivia@SanFranciscoFineHomes.com | Lic.# 00712080

California Lifestyle Collection Magnificent St. Helena Vineyard Estate

Olivia Hsu Decker | SanFranciscoFineHomes.com Cell: 415.720.5915 | Olivia@SanFranciscoFineHomes.com | Lic.# 00712080

St. Helena, California

PUBLISHER’S Letter WELCOME TO OUR TRAVEL ISSUE 2022! IT SEEMS LIKE JUST YESTERDAY when I wrote about dusting off our passports and traveling again in my letter for the 2021 travel issue. That was in April 2021, when travel bans were still all over the world.

Exactly a year later, if you are ready to pack your bags and take trips now, we’ve got a great travel issue for you.

In our cover story, “Where to? Luxury Travel with Purpose,” our contributor, Laurie Jo Miller Farr, helps you find destination inspiration as the world reopens its borders, from a journey in the steps of Agatha Christie to a riverboat floating along on the Nile to Venetian art and architecture at Biennale to best of the Alps.

Our editor-in-chief, Teresa, shares with you her trip to Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on Hawaii’s exclusive Kona-Kohala Coast after the resort’s $100 million transformation (page 40). While you visit the Kona Coast, you might also like to make a trip to Sensei Lanai, located on one of Hawaii’s smallest islands, for a wellness trip to its 24-acre, zen-like, lush, tropical garden setting (page 92). There is also “Fiji Fantasy,” for an unforgettable trip that will captivate your soul and heart (page 48). If you are not an island lover, do read Becca Henley’s story on Amangani near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the mountain hotel of your dreams as Becca recounts on page 44.

OLIVIA HSU DECKER OWNER/PUBLISHER Olivia@HauteLivingSF.com www.HauteLivingSF.com Text 415.720.5915

If you are still uncomfortable about flying to a faraway destination or standing in long lines at airports for COVID tests—as I did at London Airport last month and missed my flight—then we have great local trips for you. Our Haute Drinks article talks about walking your way through Carmel-by-the-Sea with a glass of wine in hand on page 34. Steph Keay’s 6-page article gives you an in-depth report on Healdsburg, the charming, chic, small town in the heart of Sonoma County, boasting great restaurants, hotels, and wineries and just an hour’s drive from San Francisco (page 54). Even our Haute Residence article this issue is a resort-like, wine country estate adjacent to Meadowood Resort in St. Helena (page 102).

Most importantly, please read our Health & Wellness Ambassador Lydia Graham’s “On the Move Again: Staying Healthy When You Travel,” on page 110. Lydia covered what to do while traveling by air, what to pack health-wise, and tips for exercising and eating away from home, with a reminder to have fun and adventure, even when traveling for business.

We’d also like you to read our Haute Events and Scenes: we finally have more to report as the events start to reopen. We loved the sensational reopening night of San Francisco Ballet: La Grande Fête, the 25th anniversary of the Sonoma International Film Festival, the V Foundation’s Sonoma Epicurean Weekend which raised $2.4 million for cancer research, the San Francisco MOMA Art Bash 2022, Dress for Success’ Casino Royale-themed gala fundraiser at the Palace Hotel, the Red Cross’ 27th annual fundraising gala at the City Hall, the wine and culinary event at Four Seasons in Calistoga, the unveiling of the new RH gallery in San Francisco, and last but not least, our Man-About-Town Ambassador Aubrey Brewster’s own birthday party themed “Meet Me in Paris.” We are almost back to reporting 10 events each issue, as we did before the pandemic lockdown.

We wish you safe travels and bon voyage,

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PUBLISHER Olivia Hsu Decker Olivia@HauteLivingSF.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Teresa Rodriguez Teresa@HauteLivingSF.com ART DIRECTOR Krisha Chhaganlal Krisha@HauteLivingSF.com DIGITAL EDITOR Laurie Jo Miller Farr Laurie@HauteLivingSF.com COPY EDITOR Karen M. Smith henhousepublishing@gmail.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer Boden, Noël Burgess, Laurie Jo Miller Farr, Becca Hensley, Steph Keay, Fran Endicott Miller, Robert Richards, Sharon Seto, and Carolyne Zinko.

ABOUT TOWN AMBASSADOR Aubrey Brewster HEALTH AND WELLNESS AMBASSADOR Lydia Graham LUXURY AUTO AMBASSADOR Tim Lappen TL@JMBM.com SUBSCRIPTION AND DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES Olivia Hsu Decker Olivia@HauteLivingSF.com AD SALES REPRESENTATIVE Cindy Pelland Cindy@HauteLivingSF.com ACCOUNTING Sarah Trissel Sarah@HauteLivingSF.com LEGAL Carl Lippenberger Carl@lippenbergerlaw.com

Haute Living San Francisco Visit us at www.HauteLivingSF.com

Follow us @HauteLivingSF for your guide to all things haute

TABLE of CONTENTS

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

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EDITOR’S LETTER

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HAUTE CALENDAR

HAUTE TRAVEL 48

Forget Narnia and Lord of the Rings and find your fantasy destination in Fiji.

54

Explore the universe of food, wine, and fun in your own back yard: Healdsburg.

HAUTE SHOPPING 16

Cut the glare with these indispensable fashion accessories.

60

Bring the kids for fun and pamper yourself at Four Seasons Resort Haulalai.

18

Celebrate every dad with gifts as unique and wonderful as he is.

64

Amangani refines the wild West, perfectly combining luxury with rugged adventure.

HAUTE SCENE

HAUTE KITCHEN 20

Meet chef JP Carmona, the brilliant mind and palate behind Routier, SF’s newest haute dining destination

HAUTE DRINKS 28

32

There’s more to water than meets the eye, according to water sommelier Martin Riese.

Haute Living celebrates the March-April issue at Redmint’s new spa on Union Square.

70

Admire the best of fine art in SF’s newest art venue, RH San Francisco, The Gallery.

71

The Red Cross’ 27th annual gala raises over $657,000 to prevent and alleviate human suffering.

72

Under One Umbrella’s annual dinner and concert raises $3.8 million to fund breast cancer research.

73

Dress for Success gambles on SF generosity to raise over $500,000 for workforce development and training.

74

Aubrey couldn’t go to Paris, so he brought Paris to San Francisco for his annual birthday luncheon.

75

Taste, color, and sound abound at SFMOMA’s annual fundraiser.

Wander wine glass in hand in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

HAUTE DINING 36

68

Harris’ Restaurant blends beloved tradition and swank with the perfect steak.

HAUTE PROFILE 40

46

Haute Hotel

Five of San Francisco’s female movers and shakers speak to having it all: motherhood and a highpowered career. misterb&b helps LGBTQIA travelers find friendly welcomes around the world.

ON THE COVER:

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LOCATION: HOTEL HEALDSBURG IN HEALDSBURG, CALIFORNIA. EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: TERESA RODRIGUEZ ASSISTANT PRODUCER: KRISHA CHHAGANLAL PHOTOGRAPHER: VINCENT GOTTI LIGHTING ASSISTANT: DANNY VILLAN HAIR AND MAKEUP: OZZIE MENDOZA MODEL: CHERIANN GLAB WITH STARS MODEL MANAGEMENT MODEL MANAGER: GIOI TRAN WARDROBE: LOUIS VUITTON’S PRE-FALL WOMEN’S READY TO WEAR

Haute Living, San Francisco | www.HauteLivingSF.com

Haute Travel

TABLE of CONTENTS Haute Scene

Haute Travel

HAUTE EVENTS 76

The V Foundation’s annual Wine Celebration blends celebrities, wine, and fine dining to raise $2.4 million for cancer research.

78

SF Ballet’s La Grande Fête celebrates Helgi Tomasson’s final year as artistic director with performances, dinner, and a party.

80

Amazing stories, crafted cinema, and celebrities everywhere advance art and culture at the Sonoma International Art Festival’s 25th anniversary event.

82

Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley and the Calistoga Wine Growers Association pair wine and cuisine perfectly.

HAUTE WELLNESS 84

Head to Hawaii to recharge, refresh, and reset both body and mind at Sensei Lānai.

88

Soulful destinations and therapies bring peace and reconnect the pieces of body, mind, and spirit.

HAUTE BEAUTY 92

The founders of SiO Beauty and Clarks Botanicals share their favorite skincare secrets to keep you looking your best when traveling.

94

Whatever your purpose—relaxation, entertainment, education, or business—a perfect journey awaits you.

Haute Wellness

COVER STORY

HAUTE RESIDENCE

102 Find your magic at this resort-like estate adjacent to Meadowood

Resort.

HAUTE AUTO

106 Tim Lappen has trouble getting beyond “Wow!” when reviewing the

Ferrari SF90.

HAUTE AMBASSADOR

110 Aubrey teaches us how to plan the best party ever. Hint: It’s all about

the personal touch.

114 There’s personal safety, then there’s personal safety. Lydia suggests

how we can stay healthy while traveling.

9 Haute Drinks

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF’S Letter WHEN OLIVIA BECAME THE PUBLISHER OF HAUTE LIVING, San Francisco, we met to discuss the magazine’s mission. Of course, we would write about the best in luxury living, high fashion, and divine destinations. But there was something more that we wanted to showcase, and that was the spirit of purpose.

Our award-winning writers have beautifully captured the art of purpose in this issue’s many excellent travel articles. While traveling can be arduous, when given a goal, focus, or mission, it becomes a fulfilling and transformational journey.

Laurie Jo Miller Farr takes us on an enchanting global tour with some of the most sought-after travel experiences that inspire and elucidate.

Steph Keay makes us swoon with her tales of Fiji and its incredible culture. Also, Becca Hensley uncovers some of the most remarkable destinations focused on health and healing. Our Health & Wellness Ambassador, Lydia Graham, shares some tips for staying healthy while we travel.

Not only is travel heating up, so is the party scene. Carolyn Zinko takes us with her as she hobnobs at the top society events in the city.

Planning a party can be challenging, so our intrepid party planner, Aubrey Brewster, has given us a behind-the-scenes look at how to throw a fabulous fête.

TERESA RODRIGUEZ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Haute Living San Francisco Teresa@HauteLivingSF.com www.HauteLivingSF.com

Now that the world is opening up, we plan on hosting more events. So, sign up for our newsletter at hautelivingsf.com for the latest social news, launches, and openings.

We are so fortunate to live in one of the world’s most beautiful regions. But, while we can drive up to wine country for an afternoon or take a walk on one of the many local beaches, let’s not forget those fighting for their lives and freedom in Ukraine.

PHOTO CREDIT: ©VINCENT GOTTI, HAIR AND MAKE UP BY NELLIE MUGANDA

To peace,

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SAN FRANCISCO’S Contributors CAROLYNE ZINKO

Carolyne Zinko has long kept her antennae on the high life. She is the former editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Silicon Valley magazine and, before that, was a San Francisco Chronicle reporter for 22 years, writing about everything from crime and court hearings to largerthan-life personalities and philanthropic leaders. She lives in Menlo Park with her husband, Dan Dieguez.

NOËL BURGESS

Noël Burgess is an East Coaster living in Northern California wine country. His goal is to promote diversity and inclusion in wine, food, and travel with a focus on the places, the products, and most importantly, the people! Follow him on Instagram @mrnoelburgess and at noelburgess.com.

SHARON SETO

A graduate of Golden Gate University and serial entrepreneur, Sharon loves the excitement and creativity of the business world and its people. Her addiction to business ventures began with the acquisition of the El Cid Building, site of the famous SF Jazz Mural. She has served as a board member, fundraiser, and event chair for nonprofit organizations, including the SF Symphony Board of Governors, City College of San Francisco Foundation Board, Red Cross Board, National Colorectal Cancer Alliance Board, SF Ballet, and Dress for Success.

BECCA HENSLEY

A bon vivant journalist who believes travel is the ultimate celebration of life awash with lessons waiting to be learned, widely-published, Texas-based Becca Hensley is travel editor for New Orleans Bride and editor-at-large for Insider’s Guide to Spas. In a career spanning three decades, she has contributed to scores of magazines and newspapers, including Architectural Digest, Elite Traveler, Global Traveler, Conde Nast Traveler, and the Houston Chronicle. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @beccahensley.

STEPH KEAY

Steph Keay is a Canadian freelance and technical writer currently based in Silicon Valley. After completing her Bachelor of Commerce in her hometown of Calgary, Alberta, she spent a summer in Croatia assisting The Yacht Week with events management on the islands of Hvar and Vis. Formerly in PR/marketing, she has also placed stories for a variety of clients—including tech leaders, international artists, and acclaimed actors and musicians—with ABC, FOX, NBC, San Francisco Chronicle, The Mercury News, American Way, and others.

In her spare time, she enjoys adventuring, photography, and travel— all of which she documents on on her website, StephKeay.com.

LAURIE JO MILLER FARR

Laurie is a US/UK dual citizen and dedicated urbanite who loves walkable cities. As a San Francisco-based travel writer, she enjoys views from its crazy, signature hills following half-a-lifetime promoting her two hometowns—a couple of oh-so-flat places: New York City and London. Laurie’s byline is found in USA Today, CBS, Where Traveler, Haute Living, Epicure, Fast Company, Napa Valley Life Magazine, Food & Travel Magazine, Eater, Google Touring Bird, and other major media titles. She was awarded Yahoo Contributor of the Year and is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers.

FRAN ENDICOTT MILLER

Fran Endicott Miller is a luxury-focused freelance feature writer for a variety of lifestyle publications and websites, editor-at-large for JustLuxe.com, and California editor for luxury travel concierge service Essentialist. Prior, she held positions in the fields of politics, television, and professional sports. She is proud to have established the Golden State Warriors’ first community relations department and programs. When not traveling, she can be found walking her Northern California neighborhood with her beloved golden retrievers, Reggie and Nate.

JENNIFER BODEN

Jennifer is a freelance wine, food, and travel writer based in beautiful Sonoma County and has an extensive career in journalism.

She contributes to KRON 4 News San Francisco, ABC 10News San Diego, and others. Prior to her writing career, she worked for several network affiliates as a news anchor and executive producer.

She earned a degree in broadcast journalism from Arizona State University’s prestigious Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Events CALENDAR

BY LAURIE JO MILLER FARR

6 and 8 Paul McCartney Got Back Tour | Oakland Arena “I said at the end of the last tour that I’d see you next time. I said I was going to get back to you. Well, I got back!” - Paul McCartney, referring to his North American Tour. paulmccartneygotback.com 7 Kentucky Derby Party | Kendall-Jackson Estate Kendall-Jackson hosts their inaugural Kentucky Derby party at the winery estate in Santa Rosa. Come in Kentucky Derby fashion to celebrate the 148th Run for the Roses benefiting Meals on Wheels. kj.com/events/ kentucky-derby-party 7 Mill Valley Music Festival | Friends Field North Live music, art, food, drink, and entertainment for all ages at this new one-day outdoor event presented by the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce. Headliner: Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals. millvalleymusicfest.com Through May 8 San Francisco Ballet | Swan Lake Timeless and achingly beautiful, Tchaikovsky’s classical Swan Lake has been beloved for over a century since its American premiere by the San Francisco Ballet. Helgi Tomasson’s Swan Lake has set and costume designs by Tony Award–winner Jonathan Fensom; choreography by Tomasson. Sfballet.org Through May 8 Immersive Frida Kahlo | SVN West “Her Life. Her Love. Her Art.” A large-scale, digital exhibition set to a musical score from the producers of Immersive Van Gogh. immersive-frida.com

Listen to the sounds of spring: outdoor music festivals plus baseball, ballet, opera, Broadway shows, and more. At the San Francisco Ballet, the 2022 season marks the farewell of artistic director and principal choreographer Helgi Tomasson. At San Francisco Opera, June brings two wonderful productions and music director Eun Sun Kim conducts Verdi. At San Francisco Symphony, music director Esa-Pekka Salonen and guest conductors wield the baton in May and June 2022. Also, mark your calendar for the Stern Grove Festival in its 85th season on Sundays throughout the summer.

MAY Through August 14 The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited | The Contemporary Jewish Museum Explore the social impact Henson made on popular culture and see how he and his team of builders, performers, and writers brought to life the enduringly popular worlds of Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and other great contributions. thecjm.org/exhibitions/157

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6 Party at the Piers: Uplift | Exploratorium Bubbles drift on air, tornados rise, and mechanical butterflies fly high. Then, there’s uplift of another kind in the people served—young people discovering the fun of science. The in-person party is back to support programming, coaching, teaching, and more. exploratorium.edu

10 Rise: Professional BusinessWomen of California The 33rd annual conference includes skill-building seminars and motivational keynotes from Mindy Kaling, Reid Hoffman, Congresswoman Jackie Speier, and others.

Virtual event. conference.pbwc.org 11 Carolina Herrera Fashion Show & Luncheon | San Francisco Opera Guild Pre-Fall 2022 Collection and Fall Winter 2022 Collection on the runway. Presented by San Francisco Opera Guild and Neiman Marcus San Francisco with a special appearance by creative director Wes Gordon. sfopera.com/OperaGuild/social-events/WesGordonFashionShow 15 Half Moon Bay Wine & Jazz Fest | Main Street Wines are poured by 50 California vintners, food is served by local restaurants, and live performances are by Bay Area jazz greats: Paula West, Marcus Shelby, and the Bobby Hutcherson Tribute Band. VIP Bubble Lounge. Firsttime event. hmbwineandjazzfest.com

PHOTO CREDITS: © JOANNA SALAZAR

Venue for Chardonnay Classic

Events CALENDAR

18 Andrea Bocelli | SAP Center Known as “the most romantic voice,” the acclaimed Italian operatic tenor performs one live concert in the Bay Area at San Jose’s indoor arena. andreabocelli. com/tickets

PHOTO CREDITS: © KEVIN HENNEY; © KEVIN HENNEY; © MICHAEL B. WOOLSEY PHOTOGRAPHY

19 Taste of TEL HI | Club Level at Oracle Park This year’s gala is back in person to benefit educational programs that provide kids with academic support to thrive and “get back in the swing of things.”

Dinner, drinks, swing music, and auctioneer Franco Finn, voice of The Warriors. telhi.org/taste

27- 29 BottleRock Napa Valley Musical headliners Metallica, Kygo, Twenty One Pilots, The Black Crowes, P!nk, Luke Combs, Pitbull, Greta Van Fleet, Michael Franti & Spearhead, and more. Plus, the Culinary Stage powered by Williams Sonoma. Presented by JAM Cellars. bottlerocknapavalley.com

Half Moon Bay Wine & Jazz Fest

20 - 22 Second Annual Chardonnay Classic | Napa It’s a weekend-long celebration of the “winemaker’s grape” when Patron Foundation and sister properties, The Meritage Resort & Spa and Vista Collina Resort, co-host with Trinitas Cellars. Expert-led sessions, grand tastings, stunning flights, gourmet meals, and luxurious dinners. Benefiting SommFoundation. trinitascellars.com/event/chardonnay-classic 20 - 22 Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience Inaugural festival showcases the region’s makers— farmers and growers, top winemakers and chefs— alongside globally recognized wines from the greatest wine regions of the world. In support of charitable and educational foundations. healdsburgwineandfood.com

13 Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience, VIP wine lounge The Matheson

Events CALENDAR

BY LAURIE JO MILLER FARR

JUNE 1 - 12 CATS | Golden Gate Theatre Make a new “Memory.” Forty years ago, this show started the mega-musical trend. The record-breaking, awardwinning spectacular by Andrew Lloyd Webber is in town for two weeks only during its national tour. broadwaysf.com 3-4 Chris Botti | Blue Note Napa at Charles Krug Winery Four shows, live and in-person. Chris Botti delights fans with his unique blues and jazz sound, outdoors on the beautiful grounds of Napa’s oldest winery estate. bluenotenapa.com

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4 - July 2 Don Giovanni | San Francisco Opera The Mozart-Da Ponte trilogy concludes in a post-apocalyptic future with Don Giovanni, an opera masterfully blending dark comedy with even darker deeds. Bertrand de Billy conducts Mozart’s propulsive score; sung in Italian with English subtitles. sfopera.com/on-stage/don-giovanni 7 - 12 de Young | Bouquets to Art Returning for its 38th season, a week-long display of floral installations inspired by works of art in the museum galleries offer new ways of appreciating the permanent collection. Members-only viewing hours are on June 8 - 9 at 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. deyoung.famsf.org/bouquets-to-art

Dianne Reeves perfoms at SFJAZZ

PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY OF CATS; © JERRIS MADISON

The company of the 2021-2022 national tour of CATS

Events CALENDAR 7 - July 3 Hadestown | Orpheum Theatre “Come see how the world could be.” Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album. broadwaysf.com 8 - 11 Napa Valley Jazz Getaway | Charles Krug Winery Brian Culbertson and Friends headlines the ninth annual event at a new venue in 2022. Also, Boney James, Maysa, Lindsey Webster, Eric Darius, Kayla Waters, Marcus Anderson, Nicholas Cole, Mike Manson, DJ’s Rick & Russ with CJ Flash. jazzgetaway.com 8 -19 39th San Francisco Jazz Festival SFJAZZ will present 40 concerts over 12 days, including Pacific Mambo Orchestra and Kim Nalley: Tribute to Nina Simone. On June 12, Dianne Reeves, Chucho Valdés, and Joe Lovano present a members-only concert at 2 p.m. and a general public concert at 7 p.m. sfjazz.org 10 - 11 Huichica Music Festival | Gundlach Bundschu Winery This wine country gem of a festival in Sonoma is back for the 12th time at California’s oldest family-owned winery. The indie rock and folk artists lineup features Allah-Las, ESG, Turnover, La Luz, and 30 more acts. Huichica.com

PHOTO CREDITS: © ERHARD ROM; COURTESY OF SFJAZZ; © CORY WEAVER

14 - July 3 Dream of the Red Chamber | San Francisco Opera Adapted from a classic of world literature, Dream of the Red Chamber is an opulent exploration of love, lust, and political intrigue in imperial China by composer Bright Sheng and Tony Award winner David Henry Hwang. sfopera.com/onstage/dream-of-the-red-chamber Opening 17 Carlos Villa: Worlds in Collision | Asian Art Museum The exuberant work and enduring influence of San Francisco artist Carlos Villa (1936–2013) in the first major museum retrospective dedicated to the work of a Filipino American artist. Opening on June 17. exhibitions.asianart.org/ exhibitions/carlos-villa-worlds-in-collision 17 - 19 Mendocino Urchin Fest In an effort to aid kelp forests and the ecosystem, purple urchins will pop up on plates aplenty in restaurants and hotel dining rooms along the stunning Mendocino Coast in the nation’s first-ever event of its kind. Educational talks, tours, demos. urchinfest.com

San Francisco Opera Don Giovanni set design

18 - 19 North Beach Festival Everybody loves this San Francisco street fair tradition, now in its 66th year. Sidewalk chalk art for kids, blessing of the animals, great food, good music, and live performances. northbeachfestival.org 18 - August 14 de Young | The Obama Portraits Tour Unveiled at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in 2018, the nationwide tour of the official portraits of former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama comes to San Francisco. Member preview June 16 & 17. deyoung.famsf.org/exhibitions/Obama-portraits-tour 19 Buena Vista Winery | Father’s Day Brunch Celebrate Sunday with Dad at the historic winery, just one mile from Sonoma Plaza. 12 p.m. Reservations required. buenavistawinery.com/events

Pacific Mambo Orchestra

21 - July 17 The Prom | Golden Gate Theatre “Such a joyful hoot,” says The New York Times. A Broadway musical comedy that’s all about that feel good factor, coming to town on a 20-city tour. broadwaysf.com 22 - 26 Sonoma-Marin Fair | Petaluma “Everybody’s Fair” incorporates North of the Gate Wine Competition, Car Show on the Gardenway, and AG Petaluma Youth Day. Sonoma-Marinfair.org 30 Eun Sun Kim Conducts Verdi | San Francisco Opera Music director Eun Sun Kim conducts Verdi’s Requiem and La Traviata. San Francisco Opera Orchestra and the San Francisco Opera Chorus headline the evening with four thrilling soloists. In honor of Kim, a special celebratory post-performance event. sfopera.com/on-stage/eun-sun-kimconducts-verdi

Dream of the Red Chamber at San Francisco Opera

15

Anti-Glare Glamour

HAUTE SHOPPING

These sunglasses set a mood

BY BECCA HENSLEY

It's all about the accessories. But, sunglasses, something almost everyone owns, ooze star quality more than most.

Channel your best Audrey Hepburn or James Dean to flaunt your shady look. As Karl Lagerfeld said: “Sunglasses are like eye shadow: they make everything look younger and pretty.” We present some for your growing collection.

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HAUTE SHOPPING

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A take on a cat-eye aviator, this unique frame looks good on everyone. Made of stainless steel to ensure structural integrity, the Alexandra lens, available in a variety of hues, is lightweight, comfortable, and versatile. Choose from 100 percent UVA/UVB protected nylon or polarized nylon. Shown is “Orian Gold.” dynamikosbrand.com $250

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Pete Davidson wears Johann Wolff, a Miamibased eyewear brand that fuses the quality and craftsmanship of its German heritage with Miami’s eversexy bravado. Put on the Anna, a slightly oversized bit of glam for everyday use. johannwolff.com $200

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Vera Wang does it all. Born from her effusive spirit, her eyewear collection elicits whimsy, experimentation, and playfulness. Chaunte summons a retro mood. Its oversized shape is festooned with sparkling crystals. baxterandbonny.com $175

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Lensabi was born to make eyewear shopping easier for consumers. Promoting a mission to offer affordable, stylish eyewear, they provide a one-stop shop for all things optical without leaving home—you can even get replacement lenses for existing frames. Put on your Akiko Sun spectacles, sunglasses that make you feel smarter the minute they hit your face. lensabi.com $127

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From vibrant Brazil, Lapima hand-crafts sunglasses that exude style and sophistication. Inspired by the Brazilian countryside’s earth tones and verdant greens, Julieta in “Forest Solid” reigns as an attention-getting style, the queen of Lapima’s Brazil Central Collection. lapima.com $505

A compassion-driven company that wants every pair of eyewear to tell a story, Eyeleos (named for Eleos, the god of kindness) is based in Brooklyn and radiates a dose of hipster cool. With collections curated by brand ambassadors, Eyeleos' proceeds go to a charity of the curator’s choice. Shown is Simon by Mike Provenzano. eyeleos.com $65

Go unisex with Blenders Eyewear, which summons a 1960’s vibe with its mod aesthetic It emphasizes progressive colorways perfect for any active lifestyle, making a statement along city sidewalks or on the beach.

Go for the new Millenia X2 Rush Express, which glows with “aqua champagne rainbow” polarized lens for glarefree days. blenderseyewear.com $59 Be a part of history or a character in a film when you don American Optical eyewear. The Original Pilot has been a favorite of U.S. military pilots since 1958. Engineered to rigid military specification, this classic style offers 100 percent UVA/UVB protection, impact-resistance, antireflective, and smudge/scratch-resistant lenses for optimal clarity. aoeyewear.com $194 17

HAUTE SHOPPING

Gift Guide FAT H E R ' S D AY

BY BECCA HENSLEY

He’s our hero, so he better start dressing like one. Here’s to dapper dads on Father’s Day. We’ve rounded up a few things to show our appreciation and keep Dad on his natty toes.

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PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY OF VACHERON CONSTANTIN; COURTESY OF AMAFFI; COURTESY OF RAFKA; COURTESY OF TIFFIANY & CO; COURTESY OF FREDERIQUE CONSTANT; COURTESY OF HONMA GOLF

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HAUTE SHOPPING

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Time will fly when he wears Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar, an 18-karat pink gold watch that combines a sporty aesthetic with fine watchmaking. The ultra-slim perpetual calendar’s display will not need to be adjusted until 2100 and has a moon phase with a starstudded sky. vacheron-constantin.com $93,900

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You’ll never forget that time he took you on a hike in Andalucia, and you ate oranges right off the trees.

To honor those days, you’re giving him Poseidon Cologne, awash in orange blossom, floral, juniper, and woody notes. You’ll get bonus points when he sees the handmade medallion with the image of Poseidon on the bottle. amaffi.com $5,000

PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY OF OMGAGE; COURTESY OF DAVID HESTON; COURTESY OF LOUIS VUITTON; COURTESY OF GRAFF

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Rubies are associated with prosperity and wealth, which makes these “Floro” cufflinks by RAFKA appropriate. Crafted in 18-karat rose gold and made from repurposed, vintage Sardinian coral, they feature full-cut diamonds and faceted Burmese rubies. rafka.com Price upon request.

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The word signet hails from the Latin word signum, which means sign. So, giving Dad a signet ring shows how much you care. This one from Tiffany, 1837® Makers, features black onyx in 18-karat gold. tiffany.com $4,000

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You can imagine Cary Grant wearing one. From the Classics Collection by Frederique Constant, this watch has two “Heart Beat” variations. The famous opening on the dial that reveals the balance wheel—the maison’s signature. Check out the delicate guilloché decoration accompanied by Roman numerals. us.frederiqueconstant.com $1,495

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You’ll score a hole in one with a set of Honma Golf Clubs.

Their new ultra-luxurious Beres Aizu line, designed in collaboration with Japanese Aizu artisans, excels in beauty, strength, speed, and performance. honmagolf.com $40,000

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Buy local. Omáge, a sustainable luxury brand based in San Francisco, summons laid-back opulence with its men’s robes. Made from buttery, 100-percent Lyocell fabric and free from harmful chemicals and dyes, they come in three colors: blue, gray and black. omgagesf.com $297

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In-the-know celebrities don Heston Designs, bold contemporary jewelry designed and created by California artist, David Heston. Sold in top notch national retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Heston’s captivating works mix sterling silver, 18-karat gold, rubber, diamonds, colored stones, and leather—depending on the piece. davidhestondesigns.com $1,350 -$5,000

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It’s a smart watch—but not like one you’ve seen before. Extra in ways only Louis Vuitton can achieve, the Tambour Horizon Light Up aims for an unforgettable user experience for Dad. A travel boon, the watch has sapphire glass, peppered with 24 LED lights which create a stunning glow-inthe-dark animation. louisvuitton.com $4,110.00

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. Call it the season’s best little black watch. The Graff Slim Eclipse, a symphony in black, is built for Graff in Switzerland. It vaunts black titanium as well as black dial, hands, hour markers, and diamond-tipped crown. Even the Graff icon is black! graff.com $15,000 19

HAUTE KITCHEN

IN CONVERSATION WITH SHARON SETO

BY SHARON SETO | PHOTOS BY ROBERT RICHARDS

20 Chef John Paul Carmona

HAUTE KITCHEN

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T’S REALLY A TOSS-UP AS TO WHICH MONTH I LIKE BETTER, since May and June mean the approach of sunny weather and eating yummy SALADS! It’s also the months when we celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, family time when we can kick back and relax while our children spoil us! In this issue, LETTUCE provide you delicious salads and a great lamb recipe for more THYME to play or to enjoy with family—from talented chef JP Carmona of Routier.

CHEF JOHN PAUL CARMONA Chef JP Carmona is a native of El Salvador. From family and childhood experiences, he developed a love and appreciation for eating and cooking. Attending Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island, JP apprenticed under chef John Richardson at Pot Au Feu restaurant.

Afterwards, he worked with chef Ken Oringer at the acclaimed Clio in Boston. There he was introduced to the world of fine dining, leading JP to complete stints at Alinea in Chicago and Mugaritz in San Sebastian, Spain.

After his travels, JP returned to California where he was introduced to chef David Kinch and Manresa restaurant. He went on to spend almost six years at Manresa, moving from line cook to chef de cuisine and eventually pastry chef before moving on. As chef de duisine, he was voted a rising star by the San Francisco Chronicle and StarChefs.

JP credits his experience and relationship with Kinch as an extremely valuable and formative time, both professionally and personally. It was here where he met Belinda Leong, during her time as pastry chef. They developed a friendship that would last for years after they stopped working together.

After Manresa, JP worked as a private chef, consulting and traveling to help friends in restaurants abroad. During this time, he helped Belinda with her openings of B on the Go and b. patisserie in Korea. While working together, along with Michel Suas, the other half behind b. patisserie, the idea of Routier first started.

HL: You and Belinda Leong of b. patisserie worked together at Manresa. With a busy kitchen so meticulously focused there, it must've been quite hard to even chat! How did you two become such great friends in that kitchen?

JPC: Manresa was a busy kitchen, but we had a great team at the time, who not only had respect for each other professionally, but also valued the importance of joy and happiness during and after work. The team was friendly and welcoming. If you know Belinda, those are characteristics she embodies, so she fit right in.

Professionally, we bonded because of our curiosity regarding recipes, chefs, and techniques. During her time there, the concept of b. patisserie was always in her mind, I had a lot of

respect for her because of how driven and hardworking she was to reach that goal. I also benefited from being able to try her many tests with kouign-amann and croissants; I have a really hard time saying no to delicious pastries!

Our friendship started with that professional bond, but from there, it evolved because of our love for food. When she left Manresa, we always stayed in touch and shared many meals at whatever new restaurant had just opened. All in all, we have similar tastes and values. That developed a trust that kept our friendship growing.

HL: It's so cool that you partnered up pastry legends, Belinda and Michel! How did that happen?

JPC: As you know, Belinda and Michel partnered to open b. patisserie.

That is how I essentially came to know Michel. I helped out a bit with some of the very first “savory” recipes for the bakery, as well as the opening of b. patisserie in Korea. After working together there, I realized what real partnership meant. Especially in an industry as hard as ours, where so much time goes into what we do, you need to do it with people you not only respect, but who also make the hard work seems less like just work.

To me, they are very good people who happen to be very successful in their fields. Success does not always determine the quality of the person. That is what I think the three of us value and what has become the core of our partnership.

HL: Routier is a cool name. What is the inspiration to come up with the name and concept?

JPC: The three of us were sharing a meal at the old Hong Kong Flower Lounge II, trying to think of names we liked and had some meaning to the kind of restaurant we wanted. There were many suggestions, but nothing resonated with us. All of a sudden toward the end of the meal, Michel said, “What about Routier?” The three of us really liked it almost instantly. The origin of what it means in France was exactly what we wanted to share in San Francisco. Although many people associate France with fine dining, I have always experienced it as a sort of pure enjoyment of all things food and drink, no matter the price point or social standing of who is consuming it. The name Routier captured that feeling in a very simple and unassuming way.

HL: Owning a successful restaurant takes quite some time to keep up. What is your dream vacation?

JPC: In the current state of the restaurant industry, I would not dare to call ourselves successful. I have learned to find success in

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HAUTE KITCHEN the small things, in completing the tasks every day, in being able to employ a team that I am proud of, and in making most customers happy. For the purposes of this question though, I will ignore the worries. Any possible vacation is a good vacation! A warm beach, with not many people around, is where my mind would go relax if it were left to wander. Of course, delicious food and drinks would be a required part of the setting. Cocktails, oysters, and champagne are the few things that come to my mind almost instantly.

HL: What is your favorite meal?

JPC: I have a hard time picking favorites; I love so many things. I love eating simply when I make something for myself. When it is made for me, I like to feel that there was care put into it.

When asked what my last meal would be, the latest answer was oysters, bread and butter, and champagne.

HL: Which chef(s) serve(s) as a role model to you and why?

JPC: I look up to any chef who has been able to keep a business going for a long time, especially anyone who has been successful and remained humble. I’ve been lucky to work for and with people I respect: Ken Oringer, Andoni Luis Aduriz, David Kinch, James Syhabout. Most of all though, Michel and Belinda have always been people that I respect, look up to, and have learned very much from.

HL: What happens when you close up and go home? We like to make a drink, get dinner ready, and eat together to catch up! How about you?

JPC: I do very much enjoy making myself a cocktail. Depending on how I feel, it varies between a gin and tonic, an old fashioned (often with aged rum), or a version of a negroni. Most nights there is food, but usually it’s the lunch I didn’t have time to eat!

HL: What are your top five restaurants you like to visit?

JPC: There are so many restaurants to like in the Bay Area. In the last few years, my time off has been really limited, so I haven’t been able to try as many places as I’d like. Especially now since COVID started, there are fewer options for those of us whose “weekend” is on Mondays or Tuesdays. In no particular order, these are the ones I like to return to, because I crave them more often than others.

1. Dumpling Home. It’s such a satisfying place to eat. The menu reminds me of eating in Taipei. The dumplings (as well as the rest of the menu) are homey and delicious. It is just done so well in an unpretentious way; this is my perfect kind of restaurant.

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2. Rich Table. I’ve always enjoyed my meals at Evan and Sarah Rich’s restaurant. They are also people and chefs I respect and admire. I do really enjoy eating food that is made by good people like them. Their menu is always exciting, and you can have an impromptu tasting menu in a really relaxed setting.

3. Chili House SF. Belinda introduced me to this restaurant a while ago, and it quickly became a favorite. I’ve returned many times with her as well as with family. It would be one of the main places I would pick up from during the pandemic to share it with my family. To me, eating is traveling, and coming here is like taking a little trip.

4. La Palma. It’s my favorite place for a burrito, which I always get using their delicious chicharrones. The taco Sonora, also with chicharron, is my other favorite there. I’ll usually get both, though, so I don’t have to choose. The tortillas at La Palma are what make it, especially the flour ones. Once griddled, you can see layers in the dough, almost like the inside of a croissant. If thinking about tacos in the Bay Area, I do have to mention tacos El Patron or Los Carnalitos.

5. I’m going to cheat with my last pick and mention Zuni Café, Nopa, and Chez Panisse. These are bars and dining rooms that always give me joy to be in. I love the character they have, the timelessness of the spaces, and the food. These are Bay Area institutions that inspire me with how I want people to feel when they visit Routier HL: What's your favorite quote?

JPC: A favorite of mine has always been the “Man in the Arena” quote by Theodore Roosevelt: "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

HL: Motto?

JPC: I repeat to myself daily: “Keep it simple” and “complete the task at hand; focus on what has to be done now.”

HAUTE KITCHEN

Tuna with Golden Sesame and Blood Orange

PHOTO CREDITS: © ROBERT RICHARDS

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS • 6 ounces sushi grade ahi tuna • 1 blood orange • ½ tablespoon chopped chives • Purple frizzled mustard or other greens to garnish • Maldon salt, as needed Golden sesame oil vinaigrette: • 1 ounce white soy • 1 ounce golden sesame oil • 1 ounce lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Slice the tuna into ⅛-inch thick slices and arrange on a large plate.

2. Mix the three ingredients for the vinaigrette in a bowl. If you can’t find golden sesame oil, use untoasted. White soy should be available at any Japanese market.

3. Peel the blood orange and make sure you remove all the pith. We reserve the peelings of the orange and cut them into julienne, salt them heavily, and let them sit for a few hours or overnight for an extra citrus flavor. This is optional, but if you want to do it, I suggest doing it the night before or in the morning. Once peeled, cut the orange lengthwise from top to bottom, then cut each half, flat side down, into thin half circles. Make sure to remove any seeds.

4. Place each orange half on top of the tuna. Spoon the vinaigrette over both. Be generous. Sprinkle the zest (if using), chives, and maldon salt on top to your liking. Garnish with mustard or any other greens that you enjoy.

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HAUTE KITCHEN

Steamed Spinach Salad with Pomelo and White Sesame Dressing INGREDIENTS • 2 bunches Bloomsdale spinach, washed thoroughly • 1 teaspoon finely chopped shallot • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley • ¼ cup finely julienned sorrel • 1 pomelo, peeled and segmented • 1 red radish, shaved thinly • 1 watermelon radish, shaved thinly • ½ cup of a mix of your favorite greens (mizuna, mustard, frisee, tat soi) • Olive oil as needed • Kosher salt as needed • 2 tablespoon puffed wild rice White sesame dressing: • ½ cup untoasted sesame seeds • ½ cup grapeseed oil • ⅛ cup lemon juice • ¼ cup white soy • ⅜ cup water • ⅛ teaspoon garlic, crushed • Zest of 1 lemon 24

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch the spinach for 20 seconds and immediately shock in an ice bath. Once cooled, drain and remove as much excess water as possible.

2. Place all the ingredients for the vinaigrette in a blender. Blend for two minutes on high or until it is very smooth and all seeds have been pureed.

3. Place the spinach in a bowl and toss well with shallot, parley, and sorrel. Arrange in the bottom of your platter or serving dish. Spoon dressing generously over the spinach; you want it fairly creamy and well-seasoned.

4. Arrange pomelo and radishes over the spinach, highlighting the colors and making your salad more attractive.

5. Gently toss the greens in olive oil, salt, and a few drops of lemon juice. Place them over your whole salad and top everything with puffed wild rice. If you can’t find wild rice, you can replace it with any other puffed grain or toasted seeds.

PHOTO CREDITS: © ROBERT RICHARDS

Serves 2

HAUTE KITCHEN

Endive Salad with Ricotta and Caper-Honey Vinaigrette Serves 2

INGREDIENTS • 3 each Belgian endive • ½ cup fresh ricotta cheese • 2 tablespoon toasted walnuts, chopped • Kosher salt as needed

PHOTO CREDITS: © ROBERT RICHARDS

Pickled golden raisins: • ⅓ cup golden raisins • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar • ¼ cup water • 1 teaspoon salt • ⅓ tablespoon sugar Caper honey vinaigrette: • ¼ cup walnut vinegar • ⅛ cup honey • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil • 2 tablespoons chopped capers • ½ teaspoon Spanish smoked paprika • ¼ teaspoon salt

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Start by making the pickled golden raisins, as they need time to cool before using them for the salad. Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Transfer to a jar or covered container and let them sit and cool down.

2. Combine all ingredients for the vinaigrette in a small bowl or jar.

Whisk all ingredients until the honey dissolves completely. If you can’t find walnut vinegar, use high quality sherry vinegar.

3. Separate the endive leaves by cutting a bit of the core at a time to easily pull off each leaf or petal separately. Repeat until you have separated all of them to the core. Place them in a large bowl and add about three tablespoons each of the pickled raisins and the vinaigrette. Season with salt to taste and toss well.

4. Place ricotta cheese in the bottom of your serving dish. Arrange the endive on top, trying to achieve different heights with the leaves to make it more pleasing to the eye. Drizzle a bit more of the vinaigrette and sprinkle the chopped walnuts over the top.

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Fennel Salad with Curry Vinaigrette, Dates and Feta Serves 2

INGREDIENTS • 1 bulb fennel, washed and trimmed, fronds reserved • ½ each Granny Smith apple • 3 tablespoons Marcona almonds • ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled • 3 tablespoon dates, sliced • Calendula petals • Kosher salt as needed Curry vinaigrette: • 1 tablespoon Madras curry powder • 1¼ cup grapeseed oil • ¼ cup sherry vinegar • ¼ cup lemon juice • 3 tablespoons honey • ⅛ teaspoon salt 26

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Make the vinaigrette first to let it sit and cool down while the flavors meld a bit. In a small microwavable bowl, place the curry powder and oil. Using a microwave, warm for about 30 seconds on medium only to heat it up slightly and let the oil infuse. Alternately, heat it up in a saucepan on very low heat on the stove. Meanwhile, in a larger bowl mix the rest of the vinaigrette ingredients and pour the infused oil along with the curry powder. Mix well and reserve.

2. Using a mandolin, shave the fennel and apple thinly, about the thickness of a coin, to make sure there is texture after they get tossed.

3. Place the fennel and apple in a large bowl, along with the almonds, dates, and feta cheese. Season with salt to taste and about three tablespoons of the vinaigrette. Mix well and place on your serving dish, building it up and making sure to show the dates and almonds in the finished salad.

4. Arrange the fennel fronds and calendula petals over the salad to brighten it up.

PHOTO CREDITS: © DOUGLAS DEPRES

HAUTE KITCHEN

Lamb Loin with Spring Shoots and Green Garlic Jus

HAUTE KITCHEN

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS • 12-ounce lamb loin, trimmed • 8 each fingerling potatoes, boiled • 1 cup sprouting romanesco • 1cup shoots (tat soi, broccolini, etc.)

• 3 sprigs thyme • 2 each garlic cloves • Salt as needed Lamb jus • ½ cup lamb jus (reduced lamb stock) • 2 tablespoons green garlic, chopped • 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped • 2 teaspoons chives • 1 teaspoon Espelette pepper • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

PHOTO CREDITS: © ROBERT RICHARDS

• 1 each lemon • Fleur de sel to taste INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Season the lamb loin liberally with salt and pepper. Heat a sauté pan to medium-high heat, add a teaspoon of olive oil, and sear the lamb loin fat side down. Allow it to color and render properly (about five to seven minutes). Drain excess fat, if needed, lower the heat to medium low, and add garlic cloves and thyme. Once more fat has rendered, turn the lamb loin for about 1 minute, then turn back on the fat side and start basting it with its own fat.

Using a meat thermometer, check the doneness of the lamb. Once it reaches 125 degrees Fahrenheit, remove from the pan and allow to rest in a warm place 3. In the same pan, add the fingerling potatoes. Using a spatula, flatten the potatoes about halfway, so that they are still whole but have more surface area to allow them to crisp. Place them in the oven for about five minutes and turn them to make sure the other side gets crisp and golden.

4. Add the romanesco to the same pan and return to the oven to roast it for a few minutes. You want it to cook through, but maintain its color and crispness 5. While the vegetables cook, heat two teaspoons of olive oil in a small saucepan and sweat the green garlic until soft. Add the lamb jus and cook on very low heat to infuse. Right before serving, add the rest of the ingredients and season with salt.

6. Once the romanesco is cooked, add the rest of the shoots to the pan. Toss them so they wilt, do not cook through. This will depend on what kind of shoots you have, their thickness, etc. The idea is to have crisp, fresh leaves in your dish. Season with salt and plate the vegetables in a platter or separate dishes.

7. Warm the lamb loin briefly in the oven for a couple of minutes. Slice the meat into quarter-inch slices and place over the vegetables.

8. Grate some lemon zest over the dish and use some of the juice to season your sauce. I prefer a good amount of acid to cut through the fat and slight gaminess of lamb. Spoon the sauce over your dish and finish with fleur de sel.

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HAUTE DRINKS

WATER 101 Lessons from a water sommelier

BY BECCA HENSLEY

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Martin Says: Water is not pure.

Yes, I now every water brand wants to tell you that they are the purest water on the planet, but water is actually not just H2O. We all know the water cycle, and at one point, every water is rainwater. When rain comes down, it passes through the different layers of stone and leaches out minerals. At one point water will come out of a spring source and might be bottled as spring water.

When you open the bottle, you can taste the different minerals given by nature. The overall mineral content can be measured by bottled water by TDS (total dissolved solids). The higher the TDS is, the more minerals are dissolved, and the stronger the water tastes.

So, yes, every spring water tastes different.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARTIN RIESE

W

ATER SOMMELIER? THAT’S NOT A TYPO. THAT’S a thing. Indeed, Martin Riese, seen on Good Morning America, Conan O’Brien, CNN, and NPR among other key media outlets, has a degree in water. The H2O advocate, educator, television personality, and author, originally from Germany, earned his certification as a mineral water sommelier from the German Mineral Water Association in 2010. Globally revered as an expert, Martin Riese launched Water 101 Class in 2018 to teach students the unique qualities and characteristics of mineral water. Thirsty for knowledge, we asked Riese to tell us six things we should know about water before we take another sip.

Note: Riese leads water tasting classes on Zoom and in person.

Sign up at: martin-riese.com/tastings

HAUTE DRINKS

Martins Says: When water has taste, you can pair water like wine.

It’s fascinating how much influence water has on food and other beverages—almost as much as wine. Light white wines are great for light flavors, like salad, sushi, etc. The comparable water would be low TDS waters with no carbonation. Carbonation always adds an acidic note on your palate, and you don’t want to have that when eating salad with vinaigrettes or eating the light flavors of sushi.

Medium TDS waters with a bit of carbonation are great for roasted chicken and for your barbeque party.

Water with high TDS and lots of sparkling can be a beautiful counterpart to the fattiness and richness of barbeque.

Drinking wine? A good water should not neutralize your palate. A good water will help your wine be more balanced on your palate. A water with low minerals and no carbonation is great for tannin rich red wines or acidic white wines, like a Sauvignon Blanc. The low minerality and the smoothness of your water will balance the tannins and the acidic notes of wine, bringing more fruit complexity forward.

Martin Says: The eight glasses of water per day rule is a myth.

We all have different needs and lifestyles, and obviously, it’s very important to stay hydrated during your busy day. Your body needs water. We are made up to 60 percent water, but water is hidden in many other beverages and even food. Your body needs liquid, but it does not need to be just the glass of water. You can even eat water: watermelon contains up to 92 percent water; lettuce contains up to 96 percent water; celery contains up to 95 percent water; yogurt up to 81 percent water.

Yes, even your cup of coffee in the morning contains a lot of water, up to 98 percent Despite the common misconception, your cup of coffee or tea is not dehydrating when consumed in moderation.

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HAUTE DRINKS

Martins Says: Don’t be overwhelmed at the water aisle.

There are so many different brands these days offered in your favorite water aisle, and I totally understand how overwhelming it can be to find the right water for you.

First of all, there is no best water! We all have different needs and preferences. As a water sommelier, I look first at the label. I don’t really care about the brand; I am interested in the source. This is because I am amazed about the different taste profiles from nature, I would only buy water that comes from natural occurring sources, such as spring, iceberg, glacier, and mineral water. I don’t care for purified water or distilled or vapor distilled waters. Not that the waters have a bad quality, but I am not interested in drinking highly processed tap water where the taste profile is created in a lab. Pretty much around 60 percent of the bottled water offered in the U.S. is just that.

On a side note: When you like to drink water just for hydration, please don’t buy bottled water in general.

Drink your filtered tap at home.

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HAUTE DRINKS ONE TO TRY Now being poured in some of the world's finest luxury hotels, spas, restaurants, private clubs, and health and wellness centers, including the Baccarat Hotel, San Ysidro Ranch, Grand Reserve Inn in California’s Sierra Foothills, and Gabriel Kreuther in New York, Hallstein is a family-owned, sustainably harvested artesian water company. Hailing from Austria’s Dachstein Mountain where it filters through limestone for eight years. Hallstein’s water boasts a rare combination of high 8.3 pH and virtually non-existent sodium level of 0.15 milligrams per liter. Ideal for epicureans and oenophiles, “Hallstein’s velvety taste supports and complements every nuanced flavor profile, due to its naturally high level of dissolved oxygen and high natural pH (alkalinity), producing the perfect match on the palate of connoisseurs,” says Hallstein co-founder Elisabeth Muhr. Besides having a presence at spas and resorts worldwide, the water can be purchased online.

Consider a month subscription! hallsteinwater.com

Martin Says: Drink Water at room temperature.

No ice cubes!

When I drink a new water for the first time, I really want to discover the taste profile of the water. When I chill the water in a refrigerator, I would not be able to really taste the water when drinking it. Very cold water numbs my palate and makes it very hard to really discover the taste.

Ice cubes in water? I know, many love their ice cubes, but ice cubes are made with tap water. Tap water has a different mineral composition and might contain chlorine.

When adding an ice cube, you actually water down your water with water.

It's fun to discover new waters. Buy yourself different ones and drink them side by side at room temperature. You will be amazed at how different water can taste.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARTIN RIESE

Martin Says: You can drink too much water!

Also known as water poisoning, water intoxication is caused by drinking too much water. Doing so increases the amount of water in the blood which can dilute the electrolytes, especially sodium, in the blood. Sodium helps maintain the balance of fluids inside and outside cells. When sodium levels drop due to excessive water consumption, fluids travel from the outside to the inside of cells, causing them to swell. When this happens to brain cells, it can be dangerous and even life threatening.

HAUTE DRINKS

SIPPIN’ CARMEL-BYTHE-SEA Wine Walk your way through town with a glass in hand

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ARMEL-BY-THE-SEA (OFTEN CALLED CARMEL) IS A charming coastal town located two hours south of San Francisco in California’s Monterey Peninsula, known for its laid-back village vibes and beauty.

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WHILE SONOMA AND NAPA HAVE EARNED STATUS AS TOP CALIFORNIA WINE REGIONS, DON’T RULE OUT CARMEL AND MONTEREY, AS THE COOL OCEAN AND MOUNTAIN AIR ARE PERFECT FOR PRODUCING DELECTABLE PINOT NOIR AND CHARDONNAY GRAPES DUE TO THE SUNNY YET COOLER CLIMATE. 32

In addition to being dog-friendly, the European-style village has something for every type of traveler: hiking through nature, boutique inns, top rated restaurants, white sand beaches, and picturesque views which include a 17-mile drive down to Pebble Beach. If that isn’t enough for wine connoisseurs, the village is home to 15-plus tasting rooms.

While Sonoma and Napa have earned status as top California wine regions, don’t rule out Carmel and Monterey, as the cool ocean and mountain air are perfect for producing delectable Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, due to the sunny yet cooler climate.

Also, for those who don’t enjoy driving from one destination to another while on vacation, everything in Carmel is super-close.

The village is only one square mile, so walking is totally doable.

If you are ready to “Sip, Savor, and Discover” Carmel-by-theSea, download the official mobile guide at carmelcalifornia.com before visiting for an interactive map and exclusive deals.

PHOTO COURTESY OF POTION ADAPTOGENIC BREWS PHOTO COURTESY OF CARMELCALIFORNIA.COM

BY NOËL BURGESS

SCHEID FAMILY WINES | Scheid Vineyards produces small

HAUTE DRINKS

lot, sustainable wines in the heart of Monterey County. With 10 estate vineyards, many different varieties are grown in a spectrum of styles. From a bright, tropical Chardonnay to the velvety, berry Pinot Noir, each wine is handcrafted to showcase the varietal character of the grapes.

Address: San Carlos Street & 7th Avenue Phone: (831) 620-9463 scheidvineyards.com

DAWN’S DREAM WINERY | The name truly speaks for itself.

PHOTO CREDITS: © NOËL BURGESS; COURTESY OF CARMELCALIFORNIA.COM; © NOËL BURGESS

For an al fresco tasting experience, gather with friends at Dawn’s Dream Winery. Enjoy one-on-one time with your loved one, or even bring your furry friend along for an afternoon of quality wines—and don’t leave without sampling their award-winning Chardonnay, rosé, or Pinot Noir.

Address: NW corner of 7th Avenue and San Carlos Street Phone: (831) 659-2649 dawnsdreamwinery.com

DE TIERRA VINEYARDS | De Tierra Vineyards is a locally owned and operated winery producing handcrafted, award-winning wines from Monterey County and beyond. Their grapes are sourced from the Russell Vineyard as well as a handful of distinctive vineyards with favorable yet unique soil. As their name suggests, they focus on providing the best representation of the land. Great wines begin in the vineyard, and it is their goal to translate the unique flavors of our region into great Monterey County wines. De Tierra has an extensive wine portfolio which features many single varietal wines and well as unique blends and two award-winning dessert wines.

Address: 3 SE Mission Street and 5th Avenue Phone: (831) 622-9704 detierra.com 33

HAUTE DRINKS KORI WINES | Kori Wines is a partnership established in 2007 between respected grower Kirk Williams and his stepdaughter Kori Violini. Starting off small and producing fewer than 200 cases of only Pinot Noir, they expanded by adding small quantities of Syrah, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc before taking a brief hiatus in 2014 for Kori to raise her son. In April 2019, KORi Wines came back with a bang when they opened a tasting room in Carmel-by-the-sea.

Address: Mission Street between Ocean & 7th Avenues Phone: (831) 293-8217 koriwines.com

BLAIR ESTATES WINES | The charming Blair Estate Tasting Room is situated on the lower level of Carmel Plaza in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea. It is right in the heart of the shopping and restaurant district and a must-stop on the Carmel Wine Walk. Guests will often find Jeffrey, the owner, behind the tasting bar sharing award winning releases and special "tasting room only" items. This tasting room is pet- and family-friendly.

Address: Carmel Plaza Phone: (831) 625-WINE blairwines.com 34

PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY OF CARMELCALIFORNIA.COM; © NOËL BURGESS; © NOËL BURGESS

GALANTE VINEYARDS | With a longstanding history in Carmel, the Galante family has experienced the area’s beauty for over a century. In keeping that family legacy in mind, Galante Vineyards was the first wine tasting room to enter the village. Stop by the tasting room for an excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Address: Dolores Street between Ocean & 7th Avenues Phone: (831) 624-3800 galantevineyards.com

HAUTE DRINKS WINDY OAKS ESTATE | Established in 1996, Windy Oaks Estate features a delightful offering of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah for all types of wine lovers. When visiting their Carmel location, you may find James Schultze, the next generation of Windy Oaks, as he manages the tasting room. Schedule a visit during their “Friday Fun Times” for a wine and cheese pairing party in the evening for a night to remember.

Address: Lincoln Street between Ocean and 6th Avenues Phone: (831) 574-3135 windyoaksestate.com

MANZONI WINES | Known for their Chardonnay, rosé, Pinot

PHOTO CREDITS: © NOËL BURGESS

Noir, Zinfandel, Syrah, and their Bordeaux blend, Cuvée Louie, Manzoni Cellars has a little something for everyone. These awardwinning Santa Lucia Highlands wines are produced in limited quantities, making for crisp and vibrant pours.

Address: Hampton Court on 7th Avenue (between San Carlos & Dolores Streets) Phone: (831) 620-6541 manzoniwines.com

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PHOTO CREDITS: © ROBERT RICHARDS

HAUTE DINING

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Harris' Restaurant

Harris’ Restaurant THE SAN FRANCISCO STEAKHOUSE

HAUTE DINING

Savor the swanky

BY ROBERT RICHARDS

Harris' Restaurant dining room

The Harris' steak, 16-ounce, thick, bone-in New York

PHOTO CREDITS: © ROBERT RICHARDS

S

INCE 1984, WE SAN FRANCISCANS AND OUR numerous visitors have gathered at Harris’ Restaurant – The San Francisco Steakhouse to experience an elegant meal with a timeless charm that has yet to go out of style. We all enjoy the warm setting; it is memorable and grand, but comfortable for everyone.

Chef/owner Michael Buhagiar is focused on maintaining the location's legacy of preparing and serving great food, which he began alongside founder Ann Lee Harris at the historic Van Ness Avenue address. Now he and his two sons, Marc and David, work together to keep the original vision alive. They do it by serving the Bay Area the best of dry-aged steaks in a lush atmosphere of sumptuous dark wood, lofty ceilings, large, plush leather booths, and private dining rooms for intimate groups.

Piano lounge

Aside from the grand décor and the fantastic food, the wine list features a variety of distinguished whites and reds from Europe, Australia, California, Oregon, and elsewhere. If you are looking for a drink with some nostalgia, take a seat at the bar in the piano lounge. There are dozens of brands of aged scotch, and the delicious martinis can be had by the carafe. No reservations are needed to enjoy cocktails and nightly jazz at the turn-of-thecentury bar.

On a recent visit to Harris’ Restaurant with my family, we created our own grand memories in their classy setting. Our meal began with a half dozen fresh oysters on the half shell, smoked salmon served with dill cream cheese and toast points, along with dungeness crab cakes with beurre blanc and an iceberg wedge salad with blue cheese dressing.

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HAUTE DINING

Private dining at Harris Restaurant

Dirtiest martini at Harris' Restaurant

Harris' Restaurant knows their cuts

PHOTO CREDITS: © ROBERT RICHARDS

New York Kobe-style American Wagyu ribeye, 13-ounce

Smoked salmon served with dill cream cheese, and toast points

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Chef on the line

HAUTE DINING

PHOTO CREDITS: © CASSANDRA JAMES

Desserts at Harris' Restaurant

My daughter enjoyed her petite filet mignon (8 oz.), while my partner swooned when her Harris' steak 16oz a thick, bone-in New York was presented to her with all the pomp that a piece of meat like that deserves. I chose the profoundly tender and delicious New York Kobe-style American Wagyu ribeye (13 oz.) along with the full array of sumptuous and savory sauces.

We had the classic bearnaise sauce, brandy sauce, and truffle madeira sauce for the table.

Under the brass chandelier’s subdued light, we listened to soft jazz emanating from the piano lounge and talked and laughed as families do. We lingered and savored the lemon curd baked

Alaska, the timeless pistachio crème brulé, and a delightful Trio of Ice Creams. And like so many families before, we plotted our return for another bite at that swanky place on Van Ness that has yet to go out of style.

Harris’ Restaurant – The San Francisco Steakhouse can be found at historic 2100 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94109 and is open six nights per week. Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday evenings, between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings, between 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Call 415.673.1888 or visit harrisrestaurant.com.

Reservations are a must.

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HAUTE PROFILE

Haute Mothers with big jobs and little children share their wisdom

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EING A MOTHER IS THE MOST CHALLENGING JOB on the planet. While motherhood is truly a full-time job, it doesn't stop the brave women in this article from pursuing their passions. I am still amazed by mothers doing it all—raising small children, building companies, and running households.

I had a chance to talk to five of these incredible women who are thriving in their careers and raising young children.

Here are their stories and words of wisdom for other women considering the harrowing feat of a successful work-life balance with demanding positions and small children.

Dr. Carolyn Chang is a board-certified plastic surgeon practicing in San Francisco. In addition, Dr. Chang serves as the vice-chairman for the Department of Plastic Surgery at California Pacific Medical Center. Dr. Chang received her medical degree from Stanford University Medical School where she received the Dean's Award for Excellence in clinical medicine. She continued at Stanford University Medical Center for her general surgery and plastic surgery training.

As one of the San Francisco Bay Area's premier plastic surgeons, she is included in Castle Connolly's America's Top Doctors and the Best Doctors in America. In addition, Dr. Chang is one of the few plastic surgeons in the Bay Area to be included on these prestigious, peer-reviewed national lists.

Dr. Chang's aesthetic judgments and superb surgical skills have drawn the attention of television producers, beauty editors, skincare companies, and professional associations who call upon her for her knowledge and expertise in plastic surgery. CNN, The Doctors, and National Geographic have sought her professional expertise for their programming.

Dr. Chang lives in San Francisco with her husband Patrick and their fraternal twins, James and Jemma.

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PHOTO CREDIT: © ALIQUE PHOTO CREDIT:© VINCENT GOTTI

CAROLYN CHANG

MAMAS

HAUTE PROFILE

BY TERESA RODRIGUEZ

PHOTO CREDIT:© VINCENT GOTTI

HL: What is your biggest challenge in balancing motherhood and your career?

CC: For me, the biggest challenge is being just as good a mother as I am a surgeon. It is hard to find the energy to be fully present for the kids in the evenings and on the weekends when I am not working. My job is very full-time. It is mentally and physically demanding, and my hours are long. I often start as early as 6.30 a.m. and am not home until 6.30 or 7 p.m. every day. It is so easy and tempting just mentally to check out and relax when I get home. But if I did that, I would not have had any quality time with my twins. Being a good mother is similar to being a good doctor.

My children need unconditional love and support, and they need me to be sympathetic and attentive to their needs, just as my patients do. It is exhausting always to be "on" at home and work, but the rewards are the joy and satisfaction of seeing my children happy and thriving.

HL: What moments with your children make it all worthwhile?

CC: I know it is all worthwhile when I see my children feeling happy and secure. I know that my children's relationships with each other and my husband and me will shape how they deal with connections in the future.

All the hard work of good parenting is worth it when I see them developing into friendly, considerate, loving little people.

Today we went to brunch and then to the Academy of Sciences Museum in San Francisco. I was thrilled to see them engaged

in the exhibits, interested in the animals, and having fun.

Afterward, we got some frozen yogurt for an afternoon treat. As soon as my son James finished his yogurt, he asked to snuggle with me and told me that he had the best day of his life. My heart melted. This was definitely one of those moments that makes it all worthwhile!

HL: What piece of advice can you give new working moms?

CC: Get your support system in place! I cannot stress enough the importance of having a few key people in your life who can help you get through the day. Nannies, friends, or family members whom you can count on regularly to help with the kids' needs are vital. They allow you to go to your job with peace of mind.

The children's nanny, Rosario, is like a surrogate mother in our home. She has been with them their whole lives, loves them, and cares for them as if they were her own. I can count on her to have the kids' best interests in mind, and I can count on her to keep them safe when I am away. I trust her implicitly. I couldn't do my job without her day-to-day help, and the children absolutely love her.

HL: If we could wave a magic wand, what do you want for Mother's Day? CC: I think that my Mother's Day wishes are pretty simple. I would love a day of peace, relaxation, and pampering—a mini-vacation! My favorite thing in the world is a good massage, so I would definitely want that. And I always love brunch with the family. The kids always get me flowers and make cards. There is nothing more special than feeling loved by my children.

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HAUTE PROFILE

proposal for new work, which speaks to the core issues facing society's struggle to face inequality.

Unbeknown to her when she gave birth, Kaleo, which means "the voice" in Hawaiian, would help inspire her messaging.

Raising a mixed-race child is a large part of the driving force to create art that speaks to ongoing injustice.

HL: What is your biggest challenge in balancing motherhood and your career?

MJ: I never worried about being a great mother. I worried about juggling running my company with a child. Pregnancy is an excellent filter; you don't have space or tolerance for lingering BS, yet time is still elusive. As an artist, not being able to produce special projects creates anxiety, and I haven't found the right balance yet. I grew new aspects of my company during COVID. Even when you are young with the most time and energy, it is a problematic task, emotionally and physically. Imagine doing it as a single parent fighting for equality and a voice for my son in a pandemic when my company's work was directly impacted.

MOANALANI JEFFREY Moanalani Jeffrey is the principal for one of San Francisco's premiere photography agencies. Known around town as an opinion leader on life and style, focusing on image and beauty procedures, she balances motherhood and everything else in high heels. The eponymous Agency Moanalani Jeffrey is known for covering highprofile events, like Louis Vuitton's week-long high jewelry series. Her captivating portraiture sessions immortalize the city's prominent players and shape brand imagery for those in the know. Before building her successful company, she honed her advertising, sales, and marketing skills, representing clients for broadcast giants CBS and iHeartMedia.

Born Black and Chinese on the Big Island of Hawaii, Jeffrey brings a blend of the down-to-earth island essence and a striking dynamism that has left its mark on San Francisco. Always the multifaceted creator, the racial awakening of 2020 has thrown her back into fine art. She is currently working on her exhibition 42

HL: What piece of advice can you give new working moms?

MJ: Jennifer Siebel Newsom recently shared a series on Instagram from @momlife_comics about how "society continues to treat parenting as Mom's burden and Dad's adorable hobby."

I say this with love: don't wear motherhood as a badge of honor in place of standing up for yourself. Acknowledge and speak up for inequalities in and out of the home. It's not socially acceptable to expect women to accept less, yet it's hidden in so much of our everyday messaging. If we don't work on decoding and re-educating, we will take on more than we should. Just like on planes, put on your mask first, then help your child.

HL: If we could wave a magic wand, what do you want for Mother’s Day? MJ: Time, time to spend with Kaleo unobstructed. Unlimited cuddles and another day just for me at the medspa, also unlimited. Last but not least, equality, but that is always implied.

PHOTO CREDIT: © AGENCY MOANALANI JEFFREY

HL: What moments with your son make it all worthwhile?

MJ: When Kaleo surprises me with sweet, unexpected expressions of his love. My reaction is an uncontrollable, extended "Aww." It is now a part of Kaleo's repertoire. He uses it when he feels the same from me. I hope he never loses this connection to vulnerability in love, devoid of shame or embarrassment. I will continue to teach and encourage that, and to support others when they express it.

HAUTE PROFILE LILLIAN PHAN

CHRISTINA FARR Christina Farr is an investor with OMERS Ventures, specializing in health tech with focused expertise in biotechnology and behavioral and women's health. She started her career at VentureBeat before becoming one of the industry's best known health technology reporters. A journalist, writer, and on-air contributor for top tier outlets including CNBC, Fast Company, and Reuters News, Chrissy has also been a featured expert on ABC News, CNN, and NPR. She has broken multiple stories involving the world's top tech companies, including Apple, Google, Facebook, and Amazon. She currently sits on the boards of several health tech companies and provides strategic market and industry expertise to OMERS Ventures portfolio companies across Europe and North America.

Chrissy holds graduate degrees from both University College London and Stanford University.

PHOTO CREDITS: © JARRED COLLI; © AGENCY MOANALANI JEFFREY PHOTO CREDIT: © ALIQUE

HL: What is your biggest challenge in balancing motherhood and your career?

CF: There are so many that it's hard to choose just one. If I had to hone in on anything, it's really time management. Being home for bedtime as much as possible is important to me; so, that involves turning down travel opportunities or ensuring meetings don't run late.

Lillian Phan, founder and principal of her namesake company, is a first-generation Asian American designer of experiential branding.

She brings a holistic, multifaceted customer experience approach focusing on contextualizing events in hospitality and real estate.

Drawing from her extensive sales development and luxury event background, Phan curates unique experiences for her clients who have come to expect premier end-to-end results synonymous with the brand.

Some of Phan's notable projects include her work with Food Network star chef Kathy Fang, Michael Mina Group, Elle Decor™, and Wilkes Bashford. In addition, she prides herself on providing authentic cultural immersion experiences and recently produced the Lunar New Year Festival + Marketplace at The Crossing at East Cut. Her passion for philanthropy and dedication to the local Bay Area community has resulted in record-breaking fundraisers and groundbreaking, elevated events. As chair, she led the executive board of directors of the American Red Cross and has been at the helm of iconic San Francisco galas for many historic organizations.

Phan received her Bachelor of Science in business and marketing from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and is a forever Trojan. She is a proud San Francisco resident and tastemaker, exploring the area's diverse restaurant scene and city's urban treasures with her husband Alec, daughter Camellia, and their French bulldog, Lox. HL: What is your biggest challenge in balancing motherhood and your career?

LP: My biggest challenge in balancing motherhood and career is the ability to master childcare logistics and the art of slowing down and appreciating each moment. Being present for both is something I constantly have to work at.

HL: What moments with your son make it all worthwhile?

CF: It's the snuggles when my son sees me after a long day. Mine is 13 months, so still young enough for a proper cuddle.

HL: What piece of advice can you give new working moms?

CF: Embrace the messiness. You won't get everything perfect or exactly as you want it to be. Things that get carefully planned out are often derailed for some reason or another. So, take it day by day. And take care of yourself along the way!

HL: If we could wave a magic wand, what do you want for Mother's Day? CF: A relaxing facial, no question.

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HAUTE PROFILE

HL: What piece of advice can you give new working moms?

LP: You truly need to have a good support circle and embrace help.

Continuous communication with your partner and outlining expectations and needs will help with the transition back to work. My three sisters and I share a 24/7 WhatsApp group chat where no topics are off the table, including lactation, sleep cycles, sex after childbirth, and venting sessions, making it possible to put things—big and small—into perspective. I am lucky to have close friends and neighbors that I can lean on for those extra helping hands when work might require more time and my husband isn't able to cover. Knowing whom you can count on is vital for new working moms.

HL: If we could wave a magic wand, what do you want for Mother's Day? LP: My husband and I explored the magical island of St. Barts for our honeymoon and enjoyed the various beach clubs, champagne sunsets, and restaurants that make it so special. Upon our return, San Francisco officially went into shelter-in-place the following day and the pandemic began. I still dream about St. Barts, and heading back to the French Caribbean island with our toddler in tow would be the ultimate bliss.

CIJI RICH JEFFRIES A woman of various talents, Ciji Rich Jeffries plays many roles. By day she serves as a director for Charles Schwab, supporting the development and strategy of fee-based, managed investing offers, and by evening she serves as the head of sales and marketing for her personal wine label, Lúnasa, which she and her husband, Jordan Jeffries, own and launched last year. She also recently added "mother" to her repertoire, welcoming her first child, son Rhys, in February of last year.

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Jeffires attended Columbia University, earning her Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences. After graduation, unsure of what career path she wanted to pursue, she accepted a strategy and business development role with Merrill Lynch. She quickly solidified herself as a top performer and accelerated to director in just six years. In 2014, Jeffries was one of the youngest leaders to be appointed as regional chief operating officer for the Pacific Northwest division.

In 2017, she was named by the San Francisco Business Times as one of the "Most Influential Women in Business."

HL: What is your biggest challenge in balancing motherhood and your career?

CRJ: I want to be the best at what I do, both as a mother and professionally in my career. However, being the best at one inherently feels like it comes at the detriment of the other. I've found that being intentional and focused with where I spend my time and setting boundaries is key to being successful.

HL: What are the moments with your child/children that makes it all worthwhile?

CRJ: For me, it's the simple, everyday things, like Rhys wrapping his tiny arms around my legs in an effort to get my attention, his genuine excitement to see me at the end of the day, or his sense of accomplishment at learning a new skill. The little things remind me to be present and enjoy these special, fleeting moments.

HL: What piece of advice can you give new working moms?

CRJ: Balancing a career and motherhood can be exhausting and overwhelming at times. Above all else, give yourself grace and don't be afraid to ask for help. It's easy to feel like everything you do should be for your kids, but it's important to make time for yourself.

HL: If we could wave a magic wand, what do you want for Mothers Day? CRJ: More hours in the day to tackle my ever-growing list of projects.

Otherwise, I would love to spend the day with my family at our favorite beach in Hawaii, away from the chaos and obligations of everyday life.

PHOTO CREDIT: © MARGARET NISSEN

HL: What moments with your daughter make it all worthwhile?

LP: The initial 12 months for a first-time mother are incredible with so many significant milestones. Watching your child be born and bloom each day, witnessing their firsts as your own is refreshing. From the simplest reaction of a giggle to trying new things to the imitation game of mannerisms and facial reactions, you know you're shaping them into your own legacy—the best version of yourself. My favorite time of day is at dawn when I greet Camellia in her nursery and spend the morning with her reading books, teaching her new tricks, and getting her ready for the day. The intimate moments between mother and daughter are so special, knowing you are the super role model and mom that she looks up to.

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Karen Clopton

HAUTE PROFILE

Expanding the Global LGBTQIA Community One Safe Vacation at a Time Finally, an easy way to locate and book queer-friendly accommodations around the globe.

BY ROBERT HENSLEY

I

NDEPENDENT LUXURY TRAVEL, BOOKED WITHOUT AN expensive agent, has become commonplace with the introduction of online and app-based booking sites. However, for a growing segment of vacation-goers, the ability to select house-sharing, short-term rentals, and hotels which are safe and accommodating to LGBTQIA clientele is a welcome option. Not all hosts or even locales welcome queer clientele. misterb&b has made the process of making inclusive travel arrangements, extending its service of providing safe and welcoming stays to the entire LGBTQ community, easy since 2014.

Matthieu Jost, misterb&b co-founder and CEO, rented an apartment in Barcelona with his partner, only to find out upon arrival it was clear the host was uncomfortable with gay travelers staying in her home. She even asked, “Are you going to sleep in the same bed?”

The experience made him aware a short-term rental service by and for gay travelers was needed to help provide not only a safe and comfortable experience, but also one where members of the LGBTQ community could connect and expand their sense of community on a global scale.

“66 percent of all gay and lesbian travelers, who take 3.2 vacations per year, say safety as a foreigner and anti-LGBTQ laws were their biggest concerns for international travel” Per a 2000 Travel University report, gay and lesbian travelers accounted for 70 million daily arrivals worldwide, 10 percent of all tourist travel with evidence of that number continuing to grow. A report published by travel site RVandPlaya.com says the largest demographic of queer travelers are gay men, aged 30 to 34 with a median income of $50,000 to $99,000 a year. Additionally, they report 66 percent of all gay and lesbian travelers, who take 3.2 vacations per year, say safety as a foreigner and anti-LGBTQ laws were their biggest concerns for international travel.

Over the past eight years, misterb&b has evolved into the largest gay hotelier in the world with 310,000 hosts in over 135 countries.

Travelers can choose from cozy apartments, private rooms, amazing homes, and gay-friendly hotels to experience LGTBQ hospitality at its best. Additionally, the brand supports a number of LGBTQIA community organizations around the world and lobbies against antiLGBT laws in the United States.

Jost was recently included on the Out 100 list as one of the “9 LGBTQ Names at the Forefront of Beauty and Business.”

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FIJI Fantasy

HAUTE TRAVEL

There are trips you reminisce about, then there are places that captivate your very being. Sojourn to this sunny island country for an experience that will also warm the heart.

BY STEPH KEAY

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Despite its reputation as a faraway land, Fiji is blissfully accessible from San Francisco. Fiji Airways offers a direct flight from SFO to Nadi International Airport on Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu. The 11-hour trip feels even shorter thanks to an extended siesta, courtesy of the fully reclining seats in its luxe business class cabin. As we descend into the lush verdure of Viti Levu, dawn illuminates the cabin, the sun just risen over the archipelago of more than 330 islands. Over the week, I’ll discover three of Fiji’s best resorts, curating experiences centered on Fiji’s incredible culture, cuisine, and—most importantly—its people.

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PHOTO CREDIT: © KONSTANTTIN (SHUTTERSTOCK)

HILE FIJI CONJURES IMAGES OF STARK WHITE SAND BEACHES, impossibly clear water, and coral reefs teeming with brilliant aquatic life, the tropical archipelago is more than just a picturesque destination for honeymooners. The mystical island country brims with rich culture, intriguing cuisine, and a heartwarming sense of community that extends far beyond simple hospitality. It’s the ideal country for a soul-stirring vacation after two years of social distancing.

HAUTE TRAVEL

Enjoy picnics and horseback riding on Turtle Island's 12 private beaches

TURTLE ISLAND RESORT

PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY OF TURTLE ISLAND RESORT

Our speedboat begins to slow as it approaches the Yasawas, a cluster of islands in northwest Fiji. Two boats suddenly appear— each with a Fijian warrior clad in a grass skirt, holding a war club, stationed on the bow. As part of Turtle Island’s traditional warriors’ welcome, they accompany us to the landing dock of the 500-acre, 14-villa private island. Stepping foot onto the dock, underneath which crystalline water gently ripples, I’m greeted with a cool towel for my brow, a fresh tropical juice dripping with condensation, and a chorus of angelic voices from Turtle Island’s welcome choir. Met with enthusiastic greetings of bula!—more than just “hello,” it’s an infectiously exuberant phrase that translates as “life”—resort manager Bill Mualele welcomes me home to my new palm-fringed paradise.

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BULA!—MORE THAN JUST “HELLO,” IT’S AN INFECTIOUSLY EXUBERANT PHRASE THAT TRANSLATES AS “LIFE”

I’m shown to my oceanfront bure—the Fijian word for a hut— which is anything but. The private villa boasts views of the beach out front, an outdoor shower and daybed, and a jacuzzi planted into the floor of the very suite. Over the door is an oval of mahogany inlaid with my name, carved from the trees on the island. Each bure is assigned a private attendant—a bure mama—who handles every personal request. Meanwhile, the staff refers to themselves as “my Turtle Island family,” addressing me personally as they sidle up with trays of fresh-squeezed soursop juice and the resort’s rotating menu of delightful daily snacks. I’m inducted into the family upon arrival via a kava ceremony, the first of several on my trip, which showcases a tradition still routinely practiced by Fijians. Made from the ground root of a native pepper plant, kava is an earthy drink served in coconut shells. The ceremony follows a ritual that observes the social hierarchy, as Fijians do with their chief and elders, and signifies respect and unity between those participating.

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HAUTE TRAVEL By the end of the week, I’m ready to become one with Turtle Island, much like its beloved founder did 40 years ago. Of course, the resort’s fishing excursions, in-bure massages, and al fresco feasts—from mountaintop communal dinners to picnics on the island’s 12 private beaches—certainly don’t hurt. Richard Evanson’s legacy lives on through his son who kept the majority of Turtle Island’s workforce employed during the pandemic by championing initiatives to increase the island’s already impressive self-sufficiency.

As we tour the island with Richard, Jr., I’m reminded of the cutting-edge regenerative farming practices and farm-to-table cuisine in Sonoma County. Turtle Island’s crop is so bountiful that 80 percent of all food prepared on the island comes from its own gardens, livestock, and the surrounding ocean. Resident chef Beni Nasaumalumu can also conjure up nearly any type of cuisine: the island is bursting with eclectic produce such as okra and taro, curry leaves and fennel, soursop and papaya. If you’re as spoiled as we Californians are with seasonally inspired cuisine, here it is— even on a remote island.

Each bure on Turtle Island offers stunning views of the South Pacific

PHOTO COURTESY OFOF TURTLE ISLAND RESORT; PHOTOSCREDITS: CREEDITS: COURTESY LYON TOURISM © STEPH KEAY; COURTESY OF TURTLE ISLAND RESORT

Explore Fiji's natural beauty on Turtle Island—both above and underwater

Turtle Island has an undeniable charm, a sentiment echoed by other couples on the island (a majority of whom are returning visitors). I soon find myself wondering how I’ll ever sleep without the occasional thud of an errant mango falling gently onto the thatched roof of my bure. On the day of my departure, my Turtle Island family gathers once again to sing “Isa Lei,” a traditional Fijian farewell song, and my bure mama fastens a garland of hibiscus and aromatic basil around my neck. “It’s not moce—it’s sote tale,” Mama Wainise assures me with a kindly smile. In other words, it’s not "goodbye"—it's "see you later."

50 A kava ceremony on Turtle Island

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WAKAYA CLUB & SPA Deciphering my notes post-trip, I find one amusing phrase: “amazing spinach.” It seems a bit absurd to describe it as such, and yet I vividly recall its otherworldly taste at the Wakaya Club & Spa. It’s futile to adequately describe its inimitable, just-picked flavor—so fresh I was convinced it was harvested seconds before. Enhanced by miso, leek, truffle oil, and shaved Parmesan, it highlights my belief that the pinnacle of culinary genius is an ability to achieve perfection by simply letting a few exceptional ingredients shine. Wakaya’s executive chef, Marielle Hajj, epitomizes this: her Lebanese and Mexican background, combined with international training and inspiration from Fijian cuisine, drives remarkable dishes that create synergy with ingredients harvested from the island and beyond.

It’s no wonder Wakaya prides itself on being one of the preeminent culinary destinations in the South Pacific.

Wakaya sets the bar for inventive yet authentic dining

PHOTO CREDITS: © STEPH KEAY; © TOM VIERUS

Just a few hours earlier, our prop plane circles over the breathtaking, cerulean waters that surround the airstrip sandwiched between the island’s lush rainforests. East of Viti Levu, we prepare to land on the 2,200-acre private isle, part of the Lomaiviti group of islands and the ultimate destination for those seeking comfort and seclusion. Wakaya’s two private villas are the height of luxury, one boasting a 125-foot infinity edge pool and guest house with separate pool, while 10 bures are accessed via a path that winds its way through towering palms and shrubs blooming with rosy hibiscus.

51 Stunning panoramic views from Vale’O—House in the Clouds—on Wakaya's hilltop estate

HAUTE TRAVEL My oceanfront bure offers private access to a pristine beach— inconceivably quiet. My only companions are sea turtles, heads bobbing no more than 25 feet from shore. As one guest at Wakaya puts it, the beauty of staying on the exclusive island is that you can do anything you want, anytime you want. “Sega na leqa,” she exclaims, the Fijian phrase for “no worries.” I’m so accustomed to routine that it’s almost paralyzing to choose between doing nothing at all—enjoying the natural soundtrack of lapping waves and chirping birds in my bure’s oceanside hammock, for instance— or taking advantage of all that Wakaya has to offer—from guided morning hikes through the island’s rainforests to exploring the untouched ocean on daily diving excursions.

The Palm Grove, Wakaya's flagship restaurant

While awaiting transport to Wakaya’s beach house, I share a heartfelt chat about the secret of Fiji’s appeal with Monika Pal, Wakaya’s guest services manager. “If you try to do what everybody else is doing, it’s not special,” she says.

While many tropical destinations have become diluted by Western tastes and needless excess, Fiji is dedicated to carefully preserving its local culture. What’s more, Fijians share their traditions proudly and authentically, encouraging guests to participate in local customs. Aside from warrior welcomes and kava ceremonies, there’s also traditional Bobo massages, meke dance—which we get a spectacular glimpse of from VOU, Fiji’s premier dance company— and much more.

Cultural enlightenment is not just an afterthought, but an integral part of the Fiji experience. Over lunch, another stunning meal from the mind of Chef Hajj made a reality by Wakaya’s talented local team, resort manager Antonio Aja elaborates further. As we savor breadfruit chips and smoky baba ganoush, he explains the reason Fiji is a one-of-a-kind destination is also because of the Fijians themselves, exceedingly warm and genuinely caring because it’s simply in their nature. “It’s just who they are.”

Take in incredible views all over Wakaya Island

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PHOTO COURTESY OFOF WAKAYA CLUB & SPA; PHOTOSCREDITS: CREEDITS: COURTESY LYON TOURISM © STEPH KEAY; COURTESY OF WAKAYA CLUB & SPA

On my final morning, I tuck into cazuela, oven-baked eggs with jocoque, mint, and green chili, another deceptively simple dish that blows me away—much like the experience at Wakaya has. Amazing spinach and cuisine aside, what makes Wakaya Club & Spa a veritable paradise is absolute immersion in the island’s natural beauty while providing every conceivable comfort. Exceeding the expectations of even the most discerning traveler, it is the ne plus ultra of the islands for those seeking exceptional food, thrilling adventure, cultural enlightenment, or simply just some peace and quiet.

The waters surrounding Wakaya are a divers' paradise

HAUTE TRAVEL NANUKU RESORT Back on Viti Levu, kava bars and fruit stands selling heaps of pineapple pass by in a blur as we drive past lime green huts and bubblegum pink stilt houses. For those who don’t want to stray from the main island—though I’d argue it’s well worth it—resorts along the coastline offer equal parts luxury and convenience.

One such resort is Nanuku, offering an owners’ residence with a wraparound deck that features the rare combination of both sunrise and sunset vistas. At the resort’s restaurant, Fijian cuisine is showcased in delightful dishes such as a trio of kokoda (Fijian ceviche) made with lobster, tuna, and crab and roro soup, a local delicacy made from coconut milk and taro leaves. Nanuku also offers family-friendly opportunities to immerse yourself in local culture, such as a Warrior Cooking Class, which demonstrates a traditional method for cooking prawns directly in fire by nestling them inside bamboo. Tours such as river safaris and railbike tours can also be found in abundance on Viti Levu.

PHOTO CREDITS: © STEPH KEAY; © STEPH KEAY; COURTESY OF NANUKU RESORT

As we return to jet-setting after two years, it’s an opportunity to reflect and return to our reasons for traveling. Personally, I travel for experiences in which time itself seems to freeze: where all there is is the here and the now and a profound appreciation for the moment. To close my eyes and feel my hair whipping gently on my cheeks as I sail through the azure waters of the South Pacific, the warmth of the sun spreading over my skin. To be awed by sea turtles in their natural habitat, suddenly gliding alongside me during a spontaneous snorkeling trip. To come to understand words in other languages that embody a feeling more than a meaning: bula!

A Fijian warrior demonstrates how to crack a coconut during a cooking class at Nanuku

From the innate hospitality of Fijians to the authenticity of their culture and the richness of their agriculture to the originality of their cuisine, Fiji is a destination that offers experiences that can’t be bought, only found. Travel with intention and, in return, you’ll be rewarded handsomely with moments of breathless wonder that remind you of this extraordinary earth, this extraordinary life.

Incredible sunsets from the pool at Nanuku Resort

Guests can learn traditional Fijian methods of cooking, such as bamboo-cooked prawns

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PHOTO CREDIT: © MATTHEW MILLMAN

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The Madrona is ready to welcome guests following a luxurious transformation led by interior designer Jay Jeffers

Haute Healdsburg

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A rare combination of small town charm with award-winning wine, cuisine, and luxury hospitality makes this city one you’ll fall in love with time after time.

BY STEPH KEAY

PHOTO CREDIT: © VINCENT GOTTI

“I

S THIS YOUR FIRST TIME IN HEALDSBURG?” You’ll inevitably be asked by a friendly server, sommelier, or shopkeeper in the charming city, located in the heart of Sonoma County. Though I’ve visited several times now, somehow it always feels like the first. It’s a place where you return to revisit favorite restaurants, hotels, and wineries, but also to explore the exponentially growing list of new ventures.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Healdsburg honors its past by continuously innovating in ways that incorporate its history. It’s novel, yet familiar. Couples stroll alongside ivy-covered walls and under wisteriadraped terraces, living in harmony alongside cuttingedge, intentional design. Even familiar faces are always trying something fresh. It all ties together here in Healdsburg, a place that’s not only exciting to foodies and oenophiles, but also Bay Area locals seeking a “staycation” that still offers the novelty of a trip abroad.

Healdsburg is the best of food, wine, and community.

It’s innovation made even more appreciable next to the preservation of the city’s history. It’s the charm and familiarity of a small town that’s also ever-evolving.

What’s not to love?

Ahead is a first look at a former Victorian estate that received a lavish makeover while retaining its historic charm—and a few gorgeous relics—from a 141-yearlong past. There’s a collective of world class wineries seeking to redefine the tasting experience by putting the focus on community and camaraderie. Next, a restaurant that’s securing Healdsburg’s foothold as a world class culinary destination. Finally, we take a look into a trio of local hotels driven by art and sustainability.

The Madrona The Madrona is a stunning, new boutique hotel and restaurant just on the other side of Highway 101 from downtown Healdsburg. Previously known as Madrona Manor, the new owners have kept what made the institution special—Michelin-starred chef Jesse Mallgren, perhaps best of all—while breathing life into the historic property with design that celebrates sheer beauty by acclaimed interior designer Jay Jeffers.

A private balcony at The Madrona with sweeping views of wine country

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Perfectly melding the old and the new, the gorgeously renovated property has been revamped with the utmost detail to attention— ideal for a romantic getaway or even celebrating the start of a lifelong commitment (it’s already been booked for weddings within the first couple months of opening).

Energy buzzes in the air ahead of its mid-April opening. Strolling through the wooden double doors of the mansion, the property’s original structure built in 1881, guests will be transported to another era. The Madrona combines the elegance of Britain’s Aesthetic Movement with Southern charm and hospitality, apparent from the moment visitors make their way up to The Madrona’s grand, wraparound porch. High-touch service will set the tone for a visit that inspires wonder and curiosity the moment guests drive through its wrought iron gates. Furniture original to the estate has been lovingly refurbished, restored, and reupholstered. Little surprises— such as the etched doorknobs and intricate door hinges—have been kept, begging you to notice them, inspiring unexpected moments of beauty. Other curios sourced from the famed Round Top Antiques Fair create a curated feel, much like a special collection of eclectic pieces one has amassed from exotic travels.

Wander through the 8-acre property, replete with treasures such as a garden bearing pears, persimmons, and more (used in The Madrona’s excellent bar and restaurant program) and a knockout front parlor that should almost be roped off for its impeccable decoration—but, of course, The Madrona wants you to explore.

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Artwork hung salon-style at The Madrona

Partner Cory Schisler hopes the property will continue to evolve even after guests first step foot on the finished property. He’s interested in seeing where guests will gravitate—whether the stunning outdoor Grecian pool or the enchanting terrace that overlooks the expansive lawn. In The Madrona’s centrally located citrus grove, Schisler envisions easy Sunday mornings, where a bartender will be hidden amid the trees, at the ready with a bottle of champagne and ripe oranges for Sonoma County’s freshest mimosas. Another structure might become a Japanese whisky bar pop-up for a few months before transforming into a French champagne bar.

In this wonderland of surprises, guests will be inspired to use their imagination, much like its new owners have. Two dozen guest rooms have been designed with care, including the luxurious Owner’s Loft, which features an honor bar and other touches that makes it Jeffers’ personal favorite. It’s the only suite that can be reserved specifically—that’s how you know it’s special. Several of the rooms in the mansion feature patios with views of Healdsburg’s stunning vistas, and all were designed with unique touches that make each one distinct—no two are alike. Will you request a previous suite you’ve anointed a favorite, or venture to discover another suite—much like the way I feel torn between the old and the new whenever I visit Healdsburg? If you’ve ever wanted to feel as though you’re living in a Wes Anderson film, this is the place to find it: a destination for fascination, a little piece of heaven tucked in the hills of Dry Creek Valley.

PHOTO CREDITS: © VINCENT GOTTI; © MATTHEW MILLMAN

The front parlor of The Madrona

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"Frank's Place" at Bacchus Landing

Bacchus Landing

PHOTO CREDITS: © VINCENT GOTTI; © VINCENT GOTTI; COURTESY OF BACCHUS LANDING

“Mi casa es su casa.” This was the atmosphere Monica and Francisco Lopez’s mother, Dina, wanted to emulate when her family founded Bacchus Landing. Since opening last April, the intimate tasting destination has expanded to seven boutique wineries and tasting rooms that showcase a diverse range of grape varietals and winemaking styles. The one thing they all have in common? A passion for high quality wines and belief that its enjoyment should be shared far and wide. Just a few minutes from the heart of Healdsburg is this 3-acre retreat offering open-air tasting rooms surrounding an outdoor piazza with olive trees—transporting visitors to the Mediterranean the instant they walk through its grand stone arch entrance. Its concept couldn’t make more sense: rather than shuttling between wineries, why not curate a collection of world class wines people can access in one place?

Frank, Monica, Dina, and Al Lopez

Bacchus Landing

Each winery tells the stories of the incredible partnerships that led to their inception: such as the Lopez family’s own label, Aldina Vineyards, named after parents Al and Dina as Monica and Francisco’s way of honoring the values of family and hard work instilled in them from a young age. It shares a tasting room with 13th & Third, a boutique winery from a husband-and-wife team named after the corner in New York City where they first met, and Dot Wine, born when artist and gardener Shawn Phillips dared his wife and viticulturist Lise Asimont to create her own Pinot Noir. Next door, Smith Story Wine Cellars is operated by another inspiring couple, Alison and Eric Story—though many of the winery’s fans came courtesy of their Instagram-famous goldendoodle, Lord Sandwich. More stories await at Montagne Russe, a tasting salon decked out with mid-century modern furniture and a vinyl record collection, and The Setting, a label created by three friends and driven by relationships spanning decades from Napa to Sonoma County. Across the way is AldenAlli, the first tasting room for the collaboration between legendary Pinot Noir vintner Dan Kosta and the Lagasse family restaurateurs.

“There are amazing wineries everywhere,” says Monica, whose family wanted to highlight the gems hidden all over wine country while also creating a space where couples, friends, and families could gather. Bacchus Landing hosts weekly “Sip & Savor Sunday” food truck events in “Frank’s Place,” named after Francisco, who came up with the idea for a communal picnic space with bocce ball courts and gardens. An escape for locals and visitors alike, Bacchus Landing combines classic Mediterranean architecture and Old World charm for a one-stop shop of intimate tasting experiences that will create lasting memories—and perhaps even new partnerships.

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Chef Dustin Valette

The Matheson When chef Dustin Valette leaped at the opportunity to purchase the building on 106 Matheson Street, he received an outpouring of support for his vision to turn it into the dining destination that now overlooks Healdsburg’s town square. Though its opening was relatively recent—September of 2021—and its design modern, it seems almost strange to think that The Matheson hasn’t always existed here. Abuzz with activity, it seems fated to be a spot for locals and visitors to gather, celebrate, and simply relish great food with great company. A building that began as a bakery opened

by Chef Valette’s great-grandfather, The Matheson was simply the 110-year-old site’s natural conclusion.

Dishes are inspired by the micro-seasonality of Healdsburg’s ingredients and aims to showcase local farms and producers. A kona kampachi ceviche is made with avocado, kohlrabi, and yuzu kosho—the citrusy and peppery flavor a perfect complement to the nutty fish. Meanwhile the confit egg yolk—cooked at exactly 63 degrees Fahrenheit for a just-airy-enough and just-dense-enough consistency—will leave you speechless. If you’re a diner who likes sharing plates, this is one you’ll hesitate to part with, an exquisite dish you’re compelled to sit with and savor just a little while longer. It exemplifies the finest balance of not only flavors, but also textures: the brininess of Osetra caviar cuts through the ultra58

Microseasons dictate the menu at The Matheson

creamy yolk, sitting on puffed rice and a vegetarian spin on “XO” sauce that allows the meaty, savory quality of shiitake mushrooms to shine. It’s this treatment of ingredients that makes it clear Chef Valette has the utmost appreciation for these ingredients and their individual characters, tinkering with each to achieve their greatest potential while showcasing multiple flavors in harmony.

A potato and green garlic soup is rich and fresh all at once, honoring potato soup’s reputation as a comforting dish, yet made distinctly Californian by the incorporation of the freshest herbs. It personifies the change of the seasons, winter turning into spring, as well as a place: Healdsburg in the springtime. The purity of the potato's earthy flavor is distilled into a silky broth, highlighted by wild nettles, smoked trout roe, and crème fraîche. The mains are just as fulfilling, from an unbelievably tender wagyu beef short rib that melts in your mouth to aged Sonoma duck, richly flavored and contrasting with bright satsuma, Tokyo turnips, and young broccoli.

It’s a place you must visit with a partner in tow, so you’ll have a chance to sample the variety of plates inspired by Healdsburg’s micro-seasons—the couple seated next to us raves to us about their meal. They aren’t celebrating a birthday or an anniversary, but it’s still a special occasion here at The Matheson—where all can eat, drink, and be merry.

PHOTO CREDITS: © MICHAEL WOOLSEY

The Matheson's wine wall

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Artist Jake Messing working on a mural at NOCI Sonoma

Hotel Healdsburg

PHOTO CREDITS: © VINCENT GOTTI; COURTESY OF JAKE MESSING)

Hotel Healdsburg & Harmon Guest House According to Piazza Hospitality President Circe Sher, guests at the company’s hotels—h2 Hotel, Harmon Guest House, and Hotel Healdsburg—have been booking stays of four days on average, an increase of an entire day from before the pandemic. The eco-friendly hotels have contributed greatly to Healdsburg’s walkability, and their designs couldn’t be more thoughtful. h2 Hotel’s living roof is as practical as it is picturesque, while Hotel Healdsburg’s 60-foot swimming pool, hidden just off Healdsburg’s main street, is an oasis tucked among blossoming olive and fig trees. Driven by values of beauty and sustainability, visitors can explore the city through the hotels’ programs that spotlight local artists and the outdoors.

Hotel Healdsburg prides itself on authentic experiences that are tuned to the seasons, such as its Wildflower Walks. The private tour with local trail guide Karen Austin to discover Sonoma Valley’s stunning blooms—including blue iris, orange poppies, and yellow

buttercups—finishes with a gourmet picnic from the hotel’s acclaimed restaurant, Dry Creek Kitchen. In April, the hotel opened its “outdoor living room” with live music, and in May, it will host wine seminars as part of the city’s first-ever Food & Wine Experience, taking place May 20-22, 2022, a perfect opportunity to explore the city for the first, fifth, or hundredth time.

Just down the street, Harmon Guest House infuses art into the guest experience with a unique collection of temporary pieces by local artists that visitors can appreciate as they wander the hallways of the LEED Gold-certified hotel. Quirky and engaging art from emerging California artists, commissioned especially for the hotel, highlights novelty in the everyday. Its latest commission will be unveiled in May, adorning the canvas of Harmon’s stairways with native Healdsburgian artist Jake Messing’s bold and arresting designs influenced by the simple yet profound beauty of nature.

Whether your aim is a culturally enlightening trip, a deep dive into nature, or an elegant poolside escape, there’s a home away from home for you in Healdsburg.

When global travel ceased during the pandemic, a trend that emerged was digging deeper into our local surroundings, many of which deserve praise equal to international destinations. We often hail exotic and faraway places, but have forgotten that travelers the world over have made California the most visited state in the United States. So, perhaps there’s more than meets the eye in our very own back yard. This is Healdsburg: a city where a transformed estate seeks to transform you in return, and a world class tasting destination will insist you make yourself at home with restaurants where you can taste the spring equinox, as well as hotels that are alive with the sound of not only music, but also art and nature. It’s a place that exists as a dichotomy of familiar favorites and new adventures that await, and one you’ll always wish you had just one more day to explore.

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COME HOME TO HUALALAI Making life-long memories at the Four Seasons

BY TERESA RODRIGUEZ

"M

OMMY, IS IT 10:00 YET? I WANT to go swimming with Kainalu."

My daughter danced around our beautifully appointed suite at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai every morning, eager to swim with the resort's 26-year-old spotted eagle ray.

Her requests came when the sun had barely peeked over Mauna Loa, casting beams of golden light across the expansive Hawaiian landscape.

My response was always the same: "Honey, it's six in the morning, he's still sleeping. How about we get some breakfast first?"

Kainalu lives a sweet life. For the past 25 years, he's called Kings' Pond at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai home.

"He was brought to us by some fishermen who caught him. We have cared for him ever since," Madison Kearsey, a Natural Resource Specialist, shares with us during our Kumu Kai Marine Center tour.

King's Pond, carved out of lava rock, was born from the concepts of marine and ocean preservation and education. Now, the brackish pool is home to more than 1,000 tropical fish.

Kainalu's other friends include Meatball, a curious pufferfish, and Hashbrown, a chill flounder rescued during the 2018 tsunami.

"He was the size of a hash brown when we adopted him," Kearsey tells us during our private tour. Hashbrown is now a healthy, rotund flounder, eager to nibble on snacks that Kearsey lets my daughter feed him and the other fish.

60 Ho’onanea villa living room

PHOTO CREDIT: COURTESY OF FOUR SEASON HO’ONANEA

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The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is nestled between a pristine beach and an 18-hole golf course on Hawaii's exclusive Kona-Kohala Coast.

The resort has 249 luxurious rooms, suites, and villas. Celebrating its silver anniversary, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai invested over $100 million to renovate the iconic property. The only Forbes 5-star and AAA 5-diamond resort on the Island of Hawaii, the resort's multi-million-dollar renovation marks its most extensive renovation since its debut 25 years ago. The transformation includes an enhancement of all guest rooms and suites; the expansion of its three top villas, the largest and most luxurious in all of Hawaii; a new, elevated infinity pool and lounge deck at King's Pond; the Kumu Kai Marine Center; a new gourmet poolside menu from executive chef Richard Polhemus; a transformation of the signature Hualalai Golf Course; and the launch of the Hualalai Golf Hale, a 3,000-square-foot instruction, practice, and entertainment facility and the only facility of its kind in Hawaii.

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Beach tree pool

Hualālai golf hale

62 King’s Pond

The resort layout is truly unique. Each of the four beachfront pools has its distinctive vibe.

The first, Palm Grove, is the adults-only pool with a swim-up bar. Here you can enjoy chill beats in an intimate setting. If connecting with new, international friends over frothy cocktails sounds like fun, this is the scene for you. The Beach Tree pool is a serene, calm haven. If you have a book you want to read or a nap you wish to take, this is your slice of heaven. Private cabañas line the pool and are serviced by attentive staff. The Seashell pool is always abuzz with little ones playing in the shallow water. The kiddie pool is lined with soft sand, and sunscreen is readily available.

There is also a manmade tidal pool swimming area—the ocean pool—that is ideal if you want to the enjoy a gentler version of the open sea.

For us, the pièce de résistance is King's Pond, Hualalai’s 1.8-million-gallon swimmable aquarium.

Nowhere in the world have I experienced such a safe and well-cared-for aquatic environment. The afternoons we played in the pond will be some of my daughter's and my favorite memories. She spent hours snorkeling, swimming, playing with new friends, and discovering the wonders of seal life. The friendly staff offered us treats, including frozen grapes, macadamia nuts, and tropical popsicles throughout the day, which were greatly appreciated after swimming for hours.

Along with the four beachfront pools, the resort boasts an awarding-winning spa, sports club, and Olympic-size pool where they offer a plethora of water workouts. While my daughter made friends at the Kids for All Seasons and Hale

Kula Game Room, I indulged in a 50-minute lomi lomi massage at the Hualalai Spa. I was guided to an outdoor hut, secluded amid lush tropical flora and fauna. The sounds of nature lulled me away while I experienced a traditional Hawaiian massage handed down from generation to generation by the kupuna (elders).

I admit that it's hard to amaze us when it comes to cuisine—we do live in San Francisco and frequent some of the top spots in the city— but we were both be incredibly impressed by the meals we had. The resort has six dining experiences. The first is room service, which we always adore. Make sure to order the smoked salmon bagel. It was so decadent and delicious I had it twice during our stay. The morning buffet at ULU Ocean Grill was my daughter's favorite.

Lunch poolside is a must. My daughter and her friends ordered from the children's menu, while I indulged in the many freshly made salads. For dinner, ULU Ocean Grill + Sushi Lounge's menu was a star-studded feast. The broiled king crab legs were one of the best appetizers I have ever eaten. My daughter fell in love with the pasta and truffles at Beach Tree Restaurant, and the makeit-yourself ice cream sundae was a huge hit.

The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai has no building over two stories, which lends itself to a truly cozy experience. Our accommodations were spectacular. We stayed in a ground floor suite with an outdoor lava rock shower and a patio that lead to the Seashell pool. But, for large or multi-generational families, I suggest reserving one of their newly renovated villas.

PHOTO CREDIT: © VINCENT LEROUX

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Hawaii Loa Presidential Villa The most prestigious accommodation at the resort, Hawaii Loa Presidential Villa stands out with its private spa on a spacious lanai. Set directly on the oceanfront with unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean and direct, walk-out beach access, the 3- or 4-bedroom, 5,200-squarefoot villa accommodates up to eight guests.

Makaloa Villa This villa is the resort's most secluded accommodation. The coveted, private setting is hidden among gardens at the edge of the picturesque Waiakauhi Pond with unobstructed ocean views. The 4,600-square-foot, versatile villa accommodates 10 guests and is available in 3- to 5-bedroom configurations. Steps from the beach, the villa also features a lava rock shower, a private pool and spa, day bed, fire pit, and garden lawn.

PHOTO CREDITS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) © MAELLE SALIUM; © BERHARD WINKELMANN; © VINCENT LEROUX; © VINCENT LEROUX

Ho'onanea Villa Situated at the heart of the resort, Ho'onanea Villa features direct access to the beach and a central location. This expansive 3,700-squarefoot, 2- or 3-bedroom villa boasts a second level, open living space and sundeck with exterior stairs. Featuring a private pool with a connecting spa, the outdoor experience is complete with a large daybed overlooking the pool and a private firepit.

When you stay in a villa, you receive exclusive services and amenities. Most notably, you receive a dedicated suite concierge team member who manages every detail and personalization for your stay, from booking through departure.

As my daughter grows up, sustainability becomes ever more critical. So, I was delighted to learn that the resort has a water bottling and filtration system, a zero-waste, locally sourced water system utilizing reusable aluminum bottles to enjoy throughout our stay. The resort's Lake Pūnāwai has received an Environmental Protection Agency award. This serene, 3-million-gallon, manmade pond encompasses about two and a half

Ho’onanea villa Lanai + living room

Ho’onanea primary bedroom

Ho’onanea outdoorshower

acres with two floating islands of plants and microorganisms. The pond itself is a mini-ecosystem and stocked with several different species of marine life, including awa (milkfish), ama'ama (mullet), moi (threadfin), kāh¬ala (amberjack), ōpae (shrimp), and ōlepe (oysters), all of which are harvested for consumption.

Although we are now back home and our tans are fading, the lifelong memories and friends we made during our spring vacation are not. Now when the sun sets, we both gaze west, looking forward with anticipation to the next time we can say, "aloha" to Kainalu, Meatball, Hashbrown, and the excellent staff at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.

63 Outdoor spa hales at Hualālai spa

HAUTE HOTEL

Elk at Amangani

Amangani is the mountain hotel of your dreams

BY BECCA HENSLEY

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T AMANGANI, BENEATH AN IMMENSE WYOMING SKY where snaggle-toothed peaks punctuate billowy clouds in the nearly touchable distance, I look over the edge of the 35-meter infinity pool to see a herd of mule deer slip-sliding on an extant sheet of ice as if they were skating on a rink. They seem like the children of fellow guests come out to play, and for a storybook minute, I consider asking the mother deer if I can join the fun. But close-up wildlife encounters rarely go well, despite how huggable the animals seem, so I turn back to the long-as-ariver swimming pool, perched on a cliff thousands feet above the Snake River Valley, and dive in.

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Like a portal to the great outdoors, Amangani facilitates guests’ interaction with the landscape. As a sanctum, the hotel can be enjoyed as a pampering hideout, the sort of place one never leaves after checking in. But Amangani would rather be the oasis you return to after a day of action on the mountain, whether it’s winter skiing or summer horseback riding. The hotel’s able, outdoorsy experts guide guests on wildlife safaris, ski jaunts, bicycle tours, dog sledding adventures, river rafting excursions, and more. The longtime general manager, Stuart Lang, even leads a morning hike to the bluff, sharing the secrets of a terrain he’s cherished for decades.

Personable, cosseting, uncomplicated in the way resorts rarely manage, Amangani feels more like visiting family than being the guest at a hotel.

PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY OF AMANGANI

WYOMING WONDER

Amangani, the first of the storied Aman group’s North American properties, a veritable flagship of sorts, crowns a hilltop removed from the bustle of both Jackson Hole (the town) and Jackson Hole Ski Resort (aka the Village), the area’s best known ski area. Though merely 10 to 20 minutes from almost any attraction in the region, the hotel feels remote and isolated, as if it were a cabin in the woods— albeit a swanky, tri-level one composed of Oklahoma sandstone and Pacific redwood and sporting 40 suites, a restaurant, and a spa. Deriving sense of place from the terrain and Jackson Hole—a one-time Old West trapper town and downplayed, upscale haven with wooden sidewalks, understated boutiques, and a town square framed by artistic, ever-Instagrammable shed elk arches—Amangani, though contemporary, feels like it belongs in this place, as if it has perched here from the beginning of time. That’s its gift.

HAUTE HOTEL

THE SETTING Home to three ski resorts and the gateway to both Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, which celebrates its 150th birthday this year, the area caters to outdoor enthusiasts with a flair for action. From snowmobiling through house-high winter snow drifts to paragliding above rivers brimming with fish to casting a line with a zen attitude from the shore of a crystalline lake, activity options abound.

View from the Grand Teton Suite's deck

East Tatanka Home

THE ROOMS PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY OF AMANGANI

Palatially rustic suites with a slightly Asian elegance await. Sunken soaking tubs boast views of the sprawling valley, fireplaces make for cozy evenings, ample terraces invite meditative repose and wildlife spotting, Aman signature amenities scent the room, and seriously comfortable beds lull you to a good night’s sleep.

Spring Gulch Suite

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HAUTE HOTEL

THE FARE

Bathtub with a view at Amangani

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Pool at Amangani

THE SPA AND WELLNESS AREA Elk refuge sleigh ride

All stairs descend to the salubrious downstairs den that leads to the pool and holds a yoga room, fitness space, and diminutive spa complex.

Using Aman’s own remarkable beauty products, treatments range from facials to massages, each arranged via a trifecta of promised results (grounding, nourishing, or purifying). I highly recommend the Après Ski Dream (which changes slightly in summer months). It incorporates an array of steps, including therapeutic CBD oil throughout, massage with amethyst crystals and warm basalt stones and application of Aman Purifying Argan Scalp and Hair Oil. An après champagne toast seals the deal.

PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY OF AMANGANI

At Amangani, you can eat or drink anywhere—from the pool deck to your room to a masculine enclave known as The Library. The Grill, the resort’s only bonafide restaurant, also invites with its valley views and sense of belonging. Serving New American fare created from local ingredients, foraged finds, and products from local farms, the restaurant offers exquisite cuisine that manages to be both light and hearty. Resort food so often tends toward the mediocre, but that's not the case at Amangani, where every bite I ate and every sip I took was swoon-worthy. Try the airy Ōra King salmon in a parmesan nut crust or the umami-whispering mushroom steak for dinner after canny cocktails in the Grand Terrace Bar.

HAUTE HOTEL

THE EXPERIENCES Jackson Hole has two seasons: winter and summer. Summer begins when the snow melts.

During the warmer times, guests may partake of expert, private wildlife tours, ensconced in a luxury SUV to see bears, coyotes, elk, deer, mountain lions, and wolves. (On my recent trip, I saw wolves, with Andrew, my esteemed and engaging guide). Horseback riding begins close to the resort, taking equestrians along the East Gros Ventre Butte. Myriad trails serve hikers and bikers, and the Snake River pleases both the adrenaline junkies who float down it and the tranquility seekers who fish it in peace. Winter activities center on the ski mountains (Jackson Hole Ski Resort, Snow King Mountain, and Grand Targhee Resort). Winter brings sleigh rides, snowshoe jaunts, and offpiste extravaganzas. With free transportation from the resort to Jackson Hole Ski Resort and a VIP lounge slope-side, Aman staff offer guests the royal treatment. aman.com/resorts/amangani

PHOTO CREDITS: COURTESY OF AMANGANI

Lower Lounge

Amangani from a distance

Grand Staircase

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HAUTE SCENE

The lobby of Redmint on Fillmore Street

Navid Armstrong and Joel Goodrich

Pablo Fischer and Orkut Buyukokkten

HAUTE LIVING LAUNCH AT

REDMINT

BY CAROLYNE ZINKO | PHOTOS BY DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY

Clayton Bishop, Kymberly Henry, Justin Pace, Tuan Cao, and Brad Marsh

Alison Andrade and Hooman Khalili

REDMINT, AN URBAN WELLNESS SANCTUARY, HAD ONLY BEEN open for two days when Pernella Somerville, a competitor from a Union Square spa, set foot within its doors. Was that kosher? “Hell, yeah,” she said. “It’s gorgeous, and I’m thrilled for them.”

She was one of nearly 100 guests at the opening of Redmint CEO Helina Fan’s second branch at 2044 Fillmore Street, an event that doubled as a launch party for the March-April issue of Haute Living, San Francisco. Wellness is top of mind these days, and guests were curious about the sanctuary’s offerings which include acupuncture, massage, sound therapy, cupping, facials, and more, all rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, Fan said, with products made from natural, organic herbs and ingredients sourced in the U.S.

Vernon Applegate, Russell Martinelli, Sharon Seto, Pauline Quen, Jason Gan, and Vincent Gotti

Kelly McKale and Kristen Green-Kutch

Claudia Juestel and Clara Shayevich

Charleston Pierce and Helina Fan

The spa contains a half-dozen treatment rooms, an herbal bar for herbal teas and tonics, and an outdoor patio for lounging. Its décor evokes a midnight coastal vibe with charred wood walls, driftwood sculptures, Edison bulb light fixtures, and red brick. “We want to offer a beyond-spa experience,” Fan said. “People need a deeper form of wellness and rejuvenation.”

While touring the premises, guests sipped on organic, biodynamic wines poured by Kit Gilbert of ADAMVS in Napa Valley. Partygoers included fashion show producer Charleston Pierce; Carolyn Tyler, a former TV news reporter whose dewy complexion, she said, is owed to genetics; and real estate agent Joel Goodrich, recovered from hip replacement surgery that was necessitated, he said, by “all the years of competitive ice skating and disco” as a former athlete and Ice Follies performer. Amid the fun, the evening’s message of replenishment rang true for Virginia Price. “We all realize how vulnerable we are,” she said, referring to two years of coronavirus.

“We have to take care of our inner selves.”

Theresa Spirz and Mark Sullivan

Sydney Reyes, Sydney Gorges, and Katherine McKinnon

Meghan Carozzi, Redmint owner Helina Fan, Pauline Quen, and Pernella Somerville

Gioi Tran, Tuan Tran, Sheriann Glab, and Andrew Lam Vasily Vein and Clara Shayevich

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Aubrey Brewster and Sherene Melania

HAUTE SCENE

Bella Hunter, Gary Friedman, and Jessica Alba

Marissa Kagle, Bob Kagle, Nicole Lacob, and Joe Lacob

THE UNVEILING OF RH SAN FRANCISCO, THE GALLERY

BY CAROLYNE ZINKO | PHOTOS BY DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY

IT WAS A LABOR OF LOVE AND THEN SOME. “IT TOOK SEVEN years and more money than I can remember,” Gary Friedman, chairman and CEO of RH, aka Restoration Hardware, said with a smile amid hundreds of friends at a preview of the new RH San Francisco, The Gallery at the historic Bethlehem Steel building at 20th and Illinois Streets. The restored 1917 Frederick H. Meyer building is now an 80,000-square-foot showroom with a Palm Court restaurant, two wine bars, and a rooftop terrace. As a benefit for Daniel Lurie’s Tipping Point Foundation, the event drew Hollywood stars (including Jessica Alba, Ellen DeGeneres, and Portia de Rossi, whose General Public artwork line is sold at RH); a few Golden State Warriors (including Andre Iguodala and Chris Chiozza); and local cognoscenti. “It’s unbelievable,” said Popchips co-founder Keith Belling, an RH board member. Chatting with Nicole Lacob, wife of Warriors majority owner Joe Lacob, John Hurley summed up the digs succinctly: “Exquisite and regal.”

Jill Ryan, Eric Ryan, Samantha Bergeron, and Maya Seely

Sara Foster and Erin Foster Ellen DeGeneres and Portia di Rossi

The new RH building glows

Will Wick and Jen Wick

Joanna Forester, Luiz Mamayson, and Danielle Lazier

Chris Chiozza and Maya Mitchell

HAUTE SCENE

Elana Gold, Dimitri Haloulos, and Jessica Raefield

Kimberly Hurtarte, Jessica Raefield, Dimitri Haloulos, Sara Webster, Bryan Wayda, and Dominique Olson

THE RED CROSS 27TH ANNUAL GALA San Francisco gathers and gives

BY ROBERT RICHARDS | PHOTOS BY DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY

Rebecca Graciano, Nina Samarguliani, Allison Lull, and Patience Yi

Lindsey Haswell, Jonathan Haswell, and Jim Kreissman

Gwyneth Borden and Karen Clopton

AFTER A LONG-AWAITED RETURN, MORE THAN 220 SUPPORTERS, guests, and donors came together to enjoy a magical evening at the 27th annual Red Cross Gala held at City Hall. The evening raised over $675,000 to support the organization’s mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies.

Two hundred Bay Area notables attended the red-tie celebration. In addition, the evening recognized the extraordinary contributions of the evening’s honorees: 2021 Humanitarian Act of Kindness Award recipients, Brandi and Tracy Pico, and 2021 Red Cross Disaster Response Partner Award Recipient Rodan + Fields.

Donned in red gowns, Gwyneth Borden and Kirsten Strobel chaired the spectacular fundraiser. “It was such a lovely evening celebrating heroes and raising money for the critical mission of the Red Cross; I was humbled by the generosity of the beautiful crowd,” shared Gwyneth Borden.

KTVU2 News Anchor Dave Clark emceed the program. The evening featured a cocktail reception with stunning displays by The Caviar Company and Char.cuterie San Francisco, passed champagne by SEPPI Craft Sparkling Wines, a 3-course dinner compliments of chefs Ethan Mantel and Matt Hegel of Componere Fine Catering, an enticing live auction, and live entertainment by San Francisco’s own, The 415s.

“Coming together under City Hall’s gorgeous dome in support of the unparalleled work of the Red Cross was a heartwarming experience and a night to remember,” said Kirsten Strobel.

Nichole Jordan, Shivum Kapoor, Kathryn Holmes, David Sieber, Kenzie Ferguson, Lillian Phan Pickering, Jeff Block, Patrick Hayes, Zeien Chueng, and John Graetz

Kirsten Strobel, Lillian Phan and Pickering, and Haylie Garrie

Kirsten Strobel, Brandi Pico, and Gwyneth Borden

Elle Robinson, Nisha Baxi, Sarah Harding, Kenzie Ferguson, Kathryn Holmes, Anne McKeough, and Stephanie Block

HAUTE SCENE

Molly Lacob, Kirk Lacob, Kelly Lacob, Laurie Kraus Lacob, Casey Lacob, Kent Lacob, and Blake Johnston

UNDER ONE UMBRELLA Dinner tables in the halls of Bing Hall

BY CAROLYNE ZINKO | PHOTOS BY DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY

JUST AFTER AYANA MCSHATE’S 27TH BIRTHDAY, SHE detected a lump—invasive breast cancer. Within days, the Modesto resident was at Stanford Women’s Cancer Center; thanks to treatment, her cancer is in remission. “It’s the best,” she said of the center. “You feel prioritized every time you come here.” It’s those outcomes that drive Under One Umbrella, a benefit co-created by oncologist Dr. Jonathan Berek and Lisa Schatz in 2009 that’s raised $60 million to date. Lisa Goldman chaired this year’s dinner and concert by Carrie Underwood at Bing Concert Hall, which drew 375 guests and raised $3.8 million. Attendees included Laurie Kraus Lacob, Judy Zafran, Dianne Taube, and Michele Kirsch who marked her birthday by inviting friends and making it a girls’ night out. “I’m continually touched,” said Goldman, “by how generously this community comes together to wipe out the scourge of women’s cancer.”

Lisa Schatz, Lisa Goldman, Carrie Underwood, and Dr. Jonathan Berek

Judy Zafran and Dianne Taube Stacey Siebel and Ayana McShate

Carrie Underwood performs

Sami Tahbazof and Sufi Tahbazof Hariri

Arvin Mehta, Payal Mehta, Parul Somani, and Ash Somani

Lisa Sonsini and Matt Sonsini

HAUTE SCENE

Kim Roberts, Traci Schmitz, Kimberly Charles, Vicky Wong, Kathryn Lawrence, Yuan Yuan Tan, Meredith Tan, Sharon Seto, V’Anne Singleton, Albert Pedrazza, Ana Kearney, Michael Hormel, Carolyn Squeri, Deborah Rocha, and Jacqueline Jacoby

Pernella Sommerville and Colleen Quen

DRESS FOR SUCCESS SAN FRANCISCO’S CASINO ROYALE GALA Raising over a half of million for women’s services

Andrew Freeman

BY ROBERT RICHARDS | PHOTOS BY DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY

David Seto, Melinda Yee Franklin, Erin Badillo, Monica Bannan

David Seto, Sharon Seto, Deborah Rocha, and Steven Rocha

DRESS FOR SUCCESS SAN FRANCISCO (DFSSF) CELEBRATED a milestone: 16 years serving a community of thousands of Bay Area women and changing countless lives at their 2022 Casino Royale Gala, hosted Friday, March 18, at the Palace Hotel.

Five hundred guests attended the sold-out fundraiser to recognize clients, partners, and this year’s Success Honorees, Andrew Freeman, Dion Lim, and Stefanie Roumeliotes, for their outstanding contributions to local women in need. The special event, including dinner, silent auction, gaming, and more, raised over $500,000 to support DFSSF clients with workforce development and employment retention programming.

Sharon Seto, the esteemed chair of the event shares, “What a night at Dress for Success San Francisco Gala! Thank you to leadership, President Monica Monica Rai Bannan, and Executive Director Erin Badillo, whom I worked with for over a decade and am proud of. Congratulations to the honorees, Andrew Freeman, Dion Lim, and Stefanie Roumeliotes.”

Michael Hormel, Sharon Seto, and Yuan Yuan Tan

Mark Rhoades, Kim Roberts, Joanne Weir, and Chip Zecher

Gregory Malin and Betsy Linder

Carolyn Tyler, Paula West, Diane Wesley Smith, Pernella Sommerville, and Karen Clopton

Paula West

Stefanie Roumeliotes, Andrew Freeman, and Dion Lim

Christina Dello Bueno, Melinda Yee Franklin, Soomee Arikawa, Jelissa Parham, and Rebecca Tang

Kimberly Marie Olivier and Traci Schmitz

HAUTE SCENE

Aubrey Brewster gets a birthday greeting from Mayor London Breed, who was in London

Salad with asparagus and poached egg

AUBREY BREWSTER’S RENCONTRE MOI À PARIS BIRTHDAY LUNCH

Karen Clopton and Jerold Osato with his Eiffel Tower creation

BY CAROLYNE ZINKO | PHOTOS BY DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY

Marisa Rodriguez, Sonya Molodetskaya, Vasily Vein, and Rada Katz

AUBREY BREWSTER COULDN’T MAKE IT TO PARIS FOR HIS annual birthday trip, so he brought Paris to his friends. “We needed this,” he said of the escapist afternoon, two years into the pandemic, that he and his partner, Ed Winger, arranged for 50 friends in a private room-turned-bistro at Neiman Marcus Union Square. Champagne flowed like the river Seine. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead.

And Jerold Osato’s cardboard replica of La Tour Eiffel, carved with an X-Acto knife, impressed. “Absolument spectaculaire!” declared Look Model Agency founder Marie-Christine Kollock, a native of Paris. Brewster beamed as a traveling Mayor London Breed sent birthday wishes via video call from London, England, and as Rada Katz, a champion of good spirit, made multiple toasts during the 4-course lunch. “He’s a talented master of creating beautiful lunches with a gracious, old-school time schedule,” said clothier Ricky Serbin. “Throw out your watch and relax. You’re Aubrey’s guest and he’s a most generous host.”

Barbara Brown, Ricky Serbin, and Mary Beth Shimmon

Victor Makras, Willie Brown, Carolyn Tyler, Charles Baker III, and Dr. Ed Winger

Sophie Riser and Natalia Urrutia

Beef filet with sauce Choron

Haig Harris, Clara Shayevich, and Lisa Harris

HAUTE SCENE

Lydia Fenet

SFMOMA ART BASH 2022 Clara Perlmutter and Van Tingley

Enchanted with taste, color, and sound

BY ROBERT RICHARDS | PHOTOS BY DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY

SAN FRANCISCO WAS ABLAZE WITH COLOR DURING ONE OF its most celebrated events. Art Bash, SFMOMA’s treasured annual fundraiser, brought the museum to life with a night of merriment on Friday, April 8. The unforgettable evening honoring contemporary artists, art, and community featured a dinner experience designed by artist Sarah Cain and a live auction of works by Julie Mehretu, Larry Sultan, Jeff Koons, and other esteemed art world members.

San Francisco Studio, Alec Soth, Dave King, and Michael Jang created the epic art activations. Entertainment included DJ Agana, Vogue, and The Linda Lindas, Nite Jewel, and Miles Medina, RCADE, and DJ $picy.

Kristen Power, Kelly Beasley, and Ariel Siem

Max Silvana, Emma Fisher, Andrew Markham, and Tyler Noblin

Nix Guirre and Alexandria Rone

Betty Yu and Kate Tova

Pernella Sommerville and Kumasi Aaron

Steve Quick, Glenda Swetman, Inder Dhillon, and Ken Katz

Tryston Stone and Carla Roberts

Melan Allen and Gae Shulman

George McCallan, Alfredo Vargas, and Chloe Ross

HAUTE EVENT

Guests celebrate $2.4 million raised at the inaugural V Foundation Sonoma Epicurean Gala Auction at the Montage Healdsburg in Sonoma County March 31 – April 3. 2022.

Aperture Cellars founder Jesse Katz and Dustin Valette of Valette and The Matheson

GRAMMY & Tony award-winning entertainer, Christian Hoff performs at the Epic Party at Mayacama Golf Club in Santa Rosa.

David & Kary Duncan 2022 inaugural Sonoma Epicurean Vintner Grant honorees, proprietors of Silver Oak Alexander Valley and Twomey, Russian River Valley.

V Foundation’s Sonoma Epicurean Weekend Raises $2.4 Million for Cancer Research Guests enjoy curated adventures in food, wine, and wellness

E

ACH YEAR, THE V FOUNDATION HOLDS THEIR exciting Wine Celebration in Napa Valley to raise money for cancer research. This year, they hosted an additional fundraising event which was perfect in every way. From March 31 to April 2, the foundation launched its Sonoma Epicurean weekend which raised more than $2.4 million. The proceeds from the inaugural event support research on racial disparities in cancer outcomes and cancer studies led by scientists from underrepresented groups.

“Sonoma Epicurean is a signature series of curated, hands-on experiences that can only happen in Sonoma County’s amazing wine country, featuring award-winning chefs, local artisans,

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and world class vintners with a focus on lifestyle, wellness, and sustainability,” said this year’s event chair, Stuart Bryan of Pride Mountain Vineyards.

The weekend began with the Epicurean Winery dinners, during which world class chefs showed off their art, including Charlie Palmer of Dry Creek Kitchen and Hotel Healdsburg, Dustin Valette of Valette and The Matheson, and Jaron Dubinsky of the Montage Healdsburg. They matched their fare with some of Sonoma’s finest wines, including selections from Silver Oak Cellars, Williams Selyem, and many others. This was the theme throughout the weekend as notable vintners paired some of their best vintages with excellent cuisine.

PHOTO CREDITS: © V FOUNDATION SONOMA EPICUREAN

BY JENNIFER BODEN

PHOTO CREDITS: © V FOUNDATION SONOMA EPICUREAN

HAUTE EVENT

Sonoma Epicurean Co-Host Sage Steele, ESPN SportsCenter Anchor & V Foundation Board Member with Chef Dustin Valette at the Culinary Artisan Series.

Epic Party at Mayacama Golf Club in Santa Rosa.

Jaron Dubinsky, Executive Chef of Montage Healdsburg and Stuart Bryan, Vintner Ambassador, Pride Mountain Vineyards & Sonoma Epicurean Chair at the Epicurean Winery Dinners.

Mark Malpiede, VP, Sales and Marketing at Williams Selyem Winery, Chef Charlie PalmerChef/Owner Charlie Palmer Collective, and V Foundation CEO Shane Jacobson at the Epicurean Winery Dinners.

On Friday, April 1, guests immersed themselves in artisan workshops, including the Edible Forage at The Matheson, Field to Table at Wing & Barrel Ranch, Garden to Glass cocktails, and others. The weekend continued with more culinary experiences, a connoisseur barrel auction, and the Epic Party at Mayacamas Golf Club.

Later, at the Wellness Breakfast and EpiCUREean Symposium, guests and scientists discussed a variety of topics, including cancer wellness and overcoming disparities in research and care for people in underserved communities. The symposium included the latest updates on innovative laboratory and clinical research being funded by the V Foundation.

The weekend peaked with the Epic Feast & Auction at Montage Healdsburg. Guests gathered for the main Sonoma Epicurean event, a multi-course dinner prepared by executive chef Jaron Dubinsky. The auction was hosted by Sage Steele from ESPN SportsCenter and Hill Harper from The Good Doctor, as well as radio and TV personality Liam Mayclem and Grammy and Tony award-winning entertainer Christian Hoff.

“We couldn’t be happier with the success of this inaugural

program in Sonoma County. The weekend was an immersive experience where we stood shoulder to shoulder with supporters as one team and engaged with the doctors who are on the front lines. This truly was an experience second to none,” said V Foundation CEO Shane Jacobson.

The inspiring evening offered many wonderful moments.

Physician and cancer survivor Kary Duncan, MD, shared her personal and professional struggles with the disease. Dr. Duncan and her husband, Silver Oak Winery proprietor David Duncan, were honored by the V Foundation for their long-term commitment to cancer research.

“The V was remarkably helpful when Kary first was diagnosed. They settled us and helped us feel as if we made a great decision about where to pursue her care. It is an important organization with the top minds in the country working to beat this disease,” said David Duncan.

The V Foundation has now raised more than $130 million for cancer research over the last 23 years in wine country and has funded more than $290 million in cancer research grants.

The second annual Sonoma Epicurean weekend will be held in March of 2023.

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La Grande Fête

HAUTE EVENT

BY CAROLYNE ZINKO

PHOTO CREDITS: (TOP) © ERIK TOMASSON; (BOTTOM IMAGES) © DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY

Angelo Greco and Wona Park in a pas de deux from Don Quixote

78 Helgi and Marlene Tomasson

Fred Levin, Danielle St. Germain-Gordon, and Michael Hormel

Bob Shaw and Sunnie Evers

T

Andi Valo-Espina, Rene Rodman Diamond, and Samantha Walravens

Akiko Yamazaki and Tim Wu

Jennifer Yu and Sandra Cheung

Blake Grossman and Monica Grossman

Alexis and Trevor Traina

Dwight Rhoden and Clifford Williams

PHOTO CREDITS: © DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY; (BOTTOM LEFT) © CAROLYNE ZINKO

RANSITION IS IN THE AIR, AND THAT’S what allowed the San Francisco Ballet to proceed with its 89th season-opening gala after a 2-month delay forced by an omicron wave in January. It was back to normal, almost, with guests attending in person, not virtually like in 2021, and La Grande Fête celebrated Helgi Tomasson’s 37th and final year as artistic director.

He’ll hand the reins over to the English National Ballet’s Tamara Rojo later this year.

Sips of JCB sparkling wine in the Opera House foyer were followed by a performance, then dinner at City Hall by McCalls Catering. A pre-show welcome by Sunnie Evers and Bob Shaw, ballet board co-chairs, and Danielle St. Germain-Gordon, the company’s new executive director, set a celebratory tone for the event, the highest-grossing gala night ever. St. GermainGordon pointed out there were nearly 3,000 people in attendance, declaring, “San Francisco Ballet is back!”

After a rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner,” music director Martin West led the ballet orchestra in the Ukrainian national anthem, a nod to the turn of events overseas, and to two choreographers, born in Ukraine, who’d created two of the four new pieces on the night’s program. Floral décor by J. Riccardo Benavides of Ideas made an ideal backdrop for gala night fashions that burst with springtime glamor. Gala chair Rene Rodman Diamond wore a gown with a golden sparkling leaf motif that topped a full black skirt, while Jennifer Brandenburg was clad in bold fuchsia, and Komal Shah wore bright yellow with a hint of blue. A man with a beard, Saul Sugarman, wore a strapless, black gown of his own making with silver high heels. “Heels are very painful,” he admitted. Nothing like walking a mile in a woman’s Manolos to understand why many have transitioned to flats.

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Kate Tova, Saul Sugarman, Paul Gallo, and Lily Chan

Jayson Johnson and Tracy Schmitz

Bob Hill, Dede Wilsey, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Paul Pelosi

HAUTE EVENT EVENTS

25 Anniversary th

Sonoma International

Film FESTIVAL Female Filmmakers Take Top Jury Awards in Feature Film Categories

BY ROBERT RICHARDS

C Steve Shor poses with Brid Ni Neachtain and General Consul for Croatia Renee Pea

ENTERED ON ITS SLOGAN—THE BEST IN FILMS, FOOD, wine, and fun—Sonoma International Film Festival’s 25th anniversary delivered on all counts. Sixteen films and special events honorees took top honors at the 25th Sonoma International Film Festival edition, one of the first large, live events held in Sonoma, March 23 to 27. The organization itself received special recognition from California Senator Bill Dodd for its advancement of arts and culture.

Beth Schnitzer and Ginny Krieger

Kevin McNeely with Joanne Weir

82 The Sip Rig staff is ready for action

The fun-filled, completely walkable festival in the heart of Sonoma Valley wine country celebrated its milestone with a slate of more than 120 international films, including 69 film premieres, two one-of-a-kind culinary events, special parties, panels, live music from local talent and headliners, and free public events including the Sonoma Valley High School Media Arts Showcase, the UFO Program, a Charlie Chaplin silent film, and a free Saturday family screening event.

PHOTOS BY © ROBERT RICHARDS

Special attendees included Karen Allen, Jacqueline Bisset, Aaron and Adam Nee, Jacques Pépin, and Joanne Weir. Filmmaker Jennifer Siebel Newsom appeared for her world premiere of Fair Play, with Governor Gavin Newsom in attendance, along with New York Times bestselling author Eve Rodsky, on whose book the documentary is based.

HAUTE HAUTEEVENTS EVENTS

Afrolicious jams the funk at SIFF

General Consul for Croatia talks with SIFF sponsor Susan Aterton, and others

Steve Shor talks with Kevin McNeely

Chef Martin Yan enjoys SIFF

Pouring drinks for the SIFF crowd

“We were proud to bring the best in new cinema, culinary excellence, and industry luminaries from around the world to our Sonoma community in celebration of our 25th anniversary,” said Kevin W. McNeely, SIFF artistic director. “The visiting filmmakers, invited guests, and our supportive community all experienced the best that Sonoma has to offer in this singular event.”

PHOTOS BY © ROBERT RICHARDS

Internationally acclaimed chef Jacques Pépin received the inaugural SIFF Culinary Excellence Award at the Chefs & Shorts dinner on Thursday, March 24. The SIFF honorarium included a $10,000 donation to the Jacques Pépin Foundation. Pépin was presented with an art piece specially made for the occasion from Chihuly Studio.

Actress Jacqueline Bisset was awarded the SIFF Cinematic Excellence Award for her body of work at the festival’s 25th anniversary edition on Friday, March 25, in conjunction with the screening of her most recent role in the Northern California premiere of Loren & Rose, directed by Russell Brown.

Kevin McNeely with Jacqueline Bisset and Tina Louise

"I am honored to be the recipient of the SIFF Cinematic Excellence Award,” said Bisset. “I am thrilled to be seeing Loren & Rose in this environment after such difficult years of waiting for genuine cinema screens. Thank you to SIFF for this recognition.”

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CALISTOGA WINE and Culinary Experience Sipping and mingling on a sunny Calistoga afternoon

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OUR SEASONS RESORT NAPA VALLEY and the Calistoga Wine Growers Association were the perfect pairing for the Calistoga Wine and Culinary Experience on Saturday, March 26, 2022. At this true celebration of the Calistoga AVA, over 200 guests enjoyed fine wines from 37 local wineries. A combination of legendary and newer boutique producers poured their wines.

The wineries included La Sirena Winery by inimitable winemaker Heidi Barrett Larkmead Vineyards; Chateau Montelena; Kenefick Ranch; and the new Elusa Winery which shares a property with the resort.

Guests were fed well with delectable cuisine from notable Calistoga restaurants. Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley's executive resort

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chef, Shaun Acosta, served the cracker-thin Living Room Pizza from TRUSS Restaurant + Bar, with smoked mozzarella, sausage, and nardello peppers, as well as the beloved onion dip with house-made potato chips. He also served fresh-made tuna tlayuda on behalf of CAMPO, the resort's Cal-Mexican poolside eatery. Other bites included lobster mac-andcheese arancini from Calistoga Inn Restaurant, blinis with caviar and crème fraîche from Evangeline, and short ribs with risotto from Amaro Italian Kitchen.

The event took place at Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley's stunning lakeside lawn and adjacent farmhouse-chic Calistoga Ballroom venue, overlooking the lake and views of the Mayacamas Mountains.

PHOTOS BY © ROBERT RICHARDS

BY ROBERT RICHARDS

PHOTOS BY © ROBERT RICHARDS

HAUTE HAUTEEVENTS EVENTS

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HAUTE WELLNESS

Sensei Lāna'i yoga pavilion

OFFERS SYLVAN SERENITY Located on one of Hawaii’s most diminutive and authentic islands, Sensei Lana’i offers much needed wellness within its lush tropical setting.

BY FRAN ENDICOTT MILLER

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PHOTO CREDIT: © ROBB GORDON

Sensei Lāna’i

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Sensei features a boutique-like 96 rooms within its light-filled, 2-story, plantation-style structure.

A recent and extensive remodel transformed the former The Lodge at Koele into an inspirational wellness enclave. The founders envisioned a retreat so captivating and enchanting as to innately initiate positive change in its guests. Larry Ellison and renowned oncologist, author, and University of Southern California professor of medicine Dr. David Agus have more than succeeded.

The duo’s goal for guest well-being is demonstrated not only in the resort’s inherent beauty and its luxe facilities—which include a 24-hour fitness room, two movement studios, and a calming pavilion— but, also in its “Sensei Way” programming that inspires and kickstarts healthy habits. Based on a 3-path focus of “move, nourish, and rest,” the Sensei Way helps guests to familiarize themselves and maintain a healthy relationship with body and mind. Through varied, curated experiences and classes with the resort’s health experts who can collect baseline health markers such as blood pressure, body composition, hydration, and a functional-movement screen, guests gather and absorb tips to address particular intentions. An action plan is then created for life back at home.

PHOTOS CREDITS: © ALEKS DANIELLE

O FULLY EXPRESS THE CHARACTERISTICS of Sensei Lāna’i, it helps to explain what the Hawaiian resort is not. Though located within the tropical isles, Sensei Lāna’i is far from the beach. Though blessed with a spectacular swimming pool, the typical “7 a.m. race to save chaise lounges” is not an issue. Guests will never hear the squeals of young children, nor will they be subjected to a piped-in playlist with an incessant disco beat.

At Sensei Lāna’i, the sound of birdsong fills the fragrant air. Significant works of art speckle the lush landscape. A Zen-like vibe permeates the 24acre property, within which are walking paths that meander through colorful gardens and groves that ring a central, koi-filled lake. A waterfall cascades beside and between 10 private hot tubs hidden among the verdant flora.

One of two Four Seasons resorts on the tiny and exceedingly authentic island of Lāna’i where pineapple fields once dominated the landscape, (the other resort fronts picturesque Hulopo’e Beach, a 25mile shuttle ride away, where guests can sign food and beverage to their Sensei room), Sensei is about wellness and renewal. It’s about personal growth.

And it’s most definitely about rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation.

Located in Lāna’i’s “up country” at 1,600 feet above sea level where temperatures are routinely a refreshing 10 degrees cooler than those beachfront,

"Donna Seduta" by Fernando Botero

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HAUTE WELLNESS

And whatever that intention (e.g., better sleep habits, adding more movement into daily life, lowering cholesterol, addressing a screen addiction, etc.), Sensei offers bespoke experiences guided by caring specialists who motivate.

But even those who chose the á la carte option will find themselves transformed by the surroundings, the delicious and healthy food, and the chance to unplug, if only for a few days. The 10 onsen garden hot tubs, over which the night sky shines most brightly, certainly help, as do the 10 spa hales in which a variety of pampering treatments are offered. Each is 1,000 square feet of pure indulgence, featuring individual gardens, Japanese ofuro soaking tubs, outdoor rain showers, infrared saunas, hot and cold pools, and steam showers.

The property’s artworks and sculptures, most of which were commissioned expressly for the resort, help to impart a meditative aura. Even those not inclined toward art appreciation find surprise and delight in the monumental, mountainsideplaced “Talaia" by Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa, the resort’s magnificent focal point. Fernando Botero’s zaftig figures 86

provide a welcome greeting, and British contemporary artist Marc Quinn’s bronze sculpture “Burning Desire” reflects its brilliant red in the lake. Inside, Jeff Koons’ stainless steel “Aphrodite” is the lobby’s stunning centerpiece. Additional featured artists include Baltasar Lobo, Robert Indiana, David Ellis, Miya Ando, Haure Shimomoto, Sky Pape, Brooks Shane Salzwedel, and Lauren Collin. The art alone truly is worth a visit.

Sensei features one restaurant, Nobu, for which repeat visits become an anticipatory ritual and not at all routine. The large, atrium-like spot with interior palms overlooks the lake and gardens and offers indoor and outdoor seating. The menu features specifically wellness-focused dishes utilizing the bounty of the resort’s nearby hydroponic farm, as well as Nobu classics such as miso marinated black cod and A5 wagyu. And though wellness is emphasized here and throughout the resort, sweet-toothed guests will find much to love on the dessert menu, such as the coffee hazelnut millefuille with gianduja feuilletine, candied hazelnuts, and bitter chocolate sorbet.

PHOTO CREDIT: © ROBB GORDON

Sensei Lāna’i lobby

HAUTE WELLNESS

PHOTO CREDITS: (CLOCKWISE FROM THE TOP LEFT) © ROBB GORDON; COURTESY OF SENSEI LĀNA'I; © ROBB GORDON

Sensei Lāna’i spa hale

Sensei Lāna’i Nobu

Sensei Lāna’i onsen garden

One of the most decadent aspects of a Sensei Lāna’i stay is the effortless travel. Included with each reservation are concierge transfers from Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport to Lāna’i via luxurious charter air service Lāna’i Air (a 25-minute flight). Staff members greet guests upon arrival in Honolulu and provide escort to the Lāna’i Air tarmac via luxury SUV. Upon arrival in Lāna’i, a staff-driven Tesla awaits for the 10-minute drive to the resort. It’s the perfect, care-free start to a serene Sensei Way stay.

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INNER CURES These resorts facilitate soul questing

BY BECCA HENSLEY

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O BORROW FROM AN OLD SAW and tweak it a bit: wellness is more than skin deep. We spend so much of our lives in pursuit of mind and body health that we sometimes forget to pay attention to the spirit. While important, external wellness comes in the form of prescribed diets, exercise regimes, and mental self-care, that may not be enough. Sometimes we still feel empty inside. In my many years as a wellness seeker, I’ve discovered that we can’t just live life from the surface. Sometimes, we have to go inside, deep into our core, to sort things out and to re-emerge victorious. Our quest for wellness can’t just be body and mind, we must delve, as well, into soul work.

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PHOTO CREEDIT: COURTESY OF HILTON SEDONA PHOTO CREDIT: COURTESY OF WINE COUNTRY BOTANICALS

In today’s travel world, myriad hotels have made a commitment to facilitate this internal longing. They understand that, while on vacation, we might be more willing to try something edgier, something not part of our normal routine. Whether it’s a blessing on sacred Hawaiian land on Hawaii’s Big Island, a palm reading session in Austin, or a past life hypnotic adventure in New York, the art of questing deeper is becoming a part of mainstream travel.

Crystal sound bowl therapy with Christina Gaglio at Eforea Spa, Hilton Sedona

Numerology: Sedona Known for its vortex sites and extreme curative energy, Sedona, with its mystical rocks and legendary portals, offers visitors a plenitude of what some might call “woo-woo” options—from aura photographs to angel readings to holistic counseling.

Do yourself a favor and check into Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock, near Bell Rock, a famous local “portal” and hiking area. At the hotel’s sprawling Eforea Spa, healer and therapist Christina Gaglio gets soulful with crystal sound bowl therapy. She’s most famous for her numerology readings, a process in which she reveals your root number, then applies its significance to your current life and overall destiny. I shed tears of gratitude during my consultation with her. hiltonsedonaresort.com

HAUTE WELLNESS

Agriturismo equine healing at Alterreno

Palm and Tarot Reading: Austin In a Jazz era mansion retooled by talented design superstar Ken Fulk to exude storybook luxe, Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection invites guests to eschew Austin's irresistible music scene—if just for a day—to go inward with a variety of activities from healing sound baths to ruminative hikes.

Most popular, the Mystic Hour, held in a nook in the moody library, allows guests to engage with local palmists and tarot readers in one-onone sessions. Expect to address subjects that run the gamut from relationships to careers. aubergeresorts.com/commodoreperry

Horse Whispering: Italy

PHOTO CREDITS: (TOP) COURTESY OF ALTERRENO; COURTESY OF COMMODRE PERRY ESTATE LIBRARY

Some refer to parts of rural Tuscany as the Italian Texas due to its plethora of horses and cattle.

There, Alterreno, an indoor riding school, cares, trains and rehabilitates a collection of stunning horses, particularly tending to those young and nervous equines who need to learn confidence.

In a series of new programs, Alterreno partners with Agriturismo Casetta, a three-centuries-old, renovated farmhouse hotel, to offer human guests an equine therapy program. Learning from their interaction with horses, guests build trust and boost withered egos as their connection to the beautiful creatures becomes a metaphor for selfdiscovery and reset. casetta.net

Commodore Perry Estate library for palm reading

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HAUTE WELLNESS Musical Medicine: Santa Fe

Back in Time: New York City

At Santa Fe’s newest 5-star hotel, Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection, guests can harness Santa Fe’s long-recognized curative powers as well as embrace the region’s deep Native American heritage. With a program dubbed Healing Arts, the resort, which lies amid stellar desert topography on the edge of town, offers unique experiences aimed at restoring balance and bringing inspiration.

Be transported by the performance of Walking Star and Thunder, Native American musicians who channel the spirit and evoke the “light and sound of the source” as they play the flute and an assortment of percussion instruments. Or, meditate with Tony Redhouse, who fuses melodies from distant lands with his own Native American music to accompany ruminative “talking circle” ceremonies and “healing drumming circles.” aubergeresorts.com/bishopslodge

Many experts believe that suppressed memories must be liberated to open up the possibility for behavioral changes and happier outlooks.

Sometimes, these memories come—according to some theorists—not just from yesterday, but from past lives. Known as the Traveling Hypnotist, highly trained intuitive Nicole Hernandez helps clients combat depression, malaise, and anxiety when she leads them on jaunts into bygone realms. The sessions, meant to unlock blockages, reveal visions of past trauma or even simply anecdotes or scenes that help explain fears and anguish. Extremely popular, Nicole offers sessions at Four Seasons Hotel Downtown New York, where she serves as a resident healer, as well as at various pop-up clinics at other fine hotels, including Four Seasons Austin. fourseasons.com/newyorkdowntown/

PHOTO COURTESY OF BISHOPS LODGE,

Traveling Hypnostist Nicole Hernandez, Four Seasons Hotel Downtown New York

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Drum-making experience at Bishop's Lodge

HAUTE WELLNESS

PHOTO CREDIT: COURTESY OF FOUR SEASONS NEW YORK; COURTESY OF FAIRMONT ORCHID

Ancient Mana: Big Island, Hawaii Ancient Hawaiians believed that the entire island of Hawaii, including the Kohala Coast and the land beneath the Fairmont Orchid especially, was deeply sacred and imbued with the divine light or life force, which they call mana.

According to their precepts, mana connects us to one another, to the earth, to the past, and to the future. Feeling mana makes us ignite our light within. When we are illuminated, we pass that light on. Delve into it at Fairmont Orchid with the help of the resort’s on-site cultural advisor, Ka’iulani Blankenfeld, who can trace her genealogy to before Captain Cook visited the islands. She shares aloha culture with guests via hula, lei making, and storytelling; and, she can do weddings and arrange blessings, petroglyph tours, and spiritual shoreline cleaning to protect honu (seat turtles). fairmontorchid.com Ka'iulani Blankenfeld, Fairmont Orchid Director of Hawaiian Culture performs the hula.

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HAUTE BEAUTY

BEAUTIFUL TRAVEL TIPS

BY BECCA HENSLEY

Gigi Howard, Founder of SiO Beauty siobeauty.com During the summer, I typically make the trek from Manhattan out east to my cottage in the Hamptons every weekend. On the 2.5 hour drive (usually more with traffic), I wear our SiO Eye & Smile Lift reusable patches so that, by the time I arrive, my face is smooth, glowing, and prepped for some light makeup for dinner out with friends that evening. If you are traveling by plane, wear them on the plane! Nobody will even notice.

If I’m taking a beach vacation, I always pack our luxurious, anti-aging SiO Cryo Body Cream, so that I am wrinkle-free and ready for a beach or pool day. Just smooth it all over your body and you will begin to see the amazing toning and firming effects, including visibly hydrated and more radiant-looking skin. It is especially great for arm wrinkles, leg wrinkles, and stomach wrinkles!

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For an extra boost of hydration, I recommend The Super Hydrator by U Beauty. This delivers a mega dose of hyaluronic acid and moisture that actively hydrates your skin for days.

My ultimate beauty travel secret is our new SiO Cryo Fill topical wrinkle filler treatment. Keep it in your purse when you are out and about and apply it directly to any fine lines or dull areas for an instant glow-up! The formula’s skin-plumping peptides and potent blend of ingredients reduce the appearance of wrinkles and rejuvenate tired-looking skin. It's perfect to use the morning after a late night of one too many summer cocktails. Results are immediate!

There’s nothing more important than getting my beauty sleep, especially while traveling and dealing with different time zones. Asutra’s Dream the Night Away nighttime lotion with melatonin and magnesium helps me power down from all the activities of the day and sets me up for a great night's sleep. I apply it 30 minutes before bed and I’m out like a light. (I hear that Venus Williams is a fan of the product, too!)

PHOTO CREEDIT: COURTESY OF HILTON SEDONA PHOTO CREDIT: COURTESY OF SIO

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REQUENT TRAVELERS WITH A penchant for beauty have their own on-the-go routines down pat; but, imagine being a beauty entrepreneur with products created to support your life on the road. Gigi Howard, founder of SiO Beauty, known for pioneering, medical grade silicone patches for cosmetic use on the face and body, and Francesco Clark, founder and CEO of Clarks Botanicals, revered for reinventing clean beauty, share some of the products they’ve created with travel in mind, as well as their favorite globetrotting beauty tips.

PHOTO CREDIT: COURTESY OF CLARK

TWO BEAUTY INDUSTRY LEADERS SHARE THEIR SECRETS

Francesco Clark, Founder + CEO, Clark’s Botanicals Skincare

HAUTE BEAUTY

clarksbotanicals.com Now that we’re re-entering what it means to be anywhere other than home, multi-functional products that really over-perform become essential when on the road. Our Clark’s Botanicals Invisible Hero SPF 30 is so easy to use on the go, because it protects your skin from aging aggressors in a multitude of ways. Two pumps give you 100 percent mineral coverage of UVA/UVB rays with PA+++ certified protection. It’s anti-pollution and blue light protection are added bonuses. Many make-up artists use it in place of a make-up primer because it not only creates a perfect canvas, but also minimizes the look of pores, so you can enjoy your time outside while looking your best. Plus, it's in an airless pump, making sure you get the same amount of product out—and it works upside down, sideways, even without looking!

For refreshed, glowing, rosy skin, try our Clark’s Botanicals Dual Charcoal Detox. It's my go-to travel product, because it refreshes and gently exfoliates. You can put it on five minutes before getting into the shower, and when you apply water, the charcoal-based mask bubbles like a body wash and has the most refreshing citrusy scent. It’s like an inshower mask treatment scrub!

Our Clark’s Botanicals Ultra-Rich Lip Balm is always in my pocket when traveling. Here’s why: the micronized red algae gives you immediate hydration while plumping up your lips.

The Arnica montana helps heal your lips from the inside out. It can also be used as an easy, on-the-go treatment to add a subtle highlighting effect to cheekbones. I use the smallest amount to tame my eyebrows.

Moon Juice Dream Dust helps anyone who hasn’t traveled in a while get a good night’s rest away from home and, hopefully, even on a flight.

I’ll add it to whichever warm herbal tea I have with me and drink it before sleeping (or boarding a flight).

I didn’t realize how much my Sony noise canceling headphones have helped with travel, but I forgot them once before a trip and now triple-check my bag to make sure I have them with me.

No matter where I am, I know I can close my eyes and tune into whatever mind space where I want to be. If the hotel is too noisy, or during travel, I know I can find my own sense of privacy with these headphones. They’re pricey, but I’ve been using mine for years and am addicted now.

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COVER STORY

Where to?

Luxury Travel with Purpose Finding destination inspiration as the world reopens its borders

BY LAURIE JO MILLER FARR

Luxury travel has evolved. All indicators point to people traveling purposefully, seeking out fulfilling experiences. Intentions may be stimulated by a desire to see loved ones, find quality private time, get off the grid, go somewhere new. Itineraries may be crafted around wellness, adventure, educational travel, or niche interests such as literature, history, and art. What’s of no interest? The outmoded tick on a bucket list.

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PHOTO CREDIT: COURTESY OF MOANA SURFRIDER HOTEL, WAIKIKI, HONOLULU

Agatha Christie stayed at the Moana Surfrider Hotel, Waikiki, Honolulu

PHOTO CREDIT: COURTESY OF ACL ARCHIVES

An Epic Journey in the Steps of Agatha Christie On January 20, 1922, Agatha Christie embarked from Southampton, England on an ambitious, 10-month “Grand Tour” around the world, meticulously documented through weekly letters and photographs to her mother.

A century later, travelers have the opportunity to recreate that journey undertaken by a 31-year-old woman on the precipice of her legendary career. Agatha Christie’s great-grandson, James Prichard, has selected Black Tomato, a luxury tour operator with storytelling at its heart, to design and launch an exclusive trip that follows in her footsteps.

Guests pay tribute to the legacy of the Queen of Mystery, whose sales of 2 billion-plus books have been bested only by William Shakespeare and the Bible. This multi-leg series of adventures—choose just one or do them all in a marvelous 40-night adventure—allow enthusiasts to experience a contemporary version of Christie’s epic odyssey which inspired The Man in the Brown Suit, Murder on the Orient Express, and Death on the Nile.

The Preface: Start in London with a stay at the author’s beloved Brown’s Hotel and take a proper English tea in the company of Pritchard or noted historian Lucy Worsley, OBE. Chapter One: Africa. Like Christie, check into the glamorous Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel to begin a 10-night trip that closely follows her adventures. Learn to surf near Cape Town, visit wineries in Franschhoek, and ride the legendary Blue Train to the old diamond mines of Kimberley. Priced from $7,195 per person, based on two traveling.

Chapter Two: Australia and New Zealand. Christie was “entranced by landscapes coloured” in the cobalt vistas of the Blue Mountains, the orange groves of Yanga, red kangaroos, and the wilderness of Rotorua, Nelson, and Hokitika. Pass through the Dandenong Ranges via a lovingly preserved steam train, explore the cuisine of Mornington Peninsula, and visit Christie’s favorite cities: Melbourne, Sydney, and Hobart. A 15-night itinerary is priced from $25,980 per person, based on two traveling.

Chapter Three: North America. Crossing the Pacific to Hawaii, Christie perfected her surfing before exploring the lakes, mountains, and hot springs of British Columbia and Alberta, calling this “the most beautiful place I had ever seen.” Take a private flight to Niagara Falls, a highlight for Agatha’s curious spirit, pause for wine in the Finger Lakes, and wrap it up in New York City (Central Park views mirror those from the apartment of Miss Van Schuyler in Death on the Nile), where Christie’s own father was born. From $18,300 per person, based on two traveling on a 13-night trip.

In collaboration with Agatha Christie Limited, established in 1955 by the author herself, Black Tomato co-founder Tom Marchant said, “In bringing this special adventure to life, which inspired some of her most beloved books, we’re similarly aiming to harness travel to inspire life-affirming journeys, as well as a new generation of literary fans.” blacktomato.com/us/agatha-christie

“Your travel life has the essence of a dream. It is something outside the normal. Yet you are in it” —

AGATHA CHRISTIE

Agatha Christie on her travels Experience a contemporary version of Christie’s epic odyssey which inspired The Man in the Brown Suit, Murder on the Orient Express, and Death on the Nile.

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The Sphinx and Pyramid, Cairo

COVER STORY Picture the billowing sails of a high society riverboat floating along on the Nile, the setting for Agatha Christie’s 1937 murder mystery, Death on the Nile. She penned that page turner at the storied, grand hotel that is Egypt’s finest, Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan, a stop on this itinerary. But that’s later. Day one begins at the Nile Ritz Carlton with an oversized bathtub, soft candlelight, and picture windows facing the Nile or the Egyptian Museum at the doorstep.

Egypt is “an ancient land that has entranced and mystified, compelled and confounded,” best appreciated without rushing; there is much to knowledge to be gained. Packed with wanderlust and awe, unparalleled luxury at a slow pace is how Black Tomato delivers a 14-day itinerary that takes guests to Cairo, Luxor, Esna, and Aswan.

Check into Luxor’s palatial Moudira Hotel with its arabesque archways, domed ceilings, and ornate garden fountains. It’s an early morning call that’s well worth the effort for a private transfer to the Giza Plateau, timed for sunrise framed by the pyramids and the Sphinx.

Accompanied by a photographer and an archeologist, this timing provides early access before public opening hours as well as access to stand between the paws of the Sphinx, otherwise off-limits.

Sailing down the Nile from Luxor to Aswan on a wind-powered, private dahabiyat of the Nour El Nil fleet is sheer magnificence that cannot be overstated. This type of shallow-bottomed passenger boat has plied the Nile for millennia; similar vessels are depicted on the tombs of the pharaohs. In more modern times more than a century ago, this stylish mode of transport was the choice of monarchs and aristocrats. This floating, 5-star hotel boasts a captain, a crew, and a private chef. Spacious, all-white cabins have floor-to-ceiling windows for panoramic views from a king bed dressed in the finest Egyptian linens.

Adorning deck and roof terraces, chandeliers hang above plush sofas with intricately embroidered cushions, just the place for plonking down to marvel at the passing scenery. Later, there’s a bonfire on the Nile’s sandy banks for cocktails and stargazing.

Deck seating area on a Dahabiya

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Dahabiya suite

On a 5-night journey peeking into places where bulky cruise ships cannot venture, there are stops for picturesque villages, weekly bazaars, spice markets, banana plantations, and lesser-known sites where Egyptologists await to conjure up facts entwined with storytelling of hieroglyphics, deities, temples, and gods. There are even places to stop for a walk in the desert.

At Aswan, leave the hotel’s elegant comfort for a private flight across the sands to Abu Simbel Temples, the crowning 13th century achievement of the Great Builder, Ramses II. Trek by camel or sail by felucca to the southern tip of Elephantine Island and visit the historic village, Qubbat al Hawa. More history—plus music and whirling dervishes—is revealed at Kalabsha Temple, which is exclusively opened after-hours for a private dinner. Price upon request.

PHOTO CREDIT: COURTESY BLACK TOMATO

Ultimate Egypt: Culture on the Nile

COVER STORY

PHOTO CREDIT: © MAO YUQING; © OLIVIA MATTERSON

Masterclass: Venetian Art and Architecture at Biennale For the 59th Venice Biennale from April through November 2022, a bespoke travel company has launched a luxury offering with art education at the forefront. Think of this as a 5-night masterclass, an opportunity to experience the city through the eyes of resident experts.

The Luminaire taps into a local guild of expert minds to bring substance and purpose to visits shaped by their guests’ curiosity.

These are artists, explorers, naturalists, historians, and archaeologists— leading thinkers with a lifetime of professional and personal experience to share, punctuated by captivating stories.

At Venice Biennale 2022, the theme centers on transformation, technology, and our human relationship with the environment.

Discover the city’s unique artistic and cultural history through rare, behind-the-scenes access while learning about impressive technical and ecological projects that aim to safeguard the future of Venice.

Architect, author, filmmaker, and historian Francesco da Mosto can trace his family roots in Venice for more than a millennium, since gondolas first plied these canals in 1094. He brings a singular perspective on the floating city’s rich history and uncertain future in the face of the escalating effects of climate change.

With da Mosto, explore the lagoon that’s home to 118 islands.

He unveils the ground-breaking digital recording project that created a 3-D model of the entire island of San Giorgio Maggiore.

In Giudecca, he reveals an innovative, forward-looking approach to urban landscaping. Da Mosto guides a visit to the former quarantine island of Lazzaretto Nuovo with its remarkable history and discusses the city’s expansive flood barrier at Bocca di Porto di Lido. On San Michele, observe traditional winemaking methods and hear about challenges at the island’s only vineyard. At sunset, enjoy local cuisine at dinner on Torcello. Da Mosto also leads an intimate visit through St. Mark’s Basilica, a cherished symbol that is perilously sited at the city’s lowest-lying point, Piazza San Marco.

Francesco da Mosto (The Luminaire)

Venice

Venice

Dr. Giulia Martina Weston is an Early Modern art specialist who delivers insightful, unrivaled appreciation of one of the world’s greatest cultural events, curated this year by Cecilia Alemani. Weston leads a visit to the Biennale Giardini, site of the national pavilion, She shares her expert knowledge to enhance viewings of masterpieces by Titian and Bellini in the Basilica dei Frari and Early Modern paintings

by Venetian women artists at the Gallerie dell’Accademia.

Spend time in the Accademia’s conservation laboratories for insights into the meticulous art restoration process. Gain entry to an after-hours visit to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection’s Surrealism and Magic exhibition with curator Gražina Subelytė, concluding with an aperitivo on the roof terrace.

Home for the week is a lagoon-view suite at a landmark property.

Signor da Mosto opens the door to his family home, Palazzo Baglioni, with its magnificent staircases and ancient frescoes. He and Weston host a welcome dinner at one of da Mosto’s favorite restaurants and an especially memorable evening is arranged at La Fenice opera house. Priced in sterling from £14,395 per person for five nights, based on a group of four traveling from London. theluminaire.com/itinerary-venice-biennale 97

COVER STORY Best of the Alps Wants Tourism In this time of border conflict and controversy, we salute the enduring charm and authentic style presented by Europe’s classic mountain resorts. Known as the “Best of the Alps,” for 35 years, this collection of 11 remarkable Alpine destinations has benefited from a five-nation cooperation, while each preserves a strong sense of place, identity, language, traditions, and freedom. What do they need? Tourism.

The cradle of skiing has hosted two Nordic World Ski Championships and five Olympic Games with another planned for February 2026. The region’s 5-star resorts are known for warm hospitality and plentiful dining options from more than 130 highly decorated chefs. There are lovely mountain villages, powerful pioneering adventures, and breathtaking natural vistas around the highest peak in the Alps.

Campanile in Cortina

But it’s not just skiing. Best of the Alps moments embrace snowshoeing, stand-up paddling, wine tasting, culinary indulgences, dramatic sunrises, and mountain panoramas. Meet the team that markets the mountain way of life, and they’ll personally assist you in making customized plans around your preferred dates.

• France: Chamonix-Mont Blanc and Megève • Switzerland: Crans-Montana, Davos Klosters • Italy: Courmayeur, Cortina d’Ampezzo • Austria: Kitzbühel, Seefeld, St. Anton, and Lech Zürs • Germany: Garmisch-Partenkirchen Cortina

Travel tip #2: Think Sound of Music and edelweiss. Fresh air mountain summers are just as special as glacier skiing. bestofthealps.com/en/team Ski Davos Alpin Parsenn

Zumeles Cristallo

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PHOTO CREDIT: © PAOLA DANDREA; © NICOLÒ RINALD; COURTESY OF CORTINA MARKETING; © MATTHIAS PAINTNER

Travel tip #1: Think airports, not countries. It can be surprising that the closest airport to a resort in one country is an airport in another.

For example, Courmayeur is the French name for an Italian ski resort with its nearest airport in Switzerland.

T H E F I N E ST M O N T E C I TO & S A N TA B A R B A R A H O M E S

N E W L I S T I N G • 3 5 6 8 T o r o C a n y o n P a r k R o a d • O f f e r e d a t $ 2 7, 0 0 0 , 0 0 0

A M A S T E R P I E C E O F 21 S T C E N T U R Y A R C H I T E C T U R E Th e p e a c e f u l f o o t h i l l s o f t h e S a n t a Yn e z M o u n t a i n s a b o v e S a n t a B a r b a r a ’s e x c l u s i v e P o l o & R a c q u e t C l u b a r e t h e s e t t i n g o f o n e o f t h i s a f f l u e n t a r e a ’s s i g n i f i c a n t e s t a t e s . Th e m a g n i f i c e n t p r o p e r t y is a commanding yet serene presence atop its 40+ acre knoll; of fering a dazzling 360-degree p a n o r a m a o f o c e a n , i s l a n d s , m o u n t a i n s a n d s k y. A s t u n n i n g ± 6 , 6 0 0 s q u a r e - f o o t m a i n r e s i d e n c e , a t wo-bedroom guest house, a multi-room cabaña, and luxur y interior and exterior amenities comprise this singular domain. Privacy, securit y and tranquilit y are paramount here.

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Agent Locally & Glo b ally *

8 0 5 . 8 8 6 .9378 | C r i s t a l @ M o n t e c i t o - E s t a t e . c o m | w w w. M o n t e c i t o - E s t a t e . c o m | D R E # 0 0 96 8247 ©2022 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Cristal ranked the #1 individual agent based on sales volume & units in the Santa Barbara MLS & the #1 individual agent worldwide for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices based on production for 2020 and 2021.

2020/2021 CHASE MASTERS AWARD RECIPIENT

Total Sales Volume 2020/2021 - $156,547,000 Career: Over 80 Lakefront Properties Sold Chase Leader in Luxury

Thank you to all my clients and colleagues!

TRINKIE WATSON NV & CA BROKER | CIPS | CLHMS | CRS | LTG | GRI NV BS.1022 | CA 00326518

800 783 0722 twatson@chaseinternational.com LakeTahoeLuxuryEstates.com Tahoe City office: 531 North Lake Boulevard

T H E L E ADE R IN LUXU RY RE AL E STAT E

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Represented Seller: Meeks Bay, CA, sold for $33,000,000

VIS IT: CH AS E INT E RNAT I ONAL.COM

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIFORNIA

LUXURY LAKEFRONT LODGE

Lakefront living at its best with this beautifully built mountain log style home perched on the waters edge. This expertly crafted four bedroom, four bath home offers an open concept living area with vaulted ceilings and hand scraped logs accented throughout. The lake views are outstanding and allow the natural surroundings to fill the space. Full cedar wrapped siding with stone accents give the house a rustic feel with modern touches. The Lake Tahoe access is excellent with a private shared pier and boat lift, along with two moorings and access to a nearly private beach below the spacious deck overlooking Lake Tahoe. Schedule a tour of this beautiful estate and be mesmerized by the Lake Tahoe views. $6,500,000

FAWNE HAYES NV & CA REALTOR® CA 01491811 NV S.0176418

530 416 2272 fhayes@chaseinternational.com BuyLakeTahoeHomes.com

THE LEADER IN LUXURY REAL ESTATE

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VISIT: CHASEINTERNATIONAL.COM

HAUTE RESIDENCE

Magical Napa Valley Estate adjacent to Meadowood Resort

BY OLIVIA DECKER

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HIS ENCHANTING, GATED ESTATE IN ST. HELENA offers resort-like living, privacy, and the best of wine country at your door. Located next to the renowned Meadowood Resort, the residence consists of two legally separate parcels totaling 12.13 acres on an undulating knoll with sprawling grounds and mature gardens in a park-like setting. The adjacent six acres, a separate parcel at 1210 Oakwood Lane, can be purchased alone for building a new second estate or purchased together with the current home for a family-and-guests compound.

Approached through a Mediterranean-inspired central courtyard with fountain, the grand, yet understated, 6,800-square-foot home combines contemporary design with timeless wine country

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architecture. The residence is an entertainer’s dream, featuring six bedrooms, seven and one-half baths, stately living and dining rooms with soaring, vaulted ceilings, and a true gourmet chef’s kitchen that has been graced by renowned chef Thomas Keller of French Laundry and other culinary masters.

The master bedroom rivals anything you’ll find in a 5-star hotel suite, featuring dramatic vaulted ceilings, a lounge area with fireplace, an office alcove, walk-in closets, and a spa-worthy bathroom complete with both indoor and outdoor showers on the spacious deck off the bedroom. Adjacent to the main living areas, expansive ironwood decks, terraces, and an outdoor dining pavilion with a fireplace feature a modern twist on the classic California barn silhouette.

HAUTE RESIDENCE

Beyond is a 55-foot infinity edge swimming pool with spa and a cascading stone waterfall façade, best viewed from the two private guests suite casitas by the pool. Additional highlights include a spacious gym/lounge, a 1,300-bottle wine vault, bocce court, built-in children’s bunk room, meandering garden pathways, vegetable gardens, a 12-car motor court, and custom lighting throughout. The lush garden offers food, flora, and celebrity chefs from the roses Brady dedicated to his world-renowned chef friend Julia Child to the gardens where

the pope's assistant held daily Mass during an extended retreat to Thomas Keller’s tomato plants.

Located approximately 1.6 miles from downtown St. Helena which bustles with restaurants, art galleries, wineries, boutiques, and more, this serene, private residence rivals a world class resort and offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the most discerning buyers, as the home was formerly on market for $14,000,000 and has now reduced to $11,888,000. The time is ripe to purchase this magical wine country estate.

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HAUTE RESIDENCE

Culinary and marketing tycoon Frank Brady, who purchased the property in 2001, re-created the home over two years of renovation with designer/contractor Bob Eberlin, who also built the neighboring Meadowood Resort. The Brady residence, known as “Daisy Hill Farm,” offers an opportunity to live in the culinary nirvana of Napa Valley. Frank Brady is a food industry legend who collaborated with the most famous chefs in the business to invent and market more than 100 culinary items for companies like Williams-Sonoma.

"Daisy Hill Farm is one of the few kitchens Thomas Keller, plus his Bouchon chefs, have actually cooked in and hosted events," says Brady. “How else could we, who have been leaders of the kitchen and housewares industry, ever have created a kitchen that was anything less than perfection and focused on detail on every level?” Indeed, the massive center island was designed to accommodate at least eight chefs. Plus, there's a walnut cutting block with drawer for a dozen various knives, ample storage, a walk-in pantry, top-of-theline appliances, and a pull-out computer station under the kitchen counter in case you need to look up recipes online.

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HAUTE RESIDENCE

Notes from owner Frank Brady: The creation of Daisy Hill has been our life’s work for the past 18 years. No money was spared in funding the best local craftsmen with the finest materials. The only guide we used was to find the very best. While visitors at Daisy Hill get a tremendous sense of quality and superb design on their first visit, it is important to understand story of the craftsmen who have brought out the uniqueness of all the aspects of each place and setting throughout the property.

Our builder, Bob Eberlin, constructed and remodeled all the structures at Daisy Hill as well as Meadowood. His craftsmanship is obvious in every room, elevating Meadowood from beautiful to exquisite in every detail. Daisy Hill is Bob’s crowning achievement.

Our chef’s kitchen was designed by Carlene Anderson Kitchen Design of Berkeley, California. Architect Wayne Leong, AIA, designed most of our architectural updates. Landscape architect Jonathan Plant was responsible for complete garden design and installation.

Custom exterior lighting was designed by Keith Yoshiba of 123 Studio. Keith is an incredible talent who also designed the lighting for the King Tut’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt as well as the lighting plan for Union Square in San Francisco. Custom cabinetry throughout was created by Jeff Manchaca Fine Woodworking in Napa. In the world of cabinetry, there is normal and then there is the wood cabinetry made for Daisy Hill. These cabinets were made by one person who was one of the top master woodworkers in the Bay Area. The methods used in his crafts are the same techniques used in colonial woodworking that allow each piece to last for generations. It took approximately 18 months to build and install the kitchen.

This magical estate is offered at $11,888,000 for both 1250 and 1210 Oakwood Lane. For property details, please visit: www.1250-1210oakwoodlane.com 105

HAUTE AMBASSADOR Auto

TIM LAPPEN A lifelong petrol-holic, mechanic (cars, motorcycles, boats), and automotive journalist since penning a column for his high school newspaper, internationally recognized attorney Tim Lappen is a partner at a major Los Angeles-based law firm, where he chairs the firm’s Family Office Group and its Luxury Home Group and is, of course, a member of its Motor Vehicle Group. He can be reached at tlappen@gmail.com or visit LifeInTheFastLane.org

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HAUTE AMBASSADOR Auto

FERRARI SF90 LaFerrari’s Powerful Younger Brother

BY TIM LAPPEN

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PHOTOS COURTESY FERRARI NORTH AMERICA, INC.

HEN I SAT DOWN TO WRITE ABOUT THE FERRARI SF90, I had two ideas. One was simply to type “Wow!” 500 times, thereby meeting my word quota while leaving enough room for some nice photos. However, that would not provide much illumination about this incredible vehicle, so I went with the second option: “Wow!” written only 100 times with more discussion following.

“Good idea,” said I to no one in particular. “Not so fast,” said my editor. So here, for your edification, is the result of that negotiation.

The SF90 is one of the most incredible vehicles that I have ever driven. What does that mean exactly? It means that it is gorgeous, it has copious amounts of power (almost 1,000 horsepower!), it can accelerate like a jet launched from an aircraft carrier, it has the screaming-eagle/banshee sound of a Formula One car—especially at the 7,500 RPM redline—and it can top the speed of virtually any passenger jet’s liftoff velocity. Yet words alone cannot amply describe what it is like to drive a car with such an ability to thrill that it can accelerate faster than you can say “Isaac Newton,” since it’s an object that seemingly never stays at rest.

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The name SF90 denotes the Scuderia (“stable,” of course) Ferrari being founded 90 years ago. The “Scuderia” moniker normally is associated with the racing division of a car manufacturer; but, when it comes to Ferrari, their street cars are imbued with the soul of their racecars, so it was appropriate to denote this street car as the SF90, as it is the first Ferrari ever to combine potent, gasoline-powered energy (twin-turbo V8 with 769 hp) with three electric motors (totaling 217 hp). I know: it’s a twin-propulsion vehicle, but this road rocket shares very little with the vehicle one typically envisions when hearing about a “hybrid.” Two of those electric motors are independent of each other and power the front wheels, while the third motor assists the gas engine in providing the thrust to the gearbox and, by extension, the rear wheels. And, boy, does that power (a total of 986 hp) perform, with 0 to 60 miles per 108

hour hit in 2.5 seconds, quicker than you can say, “License and registration, too?”

All Ferraris are both sinewy and svelte, and the SF90 does not wander from that formula. With purposeful scoops, vents, wings, and slats, the car looks fast when stopped and is superfast when under way. The top speed is 211 mph, but it’s how it gets there—the way it feels and sounds—and the way it handles once there that combine to make this car so amazing. It clearly is a close relative of the Ferrari Formula One cars, as it’s so comfortable under heavy acceleration and cruising at high speed. (No, I didn’t exceed 200 mph; I promise that I was below 150 mph virtually the entire time.) And yet, there is no punishment imposed as a byproduct of that astounding performance, as the car feels like it’s on the way to far greater speeds, so comfortable is it under all of the conditions that I experienced.

PHOTOS COURTESY FERRARI NORTH AMERICA, INC.

HAUTE AMBASSADOR Auto

HAUTE AMBASSADOR Auto

PHOTOS COURTESY FERRARI NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Usually, I borrow cars for a week, but this car is so rare (and expensive) that the Ferrari minders allocated a select group of journalists only a few hours each. Maybe it’s like dog years, though: a few hours with the SF90 equals one week with a “regular” car. Either way, I did get a chance to experience canyons (hello, Coldwater), twisties (good to see you again, Mulholland), and iconic locations (I am looking at you, Beverly Hills and Century City). The SF90 has no bad photo angles; it looked terrific at each location. And, had I had more time, I am sure that the passersby would have liked to learn more about this distinctive and impressive car.

The SF90 clearly is a performance car for the ages, but it’s also beautiful, easy, and fun to drive, plus it sounds great.

Since it’s a plug-in hybrid, I was surprised (not really) to see that it wasn’t on the California DMV carpool-eligible list; but, then again, maybe that’s not the target market.

With a base price of $513,691, perhaps not that many owners will be commuting 9 to 5. However and wherever you drive it, if you’re fortunate enough to get some seat time with this special car, I predict that you will love every minute of it.

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HAUTE AMBASSADOR Events About Town Aubrey Brewster’s "Rencontre Moi à Paris" birthday luncheon

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AUBREY ABOUT TOWN Meet Me in Paris – Recreating Paris

BY AUBREY BREWSTER

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HETHER IT’S A BALL, AN AFFAIR, A SHINDIG, a barbeque, or a bash, hosting and planning the perfect and memorable party is my passion.

From an early age, making moments special for others was something I gravitated toward. I fondly remember summers at my grandmother’s house and her asking me to get her a Tab. Do y’all remember Tab? The first diet cola in the pink can? I’d find a beautiful crystal glass, fill it with ice that I would crush by hand, garnish it with a lemon wheel and a maraschino cherry pierced together with a paper cocktail parasol—when all she wanted was a can of pop. It was these little crazy details that family and friends came to expect from me … and those details only grew more elaborate in adulthood!

For me, planning an event always begins with the inspiration. That inspiration may come from anywhere. A sultry, black, vintage-inspired Dolce & Gabbana cocktail dress with a pastel floral print inspired Mystique Savannah,

a Savannah, Georgia-themed luncheon where I transformed the Rotunda restaurant at Neiman Marcus in San Francisco into a turn-of-the-century, enchanted Southern public park complete with a wrought iron garden arbor gate entrance and hanging Spanish moss I had flown in from Savanah.

And the following year for Kaiseki Bloom, I was inspired by the Sakura (cherry) Blossom Festival that takes place every March in Kiyoto, Japan, simply because cherry blossoms are in bloom in March—a lesson I learned when magnolias weren’t in bloom when I ordered them for the centerpieces for Mystique Savannah—only for a chance storm that hit the grower’s cherry blossom orchard, knocking all the blossoms from the branches and forcing my florist to improvise by subsidizing the sparce cherry blossoms the grower was able to salvage with silk ones! No party goes without its own little (or big) hiccups, but somehow, I always pull it off and smooth it over, and guests are never the wiser.

PHOTO CREDITS: © DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY

Aubrey Brewster, a bon vivant and man-abouttown, is a. product of his environment. His affinity for cooking, fashion, and entertaining was inherited from summer vacations shared in Charleston, West Virginia with his southern belle model-turned-hostess grandmother. It should come with no surprise that Brewster followed in his grandmother’s footsteps, with an inherent talent for hosting legendary parties. He is often listed among San Francisco’s best dressed. Aubrey is a San Francisco native, traveler, and food and lifestyle blogger (aubreyabouttown. com). He resides in San Francisco with his husband, Edward. Aubrey can be found enjoying afternoons lunching with friends at Neiman Marcus and some of San Francisco’s favorite haunts when not hosting or attending events.

Eiffel Tower and luncheon table, flowers by Bella Fiora Floral Design

HAUTE AMBASSADOR Events About Town

Tuileries garden park bench and water fountain

Birthday cakes designed by BethAnn Goldberg of Studio Cake, Menlo Park, CA

PHOTO CREDITS: © DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY

Bringing Paris to San Francisco For this year’s birthday bash, “Rencontre Moi à Paris” (Meet Me in Paris), I looked to Neiman Marcus San Francisco’s Rotunda restaurant’s executive chef, Erik Harrelson, for inspiration. During our initial event planning meeting, I asked Chef Harrelson what food inspired him the most and, to be exact, what cuisine he enjoys cooking the most. Without so much as a thought, he fondly reminisced about his training in classic French haute cuisine at the California School of Culinary Arts (CSCA). Classic French haute cuisine is an art of cooking that is seldom practiced in California these days; chefs and diners alike are more comfortable with a more rustic approach to plating. It was at that moment in the meeting that the vice president/general manager of Neiman Marcus, Mark Sullivan, and I excitingly shrieked “Parisian!”—and the Parisian concept was afoot.

Because of the pandemic, it had been over a year since friends and I had been able to enjoy our annual pilgrimage to Paris for Fashion Week. With travel finally opening up, some friends were still wary of international travel due to hassles with COVID restrictions, yet an immense longing for Paris among my friends was beginning to take its toll. The longing for us to meet together again in Paris was strong, thus this year’s theme “Aubrey Brewster’s Rencontre Moi à Paris Birthday Luncheon” (Meet Me in Paris) was born.

Sending out a tantalizing announcement gives the guest a peek into what to expect. The invitation not only announces the event, but sets the tone.

My trips to Paris wouldn’t be complete without a stop in Angelina’s on Rue de Rivoli for their Mont-Blanc, a pastry of meringue, whipped cream, and chestnut paste “vermicelli,” and a big mug of their famed African hot chocolate, hands down the best hot chocolate. Going to Angelina’s has been a tradition for more years than I wish to confess. So, when I think of Paris, Angelina’s always comes to mind. In the spirit of that nostalgia, for “Rencontre Moi à Paris” I wanted to share this sentiment. I ordered collector’s assortment tins of Angelina’s classic cookie collections from Paris.

Accompanying the invitation, each invitee received a beautiful, powder blue, magnetic keepsake gift box with a tin of Angelina’s cookies tucked beautifully inside and wrapped with matching saddle stich ribbon and a silver souvenir Eiffel Tower keychain.

How French is that?

Now that a theme is chosen, what colors will set the mood?

When I think of Paris, two colors come to mind: a rich, velvety red that conjures up Paris night life—moreover, the famed Moulin Rouge nightclub (where can-can dancers do their flirtatious kicks and dips and where sipping from a lady’s stiletto was made famous), and French blue, a dusty, powder blue reminiscent of the Parisian morning sky. With two such iconic sentiments, choosing one seemed impossible. But in typical fashion, I thought why not both? Two seemingly opposing thoughts … crazy, right? But then again, taking crazy risks makes for a fun time had and “go big or go home” attitude have come to be a mantra. Not to mention, I had two adjacent rooms and a long hallway to work with.

Neiman Marcus made available two adjoining fifth floor event spaces. The Glass Room, a bright and sunny room with floor-to ceiling windows overlooking Geary Street on Union Square was just the right size for the cocktail reception. It was perfect for our “Moulin Rouge Bar & Lounge.” At the center of the lounge was a black ironwork gazebo enrobed in rich red velvet drapes, surrounded by beautifully covered high-boy tables in vermillion, baroque, tapestrylike tablecloths, and deep red rose floral arrangements, emulating the plush décor of the Moulin Rouge (that, oddly enough, I sourced that on Amazon). The bartenders were the main attraction while they mixed drinks. Guests first arrived for an hour or two of liquid courage, traditionally served absinthe we nostalgically referred to as the Green Fairy, overflowing Perrier-Jouët champagne, and copious amounts of chilled “fishberry jam” from the caviar bar, where Chef Harrelson made hot buttery sourdough blinis to order while wearing his chef's toque for guests’ amusement. Bites of hot escargot bouchées, and chilled and boozy Pernod oyster shooters with Angostura bitters cocktail sauce were passed to keep guests hearty before being seated for lunch.

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Bartender Bonnie Lummis in the "Moulin Rouge" gazebo bar

Models showing Celine Spring 2022 and Christian Dior Spring 2022

Luncheon table with silk cushions personalized in silver glass beads, florals

by Bella Fiora Floral Design

Neiman Marcus SF Vice Pres./GM Mark Sullivan and Aubrey Brewster

Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr. inspecting the Eiffel Tower’s craftsmanship

PHOTO CREDITS: © DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY

Jerold Osato and the white card stock and aluminum Eiffel Tower he built

Lunch took place in the main room, the Penthouse on 5, a long, spacious, and airy room where we could transform and bring the city of Paris to life. At the heart of the room was the 40-foot dining table (that we affectionally dubbed the Champs-Élysées) covered in a French blue tablecloth with baroque silver embroidery, set with sterling silver flatware, black velvet napkins, matching black water goblets, platinum-rimmed stemware (StandardEventRentals. com), and handmade pearlescent and platinum menus by Yours Truly Invitations by Lindsey (Yours-Truly-Invitations.com). Guests sat under a canopy of colossal arrangements of periwinkle and white elderflower, white roses, silver-blue hydrangea, and black ostrich plumes by Dino Bocala & Mark Leahy (for BellaFiora.com San Francisco) arranged in silver pedestal vases nearly reaching the tiered “diamond swag’ chandeliers (ShopWildThings.com).

Welcoming guests as they sat for lunch were chic, customized, dark French blue, 14-inch silk cushions with their names in silver beaded appliqué embroidery on their chairs to give comfort and take home as keepsakes of the afternoon (By Shikha for Etsy. com/shop/SNeapillowsSNfabrics). Towering over the far end of the “Champs-Élysées” was a black, 10-and-one-half-foot by 10-foot, free-standing scale model of the Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile, (one of Paris’ most famous monuments). I bought the Arc de Triomphe as a kit from Andersons.com; but when it arrived in three gigantic boxes, complete with spray paint, silver glitter, and a glue gun, we knew we were a bit over our heads in putting the megalith together.

Luckily, NM’s brilliant engineering department had a go at it, and after a few frustrating days, et voila!

But it couldn’t have been Paris without the City of Lights’ most famous and iconic monument of all, the Eiffel Tower. I searched for weeks for the perfect Eiffel Tower. It needed to be grand; after all, it was the statement that would anchor the event, submerging my guests into the fantasy … the one iconic piece that would transport us to Paris, and we couldn’t “meet in Paris” without it. I found one for rent here in San Francisco, but it wasn’t perfect, and I was wary of renting it, for it seemed to have seen better days, and the color didn’t work with the elegant look I was out to achieve. By pure chance, I found the perfect, 12-foot Eiffel Tower on Etsy.com from a vendor in India. It seemed too good to be true. It was a little over $2,000 with tax and the shipping! I quickly placed the order and couldn’t wait for it to be delivered; that is, until the vendor sent me a message telling me that they found out that it would cost over $8,000 to send it. I was informed that it was so heavy and large that it had to be packed in a wooden crate and sent via freight with its very own space on the plane. I was frantic.

Neiman Marcus’ shipping department kindly set out to see how they could help and checked to see if they could possibly get it here cheaper; but, they confirmed that, indeed, there was no way

PHOTO CREDITS: © DREW ALTIZER PHOTOGRAPHY

HAUTE AMBASSADOR Events About Town around the freight costs, and the price was over $8,000. I thought about it for minute and debated on paying the ransom, but my friends, NM’s Theresa Spirz and Mayor Willie Brown, helped me snap out of it, telling me that I would be insane to spend ten grand on a prop for one afternoon. Needless to say, it wasn’t in the cards.

While licking my wounds, my dear friend Jerold Osato stopped by Ro (the Rotunda) to join me for lunch, he took one look at the photo of the Eiffel Tower and proclaimed, “I can build that! I can even make it lighter and foldable for compact storage!” Jerold, an engineer (and now savior), quickly got started on the design, building it from thick white cardstock attached to a lightweight aluminum frame. And after painstakingly hand-cutting each cutout with an X-Acto® blade, in only three weeks he delivered a beautiful and towering, white, 12-foot, scale replica of the beloved Parisian landmark the day before the party. He and I set it up just in time for the event, making it the most popular photo op at the party. It was so stunning, that even former Mayor Willie Brown couldn’t believe it was made by hand!

Chef Harrelson introduced guests to his specially curated haute cuisine menu with an amuse-bouche of lobster in Calvados foam topped with caviar and wildflowers and served in vintage style, rock-cut crystal Parisian coupes.

Served by gentlemen servers dressed in white French cuff tuxedo shirts and black velvet bow ties and ladies in chic coquette black dresses with blue Hērmes “French knot” neck scarves (that they got to keep), the 4-course menu began with terrine of foie gras and duck confit with red wine and strawberry reduction. An asparagus salad with ham, roasted red pepper, a perfectly executed soft boiled egg, and caper vinaigrette followed. I had four people, including the boss himself, Mark Sullivan, wanting to petition for the chef to include it on the Ro’s menu: yes, it was that good! For the main course, a most tender tenderloin of beef topped with decadent sauce choron (think pink hollandaise) and spring vegetables. Lunch finished with a selection of French cheeses and petite fours.

As guests dined, models from LOOK Modeling agency modeled Christian Dior, Celine, and Yves Saint Laurent couture. In honor of Paris, I wore Dior home from the Spring 2022 collection.

And for the pièce de resistance, le grand gâteau! Inspired by Paris in springtime, world-renowned cake designer BethAnn Goldberg of Studio Cake in Menlo Park, California once again created this year’s masterpiece, featuring two classic French flavors for guests to indulge: chocolate éclair, vanilla butter cake layers with vanilla crème pâtissière and chocolate-fudge buttercream and crêpes suzette with Grand Marnier-soaked orange butter cake layers and orange buttercream. The three tiers were enrobed in blue fondant with a hand-painted, Parisian cityscape overlay and black iron-inspired accents.

The afternoon was dreamlike, and guests partied until we closed Neiman Marcus!

The Invitation, French blue magnetic keepsake box with matching saddle stitch ribbon & silver Eiffel Tower souvenir keychain

Aubrey’s 5 Tips of Wisdom in Party Planning: 1.

Have a theme. Immerse your guests in an escape that they’ll talk about for years to come. A theme also gives your event direction, guides menu and décor decisions, and makes planning easier.

2.

Send invitations via mail. Not to say that electronic invites aren’t effective, and they are indeed far more affordable; however, a tangible and memorable invitation will create buzz (especially on social media), and guests will feel like they are a part of something special.

3.

Plan ahead. Make lists for the menu, bar essentials, and décor.

Hosting a party should be an exciting and enjoyable time; being ill-prepared leads to stress. If the host is unprepared, this stress will pass on to everyone involved.

4. Personalize. Small, personalized details make guests feel

special; and having guests’ names in front of them ensures that everyone gets to know each other. Whether simple place cards, cushions, menus, party favors, or glassware, a personalized touch takes your soirée to the next level.

5. Make a seating chart. When hosting a sit-down luncheon or dinner, conversation flow and guest compatibility are essential for a memorable time. Having place cards with their names ensures guests will remember their seatmates’ names and everyone feels welcome and remembered.

HAUTE AMBASSADOR Health & Wellness

ON THE MOVE AGAIN Staying healthy when you travel

BY LYDIA GRAHAM

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The Jet Lag App®

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MERICANS ARE ON THE MOVE AGAIN, WITH both business and leisure travel expected to increase. In January, Tripadvisor published its “Travel in 2022” predictions report indicating “2022 is the year of the travel rebound” and further noted “planned travel in 2022 is expected to exceed actual travel in 2019.” Over the past two years, we learned how taking care of ourselves is key. So, how can we minimize risk and continue our commitment to healthy living when we travel?

GETTING THERE BY AIR Check travel requirements ahead of time to ease the stress of traveling. Rules can change on a dime, but do your research in advance anyway.

Although airplane air is highly filtered (HEPA), there is a chance, if someone sick is sitting next to, in front of, or behind you, you could catch a cold, flu, or other virus.

Research published on March 19 (2018) in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found

that “passengers seated within one row and within two seats laterally of someone with a common infectious respiratory disease had an 80 percent or greater chance of becoming infected. For everyone else on the plane, however, the risk of infection was less than 3 percent.”

Given this information, consider carrying a Wynd Essential portable air purifier and place it in the cup holder between you and your seatmate. Designed by engineers from NASA and MIT and as small as a water bottle, it fits in a cup holder, weighs one pound, has eight hours of battery life, and kills 99 percent of germs.

Its radius is around three feet, so this should provide a personal bubble of added confidence. Use it in a taxi or car enroute to your destination (open a window, if possible). Take your Wynd to a business meeting, and you will be surprised that it makes for an interesting conversation starter; everyone will want one. It also makes a great gift during these times.

Mask restrictions are likely to be lifted, so whether you prefer to mask or not on an airplane in-flight (if not

PHOTO CREDIT: COURTESY OF TIMESHIFTER®

Lydia is a passionate advocate of healthy living. She has launched and positioned many health and wellnessrelated companies, products, technologies and organizations receiving more than 100 awards nationally and internationally. Her focus in the health sector is specifically on life sciences, aging and longevity. She is a partner and investor in several recognized national brands.

She sits on the board of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging whose mission is to eliminate the threat of agerelated disease for today’s and future generations. It is the only independent research organization globally dedicated to extending the healthy years of life. Like the scientists at the Buck, Graham envisions it will be possible for people to enjoy life at 95 as much as at 25.

To support Buck’s mission, please visit www.buckinstitute.org.

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HAUTE AMBASSADOR Health & Wellness

required), consider always carrying a mask such as a KN95 or N95, in your carry-on in case you get unlucky and sit near someone who is coughing or sneezing. The mask will block those large droplets. During heavy surges and/if you have a long-haul flight, consider a mask that adds fresh filtered air.

Check out the Easy Flow personal filtration system.

Carry hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent ethanol or 70 percent isopropanol. Alcohol or hand sanitizing wipes also work well. Clean the tray table, arm rest and seat recliner button, and seat belt closure. Wipe the air jet before you turn it on. Never turn it on full force or blowing directly in your face.

Be mindful what you touch. Keep the sanitizer handy and try not to touch your face. We touch our faces unconsciously many times throughout the day, so wearing a mask as you traverse the airport will prevent you from touching your mouth or nose without realizing it. Otherwise, if that is not your style, pay attention to where your hands are.

Avoid airport bathrooms, if possible, on short trips.

According to Dr. Mark Hernandez, a University of Colorado environmental engineer who studies biological aspects of indoor air quality “aerosol exposure is minimized if you board last and disembark first.” (The latter requires a first or business class ticket.) He recommends basing your decisions on these three considerations: 1) exposure (risk) = aerosol concentration (virus) x time; 2) exposure (risk) = a function of the distance from source (how close you are to other [unmasked] people); 3) exposure (risk) = a function of occupant density.

Minimize your time on the aircraft while on the ground. Time on the ground (boarding/disembarking) is different than in flight, because aircraft have very high air exchange rates once the cabin is pressurized and in service (the air in the cabin is recirculated and filtered at high rates once in service). So, whatever you can do to minimize the time and the above factors (occupant density in all phases of air travel, airport, gate, boarding queue and disembarking), the better.

Hydrate before, during, and following long haul flights.

Minimize alcohol (one drink in the air is equivalent to two on the ground) and caffeine in-flight. Alcohol and caffeine are dehydrating and can interfere with your sleep. Because airplane air is so dry and has low humidity, one doctor friend of mine advises keeping nasal passages moist with a simple saline nasal spray. A face spritzer and lip balm keep skin moist.

Drink bottled water. Why? An excerpt from a 2002 Wall Street Journal article explains (hopefully, things have changed since, but it is not worth taking chances based on what they found): While “U.S. researchers have tested it … with mixed results that suggest you don’t know what you’re drinking. But we do—because we tested it. We packed sample vials and took to the skies, hopping on 14 different flights everywhere from Atlanta to Sydney, Australia. On each, we collected water from the galley and lavatory taps, sealed them up and sent them to a lab for analysis. The results of our water-quality snapshot: a long list of microscopic life you don’t want to drink, from Salmonella and Staphylococcus to tiny insect eggs. Worse, contamination was the rule, not the exception: Almost all of the bacteria levels were tens, sometimes hundreds, of times above U.S. government limits. ‘This water is not potable by any means,’ says Donald Hendrickson, the director of Hoosier Microbiology Laboratories in Muncie, Ind., which tested our samples.

“The good news, of course, is that this water isn’t the main drinking supply for passengers, who usually get bottled H2O from the beverage carts. But plenty of people depend on the plane’s taps to wash their hands and brush their teeth. And while the airlines say they rarely serve tap water, many flight attendants say it isn’t that uncommon: When the bottled water runs out, they turn to the tanks—which, under federal regulations, are supposed to provide drinkable water.”

There are all kinds of theories about how to beat jet lag; sadly, most do not work. One of the best resources is the Jet Lag App® (www.timeshifter.com). It will create a personalized jet lag plan in less than a minute. Download the app and create your plan so you can follow it at least two days before departure.

Move during your flight, even in your seat. While sitting is the new smoking, sitting for extended periods on a plane is particularly problematic due to the potential for deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs). Fitbit and Qantas (they should know something about long haul flights) offer some in-flight exercise recommendations.

Wearing compression socks even on cross country flights may help avoid post-travel clots, ankle swelling, and fluid retention which can cause unnecessary fatigue. You will be surprised how much difference this small hack makes—and not just for older adults. Wear loose clothing and throw in a warm shawl or jacket.

115

HAUTE AMBASSADOR Health & Wellness BOOKING HOTELS If you are concerned about traveling during flu or virus surges, consider booking hotels or resorts with private entrances that are on one floor without shared elevators. In warm weather, outdoor dining is a great option. Ask if it is available at the hotel restaurant.

Additionally, hotel room windows that open, preferably with screens, are a plus for good air ventilation.

PACKING Pill bags are perfect for packing medications or supplements.

Pack the bottle for any medications so you have that information or take a copy of your prescription. Pill bags are great to pack each day’s supply and set aside what you need in-flight. I throw all stocked packets into a Ziplock bag, taking one packet out each day. Side note: the tiny bags also are great for storing jewelry such as earrings or small necklaces, as you can see through them.

Take your own food and healthy snacks for the plane, like unsalted nuts (if you are not allergic), healthy bars, fresh fruit (e.g., bananas, apples), crudité with hummus, trail mix or paleo granola, or nut butter packets. Use your imagination and scour your grocery store in anticipation of your trip.

For those practicing intermittent fasting or fasting, the flight and transit time might be the perfect time to fast.

To treat small injuries on the go, check out Welly’s Human Repair Kit. Toss in an extra tube of Neosporin or triple antibiotic ointment or an anti-itch cream if mosquitoes might be at your destination. Add over-the-counter cold and flu remedies, just in case.

PLAN FOR EXERCISE ANYWHERE ANYTIME Pack a bag, not a suitcase but a jumbo Ziplock® with arm and leg bands, a yoga strap, and a tennis ball which feels great on trigger points of tight muscles. Prior to traveling, download or bookmark videos or workouts with the bands if you do not know how to use them.

Even if your hotel has a gym, having a personal yoga mat for stretches, poses, stomach crunches or floor exercises is ideal. If you do go to the hotel gym, sanitize the mat, or put a towel over it before using it. My favorite travel yoga mat is Manduka’s Yogatoes yoga mat towel. Eco-friendly and non-skid, it folds flat in luggage and is easy to wash post-trip. There is something creepy about exercising on the floor of a hotel room where countless strangers have walked, so ask for extra bath towels to put under your mat or an extra sheet to use during your stay, which works even better.

Grab those running shoes for running or walking. Vet the surrounding area with locals, especially if you’re traveling solo. Some hotels have an activity concierge who can run with you if you ask.

Plan exercises sans equipment, which allows more flexibility on when and where you work out. Squats are one of the best overall exercises, as are lunges. Consider a flight of stairs an invitation for cardio. If you have your mat, do push-ups and stretching. Stretches such as side stretches, runners stretch, arm circles, standing figure fours do not require a mat. There are plenty more to choose from.

Make a list before you leave, if it helps. Or plan your travel routine with a trainer before you leave.

EATING AWAY FROM HOME Every meal away does not need to be a special occasion. Locate restaurants catering to your individual preferences and dietary needs.

Do not be afraid to substitute vegetables for starches. Ask for steamed vegetables and broiled or baked meats or fish, if you eat those. If a meal is one of your special vacay splurges, enjoy it and start a new day tomorrow.

If organic or local sustainable options are not available, avoid the Dirty Dozen™ foods when eating out, if possible, as they are the most contaminated. According to the Environmental Working Group’s “2021 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™,” these foods made the list: 1) strawberries, 2) spinach, 3) kale, collard, and mustard greens, 4) nectarines, 5) apples, 6) grapes, 7) cherries, 8) peaches, 9) pears, 10) bell and hot peppers, 11) celery, 12) tomatoes.

While it may be tempting to consume too many glasses of wine or cocktails each night on holiday, these drinks add calories and sugar and will dehydrate you, disturbing both your sleep and blood sugar (the two can be connected). You will surely feel better and enjoy the next day’s activities more if you limit your intake; you will look better, too. Your skin will love you for it.

Usually, one of the first things I do upon arrival is find a market to buy additional water, nuts, fruits, and healthy snacks and yogurts to supplement the hotel mini bar. I always travel with my own tea.

Even the mini bars in the finest hotels are not always the healthiest.

Depending on your location and transportation, either order online for pick-up or delivery or find the nearest healthy corner market and walk there.

HAVE FUN AND AN ADVENTURE Check your attitude. Especially while traveling on business. Embrace curiosity and expectation rather than a sense of dread. Even business trips can be an adventure.

Vacations break our routines and can lower our stress, so flow with it. Enjoy the humorous and joyful moments along the way. Laughter is good for us.

Wishing you safe and healthy travels.

Note: Nothing in this article constitutes medical advice. Please consult your physician if you have questions before undertaking any physical activity or dietary changes.

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California Lifestyle Collection Stunning World-Class Wine Country Retreat

5 Beds | 6 Baths | ±2,500 sq. ft. Interior | ±61 Acres This stunning world-class retreat is the epitome of the indoor-outdoor Napa Valley lifestyle. Designed by award-winning architect Howard Backen with sliding doors and screens that open completely to the surrounding gardens and views beyond, this residence and separate two-bedroom guest house are arranged as three separate zinc-roofed pavilions floating above semi-enclosed porches, a magnificent pool, and the surrounding landscaped gardens.

Featuring extraordinary materials and workmanship, brilliant designs and soaring high ceilings, this private compound is designed to capture magnificent views of nature. Sited at the edge of a ravine, this home is oriented to frame and command views across neighboring vineyards and a watershed of the Napa River. Inside the main pavilion, the boundaries between living room, kitchen, dining room and the surrounding terraces are blurred. The combination of openness and grand scale permits the home to feel at once expansive and yet comfortable for intimate entertaining. Radiant heating under the polished concrete floors provides year-round comfort. The flexible

Napa, California

$13,500,000

architectural layers of sliding glass, shutters, and screens serve to effortlessly control light, space, and temperature. Whether the walls of windows are open or closed, the calming architecture frames the natural and designed landscape.

Spread across ±61 acres of grounds, amenities include infinity-edge pool, spacious lawn, bocce court, two hot-tubs, olive grove, organic garden, stocked lake, fire pit, and outdoor kitchen with refrigerator, barbecue, and pizza oven.

The basement level features a large wine cellar as well as a gym, powder room, and catering kitchen. A separate machine building houses a backup generator and well equipment including reverse-osmosis water filter. This sublime place represents an artistic departure from the conventional and is one that truly must be experienced—it is one that might inspire great thoughts and play gracious host to many extraordinary events to come!

More photos and information can be found at: SodaCanyonEstate.com

Olivia Hsu Decker | SanFranciscoFineHomes.com Cell: 415.720.5915 | Olivia@SanFranciscoFineHomes.com | Lic.# 00712080

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This one-of-a-kind estate is perfectly located in Montecito, California, within the esteemed Birnam Wood Golf Club.

Montecito is one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in the world, with its natural beauty, seclusion, and proximity to Los Angeles.

SINA OMIDI 805.689.7700 | Sina@SinaOmidi.com RealEstateInSantaBarbara.com

Broker, DRE 01944430 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties

©2022 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHHS and the BHHS symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of the property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information.

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Sandy Blue

8 BR | 8/1 BA | 16,220 sf | Price Upon Request

7 BR | Private Beach | 4.4 Acres | $17,000,000

Luxury Waterfront, 130’ Boat Dock. World-Class Golf, Beach Club. Gated.

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Property ID 85391

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California Lifestyle Collection Magnificent Belvedere Island Italianate Villa

8 Beds | 6 Baths | 2 Half-Bath This iconic appx. 7,695 sq. ft. mansion featuring eight bedrooms, six full baths, and two half baths is one of the most admired homes on Belvedere Island for its styling, magnificent gardens, spectacular pool, and panoramic views overlooking Tiburon Hills, Corinthian Island, Angel Island, East Bay, Bay Bridge, and beautiful Belvedere Cove reminiscent of Portofino, Italy. Located on the desirable, warm side of the island with allday sun and sheltered from the wind, this classic residence was renovated in recent years, featuring a beautiful custom-designed kitchen with Italian marble countertops and a breakfast area with a balcony to enjoy the views and for al fresco dining. The eight bedrooms mostly open onto balconies with expansive bay views. A generously sized master suite with his/her dressing and sitting areas includes a kitchenette/coffee bar, closets, a luxurious bathroom with a steam shower, and a sunroom. The

Belvedere, California

Offered at $11,495,000 lower level includes an exercise room with a full bath and sauna, wine cellar, and two spacious storage rooms. There is a security system and a two-car garage, plus an adjacent one-car carport. Across the street-tostreet lot are extensive brick terraces with elegant balustrades, lush gardens, and water features. Three separate entrances and multiple living spaces create a perfect floor plan setup for an au pair unit and an in-law unit. Easy walking distance to the San Francisco Yacht Club, Corinthian Yacht Club, downtown Tiburon restaurants such as Malibu Farm and Michael Mina’s Bungalow Kitchen, and ferry services to San Francisco and Angel Island. Offered as a newly certified historic property,, this magnificent home provides a very substantial property tax reduction to the next owner and comes with an assumable mortgage. Details and photos at www.308GoldenGate.com

Olivia Hsu Decker | SanFranciscoFineHomes.com Cell: 415.720.5915 | Olivia@SanFranciscoFineHomes.com | Lic.# 00712080

California Lifestyle Collection Magnificent Belvedere Island Italianate Villa

Olivia Hsu Decker | SanFranciscoFineHomes.com Cell: 415.720.5915 | Olivia@SanFranciscoFineHomes.com | Lic.# 00712080

Belvedere, California

Luxury Lifestyle with Purpose

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