Dapper Scout – A lifestyle web magazine for men

Over the years, we’ve received various unsolicited comments on our manner of attire—from the archaic “fashion plate” to the more timely “dandy” (which, while appreciated, is somewhat of a misnomer for us).  That said, we’re not as concerned with the semantics of style as much as the selectivity with which we accouter ourselves.  And for much of our lives, we’ve felt isolated in this endeavor, with little more than a GQ subscription to guide our way.  How things have changed.  There’s been a resurgence, if not outright evolution of men’s style and we’ve seen its impact everywhere, from the growing number of bespoke tailoring services in the city, to the ever increasing number of men who not only wear suits (when not required) but also choose their clothing and accessories with discernment and charm.

And it’s with this ethos in mind that the ever-rakish Poull Brien founded Cleverly Clothed, New York’s singular event series that connects the most dapper of men with new custom clothiers and men’s accessories brands while mingling with others (both men and women) of like-minded and distinguished taste.  This bi-monthly bacchanal combines the opportunity for networking with the simple joie de vivre that a little imbibing in the presence of exceptionally dressed individuals can only inspire.  And given that Dapper Scout is one of the co-hosts for this Friday’s event at Ella (see invitation above for details), we’re giving away exclusive complimentary passes to the first 20 readers who email us at info@dapperscout.com.  For those that don’t hear back from us, you can RSVP directly with Cleverly Clothed.  We’re looking forward to seeing you and it goes without saying, proper cocktail attire is required.

Events, Fashion, New York City, Style

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

Yes, we’re aware the speakeasy thing in New York may be getting a little out of hand.  But the Japanophile in us can’t help feeling differently about it when we see the Japanese take on it.  And if you’ve ever spent any time in Tokyo, you know the Japanese know a thing or two about sushi and incorporating minimalist design into small spaces.  Which bring us to Bohemian, a sushi restaurant hidden in the recesses of a NoHo Japanese butcher shop.  Sparsely appointed with sleek mismatched furniture, Bohemian’s ambience feels like a Kubrick-esque anachronism (but in a good way, we promise).  And with its (literal) connection with that certain butcher shop, it’s no surprise seeing a Washyu-Gyu Mini Burger on the menu.  When you do find Bohemian, it’s the perfect destination for you and your date as you navigate through the city in search of your next speakeasy adventure.

Eat & Drink, Kobe and Wagyu Beef, New York City, Speakeasy, Sushi

Though not having spent much time in ballrooms, when we heard about the Ballroom at The Jane Hotel, we had to check it out for ourselves.  The etiolated beauty of the Jane Ballroom perfectly channels the spirit of The Jane, which is over 100 years old and offers some of the most uniquely compact rooms of any hotel we’ve ever visited.  Though the ballroom’s ambience hearkens back to the days when the lavishness of hotel lobby bars was common, there’s something remarkably airy and light about this space even with the presence of expansive oriental rugs, a worn disco ball, mismatched vintage furniture, and an assortment of taxidermied critters.  And with three rooms available for your drinking pleasure, including a mezzanine level space and a separate bar tucked away to the side of the grand room, the Ballroom at The Jane Hotel is the perfect location for your next happy hour, birthday party or intimate encounter.

Bar, Eat & Drink, Happy Hour, Hotel, New York City

Though you’d basically have to fly to Japan to get your hands on true Kobe beef, Japan Premium Beef has made it just a bit easier for New Yorkers to get their hands on “Washugyu”—a crossbreed of Wagyu and Black Angus raised in Oregon that’s fed based on a genuine Japanese program without the use of any growth promotants or added antibiotics.  The newly opened NoHo Japanese butcher shop is helmed by butcher Eiichi Yamamoto, who deftly wields specialized knives capable of slicing raw meat into supremely thin slices.  The Wagyu-style American beef is always fresh and ready for your next foray into the luxuriously marbled world of Washugyu, with prices ranging from $4.99/lb for ground beef to $59.18/lb for filet mignon.  So whether you’re there to pick up fresh ground Wagyu for your next summer BBQ’s burgers or in search of a secret sushi enclave, your taste for all things Washugyu will be fully satisfied.

Eat & Drink, Kobe and Wagyu Beef, New York City

Jerry Seinfeld once said “the key to eating a black and white cookie is that you wanna get some black and some white in each bite.  Nothing mixes better than vanilla and chocolate.”  Truer words were never spoken and never more deliciously realized than in William Greenberg Jr. Desserts’ Black and White Cookie (available at William Greenberg Jr. Desserts for $3.50/each), unquestionably the best black & white cookie we’ve ever had.  Perfectly moist and more cake-like than a cookie, with rich chocolate and vanilla icing, it’s the epitome of the New York black & white cookie.

Bakery, Cookies, Eat & Drink, New York City

Bacon.  Ham.  Porkchops.  Homer Simpson once could not imagine all that goodness coming from one wonderful, magical animal.  But Resto, one of our favorite restaurants in New York for all things Belgian, has taken the nose to tail concept of eating to a new level.  With their newly introduced Large Format Feast (approximately $65/person), Resto allows you to pick an animal (options include suckling pig, spring lamb, guinea hen, and whole striped bass among others) and they’ll take care of the rest by designing a seasonal, custom menu using the entire animal broken down to its primal parts, all for you and your entire party (up to 18 people).  With just one week notice required, the Large Format Feast is the perfect way to celebrate birthdays, bachelor parties, or for no other reason than to assert your place at the top of the food chain.

Belgian, Eat & Drink, New York City, Restaurants

Winner of the Grand Prize at the 2008 Vendy Awards for Top Street Cart in New York City, Calexico (serving tacos and burritos from $3 – $7) offers some of the best Mexican food in New York City.  Started by three brothers, Calexico operates from two carts in SoHo—at the intersections of Broadway and Broome and at Wooster and Prince.  Lunch is served daily from 11am to 4pm.  And don’t let the line discourage you, the California style Mexican is well worth the wait.  We recommend the quesadillas or anything with chipotle pork.  And if street carts aren’t your thing, Calexico’s sit down restaurant is due to open shortly in Red Hook, Brooklyn.

Eat & Drink, Mexican, New York City

Dapper Scout reviews New York City golf courses and lists our top five favorites. Whether you live in Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens or Staten Island, you’ll find a number of great courses practically in your back yard. [Read the full story]

Best of, Golf, Leisure, New York City

Takahiro was turning a critical eye towards the unruly mop on top of my head and cautiously started asking this DS editor a couple questions about my last haircut.  Less than a couple weeks removed from a $14 haircut at a particular establishment on Astor Place, I realized that I looked like I had basically gotten a $14 haircut, and so did Takahiro.  After thoughtfully listening to what I wanted from my haircut, Takahiro spent the next hour fastidiously cutting my hair as I sat in one of the few available chairs at Takamichi Saeki’s eponymous Takamichi Hair salon, located in a 7th floor loft space in NoHo, accessible only by a service elevator that comely assistants operate as they chaperone you to and from the lobby floor.  The space itself is airy and light, simple and functional.  The true magic happens as you’re seated and the stylists have their way with your hair.  Haircuts range from $85 for a stylist up to $120 for a haircut from the creative director himself, Takamichi Saeki.  With an emphasis on cutting hair that maintains its style integrity as it grows out, consider it a worthwhile investment in these uncertain times.

Grooming, Hair Salon, New York City, Style