All stories about "Shop"

The new season of everyone's second-favorite HBO show, Entourage, premieres this Sunday after the highly anticipated Sopranos opener. How can you, the home enthusiast, enjoy Los Angeles along with your favorite arrested-development career adolescents? Many of LA's famous and infamous locales are prominently featured in the show, so here's our guide to the Angeleno view of Sex in the City for dudes.

"Country Blue Grass Blues and Other Music For Uplifting Gormandizers," the granddaddy of New York acronyms. Using a string of mysterious letters when naming your establishment is an easy way to build buzz, allude to standards of quality, abbreviate a longer concept, or make a (hopefully memorable) joke. In most cases, it doesn't matter if no one ever knows what your acronym stands for. It doesn't have to stand for anything, really; Harry S. Truman got through life with a meaningless middle initial, after all. However, most of the billboard acronyms you see do ostensibly have a meaning, however trivial. For your edification, we explicate a few of New York's acronymically inclined, so you can TCBY instead of ending up SOL.

If you're wondering where the crowds go in Madrid on a beautiful Sunday morning, check the Rastro, Madrid's largest open-air flea market (also known as the thieves' market!). Located across the barrios of La Latina, Embajadores, and Puerta de Toledo, the market gets its name from the process of dragging a slaughtered animal down the street (something done by workers at the area's slaughterhouse in the 16th century). From an animal market, the Rastro gradually developed into a wide-open bazaar for practically everything under the sun -- new, used, and stolen. If you don't fancy shopping, it's a great place to find a terraza where you can have a beer or a gigantic ice-cream cone. The market spreads around a two-kilometer area, and it's open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The earlier you go, the better. Otherwise, you may get stuck in the mobs or caught in a shopping stampede. All right, that's perhaps an exaggeration, though you should watch out for pickpockets. They're "shopping" too.

El Rastro [Wikipedia]

-- Abha Malpani

Enjoying your Easter holiday, Londoners? Perhaps too much? The best cure for a harsh morning after, and/or waking up with the wrong sort of Easter bunny: cool clothes and ukulele music. Right after a scalding-hot shower, head over to A Butcher of Distinction, located in Shoreditch's epicenter, The Old Truman Brewery. This family-and-friends-run shop is said to outfit the most boyish and well-mannered of boys. Though most of London's lads are currently decked in skinny jeans and high-maintenance haircuts, this shop's digs are more conservative than crybaby. With labels like Rushmoor, YMC, PF Flyers, and Polo Ralph Lauren, it's like a far better version of what Abercrombie & Fitch was in the early 1990s. In sum, a very wholesome, handsome, and grown-up shop. And because a collared shirt and deck shoes won't stop cringeworthy memories from flashing through your mind, visit Shoreditch's local ukulele and banjo shop, the Duke of Uke. It might seem strange, but this place is beautifully designed and always lurking with hipsters who pop in to hear impromptu tunes. What's more, for a mere £15 you can participate in their beginner ukulele class, which will teach you the basics in one go. And presto ... instead of wasting your day curled up on the couch, you're now a well-dressed, ukulele-strumming gentleman.

A Butcher of Distinction [Time Out]
Duke of Uke [Official site]

-- Megan Zanke

The 2007 Boston Wine Expo has come and gone, gracing the palate of Beantown back in February. Between then and now, we took the opportunity to quiz the gathered experts about the best places to buy wine in Boston. Some wine stores specialize in huge selections or knowledgeable staff, while others cater to those looking for odd vintages or local wines. And still others are popular simply because of a great location. After the jump, our recommendations for your own Bostonian liste de vin.

I just can't stop talking about Tokyo Midtown. I posted last week following my opening day visit, but then found myself there again the very next day, this time with the wife. We ended up spending the entire day there. I'm not saying that this is suddenly the massive shopping development that gets everything completely right -- you can't compare artificial city-building to the organic liveliness of Tokyo's traditional street-based shopping. But there is a lot to like. I've added a few more photos to the original Flickr photoset I put up last Friday; highlights include the 21_21 Design Sight-branded mobile shops, selling some nice 21_21-branded souvenirs, as well as the Tokyo Midtown version of the food court. My favorite find? The introduction of MUJI wine.

Tokyo Midtown [Official site]

-- Jean Snow

[Photo: Jean Snow]

When you've had enough of M street, or God help you, the Tombs, tuck into the "best burger in DC, six years running", at Five Guys on Wisconsin Ave NW. The bomb-proof red-and-white tiled store is designed to take a rush, and for good reason -- expect it to be slammed, but never in the weeds. Eat peanuts while you wait, and have your fixings "all the way." So basic it's almost comical, the menu consists of standard-serving double patties and generous portions of fresh-cut fries -- Boardwalk or Cajun flavor -- and that's about it. And speaking of comics, after you wash your hands, turn the corner and pick up from Pete at Big Planet Comics, the most top-notch shop in town.

Five Guys [Official site]
Big Planet Comics [Official site]

-- Roman Sturgis

[Photo: Furious | George]

Mimi Swartz wrote a piece on the Dallas "renaissance" for a recent issue of the New York Times' magazine T Style. According to Swartz, the city is taking itself loosening up, caring less about formality and pretension, and building a lot of stuff. The skyline is peppered with cranes as construction begins on a slew of new hotels and cultural centers designed by the likes of Norman Foster, Rem Koolhaas, and Santiago Calatrava. Swartz claims Dallas is no longer the place of "big brassy blondes" or "stuffy, post-oil bust guilt." Too bad about the brassy busts, but after the jump, we present the article's best o' nouveaux Dallas.

The New York International Car Show has brought with it loads of vehicular enthusiasts who will spend most of their time lusting after the automobiles and gear on display. We already tried to make our Detroit guests feel at home, but after all, there are plenty of folks in New York from elsewhere who still want to bone anything that rolls. And after the show moves on, there's still lots to see and do in NYC for the adventurous hoon. In the short term, here's a comprehensive guide of where to stay, what to eat, and how to fill your time after the car show closes for the night.

Like Portabello Road or Brick Lane, London's most exciting markets are often framed by its best streets. Brushfield Street, likewise, embodies the spirit of the Spitalfields Market, with its antique charm and gourmet English fare. Though the Spitalfields Market itself is only open on Sundays, Brushfield Street's charming shops and cafes are open all week long. Here are the staple spots that make this street worth a visit all on its own.

Today marked the opening of the much-anticipated Tokyo Midtown complex, Mitsui Fudosan's answer to Mori Building's much-hyped Roppongi Hills and Omotesando Hills salvo in Tokyo's shopping-entertainment sweepstakes. After a first visit, I have to say I'm finding so much more to like here. More open spaces, lots of green (and the abundance of cherry blossoms didn't hurt), the 21_21 Design Sight (a new design museum), the Suntory Museum of Art, an interior that feels less glam and more tasteful than RH, a collection of retail stores that actually interest me (heavy on the interior design), and fine restaurants, cafes, and delis that should keep you well fed in a stylish manner. Sure, it does the upscale thing like those other complexes do -- it's funny seeing a chic 7/11 and Familymart on the premises -- but it's somehow better executed, both on the outside and in. Don't take my word for it though; I've put up a Flickr photoset of 77 shots from today's outing.

Tokyo Midtown [Official site]

-- Jean Snow

[Photo: Jean Snow]

Described as one of the most "American" cities in the country, Indianapolis is a midwestern role model. The home of the reigning Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts may cherish the true-blue, but the city still has plenty of worthwhile culture, entertainment, cuisine, shopping, and sights. After the jump, we've collected a short list of highlights for the first-time visitor to the "Crossroads of America."

Today, Budapest got its very own Escada store at Dorottya ul. 3. According to Eurocheapo, tonight's opening ceremonies include cocktails and a fashion show, plus gift bags. But let's be honest, you're not about to take a break from the newly opened Allstar Club, praised in Pestiside for the venue's attempt to re-create an "American-style" strip club. You supposedly can't just waltz into the Allstar with a few bills and low self-esteem; you need to either be "invited" or sign up through some kind of Hungarian social networking site. Something tells me those "invitations" are going to turn up in the hands of a lot of friendly cab drivers.

Budapest: Two Routes to Free Booze [Eurocheapo]
American Strip Club Opens in Budapest, Minus the Americans [Pestiside]
Allstar Club [Official site]

-- Chris Mohney

Design in Los Angeles is more than just endless faux adobe and infinite California modern. There's a thriving design scene that can be explored via architecture, interiors, shopping, and even eating. Local designers have international impact, but there's plenty of cool stuff to look at and do throughout LA. After the jump, check out selected designy highlights for LA and environs.

San Francisco is a fantastic town for food, nightlife, and skyrocketing real estate prices. First-time visitors will not be at a loss for things to do or places to go. For example, it's essential to visit Chinatown (see our separate Chinatown guide), check out the Mission District, and generally eat everything in sight. To help get your itinerary (and appetite) under control, here are our favorite San Fran picks culled (mostly) by our expert SF correspondent, Christina Ducklow.

Londoners or London visitors in need of creative inspiration or a simple ego boost may head to Cass Art. This independent art-supply store, launched in 1984, is proudly pro-active and fiercely local. Cass provides the starving or merely broke London artist with frequent sales, generous student discounts, and freebies like canvas bags and pencils. Even more of a pleasure are Cass's employees. They're indeed artists themselves, but most skip the dyed eyebrows and sour attitude. Instead, Cass's employees are encouraging and knowledgeable, and they always let you use their bathroom (though you didn't hear that from us). Cass has four London locations, namely, Soho, Charing Cross, Kensington, and the flagship in Islington.

Cass Art [Official site]

-- Megan Zanke

[Photo: Ayres no graces]

It has been said that soap is the yardstick of civilization, but this is largely propaganda wrought by those that would sell you soap. My point is this: Only fucking barbarians and savages eat Wonder Bread. Fresh baked bread is the food of the gods. Ken's Artisan Bakery on 21st Avenue and Flanders Street has got the hook-up on upscale bread. Their fresh French baguettes are the best in Portland. Consider stocking up before trudging through all those used bookstores. In fact, to make it out of Powell's alive, you might want a week's supply. They also have exquisite pastry -- think Valrhona chocolate mousse cakes, eclair perfection, and plum spice bread pudding. (As far as Valrhona goes, I have always had kind of a hard-on for Venezuelan chocolate, but that's a horse of a different color.) All the desserts go well with their coffee or wine selection, and they got yummy soup and pizza too.

Ken's Artisan Bakery [Official site]

-- Sean Moriva