Monday morning I’ll be starting a new job down in Soho for the Summer. For those of you who live and work in metropolitan cities you know that eating lunch everyday at a deli on the corner, pizza place, or other like establishments can get rather expensive. Factor that in with rent, transportation and other bills and you have little money left to go out and buy the things you see me writing about. So I’ve made the decision to make and bring my lunch to work when possible. This strategy should help me save some cash and probably eat healthier as well. But, being the Editor of this blog I can’t just go and brown bag it which is where Artifact Bag Co. comes in. Their Lunch Tote has been seen on several blogs and for $65 it may seem contradictory to my save money plan but I figure that the money I’ll save in 2-3 weeks by making my own lunch will cover the cost. Heavy duty waxed canvas and leather with copper rivets handmade to order in the USA. And they mean handmade, hence the 4-6 week production time. It’s worth it if you ask me, a lot cooler than those bright colored Igloo lunch bags Mom used to send you to elementary school with.

You like this one right? So why take her (or him) to the same place you take the rest of them. Do something spontaneous and different. Pick up one of Boxsal’s picnic sets on the new and extremely well curated Gilt Taste, grab your favorite take-out or something you made for the occasion, and head for the nearest park for a lunch break full of fresh air, conversation, and (more likely than not) people watching. The box comes stocked with fully compostable tableware including: trays, bowls, cups, utensils, napkins and a trash bag to clean it all up. A great escape from the day-to-day lunch at work and just as good for a Sunday brunch with a date, friend, co-worker, or if it’s her birthday maybe your Mom. Check out Gilt Taste for all of the Boxsal offerings and the rest that the truffle loving site has to offer.

In the spirit of Memorial Day barbecues and with Father’s day right around the corner, start thinking of some gifts for Dad while he’s grilling up those steaks and burgers today. Everyone warns against getting him another tie, the cliche to avoid cliches if you ask me. Maybe it’s just me but I would love to have someone gift me a new tie on the same day each year but then I do consider myself a tie guy. But the vast majority are right, don’t get him a tie. He’s better off picking that out himself anyway. Get him a Monogrammed Forged Steak Brand instead. He’ll be stamping away with pride, dishing out steaks with a smile on his face knowing that everyone is going to know who made that juicy piece of prime cut, grade A beef they’re about to devour. It may sound silly but if your Dad is like most guys he’ll get enough enjoyment out of that to last him the week (that might be a bit of a stretch, but he’ll enjoy it). Available in one, two, or three initial variations and only on-line.

Editors Note: On this Memorial Day Inside Thread would like to thank all of the men and women of the Armed Forces who have served and are currently serving to protect our country.

Guys love to pretend to know about wine. Sure you may know a thing or two but most of us, especially us young guys, are certainly not connoisseurs. That’s is why I turned to Gary Vaynerchuck, New York Times best-selling author, entrepreneur, host of Wine Library TV and a social media genius. Gary’s daily video blogs give newbies like us the knowledge we need to trick our friends into thinking we know what we’re talking about and the knowledge we need to actually learn so one day we don’t have to trick our friends into think we know what we’re talking about.  Gary recommended a 2007 Studert Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling which Wine Spectator gave 90 points. They describe it as “Opulent, with honey, spice and lime-tinged flavors matched to a creamy texture. Turns drier and leaner on the mineral and spice aftertaste.” Unfortunately my local liquor store near my family’s home on Long Island didn’t have it but I will definitely be on the hunt to give it a try. In the mean time I recommend you guys take Gary’s advice and pick it up for Thanksgiving tomorrow. The guy knows his stuff and his recommendations have yet to disappoint.

OYA is one of my DC favorites.  Right on the edge of Chinatown it provides an excellent location to take your dinner and make it an evening.  The food at OYA is top notch, it is a subtle blend of American Style Bistro and Asian cuisine.  Now depending on your budget the meal can turn out one of two ways.  There is the over $100 option or the under $100 option.  I don’t know about everyone else but if I can keep it under $100 I will.  The key to that is OYA’s incredible $29 3 course prix fixe dinner menu.  My last visit I chose this option and ordered a superb Spicy Crunchy Salmon Roll, Grilled Beef Sirloin, and Bittersweet Molton Chocolate Cake.  Buying that of the regular menu would cost you at least $50+ but now instead of paying that for yourself you are paying just over $50 to pay for your meal and your date’s provided you go with one. (I highly recommend it) Keep in mind that if you are ordering drinks with your meals that may, depending on your consumption, put you into the over $100 option.  Other than the food, the service is excellent from the minute you walk in and the atmosphere is beautiful.  The restaurant has a wall of white roses and a waterfall in front of what is the kitchen area along with a simple yet elegantly modern decor.  Make your reservation early in the week, they tend to book up.