LISA LOK

English Countryside Fare
Walking into Lord's in Manhattan, I wasn't surprised to find a packed house — even on a Monday night. The English country-style bistro tucked away in the West Village is the follow-up project to Chef Ed Szymanski and his partner Patricia Howard's wildly popular English seafood spot, Dame. I marveled over the vintage plates that came with each dish and the Scotch egg, which was encased in spiced lamb kofta and had a golden, runny yolk. The ox cheek, carrot, and stilton pie was rich and savory. Though I shared it (in an attempt to try a little of everything), it certainly could have been enjoyed solo. As the meal came to an end, I was intrigued by the menu's nonalcoholic Pentire white negroni, and when my sweet tooth got the better of me, I decided to pair it with the queen of puddings: a traditional jam and custard pudding peaked with meringue. The decor is accented by swathes of British racing green, which gives the space a sense of pedigree. And while the marble tables and stately bar set against exposed brick speak to a modern audience, Lord's feels like it's been here for ages (and I hope it will be).

Scrub and Refresh
With the sweet summer months upon us, we are soaking in the sun. As a result, my nightly skincare routine has taken on new products. The Palermo Coffee Body Scrub and the Detox + Clarify Routine kit have done wonders about a full day of commuting through the New York City streets and subway. The scrub fills the room with aromas of lemon, rosemary, and, of course, coffee and leaves my skin silky smooth and refreshed. The detox kit has a facial mask that takes me away from my phone and incorporates activated charcoal and spirulina to help calm my skin. Founder Jessica Morelli learned the importance of self-care from her nonna and wanted to highlight the value of natural ingredients and return to her roots with this Italian-inspired line. By the end of the routine, your face will feel restored and ready for whatever comes your way. 

The Art of the Olive
I can't exactly pinpoint when I transitioned to eating olives. They were not my first snack of choice, and now I crave them the most. A favorite on the Departures team is Kosterina olive oil, and now the brand has launched a new product. The Snacking Olives Trio is the perfect addition to any dish (or if you're like me, you can eat them straight out of the jar with a toasted baguette in hand). The olives are naturally cured for up to 12 months and vacuum-sealed instead of submerged in brine. With robust flavors that linger with every bite, the variety includes spicy kalamata, coriander and pink pepper green olives, and a classic Greek herb. This mix will delight your taste buds with a pop of Mediterranean flare.

A Cafe in Your Kitchen
For me, coffee has always been enjoyed best outside of my apartment. Whether it's the invigorating smells and elegance of the machinery, or the extra shot of dopamine I get from catch up with friends, something about the ritual never quite feels complete with my at-home pour-over. That is until I discovered the magic of a Bruvi coffee machine. Unlike other single-serve coffee machines, Bruvi makes an excellent cup rich in both aroma and flavor. Perhaps my favorite feature is the ability to remote control the brewer from your phone using their app. Provided you've set up your mug and pod ahead of time, the perfect cup is just a few clicks away. There's nothing like brewing a fresh cup from the comfort of a warm bed. You can also customize the settings from the sleek and simple touchscreen, of course. Their B-pod system packs 40% more coffee per pod resulting in a surprisingly strong drink at any of their customizable sizes (up to 12 ounces). What really sets Bruvi apart, though, if their commitment to sustainability at every step in the process. Working with responsibly sourced coffee and creating pods actually designed to decompose in the landfill makes this an excellent choice to upgrade your countertop cafe.

A Boost of Balinese Flavor
While my spice cabinet features an array of discoveries from many farmers' markets, Sambal Goreng by Bungkus Bagus has been heavy in my rotation as of late. The fried chili topping is inspired by the founders' childhood in Bali, and every jar is made fresh by hand, transforming a few ingredients into a love letter to their hometown. Specifically, the mix has a rich, earthy zest that pairs well with everything from a simple cucumber salad to my daily hummus without overpowering the dish, because sometimes ever your best creations need a little boost.

Warm, Cozy, and Savory
On a quiet street in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, sits the pleasantly understated restaurant Chez Ma Tante. The simple black-and-white exterior gives way to a modern setting of dark wooden tables and chairs. From co-chefs Aidan O'Neal and Jake Leiber, the menu features European-inspired fare from duck breast to smoked trout rillettes. Sipping on the Lion's Tale, a slightly sour cocktail with a rum base, I eagerly watches the kohlrabi salad make its way to the table. The ambiance inside is warm and cozy, perfect for an early winter night. The murmurs of nearby tables become a chorus over the light instrumentals playing in the background. It's the type of place you can feel blissfully alone with a well-made dish. On the sweet side, they have a range of indulgences for any mood. The almond tart was the perfect send-off after a night of savory delights.

Cutting Edge
My dad has worked as a chef for the majority of his life and his love language has always been food. I've grown fond of replicating the meals I grew up with. For his birthday, I shared with him a new set of knives from Schmidt Bros. Cutlery. Watching him marvel over the sturdy weight of the German stainless steel, I knew this was a great decision. The blades cut effortlessly and precisely through the ingredients and the smooth handle grips comfortable like an extension of your arm. Being a dad, stubborn as they come, he'll no doubt hold on to a few of the old trusty favorites he's been using for decades, but I bet I'll see these new knives in use and on display the next time I visit, tired from my travels and eagerly awaiting a home cooked meal.

French Immersion
If you find yourself in Los Angeles while longing for the City of Lights, visit Parisian-inspired Juliet. I started off my visit with a cup of Vert Provence tea and a plate of Oeufs et Ratatouille, then indulges in the menu's sweeter side, specifically crêpes suzette and eclairs. French jazz played softly throughout my meal as I fell increasingly in love with the restaurant's decor. The Jeremiah Brent-designed space playfully mixes marble with rich wood, set against pinstripe upholstery and checkerboard tile. Plus, the tables' scalloped trim evokes a rolling tide perfectly suite for the seafood-centered dinner menu, which I'm eager to explore on my next visit.

A Total Ham
Whether I'm hosting a small get-together or enjoying a quiet night in with my husband, the simple elegance of a quality charcuterie board brings me so much joy. The delicious jámon from Mercado Famous is easily the star of the show every time. From the first bite, you're instantly transported to Spain. The acorn-fed jámon (100% Ibérico) has an extra-nutty flavor that complements any board pairing. Founders Aaron Luo and Carmen Chen Wu have partnered together, inspired by their love of food, culture, and nostalgia for sharing simple meals. Mercado's beautifully designed packaging and site make it easy to buy and bundle all your charcuterie favorites. You can even order a whole jámon leg if you're feeling extra hungry.

A Buzz with Culture
If this address sounds familiar, One White Street was the nineteenth-century townhouse that John Lennon and Yoko Ono later claimed as the embassy of "Nutopia", their imagined country with no border or laws "other than the cosmic." Or perhaps you've heard the buzz about Chef Austin Johnson. The menu is based on rotating, seasonal ingredients from the restaurant's Hudson Valley farm and has already earned Johnson a Michelin star. On my way to the second floor, I eyed each table, hoping to get a glimpse of what was in store. Of particular note: the focaccia and the smoked carrots, rich from the harissa and red grapes. The 1WS cheeseburger and shaved fennel are not to be missed either. I ended the night well-fed with the passion-fruit meringue.