Ben Bateman: “I’ve determined that the whiskey sour is, for the moment at least, my go-to drink. Unfortunately (because I’m cheap) I don’t own any of those fancy cocktail preparation tools. What I do have is a coffee travel mug and a tea strainer.”
Cheap wine with Shannon: Cul-de-Sac merlot
New mom Shannon Wells tests out a merlot from Cul-de-Sac. The verdict? It’s inexpensive, drinkable, and pairable, but only good enough for a murder.
Taste-test: the Cleveland mustard feud
Cleveland, Ohio is home to two outstanding spicy brown mustards — and one of the most bitter rivalries of all time.
‘Parisienne French’ is your next bubble-bath book
Parisienne French is like a French phrasebook, except that it teaches the reader only the most useful of sentences — phrases like “Your ass looks great” and “I don’t understand art.” Having a heart-to-heart with a new French friend? Break the ice with Raconte-moi ta enfance (“Tell me about your childhood”).
Letter from the editor
I will show you how to apply bronzer, put your hair up with pencils, and make a criminal cremini risotto in your rice cooker. I will show you how to polish every damn thing in your house with Bar Keeper’s Friend. If you are a fan of America’s Test Kitchen, lifehacks, and compulsively dusting your apartment, stick with me, friend. We’ll go far.