BI Today: Fine-dining red flags

Welcome back to our Saturday edition, a roundup of some of our top lifestyle stories. Being ultra-wealthy might seem great in theory, but it doesn’t come without issues. A therapist who’s worked with clients worth at least $30 million shared the types of problems they often discuss.

On the agenda:

But first: Let’s hit the slopes.

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This week’s dispatch

Keep your tips up

Winter can be a drag for plenty of reasons. There’s less daylight, cold weather, and your nose won’t stop running.

But for all the downsides, the winter season comes with a big benefit: ski season.

With all due respect to pristine beaches and breathtaking hikes, there’s something truly magical about getting first runs on a trail that just got a foot of fresh powder. (Growing up on the East Coast those types of days were few and far between, which only made them more special.)

Let’s address the elephant in the room first. The sport is incredibly expensive. The gear and clothing alone can easily set you back a few thousand dollars. Then there is the process of getting to the mountain, staying there, and buying the lift ticket itself.

There are still ways to keep costs down. A trip to the slopes doesn’t have to be a costly hassle. Just look at Amtrak’s “Ski Train” from Denver to Winter Park.

Speaking of resorts, don’t be fooled by the big names. One writer who has hit over 20 US mountains wasn’t impressed by Brighton Resort, finding it too crowded. Arguably the biggest name in skiing — Vail Resorts — also has what we’ll call a complicated relationship with the ski and snowboard community.

Not a skier? Not a problem. There are plenty of ways to enjoy yourself at some of the jaw-dropping accommodations on the mountain. And après-ski might translate to “after ski,” but you don’t need a lift ticket to enjoy the festivities.

It’s also never too late to learn. For starters, I recommend reading my newsletter colleague Amanda Yen’s great piece on the mistakes people make on the mountain. Otherwise, you risk being a “gaper.”

One last thing: Show some respect to the ski patrol. Contrary to what every bad ’80s movie has taught us, ski patrollers aren’t the enemy. In fact, they’re critical to the mountain and oftentimes have to work multiple jobs to survive living in costly mountain resort towns.

So get out there and have fun. Just don’t jinx yourself by calling last run. It’s “two with a wink.”

Combating colon cancer

Colon cancer among patients under 65 is becoming alarmingly common. While a convenient explanation for the rise is diet and weight, doctors and lab scientists told BI the cause wouldn’t be attributed to a single thing.

Other factors that defy genetics and lifestyle, like pollution, microplastics, and artificial light, are pervasive in our lives but difficult to study. Fortunately, with recent research and well-funded multinational studies, we’re on the cusp of some big results.

What’s really causing the disease?

Also read:

Styles of the rich and famous

Dressing like the moneyed set goes beyond flashy logos and designer brands.

BI asked high-end stylists what their wealthy and celebrity clients are wearing right now. Their answers: timeless silhouettes, minimalist details, and high-quality fabrics.

Quiet luxury continues.

Also read:

The clothes successful men always wear, from expensive athleisure pieces to designer denim

Taylor Kitsch pioneered his own path

After his breakout role as Tim Riggins on “Friday Night Lights,” Kitsch was set up to become the next big thing. Then Disney’s “John Carter” was a box-office flop.

Becoming the next blockbuster star wasn’t Kitsch’s main goal, anyway. Instead, he explored character-driven roles that he finds more fulfilling, like the opioid-addicted car mechanic Glen Kryger in “Painkiller” or his latest role as Isaac Reed in Netflix’s “American Primeval.”

Now, he plans to get his own project off the ground.

Fine-dining warning signs

Many high-end restaurants offer tasting menus, which include multiple courses and are often about more than just the food.

Telly Justice, the executive chef and co-owner of the fine-dining restaurant HAGS in Manhattan, told BI the red flags she looks for when selecting a tasting menu.

The menu can tell you a lot.

What we’re watching this weekend

• “Severance”: After three years, the twisty psychological thriller starring Adam Scott finally returns for season two on Apple TV+.
• “Back in Action”: Cameron Diaz makes her acting comeback in a new Netflix action movie alongside Jamie Foxx.
• “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night”: Peacock’s new four-part docuseries pulls the curtain back on the sketch comedy series with cast interviews and never-before-seen audition footage.

See the full list

What to shop

• Star-studded jewelry: We put celeb-favorite accessory brand Heaven Mayhem to the test after Hailey Bieber sent the internet spiraling over its affordable earrings. Spoiler alert: We’re big fans.
• Sweater re-stock: It’s a tough job testing out cashmere sweaters for men, but someone’s gotta do it. See our picks for the very best.
• Dry January winners: We tested over 40 non-alcoholic spirits, wines, and beers to bring you a list of our favorites.

More of this week’s top reads:

The BI Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York City. Grace Lett, editor, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York. Elizabeth Casolo, fellow, in Chicago.