There’s a lot of good things in San Francisco, but a deep list of good places to buy quality menswear isn’t one them.  That’s not to say the city is completely dry, but drought definitely exists.  Sorry, but it’s true.  This is where Maas & Stacks comes in.  I stopped by SF’s latest menswear member to check out the new-ish space and what they have to offer.

For the last year owners Otto Zoell and Stephen Chen have provided not only a welcomed addition to the city, but a set of stocklistings that differs from nearby stores such as Union Made.  However, while both stores remain consistent in their commitment to carrying quality goods, Maas & Stacks throws a change-up to the bay area’s Americana contingent.   In their simple, yet detailed approach, Stephen and Otto noticed a lack of stores selling the brands that they were into, and Maas & Stacks was born.

The bright and clean space is stocked with familiar brands such as Norse Projects, Band of Outsiders, Common Projects among a few others.  Likewise, the store is also home to labels such as Master-Piece or White Mountaineering, who are well-known fixtures on the circuit, but not necessarily around the bay area.

Parked between the Castro and Lower Height, you can find Maas & Stacks at 2128 Market Street, San Francisco.  [Maas & Stacks]

San Francisco is a city that had me at hello.  Since my first visit almost ten years ago, I’ve been hooked and crossed the continent every year.  Having driven, ridden the rails and flown, the trip over has almost been as fun as the finish line.  Last month I headed back to the other side to kick around, raise some sails and see some old friends.

A city with its own vibe and its own compass, SF isn’t for everyone, but I back it.  Each time I visit, I learn a little bit more about the city and its character.  Completely dissimilar to where I call home, there’s still plenty to offer and keep anyone guessing.  This trip had me covering more ground than anytime before.  From Tomales Bay to the Redwoods, the bases were covered.

Often times I wonder if I can leave the magnet of New York and make a pilgrimage west.  For the time being I’ll keep wondering and keep making the crossing.

Every time I start poking around Shorpy, I’ve lost a few hours of my life.  This isn’t such a  challenging feat considering their stock pile of historic imagery.

This collection of photographs capture what’s been labeled as The Lost America.  Lost or not, it’s hard (for me) not to get roped into old images.  These were my pick of the litter.

If you’ve ever been to San Francisco, seen San Francisco, or hell, heard of San Francisco, then you’ve probably heard about the city’s throwback transit system.  Along with picturesque spans, the surface-level transportation is easy on the eyes.  Not to be outdone, Milan is also home to the same Peter Witt trolleys, a fitting home considering their Italian influence.

Since 1928, Peter Witts have combed the streets, although San Francisco and Milan are the only remaining cities to permanently incorporate them into their transit system.  At the highest point, Peter Witts were the transportation of record in 15 American cities, Toronto, Mexico City and three other Italian cities.  They’ve been the mainstay in Milan since the beginning.

Always a sucker for trains, trolley and the like, I’m really into these and enjoy the fact that they’re still a legitimate mode of transport.  Fitted out with wooden details and original paint jobs, the only real additions these trolleys have seen since their introduction is a new GPS system.  Not bad for 84 years of service.

An 1841 Peter Witt Trolley I snapped in Milan earlier this year.

An 1859 Peter Witt trolley spotted in San Francisco last month along with an 1807 (above).

Sitting just outside of Washington D.C. in Chevy Chase, Maryland is Independent Land Rover Specialists.  Over the last year, Independent has become the authority in repairing and restoring Land Rovers in the Washington D.C. area.  The difference between Independent and other shops or dealers in the area is the ownership.  At the helm are true lovers of Land Rovers and you’d be hard pressed to find as much knowledge and experience with the trucks.

Land Rover is one of those companies that’s always had a loyal following.  Since the release of their first prototype in 1947 ( which was inspired by American Jeeps) people have continued to flock towards Rovers.  Along with their clean aesthetic, they’re widely considered one of the most reliable and versatile vehicles on the road.  This is constantly evidenced around the world where Land Rovers continue to serve as the vehicle of record for various military organizations, medical units or governments.

After hearing about Independent, I made a point to pay the shop a visit during my last visit to the District.  Started solely out of a passion for Land Rovers coupled with life long experience with the trucks,  the crew at Independent have established a solid clientele.   During my visit, I was just as curious about the shop as I was to see the current line up of projects they had on the docket.   At any given moment it isn’t uncommon to see ten trucks in the lot, everything from an original Series II or Defender, to a newer Range Rover or Discovery.

While I was there, we talked for a few hours about the trucks, their past and how it’s not uncommon to see something come through the lot with over 300k miles.  We also delivered an all original Series II to its owner.  Naturally I lobbied for the keys, but shot-gun was the best that I’d get.

There’s something special about these old trucks.  Their sound, feel, smell; all of the signs of a hand-made product.  Still functioning 40 years later without skipping a beat, it’s easy to see why they’re still on the road and still a crowd favorite.

Visit Independent at 4972 Bradley Blvd., Chevy Chase, MD 20815.  [INDEPENDENT]

After a long awaited and much anticipated arrival, IWC can finally call New York home.  The Switzerland based timepiece manufacturer opened the doors to their Madison Avenue flagship boutique last week in a space that’s sure to be the envy of all the neighboring competition.  I paid a visit to the new midtown location to see first hand what’s in store.

Standing two stories, the 3,000 square foot space is the largest in the IWC arsenal and nothing shy of impressive.  Inside, every watch family is afforded its own area, where customers can experience both the form and function of each individual timepiece.  This also means you’re provided the opportunity to view the entire collection in one place – something unique to flagship locations.

If IWC watches are your cup of tea, a trip to the new location is definitely in order.  Open now, visit the IWC New York Flagship at 535 Madison Avenue, New York, New york.  [IWC]

Since 1865 there’s been some form of naval display housed on the grounds of the Washington D.C. Navy Yard, the oldest shore establishment in the U.S. Navy.  Housing a collection that dates back to the early 1800s, the Naval Museum is the oldest of its kind and the only museum that focuses on the United States Navy from inception to present day.

Inside Building 76, which has been home to the museum since 1963, you’ll find artifacts from every major event the U.S. Navy has been involved.  And I’m not just talking model boats, although there is no shortage of miniature vessels on hand.  It’s packed to the gills with planes, paintings, uniforms, artillery, the worlds deepest ocean divers, and just about everything else that has to do with the navy.  Oh, and there’s a 418 foot destroyer (DD 933) parked out back, no big deal.  Feel free to climb all over it.

High on my list of stops, I always make room for a good naval or maritime museum, and I made no exception during my recent visit to D.C.  As the oldest museum of its kind in the country it naturally packs a punch like not other.  With 75 museums in the area, it goes without saying that this one should make the cut.  If you’re into boats, naval history, and the like, you’d be selling yourself short if you didn’t make the trek across and pay a visit to the Navy Yard. [U.S. Navy Museum]

Naples is famous for several reasons.  My not-so-noteworthy list includes, the Camorra, tailoring and of course pizza.  The latter being arguably the most important to many Italians.  If you’ve ever visited Naples and didn’t try the pizza, well sorry, but you’ve done your best at wasting a trip.  As cliché as it may sound, a visit to Naples is not complete without a sample of what many consider the world’s best pizza.  This being said, it’s easy to fill your stomach with good pizza from any one of the snack shacks around town, but by Napoli standards, this is mediocre at best.

Insert Gino Sorbillo’s.  Since 1935 Sorbillo’s has been dishing out pies and staying in constant contention for the popular vote of who makes the best pizza in Naples.  A title cherished by many, but earned by few.  Fitting the character of the city, Sorbillo’s is parked in an ally that’s less than inviting, however all anxiety is quickly curbed by the well dressed crowd who’s ready and willing to invest the 45 minutes it takes to get into the local haunt.

Once seated, there’s no messing around, pizza, beer, pop (yeah, not soda) are all you’ll find on the menu.  As with anywhere local, the waitresses typically don’t feel like dealing with a tourist’s indecisiveness (a.k.a. bullshit), so practice your Italian in line and be ready to order, quickly.  In a moment of panic, I yelled out something with fresh tomatoes and prosciutto.  I realize this rigmarole sounds intense, but don’t fret, all the hard work is over and pays dividends in the end.

It’s safe to say the motto at Sorbillo’s is, do what you do and do it well.  Not buying into the hype, my initial skepticism was blown away at what came out of the kitchen, sat on the table, and quickly made its way into my stomach.  Similar to those from the area, region or country, I couldn’t pin-point what makes this pizza better, it just is.  Everything that had been built-up, debated and defended all came to fruition with the first bite.  An entire pie later (And just to put things in context, never in my life have I eaten an entire pie by alone.  Just sayin.), I apologized for my earlier doubt.

Red Wing Shoes has a storied past, and it’s one I appreciate.  Founded on the edges of the Mississippi in 1905, it’s safe to say they’ve made their fair share of shoes.  From the U.S. Military to iron beams the world over, Red Wing has and always will be a name synonymous with a well made product.  This fact came to life last year when I was invited to Red Wing Minnesota for a visit to their factory for a first hand look at what goes into every pair of boots; furthering my appreciation.

During a recent stop in Amsterdam, I caught up with the folks leading the charge on the European front for Red Wing and paid a visit to their port-side showroom along with the new-ish Dutch outpost.  With several other traditional American brands setting up shop in the area, Red Wing’s presence makes perfect sense.  It’s no secret that they’ve come out swinging over the last few years making a move eastward inevitable.

The Amsterdam Store sits comfortably in the  Jordaan neighborhood, where it does a great job of capturing the identity of the storied American shoe maker.  Throughout the store, splashes of Americana are mixed in with some of the favorites on the American luggage circuit (Duluth, Filson, etc.) and of course all the latest footwear offerings.  One thing that Red Wing does better than most is know who they are and where their from.  This is clear, stateside or abroad.

If you’re in the area pay a visit to Red Wing Amsterdam Store, and what the hell, pick up a pair of boots, too.  [Red Wing]

After a couple years of being away, I recently made my way back to Holland and paid a visit to the Dutch capital.  Mixing one part business with two parts friends, it was great to be back in what is probably my favorite European city.  I stayed just outside the ring of death (the area just next to Centraal Station) and enjoyed all things involving canals, bikes, friends and food in a city that never gets old.  More to follow.