The Overhead Compartment with Mark Strausman

Shining a spotlight on celebrities and athletes who love to travel. Created and developed by Stacy Steponate Greenberg.

Barneys NY. The store synonymous with style and fashion. But it’s not just fashion that has people running there, it would also be the famed restaurant Freds, the place to see and be seen, attracting the high profile crowd, the business crowd and the who’s who of society, and the man who started it all is a native New Yorker. Chef Mark Strausman’s passion was cultivated when he worked and trained in Europe, but New York was calling and after working in some of the top restaurants in New York City, Strausman ventured out and opened Sapore di Mare in East Hampton. Sapore was an instant hit and quickly became the place to go. From there he conquered Manhattan, opening Coco Pazzo and Campagna respectively, and proved once again he had the magic touch as both quickly became staples on the New York restaurant scene. In 1996 he was chosen to run the restaurant at the iconic flagship Barneys on Madison Ave, and he has never looked back. In addition to Freds Madison, Strausman oversees the Freds in Chicago and Beverly Hills, plus the most recent Freds opening at Barneys NY Downtown/Chelsea. Soon, his culinary skills and magic touch will take on the latest Freds locations in San Francisco and Miami. As if he wasn’t busy enough, Strausman just released his latest cookbook THE FREDS AT BARNEYS COOKBOOK which offers tips and recipes that have been served for years at the fabled eatery. The Overhead Compartment sat down with Strausman for a fabulous meal, and a little shopping, to get an insight about his life and the stylish world he knows so well.

The Overhead Compartment with Mark Strausman starts now….

OC: Tell us about the newest restaurant location, Freds at Barneys Downtown. What are menu highlights at this location?

MS: We opened Freds Downtown in February of 2016 and the restaurant is really geared towards the downtown customer. The menu highlights are the Freds classics. For downtown we transformed the tuna tartare from Freds Madison into ceviche, we also premiered the avocado toast and the Jewish Boy from Queens at this location.

OC: There are four current Freds at Barneys, the flagship on Madison Ave, Chelsea, Chicago and Beverly Hills. Now you are about to open Miami and San Francisco. How do you make sure each property is unique to its location?

MS: We make sure each restaurant is unique to its location by using the influences of the area while still staying true to our classics. In Beverly Hills we’re very veggie centric and use a lot of California purveyors. We plan to do the same in San Francisco and also incorporate bread from the great local bakeries. For Miami there’ll be a Latin influence, maybe a deconstructed Cuban salad similar to how we do the deconstructed fish taco salad at Freds Downtown.

OC: At what point did you know you wanted to be a chef?

MS: In my very early 20’s I knew I wanted to be a chef. I started to study hotel and restaurant management and I just gravitated towards the kitchen. I enjoyed cooking for my family when I was young so it just seemed like a natural fit.

OC: If you were not a chef, what could you see yourself doing?

MS: I truly love what I do and couldn’t see myself doing anything else.

OC: What’s your favorite meal to cook?

MS: At the moment, vegan and vegetarian dishes. I’m currently fascinated with legumes and have been making veggie stews and chilis. I love the mad scientist aspect of cooking.

OC: Least favorite food to cook?

MS: Tripe, it’s one of the few foods I don’t enjoy eating.

OC: Aside from your own, what’s your favorite restaurant in each city:

MS: New York: Taverna Kallakis in Astoria. It’s authentic like you’re dining in Greece.
Chicago: Piccolo Sogno, he’s embraced being a Midwest chef and I really respect that.
Los Angeles: Rose Cafe in Venice. I love the ambiance, it’s so California and the food is spot on.

OC: How do you spend your day when you are not in the kitchen?

MS: I enjoy going to the beach and to the theater, especially St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn.

OC: What’s the next latest and greatest trend with food?

MS: I think it’s Middle Eastern and Israeli foods as well as vegetable centric dishes. The vegan and vegetarian trend seems to be growing and not going away anytime soon!

OC: First thing you do when arriving at a hotel in your room?

MS: I always turn on ESPN and check the sports scores. It’s perfect when you’re on the west coast, because rooting for New York teams the games have already ended.

OC: Complete the following sentence: I never leave home without:

MS: A pocket square in my blazer. It comes from my time with Fred Pressman, he inspired me to come dressed to work dressed with style and grace even as a chef.

Mark Strausman, please use care upon departure as items may have shifted in The Overhead Compartment during our journey. Thanks for choosing us for your travel tips! Have a wonderful day!

The post The Overhead Compartment with Mark Strausman appeared first on Pursuitist.

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The Ultimate Glamping Experience with the Star Emperor

This luxurious tent for eight feels like an open-plan bedroom, offers 360 views while keeping you cool and bug-free.

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Escapod Topo Trailer

The Escapod Topo Trailer is a ruggedly-built camper that fits adventurous lifestyles on a budget. It boasts a timeless, teardrop-style aluminum frame and a durable hand-welded, powder-coated steel tube frame.…

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Six Picture Perfect Margaritas for Cinco de Mayo

Well hello there, May 1. And just like that, another month is upon us. Thankfully, May welcomes us with one of the very best days of the year – Cinco de Mayo – and it is just 5 days away! If you haven’t previously noticed, I thoroughly enjoy all things pertaining to tequila. I don’t think I’ve ever met a margarita that I don’t like. Ok correction – any that come out of machine are really bad. But that’s because it is SO easy to make a really good margarita at home.

To ensure you’re fully prepped for this Saturday, I’ve rounded up my favorite margaritas from over the years and a couple recipes from friends.

Most likely our most popular margarita recipe to date, the Grapefruit Margarita is as delicious as it is pretty.

If you want a margarita with a little sweet and a little spice, you’ll like the Tiki Rita. It’s got a few more ingredients than the tried and true, but it’s worth the fuss.

If you’re one of those people who only drink margaritas blended, I will forgive, but you must at least make your own. This Slushy Coconut Mint Margarita should immediately transport you to preferred tropical location.

The Coralina Margarita combines a margarita with my other favorite thing – red wine! This margarita recipe was created by Riesler Morale, a mixologist from Mexico City and offers a touch of sweetness with simple syrup and a sugared rim.

I wouldn’t think to add veggies into margaritas, but this Garden Margarita by my friend Ashley at Craft & Cocktails adds fruity and herbaceous notes with Earl Gray tea and apricot liqueur. This would be a good option for someone who thinks they don’t like tequila.

This cocktail is technically a Paloma – which mixes a larger proportion of grapefruit juice with tequila – but I’m throwing it in here just to mix things up. And this one, by Sugar & Cloth, adds a kick with jalapeno simple syrup!

As a little bonus recipe, I also wanted to share an option for the tequila averse among us. I got your back pregnant mamas (or perhaps you want a Cinco de Mayo option for the kiddos). This Pineapple Mint Agua Fresca recipe is sure to be a winner.

What are your Cinco de Mayo plans? Since it’s on a Saturday this year, we can really celebrate from sunup to sundown. Though I wouldn’t recommend starting your margaritas quite that early. But I’m all for breakfast burritos!

If you need some tacos to go with your margs, CLICK HERE for the perfect recipe.

The post Six Picture Perfect Margaritas for Cinco de Mayo appeared first on Apartment34.

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Jameson Bow Street 18-Years Cask Strength Irish Whiskey

Jameson's first cask strength Irish whiskey to be available globally.

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Daily Dream Home: Dallas

Built by Bob Thompson and designed by Robbie Fusch, this striking European inspired residence in Dallas, Texas offers the finest in materials, technology, and exquisite design features in every room.

Enter through the dramatic foyer with its intricately carved wood staircase and French doors leading to a lushly landscaped English courtyard with fountain.

Located on the main level is the formal living area with handscraped wood flooring, an exquisite fireplace, wood paneled ceiling, Venetian plaster wall treatment, and a wall of French doors leading to the grounds.

Exquisitely designed for entertaining, the large formal dining room has dual crystal chandeliers and an elegant fireplace.

Opening to the elaborate kitchen is the family keeping room with its soaring wood beamed cathedral ceiling, stone accented wall with fireplace, large breakfast area, and French doors opening to the loggia.

The incredible library with its soaring 35-foot ceiling offers an abundance of built-in shelving and dramatic overhead lighting.

The master suite features wood flooring, an arched wood beamed ceiling, sitting areas, fireplace, and dual baths with oversized custom closets, furniture style vanities, dressing area, heated flooring, and stream shower.

The lower level is an amazing entertainment suite with a home theater, huge gaming area, wonderful dining lounge with full bar, a warm and cozy wine cellar and a large temperature controlled wine room.

On the upper level, there are four additional oversized bedrooms, each designed as mini master suites with spa-like baths, a large game area, wet bar area, exercise room, and access to the upper library.

The heavily wooded resort style back yard is an amazing retreat with multiple outdoor living spaces, lush gardens and landscape, sparking pool with fountains, separate spa facing a dramatic stone fireplace, large loggia with kitchen and fireplace, beautiful walkways, and koi pond with bridge.

This home is truly a one of a kind masterpiece listed for $8.45 million with Ebby Halliday Realtors and is showcased by Luxury Portfolio.

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Mother’s Day Beauty Refresh with Cos Bar

Are you ready for Mother’s Day?  If you’re having trouble figuring out a gift, how about some beauty and skincare products that your mom/grandma/wife/sister/friend might not buy for themselves. The perfect one-stop place to shop for gifts or a beauty refresh for yourself is Cos Bar. They carry all the best brands and newest products that keep my skin looking amazing.

To help get you started on your gift list, Cos Bar is offering HC readers $25 off $150 purchase online and in store with the code HABITUALLY from May 1st through the 5th. Customers can just mention the code HABITUALLY for Cos Bar in store purchases. 
I love my Clarisonic Mia Fit and notice a difference when I forget to charge it and can’t use it for a night. I feel like this is a gift that mom’s might not buy for themselves which makes it the perfect present.

I was introduced to ReVive Insensité Line Erasing Serum from Cos Bar and it’s worth every penny. If you or your mom are afraid of Botox or fillers, this is a great alternative. 
If your mom is a minimalist who doesn’t want to use a lot of products, La Prairie Line Interception Power Duo is a great gift. It has a day cream with SPF on one side and a night cream on the other side that is another one of my all time favorite products.

I love Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Radiance under my foundation but one of my older readers told me she uses it alone to give her skin a little glow.

After trying quite a few foundations last year, I finally settled on La Mer Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation SPF20. It’s light but covers and never breaks me out. If mom has been using the same foundation for a decade, she would definitely enjoy this up upgrade. You can’t also go wrong with a jar of Creme de la Mer as a present too. 
Everyone knows that Clé de Peau makes the Rolls Royce of concealers but some people consider it too luxurious to buy for themselves. That makes it the perfect gift, especially if you’ve been doing things that keep your mother up at night and causing her dark circles. I keep one in my bag at all times for touch ups on the go.

The weather is finally warming up and if mom still looks pale from winter, how about a chic Tom Ford Bronzing Powder and a trip to the beach for Mother’s Day. This is what I used to make me look a little sun kissed on my trip to Bermuda.

Another beauty item that I bet a lot of mom’s don’t buy themselves are make up brushes. If you think your mom has been using the same brushes since high school, she would be very grateful for this Bobbi Brown Travel Brush Set. I prefer to use shorter travel brushes because they fit in my makeup bag.

No one tells you that as you get older, your eyebrows will thin out and your lashes will cease to look as luscious as they did when you were younger. If your mom complains about both of these issues, she would love RevitaLash and RevitaBrow. I use them both and they really work. 
There is nothing wrong with drugstore lip balm but if you want to give your mom an upgrade, I highly recommend By Terry Baume de Rose Crystalline. I just found out it also comes in a travel size which I plan to buy for every one of my bags.

If your mom complains about dry and damaged hair, she will love Oribe Gold Lust Repair Restore Shampoo & Conditioner. It makes my highlighted hair silky and soft. If your mom lives in a humid climate, throw in the Oribe Impermeable Anti Humidity Spray and you will definitely become her favorite child. 

If your mom is very old school and still gets her hair set at the salon or if she just loves to make a blow out last, she will flip for the Slip Pure Silk Pillowcase. It keeps your hair and your skin smooth while sleeping. I also love the Slip Sleep Mask for traveling. They both come in a few different colors too. 
I don’t know any woman who doesn’t love peonies so how about giving a Jo Malone Peony Blush Suede Candle to all the moms in your life?

Many moms are so busy that they end up eating off their kid’s plates. I love 8G Essential Greens Booster when traveling to help me get more greens but they’re great for anyone trying to be a little healthier.

 

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