Apolis Common Gallery in Los Angeles.
The latest openings and events from around the world.
A DAPPER FLAGSHIP
Los Angeles - Retail therapy meets community activism at Apolis: Common Gallery. Situated in downtown L.A.'s Arts District, the store is the first flagship for Apolis, a socially conscious men's fashion label that peddles everything from canvas chinos and classic tees to washed Japanese button-downs, leather luggage tags and jute fibre shopping bags (the Los Angeles market bag makes for a stylish souvenir). The owners have designed the store to be a gathering place, which means that dapper dudes can also go for featured keynote speakers, film screenings and art exhibitions. apolisglobal.com
CHRISTMAS POP-UP
New York - Christmas pop-up shopping is in full swing at JF & Son's temporary holiday store on the Lower East Side. Housed within vintage-laden shop Ellen, the temporary boutique features a selection of frocks from JF & Son's fall/winter collection, as well as limited-edition pieces from the label's work with contemporary artists Amy Yao, Ulrike Mueller and Paloma Correa. Leather lovers should pick up one of the handcrafted wallets or tote bags made in collaboration with Philadelphia-based Absolute Classic Masterpieces. Open until Dec. 31. jfandson.tumblr.com
VIBRANT ARIZONA
Scottsdale - The Saguaro is breathing some colour into the beige-on-sand hued Scottsdale hotel scene. Flanked by the Civic Center Mall and Old Town, the 194-room hotel (Joie de Vivre Hotels' first property outside California) is dressed in a cheery palette inspired by Arizona 's native wildflowers. Shades of burnt orange, turquoise and lime in the guest rooms mix well with wood and leather furnishings (travellers who prefer traditional country-club-style accommodation may not approve). Eye-popping citron lounge chairs and matching umbrellas dressed with salmon towels accent the poolside scene. Even the menu at Distrito, the hotel's Mexican restaurant run by Iron Chef Jose Garces, packs a colourful punch. Try the Mahi Mahi Tacos with chipotle remoulade, avocado, red cabbage and lime, and Frutas con Crema, a tasty blend of strawberry, apricot, lime curd and Mexican crema panna cotta. jdvhotels.com
BOSTON BARBECUE
Boston - Fenway franks face some stiff competition with the opening of Sweet Cheeks, a Texan barbeque joint that specializes in down-home comfort food. Not far from Fenway Park, the restaurant – a casual hangout with tables made from church doors and old bowling lanes – was conceived by Top Chef runner-up Tiffani Faison. Her giant oak-powered smoker churns out hearty helpings of St. Louis-style pork ribs, brisket and pulled chicken. Pork belly can be ordered by the pound with sides of hush puppies, black-eyed peas and fried okra. sweetcheeksq.com
Special to The Globe and Mail