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The Cool California Coast

When golfers think of the California Coast, they think of Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, The Olympic Club, and the most recent PGA Championship course, Harding Park among others. These are some of the best golf courses in the USA and all have one thing in common: the California coastal climate.

When winemakers and wine lovers think about California Pinot Noir, they think Sonoma, Monterey and Santa Barbara. These coastal wine regions are some of the best for growing and producing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir due to the proximity to the coast.

Image by: Hari Nandakumar

Big Easy On The Course And In The Winery

I am very excited about AIR Golf allowing me the opportunity to write about 2 of my favorite things: Golf and Wine. Golf and Wine complement each other in so many ways and in this quarterly column we will be exploring the intersection as well as how each can be enjoyed on their own.

Several South African PGA golf professionals have had great success on the course as well as catching the wine bug and starting their own wine brands in their native land. With some of the most picturesque vineyards in the world, almost perfect Mediterranean climate and a diverse food and wine scene, there is no wonder why these South African’s got involved in wine.

David Frost (29 professional victories) and his family have been in the wine business for over 60 years. David has been in and...

Maduro Lounge Premium booze and all that Jazz at Tokyo Grand Hyatt.

It had been a fair few years since I had visited Maduro- the Tokyo Grand Hyatt’s plush Jazz bar located in Roppongi Hills. The entrance is a little hidden, its large wooden doors tucked away in between floors of the plush five-star property.

It’s a Thursday and the bar has just opened its doors, no band yet and it’s relaxingly quiet. Besides me, 3 suits are finishing off the day's business over a drink and two couples are having an aperitif before dinner.

The interior is exactly what you would expect for a luxury jazz joint. Tastefully backlit, comfortable chairs and round candlelit tables are around a typical jazz band stage. To the right is the bar, boasting a hefty selection of rare whiskeys-more on that later. I settle into a back table and peruse the menu.

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The Tavern - Grill & Lounge Brilliant creative food in a casual upscale atmosphere

An area that has undergone a remarkable transformation over the last few years is Toranomon 1-chome. This classic Tokyo business town has evolved into a modern, youthful promenade, thriving around Kanata Street. Towering over the district is yet another remarkable Mori Building Co. creation, Toranomon Hills. On the top 6 floors, nestled over a plethora of blue chip companies and the JOC, is the Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills hotel, which is the focus of our attention. In particular the newly conceptualized The Tavern - Grill & Lounge, which under the creative brilliance of Executive Chef, Shaun Keenan, and his dedicated team, has come into its own.

Il Figo Ingordo Cosy Italian, in the Roppongi neighborhood

On a brisk January evening, I made my way through Roppongi’s lesser traveled streets to find what can only be described as a cozy neighborhood eatery not out of place on the streets of Milan or Rome. This encounter was not by chance though, on a recommendation from a seasoned Italian expat friend, who said with a wink “Carne Fantastico” I decided to come and see for myself.

Il Figo Ingordo has been in Roppongi for 10 years now and has a sister location in Daikanyama, the restaurants' owner studied in Italy before returning to Japan and building his team of chefs all of whom share his passion for Italy and their take on the Italian classics which keep you coming back for more...

GinzaSix The newest in Tokyo luxury

Just this past April, a new department store opened in Tokyo after much anticipation. GINZA SIX is located in Ginza’s sixth district and, unlike other shopping centers, is built with international clientele in mind. Ginza, one of the most luxurious shopping districts in Tokyo and the world, attracts visitors from all over with everything from the latest tech to exclusive runway pieces. Now, GINZA SIX promises to further delight and better assist discerning visitors.

Photo: By GinzaSix

Hot Jazz in Tokyo-- The City’s 5 Best Music Makes Magical Memories

New Orleans, Harlem… Tokyo? While Japan and jazz may not immediately go together in your mind, on any given night in Tokyo, there are hundreds of clubs playing vinyl jazz classics and dozens with live jazz band performances. Now ubiquitous to Tokyo nightlife, jazz was introduced at the beginning the 20th century by American soldiers via the Philippines. It’s been popularized in novels by Haruki Murakami, who ran a popular jazz bar in the 1970s. Although Murakami’s bar is long gone, while you are here on your golf holiday, you can check out these five spots to experience real Tokyo jazz nightlife!

5 Things to Know About Sake As a Souvenir The wine of Japan

You would be hard pressed to find a souvenir as perfect as sake to commemorate your time in Japan. Nihonshu, or the wine of Japan, is steeped in history, having been brewed here for over 2,000 years. For a simple beverage made up of only 4 ingredients- rice, water, yeast, and koji- sake comes in a startling array of flavors, representative of different regions and seasonal events. If you’ve decided to pick up some sake as a keepsake of your travels, here are 5 things you need to know.

Neon and Bottles cc from flickr by Jimmy https://flic.kr/p/7U57KK
La Cucina

Delicious food with breathtaking views Modern Chic Meets Italian Traditional in the Heart of Tokyo

Cristiano Pozzi, native of Cuomo in northern Italy and Head Chef of La Cucina, is rapidly building a reputation in Italian food circles as a chef with a delicate sense of balance, mixing the authentic with the experimental. Formerly a chef at Officina di Enrico in Omotesando and Giorgio Armani in Ginza, Pozzi has decidedly come into his own as he studiously oversees a talented young team in the creation of full bodied pastas, pizzas, risottos and La Cucina’s signature carne main dishes.
Interior of the Ryutenmon at The Westin Tokyo

Ryutenmon at The Westin Tokyo The biggest gastronomic attraction for Tokyoites whose demand for exquisite food and chic surroundings is as legendary as the city itself

Michelin-starred Ryutenmon at the Westin Hotel Tokyo in Ebisu remains the biggest gastronomic attraction for Tokyoites whose demand for exquisite food and chic surroundings is as legendary as the city itself.

Chef Keimei Chin’s reputation for bold yet delicate Canton-style cuisine has had people flocking to the restaurant for over a decade. The backdrop to this culinary treat is the beautiful Westin Hotel Tokyo. A gold-adorned and plush-carpeted staircase takes you from the lobby to the second floor, where the gates to superb Chinese dining await. The interior avoids gaudiness yet invokes the grand atmosphere of a classic Hong Kong restaurant.
Gordon Ramsay at the Conrad Tokyo

Gordon Ramsay at the Conrad Tokyo A culinary experience beyond compare

Among the definitive pleasures of the Conrad Tokyo in Shiodome is dining at the Michelin-starred Gordon Ramsay at Conrad Tokyo, a French restaurant providing everything you expect of such a master under the expert supervision of Chef de Cuisine Maeda.The moody ambience of the Conrad Tokyo, ultramodern but with an emphasis on wood and natural tones, is carried seamlessly into the décor of Gordon Ramsay. Seven-meter-high windows remove the need for artificial lighting during the day and make possible low-key illumination after dark, allowing guests to enjoy a stunning meal while taking in the breathtaking light show that is Tokyo after dark.

More on Air

What happens if your ball strikes another players ball? Golfing Rules, Seriously!

On the course this past weekend, I putt from just off the green and my ball struck my playing partners ball, knocking it closer to the hole.

After a quick giggle, we began to discuss the ruling, 'I'll play from there and its a one-shot penalty for you' my friend said. 'I was off the green' I said, 'Doesn't matter' he said. Right, I said. 'Hang on, and I'll consult the rule book'.

Luckily, I had The R&A's Rules of Golf on my phone (Well worth a download and it's FREE)

Without quoting the book verbatim, there are basically three scenarios which you should be mindful of:

On the Fairway If your ball strikes a fellow players ball on the fairway by accident, both players will play from where their balls lie. There will be no penalty...

Up Your Golf Game With an Apple Watch More than an accessory!

Mark your score after that awesome birdie, check the yardage via GPS, decide strategy on the next hole. But first, a quick press of the digital crown to have Siri remind you to call your wife when you get back to the clubhouse. Wait,… what? Yep! All of that was just done on your Apple Watch. It's certainly not your father’s Rolex anymore when it comes to golfing and the Apple Watch.

Just like how the iPhone and other smartphones revolutionized how we communicate and use technology 10 years ago, the new Apple Watch has changed how golfers approach the game today, and possibly changed the game itself. And, with onboard GPS, increased water protection and other performance enhancements Apple Watch Series 2 has the potential to make an even bigger impact. It comes as no surprise...