BlackenedOut

Go down to Calle Ocho and hit up Ball & Chain and Sanguiche. That ought to kill some time and not have you running all over the place. But lots more spots. Cafe La Trova is also worth a visit but assume baseball game is at night, takes that out of play somewhat.

To be fair, I think Florida could probably hold down the entire top 5 but for sake of the question spreading around the south.

Good question.
One of the islands around Charleston, probably Kiawah, Sea Island, The Breakers, Take your pick of somewhere in Miami Boca area (but I personally like The Biltmore hotel- not on beach though), and the Gasparilla Inn on Boca Grande.

Probably a place in the keys that could be up there as well. Honorable mention to The Grand Hotel in Fairhope just because it’s a great, old property.

Jim Brewer has a great, sentimental bit about the music at Chinese places.

It would be the Centurion Lounge. But need a platinum Amex to get in. Otherwise I’m sure there are some priority pass lounge (but again need access via credit card). Been in some nice admirals clubs in DFW (but also need to be flying American + access).

Lexington VA not too far from there. They’ve renamed the chapel and hidden the tomb but can see REL financing place and an amazing sarcophagus of him lying in repose. Great Main street, house mountain, VMI and WL.

Flights

Booked the LAX-NRT 5th freedom on Singapore Air. Great flight, incredible business class and reward of around 105k-120k per person plus minimal taxes and fees. Economy and premium economy lots of award availability as well.

Did 4 nights in Tokyo, 2 in Kanazawa, 2 in Takayama, 2 nights in Kyoto, and a final night in Tokyo.

Kanazawa was our favorite city. But really all were great. Took a while to warm up to Kyoto as it is very crowded and reminded us of a Florence or the like. But found its charms.

Here is my single best tip. Do not worry about where you eat. The food is by and large really great no matter where you go. Don’t wait in line for the viral pancake or sandwich place. Just go to the place next door. The best sashimi is going to be in some market where you choose your cut and the slice it for you right there.

Beautiful country, wonderful people. Go.

For sale on Zillow. Look for a three bedroom three bath in Beachview Estates with a big pool in the 1300 block of par view.

Moons ago there used to be parties at a place called the Bomba Shack, which was a beachside shack run by a guy named Bomba. Bomba was very large and sort of handsy with women who would ask to take photos wiry him. Bomba would make Bomba tea which was supposed to be some sort of magic mushroom punch. These parties took place on full moon nights and all the charterheads, sailors, some locals, would all head out and drink a lot of this punch and a lot of rum. The parties were a lot of fun but I don’t think the punch did anything. I do recall one time a baking sheet of mushrooms that you could sample from if so desired.

All of this is a way to say, the party is fun but it doesn’t have much to do with the full moon (although that is when the parties are most notorious).

I went into new Elio’s yesterday afternoon, which even in the doldrums of summer always had a bit of activity on a Thursday. A tasting, Tim wanting you to try something, or get you a deal on some cases, but definitely people in there buying booze. Was a ghost town. So strange.

Don’t think enough people are realizing the impact of GLP1s both on booze consumption and more critically, restaurant industry. Time for common sense GLP1 control!

Champagne region very easy from Paris as a day trip and there are quite a few local guides. They will pick you up and take you to some lesser known houses but could also just visit the grande dames.

Beaune, and burgundy and Beaujolais, areas also very easy to reach from Paris by train. And then just use Turo to use a car and drive around. Did this last summer and it was aces.

Rhône a bit further afield but same as above. Train it. Then grab a car.

It’s awesome.