Off the Cuff — Our Favorite Things

TDestination: Indian Wells

Posted by Thomas Dean & Co. on

TDestination:  Indian Wells

  Fans of the game agree, the PNB Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Gardens is a Top 10 must-see in the world of pro tennis tournaments.  Some would argue that, due to its size, accessibility to players, world class play and reliable weather, it may even have some Grand Slam events beat.  Here are a few reason's it's become the fifth largest tournament in the world, drawing top talent and record attendance from around the world.   The Weather:  Reliably sunny Typically in the mild, mid-80's, the sun is a key enjoyment factor to this tourney. However, the mercury has been known to hit high-90...

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TDining: Adana Restaurant, Seattle

Posted by Thomas Dean & Co. on

TDining:  Adana Restaurant, Seattle

Photos credits: Suzi Pratt Photography Reborn to Reconnect We recently sat down with young-chef-old-soul and self-described "hopeless romantic", Shota Nakajima, to talk about his newly re-launched restaurant, Adana, his personal journey to cooking and the inspiration behind his cuisine. TD:  Tell us about your journey to cooking. SN:  I started cooking while I was still going to high school in Seattle. At the age of 18 I decided to move to Osaka, Japan and worked there for 4 and a half years under Michelin star chef Nakamoto.  I came back to Seattle at the age of 23. At the age of 25 I opened Naka which...

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TDestination: NOLA

Posted by Thomas Dean & Co. on

TDestination:  NOLA

  Friends of Thomas Dean, Scott and Jean Manning, met and lived in New Orleans for over a decade.  To say they're enthusiasts would be vastly understating their passion. The pair return frequently, guiding friends through the lively music, bead-throwing, mask-wearing, shameless-eating-and-drinking that is Mardi Gras.  We sat down with the Manning's recently over Jean's ethereal shrimp etouffee, while they shared the history of Mardi Gras, krewes, king cake and their top picks for a visit to The Big Easy.  The Manning's NOLA Top 5: Stanley's in the Quarter for brunch Commander's Palace uptown for jazz brunch Maple Leaf Bar uptown...

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Father's Day: On Clothing and Lessons Learned

Posted by Thomas Dean & Co. on

My father, who passed away late last year, had many beliefs. Punctuality is next to godliness. Good pitching beats good hitting. Never let the truth interfere with a good story. But from a wardrobe standpoint, he believed most fervently in one thing: the sportcoat. Even though he was a top-flight executive in the sports world for half a century, he never owned a suit in his adult life. When the family packed up my parents (who'd both recently turned 80) to move to their more modest cluster home, my sisters got my dad to pare down his collection of sportcoats...

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No-Risk Style Upgrade #1: Denim

Posted by Brian Cleary on

No-Risk Style Upgrade #1:  Denim

  Fear not the denim!  The most versatile of fabrics, it's no wonder denim became the workhorse of the working-man's wardrobe.  But you don't have to look like a cowboy or a Backstreet Boy.  Here are a half-dozen ways to rock the denim in a risk-free way. 1.  Order up by one size and wear it like a jacket over all black or chalky grey, for a bad-ass travel outfit.  TSA pre-check advised. 2.  Amp-up your workday look by replacing the ubiquitous white or light blue dress shirt with its chambray counterpart.  Be prepared for compliments at the water cooler....

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