I'm Declaring It a Sidewalk Café Summer

Let the À La Carte Summer Print Issue be your guide

Let’s set the scene.

You’re sitting on the sidewalk in front of your favorite neighborhood spot for a drink and a snack. The sun is hanging a little low in the sky, hitting everything with a hazy golden light. Brightly covered café tables are strewn with spritzes and cappuccinos and bowls of olives and ceramic ashtrays. (I don’t smoke, but we’re establishing a vibe here.) The sound of clinking glasses and bursts of laughter can be heard over a soundtrack of songs that feel like a vacation.

(Clockwise from top left) Mansur Gavriel, À Table by Blanca, Plinius, Graydon Herriott, Cosa Ceramica, Lilly Sisto, Jacquemus, Jean Cocteau, Cookbook, Bottega Veneta

To me, that’s the setting of a perfect summer. Whether I’m spending my summer Fridays somewhere far away or within walking distance from my house, I imagine them filled with chilled wine, charcuterie, and my favorite people to waste time with. And when I set out to design the À La Carte Summer Print Issue (which is now available to purchase!) this is the vision I had in mind.

I wanted the print issue to be a guide to making your summer, wherever you are, feel like you’re traveling to a seaside village somewhere in France or Italy or Spain. I think that I, with the help of some expert leisure enthusiasts I’ve brought on as contributors, have managed to make its pages feel like a vacation destination in and of itself, so I thought I’d break down all of what’s inside.

A VACATION (OR STAYCATION) PACKING LIST

Fans of my Side Order column will love this whopping 7-page curation of clothing, accessories, beauty products, and home goods—all organized by color. It features some of my favorite go-to brands for an injection of that summer feeling, such as Porta, Mimmi Terra, and Calle Del Mar.

A BOOK REC FOR EVERY SUMMER SCENARIO curated by

Becca Freeman

and

Tembe Denton-Hurst

Whether you’ve got a long plane ride ahead, you’re spending an afternoon lakeside, or you’re trying to escape from a family reunion, Becca and Tembe each have a book rec for any seasonal situation you find yourself in. Consider it your summer reading list.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WINE IN THE SUNSHINE by

Mas Vino Please

Andrea Jaramillo (AKA Mas Vino Please) gives us the breakdown on all things summer wine, including ideal scenarios and food pairings for her favorite reds, whites, oranges, and sparklings.

Via Kate Ludwig of Bite Sized

GROCERY LISTS FOR SUMMER SNACKING

Hosting a rooftop aperitivo hour or a backyard dinner party? Spending the afternoon picnicking in the park or a weekend road tripping up the coast? Thanks to Brightland’s Aishwarya Iyer, Big Night’s Ariella Sperling,

Long Weekend

’s Tracy Georgiou, and Bucatini’s Victoria Fayad and Sofia Stephens, you’ll never be lost in the snack aisle again.

A MOOD BOARD MADE BY YOU

I put out a call on Instagram to see if any artists or photographers would want to contribute to a mood board for the print issue and got hundreds of submissions in response! This little group project turned out so fun, and I can’t wait for you all to see your own artworks in print.

A sneak peek, featuring submissions from Anna Orban, Stefanie Villers, and Carly Kuhn

A GUIDE TO GETTING INSPIRED ON VACATION

I like to do a little vacation inspiration scavenger hunt when I travel—I always come home with some fun mental souvenirs that stick with me far longer than a postcard will—so I’ve outlined the process, step-by-step, to help you do the same!

THE ULTIMATE PATIO PLAYLIST

I asked my dear friend and the owner of Latin Gold Records

Kadrian Alvarenga

to curate a playlist worthy of the perfect summer soirée, and the man delivered. The À La Carte Summer Playlist has everything you need to soundtrack your next several weeks.

Plus! I’ve asked some of my most creative friends to be a part of it: Maddy Nye designed most of the issue’s custom lettering, Marleigh Culver hand wrote a million grocery items for me, and Kate Ludwig shot some stunning photos that will make you run to the nearest wine bar.

Anyway, all that to say, this print issue has been a total labor of love and I’m so excited for you to get your hands on a copy. And if you’re in LA tomorrow, don’t forget to stop by The À La Carte Newsstand. For one day only we’ll be selling print issues, exclusive À La Carte merch, and a selection of beautifully packaged European sundries. Plus, Bucatini will be there serving aperitivo (free snacks!) at our own little sidewalk cafe! It’s going to be the best—I can’t wait.

x

Ali

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