#a mood. a vibe. incredibly tasty

[fallenclan]

so!! starting off to say Moon 263 [part 2] might be one of my favorite fallenclan updates ever. here are some more specific thoughts because i have A Lot

the first panel with the "not actually chosen" ones chatting is so nice. the colors for this update are so tasty and really have a mystical vibe, but i especially like this first panel with the mushrooms. also, the textboxes look so neat overlapping. i like how wolfbite is quieter and not saying much while feathersight is speaking the most. it can be inferred that he's explaining about how starclan/the glowcave usually works with darkstone and honeysong occasionally adding on, and at the end wolfbite is just like "all right guys, i get it."

the way the starclan cats are drawn is so cool... the "fading" effect that makes them look all watery, as if bits and pieces of them are drifting away?? incredible. i love it! i also really like how the stc textboxes are a different shade. it's just a neat detail. the star effects surrounding them is so pretty also. i just love how you draw the starclan cats in general, they look so magical. i like how away from the glowcave, their colors bleed past the lines, but at the glowcave they appear more solid, as if they're stronger there. i just,, i love it

the cameos! omg. i literally never thought i would see nick again but here we are. i'm a big fan of all the appearances!!

silverbelly is adorable. i love how excited feathersight is to see her. also, when she first appears, i like the detail of darkstone sweating. despite being a medicine cat, he's literally never seen a fully formed starclan cat before. he's nervous!! wolfbite looks shocked but i feel like this is more about the idea of her being "special" rather than seeing silverbelly tbh. she's like "damn i guess i actually am plot relevant."

salmonskip... i was so happy to see her... she's such a goober. nick's "we all had our own cats we hoped would come" was such a fun line as well for its thought provoking effect. i feel like it's a nod to how there were so many different "fourth cat" theories in the discord server but i could be wrong. we all had our ideas! now i'm super curious as to who nick was rooting for... and also who each of the previous leaders wanted (should i send another ask with my theories on who specific starclan cats wanted to be the fourth cat?)

big fan of the "you weren't actually chosen, you chose yourself" yada yada. wonderful! i love choosing your own destiny narratives. i'm sure nothing bad will happen to our little feline heroes

sleepycloud :(

"you sound different than i thought you would" - honeysong, had me in shambles. honeysong is older than lionsong was when he died... he looks so young here

poppyfeather made me laugh. i love the "not that this isn't heartwarming..." that i read in a 100% sarcastic tone. she is not in the mood for happy reunions!! she has a dictator to depose, guys. time to see her vengeful trait come into effect...

the ending! darkstone and honeysong look so envigorated whereas feathersight looks exhausted and wolfbite... looks ready to "do what has to be done." i love how happy she was to see sandsnap, and then how her happiness is buried once the poppyfeather and cherrystar step in with their plan, as if seeing sandsnap only strengthened her desire for revenge.

i had a dream after this post where the squad was about to confront ravenstar and he was all like "you thought i didn't know about your little schemes? cute." and his little gang rolled up (sleepydawn, flamefall, levi, patchback, etc.). i don't remember much else of what happened but i woke up like " oh no . . . the little guys are in danger . . . " anyway this segues into my prediction that there will be at least one death as a direct consequence of their attempt to depose ravenstar.

-🐉 (giggling and swinging my feet)

as always dragon... you literally never miss

i'm so glad you picked up on the textbox thing, you basically got it in one!!! feathersight and honeysong explaining helpfully, darkstone chiming in with his little snips and jokes, wolfbite talking less because she's got somewhat of a listening role there etc

IT WAS SO FUN TO DRAW THEM LIKE THAT... the white lines made it kind of difficult to see the white cats (looking at you sleepycloud) but otherwise. so fun. your assumption is correct, they're more solid there than they are as ghosts, and then in Starclan they arent wispy at all, just faintly glowing with those white lines (though they're so fun to draw like this i might have to just draw the ghosts like this always. idk)

cameos!! Nick was a special request from my sibling that I agreed with wholeheartedly. he was so silly

"damn I guess I actually am plot relevant" LMAO

yup it was a nod to all the guesses!! if i had infinite time and energy i would have put in more starclan cats as nods to specific guesses (Canarywish aka the greatest red herring I ever fished comes to mind), but alas. and you KNOW id love to hear all your thoughts fuck yes!!! (I didn't have anyone in particular in mind for Nick, but if I had to choose I'd say he was hoping for Snailpetal as well, she's his only surviving descendant)

i'm sure nothing will happen ! nothing bad at all!

sleepycloud :( indeed. i will let slip that i've got some plans as far as the sleepydawn situation but that's all i'll say about that for now

SHES ALMOST TWICE THE AGE HE WAS WHEN HE DIED... i always forget how young Lionsong was. not even 30 moons :(

i love Poppyfeather she is ALL business. "listen you guys can come back to the glow cave literally any time after we kill ravenstar's bitch ass can we get on with it pls"

YES EXACTLY!! Honeysong and Darkstone are the Young Optimistic ones, Feathersight is very cautiously optimistic but has seen a lot of shit and is more realistic about the odds they're facing, Wolfbite is in Get Shit Done mode. she's locked in. her thirst for blood has died down a bit upon seeing her dad and now it is HER job to save her clan. weight of the world on this poor girl's shoulders

i'm sure there will be no consequences. dont worry

[zedifi]

Dhaka's Fancy Burger Scenario - Comptoirs Richard Bangladesh

I was really craving a yummy burger, and oh boy, did I pick the right one. Just so you know, I didn’t read any reviews or look up any pictures before I dove in. It was a bit pricey for a burger, so I had high hopes, and let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint. Sometimes, I just go for it with food, you know? It’s like a mini adventure, gets my adrenaline pumping. This was one of those times, and wow, it did not let me down.

Comptoirs Richard Bangladesh is right in the middle of the busy Dhaka city, there’s this amazing spot that’s all about luxury and peace, way beyond out usual café vibe. As soon as I walked in, i felt the vibe — it’s classy and exclusive. The lighting is just right, not too bright or too dim, giving everything a warm, welcoming glow. It sets the perfect mood, making the place look elegant but also super cozy and intimate. The waiter are very welcoming and the best part they know what they are serving. I believe the management has taken time to make sure the servers are well aware of the menu. Sadly, its not a very usual scene in Dhaka.

Let’s start talking about those hand-cut fries and that amazing sauce, shall I? Okay, so I’m usually not the biggest fan of French fries, but man, if they’re tasty, I’m all in. For me, Takeout nails it with some of the best fries in town. And then there’s Peyala — their fries? Love ’em. My latest fave, though, has got to be these hand-cut ones. They’re just incredible. That perfect crunch without feeling greasy? Absolutely divine. And the house-made chili sauce they serve with it? Chef’s kiss.

So, let’s talk about the main event, THE BURGER itself; man, it looked unreal, pure foodporn. When I took that first bite, wow, the beef and spices blend was just perfect. It’s not your typical Dhaka burger joint vibe at all. I could really tell the burger and buns had a texture that set them apart, even from the fancy places. After that first bite, I noticed juices dripping onto the plate from the other side. I was like, “Is that mayo dripping?” But nope, it wasn’t mayo — I couldn’t taste even a hint of it in the burger. And when I tried to figure out what was actually dripping onto my plate… it was the meat fat, and believe me, I haven’t found anything like it in Dhaka till now.

My writing might sound like I’m super excited, maybe even exaggerating, but honestly, I’m just pouring out my feelings about this burger. Oh, it was such a mix of joy, happiness, and fulfillment. I was really skeptical about this burger because it’s pretty pricey. Dropping BDT 945+ Vat on a burger isn’t something I do often. I thought about it for quite a while before deciding to splurge at a cafe. But let me tell you, it was totally worth it.

After this epic experience, I’m totally heading back to try the other burger on their menu. It’s the same deal, but with added bone marrow on top of the patty. Sounds intense and thrilling, right? It’s not listed in the menu down below, but they’ve it. My expectations are through the roof, and I’m pretty sure they’re going to knock it out of the park.

Until next time……

[inventors-fair]

For each victor—a victory! ~

Our winners this week are @hypexion, @misterstingyjack and @nine-effing-hells!

@hypexion — Priestess of Ashtear

This card raises questions about the world that I enjoy exploring. Therosian or not, the concept of sorting through the ashes and bringing ghosts from the notions, whatever they may be, is solid. There's the entity of Ashtear (a new deity, or portmanteau?) that—well, 'ash' is right there, and perhaps it's the silver-grayness of it all, but I'm simply having an easy time getting the character's mojo settled clearly in my head. I think "dead" doesn't need to be in the flavor text for sentence flow, but the card's doing a great job in all other aspects of its presentation. There's a ghostliness that distinguishes it from the auras of Theros and the macabre of Orzhov.

Moreover, the delirium aspect is without delirium; it's precise, constructed, and counts for what is presented, not reaching for a specific number. We take what we can get. You'll probably end up with 3-4 spirits naturally, and for an uncommon, that's a solid late-game drop, perhaps even early-game if you can knock off both a removal spell early and an enchantment creature dying in combat. Very powerful as an aggressor and as a blocker to spread out the late game. Should the "create a..." part come before the "for each" clause, like how Avenger of Zendikar does? I think so, but don't let these small bumps take away from the fact that this card, in its simplicity, pulls off some tasty vibes.

@misterstingyjack — Mutilations Expert

I'll be a damned clown—"damaged creature" appears on exactly one Phage vanguard card, but it certainly appears. Is that precedent? It's precedent enough for me. The thing I like mechanically about this card is that on your turn, you can slide in that extra damage after your opponent thinks they've made a good block, and on your opponent's turn, they'll be calculating their attacks without calibrating for the surprise life loss. How long are damaged creatures going to be staying around? I suppose it all depends, but Footlight Fiend makes even your big boys stickaroundable for the flinging. Plus, with chump-blocking, this makes some combat tricks much better.

But Rakdos sacrificing its wounded creatures really is new territory for me to consider. Fresh meat is what it is, but the stabs make it all the more enticing. Truly, this is something that makes the deckbuilding a lot more complicated. How are you going to change up your gameplay? Will your opponents know? My guess: probably not. This card might not define an archetype but it could see waves in the right deck. It's certainly made me want to think about how to make it happen, y'know? Also, name: on point. Typeline: definitely on point. Aren't the Rakdos fun?

@nine-effing-hells — Undecided Undergrad

Now, I'll be honest: this is the card that I feel I have to defend the most. The flavor text needs heavy paring and editing, and the cost of the activated ability could be reduced IMO. Ward I'll defend just because—well, this student needs defending. The good news is that I played a helluva lot of Strixhaven, and moreover, this got me thinking about the incredible deck that could be made with this card. You and I both know that one person who's gonna get as much fixing and token generation as they can before drawing themselves out and having a blast doing it. It's not easy to get all five colors, but you can try. Getting a five-color token ain't a walk in the park either.

This card's got such a good feeling connected to its gameplay. Hugely positive, hugely inventive, and moreover, this card actively resists an archetype. I think I'm going to be going into the rest of the commentary with those considerations, genuinely! I think that there are some deckbuilding techniques that speak to people looking to solidify a concept, and some that speak to the weirdness and the fringe benefits of going in XYZ direction. If that's not wholly related to the mood that this card is bringing, I don't know what is.

Runners and commentary coming up. @abelzumi

[whatsonmedia]

London’s Best Deals: Brunch, Oktoberfest, and more for Less

Explore London’s top experiences without breaking the bank! From a vibrant brunch at The Skinny Kitchen to Oktoberfest fun in Camden, a Latin-inspired cocktail adventure at Gaucho, and discounted tickets to the five-star musical "Guys & Dolls," these exclusive offers promise to deliver unforgettable moments at incredible prices. Whether you’re in the mood for bottomless drinks, delicious food, or immersive entertainment, grab these deals before they're gone! Get the most amazing breakfast in London for just £20 at The Skinny Kitchen. Join The Skinny Kitchen for The Fabulous Brunch — a vibrant and immersive dining experience that promises not only delicious food but also live performances and a lively atmosphere. Every weekend, there's something new with three unique themes to choose from, including circus, amazonia, and disco! Get ready to enjoy good vibes, tasty meals, and exciting entertainment, all while indulging in bottomless drinks for 90 minutes. Highlights - Exclusive Offer: Three-hour brunch experience for ages 21 and over. - Bottomless Drinks: Enjoy 90 minutes of bottomless Prosecco, beer, wine, or cocktails. - Price Drop: Originally £65, now just £45! What’s on the Menu? For a look at the complete menu, click here. Need to Know - Voucher Validity: This voucher is valid for The Fabulous Brunch at The Skinny Kitchen until January 31, 2025. - Availability: Saturdays at 12 pm, 3:30 pm, or 7:30 pm. - Booking: Email your booking confirmation and preferred weekend date to reservations@skinnykitchen.co. Ensure your voucher and security code are clear. - Age Restriction: Guests must be 21 or over. - Minimum/Maximum Booking: Minimum booking of two people, maximum of six. - Cancellations: The restaurant must be informed of any changes or cancellations within 48 hours. Otherwise, the voucher will be considered redeemed. - Location: The Skinny Kitchen, 52 Upper Street, London, N1 0QH. - Non-Cancellable: Vouchers cannot be canceled, amended, exchanged, refunded, or used in conjunction with any other offer. Enjoy a brunch packed with energy, entertainment, and great food, all while sipping on bottomless drinks! Get tickets to Oktoberfest 2024 at Camden's Electric Ballroom for just £10, and save 50% off. Get ready for Camden's biggest Oktoberfest celebration this autumn! Electric Ballroom will transform into a lively Bavarian beer hall, filled with long wooden tables, traditional bunting, and plenty of fun. Feast on authentic German cuisine like Bratwurst and Schnitzels while enjoying live music from Oompah bands and more. This epic party also includes games and prizes, creating the perfect Oktoberfest experience right in London. Highlights - Oktoberfest Fun: Every Saturday in October, plus a bonus date in September. - Authentic Food & Drink: Enjoy Bavarian Bratwurst, Schnitzels, and of course, beer. - Party Atmosphere: Games, live music, and prizes in a festive German beer hall setting. - Affordable Tickets: Entry for just £10! When and Where? - Dates: September 28th to October 26th, 2024 - Time: 2 pm - 9 pm (last entry at 5 pm) - Location: Electric Ballroom, 184 Camden High Street, London NW1 8QP Need to Know - Voucher Validity: Valid for a ticket to Camden Oktoberfest 2024 on your selected date. - Age Restriction: Must be 18 or over to attend. - Event Times: 2 pm to 9 pm, with last entry at 5 pm. - Booking: Present your booking confirmation at the box office upon arrival. - Non-Cancellable: Vouchers cannot be canceled, amended, exchanged, refunded, or used in conjunction with any other offer. Prepare for a lively Oktoberfest celebration, full of food, drinks, and entertainment at Camden's iconic Electric Ballroom! Special offer: £24.95 for three cocktails at Gaucho + a £20 dining credit Celebrate the vibrant spirit of Latin America at Gaucho by sampling their brand-new cocktail menu, "The Spirit of Argentina," which features 20 drinks inspired by Argentina’s food and drink culture. Using cutting-edge mixology techniques, the menu includes unique concoctions like the Miso Mango Sour, Kiwi Gimlet, Pineapple Vermouth, and the Wagyu Martini. Along with the cocktails, you'll enjoy £20 towards your meal, where you can indulge in dishes like grilled sea bass, fillet steaks, Wagyu burgers, and more. Highlights - Cocktail Adventure: Try three new cocktails from Gaucho's "The Spirit of Argentina" menu. - Dining Credit: Receive a £20 dining credit towards your meal (with a minimum spend of £45). - Multiple Locations: Available at 20 Gaucho restaurants across London, the north of England, and Scotland. - Celebrate Argentina: Enjoy Latin American flavors and Argentina-inspired cocktails, deemed the best restaurant cocktail list in the UK by The Cocktail Lovers magazine. Need to Know - Voucher Includes: Three cocktails and £20 dining credit (with a £45 minimum spend on the a la carte menu). - Availability: Monday to Sunday at selected locations. - Age Restriction: This offer is restricted to those aged 18 and over. - Valid Until: October 14, 2024. - Booking Modifications: Changes or cancellations must be made at least 48 hours before your booking. - Service Charge: A discretionary service charge may be added to the bill. - Dietary Requirements: Contact Gaucho directly for dietary accommodations. Locations Participating Gaucho restaurants include Birmingham, Canary Wharf, Covent Garden, Edinburgh, Manchester, and more. Get 50% off standing tickets to the five-star production of "Guys & Dolls." Save more than £19 Guys & Dolls at the Bridge Theatre has received rave reviews, including a perfect 5-star rating from Time Out. This "staggering achievement" brings the iconic musical to life with immersive staging that allows the audience to be part of the action. With stunning performances, lively dance numbers, and a beloved soundtrack, this production is a must-see for both long-time fans and newcomers. Grab your £19.50 standing tickets (reduced from £39.40) and step into the heart of the Hot Box for a night of musical magic. Highlights - Discounted Tickets: Save over £19 on standing tickets for the immersive production of Guys & Dolls. - Immersive Theatre: Experience the transformation of the Bridge Theatre into the bustling streets of Manhattan and Havana. - Limited Time Offer: Available for performances until October 10, 2024. When and Where? - Dates: August 29 - October 10, 2024 - Location: Bridge Theatre, Tower Bridge, 3 Potters Fields Park, London, SE1 2SG Show Duration - Running Time: 2 hours and 50 minutes, including a 15-minute interval Need to Know - Ticket Type: Valid for a standing ticket to Guys & Dolls. - Age Restriction: Suitable for ages 12 and over. All children must be accompanied by an adult. - Cloakroom: Coats and bags will need to be checked into the free cloakroom during the show. - E-Tickets: Tickets will be emailed directly from the Bridge Theatre box office at least 24 hours before the show. Time Out confirmations cannot be used to gain entry. - Doors Open: 90 minutes before each performance. Contact Information - Bridge Theatre Box Office: boxoffice@bridgetheatre.co.uk  or 0333 320 0051 Tickets cannot be cancelled, amended, exchanged, or refunded, and this offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other deal. Save Big on Flights and Hotels with Lastminute.com - Save up to £300: Take advantage of Lastminute.com’s January sale and enjoy incredible savings on flights and hotel bookings. - Wide Range of Destinations: Whether you’re dreaming of a beach escape or a city adventure, Lastminute.com offers a variety of destinations to choose from. - Flight and Hotel Bundles: Bundle your flight and hotel together to unlock even bigger discounts and get the best value for your money. - Flexible Payment Options: Book now and pay later with Lastminute.com’s flexible payment plans, making it easier to plan and budget for your trip. - Limited Time Offer: Hurry, this sale won’t last forever! Don’t miss out on the chance to save big on your next vacation. Visit Lastminute.com today and start planning your perfect getaway at unbeatable prices! For more exclusive offers on lifestyle visit WhatsOn Get the most amazing breakfast in London for just £20 at The Skinny Kitchen. Get tickets to Oktoberfest 2024 at Camden's Electric Ballroom for just £10, and save 50% off. Special offer: £24.95 for three cocktails at Gaucho + a £20 dining credit Get 50% off standing tickets to the five-star production of "Guys & Dolls." Save more than £19 Save Big on Flights and Hotels with Lastminute.com Read the full article

[eclipsegatobar]

Best Bar In Varanasi

Eclipse: The Best Pub and Bar in Varanasi

On top to its rich history and spiritual atmosphere, Varanasi boasts a vibrant nightlife. Nestled amidst the historic temples and hallowed ghats, Varanasi boasts a burgeoning nightlife culture that attracts both locals and tourists. Eclipse is the best disco bar in varanasi that has quickly established itself as the best bar in varanasi. and best pub in Varanasi is one unique place in this always moving world.

The Ambiance and Vibe

Eclipse is more than just a spot to have a drink; it's an experience. As soon as you come in, you're whisked away into a world of pulsating beats, neon lights, and a fun atmosphere, promising an amazing evening. Sleek and modern interior design combined with elements of the past create a unique and cosy ambiance. Light plays a crucial role in setting the correct mood with its blend of bright colours and warm, dark nooks that suit all kinds of guests.

Music and Entertainment

One of Eclipse's primary attractions is its music. The best disco pub in Varanasi features an incredible lineup of local and international DJs spinning everything from the newest chart-toppers to classic dance hits. Whether you prefer electronic dance music, Bollywood melodies, or hip-hop, there is music for everyone. The state-of-the-art sound system makes every note and beat connect peacefully, making it difficult to resist the urge to get on the dance floor.

In addition to its music, Eclipse often puts on themed nights and stage acts, which ups the ante on your night out. Live band events and singing nights are only two of the events that Eclipse hosts to keep the crowd engaged and spirits high.

Drinks and Cocktails

Eclipse, the best bar in Varanasi, takes its cocktail selection very seriously. The bar has a wide range of drinks, such as well-known cocktails, high-quality spirits and a carefully chosen assortment of wines and beers. The educated bar workers at Eclipse are artists as well as excellent mixers of drinks. They take great pleasure in creating tasty, inventive drinks that suit a wide range of palates. You won't be let down if you'd rather have a classic margarita, a crisp mojito, or something a little riskier like an Eclipse drink.

For those who enjoy experimenting with their drinks, the mixologists at Eclipse are always ready to whip up something special based on your preferences. Their creativity and expertise ensure that every drink is a masterpiece, making Eclipse the best pub in Varanasi for cocktail enthusiasts.

Food and Dining

A night out wouldn't be complete without delectable cuisine to go with your beverages. Eclipse provides a varied menu with a blend of international and Indian dishes. The food at Eclipse is made to fulfil every craving, from delectable appetisers to filling main dishes. The chefs craft dishes that are not only delicious but also aesthetically pleasing by using top-notch, freshly-sourced ingredients.

The delicious nachos, the fragrant tandoori platters, and the crispy chicken wings are a few of the menu items you really must try. There are also delicious salad and sushi alternatives for those who would choose something lighter. Eclipse has everything you need, whether you're craving a small snack to energise your dance or a large feast to share with friends.

Service and Hospitality

Eclipse offers great service, which is one of its most notable attributes. The personnel is amiable, focused, and willing to go above and beyond to make sure visitors have an amazing day. You are welcomed with kind smiles and efficient service as soon as you walk in. Eclipse's staff knows how important it is to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, which makes it the best pub in Varanasi for tourists and locals.

Safety and Cleanliness

Today's world places a premium on cleanliness and safety, two things that Eclipse takes very seriously. To protect its guests' health, the location adheres to stringent hygienic regulations. Among the many ways Eclipse puts the health and safety of every person who enters its doors first are routine cleaning, sanitization of high-touch areas, and well-maintained facilities.

Why Eclipse Stands Out

So, what sets out Eclipse as the best pub in varanasi  and best bar in Varanasi? It's a result of several things. Its amazing reputation is a result of its lively atmosphere, excellent music, superb drinks, mouthwatering food, first-rate service, and dedication to safety. When it comes to providing an entire nightlife experience that appeals to a wide range of people, Eclipse is an absolute must-visit place for anyone planning a night out in Varanasi.

Tips for Visiting Eclipse

If you're planning a visit to Eclipse, here are a few tips to make the most of your experience:

Arrive Early: Eclipse tends to get busy, especially on weekends. Arriving early ensures you get a good spot and avoid long wait times.

Dress to Impress: While Eclipse has a relaxed vibe, dressing stylishly adds to the fun. Plus, you'll fit right in with the chic crowd.

Stay Hydrated: Dancing and drinking can be exhausting. Make sure to drink water between your cocktails to stay hydrated and enjoy your night to the fullest.

Try the Signature Cocktails: Don't miss out on the unique drinks crafted by the talented bartenders. Ask for recommendations and try something new.

Plan Your Transport: If you're planning to drink, make sure you have a safe way to get back home. Consider booking a cab or arranging for a designated driver.

[islandspiceus]

Island Spice Bar and Grill Menu: Choose to Taste of Best Caribbean Food Houston

Are you yearning for a lively getaway with robust tastes and a cozy island vibe? You only need to check out Island Spice Bar and Grill Menu! With a menu full of genuine foods that entice the taste senses and take you to the heart of the Caribbean, this refuge for Caribbean cuisine calls you on a gastronomic adventure. A variety of mouthwatering appetizers set the tone for your gourmet experience. Savor the freshly produced, golden-fried plantain chips, which are ideal for dipping into their distinctive island sauce flavored with coconut. 

A variety of greens dressed in creamy vinaigrette, the Garden Salad provides a cool contrast. The Jerk Wing with Salad is a heartier alternative that consists of marinated wings that are grilled to a delicious softness and then finished with a sweet and spicy jerk sauce. To balance the tastes, the wings are served with a side salad. Island Spice Bar and Grill is proud of its expertise in jerk, a traditional Caribbean cooking method that uses a combination of hot spices and slow cooking to produce dishes that are incredibly tasty. 

A must-try is the Jerk Shrimp, which are juicy perfection grilled after being marinated in their unique jerk sauce. A variety of delicious desserts are available at Island Spice Bar and Grill, such as the Rum Cake, a traditional Caribbean delight enhanced with the warmth of rum and spices, and the Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, a tried-and-true dessert that never lets you down.

What Will You Get in Island Spice and Grill Menu? 

Specialties of Fresh Seafood 

We at Island Spice Bar and Grill Menu are proud to offer the finest seafood that comes from nearby seas. Savor luscious shrimp skewers paired with grilled pineapple salsa, or dive into a dish of grilled snapper sprinkled with spicy citrus sauce. Our seafood dishes are perfectly prepared and brimming with marine flavor.

Genuine Island Views 

A selection of traditional island sides to go with your main makes no Caribbean dinner complete. Pick from a range of classic favorites, such as the substantial callaloo sautéed with onions and garlic, crunchy fried plantains, and fluffy coconut rice. Our Best Caribbean Food Houston enhances the flavor of your meal and is the ideal accompaniment to any entrée.

Pleasant Conclusions 

Choose one of our delicious desserts, which are influenced by Caribbean delicacies, to round off your dinner on a sweet note. Savor a rich rum cake slice dripping with caramel sauce, or treat yourself to a scoop of creamy coconut ice cream garnished with fresh tropical fruit to chill down. Our desserts are the ideal way to sate your sweet craving and cap off a delicious dinner.

Why Choose Island Spice to Get Best Caribbean Food in Houston? 

At Island Spice, we take great pleasure in offering Best Caribbean Food Houston that embodies the islands' vivid tastes and spices. Every dish is enhanced by the years of experience and skill of our chefs, who make sure that every mouthful has the authentic flavor of Caribbean cuisine. Whether you're in the mood for seafood gumbo, curry goat, or jerk chicken, our menu has a wide range of Caribbean classics to suit every taste. 

Everyone may find something they appreciate at Island Spice, from crunchy fried plantains and breezy tropical cocktails to substantial stews and delicious rotis. We think that quality ingredients are the foundation of every outstanding meal. To make our recipes, we thus select the best and freshest ingredients possible. We take pleasure in providing responsibly farmed fish and locally sourced vegetables. 

Whether you're ordering takeout or dining in, you can count on a warm and attentive service experience throughout. Whether it's a wedding, business gathering, or family reunion, our catering services will bring the tastes of the Caribbean to your next occasion. Our dedicated service and unique food selections will guarantee that your event is one to remember. 

When you choose Island Spice for the greatest Caribbean Food Houston TX, you're treating yourself to a real gastronomic adventure that awakens your senses and whisks you away to the warm Caribbean coast. Join us so you may experience the tastes of the islands here in Houston. https://medium.com/@islandspice/island-spice-bar-and-grill-menu-choose-to-taste-of-best-caribbean-food-houston-4e99d92609f4 

[studioasa]

CAFE DESIGN PLAN AND STYLE THOUGHTS TO ATTEMPT IN 2022

Eateries are about the experience they give. The entirety of the components, like tasty food, top caliber, superb help, and a wonderful feel, amount to a charming encounter.

While feasting out, a positive survey isn't just in view of the cooking; the air of a cafe is similarly urgent to the general insight. No simple assignment to make a vibe supplements the food and the space's inside engineering.

LOOK AT THESE 6 CAFE INSIDE PLAN AND STYLISTIC LAYOUT THOUGHTS

1. ADD PLANT LIFE

Indoor plants are having a second at this moment! We profoundly recommend adding greens to your eatery stylistic layout. They are so outwardly engaging and emanate the sensation of newness, which your clients can relate with the food you serve. Plants are lovely and quiet, however they likewise help to channel the air. Besides, indoor plants are demonstrated mind-set sponsors and diminish pressure.

2. GO FOR MODERATE ENERGY

Toning it down would be best some of the time. Indeed! Go with a negligible look. Numerous cutting edge cafes utilize a moderate style with loads of blank area and a meager variety of implantations. Keep it basic and give a low-feeling climate so your guests can focus on their food. Be exceptionally wary while doing this on the grounds that each little detail matters.

3. UTILIZE MORE MIRRORS

Involving a mirror for an eatery inside is an exemplary method for making your space look greater and more roomy. The utilization of mirrors in plan is a time tested technique for making the feeling of profundity in a space, which is particularly helpful in the event that your lounge area is on the more modest side.As burger joints come in to the eatery, you believe they should see a sweeping space where they won't feel shut in with different clients while eating

Mirrors are accessible in pretty much every style, so you ought to have the option to pick one that supplements your cafe plan.

4. HANG PRESENT DAY LIGHT APPARATUSES

What do all lovely cafes share for all intents and purposes? Unbelievable light installations.

Lighting is a particularly significant piece of the mood. Trying different things with lighting is an incredible method for changing your eatery look.

Consider the environment you need to make and how you maintain that your clients should feel when they enter your cafe. Different variables to consider while picking lighting for your cafe incorporate energy economy, laborer security, and whether you maintain that visitors should have the option to get a decent picture of their dish for the 'gram!

5. EMBRACE THE WORKS OF ART

Certain looks and plans never become unfashionable. Indeed! We are discussing rare works of art you can surely never turn out badly with. Simply know that you don't get out of hand. Attempt to mix old and new by consolidating plan components that give a smidgen of the past with a cutting edge turn. French bistros, 1950s-style cafes, or an exemplary pizza joint appearance with checkered decorative spreads can all summon sentimentality while keeping a contemporary edge.

6. CENTER AROUND THE KITCHEN

Any cafe’s kitchen is its pulsating heart. Make the actual kitchen part of the style. This is truly moving and a ton of eateries have proactively executed this idea.

Coordinate an open business kitchen plan into your eatery inside plan, to put it up front for your visitors to notice. The smell of heavenly dishes being arranged will improve the mind-set and make coffee shops' jaws swim. Assuming you have any extraordinary point of convergence like wood fire-pizza, grill and so forth attempt to feature that in the open space.

Your visitors as of now love you for your food, and presently with these cafe inside plan and stylistic layout suggestions, your visitors will be wowed by your current circumstance too!

I want to believe that you found this article helpful. Inform us as to whether you have any more good thoughts for hoisting the stylish of your cafe in the remarks.

About

Studio AsA - Architects and interior designers in pune is an Architecture and Interior design studio created by design enthusiasts always curious about new design innovations. An association of young minds looking forward to bringing the transformation beyond dreams and imagination. 

Address - 1st, 2nd and 3rd floor, Ashtagandha Bungalow Phase 3B, near The Rustle Nest Restaurant, Baner, Pune, Maharashtra 411045

Call Us - +91-93095 90430

[pulsdmedia]

The Week Ahead 10/9-10/15

Sure, the temps are dropping, but we’re heating things up with a saucy speakeasy cruise, a book launch at a chic locale, tickets to an epic brew fest, steals on epic vintage threads, and more. Get cozy, get out there...

$29: Speakeasy Party Cruise With Live Jazz, Amazing Views & More

Looking to get into some trouble? If you want a night that's the bee’s knees, head on over to Club 36 - a 1920s prohibition-themed Speakeasy on the water. The live jazz band will play festive tunes while you dance your way through multiple levels of spacious climate-controlled indoor decks, plus a massive outdoor deck ideal for al fresco sips from the bar (hello, Prohibition-themed sips!), selfies, and snaps of the incredible views. As you shake your tail-feather, you'll snap selfies with Lady Liberty, and order some snacks to keep you going all night long. While you're at it, pose in front of the flower wall, delight in roaring '20s decorations and LOL with your crew as you take advantage of Instagrammable props. A high-tech speaker system will make the music flow and the vibes amplify, giving you tons of room to shimmy and shake! What a night to remember...

Marina Warner & Anna Della Subin in Conversation About Their Latest Books

Join Rizzoli Bookstore for a conversation with authors Marina Warner and Anna Della Subin on their latest titles: Esmond and Ilia and Accidental Gods respectively. Esmond and Ilia is a daughter’s story of trying to come to terms with a past that is both hers and unknowable to her. While Accidental Gods offers an unusual keyhole through which to observe the creation of our modern world. Stop by to hear the authors speak about the overlapping themes and messages of their brand new works.

$19 Ticket To An Oktoberfest Themed Celebration With 150+ Seasonal Beers

Get ready for peak autumn vibes and Oktoberfest revelry this weekend at The 2022 Long Island Craft Brew Festival! Expect 4 Hours to drink 150+ local, national and international craft beers, a selection of ciders, plus live music, and eats! A souvenir tasting glass will be filled again and again with brews from the likes of Catskill Brewery, Duclaw Brewing, Lost Farm Brewing, Threes Brewing, and more, as well as small-batch, rare ciders if you want to switch things up. Add in some live music & interactive games, not to mention an array of gourmet eats for purchase like cheesy arepas from Mozzarepas, soft pretzels from Knot of this World, succulent meats from Steak Truck, and delicious waffles from Waffilini - the list goes on and on! Let’s get this party started...

Housing Works Unlocks The Vault For One Night Only

Shop for a good cause as Housing Works unlocks an exclusive, curated collection of high-end designer and vintage pieces to benefit trailblazing work in HIV/AIDS advocacy and services. You'll find a treasure trove of fashion as the music stylist, Donna D’Cruz, sets the mood for an evening of shopping 'til you drop.

$19 VIP Ticket: Open Bar Studio 54 Themed Disco Fever Party

Go back in time, do the hustle, and groove as Studio 54 returns for Casa 51's exclusive, sexy Disco Fever Fridays Party. Don your finest disco-era threads for a night you won't soon forget. When you arrive, you'll be greeted by a red carpet, elevated by photographers snapping pics of you and your crew, just like the signature images you've seen from the '70s of the stars arriving - think John Travolta, Andy Warhol, Grace Jones, Liza Minelli, and the like, dressed in their most fabulous frocks. Retro drinks will flow, with nods to the past via Tequila Sunrises and Tom Collins', while more contemporary cups will be filled with tasty treats like "The Inferno" - a spicy riff on the classic margarita. It's time for everybody to get down tonight!

Sip on a Delicious Cocktail and Express Your Creativity

Grab a cocktail and some charcoal as you let your creativity blossom at this Drink & Draw event! They'll surprise you with the subject (it could be ANYTHING, no holds barred) and your drink of choice, all you have to do is bring your artistic spirit!

[lockhcrts]

               SILVER LIGHT REFLECTS FROM          crystal glasses        /        casting rainbows across the room in such a manner that he can almost believe it to be an image stolen from a fairytale.      it is a strange sight,      one that nearly does not belong to the pureblood witches and wizards that swarm around them.      he has known this,     once,       when the holidays were celebrated in the manor of his family in france.      and yet,       even whispers of a different tongue could not make the evening quite as beautiful as her smile could.      

❝     come on dear,       wine can wait.     ❞       barely an adult,      golden curls and sun soaked smile.      dressed to impress even when there are no others around that he wishes to impress quite as much as he does her.       ❝     dance with me,    andromeda      !       let us have some fun.      ❞

            @neeblck​     //      andromeda     //      ♡

[spockandawe]

Hm. I want to say up front that it's not my intention to rag on any particular ships, or even anyone who gravitates towards a particular ship vibe, but I just looked up my new favorite pet ship for a character, and was devastated to find next to nothing, and further :C at the general trends when I skimmed the shipping landscape on ao3. Sometimes a ship is popular and I'm not interested but I can understand why it's popular, and sometimes I don't understand and I dig for (and find!) answers, and sometimes I'm left baffled and sit alone chewing on my thoughts in solitude, which isn't that wrong, but I'm in the mood to talk in front of people today, so it goes here instead of inside my head.

Thrawn. It's Thrawn.

And this isn't even exactly about Thrawn, because I've only got what little I've absorbed via osmosis and the original Thrawn trilogy under my belt so far, but the Thrawn trilogy was more than enough to give me a clear, clear picture of what I would want from a ship for him, because it's a character paradigm I've dealt with before (transformers, particularly, though the way transformers iterates on continuity means this isn't likely to be a universal truth for any character I bring up), but something about the landscape here didn't shake out the same way, if that makes sense. It's not just a Thrawn thing either, this is also a pattern I'm seeing play out with other characters (cough COUGH crosshair) where I have a picture of what I'd like to see happen, and that's not where popular opinion went. Maybe it's that transformers are much more... ageless and immortal, and that does impact the nature of character development in these series, I don't know but I went off in one direction, the crowd went off in another, and I want to understand, slash make plaintive noises about how tasty the food I'm craving would be if it actually existed.

Repeated disclaimer as a standalone paragraph: These are just my own shipping onions, people are free to do their own thing and have fun with it, I am just standing lonesomely next to the monkey bars at recess wondering why so many people are on the swings when monkey bars are lots of fun too, and wistfully thinking that it would be a lot easier for me if i understood the appeal of swings myself.

I am going to go back to transformers to talk about this, though. IDW1 continuity. Consider Starscream. Consider Prowl. If you really want to put in some character development work, consider Pharma. There are other characters who could apply, but these are ones that jump out to me as perennially favored blorbos, on a personal level. Also make note of Megatron and Soundwave and Whirl, though those two go in a separate bin for later consideration. So we've got a total of six brutally effective military (or military-adjacent) men, for slightly varying personal definitions of effective. Whirl's definition of 'effective' is not often the same as Soundwave's, but it's not always different from Starscream's. We are going to talk about characters who have made morally questionable decisions, who may or may not be happy with the outcome and/or morality of those decisions, but who I am interested in steering back onto a path that is less likely to end in evil despot-hood or a tragic death, because their stable happiness is important to me as a consumer of the fiction they appear in.

Starscream is an easy example. When I'm shipping someone with him, there is an INCREDIBLY limited zone in which knowledge of him in a more innocent youth, or a more idealistic youth, is a structural part of the ship. I won't say it can't enhance things, but I'm not interested in a ship where it happens because someone knew him as a fresh-faced baby with Big Feelings, or where someone learns he used to have Ideals and then got ground down by life. Like... okay. I'm glad you're having fun with that, truly! I've enjoyed stories like that, as occasional snacks! But If I am going to ship this character, I want to square up with years of stone-cold atrocities, terrible spite-driven decisions, current personality and habits, and confront all that. How much do youthful idealism and current regrets counterbalance that? Some, sure, but not a structural amount of 'some.'

Is there an emotional and/or vulnerable core in there that I would love to gain access to? Sure! But if I gain access to that by means of pure backstory, it's going to feel cheap to me. I need to confront who he is now. Sympathetic backstory can add seasoning, but it can't bear the entire load. If I want access to this man's heart, I need someone who is ready to take an emotional pickaxe to his exterior. I need someone who is ready to confront him head-on, whether the impulse is to fuckin FIGHT (windblade), stubbornly wear him down (cyclonus, wheeljack, bumblebee), or to have weird enough priorities to dodge defensive backlash and continue worming their way under his skin plating (rodimus, jazz). Most of these are autobots, and are people strongly not disposed to take sad backstory as a reason to excuse/accept current performance.

Now, not every character like this is cut from the same cloth. Pharma is, I think. By the story present, he isn't going to expose a HINT of vulnerable underbelly unless someone goes looking for it on purpose, and he's going to make them bleed along the way. I am trying not to let this essay get too far out of hand, so really quick, exceptions. Megatron. Megatron in IDW1 especially was a character willing to crack HIMSELF open and expose parts of Himself to outside scrutiny, because that was what it took for him to do his own rebuilding work. I think that opens up fascinating windows for romance, but the things he exposes that enable this aren't learning he has a history as an oppressed miner and was almost lobotomized, it's watching him in the present wrestle with the realization that the ideals he started with fell by the wayside and he was fighting and killing just to win, or watching him take in the scope of how many deaths he is personally responsible for. Whirl is a character who exposes his own vulnerabilities not... casually, but more casually, daring people to notice the ways he's fucked up in the same breath as he jokes about how he's nature's perfect lean, mean, killing machine. There's a self-destructive bent to him that leads to an erratic but not rare willingness to expose bits of himself to people who can use that against him, and it makes shipping him a wild roller coaster ride where anyone can jump into the car at any moment, as long as they're strong enough to hold on.

(I don't know what it Means, but note that cyclonus is a flawless romantic partner for all these men. he is truly the best of boys)

Circle back to star wars with a brief aside about crosshair. I don't necessarily know who I would want in a ship for him, I kind of 60% think that what I want isn't even best delivered in a ship, but most of this essay is framed in shipping terms. I want him reconciled with his family. I will be devastated if this doesn't happen, and that's my first priority. I don't want someone to walk up to him and be Soft with him and that fixes things. I will find that narrative cheap and unsatisfying, and my emotional takeaway is that it cheapens everything he put everyone else through. I want someone to grab him by the front of his shirt and yank him down and tell him he's being a real asshole and that he needs to stop, and I don't want it to be fast or easy, and in the process of getting him to pull the brakes on the egregious assholery, then things like feeling sad and abandoned can also be tackled. The order of operations is important! The order of operations defines the story priorities, it will define how jarring a change in direction feels compared to the canon jumping off point! Dramatic changes can be good, but it's the difference between pulling an unsignalled u-turn in the middle of a freeway versus doing it at a light.

Anyways. Thrawn. That's the point of those previous paragraphs that mention him not at all, but they're all relevant to what I want out of a ship for him. I'm still getting to know the extended EU cast, but by the time we arrive at the thrawn trilogy, like... it's hard to get a ship that satisfies my cravings in there, by the position we've reached at story present. I still have more extended universe characters to meet, but I recognize that he's kind of characterized himself into a corner (i will give a shout out to wedge antilles as my tentative manic pixie dream boy character, but that would be in the realm of crack treated seriously and with heavy plot, which isn't something i write well). So, like many writers have often considered, the sensible solution is to step backwards in time. Compare shipping Megatron and Impactor (emotionally complex/destructive hatefucking) at story present versus shipping them as Youths (rough and tumble friends who read each other's poetry).

But. BUT. Thrawn discusses that what he was up to shortly before the clone wars honestly.... aligns pretty well with who he is now. You have to assume that he's got less knowledge accumulated, that's just part and parcel with youth, but that he's pretty darn dedicated to the eventual empire's overall goals. After all, one of his first big projects was hunting down the Outbound Flight group, which is why he knows that the original jedi Joruus C'baoth is totes super dead. He was a stone cold motherfucker, and he seems to have been pretty darn young at the time, and still crushing it on the politically weighty career advancement front.

Okay spoilers what I am leading up to is Padme. Padme/Thrawn.

Look, my girl has a type, and that type is slightly evil overbearing men who have political ideals that are uhhh not quite aligned with hers. Rush, Anakin, and Thrawn would make a consistent pattern, that's all I'm saying. But she's also smart, and very capable of debating the ups and downs of the political positions she holds (anakin is not so great at this part), and someone like Thrawn is very capable of taking in dissenting voices, evaluating their merits, and being willing to change his own position without parsing it as a huge blow to the ego.

Not to get (continue getting) all homestuck over things in this tyool 2022, but pitch romance padme/thrawn.

First, this lady is absolutely surrounded by authoritarian asshats who roll their eyes at her when she tries to be like 'this is fucked up, actually', including her canonical husband, and she deserves better. Even if there are some major disagreements in what they think is best, give her someone who's willing to listen to her and take her advice. Anakin gets... jealous, and maybe she's chill with that, but also consider giving her a love interest with a natural knack for the dispassionate, disconnected side of political maneuvering, and who isn't going to flip his shit when she gets drinks with rush clovis. I don't want him to be totally remolded in the image of a good, wholesome boy, but I want her to be just enough aware of politics and his career and jedi temple happenings to get some kind of clue about the outbound flight project and argue him out of going along with the mass extermination. That is a longfic I would find so compelling.

Also, he has his silly art thing. It's ridiculous. I love it. Give him a love interest who hails from Planet Fine Arts, and who is just as willing to throw down about artistic theory as she is to throw down about politics. This is impossibly FASCINATING to me. I want slap slap kiss where the actual fight is her being like 'oh my god don't tell me you've never heard of this species' [keysmash] movement, it was a fundamental paradigm shift that echoed through all forms of their visual media and informs the interpretation of all works completed after 82 BBY, we learned about this in first grade, i stg--'

Now... I will say. That tying up padme this way has Some Implications about the future of the universe. So I wasn't going to say anything about time travel, but I will actually say that this is PRIME material for time travel fic. Maybe she doesn't remember how she died, or maybe she jumps back in time at some point before the end of the clone wars, old enough to know that shit is fucked, without the DIRECT knowledge to be like 'who wants to go on an 'assassinate sheev palpatine' road trip.' But knock her back to, say, Episode I era, give her a little time to make her way back into the senate somehow, let her clear the way for her baby self to have the romance she wants to have, and give her a weird romance with the blue military man who hasn't been fully baked in to his final form yet. Let her be frustrated that he can't see the way the universe is at the top of a slide down into absolute shit, and let him be frustrated that she has all kinds of information it's impossible to determine how she knows. And also that she thinks his art opinions are bad and he should feel bad. Let them work out their mutual frustration through hot angry makeouts.

Anyways, there are like eight total fics on ao3 and I am... devastated. I will make every effort to be the change I want to see in the world, but this dynamic seems so clear and spicy to me that I'm very sad it isn't all over the place. I'm sure there is enjoyment to be had without me projecting quadrants onto yet another fictional universe, but god, this would be so choice, and I'm so sad I can't go wallow in an existing pool of fanworks

[kingstylesdaily]

Harry Styles’ “Adore You” Is Everything a Music Video Should Be (Including Underappreciated by The VMAs)

KSD NOTE: there is a mention of suicide in regards to the beginning of Adore You.

On November 18, 2019, a website promoting a mysterious place called Eroda (“No Land Quite Like It”) arrived on the internet. Two days later, the official Twitter account for this fictional frown-shaped island began teasing local seaside attractions. You may have missed it, depending on which corners of the internet you choose to lurk, but not if you were a Harry Styles fan, a group that went into pure overdrive trying to figure out what it all meant.

I, for one, missed it at the time. I was unaware this account was cryptically quote tweeting fans as they tried to piece together what was happening, what it meant, and what it could be connected to (Greek Mythology and Lost were a couple of theories posed in comments, Twitter threads, and Reddit). Meanwhile, the Columbia Records marketing department had been hard at work for months, devising this specific and highly-detailed campaign around the music video for Styles’ second single, “Adore You” from his second solo album, Fine Line, ever since he shot the video in Scotland in August 2019 (Eroda = Adore backwards — clever!).

But it was all leading up to the morning of Friday, December 6 when the video was released, one week before the full-length album arrived. Up until that point, I had never seen an entire Harry Styles music video, but what happened next was inevitable. Somehow, as a self-proclaimed boy band scholar, I had never paid much attention to One Direction. I kept a distant eye on Styles since they disbanded, intrigued by the decisions he was making in his solo career. But I hadn’t yet realized I’d been in the ring all throughout the fall of 2019, fighting to resist the inevitable fascination that awaited. First came the jab of Rob Sheffield’s Rolling Stone profile, followed by the cross of “Lights Up”, a song that cracked my Top 20 most listened to songs of the year despite being released just two months before Spotify so thoughtfully compiled that personalized playlist. Then there was the hook of his SNL hosting stint in November (and bless you Bowen Yang for that Sara Lee sketch), which then leads us to the “Adore You” video, the uppercut and ultimate TKO. I surrendered in what felt like a near instant. I was now a Harry Styles fan. (If we’re following this analogy, I sat up to spit out some blood after seeing that cover of “Juice” before my head quickly hit the mat again with a loud thud).

Maybe it’s not quite remarkable that I took time out of a Friday morning to watch a music video, but that I sat at my desk, in an office, with other people around (back when we did those kinds of things) and proceeded to wipe away a few tiny tears from under my eyes by the end of it, was an experience I had not been through… maybe ever? In a world of lyric videos and TikToks, actual, thoughtful, impactful music videos with a full (and sweet!) story are about as rare as a glowing and growing fish these days.

Ultimately, “Adore You” does everything a music video should do. In nearly eight minutes, this video uses excellent visual effects in a cool and interesting way, tells a compelling and heartfelt story, is anchored by an irresistible leading man and an adorable sidekick, is backed up by the catchiest song you could ever dream of, and culminates with a touching and hopeful ending. It’s a treat for the eyes and the ears and the soul. It’s innovative and the kind of thing that begs you to watch it more than once to catch all the details (and yes, I do tear up every time).

So one would think that an award show with the specific purpose of celebrating this type of creativity would be extra sure to nominate such a charming and effective clip, but alas, “Adore You” was overlooked in the MTV Video Music Awards main categories this year. Of course, some could argue that that fact only adds to the video’s credibility but I’ll do my best to not be that petty as I’m still rooting for it to win in the three technical categories where it picked up nominations: Best Visual Effects by Mathematic, Best Art Direction by Laura Ellis Cricks, and Best Direction by Dave Meyers, who remains one of the most inventive and influential directors of all time and whose videos with artists such as Missy Elliot, Pink, and Kendrick Lamar have been racking up nominations for nearly 20 years now. He also saw four other videos he directed get recognized this year: Normani’s “Motivation” (Best Chorography), Travis Scott’s “Highest in the Room” (Best Hop Hop and Best Visual Effects), Anderson .Paak’s “Lockdown” (Video For Good), and Camila Cabello feat. DaBaby’s “My Oh My” (Best Cinematography).

But I reached out to Meyers to specifically ask about the intricate details of “Adore You” and how it all came to be; how he captured such a vibe with the overcast and dreary weather, mixed so wonderfully with the charming oddities of the people that make up this world of Eroda. In addition to directing the video, he also co-wrote the story with Chris Shafer and said, “It’s the first idea that popped to mind after the first listen to the song, and the first idea I pitched to Harry. It was a story that underscored my understanding of what Harry stood for and felt it was necessary to tell it as a narrative to convey his optimism.”

The extended version of the video starts with a two-and-a-half-minute introduction to the world of Eroda, narrated by Rosalia. This includes the “peculiar” people and their professions on the island, meeting The Boy (Styles) and his glowing smile that most people try to avoid, and the quirky superstitions these people continue to live by. “It all served a purpose,” Meyers said of the details. “The superstitions were a set up for how society generally reacts to different things. They fear change or oddity, even if it’s what’s best for them.”

Meyers, however, did not share in that fear, as much of this video provided for interesting and new opportunities he had yet to experience throughout his decades-long career, which he listed off: ”Compelling narrative, CG character, remote location, Scottish crew (nothing phased them),” also noting that all of the other characters in the video were locals as well. So perhaps they were less fazed by the atmosphere across the four-day shoot in Scotland, but as Meyers recalled, the “weather was nuts. It rained every 20 minutes, then the sun, then cloud over.”

However, it’s likely that Mother Nature is also a Styles fan, as Meyers recalled, “I seem to remember going up on the hill for Harry’s picnic with the fish and being worried that it was so gloomy. By the time we came to shoot, the sun came out. And then the sun went away as soon as the scene was over. Similarly, we had the worst storm when Harry was contemplating suicide at the start. Pouring rain, drenching him. So I guess in that sense it was fun watching how Scotland provided a backdrop for the emotions we were after.”

And hey, at least they had the weather on their side to add to the mood while shooting the video, as one of their main characters, well, didn’t exist. “It was very odd shooting with no fish,” Meyers admitted. “But was quite rewarding later seeing it dropped in and making empathic sense to the story we were after.”

Of course, the main character they did have on hand is an awfully useful and appealing one at that. Fans became enamored with the moment Styles uses the back of his hand to check the temperature of a coffee pot before dumping the fish inside the water so it could stay alive. I asked Meyers about this particular moment and he said, “The problem we had was apparent when Harry ran in and threw the fish in the pot. We all sorta felt — well, what if it was hot? So I believe Harry improvised that as a solution and we felt it was perfect for the character’s sensitivity and consideration for this poor fish.” And that’s not the only nice thing he does for his fish friend — he also serves him a tiny taco! “The taco was a whimsical way to express friendship between Harry and the fish,” Meyers offered. It looked pretty tasty, too.

The entire video serves as a showcase for what Styles does best and what makes him such a unique artist: his music, his acting, and his charisma, which Meyers knew would offer him a lot to work with. “Harry is a leading man. I felt that from my first meeting and wanted to play with his wonderful range of emotions. So finding a story with a real character arc was part of my focus in building this world.” Meyers described working on “Adore You” as an “all-around memorable shoot: awesome location, lovely Harry, compelling story, great effects, and… it worked.”

It did. And it was a risk: a video this complex and detailed (and one has to assume, costly), attached to a marketing campaign that proved to be even more involved, still came with no guarantee that the fans wouldn’t shrug it off. But as Manos Xanthogeorgis, SVP of Digital Marketing & Media at Columbia Records told Billboard last year, “When you have a video and a piece of art at such a level, it’s an incredible challenge for the rest of the team to build a campaign at that same level of artistry and creativity.” Oh, and that was only step one, as the marketing team engaged in “real-time marketing” with fans online, ensuring they would continue to remain engaged by dropping clues and clips in the lead-up to the video premiere and subsequently the album. “This whole campaign was around mystery and sometimes mystery is more powerful than knowledge,” Xanthogeorgis said. The Twitter handle has remained active throughout 2020, used as a continual marketing tool for Styles’ next videos including the Meyers-directed “Falling” and this summer’s hit, “Watermelon Sugar.”

With that kind of fan engagement, “Adore You” seemed like a no-brainer for the fan-voted categories of the VMAs this year, as they surely would’ve turned out to vote just as feverishly for this video as they did when searching for clues (about a made-up island, at that!). But hey, maybe MTV was just not interested in massive fan engagement this year — after all, it’s not like everything Styles does, including growing freakin’ facial hair, has the internet in a tizzy for weeks. Ultimately, as the impact of music videos (and certainly the ceremony celebrating them) continues to lose relevance, the disregard of this specific project simply feels like a missed opportunity to acknowledge a rare achievement in the art form.

While Meyers was sure to describe his inclusion in the VMA nominations this year as “lovely and flattering” (and he better have a moonperson in his possession this time next week, MTV!) it’s still puzzling why “Adore You” wouldn’t be included in the big categories, considering Styles is squarely within their demo, at the very least. That “Adore You” is also a technical and storytelling masterpiece, as well as a full moment that was used as inspiration both for the experience online and in-person at the Fine Line Spotify listening party last December, that also comes packed with one of the most enthusiastic groups of fans around, well, that should have had the entire network drooling.

Of course, some of this can simply be chalked up to a perfect storm. As far as his singles go, “Lights Up” was a nice appetizer, but “Adore You” remains the delicious entree (you already know what’s for dessert). “Adore You” is a perfect pop record if I’ve ever heard one (and I have) and deserved a special video. A Chris Isaak “Wicked Game” sexy vibe wasn’t going to work here. The song tells the story of such passionate, pure, and heartachingly naive and innocent love that it almost had to be directed toward a non-human being. Instead, Styles chose to inject those same carefree, sweaty, sticky, delicious, whimsical beach vibes into the “Watermelon Sugar” clip, which was the right choice, and not just for the summertime season (MTV has since added the Song of Summer category to the VMAs and included “Watermelon Sugar”).

But it’s “Adore You” that has melodies that bring a smile to the faces of babies, get your toes tapping even when you hear it in the dentist’s chair, and likely has my neighbors rolling their eyes when I sing along to it in the shower. The song is so simple it’s deep, a theme reflected in the video, as is the central reminder to help and care for others, a thoroughly 2020 message.

However, not all is lost. Both “Adore You” and “Watermelon Sugar” continue to rack up major spins at radio with the latter hitting number one on the Billboard charts earlier this month. Grammy voting kicks off at the end of September and Academy members should take note. Not only is Fine Line more than worthy of being acknowledged, but having Styles on hand to potentially collect trophies and perform is in your best interest when it comes to viewers and online chatter. Do not wait to take him seriously. This is the album, this is the time. Prove that you aren’t a bunch of stodgy old white men who think he’s just for teen (and um, thirty-something) girls, but that you understand the music he enjoys, is inspired by, and subsequently makes, is the same rock music you appreciate as well. An artist like Styles can be both of those things at the same time, and really, the best of both worlds. Give the album a listen, and then one more to let it all sink in. If you have not yet succumbed to the force that is Harry Styles fandom, I truly can’t recommend it enough — and please know that it will get you eventually.

Source: Decider.com

[littlemessyjessi]

How They’d Be As Mukbangers:  Harry Potter Characters

How They'd Be As YouTube Mukbangers

James: Every video has a theme.   Like, I'm not even playing.   Holidays?  All kinda of holiday themed food.  Quidditch World Cup coming up?   Things inspired by the country of his favorite team.   Just a random day?  Everything is blue.   He's that type of way.

Sirius:  If a mukbanger was a thirst trap.  I could easily see him really getting into.  Dark background, black gloves, aesthetic as fuck and like, he doesn't even talk.  He just sits there, looks hot and somehow makes eating looking incredibly sexy.  And he fucking knows it.   Bitch also one hundred percent rolls his eyes back when it hits his taste buds.  Licks his lips and his fingers.  Takes way too big of bites.   Most people would say it's cringy how sexual his videos are...but everyone is secret subscribed anyway.  With notifications on.

Remus:  This goes one of two ways.  If he's in a good mood and things are chill, he'll find a recipe, make it to the mother fucking 't' and then have a little mukbang slash review on said recipe.  Nice lil chat.  Sweet tol bean.   Precious. If it's near the full moon there ain't none of that.  Ya boy, brings in his monstrous plate of food, sits it down and just tears into like a fucking beast, no talking.  Just nom nom nom.  Unintentionally thirst traps and people opening talk about when Remus goes beast mode.  

Peter:  Candy and sweets channel! Small mukbangs with reviews from different candies from Honeydukes!

Lily:  Lol, Lilypad.  She ain't playing around.  Her videos are planned out, edited and just generally finessed to perfection.  Even had music added to it with tiny vlog segments as it's set up.  It's a little pretentious but she does have a good following.

Marlene:   This bitch.  Fucking competitive eating queen.  Tiny ass lil ho can eat you under the table, bro.   Think RainaIsCrazy on YouTube.  She can fucking smash.  Usually does eating challenges from different resteraunts and competitions.  Often, challenges Remus on his wild days.   He's a beast but she still wipes the floor with him.  

Dorcas:  The collab.  Dorcas always has good food and good company.  She's all about sharing a meal with someone and talking about random things.

Alice and Frank:  The couple channel.  It's generally filled with so much fucking cute and the food is always tasty.  It's sickening they feed each other but you also can't help but awww.

Molly Prewett/Weasley:   Family recipes.   Molly's channel are tried and true recipes from the Prewett family.  Cook with me and tons of kitchen life hacks.  Also, that woman can turn a ham sandwhich into a full course meal. Bet.   Always taste tested by Daddy Weasley.  Yes, I said Daddy Weasley.  

Lucius Malfoy:  The most pretentious fucking channel to ever exist.  It's a whole fucking production that admittedly he does put a lot of work into.   Somewhat thirst trappy like Sirius' but instead of just having a plain black background he goes out of his way to shove as much of his manor into.   Only eats the most expensive food fucking on the planet and of course, it's prepared by House elves cause he's a twit.  (Yes, I know this is Thranduil but honestly wouldn’t put it past Lucius to be this fucking pretentious.) 

Severus Snape:  Actually pretty solid content.  His exquisite skills in potions actually made him a rather good chef.   Tasteful shots, edited well with music over everything and subtitles.   Simply audio for the eat portion at the end.  Nothing too fancy for the background.  Often just a very clean kitchen. Solid content though.

The Black Sisters: Mass chaos.  Part vlog, part drama channel, half the time the food never even gets finished because of fights.  

Bill Weasley:  The Traveler.   A lot of egyptian food.  Some made by hand.  Some vlogs from street food while he's out just generally doing his job.   Short videos but solid.  He's hot and he picks good food.  It works for him.

Charlie Weasley:  This extra ass bitch.  He's the bitch that does all that outdoor cooking.  You know what I mean.   Shots in the woods, roaring fire.  Lit by a precious dragon child no doubt.  Dragons lounging in the background like those bitches who always have their dogs there.  Yes, I'm jealous.  Close up shots of him cutting things on a custom wood cutting board. Everything he makes causes your mouth to water.  God damn, scarred, freckle faced bastard just gobbles it up and ends every fucking video with a wink.   Charlie Weasley is the ultimate thirst trap and he fucking knows it.

Percy:  Percy's channel could be epic but instead is boring as fuck.  Why?  Because he insist on having the most snooze worthy meals that are 'sensible' and THEN he proceeds to talk about politics.   He actually had a pretty decent following of other like minded individuals but my god- politics and porridge, Percy?  Really?

However, once he chills the fuck out, leaves the ministry to do something else - it’s a game changer.  Brings the family on for mukbangs.  Does videos with mummy weasley.  Percy grows his hair out and Bill teases him for being a copy cat.  Much better.  Still talks politics but it’s fucking hiliarous and now the food is poppin. 

Fred and George:  Alright, this shit right here.   Every fucking bit of it is a self promo for the shop.  Meals inspired by and that would go well paired with 'this product'.  Like, that's the whole thing.  And then they run an add for their shop at the end featuring the product.  It works for them because they're smart, they're hot and they're also wildly entertaining with their constantly sibling squabbling. But yeah.  Big promo for the shop.

Ron Weasley: Honestly, out of everyone.   Ron probably has the most followers and it's because he doesn't say shit while he's eating. He sits down with a massive fucking turkey.  Nods at the camera and just tears it up.   It's literally so satisfying.  All the food is prepared by his mother.  So it's obviously fantastic. ( I just had to use this gif.) 

Ginny:   Gin's channel is usually team building videos with the Harpies.  'Cheat Day: Vlog and Mukbang w/the Harpies' type of vibes.  It's cool though and since it's a famous quidditch team the fans enjoy the behind the scenes action and actually drop all kinds of recipes for them to try in the future.

Hermione:  Hermione could easily veer off into Percy's channel of misery when she gets started on her rants but mostly they're really chill videos.  Mukbang and Book Review type of vibe.  Or sometimes even the playing of an audio book while she does her thing.  All in all, wholesome.

Harry:  Lol, I swear.  Fucking awkward bean.   Harry's videos are literally of him making the simplest of things and being so fucking awkward. "Er, well, hi guys.  So I'm about to head out for work.  Running a bit late.  But we're having a bit of toast and jam."  Like it's literally just little videos of him eating whatever throughout the day.  But of course, since he's Harry Fucking Potter- his follower count is astronomical.  

Neville:  Now, this boy.  This boy is a goblincore gobbo's wet dream.  Gardening videos with homegrown veg.  Recipes from Grandmother.   Have a nice Veggie Pot Pie with Professor Longbottom in the Hogwarts Greenhouse.  There is a fanbase and it is huge.  

Luna: Honestly, the weirdest fucking channel in the world.  Like she finds the weirdest things to eat and goes from there.  But Luna is bae so it's cool.  Also, a thousand percent does Smoke Sesh + Mukbang videos.  You know it's true.

Dean and Seamus:  Literally, eating in the most crowded pubs as they visit football games around the country.  Seamus will definitely pull the Irish card from time to time to have a drinking competition.  He wins everytime.  He may be a little dude but shit- homie can hold his own.

Cedric:  Honestly, it's so fucking pure.   Straight up did videos during his time at Hogwarts in the Hogwarts kitchen.  Such kind little conversations with the house elves.  "Hey, guys.  Thanks for coming back to another video.  Today we're making some really tasty biscuits.  Whispy, one of the talented bakers here in the kitchens, is here to help us today so please say hello to her in the comments."  He'll also always make extra and leave them in the Hufflepuff common room for everyone to enjoy.  Like, it's honestly so pure and he's such a soft boi and oh my fucking geeeeeeerrrrrrdddd!!!!!

Draco: Actually takes it really seriously and put a lot of hard work into it.   Nothing like his father's ego-tistical recipes.   Surprisingly, every. single. recipe. is a muggle recipe.  How would he know?  Because he cross referenced with Granger of course.  Cooks it himself.   No magic.  Lots of random talks.  Just like a monologue of things and it gets kinda deep sometimes.   Like, it's the channel to go to when you need advice that you didn't even know that you needed.   Still eats incredibly proper.   It's that pureblood raising of his.  Old habits die hard.

Tonks:  Pure chaos.  "Hey, today we're having Mum's homemade lasagna and I'm also getting a new tattoo.  Might dye my hair.  Don't really need to since I can do this  but whatever. So yeah, there's that.  Like it's just all over the place and you'd think it would take but the chaos is too good not to watch.  Literally gives herself beaks and snouts while she eats.  It's iconic.

Dumbledore: Mother fucker just sits at his desk, stares straight into the camera and eats a lemon drop.  Like a weirdo.  The video usually no more than a minute and each video is just some variation of that.  Meme lord.

Hagrid:  Tea With Hagrid.  Also, so the recipes suck, they too, but Hagrid is a peach and it's relaxing to see his gentle half giant there in his hut, pumpkin patch out the window and Fang laying by the fire.  It's a mood and he's just like the comforting Dad figure. 

McGonagall:  Honestly the best one in the entire world.  She makes a full course traditional Scottish breakfast... and then transforms into her animagus the cat...and promptly knocks it off the table.   A fucking legend.

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Love, Kenny

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Love, Kenny

[hlupdate]

On November 18, 2019, a website promoting a mysterious place called Eroda (“No Land Quite Like It”) arrived on the internet. Two days later, the official Twitter account for this fictional frown-shaped island began teasing local seaside attractions. You may have missed it, depending on which corners of the internet you choose to lurk, but not if you were a Harry Styles fan, a group that went into pure overdrive trying to figure out what it all meant.

I, for one, missed it at the time. I was unaware this account was cryptically quote tweeting fans as they tried to piece together what was happening, what it meant, and what it could be connected to (Greek Mythology and Lostwere a couple of theories posed in comments, Twitter threads, and Reddit). Meanwhile, the Columbia Records marketing department had been hard at work for months, devising this specific and highly-detailed campaign around the music video for Styles’ second single, “Adore You” from his second solo album, Fine Line, ever since he shot the video in Scotland in August 2019 (Eroda = Adore backwards — clever!).

But it was all leading up to the morning of Friday, December 6 when the video was released, one week before the full-length album arrived. Up until that point, I had never seen an entire Harry Styles music video, but what happened next was inevitable. Somehow, as a self-proclaimed boy band scholar, I had never paid much attention to One Direction. I kept a distant eye on Styles since they disbanded, intrigued by the decisions he was making in his solo career. But I hadn’t yet realized I’d been in the ring all throughout the fall of 2019, fighting to resist the inevitable fascination that awaited. First came the jab of Rob Sheffield’s Rolling Stoneprofile, followed by the cross of “Lights Up”, a song that cracked my Top 20 most listened to songs of the year despite being released just two months before Spotify so thoughtfully compiled that personalized playlist. Then there was the hook of his SNL hosting stint in November (and bless you Bowen Yang for that Sara Lee sketch), which then leads us to the “Adore You” video, the uppercut and ultimate TKO. I surrendered in what felt like a near instant. I was now a Harry Styles fan. (If we’re following this analogy, I sat up to spit out some blood after seeing that cover of “Juice” before my head quickly hit the mat again with a loud thud).

Maybe it’s not quite remarkable that I took time out of a Friday morning to watch a music video, but that I sat at my desk, in an office, with other people around (back when we did those kinds of things) and proceeded to wipe away a few tiny tears from under my eyes by the end of it, was an experience I had not been through… maybe ever? In a world of lyric videos and TikToks, actual, thoughtful, impactful music videos with a full (and sweet!) story are about as rare as a glowing and growing fish these days.

Ultimately, “Adore You” does everything a music video should do. In nearly eight minutes, this video uses excellent visual effects in a cool and interesting way, tells a compelling and heartfelt story, is anchored by an irresistible leading man and an adorable sidekick, is backed up by the catchiest song you could ever dream of, and culminates with a touching and hopeful ending. It’s a treat for the eyes and the ears and the soul. It’s innovative and the kind of thing that begs you to watch it more than once to catch all the details (and yes, I do tear up every time).

So one would think that an award show with the specific purpose of celebrating this type of creativity would be extra sure to nominate such a charming and effective clip, but alas, “Adore You” was overlooked in the MTV Video Music Awards main categories this year. Of course, some could argue that that fact only adds to the video’s credibility but I’ll do my best to not be that petty as I’m still rooting for it to win in the three technical categories where it picked up nominations: Best Visual Effects by Mathematic, Best Art Direction by Laura Ellis Cricks, and Best Direction by Dave Meyers, who remains one of the most inventive and influential directors of all time and whose videos with artists such as Missy Elliot, Pink, and Kendrick Lamar have been racking up nominations for nearly 20 years now. He also saw four other videos he directed get recognized this year: Normani’s “Motivation” (Best Chorography), Travis Scott’s “Highest in the Room” (Best Hop Hop and Best Visual Effects), Anderson .Paak’s “Lockdown” (Video For Good), and Camila Cabello feat. DaBaby’s “My Oh My” (Best Cinematography).

But I reached out to Meyers to specifically ask about the intricate details of “Adore You” and how it all came to be; how he captured such a vibe with the overcast and dreary weather, mixed so wonderfully with the charming oddities of the people that make up this world of Eroda. In addition to directing the video, he also co-wrote the story with Chris Shafer and said, “It’s the first idea that popped to mind after the first listen to the song, and the first idea I pitched to Harry. It was a story that underscored my understanding of what Harry stood for and felt it was necessary to tell it as a narrative to convey his optimism.”

The extended version of the video starts with a two-and-a-half-minute introduction to the world of Eroda, narrated by Rosalia. This includes the “peculiar” people and their professions on the island, meeting The Boy (Styles) and his glowing smile that most people try to avoid, and the quirky superstitions these people continue to live by. “It all served a purpose,” Meyers said of the details. “The superstitions were a set up for how society generally reacts to different things. They fear change or oddity, even if it’s what’s best for them.”

Meyers, however, did not share in that fear, as much of this video provided for interesting and new opportunities he had yet to experience throughout his decades-long career, which he listed off: ”Compelling narrative, CG character, remote location, Scottish crew (nothing fazed them),” also noting that all of the other characters in the video were locals as well. So perhaps they were less fazed by the atmosphere across the four-day shoot in Scotland, but as Meyers recalled, the “weather was nuts. It rained every 20 minutes, then the sun, then cloud over.”

However, it’s likely that Mother Nature is also a Styles fan, as Meyers recalled, “I seem to remember going up on the hill for Harry’s picnic with the fish and being worried that it was so gloomy. By the time we came to shoot, the sun came out. And then the sun went away as soon as the scene was over. Similarly, we had the worst storm when Harry was contemplating suicide at the start. Pouring rain, drenching him. So I guess in that sense it was fun watching how Scotland provided a backdrop for the emotions we were after.”

And hey, at least they had the weather on their side to add to the mood while shooting the video, as one of their main characters, well, didn’t exist. “It was very odd shooting with no fish,” Meyers admitted. “But was quite rewarding later seeing it dropped in and making empathic sense to the story we were after.”

Of course, the main character they did have on hand is an awfully useful and appealing one at that. Fans became enamored with the moment Styles uses the back of his hand to check the temperature of a coffee pot before dumping the fish inside the water so it could stay alive. I asked Meyers about this particular moment and he said, “The problem we had was apparent when Harry ran in and threw the fish in the pot. We all sorta felt — well, what if it was hot? So I believe Harry improvised that as a solution and we felt it was perfect for the character’s sensitivity and consideration for this poor fish.” And that’s not the only nice thing he does for his fish friend — he also serves him a tiny taco! “The taco was a whimsical way to express friendship between Harry and the fish,” Meyers offered. It looked pretty tasty, too.

The entire video serves as a showcase for what Styles does best and what makes him such a unique artist: his music, his acting, and his charisma, which Meyers knew would offer him a lot to work with. “Harry is a leading man. I felt that from my first meeting and wanted to play with his wonderful range of emotions. So finding a story with a real character arc was part of my focus in building this world.” Meyers described working on “Adore You” as an “all-around memorable shoot: awesome location, lovely Harry, compelling story, great effects, and… it worked.”

It did. And it was a risk: a video this complex and detailed (and one has to assume, costly), attached to a marketing campaign that proved to be even more involved, still came with no guarantee that the fans wouldn’t shrug it off. But as Manos Xanthogeorgis, SVP of Digital Marketing & Media at Columbia Records told Billboard last year, “When you have a video and a piece of art at such a level, it’s an incredible challenge for the rest of the team to build a campaign at that same level of artistry and creativity.” Oh, and that was only step one, as the marketing team engaged in “real-time marketing” with fans online, ensuring they would continue to remain engaged by dropping clues and clips in the lead-up to the video premiere and subsequently the album. “This whole campaign was around mystery and sometimes mystery is more powerful than knowledge,” Xanthogeorgis said. The Twitter handle has remained active throughout 2020, used as a continual marketing tool for Styles’ next videos including the Meyers-directed “Falling” and this summer’s hit, “Watermelon Sugar.”

With that kind of fan engagement, “Adore You” seemed like a no-brainer for the fan-voted categories of the VMAs this year, as they surely would’ve turned out to vote just as feverishly for this video as they did when searching for clues (about a made-up island, at that!). But hey, maybe MTV was just not interested in massive fan engagement this year — after all, it’s not like everything Styles does, including growing freakin’ facial hair, has the internet in a tizzy for weeks. Ultimately, as the impact of music videos (and certainly the ceremony celebrating them) continues to lose relevance, the disregard of this specific project simply feels like a missed opportunity to acknowledge a rare achievement in the art form.

While Meyers was sure to describe his inclusion in the VMA nominations this year as “lovely and flattering” (and he better have a moonperson in his possession this time next week, MTV!) it’s still puzzling why “Adore You” wouldn’t be included in the big categories, considering Styles is squarely within their demo, at the very least. That “Adore You” is also a technical and storytelling masterpiece, as well as a full moment that was used as inspiration both for the experience online and in-person at the Fine Line Spotify listening party last December, that also comes packed with one of the most enthusiastic groups of fans around, well, that should have had the entire network drooling.

Of course, some of this can simply be chalked up to a perfect storm. As far as his singles go, “Lights Up” was a nice appetizer, but “Adore You” remains the delicious entree (you already know what’s for dessert). “Adore You” is a perfect pop record if I’ve ever heard one (and I have) and deserved a special video. A Chris Isaak “Wicked Game” sexy vibe wasn’t going to work here. The song tells the story of such passionate, pure, and heartachingly naive and innocent love that it almost had to be directed toward a non-human being. Instead, Styles chose to inject those same carefree, sweaty, sticky, delicious, whimsical beach vibes into the “Watermelon Sugar” clip, which was the right choice, and not just for the summertime season (MTV has since added the Song of Summer category to the VMAs and included “Watermelon Sugar”).

But it’s “Adore You” that has melodies that bring a smile to the faces of babies, get your toes tapping even when you hear it in the dentist’s chair, and likely has my neighbors rolling their eyes when I sing along to it in the shower. The song is so simple it’s deep, a theme reflected in the video, as is the central reminder to help and care for others, a thoroughly 2020 message.

However, not all is lost. Both “Adore You” and “Watermelon Sugar” continue to rack up major spins at radio with the latter hitting number one on the Billboard charts earlier this month. Grammy voting kicks off at the end of September and Academy members should take note. Not only is Fine Line more than worthy of being acknowledged, but having Styles on hand to potentially collect trophies and perform is in your best interest when it comes to viewers and online chatter. Do not wait to take him seriously. This is the album, this is the time. Prove that you aren’t a bunch of stodgy old white men who think he’s just for teen (and um, thirty-something) girls, but that you understand the music he enjoys, is inspired by, and subsequently makes, is the same rock music you appreciate as well. An artist like Styles can be both of those things at the same time, and really, the best of both worlds. Give the album a listen, and then one more to let it all sink in. If you have not yet succumbed to the force that is Harry Styles fandom, I truly can’t recommend it enough — and please know that it will get you eventually.

[senchoubutter]

Twisted Wonderland Guys As Kpop Songs I Listen To Too Much + Why

i’ma just say it now, i primarily listen to girl groups since I cover songs and they are in my range and i find them fun to cover most so expect a lot of those.

All songs are linked!!

Scarabia

Jamil

- Lucifer by SHINee || First and foremost I can see him performing this, easily. Aside from that, the song is tasty and classic. Jamil is a smart attractive man that is incredibly talented despite flying under the radar. People know of him but don’t take note until they know him, similarly to this song. It goes hard and you’ve probs heard it mentioned but you haven’t experienced until you played it at 3 am, screaming your heart out. Get to know Jamil and he ain’t just “some guy”

Kalim

- Um Oh Ah Yeh by MAMAMOO || This song reminds me of the 90s/2000s and there’s something about Kalim that also does that for me. Maybe it’s the not a care in the world disposition. I can see and feel in the second verse’s rap, Kalim’s warm smile. I can imagine him grabbing my hand, telling me to chin up. The choruses make me think of simpler times. Finally, Kalim seems like he’s always having a good time just like this song

Ignihyde

Ortho

- Candy Pop by TWICE (yes i know its jp) || This song always puts me in a good mood. It makes me feel warm inside and like everything will work out. When I see Ortho, I feel the need to protect him but also can’t help but feel like everything will be okay. Something about him brings a happy, warm peace to my heart that reminds me to just take a moment and find the good in life. The peppy beat of it just makes me think about how he almost always is smiling!

Idia

- Fairy of Shampoo by TOMORROW X TOGETHER || the song starts an I feel as if I’ve awoken floating in the deep sea, but i’m not scared. I feel at peace and as if I’ve been here before. The song tastes like iced tea and feels like nostalgia. When I look at Idia I see my past self and even present self. I’m afraid, I want to hide. The feelings the verses gives me reminds me of laying in bed, curled up in a jacket that hides my whole body, similarly to Idia’s. The song and Idia’s character call out to a nostalgic but soft side to a distant past I can’t recall. I want to stay with them until I can remember

Savanaclaw

Leona

- gogobebe by MAMAMOO || It’s got a lazy but sexy sound that Leona emboides. When the song picks up in the choruses it’s like it takes over your body, drowning the listener in an ocean of sensuality and playful teasing. It’s got a lil edge though too that caters to the gruff “fuck off” expression he has. I see the noise Hwasa makes at the end as the wanton but confused noise fans make as the man leaves, tail swinging after teasing them

Ruggie 

- BAAM by Momoland || BAAM has such a sassy hyped up beat that screams a bitch that gets shit done, owns who they are, and lives life having fun. And it embodies everything I feel upon seeing Ruggie's smug smile. Even the rap bit during the second chorus has the sass and done-ness of “Leona-san! Get up!!”

Jack

- Bomb by AleXa || This song kicks your ass and so does Jack. Don’t for four seconds think he won’t beat the shit outta ya for underestimating him, similarly to AleXa and her music. The energy and the “I’ll show you” vibes remind me of this big dweeb. I would fear this man but turn to love him much like how I felt about this song as it was this artist’s first song. How do I say they just embody each other in my opinion lol

Pomefiore

Vil

- DUN DUN by Everglow || The sass. This song screams THAT BITCH, just like Vil’s everything. The way he carries himself is personified in this song. The power the song holds reminds me of his unique magic and how intense it is. Finally, the slower bridge is mythical and light as if giving the listener a feeling like they are walking on air and plays to the softer and more feminine side of Vil

Rook

- FINGERTIP by GFriend || Everything about this song is exciting. It’s suspenseful and alluring. If this song was a person, I could clear as day see it winking, whispering “chase me.” And that is exactly Rook’s brand of teasing and games. He’s a hunter but he’s got a charming aura to him still. This song wraps both of those things into it. The dance break is Rook’s darker senses personified. Umji’s lil “OW!” is he’s cute lil remarks in french, throwing you off now and then. But by the end of the song, you’re used to them and adore them

Epel

- Crossroads by GFriend || This song feels like a long lost friend that visits you in dreams. You can practically reach out to them but just as you do, you wake up. But you’re determined. That alone reminds me of Epel’s character as a whole. He doesn’t let his cute appearance push aside his wants and needs to be this tough guy. He, like Yuju’s strong vocals at the last chorus, presses on, determined each time he gets knocked down

Diasomnia

Lilia

- Deja Vu by Dreamcatcher || Maybe I’m biased cause I’ve covered this but this song is breathtaking. The melody speaks of a long road and the fight to keep on which I feel rings true for Lilia. We don’t know his true age but it’s clear he’s been around for quite a wild and the pain he’s probably gone through is unspeakable. He has stories galore and so much experience in life. I feel this song encapsulates a lot of what can only be speculated about him

Silver

- Crème Brûlée by GFriend || the soft, sweet song is addictive and cutesy. I feel Silver gets written off or ignored often, similarly to this song on the album. Sure he may not be god or a bad bad bitch, but he has his own warmth to him. Like this song, Silver makes me wanna curl up under a tree on an August evening and just take in life, making sure to breathe for once, releasing unnecessary tension and stress.

Sebek

- Black Dress by CLC || Sebek is very interesting to me and when he blushes, my whole heart stops for a second. It’s similar to how when they build up to the chorus‘s first Black Dress and the music stops for like a split second. Sebek isn’t my favorite but isn’t my least favorite. I like him more than some though, I’d say. I’d say the same goes for this song. I love CLC, this isn’t my top song of theirs but I still like it a lot. There’s something uniform about the beat that resounds with Sebek as getting shit done in mind also. Sometimes a song just makes you think of a character and you can’t perfectly explain it

Malleus

- Pretty Savage by BLACKPINK || Yes i know t’s only recently come out as i post this, but this bad boy on replay. The beat isn’t crazy upbeat but it’s interesting. Malleus intidimates me in general cause of his aura, and while I love this song a lot rn, it was very intimidating at first. It still has some “don’t come near me” energy. The slower bridge bit calls to his stoic expression, melodic and pretty

Heartslabyul

Cater

- ICY by ITZY || I’ll be honest both Cater as well as this song were things I thought at first were just meh, okay. But as time went on both grew on me. Now that’s not the only reason though I associate this with him. The, no pun intended, ice shattering sound of the song gives me friendly popular girl that seems to be buds with 80% of the school. This is the very vibe Cater always gives me. He wants to just have a good, happy life. Also the song is a “so what? I’m hot. Get over it.” vibe like Cater

Ace

- Drama by TOMORROW X TOGETHER || Ace reminds me the guy you fall in love with in high school and you no it’s not going to last but you let yourself get taken away with. Drama feels like a soundtrack of every fun adventure Ace goes on, no matter the trouble that he may get on. It’s fun beat just brings me back to skipping school, running to my car and trying to sneak away without getting caught. The thought of Ace at my side, would shoot my adrenaline through the roof just like the high note of the song

Deuce

- God’s Menu by Stray Kids || Deuce is just ready to go swinging and that’s exactly what this song is. Elbows up and out, head down, swinging without a clue. The intensity and fire of it speaks to that fire in him. Meanwhile the prechoruses are soft and pleasant almost like it’s not the same song, alluding to that cute lil smile he has got

Trey

- REALLY REALLY by WINNER || Similarly to Ace, this song reminds me of a guy you fall for, but in college rather than high school. Everything about the song and Trey just feels right. The choruses hold your hand and fits perfectly in yours. They know what to say to make everything okay. It may not last, but you sure hope it does and will love them like it will. And while Trey isn’t my number one boy, those are the exact feelings I have about him too. Finally, the rap part reminds me of Trey’s more sadistic side, it bites and you may not think it fits entirely but the more familiar you get with them, the more both fit and you don’t mind it entirely

Riddle

- Wonderland by ATEEZ || The demanding nature of the song makes me think of Riddle immediately. It’s intense and doesn’t mess around; it wants what it wants. Riddle is a rule based person and this song is rather militaristic aesthetically. The bridge though, is so regal and breathtaking. It could stop time. Riddle, despite the kind of guy he is, is the same way. The power he holds is impressive and admirable. This description may seem kinda like I’m shitting on him and see him solely as a rule boy, but like this song, I have made respect for him and wouldn’t want to cross him

Octavinelle

Azul

- Love Battery by Hong Jin Young but performed by LOONA on Immortal Songs || This arrangement of the song has a certain magic to it that I melt in. At the very beginning as the build up singing ‘dangsineun’ i feel like I’m being submerged in a wave, reaching to shake Azul’s hand, signing a contract. The choruses remind me of his smile, how distant but inviting it is. Daring me to fall for him. The dance break bridge reminds me of the intense eyes behind those glasses

Jade

- Love Shot by EXO || This song and Jade are both things I am fearful of but greatly intrigued by. They share a scary beat and energy that says I fear you more when you’re smiling. Please stop slowly walking towards me, you’re scaring me. But at the very same time, the choruses keep me around like how pretty I find this twin. The combo of put together, intellectual friend but could kill easily and without remorse sends shivers down my spine if I think about it for too long. The chorus of this song make me shake my shoulders that suppress a shiver each time

Floyd

- WEE WOO by Pristin || I love both Floyd and WEE WOO. The song is the feeling you get going 85 down the highway. Both song and Floyd, get me excited. They feel like the weekend. That feeling of coming home Friday during high school, tossing your bookbag down, and getting ready to hang out with your best friend. It’s a relieving and exciting feeling. It’s a peppy beat that bites during the harmonies a bit. Just like Floyd. Peppy, fun, but ain’t afraid to take a lil nibble

[stylesnews]

On November 18, 2019, a website promoting a mysterious place called Eroda (“No Land Quite Like It”) arrived on the internet. Two days later, the official Twitter account for this fictional frown-shaped island began teasing local seaside attractions. You may have missed it, depending on which corners of the internet you choose to lurk, but not if you were a Harry Styles fan, a group that went into pure overdrive trying to figure out what it all meant.

I, for one, missed it at the time. I was unaware this account was cryptically quote tweeting fans as they tried to piece together what was happening, what it meant, and what it could be connected to (Greek Mythology and Lost were a couple of theories posed in comments, Twitter threads, and Reddit). Meanwhile, the Columbia Records marketing department had been hard at work for months, devising this specific and highly-detailed campaign around the music video for Styles’ second single, “Adore You” from his second solo album, Fine Line, ever since he shot the video in Scotland in August 2019 (Eroda = Adore backwards — clever!).

But it was all leading up to the morning of Friday, December 6 when the video was released, one week before the full-length album arrived. Up until that point, I had never seen an entire Harry Styles music video, but what happened next was inevitable. Somehow, as a self-proclaimed boy band scholar, I had never paid much attention to One Direction. I kept a distant eye on Styles since they disbanded, intrigued by the decisions he was making in his solo career. But I hadn’t yet realized I’d been in the ring all throughout the fall of 2019, fighting to resist the inevitable fascination that awaited. First came the jab of Rob Sheffield’s Rolling Stone profile, followed by the cross of “Lights Up”, a song that cracked my Top 20 most listened to songs of the year despite being released just two months before Spotify so thoughtfully compiled that personalized playlist. Then there was the hook of his SNL hosting stint in November (and bless you Bowen Yang for that Sara Lee sketch), which then leads us to the “Adore You” video, the uppercut and ultimate TKO. I surrendered in what felt like a near instant. I was now a Harry Styles fan. (If we’re following this analogy, I sat up to spit out some blood after seeing that cover of “Juice” before my head quickly hit the mat again with a loud thud).

Maybe it’s not quite remarkable that I took time out of a Friday morning to watch a music video, but that I sat at my desk, in an office, with other people around (back when we did those kinds of things) and proceeded to wipe away a few tiny tears from under my eyes by the end of it, was an experience I had not been through… maybe ever? In a world of lyric videos and TikToks, actual, thoughtful, impactful music videos with a full (and sweet!) story are about as rare as a glowing and growing fish these days.

Ultimately, “Adore You” does everything a music video should do. In nearly eight minutes, this video uses excellent visual effects in a cool and interesting way, tells a compelling and heartfelt story, is anchored by an irresistible leading man and an adorable sidekick, is backed up by the catchiest song you could ever dream of, and culminates with a touching and hopeful ending. It’s a treat for the eyes and the ears and the soul. It’s innovative and the kind of thing that begs you to watch it more than once to catch all the details (and yes, I do tear up every time).

So one would think that an award show with the specific purpose of celebrating this type of creativity would be extra sure to nominate such a charming and effective clip, but alas, “Adore You” was overlooked in the MTV Video Music Awards main categories this year. Of course, some could argue that that fact only adds to the video’s credibility but I’ll do my best to not be that petty as I’m still rooting for it to win in the three technical categories where it picked up nominations: Best Visual Effects by Mathematic, Best Art Direction by Laura Ellis Cricks, and Best Direction by Dave Meyers, who remains one of the most inventive and influential directors of all time and whose videos with artists such as Missy Elliot, Pink, and Kendrick Lamar have been racking up nominations for nearly 20 years now. He also saw four other videos he directed get recognized this year: Normani’s “Motivation” (Best Chorography), Travis Scott’s “Highest in the Room” (Best Hop Hop and Best Visual Effects), Anderson .Paak’s “Lockdown” (Video For Good), and Camila Cabello feat. DaBaby’s “My Oh My” (Best Cinematography).

But I reached out to Meyers to specifically ask about the intricate details of “Adore You” and how it all came to be; how he captured such a vibe with the overcast and dreary weather, mixed so wonderfully with the charming oddities of the people that make up this world of Eroda. In addition to directing the video, he also co-wrote the story with Chris Shafer and said, “It’s the first idea that popped to mind after the first listen to the song, and the first idea I pitched to Harry. It was a story that underscored my understanding of what Harry stood for and felt it was necessary to tell it as a narrative to convey his optimism.”

The extended version of the video starts with a two-and-a-half-minute introduction to the world of Eroda, narrated by Rosalia. This includes the “peculiar” people and their professions on the island, meeting The Boy (Styles) and his glowing smile that most people try to avoid, and the quirky superstitions these people continue to live by. “It all served a purpose,” Meyers said of the details. “The superstitions were a set up for how society generally reacts to different things. They fear change or oddity, even if it’s what’s best for them.”

Meyers, however, did not share in that fear, as much of this video provided for interesting and new opportunities he had yet to experience throughout his decades-long career, which he listed off: ”Compelling narrative, CG character, remote location, Scottish crew (nothing fazed them),” also noting that all of the other characters in the video were locals as well. So perhaps they were less fazed by the atmosphere across the four-day shoot in Scotland, but as Meyers recalled, the “weather was nuts. It rained every 20 minutes, then the sun, then cloud over.”

However, it’s likely that Mother Nature is also a Styles fan, as Meyers recalled, “I seem to remember going up on the hill for Harry’s picnic with the fish and being worried that it was so gloomy. By the time we came to shoot, the sun came out. And then the sun went away as soon as the scene was over. Similarly, we had the worst storm when Harry was contemplating suicide at the start. Pouring rain, drenching him. So I guess in that sense it was fun watching how Scotland provided a backdrop for the emotions we were after.”

And hey, at least they had the weather on their side to add to the mood while shooting the video, as one of their main characters, well, didn’t exist. “It was very odd shooting with no fish,” Meyers admitted. “But was quite rewarding later seeing it dropped in and making empathic sense to the story we were after.”

Of course, the main character they did have on hand is an awfully useful and appealing one at that. Fans became enamored with the moment Styles uses the back of his hand to check the temperature of a coffee pot before dumping the fish inside the water so it could stay alive. I asked Meyers about this particular moment and he said, “The problem we had was apparent when Harry ran in and threw the fish in the pot. We all sorta felt — well, what if it was hot? So I believe Harry improvised that as a solution and we felt it was perfect for the character’s sensitivity and consideration for this poor fish.” And that’s not the only nice thing he does for his fish friend — he also serves him a tiny taco! “The taco was a whimsical way to express friendship between Harry and the fish,” Meyers offered. It looked pretty tasty, too.

The entire video serves as a showcase for what Styles does best and what makes him such a unique artist: his music, his acting, and his charisma, which Meyers knew would offer him a lot to work with. “Harry is a leading man. I felt that from my first meeting and wanted to play with his wonderful range of emotions. So finding a story with a real character arc was part of my focus in building this world.” Meyers described working on “Adore You” as an “all-around memorable shoot: awesome location, lovely Harry, compelling story, great effects, and… it worked.”

It did. And it was a risk: a video this complex and detailed (and one has to assume, costly), attached to a marketing campaign that proved to be even more involved, still came with no guarantee that the fans wouldn’t shrug it off. But as Manos Xanthogeorgis, SVP of Digital Marketing & Media at Columbia Records told Billboard last year, “When you have a video and a piece of art at such a level, it’s an incredible challenge for the rest of the team to build a campaign at that same level of artistry and creativity.” Oh, and that was only step one, as the marketing team engaged in “real-time marketing” with fans online, ensuring they would continue to remain engaged by dropping clues and clips in the lead-up to the video premiere and subsequently the album. “This whole campaign was around mystery and sometimes mystery is more powerful than knowledge,” Xanthogeorgis said. The Twitter handle has remained active throughout 2020, used as a continual marketing tool for Styles’ next videos including the Meyers-directed “Falling” and this summer’s hit, “Watermelon Sugar.”

With that kind of fan engagement, “Adore You” seemed like a no-brainer for the fan-voted categories of the VMAs this year, as they surely would’ve turned out to vote just as feverishly for this video as they did when searching for clues (about a made-up island, at that!). But hey, maybe MTV was just not interested in massive fan engagement this year — after all, it’s not like everything Styles does, including growing freakin’ facial hair, has the internet in a tizzy for weeks. Ultimately, as the impact of music videos (and certainly the ceremony celebrating them) continues to lose relevance, the disregard of this specific project simply feels like a missed opportunity to acknowledge a rare achievement in the art form.

While Meyers was sure to describe his inclusion in the VMA nominations this year as “lovely and flattering” (and he better have a moonperson in his possession this time next week, MTV!) it’s still puzzling why “Adore You” wouldn’t be included in the big categories, considering Styles is squarely within their demo, at the very least. That “Adore You” is also a technical and storytelling masterpiece, as well as a full moment that was used as inspiration both for the experience online and in-person at the Fine Line Spotify listening party last December, that also comes packed with one of the most enthusiastic groups of fans around, well, that should have had the entire network drooling.

Of course, some of this can simply be chalked up to a perfect storm. As far as his singles go, “Lights Up” was a nice appetizer, but “Adore You” remains the delicious entree (you already know what’s for dessert). “Adore You” is a perfect pop record if I’ve ever heard one (and I have) and deserved a special video. A Chris Isaak “Wicked Game” sexy vibe wasn’t going to work here. The song tells the story of such passionate, pure, and heartachingly naive and innocent love that it almost had to be directed toward a non-human being. Instead, Styles chose to inject those same carefree, sweaty, sticky, delicious, whimsical beach vibes into the “Watermelon Sugar” clip, which was the right choice, and not just for the summertime season (MTV has since added the Song of Summer category to the VMAs and included “Watermelon Sugar”).

But it’s “Adore You” that has melodies that bring a smile to the faces of babies, get your toes tapping even when you hear it in the dentist’s chair, and likely has my neighbors rolling their eyes when I sing along to it in the shower. The song is so simple it’s deep, a theme reflected in the video, as is the central reminder to help and care for others, a thoroughly 2020 message.

However, not all is lost. Both “Adore You” and “Watermelon Sugar” continue to rack up major spins at radio with the latter hitting number one on the Billboard charts earlier this month. Grammy voting kicks off at the end of September and Academy members should take note. Not only is Fine Line more than worthy of being acknowledged, but having Styles on hand to potentially collect trophies and perform is in your best interest when it comes to viewers and online chatter. Do not wait to take him seriously. This is the album, this is the time. Prove that you aren’t a bunch of stodgy old white men who think he’s just for teen (and um, thirty-something) girls, but that you understand the music he enjoys, is inspired by, and subsequently makes, is the same rock music you appreciate as well. An artist like Styles can be both of those things at the same time, and really, the best of both worlds. Give the album a listen, and then one more to let it all sink in. If you have not yet succumbed to the force that is Harry Styles fandom, I truly can’t recommend it enough — and please know that it will get you eventually. 

[pandemicperipatetics]

Two Weeks in Missoula, MT

View from a bridge over the Clark Fork River

The Verdict

What a fun place to spend two weeks! Missoula prides itself on being weird, and we can see the charm. This tiny university town of 70-80K residents is surrounded by mountains and has the cute little Clark Fork River running through it. There are hardly any tall buildings and the downtown area is full of places to eat, drink, and buy random Montana-themed tchotchkes. We encountered very few chains or national brands (basically just some hotels downtown and the nearby Albertsons grocery).

From the quad at The University of Montana, Missoula

We also got a different kind of weird vibe, though. Missoula is gentrifying, and there’s an odd juxtaposition of it feeling a bit run-down -- the downtown area on the river isn’t terribly well-maintained; the local housing stock is pretty old; the university has lost a lot of funding and applicants in recent years -- and also designed for deep-pocketed tourists (food is more expensive than comparable options in NYC; the new downtown Mercantile building that houses the ~2 year old Marriott Residence Inn feels like an upscale shopping mall; it’s hard to believe how so many breweries could be supported by the size of the local population). As visitors unfamiliar with the area, we didn’t always feel totally welcome -- and we can only imagine what it must feel like for people from the area to experience it being transformed by yuppies and Silicon Valley money. Even the local shops already evoke AirSpace, and it’s a bit sad to think of Missoula losing its quirkiness more in the future.

Walking around downtown Missoula

What to Eat: Vegetarian Edition

For a town of its size, Missoula has a surprising number of places to eat out. It was exciting to discover lots of ethnic food and plenty of vegetarian-friendly options, but ultimately we found a lot of the food to be extremely overpriced for what it was. We also noticed that many of the places we visited were advertising for staff, some were closed due to lack of staff / inventory / ingredients, and a surprisingly high number of places experienced outages of menu items during our time there. 

Note: All recommendations are in downtown or within walking distance. We’ve listed them in order of how much we liked them.

Five on Black [5/5]: Brazilian food that is surprisingly vegetarian-friendly and pretty reasonably priced ($12 for a large bowl). The tofu bowl with sweet potatoes and mango BBQ sauce was out of this world. Outdoor seating was available.

Masala [5/5]: Indian make-your-own bowl, Chipotle-style ($8). The coconut curry korma was delicious, and the paneer was pretty good too. This was the best value meal we had downtown. They had outdoor seating.

Basal [4.5/5]: Smoothies and salads. The Caesar salad with vegan dressing was pretty amazing, and the creamy smoothie (blue version) was obsession-inducingly good. Knocked off half a point because it is ridiculously expensive...yet we still went back a second time because it was delicious and healthy. Can’t remember if they had outdoor seating...

Market on Front [4.5/5]: Right by our hotel, and known for breakfast burritos. We tried picking up lunch there one day but it was a 25 minute wait. We tried again for an early dinner and voila...the Rawsome Vegan Wrap ($10.50) was very good The service was friendly, too.

Bernice’s Bakery [4.5/5]: This is a cute little bakery with great bread and vegetarian-friendly lunch options; we really liked their house-made Parker rolls ($0.60 each, or great as part of their sliders). They post their changing menu on Instagram daily. We didn’t try any of their sweets but they looked very enticing. This was also one of the few normally priced places we ate at. The shaded picnic table outside was very nice to eat at.

Zoo Thai [4/5]: This is an overpriced but pretty good Thai restaurant downtown. We really enjoyed the massaman curry ($17) and the coconut milk Thai iced tea ($3.5). There is one other vegetarian curry on the menu that was also decent. The service was exceptionally friendly although they are clearly understaffed (like lots of local places, it seems) and it took an unusually long time to get our food. Their outdoor patio was nice, and about a 30 minute wait on a Wednesday around 6p.m.

Conflux [4/5]: In a similar boat to Zoo Thai: the food was pretty good but it was one of the most expensive places we visited. We liked the vegetarian burger and the mushroom sandwich, and the beers were good too. The outdoor patio is extra cute and there was no wait when we went on a Thursday evening (when the wait was over an hour at The Camino).

The Union Club [4/5]: Our friend took us here, it’s a no-frills spot with a dive bar vibe, including pool tables and a few arcade games. As far as vegetarian options, they have a veggie burger (something like $6-$8) that was pretty decent and various fried items (breaded zucchini, jalapenos, etc). It was the most reasonably priced place we ate and we liked the relaxed atmosphere. There wasn’t any outdoor seating, but luckily it was nearly empty when we went.

Break Espresso [4/5]: Cafe. The lemon jam scone was decent, very sugary. We would totally go back here, but it didn’t seem like they had outdoor seating.

The Catalyst Cafe [3.5/5]: Good brunch options; the huevos rancheros were amazing, 5/5. However, the breakfast burrito with tofu and black beans was disappointing (maybe try the vegan brunch burrito with vegetables instead), and the service was particularly grumpy compared to anywhere else we went. They charge a gratuity on take-out orders, which they were upfront about but is still a bit odd. They have outdoor tables but due to the wait we took our food to go and ate on the lovely patio at our hotel.

Madeline’s Mediterranean (food truck) [3/5]: The falafel plate ($10) was tasty but unconscionably overpriced - 3 falafel balls, some lettuce, and a good heap of french fries. 

Bahn Missoula (food truck) [3/5]: We tried the tofu bahn mi sandwich ($8). It wasn’t bad, but the bread wasn’t great, overall it had a bit of a sterile taste like airport food.

Le Petit [not rated]: This is a very popular local bakery that was recommended by a friend. We visited on a Sunday a little over an hour before closing and they literally had ZERO pastries left. We actually haven’t seen that anywhere before. Maybe it’s a small town thing? We didn’t see outdoor seating.

An area across the river from downtown, near the University. Close to Bernice’s and Le Petit. The reminder to “Believe women” brought us back to Jon Krakauer’s book Missoula.

Notable places we didn’t try:

The Camino (Mexican): We heard good things from friends but the vegetarian options looked sparse. Their happy hour could be a good option if you’re in the mood for margaritas -- we put our names down on a Wednesday around 5:45PM and an outdoor table wasn’t available for us until 7:10PM, after we had already sat down at Conflux. Notably, there was an open patio table for 40 minutes that they were saving for someone who was supposedly coming “soon.”

Tagliare Delicatessen: Our friend highly recommended, but the sandwiches were mostly meat- or cheese-oriented. Could be great for a tomato/basil/mozzarella lunch option.

What to Drink

There are so many great breweries! We only tried the most popular ones, but imagine there is much more to enjoy.

Draughtworks: Gorgeous and spacious outdoor patio; we easily got a table on a Saturday at 5p (though it filled up a bit later). They seem to be known for sour and fruity beers and have many unique flavors; the flight ($10 for 4) is a great way to try them out. The watermelon rhubarb kombucha was also amazing.

Dram Works: Has a good outdoor patio and exceptionally friendly service. They let you sample anything before ordering. We really loved their peanut butter beer. They also have multiple kombucha options on tap!

Big Sky Brewing: We didn’t actually go to this brewery, but tried their beers at a fun street festival (Roots Festival) that happened during our visit. We had to mention this because their beers were so delicious!

The Roots Festival was fun -- in addition to enjoying beer and food trucks, the 4-mile race through south Missoula was great!

Plonk: Cocktails place with an extremely cute outdoor patio upstairs. The cocktails were excellent -- especially loved the Pink Panther (it had watermelon in it, what’s not to love?)

Lake Missoula Tea Company: Not beer, but their array of loose leaf teas was incredibly interesting and expansive! They can brew a cup of any tea for purchase in store if you’d like. We heard the lychee black tea was exceptional, though didn’t try it. We did try the vegan ginger chai, which was good.  Definitely a fun place to visit if you enjoy tea.

What to Do

As this was our stop between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, we didn’t do a ton apart from eating and drinking. 

We did hear there is some decent hiking nearby. We walked the M Trail -- a short, straight uphill hike (1.2 miles each way) with a good view of Missoula -- it was perfect at around 8:30a.m. while still shady. Pattee Canyon was a longer hike recommended to us. 

View from the M Trail

We heard hanging out on the river can also be fun. We did a chill ~2 hour tubing excursion on the Clark Fork River with Clark Fork Yacht Club. It was a lot of fun, we definitely recommend!

Where to Stay

We would have loved to stay in an Airbnb to get a feel for what it’s like to live in an actual neighborhood. Availability was sparse -- a local friend told us housing has been very difficult to find across the board as gentrification has accelerated, and we were also visiting for the 2 weeks before the fall semester started at the University. 

We ended up staying at the Marriott Residence Inn Downtown (it was actually cheaper than the few Airbnb options we saw -- you can get a decent discount for staying 12+ nights). It felt more like a hip Manhattan high rise apartment than a Residence Inn -- it was swanky with a great gym and outdoor patio. The service wasn’t great and the staff were fairly unhelpful, but it otherwise worked out fine. The location was great: we were within walking distance of basically everything we wanted to do. 

View from the Marriott Residence Inn Downtown Missoula patio