Welcome back everyone,

I have sufficiently recovered from my “farm to table” overdose just enough to write you today.

Let me just say: California Wine Country is every bit as enjoyable as I could have imagined.

Here are my notes:

Ad Hoc (Yountville): Exceptional, especially for the price. The menu changes daily but buttermilk chicken is a must, even as an add-on. Get a bucket to-go while you’re at it. The 18 month cheddar tasted like parmesan and the tiramisu was…wow.

Scribe Winery (Sonoma): A members-only winery with a bangin’ view. Perfect for lunch given the privacy, plus the wine offerings are much more extensive than pinot and chard. In the south of Sonoma Valley so a perfect day-trip from SF.

Matheson/106 Rooftop (Healdsburg): You can’t ask for a better atmosphere for a large group dinner. And the food might be better than the atmosphere! I doubt there’s a better way to spend a night “out”.

Glen Ellen Star (Glen Ellen): Did pizza takeout for our final night. Hit every note. The fig + prosciutto pizza was the sleeper. Easy to understand why it’s on the Michelin Guide - can’t wait to dine-in.

Next time you’re up there, each of these spots has my full backing and I would be remiss if I didn’t share them with you.

The area of the country feels like a throwback, in many ways. Yes, parts have become a bit scene-y, but the emphasis here is really on the quality and craft required to create memorable culinary experiences. They’re optimizing for excellence over efficiency.

Now - speaking of “throwbacks”…

Throwback Thursday

There’s been plenty of chatter about aesthetics lately, especially in the face of insane new tech (ai) that can seemingly create anything out of thin air - at least digitally.

Google’s Nano Banana image editor has taken the timeline by storm - and for good reason. Serial digital entrepreneur @levelsio has shown in a short period of time just how incredible these tools are:

This is the type of AI I can get behind. Basically: “take this map from 1670 and show me what the street view would’ve looked like.”

This resonates because it takes something humans built and enhances it in a way we would have never been able to, without destroying it’s original integrity. It’s not changing the map, it’s using the map as a tool to open a new window and expand our understanding of the past.

So - if that’s good AI, here is (as the kids say) an example of slop:

AI will never be able to create anything of beauty from scratch. It needs an input. A human idea.

The more abstract the idea, i.e. “a beautiful room” - the blander the output.

As David writes - and as we have discussed for weeks - it’s the originality, character, and human story behind creativity that we resonate with…especially as the algo commoditizes everything. There is nothing creative, original, or memorable about this AI generated room. Sure, you could say it’s clean. I’d argue it’s sterile.

Now, let’s move beyond interior design or historical images and into something millions of people see and purchase everyday…sports jerseys:

Which of these have more character?

It’s the throwbacks.

Why?

Because they were designed by humans in an era when craft and character superseded commoditization.

I understand Nike runs a business and they need to sell new jerseys every year, but the 2nd and 4th jerseys here are boring, plain, unoriginal, and unironically look like an AI could have generated them with little thought.

The throwbacks are deeply connected to the regional ties and symbolism of each club. They are the truest representation of an original aesthetic.

The good news is that more and more teams are returning to their “throwbacks” each season, and I don’t find it coincidental. The Wolves and Sixers are the latest to announce this week.

When we’re inundated with commoditization and efficiency, we long for character and craft.

Break up the monotony. Show some life. Have some fun.

This Week’s Playlist

A perfect 10 song album as we fade into October.

Can you guess what it is?

Forward this to somebody who owns a throwback jersey…

RP WEEKLY!!!!!