Camping season is finally upon us, and whether you're headed to a campsite or hiking into the wilderness, there are a few essentials everyone should bring.

A warm jacket, camp futon, and a fully-charged lantern can make the difference between a great time outdoors or an uncomfortable night spent waiting to get home.

So just trust us — you're going to want to bring along these 15 camping essentials on your next adventure.

The North Face Windwall Jacket is great for chilly spring or summer nights. It's an anti-windchill, environmentally friendly fleece, and is 100% wind-proof.

Buy it from The North Face for $120

These UCO Stormproof Matches are good to have on hand in rainy or windy conditions since they're impossible to extinguish and burn for 15 seconds.

Buy on Amazon for $5

If you're planning to truly rough it, the Solarmonkey might come in handy. It's a solar charger that works even in low lighting conditions.

Buy it through REI for $129.95

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BROOKLYN — The Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn is hoping the borough's hipsters will get down with Jesus.

The church proclaims Jesus was the original hipster on large ads displayed on phone kiosks and bus stops throughout Brooklyn and Queens, Animal New York reported.

The ads show a robed Jesus wearing red Converse sneakers.

"Jesus stood against the mainstream culture," said campaign creator Monsignor Kieran E. Harrington. "And to a certain extent, hipsters do as well."

But hipsters are not the only group being targeted in the campaign.

"We have created a campaign that speaks to all the different faces of Brooklyn," Harrington said. "Hipsters just happen to be one of the most prominent faces in our Diocese."

The church has also posted ads in gyms that read "Are you tired of running in place," and in bars that ask "Should I get a new habit?"

"On one level the church is still old school," Harrington said. "But we also want to speak to the different revolutions of our Brooklyn neighborhoods."

"It's important that people know that no matter who they are, everyone is welcome in church on Sunday," he added.

Also on DNAinfo.com...

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• Citi Bike Share Stations Defaced in Fort Greene
• Dinosaur BBQ Unveils New Mural Paying Homage to Slain Gowanus Man
• Signs of New Hawk Babies for Pale Male Has Birders Atwitter

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Curious coffee lovers now have a reason to visit North Korea.

Pyongyang is home to a hip new coffeeshop serving "third wave" coffee -- a buzzword that marks a recent generation of specialty and artisanal brews.

So reports Choson Exchange, a Beijing-based group that arranges internships and academic exchanges for promising young North Koreans. The organization's head, Andray Abrahamian, recently stumbled on the café while visiting the capital.

The shop is unnamed, but it's attached to a large restaurant and apparently offers a nice view of the Taedong River. Choson gives it an honest review.

The pour-over we had was unfortunately a bit off. The grind was too coarse and the beans slightly out of date by the standards of third wave cafes elsewhere. The espresso, however, was excellent, bursting with caramely and nutty flavors. The cappucino [sic] was good, also.

Why a coffeeshop? Unlike parts of the power-starved countryside, Pyongyang is home to an affluent class of politically favored North Koreans. Many are willing to spend $3.50 a cup, the group says.

A tall black coffee at Starbucks here in Seoul, meanwhile, costs not much less -- at the equivalent of $3.20.

Some epicurean restaurants and one Austrian café have opened in Pyongyang. Many of them cater to local elites, foreign diplomats, and expatriates working for international organizations.

"The most interesting thing is that there is now a market for this in Pyongyang," Abrahamian told GlobalPost by e-mail. "There is a class of consumers, increasing in size, who are both interested in international coffee culture and able to spend the money to partake in it."

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Even as the U.S. economy began to rebound from the Great Recession, only the highest earning households in America actually felt the difference.

The richest 7% of American households saw their net worth grow by 28% to a whopping $3.2 million during between 2009 to 2011, according to a new study by the Pew Research Center.

In contrast, 93% of households lost money. Average household net worth for this group fell by 4% during the same period, down to about $133,800 per household. 

What's with the huge discrepancy?

In a nutshell, it comes down to a difference in how the rich and the less affluent invest their earnings.

The vast majority of households tend to put their money in real estate –– namely, their homes –– an industry that took an enormous hit during the recession and has been one of the slowest to recover.

The wealthiest 7% (households earning $840,000 or more), on the other hand, had more money to invest in the stock market, which has rebounded at a faster rate. Between 2009 and 2011, the S&P 500 soared by 34% while the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index dropped by 5%.

SEE ALSO: Here's where college graduates have the best shot at making a living >

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MANHATTAN — A New York University psychology student was arrested Monday night and charged with misdemeanor weapons possession for having air rifles in his TriBeCa dorm room, according to cops and the school.

Bernard Goal, 20, a psychology student from Texas, was arrested at 7:40 p.m. and charged with five counts of violating the city ordinance banning ownership of the guns without a license, police said.

"NYU does not permit guns — real or fake — on campus," the university administration said in a statement Tuesday. "When items resembling military-style assault rifles were observed in a student room at 80 Lafayette St. late yesterday, the Department of Public Safety responded, and the NYPD was called."

New York Post sources said that maintenance workers alerted campus security when they saw what looked like an "AK-47s and a black Colt carbine rifles" on the bed of Goal's 80 Lafayette St. room. The sources told the paper that the student bought the gun parts online and assembled them in his dorm room at Lafayette Hall, according to the New York Post.

The university said that despite their realistic appearance, the guns "did not pose the kind of lethal danger associated with firearms."

"Regardless, in this day and age, especially given recent events at Virginia Tech and Newtown, Conn., the University will respond swiftly to protect the safety of our community when there is even a possibility of gun involvement," they said in a statement.

They have not yet begun disciplinary action against the student.

Goal was expected to be arraigned Tuesday night in Manhattan Criminal Court.

Also on DNAInfo.com:

• Smith Street Restaurateur Launches Women and Food Magazine
• Smith-9th Street Subway Station Reopens April 26
• Brooklyn Charter School Targets Rich, White Parents, Enrollment Plan Shows

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Dartmouth College administrators cancelled classes tomorrow in response to a protest last week in which students claimed the school failed to appropriately deal with instances of sexual assault, racism, and homophobia on campus.

Classes will be replaced by a day of discussions and debate, interim President Carol Folt said in a campus-wide email (read the full text below).

The incident happened Friday night, when more than a dozen protestors interrupted a show for accepted students, shouting "Dartmouth has a problem" and highlighting past allegations of sexual assault, racism, and sexism .

The group behind the protest, Real Talk Dartmouth, explained on its website: "Our goal is to not scare prospective students away, rather to give a holistic and realistic prospective to counterbalance the flawed advertising that takes place during Dimensions [annual events for admitted students]. We are showing a different dimension of Dartmouth."

Karolina Krelinova, a member of the group, wrote in an open letter that the group had tried to initiate a discussion of the "multi-faceted nature of the Dartmouth experience" with prospective students, but were "systematically silenced." 

The backlash on campus seems aimed at the protestors, and not over the issues they were trying to highlight. 

“The general opinion is that what happened was uncalled for, and that they deserve some form of punishment not because they expressed their opinions but because they barged in,” one student who helped organize the prospective students weekend told campus newspaper The Dartmouth.

Some students involved in the protest have even faced threats, The Dartmouth reported. Reporter Jessica Avitabile wrote:

“People I know have left this campus because they did not feel safe because of comments on Bored at Baker, The Dartmouth’s website and Facebook,” said a student who participated in the “Dartmouth Supports” video but wished to remain anonymous. “People do not feel safe in Hanover.”

For their part, the protests didn't appear to have much of an effect on prospective students. "It was definitely very off-putting,” one told The Dartmouth.“I had just come from the Bay and I was like, ‘Love Dartmouth! This is so great.’ The way in which the protest was presented was very surprising.”

Katie J.M. Baker at Jezebel writes that despite the backlash, the protests did bring the subject of sexual assault on college campuses into the spotlight. She writes:

If the protestors had stuck with more traditional college protest-y tactics — handing out flyers, putting up posters, etc. — we probably wouldn't be writing about sexual assault at Dartmouth right now. And there's no better way to get a prestigious private college's attention than to threaten its reputation.

A representative for Dartmouth said the college had no additional comment.

Here is the full text of the email sent to students today:

Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 6:38 PM
Subject: Important: Arts & Sciences class change tomorrow

---

To the Dartmouth community,

We are writing today to let you know that tomorrow, Wednesday, April 24, 2013, all undergraduate and graduate classes in the Arts & Sciences will not be held.
They will, however, be replaced by alternative programming designed to bring students, faculty, and staff together to discuss Dartmouth's commitment to fostering debate that promotes respect for individuals, civil and engaged discourse, and the value of diverse opinions.

This unusual action is being taken by the President and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences and is strongly supported by the Dean of the College, other divisions, and many students and staff. This has been prompted by a series of threatening and abusive online posts used to target particular students in the wake of the protest that disrupted the Dimensions Welcome Show on Friday evening. We feel it is necessary for the community as a whole to have the opportunity to learn about all that has transpired and to discuss further action that will help us live up to our mission.

Tomorrow's programming will include:

-9:30--11 a.m.: Faculty of Arts & Sciences (tenured and tenure-track) participation in a meeting of the Faculty Coordinating Committee, in the Black Family Visual Arts Center's Loew Auditorium
-10--11 a.m.: Jessica Pettitt, a social justice and diversity consultant and facilitator, will speak in Dartmouth Hall 105
-11:30 a.m.--12 p.m.: Community gathering on the lawn in front of Dartmouth Hall
-12:15--1:15 p.m.: Complimentary lunch for the Dartmouth community at Class of
1953 Commons
-1:30--3 p.m.: "Teach-in" small discussions facilitated by faculty and staff in rooms across campus, locations to be announced

Additional details regarding locations will be published by 9 a.m. tomorrow on the Dean of the College website:http://www.dartmouth.edu/~deancoll/

The decision to replace classes for a day with alternative programming is not taken lightly. The faculty will decide how best to make up tomorrow's class time.

Together, we will make this day an important step toward realizing a better Dartmouth.

We hope to see you tomorrow,

Carol Folt, Interim President
Michael Mastanduno, Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences Charlotte Johnson, Dean of the College Joseph Helble, Dean of Thayer School of Engineering Lindsay Whaley, Interim Vice Provost Maria Laskaris, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Harry Sheehy, Director of Athletics Harry Kinne, Director of Safety & Security

This video of the protest was posted to YouTube:

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Good morning, AdLand. Here's what you need to know today:

According to the DDB Life Style Study, more men than women shop on their phones or use QR codes and apps to get good deals. (Although women are more likely to see shopping as a form of entertainment or therapy). This infographic breaks it all down.

Coca-Cola decided to make 61 different websites for its new campaign geared towards teens.

This is what it looks like when an artist paints a billboard based on tweets.

Cap'n Crunch is getting his own late-night talk show on YouTube.

A Deutsch LA creative threw his own music festival to counter Coachella ... called Couchella.

Ad Age looks at "10 Secrets to Eye-Popping Designs."

Do cookies only have five years left?

FedEx has a new app that lets consumers personalize their delivery experiences by altering delivery dates and locations.

Weather.compartnered with big data management platform Lotame to do better targeting.

The 614 Group joined forces with DMW MediaWorks, a top ad operations consultancy.

Previously on Business Insider Advertising:

• These Huge Brands' Early Websites From The 1990s Looked Terrible
• Psy And Bill Gates Just Had A Moment On Twitter
• Why Volkswagen Doesn't Care If You Skip Its YouTube Ad After 5 Seconds
• This Hilarious Footage Of A Failed Robbery Just Became An Ad For Pastrami
• An Adman Sent This Resignation Letter In The Form Of A Data Timeline
• Volvo's New Ads Are Anti-Rich People
• Everything You Need To Know About Why CNN Made So Many Errors In Its Boston Coverage
• How Microsoft Won A 76% Market Share In Adtech
• MDC Chief Miles Nadal Just Bought A $1,000 Round Of Drinks For Boston Cops
• Top Female Ad Execs Tell Us Whether It's OK To Burst Into Tears At Work 

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One of the standouts of last weekend’s 2013 Shanghai Auto Show was a stunning supercar concept from Italian-owned but Shanghai-based design firm Icona.

The concept carried the Vulcano name, which is Italian for “volcano,” and its lines were penned by French designer Samuel Chuffart, a former employee of illustrious design firm Bertone as well as automakers Jaguar Land Rover and Nissan.

Construction of the concept, meanwhile, was handled by Italian firm Cecomp and its powertrains (yes, there are two separate designs) developed by former Scuderia Ferrari engineer Claudio Lombardi.

Until now, Icona has stated only that the Vulcano was developed as a styling exercise to showcase the company’s talents. In fact, it was originally conceived as a one-off.

However, since its reveal in Shanghai a few days ago, Icona has confirmed that production of the Vulcano was being considered and that no more than five examples will ever be built.

The aim of the design was to combine supercar performance with everyday usability. Its sensual and yet dramatically sharp shape is consistent with its extreme performance capability, yet it is said to be docile and controllable around town.

In addition, a hybrid system developed for the car means zero-emission driving is possible for short distances, which is quickly becoming a necessity for some of the major cities in Europe.

As mentioned, there are two separate powertrain designs for the Vulcano. The more powerful, called the H-Turismo, couples a 790-horsepower V-12 with an electric motor integrated with the car's automated manual gearbox. This boosts output to 950 horsepower, all of which is delivered to the rear wheels.

Thanks to launch control technology, Icona promises that the Vulcano H-Turismo will sprint from 0-62 mph in 3.1 seconds, not the 2.0 seconds previously announced by the company.

The alternative powertrain is another hybrid, although with a more complex through-the-road setup. This setup is called the H-Competizione and uses a 550-horsepower twin-turbocharged V-6 engine to drive the rear wheels, and a pair of electric motors driving the front wheels and bringing peak output to a total 870 horsepower.

The Vulcano H-Competizione will cover the 0-62 mph sprint in 2.9 seconds and has the added traction of all-wheel drive.

The H-Turismo version tips the scales at just over 3,500 pounds while the H-Competizione, due to its extra electric motor and heavier battery, weighs just over 3,600 pounds.

Top speed for both models is 217 mph.

Why the two powertrains? Icona says the H-Turismo setup is an ode to the grand tourers of yesteryear, albeit with some modern technology, while the H-Competizione, as its name suggests, is designed with motorsport in mind and features the latest in racing technology.

And for anyone thinking the powertrains are just vaporware, Icona’s technology partner, AIPA, led by Lombardi, has already successfully tested the technology in mules based on the World Rally-winning Lancia 037 from the 1980s (video of one of the mules can be viewed here).

Underneath the Vulcano’s beautiful carbon fiber body is a custom aluminum extruded chassis, with the engine mounted up front and the gearbox at the rear. The suspension features a double-wishbone design with coil-springs all around.

The wheels are a custom set from California’s Modulare Forged and are shod with Pirelli P Zero tires. The brakes, meanwhile, come from Brembo and feature carbon ceramic discs and chunky six-piston calipers.

Icona says it went with a front-engine layout as this was determined to be more practical for everyday driving. Of course, the Vulcano is a custom-made car, so all options will be discussed individually with the client.

Inside the Vulcano, you’ll find plenty of carbon fiber and two adjustable bucket seats. Trim options include Alcantara and fine leathers.

There is a large touch-screen display that offers control of most of the vehicle functions and plenty of storage bins for both the driver and passenger.

With Icona promising to limit production of the Vulcano to just five units in total, we suggest to contact them quickly if you’d like to see one in your driveway.

SEE ALSO: The 11 Hottest Cars At The Shanghai Auto Show

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NEW YORK CITY — Get ready for more people talking on their cellphones on the subway.

The MTA is expanding cell and Wi-Fi service to 30 more Manhattan stations starting Thursday, sources said.

The agency has not announced which stations are slated to go online, but Transit Wireless, which is running the hot spots, previously said locations such as Times Square and Rockefeller Center would be included in the next phase of the expansion.

The MTA already has a pilot program bringing cell and Wi-Fi service to six stations, including some L platforms along 14th Street and the 23rd Street C/E station in Chelsea.

The agency is pushing to have all 277 stations online by 2016.

Transit Wireless invested about $200 million to build and maintain the system, working with Boingo, AT&T and T-Mobile to bring cell and Wi-Fi service.

More from DNAinfo:

• Oyster Craze Prompts Upper West Side Eatery to Hire More Shuckers
• Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival Showcases Classic Venues
• Regis High School Chemistry Whiz Attends White House Science Fair

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A New Jersey middle school has banned girls from wearing strapless dresses to their eighth grade formal, reports Warren Cooper of NJ.com.

Parents and students are not pleased with the ban, which was ordered by Readington Middle School principal earlier this month.

Roughly 70 parents and middle-schoolers protested the decision at a school board meeting on Tuesday night.  The ban was backed by Superintendent Barbara Sargent, who agrees with the policy, according to NJN.

“Young gentleman are encouraged to wear collared shirts and trousers,” Moffat said in the letter sent to parents regarding the dress code. ”Young ladies should wear a skirt, dress with straps, or a dressy pants outfit.”

Moffat reportedly argued in Tuesday's meeting that the strapless dresses would be too "distracting" for the eighth grade boys — something one mother deemed a "sexist comment" to ABC News.

“The Readington Township School District has a policy regarding dress code, which is being universally applied to the school day and school events,” the school district said in a statement.  ”We regret that a small number of families are upset by this, and we welcome their input and communication.”

The school's online dress code policy does not reference strapless dresses, but does say: "Students should not wear shirts that show midriffs; halter/tube tops; shirts with spaghetti straps; very short skirts or shorts, or low 'hip-hugger' jeans." Chains, bandannas, and sunglasses are also prohibited.

The school board is reconsidering the issue and will meet again to discuss reversing the ban on May 14, NJN reports.

SEE ALSO:  Inside The Elite Swiss Boarding School Where The World's Most Powerful People Send Their Kids

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We just spent a week with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL550, the top of the line version of the vehicle that was named Motor Trend's SUV of the Year for 2013.

We spent most of that time in New York City, where we tested out the technology that makes parallel parking a breeze and how the luxury ride fares on rough roads.

But the GL550 is not a city car, so we felt obliged to take it out on the open road, where it belongs. In real life, it probably spends most of its time in the suburbs, but we opted to take it down Interstate 95 for a road trip to Washington, D.C., instead.

It was great.

Drive Quality

The GL550 starts at $86,900; the model we drove cost a whopping $108,830. That's a lot of money, but Mercedes-Benz delivers a great experience for the price tag.

I've done the NY-DC drive many times, in a variety of cars, and this was the most comfortable I've ever been.

I spent the first 45 minutes of the ride waiting in rush hour Manhattan traffic to get into the Holland Tunnel, and didn't mind. I just turned on the massage seat and synced up my iPod.

When I finally got going, I got to enjoy the excellent acceleration — both from a standstill and at highway speeds — provided by the 4.6-liter V8 biturbo engine. The V8 produces 429 horsepower and 516 pound feet of torque, though there is a slight lag between hitting the pedal and the engine's response.

Whether at 30 mph or 80 mph, it feels like you're quietly floating down the road.

Understandably, the mileage is not great. The GL550 is rated at 13 mpg in the city, 18 mpg on the highway. Those numbers are accurate: Over our 623 miles of driving, the large majority of it on the highway, we averaged 17.5 mpg.

A big tank helps out on long trips, especially for Mercedes-Benz customers who don't have to worry about the cost of filling it. I left DC with half a tank of gas, and the low fuel light didn't come on until I hit New York. Even then, the car estimated it could go another 75 miles before the tank was bone dry.

Comfort

The GL550 has all the bells and whistles luxury buyers expect in 2013: The seats are heated and cooled. I enjoyed the massage function, but my friend Griffin, who came along for the ride, said it was "more like an awkward back-jabbing than a massage."

The SUV comes with an array of cameras and sensors that work together to provide an overhead view that gives you a 360-degree look at what's going on around the car, a huge help for parking.

When you get too close to another car, cyclist, or pedestrian, an alarm beeps. This is useful on the highway, but in Manhattan, where obstacles are a constant presence, it gets really annoying.

Music plays through a Bang & Olufsen sound system, a level of quality that may be lost on passengers playing satellite radio with decent reception, or their iPhones through a Bluetooth connection. The system even includes Acoustic Lens Technology, with "lenses" that are designed to improve the car's acoustics (see photo above).

There are two screens for passengers in the second row, but none for whoever's riding in the way back. For families with more than two kids (who are the ones likely to be buying three-row cars) this seems likely to cause fights, over either what to watch or who gets to sit where.

We only tested out the front row, but Autoblog's review of the GL550 notes, "third-row occupants had plenty of room for their grownup legs and arms."

A Few Problems

Not everything in the GL550 is great, however. The navigation and entertainment system is not at all intuitive, and is difficult to use.

Even after a week of regular driving, I still got confused as to how to change the radio station. One problem is that there are simply too many buttons.

Just like in every other car ever, I was disappointed by the voice recognition system. It is slow and demanding (the house number 1331 must be said as "1-3-3-1," not "13-31"). It did not come anywhere close to understanding "Corcoran Street."

While not deal breakers, these are serious downsides. A simple, intuitive system allows the driver to focus on the road even when he wants to change the music or go to a new address. What this SUV offers is not only frustrating, it requires a lot of attention to use — a direct cause of distracted driving.

The Verdict

At nearly $110,000, a well-equipped GL550 is not a bargain.

But for luxury buyers who want an impressive badge, a powerful engine under the hood, and an incredibly comfortable ride that will keep their kids entertained, it's an excellent choice.

SEE ALSO: Take A Look Inside Mercedes-Benz's $108,000 Luxury SUV

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Last week, we told you about Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander's exclusive new wine club in the Hamptons.

Now we have pictures of the 10,000-square-foot Société du Vin, which is currently accepting members for $50,000 a pop.

What once was an old potato barn in Bridgehampton now looks like something from a movie thanks to Hollywood set director Elvis Restaino.

Joseph & Curtis, a wine cellar design company, interviewed Alexander about the project and shared some pictures as well. Check them out below.

SEE ALSO: What It's Like To Hang Out At Disneyland's Super Exclusive, $10,000-A-Year Private Club

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A month ago, we asked you to vote for your favorite fast food items. 

The results are in, and we're ready to unveil the best fast food in America.

More than 2,000 Business Insider readers took the survey. The vast majority (87%) of responders were men.

While most live in cities (54%), there was also a strong suburban contingent (37%). 

We have winners for categories including burger, burrito, chicken nuggets, and more. 

Thanks for voting! 

Best Fast Food Burger: Wendy's Classic (34%)

Other options included McDonald's Big Mac (19%), Burger King Whopper (25%), White Castle sliders (7%), and Carl's Jr. (16%). 

Best 'Better Burger' Chain: Five Guys Burgers & Fries (50%)

Other options included Smashburger (9%) and In-N-Out Burger (42%).

Best Pizza: Papa John's (39%)

Other options included Domino's (32%) and Pizza Hut (29%).

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Gramercy Park, the gated oasis Manhattan's east side, is one of the most exclusive green spaces in the city: Only people who live in one of the 39 townhouses or buildings surrounding the park can access the keys that unlock the wrought iron gates.

It also has a famously stringent set or rules. Commercial photography and video has been banned inside the park for years.

But the Gramercy Park Block Association just released photos shot by local photographers inside the gates this spring, and park trustee Arlene Harrison, the unofficial "mayor" of Gramercy Park, gave us permission to share them.

It's hard to believe that the neighborhood surrounding Gramercy Park was once a swamp.

The block has been fenced in since the 1830s.

There's a laundry list of rules: Visitors may only bring in six guests at a time, and no one is allowed on the grass—even kids. Alcohol, furniture, and most sports equipment are banned, as are dogs and music.

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This is the Circular Motion Personal Barber from Hammacher Schlemmer.

Why We Love It: For the days when you don't have time to get a trim but need to look your best, this electric hair trimmer cuts hair to four different lengths (1/8", 1/4", 3/8", or 1/2"). It fits in your hand, and uses a rotary cutting system with stainless steel blades to accommodate your head shape.

It comes with a rechargeable battery, which provides four five-minute hair cuts after a 16-hour charge, or an AC adapter. There's also a comb, scissors, and barber's cape if you really want to take it to the next level.

Where To Buy: Available through Hammacher Schlemmer.

Cost: $60.

Want to nominate a cool product for Stuff We Love? Send an email to Megan Willett at mwillett@businessinsider.com with "Stuff We Love" in the subject line.

SEE ALSO: This Food-Of-The-Month Club Wants To Remake Every Man's Pantry

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We recently spent some quality time with the Mercedes-Benz GL550, the top of the line SUV that starts at $86,900.

After some city driving, we took our $108,830 version of Motor Trend's 2013 SUV of the Year on a road trip from New York to Washington, D.C.

In most cars, the five and a half hour drive would have been a pain. But it gave us the time to fully appreciate the many features that make the GL550 a true luxury car.

Go straight to our full review, or take a look at what makes the SUV special.

Up close, the GL550 is imposing.

It's not the sleekest car — but the interior is much more impressive.

Acceleration is great, thanks to the 4.6-liter V8 biturbo engine, which produces 429 horsepower and 516 pound feet of torque.

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New York City is constantly evolving.

As the city has grown, classic structures have been destroyed to make way for new development, or replaced with more contemporary versions.

New York Architecture keeps track of these vanished buildings, which include iconic hotels, businesses, and private homes. This list was compiled using information from the website. 

An early incarnation of Madison Square Garden was located between Fifth and Madison Avenues, and 26th and 27th Streets. The arena was demolished in 1926.

Source: NYC Architecture

The Knickerbocker Trust Co. building was completed in 1903 at the corner of 34th Street and 5th Avenue. In 1921, the building got an upgrade and an additional 10 stories, but it lost its columns, which had been a memorable feature.

Source: NYC Architecture

The Hippodrome stood on 6th Avenue between 43rd and 44th Streets from 1905 to 1939. It was one of the largest theaters of its time, with a seating capacity of 5,200.

Source: Library of Congress

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With the exception of some serious cocktail buffs, it's doubtful you know everything about liquor.

Vodka, brandy, gin, cognac, tequila, and whiskey are just a few of the variations. And it only becomes more complicated when you start talking about origin, fermentation, and what's in each classic drink.

So take our quiz to see how much you really know about the world's alcohols — you just might be surprised.

1-4 correct: Teetotaler

5-8 correct: Casual imbiber

9-12 correct: World-class tippler

SEE ALSO: Bar Industry Insiders Pick The 8 Best Bars In New York City

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Sorry, Internet shoppers –– your limited world of tax-free shopping may soon be over.

The Senate opened the floor for a new round of debates on the hotly contested Marketplace Fairness Act, which would create the first national Internet sales tax.

The bill would basically level the playing field for online and bricks-and-mortar retailers, charging customers sales taxes on purchases both online and in stores (find your state's sales tax rate here). 

Small business proponents hate the bill and taxpayer advocates say it would just give state and local governments another way to dip their hands into our pockets –– to the tune of $23 billion per year.

But forget the politics for a minute. What's a national Internet sales tax going to mean for your wallet? 

From a shopper's point of view, an Internet sales tax would be more of a nuisance than a total disaster. For the most part, lots of online retailers already charge sales tax anyway, including heavyweights like Groupon, Amazon (for 38% of customers) and BestBuy.com.

The Elephant in the room, eBay, has been lobbying hard against the new tax, but that's mostly because of the damage it could do to small businesses that utilize the site.

"The new landscape wouldn't really have an adverse effect on consumers in the long run," said Odysseas Papadimitriou of Cardhub.com. "Sure, online prices might end up being a bit higher initially, but the change would also reinvigorate competition throughout the retail sector, ultimately benefiting local communities and their residents." 

And what about the biggest online shopping day of the year –– Cyber Monday? 

Shoppers spent a record $1.5 billion on Cyber Monday last year, making it the heaviest online spending day in history, according to ComScore.

Electronics are among the hottest buys of the post-Thanksgiving Day weekend, and for consumers on the prowl for big ticket items like computers and televisions, we can't help but wonder if a new sales tax might become a prohibitive factor.

Only time will tell, but most experts we spoke with downplayed the impact of a new tax.  

"This will have essentially no impact on Black Friday and Cyber Monday," Dealnews.com CEO Daniel de Grandpre told us. "Commerce is moving online for Black Friday and Cyber Monday not because of sales tax but because of the fiercely competitive pricing that happens online during the week ... So many more offers are being thrown about by online and multichannel retailers during that week — and so many of the deals are significantly better than the preceding weeks — that sales tax becomes little more than noise." 

To cope, the most likely scenario is that retailers will simply start offering "free sales tax" promos to lure in customers, much like free shipping has become such a phenomenon.

The bottom online: The new Internet sales tax won't get passed without a fight, but the battleground is mostly reserved for small business owners and the state governments that desperately need a new source of revenue. Consumers, for the time being, don't have all that much to worry about.

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This post originally appeared on Fathom.

Dear Fathom: I travel for the food. And I can't stand hearing, "we're booked" when I call for a reservation: I only have two nights in London and I want to eat at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.

Also, how can I be treated like a regular when it's my first (and probably only) time someplace?

We feel your pain and know the frustration. So we turned to the most gracious restaurateur we know, Rita Jammet, who used to own the much-missed French restaurant La Caravelle in Manhattan and now runs La Caravelle Champagne. Born in Saudi Arabia, raised in Lebanon and Switzerland, Rita is like the godmother of the New York food world, and she knows the universal secrets of the reservation book. We gave her a few situations to handle. (And the next time you have a burning travel dilemma, Ask Fathom. We're here to help.)

Let's break this down into six easy tips.

1. If possible, start your research early (website, press, reviews) so you know about the restaurant, its players, its menus.

2. When you call, play nice. Be courteous and genuine and show that you're interested, like "I'm booking my ticket to Copenhagen around my reservation at Noma." Chances are the reservationist will want to help you if you're friendly. And it may seem obvious, but it helps if you can be flexible on time.

3. Still no room? Ask to be placed on the waiting list. If you're staying in a hotel, ask the concierge for help, ideally with some lead time. If you have an American Express card, call their concierge service: They have clout because the often make arrangements with top restaurants for card members.

4. Does one of your friends have an in at the restaurant? This should help nabbing the slots kept for VIPs.

5. Take advantage of social media: Like the restaurant/chef Facebook page, follow them on Twitter, post comments. Yes, it really does work.

6. Finally, be persistent. If you still get nothing, show up at the restaurant the day of (either very early or, better yet, on the late side), for a canceled reservation or the slot that every restaurant keeps for last-minute reservations.

When they say "we only have tables at 5:30 and 10 p.m.," aren't they just lying because they think I'm a nobody?

Restaurants are managing their reservations, and that includes attempting to have an even flow of traffic. Does it help to be "somebody" or to know "somebody"?  Oh yes, it does. But look at it this way: If they gave you the last available reservation at 7:30 or 8, the next caller would ask the same question you're asking.

I have one meal at this amazing place. How can I guarantee a great time?

It's like every experience: When you know about the place and sort of know what to expect — what the specialties are, what not to order — you will enjoy the restaurant even more. Striking a good rapport with the staff, including the bartender, will also enhance your experience.

When it comes to ordering, these are my guidelines: 
- If a restaurant is famous for its tasting menu, go for it if budget allows, as it really shows you what the kitchen can do.
- A lot of people ask the waiter, "what do you like?" but since that's only one palate's opinion, it's better to ask "what is the chef most proud of?" 
- An interesting and unconventional approach is to determine what you're in the mood to drink and look for dishes that will work with the wine. The sommelier will love helping you plan your meal. 
- If you love a certain ingredient, look for it on the menu. You never know what the chef can do with a sunchoke in season.

Will it help to duke the maitre d' a lot of money?

It depends on the circumstances. I would say yes for the most part, and it should be done discretely. On your first visit to that hard-to-get-into restaurant, you could tip the maitre d' upon arrival. On subsequent visits, tip the maitre d' before you leave. However, in Asian countries, NEVER tip. It might be considered an insult.

By the way, what qualifies as "a lot of money"?

No less than $20, and if you're so inclined, all the way to $100, or the local equivalent.

Not to be a jerk, but I'm used to a certain kind of treatment at restaurants. How can I get treated like a regular when it's my first time?

Establish a relationship with the front of the house team. Introduce yourself and address the major team players by name. Again, showing your interest in the restaurant will get you a long way. That said, don't brag about being a regular at The French Laundry. They won't be impressed; they'll think you're a showoff. Be friendly, but not too familiar, and never be arrogant or superior; it's a sure way to jeopardize a reservation.

And since you never know when you'll be coming back, if you did make it in, get the name of the general manager before you leave and send a note thanking them for the lovely experience. You can't underestimate the power of a thank-you note — or raving about your experience on Facebook and Twitter or giving tips on Foursquare. When you recommend the restaurant to friends, ask them to say you sent them. You'll be very welcomed back when you return.

Should I be dressed up or will I look like I'm trying too hard?

You should dress appropriately, matching the degree of formality of the restaurant.

What about telling the restaurant that it's my birthday? Will it get me special treatment, or do you totally see through that ruse?

It's better if someone else in your party tells the restaurant it's your birthday, either when making the reservation (especially if you want to order a cake) or upon arrival. It has become a standard practice and most restaurants are good about it. As with everything, if you ask nicely, you greatly increase the odds of success.

Can I ask to meet the chef or the owners or is that totally tacky?

Nothing tacky about that. But it helps if you have something else to share with them, like any kind of connection to the owner, chef, general manager, or sommelier or a story about how you heard about the restaurant — in addition to saying you loved the restaurant.

Fathom reinvents the travel website by mixing inspiring stories and practical destination guides with the best travel resources and product. Follow them on Twitter @FathomWayToGo, on Facebook, and sign up for their weekly wanderlusty newsletter.

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