Eat, Read, Go: Corn Cacio e Pepe, “Buckeye,” and Jackson Hole

EDITOR’S NOTE

Happy Saturday. No, I’m not Vogue’s new editor in chief — sorry, head of editorial content. But that’s not going to stop me from pretending. So, without further ado, here are a few things that would make the cut for my first issue:

• The ultimate early-aughts hairstyle is making a comeback — but this time, it reads “more ‘effortlessly chic’ than ‘TRL.’” Somewhere, Christina Aguilera is thrilled.

• A guide to the reported filming location for the next season of The White Lotus (my money is on the first hotel).

• Apparently, we’ll all channel ’90s Diane Keaton with our fall pants, which is a welcome reprieve after the onslaught of Aladdin-like balloon pants.

• Forget cardigans — this unapologetically quirky accessory is being called the “perfect transitional piece.”

• A hair tutorial from Hailey Bieber, in which she reveals the secrets behind this impossibly sleek knotted bun, which I will 100% try (and fail) to recreate this weekend.

— Melissa Goldberg / Senior Editor / Washington, DC

What’s Better Than Cacio e Pepe? Ridiculously Easy Corn Cacio e Pepe

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A PSA for Starbucks, Mother Nature, and roughly 99% of Instagram: Fall doesn’t officially begin until September 22 — which is why we’ll be making Smitten Kitchen’s Corn Cacio e Pepe on repeat for the next couple of weeks. Ideal for those who love summer corn in a certifiably nuts kind of way, this riff on the iconic Italian dish features a short ingredient list and a virtually foolproof technique: pecorino, ground black pepper, and cold water are blended into a paste, then tossed with just-cooked linguine and splashes of pasta water to create a silky sauce. Add in heaps of sauteed corn — and you’ll have something that’s sweet, salty, creamy, crunchy, and, in the words of one commenter, “out of this world.”

The Time Commitment: Just 25 minutes are all that stands between you and this dream of a dinner.

Key Tips: No linguine? No problem — spaghetti, tonnarelli, bucatini, and criminally underrated fusilli col buco work equally well. Also, while you might be tempted to buy pregrated pecorino Romano, Deb Perelman (aka Smitten Kitchen) says a block of cheese is best for this recipe.

Other Takes: As for what to do with your, oh, 12 other ears of corn, try…

• Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad — essentially, everything you love about elote (the charred kernels, the cotija cheese-spiked sauce, an aggressive amount of lime), plus itty-bitty ditalini pasta.

• Halloumi With Corn, Cherry Tomatoes, and Basil. Loaded with the only cheese that matters, this dish is speedy, simple, and supremely adaptable — which likely explains the almost 6,000 five-star reviews.

• Fluffy, crispy-edged Sweet Corn Pancakes, topped with a corn brown butter so wildly delicious, it’ll occupy your every thought. Yes, even if you’re a Coffee for Breakfast Person.

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan

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Like that millennial anthem, Patrick Ryan’s Buckeye starts out with a kiss — and, well, things spiral from there. Set in a fictional Ohio town, the sweeping saga opens on V-E Day, when Margaret Salt rushes into Cal Jenkins’s hardware store and hears the news of Germany’s surrender. The two share a celebratory kiss, which may sound like the beginning of a whirlwind love story, except that Cal and Margaret are married — and not to each other. Cal’s wife is a local medium whose father owns the store, while Margaret’s husband is an aluminum factory executive turned naval officer serving in the Pacific. From there, the novel — which Jenna Bush Hager named her September book club pick — spans decades, tracing how the kiss and the series of lies that follow reverberate across generations.

This Popular Wyoming Ski Destination Is Just as Charming in the Fall

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If the back-to-real-life grind has already knocked you sideways, good news: the best time to book and take a trip is just starting. So, allow us to revisit one of our favorite shoulder season spots: Jackson Hole, WY. While the cowboy-cool area may be most popular for its impressive ski terrain and idyllic summer months, traveling in September and October usually means fewer crowds, lower prices, and Goldilocks-esque weather. Perhaps that explains why some have called fall the “best-kept secret” for experiencing Jackson Hole’s unrivaled natural beauty, exceptional food scene, and rustic Old West charm. Giddyup.

⛰️ While it’s certainly worth the two-hour drive to the heart of Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park is equally spectacular and only minutes away. There, you can: explore 250-plus miles of hiking trails (Taggart Lake is a popular, less intense option); kayak across its crystal-clear waters (we’re partial to Jenny Lake); admire the particularly perfect views at Schwabacher Landing and Snake River Overlook, which Ansel Adams famously photographed; and spot moose, elk, and bison on a sunrise safari tour. Or, you can take in the park’s beauty at night via a stargazing tour.

🎨 Need a break from all the outdoor activities? The town of Jackson is brimming with art galleries (stop at Gallery Wild and Wilcox Gallery) and charming boutiques. Some favorites include: Womenfolk for Western-inspired vintage and designer clothing, JW Bennett for handcrafted hats, and Made for gifts like artisanal mugs and locally roasted coffee. Once you’re done, walk over to Jackson Hole Town Square (famously marked by four gigantic elk-antler arches), before driving to the National Museum of Wildlife Art, where you can view works from artists like Georgia O’Keeffe and Andy Warhol and look out at the 25,000-acre National Elk Refuge.

🍴 A cinnamon brioche at Persephone may be the sweetest start to your day, but Nora’s Fish Creek Inn is a nearby institution that serves exceptional huevos rancheros and plate-sized pancakes. For dinner, try another Jackson establishment: Snake River Grill, known for its log cabin-like interiors and inventive dishes, like steak tartare pizza. Or, for something more laid-back, family-run Teton Thai and Hand Fire Pizza are both great options. Whatever you decide, end the night at Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, an iconic watering hole with horse-saddle bar seats, an extensive whiskey collection, and live country acts.

When you’re in a new city, best not to rely on an iffy Uber situation or impossible-to-read bus schedule and risk getting stranded. Do yourself a favor and rent a car, instead. With Booking.com, you can easily compare prices and find the right vehicle for your adventure, with options from all the major rental companies. Who’s up for a Eurotrip?

We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:

Q: I was stuck in the middle seat on a flight, and the people seated on both sides of me hogged the armrests. I didn’t want to be a jerk, so I said nothing, but it was pretty uncomfortable. What should I have done?

“You did exactly what I would’ve done, which is to say nothing. Unbeknownst to many travelers, there’s an unspoken airline-courtesy rule: The person in the middle seat is entitled to both armrests as a small consolation for not having the perks of a window view or easy access to the aisle. That said, sometimes it’s not worth correcting a fellow passenger — you could risk starting an argument or creating unnecessary tension on a long flight. 

But if you did want to address it, a gentle approach works best. You could smile and say something like, ‘Would you mind if we shared the armrests?’ This phrasing is polite, nonconfrontational, and often enough, [it’ll] make the other person give you the armrest.”

Unleash your competitive side with today’s games and puzzles. Choose from an anagram word search, digital jigsaw puzzle, or crossword (with a twist). Better yet: Try them all.