Chestnut Hill Grill and Sidewalk Cafe
8229 Germantown Ave Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215) 247-7570
chestnuthillhotel.com
Germantown Avenue is located in a wonderfully quaint area known for high end shopping, tree lined cobblestone streets, and TONS of atmosphere. Chestnut Hill Grill showed me a very good time. Their Ribeye was out of this world, as was their Prime Rib. Service was excellent: the staff was both thoughtful and attentive. I always sat outside but their dining room is lovely and well appointed as well. I ate there on several occasions during my Philly project. I suggest getting there early as the wait can be rather long, especially on weekends.
PROS: Service, Atmosphere
CONS: None.
Hokka Hokka
7830 Germantown Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215) 242-4489
Just down the Avenue from Chestnut Hill Grill is Hokka Hokka. And boy, if you knew sushi like they know sushi...wow...what a meal! Seriously you can't go wrong here. Clean & Elegant. Some great spicy items and plenty of middle of the road fare for those of us who tend to be less adventurous. I don't know when I've had sushi this good. Staff is willing and eager to explain dishes and preparations. They fill up fast on weekends, so plan ahead.
PROS: Value, Service, Quality
CONS: None.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Good Restaurants: Orlando
WILDSIDES Martinis and BBQ 700 E Washington St Orlando, FL 32801 Phone: (407) 872-8665
Nestled in the Thornton Park neighborhood and near downtown is WILDSIDES. A great little upscale BBQ place. They make great salads, ribs, pulled pork, beef, and chicken BBQ with wonderful sweet bbq sauce. These folks know how to make good BBQ. I'm told the full liquor bar is second to none. Wildsides has lots of covered outside seating and on weekends they play live jazz out there. I suggest a walk through the Thornton Park neighborhood after dinner. Some of the oldest homes in Orlando reside there with quaint tree lined brick streets and great atmosphere. Lake Eola, a downtown Orlando landmark, is only 2 blocks away.
PROS: Great food, good prices
CONS: parking is always at a premium
Nestled in the Thornton Park neighborhood and near downtown is WILDSIDES. A great little upscale BBQ place. They make great salads, ribs, pulled pork, beef, and chicken BBQ with wonderful sweet bbq sauce. These folks know how to make good BBQ. I'm told the full liquor bar is second to none. Wildsides has lots of covered outside seating and on weekends they play live jazz out there. I suggest a walk through the Thornton Park neighborhood after dinner. Some of the oldest homes in Orlando reside there with quaint tree lined brick streets and great atmosphere. Lake Eola, a downtown Orlando landmark, is only 2 blocks away.
PROS: Great food, good prices
CONS: parking is always at a premium
Best Hotels
Here you will find recommendations for independent hotels that I have stayed in and highly recommend. I try to always show some pros and cons at the end of each entry. Occasionally I will also let you know if I've had a particularly bad experience at a hotel.
The Broadview Hotel 400 W Douglas Ave Wichita, KS 67202(316) 262-5000
This hotel is a gem. According to the manager, Al Capone stayed here back in the day, as well as other notables. The lobby takes you back to an era when life was simpler and much more elegant. Great room service. The rooms exude an antique elegance with modern conveniences such as big screen tvs and internet service. This place does NOT smell like it was built in 1922, even though it was. This is a great business class hotel. Reasonably priced with optional valet parking.
PROS: Quiet, charming, sophisticated
CONS: no points program for frequent travelers
The Veranda Bed and Breakfast 707 E. Washinton Street Orlando, FL 32801(407) 849-03211-800-420-6822
This is a gold nugget nestled in the heart of downtown Orlando. I stayed in the Key Lime Cottage, which had a small kitchen, living room, and loft style bedroom. They serve continental breakfast only. Parking is rough, but its rough in downtown Orlando in general. The Veranda is worth it though. I suggest finding a parking spot when you arrive and LEAVING your car there all week. You might try renting a bicycle. Its within walking distance to most buildings in the downtown area. You will find it hard to book for weekend stays, as they have a large wedding business that keeps them booked most of the time. But if you are working in downtown Orlando, its a great option if you can book it far enough ahead.
PROS: Price, location, cleanliness
CONS: No frequent traveler program, parking is difficult at best
The Broadview Hotel 400 W Douglas Ave Wichita, KS 67202(316) 262-5000
This hotel is a gem. According to the manager, Al Capone stayed here back in the day, as well as other notables. The lobby takes you back to an era when life was simpler and much more elegant. Great room service. The rooms exude an antique elegance with modern conveniences such as big screen tvs and internet service. This place does NOT smell like it was built in 1922, even though it was. This is a great business class hotel. Reasonably priced with optional valet parking.
PROS: Quiet, charming, sophisticated
CONS: no points program for frequent travelers
The Veranda Bed and Breakfast 707 E. Washinton Street Orlando, FL 32801(407) 849-03211-800-420-6822
This is a gold nugget nestled in the heart of downtown Orlando. I stayed in the Key Lime Cottage, which had a small kitchen, living room, and loft style bedroom. They serve continental breakfast only. Parking is rough, but its rough in downtown Orlando in general. The Veranda is worth it though. I suggest finding a parking spot when you arrive and LEAVING your car there all week. You might try renting a bicycle. Its within walking distance to most buildings in the downtown area. You will find it hard to book for weekend stays, as they have a large wedding business that keeps them booked most of the time. But if you are working in downtown Orlando, its a great option if you can book it far enough ahead.
PROS: Price, location, cleanliness
CONS: No frequent traveler program, parking is difficult at best
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Welcome to my TRAVEL BLOG
My purpose in providing info here is three fold: to share with my friends a little bit about my travels, give travelers a little pre-trip input and hopefully make your business travels as comfortable as mine. I travel over 200 days a year. Obviously, my main concern is comfort.
General Notes about Restaurants:
I have to eat. I like to eat healthy food. I travel for work. Trying to eat healthy while traveling...well that can serve as quite a challenge. I am given pricing guidelines by my company that I have to stay within daily. Those guidelines vary by city. The restaurants I list here are not all high end, not all low end. Most are middle of the road for the average business traveler. Many have impressed me by either their service, their ambiance, their food, or all of the above. I stay away from most chains & fast food. I try to find local flavor wherever I go.
General Notes about Hotels:
Hotels that I list here have impressed me by either their service, cleanliness, location, or all three. I am a platinum member of Marriotts frequent traveler program. I recommend any of their hotels and Inns, with the exception of Fairfield. While a nice place for a family to stay, it is, in my opinion, NOT up to business traveler standards.
I'm also a member of Hiltons program for frequent travelers. I highly recommend the full line of Hilton hotels and Inns.
I like Sheratons although I don't often stay at them.
I've recently discovered Radisson hotels. Clean, great service, and often well situated where I need to be, Radisson is a great place for business travelers.
I do not recommend Choice Hotels, Holiday Inns, any discount chains, or any hotels that cost less than $99 a night unless otherwise specified.
General Notes about Restaurants:
I have to eat. I like to eat healthy food. I travel for work. Trying to eat healthy while traveling...well that can serve as quite a challenge. I am given pricing guidelines by my company that I have to stay within daily. Those guidelines vary by city. The restaurants I list here are not all high end, not all low end. Most are middle of the road for the average business traveler. Many have impressed me by either their service, their ambiance, their food, or all of the above. I stay away from most chains & fast food. I try to find local flavor wherever I go.
General Notes about Hotels:
Hotels that I list here have impressed me by either their service, cleanliness, location, or all three. I am a platinum member of Marriotts frequent traveler program. I recommend any of their hotels and Inns, with the exception of Fairfield. While a nice place for a family to stay, it is, in my opinion, NOT up to business traveler standards.
I'm also a member of Hiltons program for frequent travelers. I highly recommend the full line of Hilton hotels and Inns.
I like Sheratons although I don't often stay at them.
I've recently discovered Radisson hotels. Clean, great service, and often well situated where I need to be, Radisson is a great place for business travelers.
I do not recommend Choice Hotels, Holiday Inns, any discount chains, or any hotels that cost less than $99 a night unless otherwise specified.
Good Restaurant Finds: Los Angeles
The Kitchen 4348 Fountain Ave Los Angeles, CA 90029-2226Phone: (323) 664-3663
The Kitchen is GREAT. The Silver Lake neighborhood is a nice place to come to. I had a lovely time, sat outside, which I highly recommend because the dining room is rather small and cramped. Service was average but the pork chop dinner with mashed potatoes was great. As a Missouri boy, I can say that for Los Angeles, they make decent iced tea, too! This place is a good bet for a nice dinner at a fair price.
PROS: clean, friendly
CONS: not much parking
Coral Cafe 3321 W Burbank Blvd Burbank, CA 91505-2231 Phone: (818) 566-9725
Coral Cafe in Burbank is the place to come to when you want to have breakfast with the 'locals'. I had a decent breakfast there. This place has been here since the 50's and it shows. They have easy access parking and a decent wait staff. Sit in the dining room at a table or booth. Or for a real 'local' experience, belly up to the counter and share the morning paper with fellow diners as the events of the day are discussed. This isn't elegant, it isn't even Dennys or IHOP. Its cheap diner food, but hey, its clean, and for the money, and for breakfast at least, I think its worth a try!
Pros: Its classic diner food
Cons: Its classic diner food hahaha
The Kitchen is GREAT. The Silver Lake neighborhood is a nice place to come to. I had a lovely time, sat outside, which I highly recommend because the dining room is rather small and cramped. Service was average but the pork chop dinner with mashed potatoes was great. As a Missouri boy, I can say that for Los Angeles, they make decent iced tea, too! This place is a good bet for a nice dinner at a fair price.
PROS: clean, friendly
CONS: not much parking
Coral Cafe 3321 W Burbank Blvd Burbank, CA 91505-2231 Phone: (818) 566-9725
Coral Cafe in Burbank is the place to come to when you want to have breakfast with the 'locals'. I had a decent breakfast there. This place has been here since the 50's and it shows. They have easy access parking and a decent wait staff. Sit in the dining room at a table or booth. Or for a real 'local' experience, belly up to the counter and share the morning paper with fellow diners as the events of the day are discussed. This isn't elegant, it isn't even Dennys or IHOP. Its cheap diner food, but hey, its clean, and for the money, and for breakfast at least, I think its worth a try!
Pros: Its classic diner food
Cons: Its classic diner food hahaha
Best Restaurants: Jacksonville, FL
Biscotti's 3558 Saint Johns Ave Jacksonville, FL 32205-8446Phone: (904) 387-2060
Biscotti's is a great upscale restaurant that is both formal enough for an anniversary celebration and casual enough for dinner with friends. Understated elegance: The great thing about Biscotti's is that you can meet up with your elderly parents for lunch, or meet your 30-something friends for dinner. The atmosphere is great no matter who is dining or what the occasion is. Staff is very attentive and the place is always very clean. A potpourri of dining room furniture gives the impression that they went to several different estate sales to furnish the place, and it really adds to the atmosphere. I first encountered Biscotti's with my dear friend and co-worker Ann Marie nearly 10 years ago and I continue to go back time and time again. My personal recommendations at Biscotti's: Appetizer: Tomato Bruschetta with Pine Nuts Entree: Mandarin Salad (they have great pastas and other entrees as well, but their salads are all marvelous and inviting as entrees themselves, especially if you decide to finish with the following...) Dessert: White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake(once they tried to remove this from the menu, but due to public outcry, it came back!) Drink: Mango Iced Tea (this absolutely rocks) Probably the most fun is selecting your dessert from the dessert case. It is the first thing you see when you walk into the joint. Their wine selection is admirable for a restaurant in this price range. Biscotti's also has wonderful coffee in several varieties. Biscotti's sits in a beautiful residential neighborhood called AVONDALE, home to some of the oldest money in Jacksonville. I highly recommend a stroll thru a few blocks of the AVONDALE neighborhood to walk off your White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake. Biscotti's ambience spills out onto St. Johns Avenue and continues for several blocks. YOU GOTTA TRY THIS PLACE!
Pros: Service, Ambience, Menu
Cons: Parking-be prepared to walk 1 to 2 blocks.
European Street 2753 Park St Jacksonville, FL 32205-7607 Phone: (904) 384-9999 There are multiple locations in Jacksonville but the location on Park near King the best E Street to eat at in my opinion. The building has a great deal of ambience and the art deco building design really sets it off as a landmark in its Riverside neighborhood. There is a large outdoor dining area for all you outdoorsy folks, although mostly people just sit out there to eat and smoke. Inside, you will find an air conditioned old world style bar and dining room. They also have a shop with a considerable carry out beer/wine selection and wonderful gourmet food items for purchase. The place exudes a bavarian style. The staff is always irreverent, charming, and accomodating. E Street has 3 'claims to fame' and they are: Excellent Sandwiches of all kinds, Desserts with unique style and flair, and a beer selection second to NONE! My favorite sandwich is the 'white russian', favorite soup would have to be the 'beer cheese' served in a bread bowl, and my favorite dessert is definitely the Peanut Butter cookie. Its HUGE! I also recommend the Chicken Salad platter, oh and one more thing, their german potato salad is really good! The owners run a clean establishment that will no doubt impress you!
Pros: Good Pricepoint, Attentive Staff
Cons: none.
Biscotti's is a great upscale restaurant that is both formal enough for an anniversary celebration and casual enough for dinner with friends. Understated elegance: The great thing about Biscotti's is that you can meet up with your elderly parents for lunch, or meet your 30-something friends for dinner. The atmosphere is great no matter who is dining or what the occasion is. Staff is very attentive and the place is always very clean. A potpourri of dining room furniture gives the impression that they went to several different estate sales to furnish the place, and it really adds to the atmosphere. I first encountered Biscotti's with my dear friend and co-worker Ann Marie nearly 10 years ago and I continue to go back time and time again. My personal recommendations at Biscotti's: Appetizer: Tomato Bruschetta with Pine Nuts Entree: Mandarin Salad (they have great pastas and other entrees as well, but their salads are all marvelous and inviting as entrees themselves, especially if you decide to finish with the following...) Dessert: White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake(once they tried to remove this from the menu, but due to public outcry, it came back!) Drink: Mango Iced Tea (this absolutely rocks) Probably the most fun is selecting your dessert from the dessert case. It is the first thing you see when you walk into the joint. Their wine selection is admirable for a restaurant in this price range. Biscotti's also has wonderful coffee in several varieties. Biscotti's sits in a beautiful residential neighborhood called AVONDALE, home to some of the oldest money in Jacksonville. I highly recommend a stroll thru a few blocks of the AVONDALE neighborhood to walk off your White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake. Biscotti's ambience spills out onto St. Johns Avenue and continues for several blocks. YOU GOTTA TRY THIS PLACE!
Pros: Service, Ambience, Menu
Cons: Parking-be prepared to walk 1 to 2 blocks.
European Street 2753 Park St Jacksonville, FL 32205-7607 Phone: (904) 384-9999 There are multiple locations in Jacksonville but the location on Park near King the best E Street to eat at in my opinion. The building has a great deal of ambience and the art deco building design really sets it off as a landmark in its Riverside neighborhood. There is a large outdoor dining area for all you outdoorsy folks, although mostly people just sit out there to eat and smoke. Inside, you will find an air conditioned old world style bar and dining room. They also have a shop with a considerable carry out beer/wine selection and wonderful gourmet food items for purchase. The place exudes a bavarian style. The staff is always irreverent, charming, and accomodating. E Street has 3 'claims to fame' and they are: Excellent Sandwiches of all kinds, Desserts with unique style and flair, and a beer selection second to NONE! My favorite sandwich is the 'white russian', favorite soup would have to be the 'beer cheese' served in a bread bowl, and my favorite dessert is definitely the Peanut Butter cookie. Its HUGE! I also recommend the Chicken Salad platter, oh and one more thing, their german potato salad is really good! The owners run a clean establishment that will no doubt impress you!
Pros: Good Pricepoint, Attentive Staff
Cons: none.
Good Restaurants: Lexington, KY
Best Restaurant: Lexington KY
Metropol 307 W Short St Lexington, KY 40507 Phone: (859) 381-9493 This little place is so unassuming from the outside! In fact, I drove past it 2x before I realized where it was. Once I walked in (on a wednesday night, which was perfect timing-there was no wait), I saw the history in the building. One of the oldest buildings in Lexington, it was the first Post Office. Great pains were taken in the restoration of the structure and decor. Autographs of famous folks who have eaten there line the walls of the bar. Big Band music from the 30's and 40's plays at just the right level in the background. The staff are all excellent. I was originally seated upstairs in the dining room but when I ordered, I told the server I would prefer to sit downstairs in the bar at a table. He was very accomodating. I had the lamb. It was amazing and served with spinach risotto which was superb. The bartender suggested a Pinot Noir which was perfect to cut the richness of the entree. For dessert I had the creme brulee, and it was again, very well prepared, and very very smooth. The staff isn't socially segregated as 'front of the house' and 'back of the house' as in some restaurants. No way. Everyone chips in when things get busy. The head chef was a great gal that obviously had a real love for her art. Go to Metropol! Take a date. Have wine. Have dessert. It's a great little place for a romantic dinner, or as in my case, it makes a great change from typical business traveler restaurant blahs. This goes on my list of all time FAVORITES! PS-on weekends, always make a reservation. Its very small and fills up fast.
Pros: Ambience, quality food, friendly staff
Cons: There are NO cons
Atomic Cafe
265 N Limestone Lexington, KY 40507-1026 Phone: (859) 254-1969
Excellent saturday night date place! Nice and clean inside and out, very friendly attentive wait staff. I had the ribeye steak with garlic mashed potatoes-really good. They bring out cornbread cut in squares and it really rounds off the meal. Decent beer selection too. I recommend getting there early because the wait can be substantial. A sign of a successful operation for sure. Its one of my best bets in downtown Lexington!
Pros: Attentive wait staff, excellent value, varied menu
Cons: parking on the street-especially on saturday nights.
Ramsey's Diner 3090 Helmsdale Pl Lexington, KY 40509 Phone: (859) 264-9396
Ramseys is a local diner with several locations in Lexington. 2 words: COMFORT FOOD! They also have a full liquor bar. Its a very casual atmosphere at Ramseys; good for business lunch or family dinner. A local pie maker provides Ramseys with a great selection of desserts as well. The atmosphere could be classified as 'down home diner style' with the use of mismatched chairs and tables which probably came from various garage sales and flea markets. Never had a bad meal, and I ate there 3 or 4 times a week for 2 months when I was in Lexington. The staff is attentive and very friendly. I'd say its one of my best bets for a good meal.
Pros: Service, friendiness, easy parking.
Cons: They fill up FAST at lunch and dinner time. Be prepared to wait a while.
Metropol 307 W Short St Lexington, KY 40507 Phone: (859) 381-9493 This little place is so unassuming from the outside! In fact, I drove past it 2x before I realized where it was. Once I walked in (on a wednesday night, which was perfect timing-there was no wait), I saw the history in the building. One of the oldest buildings in Lexington, it was the first Post Office. Great pains were taken in the restoration of the structure and decor. Autographs of famous folks who have eaten there line the walls of the bar. Big Band music from the 30's and 40's plays at just the right level in the background. The staff are all excellent. I was originally seated upstairs in the dining room but when I ordered, I told the server I would prefer to sit downstairs in the bar at a table. He was very accomodating. I had the lamb. It was amazing and served with spinach risotto which was superb. The bartender suggested a Pinot Noir which was perfect to cut the richness of the entree. For dessert I had the creme brulee, and it was again, very well prepared, and very very smooth. The staff isn't socially segregated as 'front of the house' and 'back of the house' as in some restaurants. No way. Everyone chips in when things get busy. The head chef was a great gal that obviously had a real love for her art. Go to Metropol! Take a date. Have wine. Have dessert. It's a great little place for a romantic dinner, or as in my case, it makes a great change from typical business traveler restaurant blahs. This goes on my list of all time FAVORITES! PS-on weekends, always make a reservation. Its very small and fills up fast.
Pros: Ambience, quality food, friendly staff
Cons: There are NO cons
Atomic Cafe
265 N Limestone Lexington, KY 40507-1026 Phone: (859) 254-1969
Excellent saturday night date place! Nice and clean inside and out, very friendly attentive wait staff. I had the ribeye steak with garlic mashed potatoes-really good. They bring out cornbread cut in squares and it really rounds off the meal. Decent beer selection too. I recommend getting there early because the wait can be substantial. A sign of a successful operation for sure. Its one of my best bets in downtown Lexington!
Pros: Attentive wait staff, excellent value, varied menu
Cons: parking on the street-especially on saturday nights.
Ramsey's Diner 3090 Helmsdale Pl Lexington, KY 40509 Phone: (859) 264-9396
Ramseys is a local diner with several locations in Lexington. 2 words: COMFORT FOOD! They also have a full liquor bar. Its a very casual atmosphere at Ramseys; good for business lunch or family dinner. A local pie maker provides Ramseys with a great selection of desserts as well. The atmosphere could be classified as 'down home diner style' with the use of mismatched chairs and tables which probably came from various garage sales and flea markets. Never had a bad meal, and I ate there 3 or 4 times a week for 2 months when I was in Lexington. The staff is attentive and very friendly. I'd say its one of my best bets for a good meal.
Pros: Service, friendiness, easy parking.
Cons: They fill up FAST at lunch and dinner time. Be prepared to wait a while.
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