Thing We Want: Recapping My Trip To San Francisco To See The Ultimate Fantasy Football Punishment

Wow. What a week. I feel like life is moving at warp speed right now, and we are officially a half-foot into February, and here we are with another THINGS WE WANT, or TWW as I’ve started calling it in emails.

Last Friday started simple: treating myself to some delicious New York-style pizza at my favorite spot on the West Side, La Rocca’s. Saturday was a bit more of a grind: running errands and hitting the Century City Mall. Say what you want about mall food, but the Teriyaki chicken at this mall absolutely slaps for a quick dinner.

But easily the highlight of my week was the trip up to San Francisco for the Super Bowl. I was there working with DenTek to promote their “Ultimate Fantasy Football Punishment.” It was an absolute blast. I met this guy, CJ—a total bro from Columbia, Maryland, who now lives the ski bum life in Breckenridge. I like to call him the “winningest loser” because he lost his fantasy league in such epic fashion that he actually failed upwards (he took too much stock in Cam Skattebo before he got injured, which is something I can deeply relate to). DenTek commissioned this incredibly hilarious, life-sized statue of him in a banana suit.

He held a press conference, got roasted by John Weeks (the veteran long snapper for the 49ers), and I even got to chop it up with the legend Ronde Barber. We made some fun content about fantasy football punishments (always a hot topic for us here at BroBible) and

After, I cruised down to Hog Island Oyster Co. at the Ferry Terminal. If you’re in SF, I can’t recommend it enough. Between the clam chowder and the oysters, it’s a religious experience. I visited their oyster farm on Tomales Bay in Marin County a couple of years ago to eat oysters and pair them with cocktails, and wrote about it here on BroBible, so finally hitting the restaurant was the perfect full-circle moment.

San Francisco is just one of those cities that enchants you. Every time I’m there, I wonder why I haven’t spent a chapter of my life living there. It’s one of the truly great American cities. The contrast between the stunning architecture and the natural world is magnificent. It was 65 and sunny in February, and walking through a packed Dolores Park was one of those moments that makes you realize why people put up with the cost of living there. I also made the mandatory pilgrimage to La Corneta in the Mission for a birria burrito that melted my mind.

Reminder: You can email me at brandon@brobible.com. 

• FOLLOW the BROBIBLE THINGS WE WANT INSTAGRAM
• SUBSCRIBE to the THINGS WE WANT email newsletter
• FOLLOW me on Instagram
• SUBSCRIBE to my Substack!

I got back to LA Tuesday night just in time for my wedding tasting. It’s getting real, guys. We’re definitely going with the steak and salmon. The celebration is such a massive motivator for me right now because the race is officially on—I have so much to do, including leveling up my suit game. I’m thinking about buying one with Indochino? If anyone has any notes, let me know (brandon@brobible.com). It’s a bit of a contradiction to be yapping about burritos and cheeseburgers when I need to fit into a wedding suit and slim down for those pics, but hey, that’s life.

Speaking of things being busy, BroBible is ramping up in a big way. Our partnership business is firing on all cylinders. January is usually sleepy until after MLK Day, but it feels like the marketing world finally woke up and decided it was work time. If that’s your world, once again, hit me up: brandon@brobible.com.

And remember, readers: When you click and buy on stuff from our partners that you see here on BroBible, you’re helping us keep the lights on.

Finally, for the “What am I watching?” segment: On Saturday night, I binged a new show on Amazon called Steel. It’s a spy-ish heist series with a heavy “deep state” vibe set in the UK, starring Sophie Turner. I’m a little embarrassed to say that I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to inhale the whole thing in one sitting, which I haven’t done in a while, but it was freaking amazing. It actually made me realize how much I appreciate the “slow roll” release schedule of shows like Industry on HBO, because now I’m bummed that I’m already finished with it.

Music-wise, I recommend the new album Människobarn from the Swedish retro-soul band Dina Ögon. In fact, it’s one of the best things I’ve listened to in a really long time. They’re sorta like ABBA meets Khruangbin, but with this unique Brazilian mid-century Don Draper-esque bossa nova vibe. There’s this one song on their new album Människobarn (which means “human child” in English) called “Orden Brann” that’s one of the most sonically beautiful records I’ve ever heard. I’m so obsessed with it.

Finally…

SUBSCRIBE to the THINGS WE WANT email newsletter and subscribe to my Substack for a forthcoming long-read on my trip to Super Bowl 50 in San Francisco ten years ago, when Bud Light accidentally gave me an extra ticket. 

It’s a busy time, it’s a fun time. I’m smoking chicken wings on Super Bowl Sunday with some new Kinder’s Buttery Buffalo sauce I picked up at Costco and hanging out with some friends.

And, as always, here is the gear we’re digging this week.

1. The Main Event: John Oates’ 1960 Porsche 356B Emory Special

Excuse my language, but… Holy shit. If you have any appreciation for automotive art, you need to be watching this Bring a Trailer auction. This isn’t just a vintage Porsche; it’s an Emory Special, built by the legendary Rod Emory for Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Oates.

Oates commissioned this to celebrate his 70th birthday, and the attention to detail is mind-blowing. It features a 2.4-liter Emory-Rothsport flat-four pumping out 205 horsepower in a custom Graphite Grey Metallic body. It’s the ultimate “Outlaw” 356—lowered hardtop, cognac leather Speedster-style seats, and a wood-rimmed steering wheel that belongs in a museum.

As of this writing, the bid is already at $381,000 with four days left. I think it will go over over $500,000.  Whether you’re a rich girl (and you know she likes money) or a Hall & Oates fan who knows every word to “Maneater” or just a Porsche purist, this is a “dream car” in every sense of the word.

BID NOW @ BRING A TRAILER

 

2. Aspirational Living: “Casa dei Sogni” at 125 Belvedere Avenue

Since the Super Bowl is in town and everyone is realizing that Fox News has been lying about SF sucking, and just how incredible the Bay Area is, I had to drop this into the list. This is 125 Belvedere Avenue, famously known as Casa dei Sogni (“The House of Dreams”), and it is the absolute peak of Marin County real estate, right across the bay from The City.

Designed by the award-winning architect Andrew Skurman, this Mediterranean-style villa is basically Portofino on the San Francisco Bay. The spectacular home that feels like it should be on an Italian lake features 5,900 square feet of literal art: centuries-old patterned oak floors, Venetian plaster walls, and imported Italian roof tiles. The coolest feature is that it comes with its own private “hillavator” (a tram to get you from the garage to the house) and a deep-water dock.

It was recently listed for $22 million but it recently dropped to $19.8m, and while that might be a slight stretch for most of us, it’s the ultimate vision of what life looks like when you’ve truly made it in the Bay with your AI life-extender business or whatever.

VIEW THE LISTING VIA COMPASS

 

3. Scout Motors “Pacific Mist” Traveler Concept

I am completely obsessed with the news cycle around the Scout Motors comeback. For anyone who grew up around original International Harvester Scouts, this long-awaited return is the real deal. They just unveiled the “Pacific Mist” Traveler concept on their website, and it is a masterpiece of California coastal design.

Inspired by the mist rolling off the cliffs at Crystal Cove and Laguna Beach, the paint job shifts from silver to blue depending on the sunlight. Inside, it swaps neutral tones for luxury brick-red leather and denim-inspired accents—what they call “cowboy boots and jeans” reimagined for a modern SUV.

With 35-inch tires, 12 inches of ground clearance, and a “backpack” rear carrier for your wetsuits or camping gear, it’s built for the Baja runs I dream about. I’m genuinely considering dropping the $100 reservation fee to secure a spot for the production model coming in 2027. If you want a piece of the next great American 4×4, now is the time to jump in.

RESERVE THE ScOut Traveler now – $100

 

4. Super Bowl LX: The “Best of the Bay” Menu

Since I just spent a few days eating my way through San Francisco, I had to highlight the absolute insanity that is the Super Bowl LX food menu at Levi’s Stadium.

They’ve gone all-out to showcase Northern California’s culinary bounty.

Two items you absolutely cannot miss if you’re lucky enough to be at the game:

• Gilroy Garlic Steak Frites (pictured above): Hanger steak served over hand-cut fries with a rich pink peppercorn au poivre and crisped garlic from the self-proclaimed garlic capital of the world.
• Dungeness Crab Potachos (pictured below): Think nachos, but elevated—hand-cut Kennebec potato chips layered with fresh local Dungeness crab and a decadent Petaluma white cheddar fondue.

If you’re in a club or suite, look out for the “Super Shucker” Hog Island Oyster Sampler, which is a direct nod to the Marshall, CA farm I’m always yapping about. I’m obsessed with Hog Island, truly. Also, lol… if you’re in a club or suite, email me a pic: brandon@brobible.com.

It’s easily the most sophisticated stadium menu I’ve ever seen.

 

5. Fly By Jing x Logan Moffitt: The Hot Pot Bomb

I’m not usually all that interested in creator collabs (…how come no one wants to ever collab with BroBible? Come on now… we have feelings too). But I thought this one was sort of interesting as a fan of Fly By Jing and hot pot.

Fly By Jing just teamed up with TikTok’s “Cucumber Guy” Logan Moffitt, to solve the “sad desk lunch” once and for all with the Hot Pot Bomb. It’s a first-of-its-kind solid cube hot pot base that packs all the spicy, tingly, umami-rich flavor of Sichuan tradition into a single ritual.

They’ve also dropped a Mini Electric Hot Pot that’s designed specifically for your desk or dorm room. Just add water, drop in the bomb, and dip your favorite meats or veggies. It’s a sensory break in the middle of a workday that the PR people say boosts productivity via some stats, and let’s be honest, sometimes you just need to eat an entire hot pot at your desk while you finish those spreadsheets.

BUY NOW VIA FLY BY JING – Starting at $25

 

 

6. Ross Reels x Coors Light: The Cimarron LT

As the weather in California starts to feel like spring, I’m already itching to get back on the water. Ross Reels just dropped their latest collaboration with Coors and Coors Light, and it’s the ultimate “Silver Bullet” for the river. Mmmm… Fishing and beer.

Ross Reels makes some incredible tackle, and this collab isn’t just a one-off. It features a full line of their hardware. Also, cool tidbit: The Coors Light reel uses patent-pending ThermoChromic technology, the same stuff that makes the mountains on the beer cans turn blue. On the reel, the Rocky Mountain silhouette shifts to blue when the water temperature drops below 70 degrees, indicating that it’s safe to fish for trout without stressing the population.

This is a high-performance Cimarron LT reel that looks incredible and does some serious good: the collab is projected to raise $100,000 for Trout Unlimited to support stream restoration. As an avid trout fisherman myself, I’ll drink a Coors or two to that this weekend!

Personally, I can’t decide which one I like more. Both are delicious beers at the end of the day.Very cool collab for everyone involved.

BUY IT VIA MAYFLY OUTDOORS – Starting at $349

 

7. Yellow Leaf Hammocks: The Ultimate “Self-Care” Sale

I met the founders of Yellow Leaf Hammocks on the beach in LA last year, and they are truly some of the nicest people I’ve ever come across in this business. I’ve been obsessed with my Yellow Leaf ever since—they use a “Weightless Weave” made of 4+ miles of ultra-soft yarn that makes you feel like you’re floating on a cloud.

Right now, they’re running a massive “Self-Care Event” with up to 30% off bestsellers through February 28th. If you want the full setup, you can take $100 off the “Vista” bundle, which includes their legendary portable stand that sets up in under a minute.

SHOP NOW VIA YELLOW LEAF HAMMOCKS

 

8. Q Timex Red Vega 1978 Reissue

If you’re a fan of Pulp Fiction, you probably recognize this watch—it’s the exact model spotted on John Travolta’s wrist throughout the film. Timex is finally bringing back this archive icon as the Q Timex Red Vega, a ’70s reissue that is straight out of the silver screen.

It features the signature red marbleized dial (the “Red Nebula”) paired with a domed acrylic crystal that uses internal facets to catch and refract light. It’s a 38mm brushed stainless steel case with a glossy black natural leather strap that perfectly captures that “Vincent Vega” style.

At $209 and limited edition, it’s a piece of cinematic and horological history that belongs in every collection. I love the red. Like Pulp Fiction itself, it’s very moody.

PRE-ORDER NOW VIA TIMEX – $209

 

9. Old Hillside Bourbon: Harlem Hellfighters Limited Release

I’m always a fan of gear that blends military heritage with a high-end design lens, and the new P.F. Flyers x Engineered Garments collab is exactly that. They’ve taken the iconic 1940s “Grounder” silhouette and rebuilt it from the ground up with Ventile® All-Weather Cotton.

This version is a sleek, lace-less slip-on with an asymmetrical over-foot stretch band that gives it a tactical, avant-garde look. It’s a limited release that perfectly bridges the gap between Classic American style and Japanese design. I really love the khaki-green olive color, pictured above. It’s damn handsome.

PRE-ORDER NOW VIA P.F. FLYER – $150

11. Nike Strength: Home Gym Gear for the Elite

I didn’t realize Nike had officially entered the heavy metal game until recently, but seeing Saquon Barkley vouch for their gear caught my attention. Nike Strength has applied that iconic design language to barbells, dumbbells, and racks.

The standout pieces are the Nike Grind Dumbbells, which use at least 20% recycled material from Nike’s shoe manufacturing for a unique speckled look. They also offer a “Nike Orange” barbell that looks like a giant sneaker box in your rack.

SHOP NOW VIA NIKE STRENGTH

---

Reminder: You can email me at brandon@brobible.com. 

• FOLLOW the BROBIBLE THINGS WE WANT INSTAGRAM
• SUBSCRIBE to the THINGS WE WANT email newsletter
• FOLLOW me on Instagram
• SUBSCRIBE to my Substack!