Ten Essentials Worth Investing In

Many years ago, when I decided it was high time for me to look like a respectable adult, I set out to build a new wardrobe. First on the list was a navy blazer. I found an incredibly handsome one at high-end store, but it was outside of my budget. I hemmed and hawed, and considered trying to find a cheaper alternative, but in the end, decided to just save up for the one I really wanted.

Ten years later, I’m still wearing that same jacket. If you factor in cost-per-wear, this probably cost me less than if I settled for something “cheaper.” I now work on a simple principle: it’s better to purchase what you truly want and own it for a long time, than go through cycles of buying things that are never quite right. Of course, nice things are often expensive, so it’s good to know which pieces are truly worth investing in. Here are ten suggestions:

It must be nice. The glamour is the Melbourne Cup.

With the Southern Hemisphere's biggest horse race run and done, it's a good time to see how to visit the races in style. Here's a selection of the Melbourne Cup's best branded marquees. The event is so big down under that the entire city get a day off work. 

Melbourne Cup Marquee – Lexus Design Pavilion

Melbourne Cup Marquee – Lavazza

Melbourne Cup Marquee – Johnnie Walker

Melbourne Cup Marquee – Bar Schweppes by Broadsheet

All photo credits via D'marge.

Our shoes look superb on the feet of Justin Tucker, #9 on the Baltimore Ravens. Fans can use TUCKER9 for 9% any order through Monday Night Football. Go Ravens!

Fall Exclusive: The pictures

Lou Reed's style: in pictures

Every Shoe Care Product You Need

When buying shoes, it's important to focus on quality, not price. Shoes made from full-grain leather uppers, rather than corrected grain, will look better with time, and if the soles have been stitched on rather than glued, they can withstand up to twenty years of semi-regular use (with occasional resolings, of course). Compare this to most shoes on the market, which have to be discarded after two or three years, and you can see which provides more value.

This is only true, however, if you take care of shoes, and to do so, you'll need the right tools.

Eddie's shoeshine @ 30 Rock

Located on the concourse level of 30 Rockefeller Center (up the stairs and to the right via subway station), lives New York City’s best shoe shiner, Eddie's.

If you’ve ever had a disappointing shoeshine, for instance, anytime you do it yourself, you understand the importance of a good shine. Not only does this critical task nourish the fine Italian leather of your finely crafted shoes, a shine also brings out your shoe’s unique color (that is, if you have a pair of Paul Evans).

If you’re in a rush, this is not the place for you. Prepare to devote at least 30 minutes for the entire process. Stop by Blue Bottle Coffee, handily located on the 30 Rock concourse, and treat yourself to an insanely delicious cup before you embark on your journey. After arriving at Eddie’s, prepare wait in line for at least 10 minutes. Endure, and then grab a copy of the NY Post before taking a seat in a comfortable elevated chair. Now watch as a professional applies his trade. Your shoes will be treated to multiple rounds of buff and polish, topped off by additional rounds with a slightly dampened clothe.

If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by Eddie’s for a shoe shine done right. Hopefully you have a pair of these to show off.

Comedy's Best Dressed Gent.

Paul F. Tompkins is undoubtedly one of comedy's best dressed men. His dapper demeanour and classic gent approach on the web series "Speakeasy" is the envy of every modern man. His work on Mr. Show with Bob and David and Real Time with Bill Maher keeps him in good company. Along with an impressive list of film and television credits, he's the kind of guy that simply does rather than just talking about it.

Paul F. Tompkins, we salute you.

Paul Evans on the streets of Manhattan

A taste of Mighty Quinn's Barbeque

Obviously there are cities with more famous bbq traditions than New York. However, there is a reason that some of the countries best (in every field) see NYC as a place to call home. Having been recently named New York Best New Restaurant in a Zagat survey, Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque has been a busy go-to joint for hungry East Villagers and others, citywide.

With their melt-in-your-mouth slow cooked meats and hearty sides, the queue out the door of Quinn’s side entrance will surely continue throughout the winter. It will absolutely warm your insides leave you wanting more, if you can fit it in. The menu is brief but like the restaurant itself, only the most important things are needed at Mighty Quinn’s, as their mission states.

Our party ordered a pound of brisket, a half chicken and serves of pulled pork and ribs. Accompanied with pickled vegetables, coleslaw (vinegar or creamy), fries and burnt ends baked beans; we had our work cut out for us. The dining room is set up like a cafeteria eatery with rustic warehouse-style fittings and although the line to order can be daunting, it moves incredibly fast. Drink options include a carefully curated selection of draft and bottled beers as well as sodas.

For such as inexpensive option, the food is always fresh and free of all those unwanted chemicals that are ever-too-present. Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque came highly recommended, and we not only second that notion but also put an extra emphasis on how good this joint is.

Join the line and wipe the drool away from your lips as you wait your turn. A truly great restaurant.