insider august
Easy Fitness
It can be tough staying in shape if you travel frequently, but Puma is set to change all that. The company’s new Train Away line is designed specifi cally for use away from home, and the whole kit—consisting of a jacket, shirt, shorts and sneakers (complete with a hotel key slot in the sole)—even packs into itself for super-easy transportation. Puma has teamed up with SoundWalk to create downloadable audio guides to help travelers train in unfamiliar areas. www.trainaway.puma.com
Artexhibition
The Asian Art Museum in San Francisco opened its doors back in 1966, and this summer (until September 3) it is celebrating its 40th birthday with a new exhibition called “A Curious Affair; The Fascination Between East and West.” More than 75 paintings, ceramics, pieces of furniture and other decorative items from the past four centuries highlight the powerful spell that both regions had on travelers, artists and designers. Key themes include the infl uence of Asian art on European decorative arts and the use and adaptation of imported Asian art objects throughout europe. The museum itself holds more 15,000 Asian treasures, spanning 6,000 years of history. A defi nite must-see. www.asianart.org
Medieval Tournament
Lords and ladies, prepare for a fascinating spectacle complete with knights on horseback, mind-blowing jousting and edge-of-your-seat sword fi ghting. Yes, the latest Medieval Times Castle is opening in Atlanta. Guests who visit the 1,085-seat Grand Ceremonial Arena will be treated to a four-course feast as they witness the pageantry of an 11th-century tournament along with all the customs and costumes of the era. After dinner, those brave enough can tour the Museum of Torture to inspect the instruments of misery used during the Middle Ages. Or, for something more sedate, admire the suits of gleaming armor in the Hall of Arms—anything is possible in this 87,000-square-foot tribute to times past. www.medievaltimes.com
New York Dining Treasure
Charismatic new downtown eatery Trinity Place Bar and Restaurant could never be described as run of the mill. The downtown escape, brainchild of partners Jason O’Brien (Dublin 6 Wine and Dine) and Katie Connolly (Papillon, Smith & Wollensky), has been transformed from the US Realty Bank Vaults, a landmark Financial District building dating from the 19th century. Visitors enter through the original bank vault’s safe door and enjoy a menu of American and European cuisine from chef Donal Crosbie, formerly of Morrell Wine Bar & Café, Danube and Spago. Trinity Place Bar and Restaurant, 115 Broadway, 212-964-0939.
Published in :: Gastronome