All posts by A Scott. Walton

A. Scott Walton is a veteran lifestyle, sports, fashion, travel and entertainment writer. He has written extensively for major daily newspapers such as the Nashville Tennessean, The Detroit Free Press and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In addition, he's corresponded for dozens of special interest websites and magazines. He majored in Communication at Vanderbilt University.

Check, Mate: Chess Gets its Sexy Back

Stop swiping randomly right and left on your smartphone for just a second. Why not try a new twist on an ancient concept of conquest instead?

There’s a niche for everyone to embrace chess at its purest or self-expressive forms. Critics say two recent screen gems – Pawn Sacrifice, starring Tobey Maguire and Liev Schreiber, and The Dark Horse, starring Cliff Curtis (Fear the Walking Dead) – should spark major interest in this game of strategy that has literally torn families and nations apart and driven prodigal geniuses crazy. At the cutting edge of virtual reality, chess fanatics compile and share lists of the world’s sexiest chess players. Sites for chess singles who only date their own kind are mushrooming.

A nice chess set can serve as a conversation piece or an aphrodisiac these days. Go head-to-head, eye-to-eye and hand-to-hand over a chess board if you really want to feel intimate and empowered with somebody. Here are seven chess sets that could take your game up another notch.

Glowing Chess Set

glow chess set

Cue up the Teddy Pendergrass soundtrack, dim the lights and get busy with this LED Glow set. The pieces don’t stop glowing until they’re captured. The polished playing board is powered by a plug-adapter or AA batteries, so there’s always a flicker of hope that events will unfold in your favor.

 

Sets From King-Sized to Micro

life size chess setAwe your opponent with the expanse of your devotion to the game with a King-Sized Lawn Set. Pieces as tall as 12 feet are hoisted and moved across boards landscaped to wide open space perfection. Or, make them green with envy through subtle or grand gestures on a Micro Planter set  – where seeds cunningly sprout from  3D-printed pieces. Players must maneuver pieces planted with tiny herbs and succulents around the board.

 

Shot Glass Chess

shot glass chess

Play on a Shot Glass set to ease the pain of getting out-witted at every move. On this tempered glass set, players make opponents pay not only with the loss of a captured piece but with a jolt of libation as well. Each piece’s volume is measured by its value in the game: Pity the fool who loses the queen. With 16 pieces per side at risk, losers should probably think twice about demanding a rematch.

 

African Challenge

african chess set

Tame the other “player” in the midst with an African Challenge set. The pieces are hand-carved from soft sese wood to mimic monuments in Ghana; and the board is covered in tooled leather. The rules of the game remain the same, but sets like this offer a home field advantage in terms of style points.

Wobble Set

wobble chess set

Note the difference between your queen getting tipsy versus getting toppled with the Wobble set from Umbra. The round-bottomed walnut and maple wood pieces are cupped by concave squares on the board.  As players waiver and waffle over their next moves, the pieces wiggle it just a little bit. Blame it on the board, in case it seems like your playing hand’s trembling.

Wood Travel Set

wooden magnetic chess setBring your A-game everywhere you go with a folding, Magnetized Wood Travel Set from The House of Staunton. This self-contained set made of rosewood and maple tucks away as easily as an airport newsstand paperback. Turbulence? No problem: The board and pieces are so highly magnetized you can play upside down.

 

Minimalist Chess

bauhaus chess set

Apply your basic instincts with a block-shaped Bauhaus set. The pieces’ minimalist design dates back to the austere 1920s. stressing function over ornate forms. This set makes the simplest of statements: Like any other game, chess is more mental than physical. And yes, size does matter.

 

The Best Sleep Money Can Buy

Let’s talk about sleep, baby. Be honest. Are you getting enough? Probably not, if: someone snores way too loud, flops from side to side all night, hogs the blankets or drags their workday baggage into bed like a soggy duvet. Sleep deprivation doesn’t help when you’re paying the cost to be the boss at the office, the gym, or the carpool lane.

The good news is that you actually can twist the “snooze or lose” equation in your favor without medicinal aid. But it’ll still cost ya. Business is booming for innovators in the deep sleep industry, and it’s truly in your best interest to buy in. Here, we’ve selected six items to help you get the best sleep money can buy.

Ghosts in “The Machine”

The launch of Casper’s new dual-layered pillows haunts competitors because they uphold the “snooze control” mystique that the brand’s mattresses have generated.

Casper Pillow
The Casper Pillow | Image Courtesy of ©Casper

Sound Asleep

Without the need for headphones or the threat of disturbing a bedmate, the Dream Pad pillow emits soothing musical vibrations through the inner ear via a wireless connection with smart phones.

dreampad pillows bed
All four sizes of the Dreampad pillows | Image courtesy of Dreampad

Siesta in Sync

Consumer Reports ranks the Ikea MORGONGÅVA (queen-size) mattress among the market’s best for ease of movement and lowest disturbance of a partner’s peaceful slumber. Bonus: It’s one of the few Ikea items outside of the food court that doesn’t require assembly.

couple sleeping in bed

Dryer Sheets

Recycle the bed sweat you dread nightly with a 37.5 (Celcius) Sheet Performance set that gradually converts absorbed moisture into a vapor that regulates body temperature and reduces the need to flip the pillow over and over.

sheets in bed
Image via Stocksnap under license CC0

Rise and Shine

Hit the sack with your mind at ease, knowing that the Crane + Canopy Nova Duvet cover lightens the chore of making the bed in the morning.  The design combines the duvet cover and flat sheet, shortening the time needed to straighten up and start fresh by 80 percent.

Bedroom interior in modern style, 3d images

Haute Pajamas

Fashion’s most influential arbiters currently rave about the “pajama look” that dispels previous notions about how to work the pre-dawn walk of shame. Suddenly, it’s stylish to stroll out for breakfast wearing little else than what looks like your boyfriend’s shirt. Labels like For Restless Sleepers defy explanations of how, when or where you slept.

fashionable sleep

Things You Never Knew About People with Red Hair

Kermit the Frog should step off the lily pad of self pity and stop croaking that, “It’s not easy being green.” Redheads dwell in a gene pool that’s far less hospitable. Sperm banks worldwide politely decline “donations” from ginger gents because the demand for their signature trait is so low. Scientists persistently produce data showing how redheads run a higher risk of developing skin cancers. The gossip media feasts on celebrities’ decisions to dye their hair red; denouncing the choice as a plea for attention. Meanwhile, the advertising industry floods our attention with an exaggerated stream of models with red hair because their rare existence – in reality – is so titillating to the eye. Some historians trace redheads’ scorn and allure back as far as the 11th Century, when Nordic Vikings pillaged the British isles. They may be dwindling in numbers, but redheads command our attention as much as the beasts of “Jurassic Park.”

RED HERRINGS

The advertising industry blatantly fosters the false impression that redheads are far more prevalent in society than they actually are. While researchers generally concur that only two percent of Americans are redheads, an extensive study conducted by Upstream Analysis showed that one-third of the 1,700 commercials aired during prime time in a five-day stretch on ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox featured red-headed characters, and more than half of those ads cast redheads as the main character. The study concluded that advertisers rely on the fact that consumers tend to act on impulse when exposed to visual novelties.

Beauty portrait of tender woman with beautiful long red hair

CODE RED

Researchers agree that red hair is a mutation that comes from the rare MC1R pigmentation gene. And the journal LiveScience has identified five distinct health risks that those who carry the gene have in common.

1) People with red hair have twice the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease than their black-haired counterparts.

2) Carriers of the MC1R gene may suffer a higher rate of tooth decay and gum disease due to their lower tolerance for pain and requirements for larger doses of anesthesia at the dentist’s office.

3) Endometriosis – the painful growth of tissue outside of the uterus – afflicts women with red hair at rates of up to 30 percent more than it does other women between ages 25 to 42.

4) Lab experiments on mice bred with the MC1R gene showed a higher propensity for skin cancer.

5) One out of every 20,000 carriers of the MC1R gene is at risk of developing Congenital Melanocytic Naevi skin discolorations.

Other research indicates that as children, redheads suffer from diminished self-esteem and high rates of self-imposed isolation from their peers.

brother sister red hair
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

RED SCARE

While the general consensus among researchers is that redheads represent two percent of the worldwide population, there is rampant speculation over whether their genetic mutation could be wiped off the face of the earth entirely over time. Some analysts, like those at the gene-tracing firm ScotlandsDNA, say climate change could be blamed if redheads go the way of the dinosaur. Their reasoning: Global warming could drastically reduce the number of cloudy days, leaving carriers of the MC1R gene defenseless against ultra-violet sun rays over time.

red hair man

RED WHINE

Ever since one of the world’s pre-eminent sperm banks Cryos International stopped accepting donations from male carriers of the MC1R gene five years ago, there’s been an outcry from redheads who resent being pushed to the fringe of desirability. Sperm suppliers reason that – with the exception of Ireland, where 10 percent of the population has red hair – the existing supply worldwide already far exceeds demand. Even in Scandinavian countries where blonde hair and blue/green eyes are most prevalent, sperm recipients show a distinct preference for genes associated with dark hair and brown eyes.

red hair girl
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

Essential Steps for Safely Traveling Alone

One of America’s most popular female sports reporters, Erin Andrews, was recently awarded $55 million from her lawsuit against a stalker and the hotel conglomerate that enabled him to videotape her nude and post the footage on the internet. If there’s a lesson the public can take away from the unsettling Andrews case, it’s that the onus is on individuals to preserve their privacy and protect themselves against theft or injury while traveling alone. One never knows where, when, how or why they could be victimized on a business or recreational trip. The threat of unexpected harm while traveling can be discouraging, but it must never be ignored.

Frequent fliers pack basic first aid kits as instinctualy as they stow toothbrushes in their bags. Truly savvy globetrotters take their preparedness levels up a notch to ensure they’re not victimized. Make this your mantra for every phase of your next journey: “Better safe than sorry.”

PRIVATE EYES

The camera rarely lies. So rely as much as possible on the security afforded by the monitors that track your movements; from the airport to the hotel, from the elevator to the parking lot, from the ATM to the taxi stand, and from one tourist trap to your spot of choice for a nightcap. Don’t shy away from public spaces where cameras are hovering. Instead locate them and be thankful they’re there for your protection. Facial recognition data deters and solves crimes. Steer toward public spaces where security monitors are prevalent. Make yourself appreciatively known if there is a constant presence of guards on the premises. And, as an added precaution, inquire whether your hotel is among the growing number that enforce “Women’s Only” floor policies.

security camera
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

FOREIGN OBJECTIVES

Americans traveling abroad stop decrying U.S. government interference on their liberties once they run into snags regarding their health, safety and bank accounts. Flashing your passport grants you little or no immunity if you’re overseas and declared in violation of customs, contraband possession, or eligibility for protection and relief from natural disasters or plague or terrorism. But your tax dollars are being put to good use when it comes to alerts about stressful, unhealthy or dangerous situations overseas. The U.S. State Department encourages leisure and business trekkers to join in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which enables officials to track and inform in case of emergencies. Citizens of the U.S. are also advised to keep embassy contact information readily available.

Us embassy ireland
Us Embassy – Dublin, Republic Of Ireland

HIDE IN PLAIN SIGHT

There’s no harm in self-indulgently fleeing the tugs of family, friends and co-workers for your attention now and then. But remaining totally aloof and inconspicuous during a getaway could be detrimental in case things go wrong. Do not over-share on social media about your current location away from home because interlopers with bad intentions could take advantage of your absence. Do, however, entrust a close family member or friend with your travel itinerary and contact information. Make duplicate copies of crucial identification documents and access numbers for emergency cash if your belongings get lost or stolen. Send simple, short texts regularly to a confidante while you’re wandering.

Pretty woman taking a selfie in the city center

DOOR STEPS

Knock knock. Who’s there? A potential predator. Thieves and assailants are the last things travelers want to fret about, but their presence persists. Hotels offer rudimentary safeguards for their guests. Those wary of being victimized should take advantage of them, and add layers of personal protection just in case. For starters, engage every door and window lock to prevent intrusion. Don’t allow access to just anyone claiming to be there in a maintenance capacity unless it was requested. Don’t leave doors ajar or unlocked for a quick jaunt to the ice machine. Check in as a couple – i.e. Mr. and Mrs. Smith – to deflect any interest in you as a solitary target. Strategically place “Do Not Disturb” signs outside your door, and allow TVs or radios to emit sounds that indicate your presence. And invest in the blossoming array of hand-held door stoppers and motion-triggered alarms that can trigger a response while you’re sleeping or showering.

hotel door with note

SAFE SECTS

Simply double-checking that your hotel room’s door clicked closed as you venture out to explore or attend a meeting isn’t necessarily good enough to secure the valuables left behind. The host establishment may accept little or no responsibility for the items you claimed as missing or stolen. While it may seem like a hassle to hide the PEDs and cash you brought along for the trip, the time and energy spent recovering from lost property can be even more costly. Laptops left on table tops are prime targets for villains. Any  item deemed too large or valuable for the room’s safe to contain  securely should be deposited in the house safe and insured with a  signed receipt.

coffee and laptop hotel bed
Image via Pixabay under license CC0

CASE CLOSED?

From the moment you entrust your luggage to another handler – at the taxi stand, the terminal screening area, or the concierge desk – the contents are vulnerable to tampering or theft. You’re well within your rights to affix key or combination locks to your suitcases. However, law enforcement officers are empowered to crack open those safeguards open at their discretion. The U.S. Transportation Safety  Administration (TSA) advises travelers to purchase luggage locks stamped with approved designation which can be opened without damage, for the safety of yourself and other passengers.

tsa lock on luggage

BUDDY SYSTEMS

The “safety in numbers” philosophy only extends as far as the  company you keep. Travelers who welcome the embracing arms of  strangers invite potential disaster into their midst. Never hesitate to avail yourself upon the services of uniformed or designated security  personnel. When in doubt about the safety of a hotel parking lot at night, for instance, request an escort. Politely asking a police officer or a utility worker for directions is a safer bet than seeking help from random strangers if you feel lost. Beware of new acquaintances enticing you to over-indulge in alcohol and NEVER leave your food, drink or belongings unattended.

parking lot at night

3 Simple Steps To Wean Yourself Off Caffeine

Day by day, drip by drip, our rates of coffee consumption seem more like a “risk versus reward” proposition. Health analysts constantly spew conflicting reports on whether we’re swilling too much java, or not enough; and the workday ritual of buying even the cheapest cup of joe from the nation’s best-known chain can drain your bank account by almost $800 annually, not including taxes, tips, time and travel expenses to get that caffeine fix.

Fresh new apps entice you to place orders before you even get out of bed, and some startups now dare to propose products that infuse caffeine through “wearable” devices.

If you’re wondering if it’s beneficial to gradually control and reduce your daily coffee intake, the answer is: probably. But, is kicking the caffeine habit quick and easy? Probably not. If more restful sleep at night and less reliance on coffee for a jolt of alertness during the day is your desire, percolate over these stimulating alternatives.

*Consult a personal physician before starting a caffeine-reduction regimen.

SNACK ATTACK

avoiding caffeineSimple dietary changes could help tame your reliance on caffeine boosts during the day. Studies indicate that nibbling on non-fat and unsweetened dark chocolate invigorates blood flow and sends positive stimuli to the brain without residual rise-and-crash effects. Vegetables packed with essential glucosinolate oils (radishes, kale, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, mustard and turnip greens) can be blended into smoothies, omelets, soups and stir fries for a tasty energy lift. Eat more beets, which are packed with the nitric oxide compound that oxygenates the body. Supplement your diet with more of the energizing B12 vitamins available from low-fat proteins (eggs, fish) as well as mushrooms and seaweed extracts.

BOILING POINTS

energizing drinkA fresh cup of coffee can soothe simple cravings for warmth and comfort. As a caffeine-free alternative, just brew a mug full of flavor and freer of the jittery complications. Hot water and lemon – sweetened to taste – helps to rehydrate the body, boost immunity to sickness and promote intestinal regularity. The “chicory” blends sold alongside coffee at grocery stores offer a similar, caffeine-free taste with added benefits of detoxifying internal organs and relieving upset stomachs. And if flavor is what you savor, consider de-caffeinated teas (dandelion, Rooibos) or apple cider for a quick fix.

PUMPING IRONY

exercisingConsider the time it takes to prepare and consume a cup of coffee. Then, compare it to the time it takes to perform 30 push-ups, sit-ups or jumping jacks. A growing body of study suggests that simple exercises conducted during the day have stimulating effects that meet or exceed a caffeine jolt. Physical activity (including safe sex) releases natural endorphins that ease strain on the brain. Research shows that a brief, scheduled nap decreases the need for an abrupt caffeine infusion late in the day as well.

Winter Wander Checklist: 10 Essential Winter Gadgets

Alright. Stop, collaborate and listen — to the weather forecasters. There’s a winter blast on the way. They just don’t know exactly where, when, why or who will be most harshly affected. How on Earth will we stay safe, warm and connected?

Easy.

If you’re plugged in to the latest surge of winter prep products, there’s less need to fear being snowed in or iced out, baby. Check out these 10 sensible, soothing and stylish winter gadgets that could keep you feeling comfy when the climate becomes abominable.

 

1. The VSSL First Aid/Personal Care cylinder

For use during emergencies such as slips and falls, weather-related car wrecks and power failures when help isn’t coming soon and basic survival instincts need to kick in. The nine-inch aluminum sheath contains 14 ounces of essential survival gear, including: a directional compass; an emergency whistle; antiseptic wipes, bandages and gauzes; antibiotic ointment; aspirin and Ibuprofen tablets; sterile gloves, tweezers and a surgical-grade razor blade; and an LED signal light with batteries included.

2. A pair of Moshi’s insulated touch-screen gloves

To keep your fingers warm and dry while you swipe, dial and type on your smart phone amid blizzard conditions. The gloves’ palms are lined with a trademarked GripTrak weave to prevent handheld devices from dropping when wet. And the fingertips are laced with a proprietary conductive fiber that ensures accurate keypad manipulation through two layers of warmth and comfort. The gloves are made of hand-washable micro-fleece and available in two shades of gray.

3. A pair of ThermaCell’s heated insoles

To maintain foot warmth at temperatures you control remotely. Whether you’re walking to work, hiking snow-blown trails or stranded on an icy roadway, these shoe and boot inserts heat to your desired temperature via wireless remote control and are guaranteed to last for at least 2,500 hours of comfort. The insoles’ lithium batteries fully recharge – in the home or in the car – within four hours. The insoles are water-resistant and available in a wide range of men’s and women’s sizes.

4. Bluetooth-capable ear warmers from 180s

Offering high-definition sound quality whether they’re worn alone or tucked under added head protection. When fully charged – through home/office electrical outlets or via USB cord – the G3 headphones function for up to nine hours and connect remotely with Google and Siri wirelessly for info and directions. Their cushioned foam core fits snuggly to guard against chilly wind and precipitation.

5. CamelBak’s All Clear water-purifying bottle

Helps you stay hydrated safely regardless of where you roam. Frigid temperatures can zap the body of moisture just as easily as extreme heat. This portable purification system can ensure that water from any source is free of bacterial health hazards within 60 seconds.  An ultra-violet light in the 0.75-liter bottle kills germs. And the re-chargeable batteries are powerful enough for up to 80 refills.

6. The palm-sized Sunjack Heat Bank

Simultaneously warms hands up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit  and re-charges mobile devices. When fully charged, the device has output capacity that lasts for three hours. And its egg-shaped design makes it an ideal way to slip into slush-soaked gloves, shoes and socks to swiftly dry them out.

7. The goTenna Wand

Now you can remain connected when inclement weather disrupts cellular service or you find yourself stranded in a remote location. After activation that takes 60 seconds or less, this hand-held device, inspired by emergency rescue operations, becomes a personalized WiFi hot spot and GPS tracking system with a contact range of up to 50 miles. It connects wirelessly to Android and iOS-capable devices via Bluetooth technology. It allows users to send texts and download free maps of locations and destinations.

8. The BACtrack Breathalyzer

Attaching this to your keychain can help estimate whether you’re sober enough to drive on wintery roads, or not. Drinking and driving is never a good idea; and legal levels of liquor consumption while driving vary from state to state. This flash drive-sized device merely offers reliable indications of blood alcohol content (BAC) before you get behind the wheel. Five seconds after blowing into the retractable mouthpiece, the device’s sensors display a BAC reading and transmit it to smart phones.

9. The Brunton HeatSync Vital Vest

This vest warms the body to the critical core without restricting your range of motion. This lightweight armor against the cold can be recharged through a USB connection and provides heat up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit for four hours. The shoulder and rib cage straps adjust to fit adults and children, in case sharing is necessary during winter emergencies.

10. The Cobra JumPack

Power through a winter roadtrip with the Cobra JumPack, which can not only re-ignite a vehicle’s dead battery but re-power mobile devices on the go as well. Though it weighs just 10 ounces, this emergency device packs eight months worth of punch when fully charged. To assist motorists on cold, dark nights, the compact unit has a built-in LED flashlight.

Premium Sushi is Taking Atlanta By Storm

Business and leisure travelers to Atlanta, GA have long been advised to pack their stretch pants. Why? Because the city’s cuisine has been equated for decades with fried chicken-and-waffles, gut-busting burgers and – more recently – snout-to-tail servings of pork.

But all that’s changing.

Atlanta’s hottest new restaurants emphasize sushi delights that aren’t so harsh on the waistline, but tug heavily on the purse strings with meals starting at $65 and rising as high as $350. Atlanta’s blossomed into the South’s cutting edge hub for corporations, entertainers, researchers and entrepreneurs. And the local “foodie” palate is swerving toward the rarest and rawest seafood money can buy.

There’s nothing new about an abundance of quality sushi bars in a city of Atlanta’s size. Still, no major city’s fine dining profile is being so swiftly re-defined by a singular style of eating.

 

Enjoy Exclusivity at Umi and Himitsu

As far as anyone knows, Umi is the only prestige sushi spot in Atlanta where you have to know somebody who knows somebody to get invited into its accompanying cocktail lounge, Himitsu. Chef Fuyuhiko Ito’s Franco-Japanese menu is so austere that prices aren’t even included on the menu. If you have to ask, ‘How much?’, you can’t taste his keen sense of slicing and spicing rolls, foie gras and veggies. Umi – with its bright and wide open floor plan and stark black walls lined with life-sized vintage photos of solemn-faced geishas – is the ultimate see-and-be-seen scene. And it takes individually-assigned key codes to enter the bar. If the tab doesn’t devour more than your budget can digest, Umi’s worth the price of every savory “nigiri” bite.

 

Finding Balance at Eight Sushi Lounge

Yes, you can indulge your taste for fine filets of raw fish and rice rolls in a setting that welcomes diners of varying ages and incomes. At Eight – near all of downtown’s biggest sports, arts and history attractions – the emphasis is on inclusion into the club of sophisticated sushi dining. Eight elevates itself above the rest with a Japanese take on Eggs Benedict, and rolls and plates infused with the flavors of Europe, Africa and South America.

Image Courtesy of Eight Sushi Lounge
Ceviche / Image Courtesy of Eight Sushi Lounge

For serious carnivores in the midst, Eight offers re-oriented preparations of steak and quail. The bartenders at Eight liberally experiment with Japanese beer, wine, sake and whiskey recipes.

Eggs Benedict / Image Courtesy of Eight Sushi Lounge
Eggs Benedict / Image Courtesy of Eight Sushi Lounge

Morphing Modern With Familiar at MF Sushi

Don’t call it “a comeback”. The Kinjo Brothers (chef Chris and accountant Alex) have been killin’ it for years. They’ve recently downsized from an opulent space in the high-rent Buckhead shopping district to the nouveau riche Old Fourth Ward enclave; closer to all the simmering action downtown. The flair for the dramatic at MF Sushi is the same as it ever was: There’s no such thing as a bad seat because diners either face the spotlit bar, spy through huge sidewalk-view windows, or bask in the glow of teardrop chandeliers and towering candles in the dining room. An “omakase” meal at MF Sushi – in which you trust Chris implicitly to slice the daily catch to delicate perfection – can last hours and cost as a much as a monthly car payment. MF Sushi sources only the finest ingredients, and the Kinjo brothers are so confident in their distinctive prep and presentation techniques that they’ve launched a signature collection of cookware.

Broad Strokes at Brush Sushi Izakaya

Brush is a Japanese gastropub offering a combination of authentic quality Japan pub fare and unparalleled chef-driven sushi. The subtle twist at Brush is that the dishes are made mainly from fish gathered mere hours away along the Florida Gulf coast and produce from suburban Atlanta farms. The exotic tastes derive from planning and preparation, as opposed to their far-flung origins.

Stir-Fried Mentaiko Udon / Image courtesy of Brush Sushi Izakaya
Stir-Fried Mentaiko Udon / Image courtesy of Brush Sushi Izakaya

The signature skewers at Brush are flavor-flamed over imported Japanese white charcoal. Daily delicacies at this chic cafe on the edge of downtown are seasoned with distinctive peppers, nectars and salts cured painstakingly on the premises and the cocktail menu focuses on traditional Japanese ferments as well.

Osaka Takoyaki / Image courtesy of Brush Sushi Izakaya
Osaka Takoyaki / Image courtesy of Brush Sushi Izakaya

License to Chill at Hayakawa 

When everyone calls you “Art”, your sushi must be good. Chef Atsushi Hayakawa lives up to his reputation as a certified Master of traditional Japanese techniques at his minimalist spot on the northeast edge of town. Temporarily closed for renovation and scheduled to re-open in January 2016, Hayakawa is favored by sushi enthusiasts due to its affordability, unpretentious and family-friendly atmosphere and Art’s finesse with his knife. Hayakawa’s “nigiri” method relegates rice to a background component, as opposed to a filler ingredient. Go there to get back to basics of food and rice wine honed for centuries on the Japanese lowland. Cell phones are banned and you sit where you’re told. At Hayakawa, you pay for a lesson in discipline.