Eater's Editor in Chief on Her Travel Essentials — and the Restaurant App You Need

Courtesy of Stephanie Wu
Eater
Courtesy of Stephanie Wu
Eater
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The Expert Edit features interviews with specialists about the products they swear by in their chosen field. For the latest installment, we spoke to Eater editor in chief Stephanie Wu about the new Eater app, her advice for those looking to break into the media industry, as well as her personal must haves and product recommendations.

Eater editor in chief Stephanie Wu has plenty of experience in the publishing world. Her early obsession with magazines growing up in Taiwan led her to a journalism career with stints at Town & Country, Travel + Leisure, and Condé Nast Traveler, where she's covered everything from fashion and beauty to food, culture, and travel. Today, she couldn't be prouder of the newly launched Eater restaurant app, which quite literally puts users onto the map, allowing them to search nearby for editor-recommended spots and dishes, and even lock in a reservation right then and there.

"It's not just what you eat that matters, but also where you do it — and who you dine with."

Wu is constantly thinking about the ways in which her brand can touch the lives of others who share similar passions, from cookbooks and travel guides to cookware and YouTube. The new app is proof that she wants to extend Eater's influence in the restaurant world. "I love restaurants because they are about so much more than just food. They're about hospitality and feeling taken care of, they build a menu that provides a glimpse into a chef's mind and personal history, and they create a setting that you want to return to repeatedly," she says. "I'm always visiting new places, but I try to keep in mind that it's not just what you eat that matters, but also where you do it — and who you dine with."

Wu is a mom of two toddlers, and she's busy balancing her family life and career alongside her husband. Her biggest piece of advice for someone trying to do the same — or even someone looking to break into the industry — is to consume the media you want to work in as much as possible. "If you spend all your time watching videos on social channels, that's an extremely different platform from editing for a website. If you prefer words, writing features and writing for a newsletter are vastly different skills," she explains. "Figure out the medium that you're naturally drawn to, and you'll be a stronger writer/producer/designer for it."

Beyond her wise words of wisdom, Wu has plenty of shopping recommendations for travel, leisure, and, of course, food. Click through her personal must haves to discover her go-to sweatshirt for wearing on a plane, and her favorite spice that adds a kick to all her dishes and makes for a great gift this holiday season.

Eater App
apps.apple.com

Eater App

Eater App ($0)

"The Eater app is, of course, the ultimate travel tool. We have restaurant maps in more than 100 cities, so wherever you're planning a trip to, it's likely we've got a map. And if you find yourself in a new neighborhood and need a rec on the spot, we have you covered," Wu says.

Users will love how the app puts you virtually on the map, so you can quickly look up an editor-recommended spot nearby, search for a dish you're craving, or even book a table for later on or the next day.

Travel Pillbox
amazon.com

Travel Pillbox

Auvon Canvas Bag Travel Pill Organizer ($8, originally $12)

"I take vitamins every day, and one thing that has vastly improved my life is a days-of-the-week travel pillbox. Yes, I could take my vitamins right out of the jar, but there have definitely been days where I can't remember if I've taken them yet. Decanting the pills makes it way easier to track, and is one less thing I need to rack my brain about," Wu says.

This particular version comes with a portable black zipper cloth bag for traveling purposes and is a bestseller on Amazon. You can also pick it up in cyan or gray for two other fun color options.

Peloton App
apps.apple.com

Peloton App

Peloton: Fitness & Workouts ($13/month and up)

"While I have a Peloton bike at home, I love the app for strength training and barre when I'm traveling. And when I don't even have access to a gym, I go for the standing core classes — a good workout without having to lie down on a questionable hotel room floor," Wu says. She tries to prioritize her physical and mental health by getting in a daily workout, alternating between spinning, strength training, and barre.

Downing the app is free, but in order to participate in the workouts, you'll have to purchase a plan. You can stream the classes on an iPhone, iPad, TV, computer, or sync to any screen via AirPlay. Whether you join live classes or compete against yourself by taking the same ones over and over, there's no denying the quality that comes with these workouts. Read up on Peloton membership prices here.

Chili Crisp Spice
curiospice.com

Chili Crisp Spice

Kari Kari Chili Crisp ($17)

"I discovered this garlic chili crisp at the wonderful Filipino restaurant Musang in Seattle, and bought my own jar immediately. It makes absolutely everything taste better, and it's become my go-to food gift," Wu says. The jar is packed with umami, balanced heat, and crunchy garlic. It can be used on everything from noodles and potatoes to fried eggs and other proteins, and it comes in a six-ounce jar.

Shampoo and Conditioner Duo
nordstrom.com

Shampoo and Conditioner Duo

Rōz Foundation Shampoo ($17-$39) and Rōz Foundation Conditioner ($18-$65)

"I was turned on to this haircare brand from hairstylist Mara Roszak recently, and I'm smitten. It's ultra-gentle, smells amazing, and has left my hair feeling silky smooth. I use both the shampoo and conditioner, and yes, it comes in travel sizes," Wu says.

What's so special? This clean formula uses coconut-based surfactants to gently remove buildup from the roots, hydrating and strengthening hair. Its ingredients include the brand's signature Botanicomplex, which is a blend of potent botanicals featuring ginger root, frankincense, grape extract, and walnut to promote scalp restoration and preserve hair color.

Nylon Shoulder Bag
uniqlo.com

Nylon Shoulder Bag

Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag ($20)

"I know this bag is everywhere, but it really does it all. I have it in a bright yellow color, and I grab it on weekends because it can fit all the things my kids need, from diapers to snacks. When I'm traveling, I like having a crossbody that lets me easily access my passport and other airplane essentials," Wu says.

The bag, which is made from a naturally wrinkled nylon and comes with an adjustable strap for a sporty look, also comes in 11 other shades and is water-repellent for convenience. It's truly the perfect size for someone on the go who needs to be hands-free.

Water Bottle
amazon.com

Water Bottle

Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle ($33)

"I'm an Owala devotee," Wu declares. "I don't go anywhere without a water bottle, and I really appreciate that there's both a built-in straw and a large opening for drinking more quickly. Plus, you really can't beat all the fun colors."

PS editors are also big fans of Owala — just read more in our Owala Water Bottle review for takes on two different models. No matter what shape you go with, it's undeniable that these are great for travel.

Manicure Set
oliveandjune.com

Manicure Set

Olive & June Mani System ($55 and up)

"Once I realized how much money I was spending on manicures, I became determined to try and learn how to do it on my own," Wu says. "I haven't found anything as easy to use as Olive & June, and their colors are great — my favorite is MM, named for the one and only Mandy Moore."

The brand allows you to build your own mani set, starting at $55. You can choose between one polish for starters, six polishes, or the newest lineup of shades released. After you tack on extra accessories to help you pull off a flawless manicure, you'll be ready to give yourself a salon-quality manicure.

Travel Sweatshirt
colorfulstandard.com

Travel Sweatshirt

Colorful Standard Organic Oversized Crew ($78)

"I was turned onto this brand by a friend while I was traveling in London. They're all about the color selection, and when you're in the store, it's nearly impossible to pick just one. I went with a sea green oversize crew, which makes for a much-needed layer on chilly planes," Wu says. Sizes range from XS-2XL for this crewneck, and you'll be stunned by the color options — there are a whopping 58 to choose from!

Stainless Steel Saucepan
amazon.com

Stainless Steel Saucepan

Heritage Steel x Eater 2 Quart Saucepan With Lid ($125)

"We collaborated with Heritage Steel, a family-owned cookware company based in Tennessee, on a line of stainless steel pots and pans last year," Wu says. "My favorite shape is the saucepan with lid, which is amazing for casseroles because you can cook it on the stove, move it into the oven for baking, and even serve it right in the pan."

The handle is designed to stay cool during use, and the two-quart model has a 16-inch diameter, eight-inch width, and 4.5-inch height. You can also shop versions equipped to hold three quarts, four quarts, or five quarts.

Kindle
amazon.com

Kindle

Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB) ($160)

"Because I read all day long for work, it's even more important to me that I find time to read for pleasure. I never travel without a few books loaded on my Kindle," Wu says, sharing that her current reading list includes Alison Espach's "The Wedding People," Kevin Kwan's "Lies and Weddings," and her friend Samhita Mukhopadhyay's "The Myth of Making It."

The model of this particular Kindle is considered the brand's fastest-ever, with a seven-inch glare-free display and weeks of battery life. You can shop it in black, jade, or raspberry shades.


Sarah Wasilak is the associate director of Shopping at PS. With plenty of experience in the commerce market, a keen interest in SEO, and 10 years as an editor at the brand, she enjoys writing across the lifestyle and health-and-fitness categories. She has bylines at PS, InStyle, Elle, Refinery29, Who What Wear, Elite Daily, Byrdie, and The Quality Edit and aims to amplify minority voices in all her work.