TRAVEL+FOOD

Madame Tussauds at WTC

Today, commuters and visitors were doing a double take of the brightest stars of the fashion world while transiting through Lower Manhattan’s iconic Oculus.

Madame Tussauds and Westfield World Trade Center partnered together to celebrate the return of New York Fashion Week, and all things fashion!

Beneath the Oculus’s soaring roof, visitors enjoyed the unique opportunity to strut the dedicated runway and get close to Madame Tussauds legendary wax figures for incredible photo moments and selfies with Anna Wintour, Kendall Jenner, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Heidi Klum. The free experience opened earlier this morning to the public and will continue tomorrow Thursday, September 8thfrom 8:00am to 8:00pm.

In true Fashion Week style, the star’s high-fashion looks are turning heads! Anna Wintour is wearing her 2019 Met Gala ensemble, a pink floor-length gown with flowers and a matching, pink-feathered cape lined with blue feathers. Kendall Jenner is sporting an edgier look inspired from her appearance at the 2015 ESPYS with a down-to-the-floor black dress with sheer sleeves and cutouts. Dressed in her 2019 outfit from Cannes Film Festival, Alessandra Ambrosio is a showstopper in her asymmetrical red halter dress highlighting her legs that were born to sashay the runway. Heidi Klum takes us back to the 15th season finale of Project Runway, which also took place at New York Fashion Week 2016, with a white cape that featured a short collar and slits for her arms and decorated with an elaborate silver-and-gold beaded bird. The look is completed with gold thigh high boots.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Madame Tussauds to present visitors to the Oculus with a very unique experience” said Diana Grasso, Vice President, Unibail- Rodamco-Westfield. “Partnering with Westfield World Trade Center is so exciting as we bring our beloved experience outside of Times Square down to another heart of New York City,” expressed Tiago Mogadouro, Head of Marketing Madame Tussauds New York.

To learn more, visit their website HERE.

Maurice Lacroix – PONTOS S

Maurice Lacroix now unveils a new interpretation of its popular model, the PONTOS. Endowed with chronograph, day and date indications, sumptuous details and a scratch-resistant ceramic bezel, the PONTOS S Chronograph bridges two seemingly disparate worlds, elegance and sport, and unites them to form a cohesive design befitting any occasion.

The PONTOS S Chronograph features a sandblasted dial, offered in a choice of two colors: silvery white or dark blue. The hour and minute hands are partially open worked and lined with Super-LumiNova. Facetted and applied indexes denote the hours, shining brightly with just the merest suggestion of light. Positioned between each index and the minute track, a rectangular-shaped soupçon of SLN augments readability in dim light conditions. The aforementioned track uses a combination of crisp lines and red Arabic numerals, optimizing overall legibility.

At first glance, the dial appears to have just two counters, arranged along a north-south axis. However, closer examination reveals there is a small second’s display at 9 o’clock and a day and date display positioned opposite, all of which prove simple to read. The dominant counters comprise a 30-minute register at 12 o’clock and a 12-hour register below, each endowed with sandblasted centers and framed with snailed detail. The Maurice Lacroix design team have enriched the composition with numerous elements, presenting dial components at different heights and judiciously using colors in order to enrich the ownership experience.

The bezel is executed in scratch-resistant ceramic and is equipped with a tachymeter, a function that allows the wearer to determine the speed of an object over a known distance. This underlines the sporty character of the watch while simultaneously exhibiting a classical, retro appearance.

Maurice Lacroix has retained some design elements found on former models such as the elongated push pieces and the distinctive double-stepped lugs. The case juxtaposes satin-brushed and polished surfaces, delivering contrast and a notable sense of style. To the rear of the watch, a pane of sapphire crystal affords sight of the automatic ML112 caliber. Upholding Maurice Lacroix’s reputation for delivering high-perceived value, the movement is appointed with a combination of Côtes de Genève, perlage and sun brush decoration.

The model is supplied on a color coordinated, M-branded nylon strap with tone-on-tone stitching that is lined with luxurious nubuck leather. The PONTOS S Chronograph is also available with a 3-rows steel bracelet. Owners can modify the appearance of the watch courtesy of the Easy Strap Exchange system, swapping the strap or bracelet for an alternative, without the need for tools.

With its capacity to measure elapsed periods, or determine speeds using the tachymeter scale, the PONTOS S Chronograph is unquestionably sporty. However, this watch proves eminently elegant while remaining highly versatile, thereby befitting any situation. Quite simply, Maurice Lacroix has produced a watch that bridges two seemingly disparate worlds, elegance and sport.

MADE IN AMERICA FESTIVAL

MADE IN AMERICA‘S CAUSE VILLAGE, POWERED BY SHEIN, GIVES FESTIVAL-GOERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE CHANGEMAKERS VIA 21 ON-SITE PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATIONS

The Philanthropic Hub Returns for the Tenth Year featuring REFORM Alliance, Share Food Program, Dare 2 Hope, and more

The highly anticipated JAY-Z curated two-day festival (Sept 3-4), Made in America, announced the 21 philanthropic organizations participating in their annual social good hub, Cause Village Powered by SHEIN, today.

The music festival has held advocacy at its core since 2012, averaging 20,000 social actions taken each year. Organizations for the 2022 Cause Village focus on an array of causes, ranging from animal welfare, arts & culture, criminal & social justice reform, education, youth development, health & wellness, and voter rights, and more.

“Cause Village has continued to make an impact on not only the Made in America festival and attendees, but in the greater Philadelphia community,” said Dania Diaz, Managing Director, Team Roc. “We are really looking forward to giving these Cause Village organizations another opportunity to be involved in this effort to engage and bring awareness to the issues that affect our everyday lives.”

This year marks Made in America‘s 10th year of performances, boasting a powerful and diverse lineup with headliners Bad Bunny and Tyler, The Creator. Since its inception, the festival has brought the biggest names in music and up-and-coming superstars to the City of Brotherly Love, while remaining rooted in the city’s culture. The festival has generated over $150 million in economic impact for the city of Philadelphia since its inception in 2012.

“Share Food Program is excited to be with Made in America this year as we’ll be able to share our goals with the rest of the Philadelphia community,” said George Matysik, Executive Director of Share Food Program. “We’re thrilled to be able to be involved in such an engaging environment as we’ll be able to form meaningful connections with other passionate people in the community.”

“We are looking forward to being present at the festival this year to raise awareness on breaking the stigmas surrounding mental health while promoting a healthy lifestyle,” said Sarah-Ashley Andrews, MS, Founder of Dare 2 Hope. “Music is a helpful tool in managing mental health and a positive way to build a solid foundation through hobbies and the connections we make along the way.”

Current list of Cause Village organizations with more to be included:

For the latest on the Made in America Festival visit HERE and their social channels, @miafest on Instagram, @miafest on TikTok, @MIAFestival on Twitter and @MadeInAmericaFest on Facebook.

SEVENTEEN – _WORLD

K-pop stage-breakers SEVENTEEN joined forces with the English singer Anne-Marie for a new version of their single “_WORLD (Feat. Anne-Marie),” released at midnight ET.

“_WORLD” is the lead single from SEVENTEEN’s latest album SECTOR 17 released on July 18. Amplified by Anne-Marie’s plain-spoken vocals, the new version of the urban R&B track endearingly delivers the sentiment of hope and excitement in entering a ‘new world’ built for ‘you and me.’ The underbar that prefaces the title asks the listener to also imagine and define their own ideal world.

SECTOR 17 scored SEVENTEEN’s highest charting on the Billboard 200, debuting at No. 4. Like many of their previous hits, the band’s main producer and leader of their vocal unit WOOZI took part in producing the album as well as the lead single “_WORLD,” credited for both its lyrics and composition.

SEVENTEEN are currently touring across North America for their headline tour ‘BE THE SUN.’ After their action-packed shows in Vancouver, Seattle, Oakland, Los Angeles, Houston, Fort Worth and Chicago, the K-pop supergroup will bring their must-see show to Washington DC next. Shows in Atlanta, Belmont Park, Toronto and Newark are set to follow.

In addition to chart records, a world tour and a global collaboration, the 13-piece act continues to blaze through multiple milestones with three nods for the MTV Video Music Awards slated for this weekend. SEVENTEEN are nominated for Best New Artist, Best K-Pop and PUSH Performance of the Year.

Follow SEVENTEEN:

DEMI LOVATO

WATCH

Vevo, the world’s leading music video network, announces the release of Demi Lovato’s Official Live Performance of “29” off her new album, HOLY FVCK, out now (listen HERE). Vevo’s Official Live Performances are the result of close creative collaboration with artists and their teams, resulting in a series of very special exclusive performances. Vevo and Demi Lovato have a long history working together, including a 2012 “Vevo Presents” set, 2017 Vevo x Demi Lovato performance of “Tell Me You Love Me,” and Footnotes videos of “SUBSTANCE,” “SKIN OF MY TEETH” and “Dancing With The Devil.”

Official Live Performances are the flagship original content for Vevo, working with the biggest names in music – they are the result of close creative collaboration with artists and their teams, resulting in a series of very special exclusive performances. Specifically tailored creatives meant to fit the vision of each individual artist chosen, these performances connect artists with their global audience of fans adding to their visual library.

“Our team has had the privilege of working with Demi for the past decade, and we were thrilled to bring our partnership to the next level with an Official Live Performance,” says JP Evangelista, Vevo’s SVP of Content, Programming & Marketing, “Demi’s artistry is truly unmatched, and she has carved out her place in the industry. We really dug into the creative with Demi and collaborated throughout the entire process, she was incredibly intentional with the vision for the set and how we could elevate the vibe of her new music. Working with such an involved artist makes all the difference in these partnerships, and we really feel that it shines through on screen. These edgy performances are truly all Demi and better than ever!”

Demi Lovato closely collaborated with Vevo’s team to create a completely bespoke set that allowed room for honesty and vulnerability. The intention of the performance space was to strike a balance between alluring and disorienting, clean and approachable. The camera pans in to find Demi on a red carpeted platform illuminated by a grid of bright white lights. Clad in a black leather skirt and black blouse, Demi stalks towards the camera, snarling and belting with her band supporting from the side.

“My new album HOLY FVCK is a deeply personal journey that begins with pain and anger, and through this emotional release, the album concludes in a hopeful place of joy that allows me to take my power back from the very things that made me angry,” Demi states. “I knew I wanted to showcase my new music in a unique way for my fans, both visually and sonically. So when an Original Live Performance with Vevo was on the table, I immediately started to brainstorm creatively – the lighting, the room design, my look and outfits, how to incorporate our incredible female live band – all of it! The Vevo team made this vision a reality with me, and I hope my fans can feel the emotion and power through these live performances.”

Additionally, Demi will bring the album to fans across South America and North America this Fall on the HOLY FVCK Tour. Fans can expect to hear new songs from the album as well as reimagined rock versions of Demi’s hits, including “Sorry Not Sorry,” “Cool for the Summer,” and more. Tickets and VIP packages are available now at demilovato.com.

Demi Lovato Turns 30

BERIT GILMA

Listen to Berit Gilma and Vaughn Lowery on 360 MAG Amazon | Spotify podcast HERE.

Rising creative director and artist Berit Gilma is making her multi-disciplinary talents known on Danny Elfman‘s latest project, the upcoming remix album Bigger. Messier.

The young Austrian-born artist based between Los Angeles and Berlin creative-directed the record, released on August 12, as well as Elfman’s 2021 album Big Mess. She led all visual elements of both releases and co-curated the lineup of remixers that would transform Elfman’s tracks on Bigger. Messier.

Gilma’s expertise in digital art and new technologies was pivotal for Elfman’s renaissance, helping him return to his artistic roots in alternative music while collaborating with underground and established artists alike. Best known for the new wave band Oingo Boingo and his TV and movie scoring work, Elfman’s uproarious, career-spanning set at Coachella, went viral earlier this year.

For the latest remix to drop from the new album, Gilma invited Blixa Bargeld (Einstürzende Neubauten) to rework “In Time,” bringing together two legends of alternative music for the first time as well as co-producing the track. Gilma conceived the collaboration after having returned to Berlin, where Bargeld lives, from Los Angeles during the COVID pandemic.

“We tried to bring exciting musicians on board to completely rethink Danny’s songs,” says Gilma. “Legends as well as contemporary, young artists from various genres. Living in Berlin for so long, I’ve always been a Einstürzende Neubauten admirer. As underground icons, they inspired the international music scene and many bands to come. Danny and Blixa are both true artistic souls. They both started with similar interests, and just due to their cultural contexts went very different journeys. By introducing them to each other, I thought something magical could happened – and it did.”

The striking video for “In Time” is inspired by Gilma and Elfman’s mutual fascination with AI systems in art. Gilma invited Italian AV artist LOREM to reinterpret the album’s visuals with artificial intelligence.

Says Gilma, “I have worked with LOREM before and love his art. Both Blixa and Danny were excited about the idea to let an artificial intelligence “dream” the video using the lyrics. The outcome is an endless moving pull through a dream-scape of an AI trying to make sense of what was given to it.”

Previously-released tracks from the album include noise-rapper GHOSTEMANE’s remix of “Native Intelligence,” by Elfman and Trent Reznor. Other remixers and collaborators include legends such as Iggy Pop, along with Squarepusher, Zach Hill (Death Grips), Boy Harsher, HEALTH, and many more.

Gilma thoroughly defined the aesthetic direction of Bigger. Messier. – her vision brought together a curated list of artists, who worked with cutting-edge technology such as 3D scanning, CGI, and artificial intelligence to digitally manipulate Danny’s body. Warping and twisting his form into something grotesque and sinister, the visuals are perfectly complimenting the rocker’s dark musical vision. These artworks were used on album covers, packaging, and as backing visuals during Elfman’s live performances.

Bigger. Messier. was released today. Watch the video for “In Time (feat. Blixa Bargeld)” here.

About Berit Gilma

Berit Gwendolyn Gilma has made a career out of chasing what lurks in the shadows. Born and raised in Austria, at 21 she moved to Berlin and quickly fell into the city’s underground scene. While exploring the German capital’s pulsating music and arts scene she befriended hacktivists and artists working on the bleeding edge of tech, criticizing pervasive global surveillance systems. She holds a BA degree from the University of the Arts Berlin, where she studied New Media Arts under celebrated Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei.

Her path diverged in 2016 when she met world-famous Hollywood composer and musician Danny Elfman. They bonded over a shared interest in the weirder side of pop culture, and after earning a Fulbright Scholarship and moving to Los Angeles to pursue an MFA at the UCLA Design Media Arts Department, she became Elfman’s creative director. As he prepared to re-enter the music industry after a long hiatus as a solo artist, Elfman turned to Gilma as a collaborator. She provided creative and art direction for Elfman’s album Big Mess, introducing him to contemporary digital artists and new technologies such as 3D scanning and artificial intelligence to produce cutting edge visuals that were used throughout the album art and music videos. Her latest project with Elfman is the remix album Bigger. Messier., for which she co-curated a lineup of legendary collaborators including Iggy Pop, Trent Reznor, Blixa Bargeld and exciting young talents like Ghostemane, HEALTH, Boy Harsher and many others.

In her artistic work Gilma has explored the aesthetics of secrecy. Her MFA degree examined the intersection of art and science, and she has also studied at the New School in New York and RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. She often returns home to Graz as the art curator of the city’s Elevate Festival, a destination for contemporary art and electronic music. What unites all of Berit Gilma’s activities is a sensitivity for the dark arts, carving for herself a unique niche where sound and vision merge at the forefront of technology.

Photo: Sven Gutjahr

FLY TAILWIND TO DC

Fly the Fast Lane with Tailwind Air.

Experienced seaplane operator Tailwind Air announces an exciting new destination, creating the fastest way to Washington, D.C. Travelers may now enjoy a nonstop seaplane flight directly from Manhattan’s Skyport Marina at East 23rd Street (IATA code: NYS) to Washington, D.C.’s College Park Airport (IATA code: CGS). Flights to/from Manhattan are approximately 80-90 minutes. Tailwind will be the only scheduled air service inside the Beltway outside of DCA. Scheduled service begins September 13, 2022, and will be operated by our fleet of Cessna Grand Caravans featuring two experienced pilots, eight Economy Plus leather seats, aisle and window access, crisp air-conditioning, and an ability to land on water or at an airport.

To celebrate the launch of this milestone route, Tailwind is offering a “buy one seat, and a companion flies with you free” launch promotion. Available only at flytailwind.com until September 10 for all flights on the new route from September 13 through December 21, 2022. To take advantage of this unique offer, enter promo code “TWDCBOGO” when booking. Some restrictions apply—see website for details.

“We’re very excited to be adding Washington, D.C., to our scheduled service,” explained Peter Manice, Tailwind Air cofounder and director of scheduled services. “When factoring in the full journey—one hour and twenty minutes in the air (comparable to DCA-LGA service except with no need to access crowded and congested airports on both ends) or the three hours fifty minutes for the Acela—Tailwind Air will offer the fastest, least stressful, premium way to travel between DC and Manhattan. That, paired with the unforgettable views, makes this a compelling experience.”

College Park is a historic, uncongested airport 25 minutes from the Capitol, 18 minutes from Chevy Chase, 25 minutes from Georgetown, and 5 minutes from the University of Maryland. With ample free parking adjacent to the modern terminal building, Uber, Lyft, and taxi availability, and just a short walk to the frequent subway service from College Park Metro station (Green Line) and MARC train station, accessing the airport is a breeze.

New York Skyport (NYS) is Manhattan’s dedicated seaplane base. Located at the eastern end of 23rd Street along the East River, Tailwind Air operates all Manhattan departures from there and has a dedicated climate-controlled lounge for all passengers.

“Bypassing the congestion of the northeast corridor between New York and Washington, DC remains the core mission of Tailwind Air. This new D.C. service complements our existing groundbreaking service between Manhattan and Boston Harbor as well as our numerous summer destinations in the Hamptons and Provincetown,” stated Alan Ram, CEO and cofounder of Tailwind Air.

Check-in cutoff is just 10 minutes prior to departure. Tailwind Air erases the hassle and expense of commuting via a commercial airport, train, ferry, or rental car. By eliminating the uncertainty of check-in, security, airport congestion, and drive time delays, Tailwind Air reduces stress and delivers memorable and fast solutions on all of our routes. While Tailwind Air’s turboprop seaplane fleet is young—less than five years on average—seaplane travel certainly is not. The Manhattan Skyport opened in 1936 and has been hosting popular seaplane travel for decades. In addition, seaplane operations have been part of the core transportation landscape of cities such as Seattle, Miami, and Vancouver for nearly a hundred years.

The complete Tailwind Air flight schedule can be found at flytailwind.com. Tickets can be purchased through our website, or the Tailwind Air iOS app, or by phone (24 hrs a day). Through a codeshare partnership with Southern Airways Express, tickets are also available via corporate and online travel agencies. Tailwind Air operates staffed lounges in both Manhattan and Boston Harbor, offering wifi and refreshments. At College Park, travelers have access to a dedicated waiting room, wifi, refreshments, and an outdoor terrace for amazing views of the historic airfield.

With the addition of Washington, D.C., Tailwind Air now serves nine destinations from its Manhattan base. Manhattan destinations are Boston Harbor – Fan Pier Marina (BNH), Washington, D.C. – College Park (CGS), East Hampton, Sag Harbor, Shelter Island, Montauk, Provincetown, Plymouth, and Bridgeport. For commuters, Tailwind Air offers heavily discounted prepaid books of 10, 20, and 50 tickets, which can be shared with colleagues, friends, and family. Learn more HERE.

Tailwind also offers an innovative Fast Lane Club membership. Fast Lane members have access to unlimited heavily discounted flying as well as significant additional benefits across all of our routes. Learn more HERE.

BOOK FLIGHT

TAILWIND AIR’S PETER MANICE ON 360 MAG APPLE/SPOTIFY PODCAST.

OMB Peezy – MisGuided

OMB Peezy delivers his highly-anticipated new project MisGuided today [via An Overkill Ent/ 300 Entertainment] for Gangsta Grillz’ latest installment hosted by DJ Drama. Including features from fellow heavy-weight artists, NLE Choppa, Morray, and G Herbo, Peezy rises to a pinnacle point with diamond-encrusted lyrical flexes and storytelling that certifies his artistic magnetic appeal. MisGuided is made available to stream on all music service platforms HERE.

“I came up with this title thinking about my childhood and the things I used to see as a kid. I saw things dat I didn’t know were wrong until later on in life. Things that the older people around me made seem cool or ‘The way of life’ as I always looked at it. Dat made me realize dat I’m not the only kid who went through this, it’s kids goin’ through this right now and don’t even kno. I just want to show them that they are being misguided before it’s too late.”
– OMB Peezy

The sixteen-track mixtape is the product of the prodigious rising Rap star whose natural talent as an artist has thrived from self-growth, being a father, and in-studio collaborations with elite producers Murda Beatz (Drake, Gucci Mane), Hitmaka (Lil Wayne, Chris Brown), HicksMadeThat (Young Boy Never Broke, Yung Bleu) and more. In addition to the project acclaimed track, “Mufasa” featuring G Herbo, released earlier his year, MisGuided features an array of tracks that magnify the lack of education OG’s passed down to the youth as Peezy takes complete charge to end the cycle speaking from a newly adapted perspective from being a father. Peezy paints a vivid picture of the pain and struggle he’s faced leading to this point; however, in the end, proves that all trials eventually lead to triumphs. The project comes to a cinematic end with a triumphant, base-knocking outro reminiscent of nostalgic Rap splendor made to inspire and evoke the energy of the streets to the global masses. OMB Peezy turns a new page as once being MisGuided to standing tall masterfully in his craft and the man he’s become today.

Slated to take his victory lap on the heels of his latest release, the Mobile, Alabama native prepares for this tour with Kevin Gates via ‘Big Lyfe’ tour kicking off on 8/23/22. For additional tour information, visit HERE.

Photo: Paige Strabala

Clement Hotel Palo Alto

A Personalized Luxury Accommodation in a Contemporary Atmosphere.

Choosing the right hotel may be a daunting undertaking, but once you’ve selected the right one, it’s usually a repeat. Clement Hotel is a repeat; we learned that one overseas family has been occupying two rooms for nearly 3 months. Opened since March 2016, Palo Alto hosts a six-star hospitality experience with one of the most advanced, and unique luxury all-inclusive establishments in Northern America. This pristine property is situated in Silicon Valley, just 30 minutes south of San Francisco and 20 minutes north of San Jose; the perfect location to avoid the hectic city life and dull suburbia.

The Clement Hotel follows a concept that is unprecedented, truly a one-of-a-kind. It’s secret? They just pay really close attention to each of their clients. Upon check-in, every client receives a personal concierge. Your concierge functions as an assistant, who facilitates your stay by supplying every need. Ours even assisted with providing a very specific, yet, makeshift listing of events, bars and restaurants within the San Francisco area, that played top 40 hip-hop. Prior to arrival, patrons complete an email survey with dietary restrictions, special needs, requests and preferred cuisines. The client relations representative is a “genie in a bottle,” that makes its customer’s wishes come true.

Always armed with a WiFi connected tablet, they can answer any queries or concerns about virtually any pressing issue that surfaces in any area of the property. And, if you’ve seemingly lost them, don’t fret because they’re strapped with an in-house networked iPhone with an extension so they’re reachable via text or call throughout the campus.

Once inside the rooms, the Clement Hotel showcases exquisite quality and embellishments. There are 23 stylish king suites available throughout 4 floors and all of which are well-equipped with cell phone chargers, international electricity outlets and floor to ceiling windows. The 650 sq. ft., single-bedroom offers modern and sophisticated comfort, providing an intuitive layout with an array of carefully curated amenities to enhance the guest’s stay. State-of-the-art technology is combined with comfort of the highest standard, such as luxurious Frette linens, 65-inch Samsung Smart TVs, Nespresso Vertuoline coffee machines, powered blinds and fully stocked in-room refrigerators. The bathrooms are lavish, containing a small screen TV concealed inside the mirror and a heated seat Toto toilet/bidet equipped with an infrared remote control. The glass stall showers are tourist, celebrity and business traveler ready, installed with rain head or massage handles. Or, enjoy a relaxing bath in its deep-soak tub with salts provided. Another meticulous detail that adds flair to this space, are the heated floors with wall thermostat control.

After a night on the town at San Francisco’s “Love + Propaganda” 360 Magazine enjoyed a toasted sesame bagel with salami, pepperoni and thinly sliced meat alongside of microwaved Brie cheese at 3AM in the 24-hour kitchen pantry. A fully stocked 6-foot display case refrigerates bottled refreshments alongside of an extensive variety of yogurts and Tin Pot, a local handcrafted ice cream prepared with organic ingredients. Not to mention, various granola bars, fruit and pre-wrapped goodies were sprinkled throughout. Other all-inclusive service and amenities include: breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks; all non/alcoholic drinks, inroom banqueting, minibar, business center, valet parking, twice-daily housekeeping services, overnight shoe shine services, high-speed internet, personal experience specialist and gratuities. Not to mention, an open bar service available anywhere in the hotel. This convenience-styled hotel is hosted by a very attentive and sympathetic staff that makes sure visitors feel at home at every moment. After all, business is all about relationships, and traveling alone after-awhile can be lonely. But, Clement actually makes lonely travels preferable, the entire staff is accessible, extremely professional and charismatic – our newest friends!

Guest’s visitors are also permitted to luxuriate in all that The Clement Hotel has to offer. An exclusive chef presides over “The Kitchen” area, which holds many of your tasteful dishes. In fact, one afternoon, former resident chef, Phillip Pagan, prepared appetizers (homemade potato chips) with built-in deep fryer at the island (adjacent to dining/living area), where the team freely reminisced about our recent travels and the gorgeous Jaguar F-Pace First Edition, which was our means of transportation.

Business drop-ins have access to secure private rooms that are well equipped for teleconferencing. They are ideal for receptions, private meals and activities. All attendees have complete access to all the above mentioned amenities and valet parking. In fact, most vehicles are kept underneath the property in a lower level garage, which is only accessible to staff.

For additional information on this property go HERE.

Article: Vaughn Lowery

The Clement Palo Alto Hotel inside 360 MAGAZINE

CHEF SHIN THOMPSON

Listen to 360 MAG Vaughn Lowery and Chef Shin Podcast: HERE

Chef Shin Thompson was an underground Cookman turned Michelin star chef in Chicago for his Chicago Restaurant. Although he spends most of his career in Chicago. He now recently moved to LA to start a new Japanese BBQ restaurant.

The challenge he had to have to earn the star for the restaurant in Chicago is that you must be able to cook well for 365 days. Chef Shin Thompson felt accomplished that the people were able to realize the passion that he has for the food. He said, “It was a great feeling to be recognized for all the hard work that went over the years.”

At first, he got interested in being a chef because of his parents. He said, “My dad was really big into cooking at home and replicating recipes from his travels and so really where I got interested in it.”

As a child, he would spend most of his time traveling with his dad. He said, “I first got exposed to food from all the different travels, my dad used to take me out of school for weeks at a time…so take me out of school and we just learn about different cultures, and we traveled all over Europe and all over Asia.”

His family comes from a Japanese household; therefore, it played a huge role in introducing him to the food. “My mother is Japanese, so anybody who’s in a Japanese family will tell you that food is a big part of the culture in Japan and is a heritage to be a big cook if you’re Japanese. So, my mom was always cooking Japanese food and my dad was always cooking food from all of these different cultures, so I got exposed to a lot of different things at a young age.” He spoke.

While he works on a restaurant tour, he introduces us to his challenges and thoughts on what means to succeed in the restaurant business. He said, “The interesting part about the restaurant business that I find fascinating is it takes different skills sets, so you need to be an artist from the chef perspective you need a business person that can really understand the numbers and the food costs, labor costs, you need marketing and being able to or more like psychology getting into the mind of the people who coming into the restaurant.”

According to Chef Shin Thompson, the restaurant will have private rooms with “Asian-looking screens.” Along with the modern look and Japanese style. It will have the décor of “Japanese charred wood, which is called Shou Sugi Ban, which is a Japanese technique that is used in ancient times, where they actually charred the wood and they would use it for the siding in their homes” he said. It’s good for resisting fire. The reason is that there is nothing to burn since the wood is already charred.

For the menu, “The BBQ grill menu is about $148 dollars for domestic tasting, which includes full meal” he said. There will be an A5 version that is not domestic, however, it will more expensive. In Japan, having a restaurant being A5 means the best.

Some of the upgrades that are still in progress are the “wine cellar that we will have in the middle of the dining room, as well as several dry agers that will be built in the wall as a display.” Therefore, when a guest walks in, they will see the dry agers that will have meat.

One piece of advice that Chef Shin Thompson gives to young chefs is “there are a lot of sacrifices that you need to put in as a young chef and in order to make sure it is worthwhile, you need to be 100% passionate about what you do.”