The Ritz Carlton in Jamaica

Ahh, the Ritz Carlton in Jamaica.  Beautiful grounds, amazing rooms, and fantastic food… what more could you want?  Every-ting irie, mon!  Well, the whole point of traveling to an amazing destination is to take advantage of the local scene.  In Paris, you have to see the Eiffel Tower and eat french fries with mayonnaise.  In Australia, you go to the Great Barrier Reef, and drink a Victoria Bitter (NOT a Foster’s!).  These days, with all inclusive destinations and hotels that have everything you could ever need, we may forget to go outside and sample the true local culture.  Does that mean that when you are in Mexico you should sip tea with the drug cartels?  No.  Or be as risky as to eat chicken that is being cooked on the street in Manila?  Not unless you want to lose 10 pounds, the wrong way.  But definitely get out there to a local watering hole and mingle with the locals.

I thought it was warm in Jamaica! Hello, local!

I was asked what the best part of my trip to Jamaica was.  The answer was an easy one.  Learning Jamaican slang from a group of locals.  It was great to find out about these people and laugh and ask questions and make new friends.  So next time you are contemplating a massage in the spa, go to a house party instead.  Otherwise, you could have just stayed home.  Bon Voyage!

Oooh, steak. Image courtesy of iStockphoto/Thinkstock.

There are a few things men should know how to do.  Drive a manual car, mix a martini, use a chainsaw, and cook a steak.  We’ll work on the chainsaw skills some other time.  But today, we are going to review how to make a great, nay, a PERFECT steak at home.

We spend a grip of money on cooked cow at amazing dining places and wonder how these places could make beef taste like heaven.  The crazy truth of the matter is that steak is really not that hard to do well.  How, you ask?  How?  I’ve done the research for myself, and now you, faithful reader, will benefit from all of my hard work (read: 10 minutes on the internet, and asking a friend of mine that is a chef).

First of all, most steakhouses will not cook a steak on the grill.  They will use a cast iron skillet, or something equivalent.  The  brand of choice is called Lodge, and  a 12″ skillet will set you back a whole $20 at most places.  Now let’s go get some meat!

Considering the cut, there is tenderness and there is flavor.  The most tender meat is not necessarily the most flavorful.  Rib-eye and sirloin seem to be the perfect combination of tenderness and flavor, which comes from the fat, or what those in the know call marbling.  If you can find Prime grade and you want to shell out the money, well then go big.  Otherwise, Choice should do us just fine.  Make sure that the meat is thick.  The thicker, the better.

We need to bring the meat to room temperature so that it will cook evenly.  Pull it out of the fridge and let it sit covered with plastic wrap for a good 30 minutes, maybe less if it is warm out.  Next, we need to preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  OK, now preheat that skillet for 10 minutes before we put the steak in it.  This may cause some smoking, so turn on the vent fan and open a window.  Turning off your smoke detector may also be a good idea.  You can tenderize the steak if you want at this point.  Let’s put a little canola oil on it since it has a high smoke point.  Our seasoning will be sea salt or kosher salt, and coarsely ground black pepper.  You can also add a bit of brown sugar to the mix for a nice crust.  Great.

Your oven is preheated, as is the skillet, and the process is quick so we have to have everything ready.  A pat of butter, 2 cloves of garlic and if you want, some thyme or other herbs should be on hand.  Lay that bad boy into the skillet and set the timer for 2 minutes.  Smoke, sizzle, whatever, just leave it alone for 2 minutes.  When that side is done, you flip it over with tongs and NOT with a fork or anything else that will pierce the meat and let the juices run out of it.  Riiiiiiight, that’s it.  After those 2 minutes, get a hot pad  and get ready to transfer the skillet into that oven.  Put the pat of butter on the steak and garlic and herbs in the pan, and into the oven it goes.  The meat should be checked every 2 minutes or so.  You can check doneness by pressing the meat with your finger, or by using a meat thermometer.

Note:  The meat of your hand between your thumb and your pointing finger is how we gauge tenderness and doneness.  If your hand is open and relaxed, and you touch that flesh, that should be a medium rare steak.  Now if you were to squeeze all of your fingers together and press that meaty part again, that would be medium well.  If you’re using a meat thermometer, 130-135 is medium rare, 140-145 is medium, and 150-155 is medium well.  REMEMBER to take the meat out 5 degrees BELOW your desired doneness since it will continue to cook even after it is out of the oven.

Almost there, and mmm, that smells real good.  Mm hmm, REEEEAAAAAL guuuuuuuud.   Take it out of the oven and out of the skillet and onto a plate to rest for 5 minutes.  If you want to do something while the meat is taking a moment to itself, you could pour just a bit of balsamic vinegar into your skillet and use a wooden spatula to scrape off all the good badness to make a little gravy.  If you want to get a little saucier, pun intended,  you could add 1/2 a cup of shallots, 2 cloves of crushed garlic, a cup of red wine (port does well) and some dijon mustard to make a mean reduction.  Just combine it all on the heat and then pour it over the top.

If you are going to cut the steak, cut against the grain.  Some people do bleu cheese crumbles on top, others just eat it straight up.  Whatever you choose, be proud.  You are that much closer to being a complete man.

If you are looking for the quintessential Southern California beach experience, Huntington Beach is a great destination. And if you want the perfect combination of beach house and contemporary hotel, then the Shorebreak is for you.

Ahhhh, summertime in SoCal...

Just off of Main Street in downtown Huntington, you will find the Shorebreak. As soon as you enter, you feel what the space is striving for. Comfortable, relaxed, but still refined accomodations. There are bikes and surfboards alongside amazing photos of the local scenery (courtesy of Aaron Chang). Go upstairs to the lobby and the wide open spaces that meld with the outdoors. On one side is a lively bar and restaurant with wide balcony spaces that is offset by a quiet courtyard with fire pits on the other side. The decor is one part beach retreat, one part modern design mixed with a hint of quirky local flavor.

Steps from the sand.

The guest rooms are well thought out with every detail combining seamlessly to enhance the experience. It’s a quick jaunt down to Main Street where the surf shops, bars, and breakfast joints are in abundance. You are less than a one minute walk from the Huntington Beach Pier, and a surfing haven. Take in the sand and the sun, or watch it all from your balcony patio. It’s also pet friendly, so pack up Fido and the boards, and get out there!

www.shorebreakhotel.com

Just imagine it packed with models. Female models. Female lingerie models. OK

Boom tuh tuh bap, boom buh boom bap… YEAH! Beatboxing, kid! You feeling it? Cool! Let’s round up some folks, and head to Hollywooooooood!

I don’t go out in Hollywood too much, despite the fact that I live in L.A. Traffic, parking and a line to get in are not so appealing, but do-able if the end result is worth it. Well, Drai’s may just be worth it. It sits atop the decadent, new W Hotel in Hollywood. It’s deep enough in the ‘Wood that traffic can be worked around, there is parking across the street, and of course valet, so now all you have to deal with is getting in.
I went to a decent little private gig there just last week, and the place is nice. It’s what a club is supposed to be. There are plenty of booths on different levels so everyone can see what the talent is like. There are poles for the go-go dancers, and for the regular hotties, too. The club was packed, and yet the multiple bars were handling the crowds with a certain ease. If you don’t want to worry about the line, make a dinner reservation. There are indoor and outdoor areas that seem to flow into each other and yet provide varying levels of clubdom. The inside is a packed dance floor and bottle service is a must next to the dj booth. As you move outside where there are private cabanas next to the pool, the vibe is still vibrant but also relaxed.

I hope the girl in white doesn't fall into the pool. Yeah I do.

I always wonder where the ideas are invented for club scenes in the movies, but Drai’s could be in a movie. Or you could always make your own (you dirty dog). Give it a shot, and don’t forget to tip your waitress!

Communication. Best with twin sisters and cream puffs. Image courtesy of iStockphoto/Thinkstock.

Reader, pardon me while I wax poetic for a moment.

It’s good being a boy.  It means getting riled up over females.  It means we are excused from having perfect manners.  But it especially means that we have our own way of communicating that can be as effective as it is confusing to the opposite sex.

They say that women are better communicators than men.  I say that we are just different.  Women can really dig deep into their psyches and say what they are feeling,… sometimes.  Men do the same, we just aren’t that deep.

TWO EXAMPLES:

My buddy’s wife was trying to arrange a game of Bunco (some strange feminine rite of passage) and was offended when some invitees were responding with uncertainty about attending.  But, she couldn’t verbalize that she was hurt because she didn’t want them to know that she was hurt, nor did she want to say anything that would hurt their feelings.  Women are more emotional than men.  It’s not a bad thing, it’s just true.  Men are more logical.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve ditched a boy’s night out to try to hook it up with some hot little mama.  We could have planned it for weeks, bought tickets, or whatever, but my boy’s recognize that trying to get a little tail supercedes the boy’s.

Boys razz each other all the time.  When was the last time you heard a girl tell her friend she had put on weight?  Guys do it all the time.  We might say it when it hasn’t even happened!  We can tell our friends when a chick is not good for you, but you should stick around if the benefits outweigh the drama.  If you made a dumb move, you probably let us know because it makes a good story, and we can all relate because we’ve all done dumb things.

Besides celebrating our masculinity, I want to remind you boys not to act like girls.  We’re not overly sensitive, so don’t be.  We’re not possessive, or insecure about our friends, and we celebrate when one of our friends wins.

So be good to your girls, but be true to being a boy.

It takes a lot of effort to look this bad. Image courtesy of Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Thinkstock.

Good morning, boys and girls.  The word of the day is effort.  Do you know what that means?  It is defined as “a conscious exertion of power.”

It seems to me that just a little bit of effort goes a long way.  Take for example school.  We all went to school basically 5 days a week for 6 hours or so.  If you do basically nothing, you will get mostly “C’s” .  On the other hand, if you put forth just a bit of effort, you will get “B’s” and “A’s”.  I think that translates in most facets of life.  Work, relationships, finances or style can all be improved with just a bit of effort.  You just have to be cognizant of the world around you.  Just pay attention and be aware.

I see people at the gym that attend religiously, and yet they still look a bit sloppy.  They are already waking up early and getting there, but then when it counts, they don’t take that extra step.  Again, it is being conscious of what you are doing and closing the deal.  If you are in a relationship, listen to what your gal is saying and be in the moment.  The difference between being a boyfriend and being an amazing boyfriend could just be flowers every so often.  A great religious quote is “take one step toward God, and he will take two steps towards you.”

With your style, be true to your own self, but also be aware of what works.  It doesn’t mean you need a lot of money or you have to look like a model, it just means you have to put in a bit of effort.

That’s our lesson for the day, kids.  Now go out and put it into action.

There are parties that we should all be aware exist, because they should be experienced at least once in our lifetimes. The Manhattan Beach 6 Man/Woman Volleyball tournament is one such party.

Now, where were we supposed to meet?

JWD: Jumpserving while drinking.

Six man, as it has come to be known, is a world famous weekend volleyball tournament with costumes and booze. Women in all varieties of flesh baring outfits bouncing around certainly brings out the best in all of us! On the men’s side, you can watch in awe at how ‘Men in Skirts’ spike the ball wearing moo moo’s and sun hats.  ’Team Fletch’ are all looking sharp in their Lakers jerseys and afro wigs. But don’t get it twisted, even while the competitors are buzzed on Bloody Mary’s, they are still playing some great volleyball. You can see plenty of AVP pros current and past getting into the action and the debauchery.

But let’s not kid ourselves, we came to see the hot girls in bikinis.  Well, there is plenty of that, too.  This year 6 man will take place on July 31st and August 1st.  If you want more info, check the website:  http://www.surffestival.org/Volleyball/volleyball%20index.htm.

Don’t forget to bring protection!  I recommend at least SPF 50.  No one wants to go home with a sunburn.

Now that's team spirit! Or spirits!

We’re in a recession.  And we here at ESM want to do our part in helping out.  You still need a new pair of sunnies for the beach this summer, and they need to be sweet, but also a sweet deal.

Electric's Shotglass. We like the sound of it.

In the last few years, surf labels have extended their reach from just trunks and sandals to nice button down shirts, relaxed slacks, and cool accessories.  We’ve already told you about Nixon watches, now let us dispense some info about the sunglasses industry.  While we love our Dolce and Gabbanas, and can’t live without our Persols, we need some more options that come in around the $100 price point as opposed to the 2nd mortgage on the home price point.  Oakley and Ray Ban have always given us some solid picks but if you want something a bit different, look to your neighborhood surf store.

Spy's Haymaker, hits you with a waBAM!!!

Spy, Von Zipper, Sabre, and Electric all have some great styles at a great price.  Take a look on Zappos.com for good deals on last seasons models, too.  Don’t be out of style just because you are out of pocket!  C’mon man!  You need that tint to look at all of the bikinis at the beach!

No more outlet shopping!  No more outlet shopping!  50% off crap is still crap.  Leave that stuff to the tourists who like the hot pink Hugo Boss polo with the logo emblazoned on the back.  That’s not for us.

What IS for us is killer stylee stuff for pennies on the dollar!  And if not, just great fashion that will allow us to pay for a new bicycle seat for our only mode of transportation.

The list is for L.A. and New York because it is.  Live there, take a trip there, or find your own deals in your own towns, I can’t do it all.

Barney's Sale. Yeeeaaaahh.

Let’s start in Los Angeles.

In July, there is Nordstrom’s Half Yearly, and the Barney’s Warehouse Sale.  Nordy’s is pretty organized and since they are more of a big department store, there is more to choose from.  Barney’s may have those really high end pieces, but you have to sift through a lot of stuff to get to it.  Their sale is massive enough to have been held in the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica Airport, but this year it will move to the L.A. Convention Center.  Another bonus is seeing the shopping crazed women in catsuits trying clothes on.  In August, Neiman Marcus holds their Last Call Neiman Marcus Sale.  Now since Neiman’s is more like a super boutique, there may be some smaller labels that have really great gear.  Hopefully you can find that one thing you’re looking for at an insane discount.  October is one of my favorites: The Fred Segal Sale.  This is the place for Hollywood Stars to blow all of their dough on edgy style.  Thankfully, during their sale, they are just trying to clean house.  So the prices get better every day that passes.  If you’re not sure that you want to spend $250 for some Japanese designer jeans (that originally cost $500), shove them in the bottom of the pile and hopefully when you go back in a couple more days, they will still be there and now cost $100.  November holds our last sale, the California Mart Sample Sale.  Before you go, take a look at the vendors and see whose showroom you want to hit up.

That’s it for Los Angeles.  We’ll get to New York on the next go round.  Save up those dollars, and mark your calendars.

Ooh, who's been naughty? Yeeeahhh, oh, I mean BMW's 550i GT

The auto industry is giving us more options than ever. From 22″ OEM wheels to self parking cars, electrics and hybrids, there is no shortage of choices. We also have more genres to choose from. The European automakers have combined our big American SUV ideas with their luxury sedans and sprinkled in a bit of Grand Touring to create what may become the most functional and fun group of cars yet.

In 2010, BMW is bringing their BMW 550i GT to market. I’ve seen it, and I’m a fan. It takes our definitions of what transportation should look like and blurs the lines that separate the species. I can load it up with with family and gear and head to the beach just as easily as I can test the autobahn’s speed limit, or lack thereof.
The engine is the same that you will find in the 750, and that is necessarily a good thing. That’s 400 horses to get you to the grocery store and back before that steak burns. The interior is fucntional and spacious, with cargo space up to 60 cubic feet with the seats folded down. How many Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders will fit in that space?

Take a look-see for yourself, and see if it belongs in your garage.

Yarrr, the shaving pirate of Penzance. Image courtesy of iStockphoto/Thinkstock.

Almost there, boys. We’ve dealt with the body hair, and the eyebrows are looking sharp. What else is left? Let me tell you. There’s ear hair, nose hair, and the beard/mustache area. Let’s tighten it up.

I was getting my haircut a while back, and my hairstylist pointed out that I had a straggler on my ear! Ohhh, really? Yeah. No more Mr. Nice Grooming Guy. Pluck that sucker. If you’ve got one or two, and a spotter (wife, girlfriend, hairstylist) that can look out for you, then plucking is right on. If you’ve got what looks like a pelt, then you need to hit up the waxing place. Don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt that badly. Or so I’ve been told. Man up!

From the ear it’s a short little jaunt down to the nose. Your issue may be hair on the nose, in the nose, or the combo pack. Again, if you just have a small one or two on the outside, pluck. If you are furry, wax. It should last a while. Inside the nose? Get yourself some tweezerman facial hair scissors or step it up with the deluxe trimmer. Flare your nostrils, wrinkle your nose up, and clean it up for God’s sake, MAN! Be careful with those scissors. The skin on the inside of your nose is very delicate, I learned the hard way. If you don’t have a steady hair sniper hand, then buck up and get the trimmer. Your nose will thank me later.

Last, but certainly not least, we get to the beard and mustache area. We all know how to shave, but I will dispense some gems that I have learned from other folks that know aesthetics. If you use an electric, good on ya. They are easy enough to use every day, and there is not too much to tell you. Just take a close look to make sure you don’t have a trouble spot that is harder to get to that you always miss. If you use a blade, change the blade frequently. Shower BEFORE you shave, and while the hair is still wet, use a healthy amount of shaving cream. My favorite is Aveeno. It is so mild that my face doesn’t feel any burn whatsoever. If you need to shave with a blade multiple days in a row, use shaving cream the first day, then lather your 5 o’clock shadow on subsequent days with a mild soap. Shave in the direction of the hair, and then to get really close, shave in the opposite direction.

That’s it, chaps! Hope you got something out of this, even if it’s just a laugh.

We’re rapidly approaching summer, and we need to get a few pieces to round out our wardrobe.  While you are planning your escape to that tropical island, or a beach wedding, or yachting through the Greek Isles, don’t forget to pack your linen pants.  They are dressed up enough to hit the nicest restaurant on Lake Como, and relaxed enough to roll around in the sand with your new French girlfriend in Biarritz.

Looks like someone shares our affinity for linen pants.

Most basic linens are drawstring in a very neutral color.  You really can’t go wrong with that.  I would shy away from pleats, or at least keep them to a single, to stay true to the simple nature of the pant.  I’ve owned royal blue linens, courtesy of Ralph Lauren Purple Label, that were pretty bold if I do say so myself.  I still have a pair in black by Calvin Klein that I have had for more than a few seasons.  The faded shades of blue and even green can be a nice little departure from the norm.  I always like white, they just seem crisp and clean.  Invest well and take care of them, the style is timeless and they will last.  Pair them with a linen shirt, a loose v-neck t-shirt, a summer weight sweater, or collared shirt, and then just wait for the lovely ladies to start flocking.  Bring it on, summer, we’re ready!