Welcome to the Neighborhood, Kappo Makoto
Kappo Makoto opened in DC's Palisades not long ago, filling a sushi-shaped hole in the neighborhood. Recently, I snagged a reservation at one of Kappo Makoto's 21 seats and watched Chef Ogawa create an omakase dining experience not unlike the kind one would have in his home country of Japan. I turn left onto MacArthur Boulevard. The peloton races by, all lycra-clad and perky in their collective excitement. I walk past Black Coffee, its line for morning glory muffins and oat milk lattes rolls out...
5 Travel Wish List Destinations That Will Inspire
I am Lost and Found’s original tagline was ‘Luxury Travel.’ Over the years my travel tastes evolved and ‘luxury travel’ felt limiting. Plus, I wasn’t only traveling to luxury hotels anymore. So I changed it to ‘Adventure and Luxury Travel.’ Eventually, even that felt limiting. I thought about the goals of my site. I am Lost and Found inspires travel—so ‘Inspiring Travel’ it is. Ready for inspiration? Follow along for five travel wish list destinations I’m dreaming about right now. It’s another sticky, steamy day...
Enchanted. Why Mii Amo is the best Sedona spa.
Mother/Daughter Adventures at the Best Sedona Spa Air is air. Of course, it can be humid, dry, or wet. It can be conditioned or heated, still or sticky—the adjectives are endless. When I visited the Mii Amo spa in Sedona, I looked for words to describe the air. How did it feel? Neither crisp, nor brisk, nor thin, nor heavy. Then, it dawned on me. I wasn’t feeling anything. The air was imperceptible. The beauty of not noticing the air is that my other senses...
Stowe in Summer: 10 of the Best Ways to get Local
A few summers ago, my husband and I decided to head north. To live village life, country life, and a less rushed life in the mountains of Stowe. My parents’ house was empty, and it seemed an ideal way to escape the oppressive DC heat—a way to break the monotony that had gradually manifested over the past few months. We packed up only the most essential items; our kids, our dogs, a few hundred Nespresso capsules, and cornhole. As it turned out, our essentials don’t fit in...
How To Experience the Low Country at Palmetto Bluff
Montage Palmetto Bluff is a well-preserved river town, complete with Low Country marshlands, a bird sanctuary, and centuries-old live oaks on the May River in South Carolina. Striking the right blend of highly-curated activities, creative dining options, and varied accommodations, Palmetto Bluff has everything it takes to experience a little Low Country living. Not long ago, I read an article that sought to quantify the value of ‘things' versus ‘experiences.' The writer argued that happiness associated with things (jewelry, cars, electronics) is relatively short-lived compared...
Is The Ryokan Nobu In Malibu Worth The Trip?
Ryokan Nobu in Malibu was named the #1 Best Resort Hotel in the continental U.S. by Travel + Leisure's World's Best List. Nobu in Malibu is one of the most sought-after dinner reservations on the west coast, located along California's famed Pacific Coast Highway. Is all this Nobu-centric press well-deserved? The Nobu Ryokan, In Malibu. What's a Ryokan? Having spent time in a few ryokans while living in Tokyo, I was a bit skeptical about the highly anticipated Nobu Ryokan opening in Malibu. Owned by...
On Being Imperfecto, The DC Restaurant Review
Imperfecto fired up an already hot trending restaurant scene in Washington DC. Today, Chef Enrique Limardo has three fabulous DC restaurants to rule over in his crisp, chef’s whites. What makes Imperfecto so darn near perfect? It’s all in the details. DC is a culinary wasteland. This was my first thought when we moved to DC from Tokyo in 2010. It isn’t because I’d spent nearly four years in the world's foodie capital (with 202 Michelin stars, the most of any city, I dare you...
Amangiri is the hideaway hidden in plain sight
Amangiri is one of the most luxurious resorts in the world. Amangiri has won awards for its spectacular pool, its desert location, and over-the-top excursions. Read on for a sneak peek into Utah's decadent resort, Amangiri. Discover if a vacation in the Utah desert is right for you. What's Aman? Years ago, when we lived in Tokyo, I remember a dinner party where we met a woman named Fang. She’d been an ex-pat in Japan for years. We were fresh off the proverbial boat, trying...
Blackberry Mountain Is Sensational
Tucked up in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Blackberry Mountain sets a high bar by combining unique adventures and holistic wellness activities. And, it takes adventures even further with locally sourced food, and the comforts of home. This post describes how Blackberry Mountain entices each of the senses, in completely unexpected ways. This is Blackberry Mountain Big Double Shelter is a wide, wooden deck at the end of Big Double Trail. The treetops in the distance look freshly painted. Brushstrokes of oily red, orange, and...
Escape to New York, Inness takes on the Catskills
Inness is the latest property to take on the Catskills, in New York State. With its low-key escapist vibe and majestic mountain scenery, Inness delivers a weekend getaway for those lucky enough to live within driving distance. Think a cabin-laden, nature-centric resort in the Catskills can’t deliver? Inness will prove you wrong. “Give me a 5-hour radius, Daniel?” I plead. My husband hates to drive. The last time we took a road trip, a four-hour drive turned into eight, due to an overturned tractor trailer...