Tue 22 Jul, 2014 Back to Basics We at UJ love a trend - a themed venue here, a mahoosive cocktail there - but recently we've been moving into a post-trend era of sorts, and not in a Fruit of the Loom normcore way. From a lifestyle of serene mountain escapes and motels in the US to classic aperitivos, we're officially going back to basics, for now. Let's start with getaways. Forget the preppy gloss and red ropes of the Hamptons and instead, head for the hills in the Catskills, where it's all about nature: lakes, fruit stands and bears, to be precise. For a taste of the simple life, book a table at Peekamoose Restaurant & Tap Room. Although owned by the folks behind Gramercy Tavern, the vibe here is all about the simple country farmhouse - think farm-to-table dishes, scavenged furniture and taxidermy aplenty. And when it's time to rest your head, we say, go no-frills and book a room at the Andes Motel, a "classic ranch style motel", that is simply about convenience and lo-fi living. Keeping on the motel track, forget the monochrome and Starck designs of yesteryear. Now, it's all about Americana simplicity. Playland Motel in Far Rockaway, which opened last year, may not be a Super 8 - with its 12 artist-designed rooms, a deck bar and beat-fuelled tavern - but the ethos of motelling sticks: affordable room rates, no televisions and communal bathrooms. And lastly, following on the wave of aperol and negronis, our taste buds have gone back to the stiff classic taste of Vermouth. Case in point: Chiltern Firehouse (again!). The trailblazing restaurant has a menu dedicated to the L'Apéritif, all done with fresh twists of grapefruits, lavender, cucumber, pomelo and mandarin flavours. And suddenly it's slushies and bottled cocktails no more. by CS Calendar Picks This Week's Picks SHOP SEE EAT ALFRESCO Grab a bargain at the A Number Of Names sample sale. 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL. 25 July - 27 July. Pass the popcorn! The We Love The 90s Film Festival is here. 3 Acklam Road, W10 5TY. 25 July - 3 Aug. Get a taste of luxury up high at Searcys at the Gherkin. 30 St Mary Axe, EC3A 8EP. Open until 4 September. Health-food goes Alfresco at Rawduck. 197 Richmond Road, E8 3NJ. Now Open. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LISTINGS LIKE SHARE FORWARD PREVIOUS EDITION (c) 2014 Urban Junkies. All rights reserved. Reproductions of any portion of this website only with our express permission. Urban Junkies is a free daily mailer. All listings and features are editorial: We do not receive any payment from venues, artists or promoters. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of information listed but we cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions.