Doyle Mueser - NYC

Passionately rational. I can think of no better way to describe the essence of a gentleman. A gentleman does not use his rationale to determine why he should not have that which his passions cry out for. Rather, his rational prowess is used to bring about the fulfillment of these desires in a satisfying manner. This concept is expressed in his cheeky charm, confident stride, thirst for knowledge, and, let us not forget, the adornment of an exquisite Bespoke suit.

I am excited to report a gem I discovered on a recent trip to New York. I was offered an experience that not only ignited my desires, but appealed to my reason. I was left utterly satisfied, yearning for a return visit. I am speaking of an exquisite boutique located in the heart of the West Village, Doyle Mueser. Amber Doyle and Jake Mueser designed the collection, and this shop catered specifically to the needs of the gentleman, providing all he might need for an excursion about town - suits, shirts, ties, cufflinks, other trinkets - as well as some very tasteful travel bags. And yet, what sets this shop a cut above is its emphasis on the individual. 

Attention to detail and an eye for aesthetic excellence await, should you choose to have one of their master craftsmen prepare a suit for you. Customers are encouraged to select fabrics and cuts that express their personal motifs. The process is more than an interaction between client and tailor, according to Jake Mueser, it is a "collaboration." Once your fabric preferences are settled it is time for fitting, which consists of five different measurements taken over the course of six to ten weeks to ensure your suit fits perfectly. To assure quality, all Bespoke suits are hand-sewn in New York City. During assembly, accents can be added to heighten your suit's individuation - decorative pick stitches are always a nice touch. As you can see, the first time you don your suit, and accompanying accessories, it will be a genuine expression of your creative genius. Something beautiful created by your desire to accentuate your excellence. In the suit, something that can be worn to any affair and easily fit the occasion, we find a poignant appeal to the rationale. Jake Mueser and Amber Doyle provide the gentleman a service that not only appeals to his essence, but mirrors it.

Doyle Mueser Bespoke is located at 19 Christopher Street, New York, NY 10014.

Gentleman A of The Traveling Gentlemen

The Venice Ale House - Venice Beach

The wind was blowing harshly from the ocean in Venice Beach. I sat at the table across from a chiseled older gentleman smoking a hand-rolled cigarette. He leaned over in a very relaxed manner. “I eat healthy, and I want my customers to eat healthy. Everyone should ask where his or her food is coming from,” Tom says after taking a sip of his local beer. The Venice Ale House is a place a lot like Cheer’s; everyone truly does know your name. In a place in Venice Beach known as the boardwalk, the alehouse on the corner of Rose is an oasis in a desert, starting a much-needed gentrification process of local restaurant chains. You see, most restaurants on the boardwalk have been there for years and have long ago stopped catering to the local community. The influx of tourists that make their way to the Venice Boardwalk every year has kept them in business, regardless of the fact that they have generic and greasy food, with even worse service. In that respect, The Venice Ale House is nothing like its counterparts.

The food at the Venice Ale House is all organic. The beef is grass fed, as opposed to the generic corn fed variety, and all food is cooked in coconut oil. That's not all - to top it off, the alehouse has an extensive beer and wine list that’s all local and not imported from overseas. “Do we have Budweiser? No, but we do have the best Colorado beer you’ve ever tasted,” Tom says. Needless to say, the food is at the alehouse is incredible. I started off with an appetizer of freshly cooked green beans with garlic and sea salt. I then proceeded to the next course, which was a grass fed beef burger with feta and arugula, and delightful side of sweet potato un-fries. Although I ate a large burger, the food feels surprisingly light on the stomach. In addition to serving burgers, they serve fish, tacos, salads, and a bevy of appetizers. All designed by Tom and Spoon, the founders.

Many locals hang out at the alehouse. You can see a variety of people, from the business woman getting off a long day of work, to a street performer coming in for a nice cold one. Even the waitresses are all local to Venice; it ties in with Tom’s whole philosophy of “Organic” in every sense of the word. “You know every person who works here has walked in through this door," Tom said. "We have to be a part of the community, we’ve said that from the very start.” With great food, great drink, and charming service, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience on a cold night. With only seven months in business, the alehouse has done what most restaurants strive to do in over a year.

The Venice Ale House is located at 2 Rose Avenue, Venice Beach, CA 90291

Gentleman A of The Traveling Gentlemen