When Albert Doumar is done with cone making, a task he calls his daily exercise, he carefully takes off his black apron, dusted in flour, and adjusts his signature suspenders before he takes a seat at a booth. http://www.distinctionhr.com/2013/05/ice-cream-man/
Hello, readers!
I am so excited to introduce this issue because it epitomizes what we love so much about our region, and what we seek to bring you: passion. People who are passionate about creating, passionate about the way they live, passionate about doing what they love. We take a little peek into the worlds of several of the region’s artists. These are people who intricately and intimately create their vision of the world and share it with the rest of us. And we take a look at an art community flourishing in an old bakery in Norfolk. Our region has spawned so much talent –
artists of national and international renown – and we can bring you only a glimpse of it in one issue. Keep an eye out for more.
Many of us also have a great passion for food. It has to sustain not just our bodies, but also our curiosity. It’s our culture and comfort. Around these parts, barbecue inspires such fervor. So we sent out a North Carolina native in search of some pork that made him feel at home. And he found a lot of it. Of course, we couldn’t possibly include all the wonderful barbecue in our region, so check out his favorites and find your own. I did. In the picture above, you can see John and me
about to stuff ourselves (I’m a sucker for that Soo-ey Sweet sauce) at the Belmont House of Smoke in Norfolk. However you like it, there’s plenty here for you to discover. And speaking of food, check out luscious recipes for all those tomatoes that will soon be gracing your backyard and local farmers markets, as well as a conversation with Fabio Rinaldi, of Norfolk’s Sirena restaurant.
Also in these pages, we take you into the heart-pounding world of big-game hunting on the water – sight casting. These anglers stalk their prey, laying eyes upon the fish before the heated pursuit. And we join a family farm, where they make their living straight off the land.
And of course, what would Distinction be without a bit of fun? Come on a road trip back in time in our summer fashion preview.
As always, thank you for reading.
- Judy Le, Distinction editor
Looking back in time at Norfolk,VA with vintage photos.
Teenagers after school. Norfolk, Virginia, 1958.
By Paul Schutzer
(Source: images.google.com, via bygoneamericana)
Driving around the Eastern Shore in Virginia can lead to finding amazing folkart. Perfect adventure for a weekend afternoon.
Try a wine or beer tasting
With so many opportunities to explore various specialties, from wine and beer to cheese, chocolate and even olive oil, why not expand your palate with an evening of tasting? Not only will you be doing something new together, you’ll also gain a new appreciation for some of your favorite things. You can also opt for pairing courses – wine and cheese and even beer and cheese pairings can be a fun way to open yourself to new eating and drinking possibilities.
FASHION WATCHES /// Watchcraft.com Retailer: Silver Bonsai Gallery, 905 Highway 64, Manteo; 252.475.1413. SilverBonsai.com.
Alter Ego Saison by Smartmouth Brewing Company, Norfolk VA
Citrus, spicy, peppery in the nose. Herbaceous and subtle fruity Esters. Clean and dry finish.
Come by tomorrow and have a tulip!!
Story behind the name:
“It’s named after me embracing my alter ego and basically leaving behind my lawyer career and becoming a brewery owner. Also all of my investors have their day jobs, but they embrace their alter ego on the side by participating in the brewery. We hope all of our consumers will embrace their alter ego and pursue what they really want to do.”
Best-Ever Barbecued Ribs (Bon Appétit, July 2012)
Are they really the “best-ever”? Let us know!
COOL GADET! SOLAR LAPTOP & MORE CHARGER!
-$399
No more waiting around for your laptop to be charged with the convenient 15-watt solar panel laptop charger embedded right inside a stylish and portable briefcase. Just one hour in the sun can give your laptop an extra 12 to 45 minutes of charge and can even fully charge your cell phone or other small electronic device. On top of saving energy, the bag itself has an eco-friendly composition of recycled PET bottles.
Is it time for dessert yet? Blueberry-Drop Biscuit Cobbler (Bon Appétit, August 2012)
Preheat oven to 375°F. Whisk 1 1/2 cups flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Add butter; using your fingertips, incorporate until only pea-size lumps remain. Gently mix in crème fraîche. Knead in bowl until a biscuit-like dough forms, 5–7 turns (overmixing will make dough tough).
Combine remaining 1 cup sugar, remaining 3 tablespoons flour, berries, juice, and zest in a large bowl. Toss to coat. Pour into an 8x8x2” glass baking dish or divide among six 6-ounce ramekins. Tear biscuit topping into quarter-size crumbles; scatter over berries.
Bake cobbler until juices are thick and bubbling and topping is cooked through and deep golden brown, 20–25 minutes for ramekins or 45–50 minutes for baking dish. Let cool for at least 1 hour.
(via epicurious)
Distinction’s team of award-winning writers and editors are driven by a passion for value and a desire to discover the best Hampton Roads has to offer.
