Independent is a funny word. It means “free from the influence, guidance, or control of another or others; self-reliant.” I thought I was pretty “indie,” until recently; in fact I wore this term as a badge and held onto it like a trophy. But kids — Austin kicks my butt in the indie category. Having just got back from the South By South West (SXSW) music festival I can honestly say that I feel like the hippest 30 year-old around just for spending time within the Austin city limits. Because it encourages small, non-affiliated businesses, Austin is gorgeously made...

Its funny how arrogant and pride filled Americans, such as The Shepherd, can be. When researching our recent trip to St. Petersburg, Russia we were amazed about how many times our guidebooks repeated the same advice. From Lonely Planet to Fodors, all the seasoned travelers seemed to agree that when in Russia “it is important to never accept a drinking challenge proposed by a Russian comrade.” The jet lag was fierce when we arrived in St. Petersburg and there were few chances to encounter such a competition. In fact, we didn’t even notice any of this...

The Winter Palace   Dismissing all advice from friends and family who thought we would literally freeze to death, Kim and I headed to Russia for a post holiday trip. In hopes of having the most unique experience possible we settled on St. Petersburg — known for their caviar and vodka. We didn’t have any caviar, but we did try a little vodka. Ok a lot of Vodka! St. Petersburg was an eerie city that at many times felt like it was struggling with its new democracy. It was not uncommon to see elderly soldiers sitting on street corners,...

The Shep is back! After a bit of a hiatus due to the busy holiday season I am online broadcasting live….well sort of. I’m in St. Petersburg.  The weather is wonderful…32 degrees most days with 4 hours of day light. Oh I meant to say I’m in St. Petersburg, Russia!! I am getting settled in for 5 more days of exploration before moving on to Helsinki. Food-wise Russia is awesome if you like potato pancakes, beets and anything pickled. Actually, St. Petersburg is a vegatarian’s dream as most menus we have run across have brilliant selections of veggie dishes. The best meat dish...

I mean its not even Thanksgiving and we already have our first disaster. I spent 45 minuts on the phone this afternoon trying to convince my folks and brother to take the train into New York, but they insisted on driving. They hit no traffic at all and just called to say they are outside of my apartment. Oddly excited, I went downstairs to help them carry some things up, but they were no where in sight. My mother, who was still on the line, asked how come I lived in an Amish neighborhood...

The Shepherd had a brilliant thought this Thanksgiving — invite his family, his girlfriend’s family and some friends over to his 1000 square foot apartment, instead of retreating to the suburbs to a home with more than three rooms. The pressure is exhausting! What do we cook, besides a bird…wait how do you cook a bird? What else do we make that will in some way recreate all the Thanksgiving tastes we have had over the years? How do I impress my mother who is as close to a culinary genius as they get? To strain the nerves...

After visiting Costa Rica in the winter of 2006 I think I can surf. I took a single lesson while I was there.  I was able to stand up and ride some waves all the way into the shore and now I tell people I surf. I have never claimed to be Kelly Slater, but when you tell people you surf they instantly envision you actually participating in the action of surfing….and lets be clear upfront, that’s not what I do!  I try…hard, but mostly I swallow a lot of salt water. I recently strapped on a wetsuit (I put it on backwards much to...

Its hard writing a blog, especially when its not your only job.  So in an effort to write more frequently and to not just write about New York, where I spend most of my time, I have decided to write an weekly installment I’m calling (until I think of something better) ”The Tempting Plate.”  This weekly diary will be a description of the best dish I have had all week and when the restaurant or chef allows me to, I will also post the recipe of said dish.  Hopefully, this will expand my readership from beyond my mother and college journalism professor.  So check...

Besides putting out a fantastic product that keeps getting better with age, Esquire magazine throws fantastic parties that I have had the opportunity to attend and/or crash for the past few years. Once a year, the magazine out does even itself when they open the “Esquire House.” This basically means they rent the most insane home or apartment (sometimes they do it in Los Angeles), commission the best designers to make the place look amazing, fill it with the newest products and the most advanced gadgets and then invite hundreds of their closest friends over to play with their...