This week on Burning Down the House host Curtis B. Wayne is joined by returning guest and author Duo Dickinson and Jacob Alspector of Alspector Architecture. The trio carry on a lively conversation on the state of architecture education today from the prospects of current graduates to the necessity of licensure. Learn what lies in store in the real world practice of architecture and how trends in the the current academic environs have resulted in only about 1 in 3 architecture school graduates deciding to pursue getting their license. Is it worth it? Is getting a PhD enough to call yourself an architect? Tune in to find out from this group of widely experienced and opinionated architects. This episode is sponsored by Fairway Market.

"Abstraction in school is the only way to learn."

--Duo Dickinson on Burning Down the House

This week on Taste Matters, Mitchell Davis shifts the discussion to restaurant design with architect James Biber. James is the design mind behind such staples as Gotham Bar & Grill and the pop-up restaurant JBF LTD. Tune in to hear them discuss the importance of design as it relates to the success of a restaurant. This episode was sponsored by Fairway Market.

Tara Wright is the head bartender at 21 Club, the historical speakeasy located on 52nd street in New York City. During our time speaking with Tara, she explained to us the special cocktails she created inspired by the upcoming movie, The Great Gatsby and why they are representative of that time period and that movie specifically. Tara also gave us the historical backstory to the historical establishment that was opened on December 31, 1929. She tells us the creative way in which they were able to conceal the cases and cases of alcohol, using a 5,000 pound brick door and a dip switch.

"It [gin] was popular with F. Scott Fitzgerald because he believed that you couldn't smell it on his breath so it was an ideal drink". [7:30]

--Tara Wright on The Speakeasy