An Introduction
How We Travel and What We Look For
DO. SEE. EAT. DRINK. is your weekly guide to discovering what's interesting, delicious, inspiring, and worth savoring wherever you go.
We’ve told you how to take an art stroll in the middle of the night in Vegas. How to snag an impossible seat at the best restaurants. How to see art everywhere. But we’ve never actually introduced ourselves.
Think of this as the conversation you’d have with us over drinks. Daniel orders the house specialty if it feels sincere. Myleik starts with coffee. Always. You learn quickly that one of us will walk until genuinely lost. The other wants at least one solid reservation on the books.
So, pull up a chair. Let’s get to know each other.
What do you want your first hour in a new place to feel like?
Daniel:
Grounded. Oriented. A long walk, fresh air, maybe grab a tea. I love getting somewhere, taking off on foot, and trying to get lost.
Myleik:
The first hour can’t be rushed. I used to hit the ground running when I traveled for work. Now it has to feel like a deep exhale. Even landing in New York can feel that way if my mind is right.
Hotel drop first or straight into the streets?
Daniel:
Bag drop if it’s easy, then straight back out. I prefer not feeling tethered to a bag—bringing it into a gallery or bar—but I also don’t want to linger indoors when there’s a city waiting.
Myleik:
I’m a hotel drop person. I don’t trust leaving things in the car in any city. I still can’t believe someone stole my “self-care” gifts in Ojai. On a spiritual trip!
What signals to you that you’ve landed somewhere good?
Daniel:
People walking with purpose but not urgency. Good public transit. I’m best with people all around and often do not enjoy drive/park/hang out/drive/park/hang out cities (with the exception, oddly, of LA). I never want to stay in a part of town that feels isolated.
Myleik:
If we’re landing and there’s a ton of blue water everywhere and the sun is beaming, I know I’m going to be happy. We once went to Bermuda, and the landing was epic. I was a little worried because I did not see a runway!
Are you a reservation-maker or wing-it eater?
Daniel:
A mix. One or two anchor reservations, the rest improvised. And, probably more than that, now that I’m old, I’m big on the early pop-in, grab-a-seat-at-the-bar move.
Myleik:
I always need at least one solid reservation. I’m willing to wing it sometimes because I have an unnatural confidence that I can always make something shake, but I need one.
Do you research restaurants in advance or trust the moment?
Daniel:
I research enough to know what matters locally, then trust the moment. I want to know what I’d regret missing, not plan every bite.
Myleik:
Research! But if I have a great meal somewhere, I always ask the server where they eat because if you work here and it’s good, I know you know good food.
What makes a meal memorable to you when traveling?
Daniel:
Context. Sitting with my loved ones (or more importantly, one of my loved ones). Who’s nearby. The feeling that this food makes sense here and couldn’t quite exist anywhere else. Also, underrated but important: the weather. I love a drink from a coconut on a hot day. I also love lacing up boots and struggling through snow and wind to get to a warm bar with your people.
Myleik:
An interesting location. I’m a sucker for decor. A staff that educates and nudges me toward a little adventure. Excellent food. Great company.
Early mornings or late nights?
Daniel:
Both. I have a hard time sleeping when I’m somewhere I find inspiring.
Myleik:
Early mornings, except in New York City. I will make a 9P dinner reservation if I have to.
What kind of place holds your attention longest?
Daniel:
Places with layers: public art, memorials, stadiums, campuses, moving water, neighborhoods where history and daily life overlap, people moving. I like cities that are cheap. Cities where people can afford to be weird. Where you can try things out. Where you can quit your job and start a kombucha company, raise bees, or build your own boat.
Myleik:
Places with lots of local businesses. I'm looking at how people build. What do they lead with? What do they charge? What feels excessive, yet necessary. Stationery shops, coffee shops, small brands that feel intentional. If it has a point of view, I’m hooked.
Cocktail, wine, beer, coffee, or mocktail?
Daniel:
All specific to the place. Most likely cocktail. Unless it’s super-hot.
Miami = lightest beer available
New Orleans = Sazerac
Maine = peaty Scotch
Baltimore = light beer with Old Bay fries
Back home = local Riesling
I try to eat and drink local… unless it’s Chicago because Malört is so gross.
Myleik:
Always coffee first. Hot and black.
If the list is good, bubbles. If not, the lightest red. If it’s there, Sancerre.
Two drinks max. Third is always a mocktail.
Are you loyal to a classic or always trying the house specialty?
Daniel:
House specialty, but only if it feels sincere, not clever for clever’s sake.
Myleik:
Neither. I’m not a cocktail person.
What makes a hotel feel “right” to you?
Daniel:
Good light. Quiet. A sense that I could write there. And a location that lets me step outside and immediately walk into the city. I recently was on a solo trip and the first night just needed somewhere to lay down. I was exhausted but didn’t want to spend another moment in the room. Myleik made me switch rooms, and it was glorious. There was so much happening just downstairs, and I barely wanted to leave that beautiful room.
Myleik:
I made him switch rooms because we don’t tolerate things we don’t have to on solo trips. He was in Vegas and switched to Aria (easy and usually reasonably priced).
A hotel feels right to me when there’s a great scent (think 1 Hotels), lots of light, and smart decor (think Conrad Downtown LA). Add a good tub and a good bar (Four Seasons New Orleans), and you’re alright with me.
What has to happen for you to call it a good trip?
Daniel:
At least one moment where I slow down without meaning to. Where I went to see a work of art, had a meal, stopped for a quick drink, and it was better than I expected. When it catches you. When you almost forget to document it. An experience that makes you feel privileged to be there.
Myleik:
I have to leave feeling like I barely scratched the surface. Mexico City did that to me.
Your turn.
This was great y’all! I loved reading this because it gives me a more colorful way to think about travel as someone who doesn’t really like it that much.
As a long time follower and someone who remembers when he would pop on and say “hey Snapchat” 😄 I absolutely loved hearing from you both and how you navigate your trips. Thank you for sharing!! ☺️☺️✨✨