Sometimes there are too many updates, gripes, and recommendations to fit into one focused email. So here’s a new format for all the miscellany. I’m calling it Diversions - is that lame? Probably. They’ll be monthly-ish, themed loosely around whatever’s going on in my brain.

This first edition is particularly manic, which reflects a manic first quarter of the year for me. Buckle up.

Prints

First up, there’s a new print available for paid members.

It’ll be printed on 11 x 14 fine art paper with 1-1.5” borders. They’ll be shipping at the beginning of May (probably). Interested? 

San Pancho, Mexico

We spent a few nights down in San Pancho in early February. It was a lazy, beachy trip fueled by raicilla and carnaza. Since I wrote about raicilla a few years back, I’ve been pretty keen on Jalisco (and Nayarit). I think there’s a strong case to be made for Jalisco having the best food and drink in Mexico. That’s a big statement, I know. I’m not committed to it, so if someone would like to prove me wrong please do.

San Francisco, California

Two nights in the city in early March, mostly to see family and friends, but with some time to wander around. The first night I used Meander, which took me to Capo’s by Tony Gemignani - solid old school American Italian, no complaints. Also made it to Foreign Cinema, which was a cool space with solid food & drink. We had a lunch there but supposedly in the evening they’ll play old films while you eat.

Question for my SF friends though - why do restaurants close at nine? Is there really no appetite for a late night happy hour?? It still feels like I’m alone on that island...

Newark, NJ

Boring life stuff took me to Newark, NJ in mid-March. I showed up with low expectations - lower than that, actually. But I had no reason for such negativity other than longstanding misguidedness after almost 10 years on the East Coast. 

I spent two nights near the Ironbound neighborhood, which is heavy with Spanish and Portuguese immigrant populations, and had two of the better meals I’ve had this year. The first night was at Casa d’Paco, a tapas bar that was really excellent. The bartender, who was from São Paulo, told me to go to Sabor Unido, a Brazilian joint, the next night. Also great.

He scribbled down a few other spots on a notepad. I didn’t have a chance to go to all, but based on his enthusiasm and the Sabor Unido recommendation, I imagine these are worth a visit.

Related, handwritten recs from someone who actually lives there should be the new currency.

The TWA Hotel

You already have my pictures, but a little more context on the hotel itself since I did stay the night.

It’s expensive, about $350 or so per night. The room was fine - clean, simple, and comfortable. Though at that price the value is really just in existing in the terminal, which you can do for free without a reservation. That said, I enjoyed wandering it at night, which is easier to pull off as a guest. You could pay more for a room with a view of the runway, but then you’re over $400 easy. The gym is massive and well outfitted, if that matters to you. But unless you’re flying out of Terminal 5, it’s pretty inconvenient to get to and from the terminals and you’ll have to go through security to catch your flight.

It’s a beautiful space and I’d stay there again, but only if the timing worked out well enough.

The Cotswolds

After Newark and a night at the TWA Hotel, it was off to England. This was a quick trip, only four nights. But it was the kind of trip where I didn’t have to think too hard. After The Morning Tipple, I know my way through the Cotswolds well enough to show a friend around and have some proper cask ale in a good pub. And that’s exactly what we did. 

The first stop in the area had to be Stroud Brewery. Stroud is unique because 1) it’s one of the only taprooms in the country that predominantly serves real ale and; 2) it’s a real community hub for residents of Stroud. The food menu is also very vegetarian friendly, the halloumi burger was fantastic. It’s no accident either because Stroud is the reflection of Greg Pilley, a friend of mine and founder of the brewery. A while back he did some really fascinating research on the relationship between alcohol and communities - he’s just one of those guys who has so many stories and it’s always a good time chatting with him.

More on pubs and the Cotswolds soon.

Photography

For my photography nerds out there, the image below on the left was the location of the first ever photographic negative ever taken with a camera like what’s in the middle.

It was made by rich guy William Henry Fox Talbot at Lacock Abbey. We had some cool light coming in that I was particularly fond of on the left hand side of the window.

Gear

On most of the above trips I took the Matador GlobeRider 35L backpack. It is almostttt ready to replace the Minaal 2.0/3.0 as my favorite travel backpack. It packs well, enough organization (though almost too much), and carries well. I picked it up last year and I just find myself reaching for it more and more. That’s a big deal, because I’m a backpack snob, so I don’t say that lightly. If you’re in the market for some upcoming travel and want a good backpack, especially for one-bag ventures, give this one a look.

I’ll be sending out an updated kit list shortly.

Reading / Watching / Listening

Alicia Kennedy’s new book, On Eating, is out next week! Alicia is one of my favorite food and culture writers around so it was an instant pre-order. Very stoked to read it.

Alicia also launched a new digital publication, Tomato Tomato. If you like reading about food and culture, this is for you. On Boston was one of my favorites from the first edition.

Cocktails, Always, Again by Julia Langbein in Gourmet Magazine. Drinking expensive cocktails in expensive places while the world burns.

Are You Enjoying Our Linguine? by Francesco Pacifico in The Dial. An essay on tourism and pretty much existing in 2026. 

Death at the White Hart by Chris Chibnall (of Broadchurch). It’s a pub-y murder mystery set in a small town in England, which is pretty much right up my alley. It was a quick and easy read, but plenty satisfying. 

The Moon and Sixpence by W. Somerset Maugham. A random read, for sure. It’s loosely based on Gauguin and asks whether genuine creative genius is fundamentally incompatible with everyone and everything around it. The last fifty pages or so are a little weird.

The Knight of the Seven Kingdoms on HBO. I was pretty nervous to give any more of my attention to the Game of Thrones universe, this was a great watch. It’s a fun change of pace and more light-hearted than the other GoT shows. There is some Battle of the Bastards level intensity, though.

Industry on HBO is a guilty pleasure. It’s like Succession but more cocaine and sex. A good binge on a long flight.

---

Phew, that’s it for this month. I’m sure I left something out, but we’ll try better next time. 

Skylar