Malee Baker Oot

The Japan Times •

A glimpse of old and new in Tokyo and neighboring Saitama

Visitors to Japan can experience rich history without sacrificing modern amenities thanks to the traditional locales preserved amid the glass and steel of the country’s cities. Tokyo and its northern neighbor Saitama Prefecture abound with historic sites, modern buildings and lush greenery, while carrying on the legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This article examines some of the nearly countless things to see and do in these areas. It’s been more than two years since Tokyo hosted the
pastemagazine.com •

How the Humble Pepperoni Roll Became an Appalachian Staple

There are a lot of stereotypes attached to Appalachia and plenty of preconceived notions about the region’s culinary contributions. In fact, moonshine might be Appalachia’s most illustrious artisanal export. The region is often typecast as isolated, backwards and lacking diversity. But that’s not the reality. The mountain-riddled region extending from southern New York to northern Mississippi has been shaped by a mélange of cultures, from Appalachia’s original inhabitants, including the Cherokee
The Adventure Coast •

How to Eat Your Way Through Florida’s Adventure Coast

Florida’s Adventure Coast is renowned for outdoor pursuits, from pristine paddling along the Weeki Wachee River to avifauna-rich hikes in the Withlacoochee State Forest. But one of the region’s best-kept secrets is its vibrant dining scene. From perfectly smoked barbeque to freshly caught seafood to hand-dipped ice cream that wraps up the day on a sweet note, there’s something to please every palate. There are plenty of options for adult beverages, too, from craft brews to vineyards (yes, vineya

8 Happy Hour Spots to Check Out in DC -UpOut Blog

In a town where it’s easy to spend upwards of $15 on a craft cocktail, happy hour is a precious opportunity, not to be squandered. For the frugal, fortunately the city is swimming in happy hour specials, sure to entice even the most parsimonious bar flies. While there are plenty of bargain libations waiting to be discovered, these a few of the best deals to be had around town. Hardly a hole in the wall, Chef Geoff has become a household name in the capital area, with locations in Cathedral Heig

6 Ways to Spend Valentine’s Day in DC -UpOut Blog

Coming up with plans for Valentine’s Day can be a vexing dilemma. Especially in a city loaded with enticing options. For everyone still frantically brainstorming date ideas, here a few ways to spend the holiday. Chocoholics in the capital have ample opportunity to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a tribute to the holiday’s most celebrated confection. Cocoa-inclined historians can head to Anderson House for an Eighteenth Century Chocolate Tasting, hosted by the Society of the Cincinnati (February

Missed Restaurant Week? Check Out These 5 New Washington, DC Area Restaurants -UpOut Blog

The ever-evolving Washington, DC restaurant scene can be exhausting. With all the new openings, it can be a full-time job keeping up with the city’s culinary offerings. Never fear.  For everyone looking for that next gastronomic fix (and lamenting the end of Winter Restaurant Week), here are a few of the best new gems in the Washington, DC area. The gritty industrial charm of the Irish Whiskey Public House has been elegantly reimagined with the creation of Tulips, Dupont Circle’s new restaurant

8 Seasonal Local Beers to Drink this Winter in DC -UpOut Blog

Winter is not all snow forts and sledding runs, sometimes the dark days and hibernation-inducing weather can be a drag. For everyone already daydreaming of flip-flops and poolside piña coladas, there is a worthwhile distraction – winter beer. When early sunsets and freezing rain require a night indoors, cozy up with these local seasonals. A solid winter warmer can bring cheer to the dreariest of times, even brightening up those days when the sun sets inexplicably early. So, when wind chill temp
RootsRated •

Your Guide to the Best Food & Drink in Bardstown

There’s a lot to love about Bardstown, Kentucky. Some come for the history, some come for the ghostly legends, but many come for the Bourbon. Known as The Bourbon Capital of the World®, this quintessentially Southern spirit has been crafted in Bardstown since 1776, and today the town is home to a distinguished collection of industry-leading distilleries. But there’s more to Bardstown than just Bourbon! Founded in the 1780s, Bardstown’s picturesque downtown will make you feel like you’ve travele
RootsRated •

What Your Jackson County Craft Brew Says About You

North Carolina has emerged as America’s mecca of microbrew. Every corner of the state, from the coast to the Great Smoky Mountains, is sprinkled with craft breweries, and Jackson County is no exception. The Western North Carolina county is home to the Jackson County Ale Trail, a walkable route linking two distinctly unique breweries in downtown Sylva. The trail currently connects the Sneak E Squirrel, a whimsical place housed in a repurposed car dealership, with the creekside Innovation Brewing,
UpOut Blog •

7 Best Baseball Bars in the District

Baseball is one of America’s finest creations — and one of the summer’s most charming highlights.  The next best thing to being at the ballpark, is heading to the bar – especially walking into a Cheers-like scenario, where everyone else in the bar is also rooting for your team.  For decades, DC was a city of baseball refugees, a place where locals cheered for the Orioles, and transplants brought their hometown loyalties to the capital.  But, the return of baseball to DC changed the landscape of
UpOut Blog •

9 Refreshing DC Cocktails for Summer Sipping

What better way to savor the summer than with a seasonally-inspired libation?  The capital’s vibrant cocktail scene offers an ever-evolving, innovative celebration of seasonal flavors – but with all the choices, choosing the perfect summer libation can be a formidable endeavor.  So pull up a barstool and treat your taste buds to an elevated cocktail experience at one of these notable DC establishments. Combing the linger-worthy, unpretentious charm of a dive bar with a top-notch list of creativ
UpOut Blog •

8 Must Find DC Food Trucks

DC food trucks – the scourge of lunch-bringers and budgeters everywhere.  In the DC area, a fleet of food trucks provide the caloric highlight of the day for many cubicle-bound professionals — and serve up an eclectic array of cuisine from international cuisine to childhood classics.  While there are plenty of food trucks to pick from in the capital area, these are a few of the moveable feasts sure to convince even the most scrupulous penny-pinchers to forget about that draconian weekly lunch bu
UpOut Blog •

10 Things to Do Other Than Shop at the USDA Farmers Market

A staple of the capital area for over two decades, the USDA Farmers Market attracts over 30 different vendors showcasing a stunning spread sourced from farmers and producers from the Chesapeake Bay region.  Besides the bounty of fresh produce, the market is also loaded with tasty lunch options – like Timber Pizza, sandwiches from Cowbell Kitchen, and Cajun-inspired comfort food from Puddin’.  The fresh air market is also in one of the city’s most iconic locations – tucked between the People’s Ga
UpOut Blog •

10 Summer Beers for Beating the Heat

Beer is the nectar of summer.  Nothing pairs better with a balmy, sun-soaked summer afternoon than a perfectly chilled, crisply refreshing, highly drinkable beer.  Better yet, discovering an especially savory brew early in the season is a gift that keeps on giving all summer.  For beer aficionados on the quest for the perfect summer beer, here are a few more seasonal brews to add to your repertoire. A staple of sun-drenched beer gardens everywhere, nothing says summer like a frosty, lemon-slice
RootsRated •

How to Have an Awesome Microbrew Tour in Jackson County

Loaded with more microbreweries than any other southeastern state, North Carolina is rightfully recognized as one of the country’s booming bastions of craft beer. While Asheville’s heavily concentrated collection of microbreweries may have made the town North Carolina’s capital of craft beer, one of the state’s most singular beer trails is just west of the city, in mountain-rippled, stream-laced Jackson County. The Jackson County Ale Trail makes for a compact, craft-brew loaded pub crawl. The s
RootsRated •

The Best Trail to Pub Pairings in North Carolina

Nothing pairs better with an exhilarating outdoor adventure than an inspired microbrew. Fortunately, for outdoor-loving connoisseurs of craft beer, North Carolina is not only laced with majestic mountains, pristine rivers, and massive national forests, the state is also loaded with some of the best breweries in the country. When your day of adventure has wrapped up, there are plenty of inspired brews waiting to be discovered.
RootsRated •

8 Reasons to Escape DC and Head to Staunton this Fall

Just over two hours from the nation’s capital, picturesque Staunton, Virginia, provides an inviting escape any time of year—but during the fall, the historic Shenandoah Valley town is perhaps even more appealing. Celebrate the colorful seasonal transition on foot, exploring the hundreds of miles of hiking trails lacing the mountains and forests surrounding the Blue Ridge town, savor the autumn harvest at Staunton’s open-air farmers market and farm-to-fork restaurants, and spend the evenings soaking up the local arts scene. The town has plenty to offer craft-beer-connoisseurs, adventure-seeking outdoor lovers, and seasonally-inspired foodies—or just about anyone looking for an excellent weekend getaway.
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