Dapper Scout – A lifestyle web magazine for men

There was a time not so long ago, when the editors at DS were on a strict budget.  That meant a relatively austere lifestyle without some of the things that made life worth even living (e.g. cable TV, beer, movies).  Our dietary restrictions were also pretty much restricted by the lack of any disposable income.  Translation: we ate a lot of sandwiches.  We didn’t even own a toaster, which in hindsight, probably explained why our sandwiches were often so unsatisfactory.  Now that our financial outlook has considerably improved, we’ve had our eye on the BISTRO Toaster by BODUM (available at BODUM for $80)—a two-slice toaster whose construction and features bring a rare combination of distinctive design and a dosage of fun to the kitchen.  With a stainless steel body wrapped in a perforated rubber housing (available in eight colorways), the BISTRO Toaster features 900 watts of power, variable browning and temperature settings, a pop-up rack for keeping bread products warm, adjustable-width slots, removable crumb-tray, and a stable base from which you can adjust cord length as well as store the cord itself.  The BISTRO Toaster has everything you’re looking for: the looks, a personality, and all the charm a kitchen appliance could hope to muster (which in this case, is quite a lot).

Eat & Drink, Kitchen, Loft

Die-hard devotees of Shake Shack should stop reading this right now.  With that said, the editors at DS (while always in search of the “best of” anything), are not yet prepared to anoint Bill’s Bar & Burger our favorite new burger joint…yet.  While first impressions are important, we’re in this for the long haul and we need to revisit this pressing issue a few times before we come to a final conclusion.  Still, one thing is unquestionable—Bill’s Classic with American Cheese is worth getting to know (very well).  Made from a custom blend of Pat LaFrieda beef, the burger patty is well seasoned and has great flavor, especially considering how relatively thin each one is (we suspect the spatula is expertly used with a heavy, yet discerning hand).  The result is a crispy beef patty covered in a melted slice of American cheese situated in between a soft bun and the requisite accoutrements of lettuce, tomato and pickles.  Our Bill’s Classic with American Cheese was perfectly cooked and though not substantial in size, was nonetheless quite filling.  While the french fries were crispy, salted just right, and arrived piping hot out of the fryer, we loved the beer battered onion rings even more—with a superbly crunchy texture, they were the ideal complement to our burger.  Wherever you may go to satisfy your burger fix, we suggest you give Bill’s Bar & Burger a legitimate chance to become the purveyor of your new favorite burger in the city.

Burgers, Eat & Drink, New York City

Though Mayor Bloomberg may have an issue with New Yorkers’ overall salt intake, the editors at DS are convinced that using a higher quality salt (in selectively measured amounts) can yield some highly flavorful results without being unhealthy.  Leave it to some native Kentuckians to come up with the means to this savory end.  Perfect for seasoning your soups, stews and any of your basic proteins, Rattlesnake Hill Farm Bourbon Smoked Garlic Salt (available at Rattlesnake Hill Farm for $6) is a Kosher Celtic sea salt infused with an exquisite combination of bourbon and sustainably grown garlic that will add a layer of complexity to any dish in need of a flavor boost.  As quantities are limited and subject to availability, we suggest getting your spice rack stocked with at least a few bottles.

Eat & Drink, Kitchen

Made out of investment-cast stainless steel, borosilicate glass (Pyrex), and food-grade silicone, the Sorapot Teapot by Joey Roth (available at Sorapot starting from $200) transforms the straightforward process of steeping tea into an experience worth watching unfold.  The Sorapot features a distinctive design whose artistry can be appreciated on two levels.  The immediate: watching tea leaves unfurl as the water suspended in the glass tube is imbued with the natural blush of your tea; the eventual: watching your Sorapot take on its own unique characteristics over time as the uncoated stainless steel develops a distinctive patina and luster based on where it’s held, washed and even what tea is used.  Available in a hand-polished mirror finish and a matte finish, the Sorapot exemplifies how a deliberate attention to detail in design can separate the simple from the sublime.

Eat & Drink, Kitchen, Loft, Tea

When we hear the words “cast iron,” we usually think about cooking.  We don’t think of beer or Buddhist temples.  Crafted in Takaoka, Japan (where 17th century metal workers once produced religious items for Buddhist temples), the Cast Iron Wrench Bottle Opener (available at Design Within Reach for $30) exemplifies how the most unlikely of historical origins can perfectly translate to present day design.  The tradition of craftsmanship lives on in the Cast Iron Wrench Bottle Opener, providing you with a little bit of heft and a lot of brio for the next time you’ve got to open up a bottle of beer.

Beer, Eat & Drink, Kitchen, Loft

When the ball drops later on tonight, whether you’re carousing or keeping it low key, we hope you’re with good friends, family and loved ones celebrating the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010.  And if champagne happens to be in order, we recommend toasting to the new year with InsideOut Champagne Glasses by Alissia Melka-Teichroew (available at byAMT Studio for $60).  The double-walled glass insulates your favorite champagne or sparkling wine and the use of negative space (when filled) reveals exquisite lines.  Made of hand-blown glass, InsideOut Champagne Glasses are practically perfect in form, ensuring that any occasion involving a little bubbly will be all the more effervescent.

Champagne, Eat & Drink, Loft

Having just waited in an interminable line at our local grocery store, it was obvious that people were getting stocked up on the usual provisions for their New Year’s Eve parties.  Whatever may be on your own party essentials list, keeping your beverages ice cold is always of critical importance and with the AK47 Ice Tray (available at Charles & Marie for $15), you can add a little mischief to the mayhem of any party preparation and celebration.  Shaped like an ammunition clip, the AK47 Ice Tray produces a dozen bullet-shaped ice cubes that are ready to do their duty with precision, effectiveness and just the right amount of humor.

Eat & Drink, Kitchen, Loft

With the recent Star Trek reboot helmed by J.J. Abrams, even non-Trekkies found something to love about exploring strange new worlds and seeking out new life forms and new civilizations (and casting Zoe Saldana as Uhura certainly didn’t hurt either).  With a chrome finish and the registry numbers NCC-1701 printed on the hull, the Star Trek Enterprise Bottle Opener (available at ThinkGeek for $20) will facilitate your own ongoing mission to boldly seek out (and imbibe) bottled beers from all over the world—a worthy endeavor for fanboys (as well as the fangirl in your life).

Beer, Eat & Drink, Goin' Retro, Kitchen, Loft

Take one part blowfish and one part WWII sea mine, blend conceptually, and the end result is the Sake Bomb by Alexander Purcell (available at sakebombstore.com for $98).  Handcrafted in LA, the Sake Bomb comes in four colors (editor’s choice: orange) and a matte ceramic finish with thermal properties (keeping your sake hot or cold, as necessary).  And like the Sake Bomb’s sources of design inspiration, it’s all about the spines—you unscrew one to fill it up, you pour from another, and each one serves as the perfect perch for the sake cups.  We can’t imagine a more brilliant mash-up of two completely disparate items into one seamlessly functional pouring vessel.

Eat & Drink, Loft, Sake

Let your wine breathe or your cognac rest in the Wine Carafe by Sagaform Design Team (available at Amazon.com for $30).  With a 2 liter capacity and standing approximately 9 inches tall, the Wine Carafe has well-proportioned lines and a simple but striking oak stopper—a detail that sets this carafe/decanter apart from others.  And without having to break the bank, it’s the perfect gift for either yourself or the oenophile in your life.

Bar, Eat & Drink, Loft, Wine