Lyle Schofield's Travel Log

Restaurant: Mon Ami Gabi

2012-01-15T17:31:00.004-05:00

Restaurant: Mon Ami Gabi, Bethesda, MD
Web Site: www.monamigabi.com
Address: 7239 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: (301) 654-1234

Right in downtown Bethesda in the hoity-toity Bethesda Row area, a French Bistro on the corner where the movie theater is. There is a bar area where you first walk in, and three dining areas; one that can be closed off for private parties. A chalkboard on the left has the specials of the day.

The menu has a number of steak and frites choices, with a number of other options. Salmon and scollops this time, both were very good. More cream and butter than we're used to for the side dishes, but we're probably not typical in this compared to most. Waite staff very professional, a number of good wine selections as well as a rolling cart with the by-the-glass choices.

Bar area is more crowded than it should be, because of its corner orientation in the room, and because of that completely annoying process of people sitting at the bar and covering it with entrées. If the place had a small plate policy for bar eating it might make it easier to have a pre-dinner drink there. As such, you might be better served to have a pre-dinner drink somewhere else that would be easier to get some service.

We've been here a few times now, every time enjoyable and worth the cost.

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Restaurant: Volare

2011-11-29T10:34:00.002-05:00

Restaurant: Volare
Web Site: http://www.volarerestaurant.com/
Address: 201 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611
Phone: (312) 410-9900

Great, old school Italian restaurant in the heart of Chicago. Good, professional service staff. Was not overpriced, although if you go crazy on the wine and courses you could get there. Noise was off-the-hook loud with the room packed.

Only had a glass of wine with dinner, but list seemed full and lots of reasonable bottles. Had a nice house salad, and the fresh bread was awesome - crusty on the outside, warm and delicious on the inside. Had a sea bass special, that was with some white wine sauce with olives and spinach. My colleague had the risotto, which was probably the best I had ever had, although super hot - you needed to wait for it to cool off before you could eat it (not unexpected).

A good choice when in downtown Chicago.

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Restaurant: Big Greek Cafe, Rockville

2011-09-11T11:04:00.001-04:00

Restaurant: Big Greek Cafe, Rockville
Web Site: http://www.biggreekcafe.com/
Address: 4007 Norbeck Rd, Rockville, MD 20853
Phone: (301) 929-9760

They call it Rockville, I list it with Olney, but it’s really Norbeck. The great crossroad of MD Route 28 (Norbeck Road) and MD Route 97 (Georgia Ave) is a small strip mall with the Big Greek Cafe. It’s been a couple of things over the years, but generally a mediterranean take out place, now greek. Always our go-to for kabobs, now our go-to for gyros. From the same people that run the Golden Flame in downtown Silver Spring, a small take out place focused on Greek dishes and comfort food.

Interior is not much, just some tables for people not really thinking about taking-out, but there’s also not much space to park here (parking is actually a challenge with this small, poorly organized strip mall), but it is worth the hassle. The salads are all big and fresh with good ingredients, and gyro meat is real meat and not pressed ground processed meat. Everything we’ve tried has been very good and good proportions, a good value place.

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Restaurant: Umami Moto

2011-07-15T10:34:00.001-04:00

Restaurant: Umami Moto
Web Site: http://www.umamimoto.com/
Address: 718 N Milwaukee St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: (414) 455-6856

High end Sushi joint in downtown Milwaukee.

Here on business with colleagues. Some interesting takes on Japanese dishes, but I stuck with mostly basics but had a Salmon special which was very good (crisp on top with a barbeque like glaze). Sushi and edamame were top notch. We were in a booth in the back, and the noise level was quite high as the interior was all tile and glass. A typical design mistake where style doesn’t consider the sound reflectivity of surfaces in a public space.

I’d go again, very good food and service. I’d ask for a different place to sit, however.

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Restaurant: Pizzeria Da Marco

2011-06-12T10:47:00.001-04:00

Restaurant: Pizzeria Da Marco
Web Site: http://www.pizzeriadamarco.net/Pizzeria_Da_Marco/Home.html
Address: 8008 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: (301) 654-6083

A new (May 2011) pizza joint in Bethesda, right on Woodmont between St. Elmo and Cordell. Promises authentic Neapolitan pizza from a wood fired oven.

Having never been to Italy I can’t judge the authentic part. But, the wood fired oven part is pretty common around here and in general they promise thinner crust that is both chewy and crispy. Da Marco delivers on this. The crust was a little bit thicker than I expected, but very tasty and easy to eat with your hand (the way pizza is supposed to be be eaten) without grease.

The space was large and open, with a large bar stretching the length of the wall that eventually becomes the kitchen. Was there for lunch with some colleagues, so can’t really gauge the noise level for dinner. Also, has only been open a few weeks, so some weaknesses with the waiters but I would expect this to get better over time. Most of the pizzas were 11 to 13 dollars and are of the “personal” size, but plenty big as a serving. Salads were good also.

Not much of a pizza eater at this point, and there weren’t a lot of alternatives (unless you think a calzone is an alternative), but a good choice if this is what you’re looking for and you’ve grown up past the home delivery vendors.

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Restaurant: Seasons 52 North Bethesda

2011-05-19T00:38:00.003-04:00

Restaurant: Seasons 52, North Bethesda
Web Site: http://www.seasons52.com/locations/north_bethesda.asp
Address: 11414 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, MD 20852
Phone: (301) 984-5252

Seasons 52 is a brand new restaurant (as of May 2011) across from White Flint Mall on Rockville Pike (the area known as “Kensington”, “Rockville”, or “North Bethesda” depending on which you think sounds more impressive). The circle of life on Rockville Pike states that when one new restaurant opens, another has to close. We’ll see how long this one will last.

First impressions are that it should be around a while. The restaurant is a chain, owned by the same group that owns Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Longhorn Steakhouse, and a number of others. However, Seasons 52 seems to be a good couple of notches above the others. Their gimmick (and the name) refer to a constantly changing menu to reflect seasonal changes in the food. They also had a nicer than normal wine list for a chain, live entertainment with a piano bar, and a very slick contemporary decor. The menu tricks are flatbread appetizers with a variety of unusual toppings, all the items on the menu are less than 500 calories, and for dessert they have small little portions of various cakes and pies all in identical little squarish glasses.

The flatbreads were very good, but they cool off quickly. Once cooled they are more like stale crackers so don’t let the conversation delay eating them. Crab was one of the toppings and very good. The edamame appetizer was also interesting in that some kind of green salt was served on the side and not sprinkled on top.

Most of us had a variety of grilled seafood, all very good. Everyone was very happy with their meals. We all tried different desserts - they way they are presented encourages the party to all pick different things. But, its difficult to share - they are very small. One is very satisfying for someone that normally doesn’t order dessert, and you can order more than one if you’re used to eating a whole pie.

A little on the noisy side. Part of that was the entertainment in the bar which was piped out into the dining area. A lot of glass on the walls also makes it hard to deal with reflected sound. We were a part of 7, and it was hard to hear what the other end of the table was talking about. Service was good, wine was good, kitchen was open as well.

All in all, an enjoyable experience and well priced for the quality. Could use some adjustment to the noise level, and parking is a super hassle because of poor design of the garage area for this newly developed building.

An update October 4, 2011

In the Washington Post Sunday Magazine section from October 2, 2011 page 27 Tom Sietsema was asked about his September 4 review of Seasons 52, and how he didn't inform of the sodium level in the food. The calculation was that a meal at Seasons 52 could contain more then 4,000 mg Sodium - yikes! (Mayo Clinic recommends 2300 mg per day, 1500 a day once you reach your 50s). For anyone who has reduced their sodium intake, a 4 gram hit can actually make you feel bad. We'll be sure to keep this in mind as we make restaurant choices in the future.

There's a lot of focus on calories. Many places are way too liberal in their use of salt.

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Restaurant: Clyde's of Columbia

2011-04-17T12:11:00.003-04:00

Restaurant: Clyde's of Columbia
Web Site: http://www.clydes.com
Address: 10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, MD 21044
Phone: (410) 730-2828

Like all the Clyde's locations, it can't quite seem like it wants to be a fancy restaurant or an affordable restaurant. The location in Columbia seems to lean toward affordable, with much more of a casual, sports bar vibe than other locations. The long space has a a bar with a dozen beer taps as its main decoration, and a projector showing the hockey game on an 8 foot screen really shouts "sports bar". Yet, most of the patrons are there for dinner at tables along windows facing the lake, or in side rooms decorated like an old timey gentlemen club.

Service was good and attentive without being too much, the menu is varied across entrees down through burgers and sandwiches. The food is very affordable, the most expensive entry was under $30 and the special of the month was a lobster dinner for around $25. It's easy to get out of Clyde's at $30 a person including a drink or dessert which makes it a nice choice for larger groups. We were there with friends and outside of the noise level being a little high (not too high, mostly reflected noise from all the glass) it was a pleasant place to spend a few hours in conversation.

Everyone seemed happy with the food. Tuna steak was a little overcooked but I ordered medium so maybe my fault (lots of interpretation on what that means), but it was very good with wasabi sauce and greens. Other dishes were the paella, lobster, beef brisket, and grilled salmon. A liberal in the salt use, but this is common from most chefs these days.

I was surprised I liked it this much, as we've been disappointed at other Clyde's locations. This location has been here a long time and perhaps has a very long established staff and routines. For a casual place that isn't too expensive this was a good choice.

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Restaurant: Taro's by Mikuni

2011-04-16T16:34:00.002-04:00

Restaurant: Taro's by Mikuni
Web Site: http://www.tarosbymikuni.com
Address: 1735 Arden Way, Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95815
Phone: 916-564-2114

Better than average sushi joint, located in a shopping mall.

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Hotel: Doubletree Milwaukee Downtown

2011-04-12T10:09:00.002-04:00

City: Milwaukee, WI
Chain: Doubletree (Hilton)
Property: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Milwaukee City Center
Address: 611 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53203
Phone Number: 414.273.2950

Check Out: March 2011 ($120)

Right downtown, easy walking to much of the downtown area.

Nice, not real high end but very clean, full service hotel that is at a reasonable price point for business travel. Gave me a hot cookie when I checked in. Hilton Honors gold status put me on the top floor.

Room was clean, comfortable, but surprisingly noisy for 10th floor. Seemed like constant police activity up and down the street. Good internet, Hilton hotel so Hilton Honors perks apply. Used the hotel dining room for breakfast ; buffet that was so so, but that's typical (big tray of eggs, potatoes, etc.).

Staff was nice, helpful.

Rating:

Safety: 1
Dining: 1
Bar: 1
Internet: 1 (free for Hilton Honor)
Wireless in Common Areas: 1
Work Space, Power: 1
Shower: 1
Air Conditioning, Bed: 1 (Ditto)
Common Areas: 1 (Ditto)

Total: 9

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Flight: Frontier MKE to DCA

2011-03-21T11:18:00.002-04:00

The day had all the makings of a disaster. I had to attend a meeting in Milwaukee late in the day, and there aren’t a lot of direct flights between DC and Milwaukee. But, the timing of things seemed like a noon flight up and the last flight back of the day would work thanks to the meeting schedule and the time difference. This would get me back in the office on Tuesday for a pretty full day.

Of course, panic starts to build the day before as we watch the weather report predict very nasty winter storms for Milwaukee. I decided not to panic - weather happens - and if its too bad to travel then its too bad to travel.

The sun comes up the next day and while the news is reporting bad weather, all the flights seem to be on time. So, off to the airport and wait for the plan. A minor delay (15 minutes) is easily attributed to flight issues somewhere across the country.

The plane lands in Milwaukee and it is not snowing badly, but it is cold, mildly windy, and snow is blowing everywhere. The airport seems normal except for all the slushy junk you have to walk through. But, now they are talking about winter weather back in DC. And, I find out the meeting might go long. I was prepared to spend the night if I had to, but I wanted to get back home.

As the meeting was running long I received the page that the flight back was delayed an hour. Well, probably the only time I was glad to have a flight delayed! No problems getting back to the airport, but the snow had kept going all day long.

Thanks to the delay, enough time to get a hot meal for the first time today. And, airport food is soooo delicious! (Actually, not too bad but maybe that’s just because i was so hungry).

On the plane we had to wait for the runway - it was blown over from the wind. Then, two coats of deicer.

As we took off I could watch the snow blow by the aircraft well past 10K feet. Didn't think it would be this high in the air. How do you burn fuel with water pumping into the front of the turbine? Kind of amazing when you think about it.

Now its after midnight. Still, in the air two hours later than expected and wondering what the weather will be like when I land. My advanced scouting team reports sleet, and it sounds very scary against the windows.

Hotel: SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Philadelphia Plymouth Meeting

2011-03-19T13:01:00.004-04:00

City: Plymouth Meeting, PA
Chain: SpringHill Suites (Marriott)
Property: SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Philadelphia Plymouth Meeting
Address: 430 Plymouth Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
Phone Number: 610.940.0400

Check Out: March 2011 ($120)

Very close to PA turnpike entrance in Plymouth Meeting, PA, northwest of Philadelphia. Central to airport via Blue Route, King of Prussia, Conshohocken.

Compare to Hampton Inn; low frills hotel targeted at business travelers with included breakfast, workspace in rooms. "Suite" in the title should be used lightly in this hotel, there are walls to break up the room in to separate work area, bedroom, and bathroom, but no doors and the TV swivels to turn between "living" and "bed" areas.

However, the room was clean, comfortable. Internet access not included. Small exercise room and pool. Small kitchen area in the room with microwave and refrigerator. For a diversion, Plymouth Meeting Mall is across the street.

Staff was nice.

Rating:

Safety: 1
Dining: .5 (did not use)
Bar: 0
Internet: 0 (for a fee)
Wireless in Common Areas: 0
Work Space, Power: 1
Shower: 1
Air Conditioning, Bed: 1 (Ditto)
Common Areas: 1 (Ditto)

Total: 5.5

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Restaurant: Malaysia Kopitiam

2011-01-09T18:23:00.003-05:00

Restaurant: Malaysia Kopitiam
Web Site: http://www.malaysiakopitiam.com/
Address: 1827 M St NW, Washington D.C., DC 20036-2503
Phone: 202 – 833 6232

Had lunch there with a colleague. Not too far from Dupont Circle metro, food was really good. Hadn't had Malaysian food before, really enjoyed it.

Not fancy decor, but service was good. A great choice for lunch downtown.

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Restaurant: K Town Bistro

2010-12-25T13:57:00.006-05:00

Restaurant: K Town Bistro
Web Site: http://www.ktownbistro.com
Address: 3784 Howard Ave., Kensington, MD 20895
Phone: (301) 933-1211

Side issue; really dislike the "K Town" nickname that some locals seem to be trying to establish. For one thing, most people refer to "Kensington" and not "Town of Kensington" which seem to be what some are trying to shorthand. For another thing, its a little too hip-hop for such a WASP-y old school suburb. The owners of this restaurant inherited this from the previous owners of the space I believe ("K Town Grille" maybe?). The previous space was way too short lived to be trying to maintain some of this history, in my opinion.

We've dined here two or three times now. The owner takes a lot of personal attention in the service and activity. The menu is not extensive, but this is good; care on a few selected items is much better than a lot of choices done inconsistently. The salads have always been very good and they usually have some nice approaches to the soups. The entrees we've tried have been very good, including an interesting South American fish.

Wine choices are limited, but this is Kensington after all where the idea of a restaurant serving wine is a new and scary.

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Restaurant: China Gourmet, Kensington

2010-12-24T23:31:00.006-05:00

Restaurant: China Gourmet
Web Site:
Address: 3739 University Boulevard West, Kensington, MD 20895-2123
Phone: (301) 946-9400

Many Montgomery County restaurants come and go pretty quickly. As soon as you get used to one and it becomes a favorite, it goes away. In some ways, this is a story of two restaurants, one that's still around and one that is not any more.

China Gourmet is still around, in the shopping center at the pie slice of land created where Connecticut Avenue splits off University Blvd. in Kensington. It has a lot of windows facing the road, and a bar area in the back where the Kensington locals hang out (Kensington was a "dry" town historically - not anymore - and China Gourmet was technically out of town right across the street). It's fairly large and can hold a lot of diners, and also does a pretty brisk take out business.

Like most Chinese restaurants the menu is huge and varied. And, if you can't figure out what you want from the menu they are extremely accommodating about changes. Or, making up entrees on your own without a fuss. They are very consistent, and when I try new Chinese places I usually order something well known and use China Gourmet as the benchmark. I've actually been dining here since it opened, probably more than 12 years. I don't even remember when it opened anymore, it seems like I've been going there my whole life.

The owner of the restaurant owned at least three places I was familiar with. There is a restaurant "Moon Gate" in downtown Bethesda, and there used to be another one on Rockville Pike up near Woodmont Country Club called "Moonlight Gourmet". Moonlight was another one of our go-to's, and we liked how we had two great places for Chinese food depending on the part of the county we were in. Moonlight also had very consistent cooking, really great service, and were very flexible on menu changes. But, Moonlight didn't last. Don't know why, problem with the lease or something, but we were heartbroken when Moonlight closed because we were going there often as its closer to our regular dinner time travels. Fortunately, China Gourmet keeps going strong and is always there like an old friend, even when its been a while since we see them.

So, same ownership, same general area, same food. But, one restaurant lasts forever and one is gone in a few years. In Montgomery County, the second scenario is much more common than the first.

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Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites San Francisco Airport South-Burlingame

2010-12-10T23:17:00.004-05:00

City: San Francisco, CA (Airport)
Chain: Hampton Inn (Hilton)
Property: Hampton Inn & Suites San Francisco Airport South-Burlingame
Address: 1755 Bayshore Highway, Burlingame, California, USA 94010
Phone Number: 650-697-5736

Check Out: November 2010

Just south of the airport; you can even enjoy the planes coming and going right out your window if you're lucky!

This is your basic Hampton Inn experience (which is not a bad thing), one exit away from SFO. It is near the water, across the street from a large Marriott which is right on the water. The Marriott actually makes this Hampton Inn a much more attractive place to stay than normal. While the free breakfast is nice, after breakfast there is no food at Hampton Inn. However, with a big full service Marriott right across the street you can go there for a drink or dinner.

This is not close to downtown, however, but it is convenient to the airport.

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Hotel: Residence Inn by Marriott Pittsburgh University/Medical Center

2010-10-18T00:08:00.003-04:00

City: Pittsburgh, PA
Chain: Marriott
Property: Residence Inn by Marriott Pittsburgh University/Medical Center
Address: 3896 Bigelow Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone Number: 412 621 2299

Check Out: August 2010

High on a hill (like everything else in Pittsburgh). Large rooms, free breakfast deal. Typical Marriott experience.

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Restaurant: Cafe Deluxe - Tysons

2010-09-12T16:34:00.006-04:00

Restaurant: Cafe Deluxe, Tyson's Corner
Web Site: http://www.cafedeluxe.com
Address: 1800 International Drive, McLean, VA 22102
Phone: (703) 761-0600

This is a very regular place for us to go. We've been to the Bethesda location also, we like this one much better. The decor is retro jazz, and the music choices being played are often super choices for me. Bar is good, divided from the dining area and usually adds a nice vibe to the place (although can be a little loud at times). There is outdoor seating when the weather is nice, or inside but with all the doors open is close to being outside also. The outdoor seating isn't the greatest, with a commanding view of the Tyson's Corner shopping traffic, but well done for the space they have.

The service is usually very good, the cooking is very consistent. We eat here so often that its usually a quick check of the specials, then an order of a favorite. The seared tuna is my first choice usually, and their mac and cheese is a fun order and very well done. The menu isn't huge and doesn't change much - lots of creative twists on well known dishes - but all executed well and reasonably prices.

Monday's is half price on wine, another nice bonus if you're doing something over in Virginia on a weekday.

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Restaurant: Chef Geoff's Tysons

2010-09-02T17:59:00.006-04:00

Restaurant: Chef Geoff's Tysons
Web Site: https://www.chefgeoff.com/chef-geoffs-tysons-home.html
Address: 8045 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182
Phone: 571.282.6003

Mid-level local chain.

We had been to the downtown location, and liked it a lot, and were looking for another Wolf Trap convenient place so we gave this a try.

The location is good, the decor is good. It's a very noisy place, the bar area is smack in the middle so the happy hour crowd can overwhelm the dining experience. We made some really bad choices on food selection also, particularly a vegetable dish that was incredibly salty and oily.

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Hotel: Hampton Inn Phoenixville, PA

2010-07-18T11:47:00.004-04:00

City: Phoenixville, PA
Chain: Hilton
Property: Hampton Inn Phoenixville
Address: 100 Cresson Blvd, Phoenixville, PA
Phone Number: 610 676 0900

Check Out: July 2010

Right off the highway (422) in the Valley Forge area.

Basic Hampton Inn experience.

Stayed in a "suite" room which had a small kitchenette. Separate doors for the sleeping area and corner building location made it quieter for sleeping.

The AC units almost wake the dead when they kick in. Didn't disturb, but creates problems setting the TV volume as it cycles on and off.

Somewhat sparsely decorated for the amount of space. Shower head was wonderfully up at the 7 ft level.

Rating:

Safety: 1
Dining: .25 (breakfast only)
Bar: 0
Internet: 1
Wireless in Common Areas: 1
Work Space, Power: 1
Shower: 1
Air Conditioning, Bed: .5 (bed OK, AC loud)
Common Areas: 1

Total: 6.75

Last Visit: June 2010 ($130)

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Restaurant: Shinbashi, New York City

2010-07-04T11:40:00.004-04:00

Restaurant: Shinbashi Japanese Cuisine
Web Site: http://www.shinbashinyc.com
Address: 7 East 48th St., New York, NY 10017
Phone: 212.813.1009

A high end Japanese restaurant in mid-town Manhattan.

We were directed here from the concierge at the hotel we were staying - it was only a two or three block walk from the hotel and we're both sushi fans. The interior was very stylish; street front space set back a little from the sidewalk with a high ceiling and large windows facing the street. A large sushi bar runs along the side, and the interior was all cool green - a very natural, clean, and modern look. Service was top notch and they helped us navigate the menu which was not very "americanized".

We had an assortment of sushi and it was all very good. Dessert was unusual - green tea ice cream. Not very sweet but an intense flavor of green tea. Not what I expected but I enjoyed it immensely and it complemented the meal perfectly.

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Airports: Minneapolis/St. Paul International

2010-07-03T14:18:00.004-04:00

Airport Name: Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport
FAA Sign: MSP
Location: Bloomington, MN USA
Airport Web Site: http://www.mspairport.com/

I used to spend a lot of time going through MSP. I worked a lot in the twin-cities area and other parts of Minnesota, and this is the main airport for the state. While it is brutally cold there in the winter (in my relative opinion), the area is filled with interesting places to go and populated with people that are very nice and fun to interact with.

So, my opinion of MSP has a lot of history to it. I remember the airport as a somewhat small "H" that was nice and easy to get around in, through the current state as an extremely large "H" with islands connected through underground passages and automated little trains and a gigantic parking garage that dominates the architecture. The central area behind security is a little shopping and eating area, but you may go through the airport without ever touching the central area, particularly if you are connecting flights.

There are extremely long corridors with motorized sidewalks to make things go faster, and certain points where you can step into a little train. I recently went through here and went through sections that I had never been through before. Very pleased with the signs, passages, and places to grab some food. Lots of people, but didn't really feel crowded. The only complaint was the blockages from people standing on the belts as you try to walk by (which is hardly unique to this airport - all are complicated with the friction between those in a hurry and those that are not).

Restaurant: Iron Horse Inn, Strasburg PA

2010-06-12T23:46:00.002-04:00

Restaurant: Iron Horse Inn
Web Site: http://www.ironhorsepa.com/
Address: 135 East Main Street, Strasburg, PA 17579
Phone: (717) 687-6362

A little inn on the main street in a historic little town near Lancaster.

We enjoyed the cooking, the owner was personally involved in the serving going on in the dining room, and the service was very good and attentive. They had a variety of food, a lot of beef dishes, we had mostly fish including some specials on the menu.

The building is old and charming, decorated with local art work. The only complain was that it was unusually noisy - it was difficult to have a conversation at times.

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Hotel: Rochester Marriott Mayo Clinic Area

2010-06-05T13:47:00.002-04:00

City: Rochester, Minnesota
Chain: Marriott
Property: Rochester Marriott Mayo Clinic Area
Address: 101 First Avenue SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55902
Phone Number:507-280-6000

Check Out: June 2010

Right in the middle of town, a block from the main Mayo Clinic building.

Full service restaurant, full bar, although not a lot of space for this. There are a number of places to shop and eat right across the street at a variety of price points. A large Barnes & Nobel across the street in an old movie theater as well.

The staff was super nice all the way around, which you expect because the people from Minnesota are super nice because that's the way they are up there. Rooms were pretty large and in good shape, no hassles getting there or getting in and out.

The building is connected to many other buildings through both overhead pedestrian bridges (enclosed) and underground hallways with shopping, coffee shops, etc.

Exercise space, including an enclosed pool and patio area (small), and typical hotel equipment (lots of treadmills and bikes, full set of dumbbells, Life Cycle weight/pulley system (a nice one), and a few leg machines. A little better than average.

Rating:

Safety: 1
Dining: 1
Bar: 1
Internet: 1 (free, with Gold Status)
Wireless in Common Areas: 1
Work Space, Power: 1
Shower: 0 (low shower head)
Air Conditioning, Bed: 1 (Ditto)
Common Areas: 1 (Ditto)

Total: 8

Last Visit: June 2010 ($130)

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Hotel: Sheraton Cerritos, CA

2010-06-05T12:39:00.003-04:00

City: Cerritos, California
Chain: Sheraton
Property: Sheraton Cerritos Hotel
Address: 12725 Center Court Drive Cerritos, California 90703
Phone Number: (562) 809-1500

Check Out: June 2010

A fairly nice hotel for me to stay in on business. Full service, bar, restaurant, some kind of fancy internet hangout just off the lobby that was so full of fountains that you could hardly hear anything.

Located in Orange County, so it had the standard issue fountain out front with nicely planted palm trees and other tropical plants. The weather was off-the-hook great (by Washington DC standards) so it was nice to walk around, although like a lot of other southern CA office parks there really wasn’t any place to walk to and it was pretty deserted outside the people in the hotel.

There was an outside pool (not used, larger than many hotel pools), the exercise room had several nice treadmills, a full set of dumbbells up to 50 lb., and a lame Life-Fitness brand dual cable thing that seemed to be built for someone 4 ft, 10 inches in height.

Food was OK, not great. Breakfast buffet in the morning, free for someone with gold status.

Rating:

Safety: 1
Dining: 1
Bar: 1
Internet: 1 (free, with Gold Status)
Wireless in Common Areas: 1
Work Space, Power: 1
Shower: 0 (low shower head)
Air Conditioning, Bed: 1 (Ditto)
Common Areas: 1 (Ditto)

Total: 8

Last Visit: June 2010 ($150)

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Hotel: Montage Spa, Laguna Beach, CA

2010-05-15T15:25:00.005-04:00

City: Laguna Beach, California
Chain: Not a Chain
Property: http://www.montagelagunabeach.com
Address: 30801 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA‎
Phone Number: (949) 715-6000

Check Out: April 2010

A crazy over-the-top nice resort sitting on top of a cliff on the specific ocean in southern California.

I was there for business reasons, and we got there very late at night, so really couldn't tell what it looked like on check-in. But, the next morning my room was sitting on top of a cliff looking out over the ocean. Perfectly manicured lawns, tropical plantings, a million people to help out with service, luxurious well appointed rooms, etc. etc. Of course, also accompanied with 25 dollar breakfasts and other :you get what you pay for" types of things. Not a criticism - in my experience it was worth it - but these types of surroundings don't come cheap.

And, I was there on business so not a lot of time to enjoy it. When not in a meeting, most likely using the laptop to try and stay on top of things. Fortunately, I was there on east coast time so I had a few hours in the morning to be outside with few people around.

There was an exercise room that was very nice, with a lot of treadmills and machines, Precor resistance machines, a full set of dumbbells. Didn't open until 6 AM, but there is a nice path along the cliff and down to the beach, so no need for the treadmills.

Very tropical plans, and types of birds I'm not familiar with that made very interesting noises. The birds were aggressive (not overly) on outside dining. Kind of funny, actually.

Rating:

Safety: 1
Dining: 1 (but pricey)
Bar: 1 (ditto)
Internet: 0 (wi-fi available, but $15 a day.)
Wireless in Common Areas: .5 (you have to pay)
Work Space, Power: 1
Shower: 1 (unbelievably nice, actually)
Air Conditioning, Bed: 1 (Ditto)
Common Areas: 2 (Ditto)

Total: 8.5

(note, my scoring system gives a severe penalty for paid for Internet. If you don't care about this, the place is a 10).

Last Visit: April 2010 ($350?)

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Restaurant: Bella Bacino's, Chicago

2010-04-14T00:42:00.003-04:00

Restaurant: Bella Bacino's
Web Site: http://www.bacinos.com
Address: 75 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312.263.2350

An Italian restaurant on Wacker Drive across the street from the river in downtown Chicago.

We ate there twice. One night with a colleague, the next night with a larger group. It seemed weird to eat in the same place twice in downtown Chicago where there are so many great places to eat. But, the larger group was looking for a suggestion, and we knew there were other things on the menu we wanted to try, so why not? It was a nice 6 block or so walk from our hotel, on a nice November evening.

They make little pizzas that were great, had a number of nice wines, and everyone liked all the dishes that filled the tables over two nights. Really nice service, also.

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Testing

2010-04-13T09:18:00.001-04:00

Just a little test of posting from my phone...

-- Post From My iPhone

Restaurant: Charlie Palmers Costa Mesa

2010-03-16T00:30:00.002-04:00

Restaurant: Charlie Palmers at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza
Web Site: http://www.charliepalmer.com
Address: 3333 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa CA 92626
Phone: 714.352.2525

Neo-American Steak House attacked to a shopping mall in Orange County. Very high ceilings, very stylish staff and service. This is not a Ruth's Chris Steak House, this is a steak house in southern California that paid a lot of money for decorating.

Food was very good, and there was a real wine steward to navigate the list (with a very positive outcome). I like the giant wall of wine bottles arranged in a way that is more like a decoration than a convenient way to house a lot of wine.

Excellent joint!

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Hotel: Marriott Norwalk (CA)

2010-02-21T23:37:00.004-05:00

City: Norwalk, California
Chain: Marriott
Property: Marriott Norwalk
Address: 13111 Sycamore Drive, Norwalk, California 90650
Phone Number: 562-863-5555

Check Out: Febrary 2010

A full service Marriott conveniently off I-605 south of LA in the town of Norwalk. Full bar and restaurant, outdoor pool, business center, etc. Mostly a business travelers' hotel, not really near any of the attractions you might associate with the LA area. But, the hotel was clean, seemed recently remodeled so not beat up, and the staff was uniformly courteous and attentive in all my interaction.

Had an exercise room, although pretty small with two treadmills and two universal type weight machines. You can run outside, the parking lot has a "road" around it where you can stay on the property. Outside pool in a little courtyard. Food and bar were good, though. Would stay again, but not on vacation.

Rating:

Safety: 1 (not the best neighborhood, but an isolated property)
Dining: 1
Bar: 1
Internet: 1
Wireless in Common Areas: .5 (you have to pay)
Work Space, Power: 1
Shower: 1
Air Conditioning, Bed: .5 (good bed, weak AC)
Common Areas: 1

Total: 8

Last Visit: February 2010 ($149)

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Restaurant: Sonoma Grill, Norwalk, CA

2010-02-21T17:40:00.002-05:00

Restaurant: Sonoma Grill
Web Site: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/restaurant/laxnk-norwalk-marriott/
Address: 13111 Sycamore Drive, Norwalk, CA‎
Phone: (562) 863-5555

Had three meals or so while I stayed in the Norwalk Marriott for a few days.

A typical restaurant for a Marriott, in a vaguely corporate branded way. Kind of like a wine bar place, but not a lot of display of wine except for a few cases near the outside door.

The food was a mix; some burgers, some pizza, some salads, some fish and pasta dishes. Between some colleagues and multiple meals there was a small pizza, salads, tortilla soup, grilled vegtables with bow tie pasta and pesto sauce, filet mignon, seared tuna steak, grilled salmon with asparagus. All were good.

Breakfast was typical hotel buffet. Staff was very good, although cooking was a little slow for how few people were there.

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IND Round 2

2010-01-22T11:04:00.003-05:00

Back out to Indianapolis, meeting different people in the same city. I’ve been there enough that its all familiar except for the new football stadium that sits downtown like an aircraft carrier. The town is filled with excitement about the upcoming NFC championship game, evident in both the signs displayed as well as conversation with the locals.

The flight out had the same cloud cover as last Friday which struck me as odd. Did that weather last all week or is this new weather exactly like the old weather?

The flight home was on another little EMB 135. Maybe the same one, it was the same 4:10 flight on a different day. I had an exit row seat with no one next to me, which is a good as first class, frankly. The only down side is the seats on those little planes don’t have much padding, which gets a little hard after 60 minutes.

I don’t mind the small planes, their seats are usually as spacious as larger planes, which is not exactly an endorsement I realize. They fly smooth enough as well. The only part I hate is getting on and off them because of how far I have to stoop over to walk down the isle.

IND in One Day

2010-01-16T15:23:00.002-05:00

A quick little trip to Indianapolis yesterday. I've been there a number of times, last time commenting on the new airport (which I like a lot). I used to do more one-day trips, but with how much of a hassle air travel has become and the cost of missing a meeting its more overnights now. So, yesterday's one day trip was more unusual than in the past. It makes for a long day, catching am 8:30 flight now means getting to the airport by 7 which means leaving the house by 6.

The January weather yesterday was quite nice, it was in the 40s when I was walking into the airport and the sun was hitting the Washington buildings from the low morning angle which brings out all the texture. I had a window seat on the small Embraer 175 on takeoff on the side of the plane looking over the river, and we stayed straight off the runway long enough to watch the sliding show from low over the water and monuments to high above Wisconsin avenue over Bethesda. Just as Rockville was coming into view the plane banked to the west and we were up through the clouds and the ground then becomes that far away picture with no detail.

Indianapolis was cloudy and rainy the whole day, but it was a nice day and we discovered a new place to eat. A good meeting, then back to the airport.

The flight back was on the tiny Embraer 135, and there was solid cloud cover the whole time. The closing sunlight of the day created fantastic light against the cloud layer, and the whole flight back was a very sureal view of another planet. As we landed my seat was now on the wrong side of the plane facing Virginia, but we headed south of the airport to turn around a head up the river. The fading sunlight and the time of day when all the artificial lighting is turning on below created another beautiful visual experience as all the cars clogged the roads for rush hour and the cities were lighting up with their own nightlife. As the plane backed to the left to head up the river I could see where the Potomac dumps into the Cheasapeake Bay and could see much of the bay off in the horizon stretching up to the north.

As we came up to the runway the pilot had to make a last minute dip to the left to stay aligned which created that unnerving experience of watching the wing lean down to touch the water. This is more typical of the smaller planes, the larger ones have too much inertia for a manuvure like that. We touched down and the airport terminal whizzed by as it only can at DCA where the airport is so small.

The small plane stopped and we had to climb down the stairs to the little bus to take us into the terminal. The little plane was too small to be given a jetway, so there's a parking lot for them away from the terminal. I like getting off the planes like this as you get to stretch your legs on the tarmac and enjoy the smells and sounds of the airport in operation.

Not a bad day, with a good meeting with nice people and two nice little plane rides.

Airports

2010-01-16T15:10:00.003-05:00

Airports by FAA Sign

CLT - Charlotte/Douglas International Airport (Charlotte, NC)
DAY - Dayton International Airport (Dayton, OH)
DCA - Ronald Reagan Washington International Airport (Washington, DC)
DFW - Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (Grapevine, TX)
IAD - Washington Dulles International Airport (Herndon, VA)
IND - Indianapolis International Airport (Indianapolis, Indiana)
MSP - Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (Bloomington, MN)
PDX - Portland International Airport (Portland, Oregon)
PWM - Portland International Jetport (Portland, Maine)
TPA - Tampa International Airport (Tampa, Florida)

Restaurant: Tersiguel's French Country Restaurant

2010-01-16T14:55:00.002-05:00

Restaurant: Tersiguel's French Country Restaurant
Web Site: http://www.tersiguels.com
Address: 8293 Main Street, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Phone: 410-465-4004

Very French, very nice restaurant in the historic Ellicott City downtown in an old building. Part of their charm is their use of produce grown on their own farm, and maintaining high quality traditional French service and cooking.

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Restaurant: Tako Grill

2009-12-28T11:20:00.002-05:00

Restaurant: Tako Grill
Web Site: www.takogrill.com (Urbanspoon Link)
Address: 7756 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 301-652-7030

December 28, 2009 - Likes it - I wish sushi was cheaper, because I could sit here and eat all day. Very good service and food right on Wisconsin avenue a few blocks north of Metro. Full variety, and I haven't had anything bad here yet. Bento boxes seem popular at lunch time from looking around the room, but I haven't tried them yet.

(I posted this on Urbanspoon, which is a great application, by the way).

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Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn, Indianapolis South

2009-12-27T17:11:00.002-05:00

City: Indianapolis, Indiana (Greenwood)
Chain: Hilton
Property: Hilton Garden Inn, Indianapolis South/Greenwood
Address: 5255 Noggle Way, Indianapolis, IN 46237
Phone Number: 317.888.4812

Check Out: November 2009

South of the city off the beltway.

Place was so new you could still smell paint and carpet. Lobby is nice and spacious, staff were courteousNo mini-bar, nice bathroom. Lobby had a breakfast dining option.

Rating:

Safety: 1 (in the middle of nowhere)
Dining: 1
Bar: 1
Internet: 1
Wireless in Common Areas: 1
Work Space, Power: 1 (enough outlets)
Shower: 1
Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
Common Areas: 1

Total: 9

Last Visit: November 2009 ($129)

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Restaurant: Oakville Grille and Wine Bar

2009-12-19T19:17:00.007-05:00

Restaurant: Oakville Grille and Wine Bar
Web Site: http://www.geppettorestaurant.com
Address: 10257 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, Maryland 20814
Phone: (301) 897-9100

Not in downtown Bethesda - out Old Georgetown Road at the small shopping center where Democracy Blvd. connects.

A small place, but the menu was varied (but not too long) and the wine list is pretty good. We've been here twice now, and both times the meal was enjoyable and the service nice. Different specials, soups, etc. The cooking is a little French, but I wouldn't call it a French restaurant.

(Update 3/5/2010): Another visit, same good service. Nice Oregon Pinot, swordfish for entry. Starting to like the place a lot, particularly for exploring wine.

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Restaurant: City Lights of China, Bethesda

2009-11-27T17:01:00.006-05:00

Restaurant: City Lights of China, Bethesda
Web Site: http://www.bethesdacitylightsofchina.com/
Address: 4820 Bethesda Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814-5202
Phone: (301) 913-9501

I used to work one block from this restaurant and hit it frequently for lunch. The costs are low to reasonable, the cooking is fast, and the menu is varied as with many Chinese restaurants. I don't go nearly as much as its now a 5 block walk and there are closer options for me.

However, went there with a group from work recently for dinner and it was as good as I remember. I like that they have a lot of options that are "light" - vegetarian, sauteed versions of fried dishes, etc. The Singapore noodles was some thing new for me and I liked the curry flavor in the dish.

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Restaurant: Oceanaire Seafood Room, Washington DC

2009-11-20T00:55:00.002-05:00

Restaurant: Oceanaire Seafood Room
Web Site: http://www.theoceanaire.com
Address: 1201 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Phone: (202) 347-2277

Went there for a special occasion. Right downtown in DC. The atmosphere was not as intimate as we wanted - a little bright, but the service was top of the line and the food was great. The waiter helped us with a bottle of wine (wine lists in the district as a little intimidating, as they have access to a lot more wine than those of us out in Montgomery County) and navigating the menu. The crab cake appetizer was fantastic, and it takes a special crab cake to impress someone from Maryland. Lots of great fish entrees, cooked the way you want it.

The baked Alaska was fun, too.

They were set up with a lot of booths, seemed like it was more of a place for a business dinner or a large group. However, it was top of the line service and great food. A little pricey, but seemed worth it for the experience.

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Restaurant: Gaylord Texan Resort

2009-10-18T11:26:00.008-04:00

Restaurant: Gaylor Texan Resort, Texan Station
Web Site: Hotel Web Site
Address: 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, TX 76051
Phone: (817) 778-1000

Spent a few days here for a convention. There are a number of dining options in the facility, this is a review of the "Texan Station" one, whose menu seemed to be identical to the room service menu. The Texan Station is a sports bar that is inside the building. There is a large end area filled with an immense 52 foot television driven by three projectors in the ceiling (the technology was actually quite remarkable; there was no visible "seam" between the projected images) that creates a video wall with multiple images projected on to it. That end of the room is filled with lounge chairs and small tables, the back of the place has more normal restaurant tables and lots of hanging flat televisions.

Food was typical bar food, not very interesting. Ended up having a few meals here over the days, they are best at nachos, fries, dips, and other things I wasn't interested in. Salads were OK. If you have a car there are most likely better things nearby.

Bottom line, fun experience, food OK.

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Restaurant: Clyde's of Gallery Place

2009-10-17T15:36:00.002-04:00

Restaurant: Clyde's, Gallery Place Location
Web Site: clydes.com
Address: 707 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 719-1901

Part of the Clyde's restaurant group, which has several locations in the Washington DC area. This location is almost directly attached to the Verizon Center downtown, so its really convenient if you are going to an event there. While that part of the city has boomed tremendously since the arena was built, if this is your location on an event night you would want to get there early since its proximity makes it a prime target for lots of people all at once.

All the Clyde's locations are nicely appointed, but also quite different in appearance. This one has an downstairs large bar, an upstairs dining room with another bar, and there are probably some private rooms buried in there somewhere. The bar areas were quite packed, as Clyde's is a bit of a meat market (maybe that's spelled "meet market"?) for the after work crowd. Reservations work best.

We had great service - an attentive but not too attentive waiter who could answer all our questions except details about the sparking wines (and quickly admitted this wasn't one of his areas of expertise). The wine list is not real extensive; this is a somewhat fast moving place and its positioned as a nice place to go but not a pretentious place to go. But, a peak in the back showed a number of selections we didn't see on the menu. Perhaps another wine list for use outside event times?

Clyde's has a menu that changes frequently, so no notion of specials really. But, a number of nice selections across a variety of types. We had the salmon, it was a generous piece and cooked the way we like. The rice had seaweed mixed in which wasn't needed. Also the paella, which was spicy and good on a cold rainy day.

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Hotel: Hyatt Regency DFW

2009-10-04T21:59:00.000-04:00

City: Grapevine, TX
Chain: Hyatt
Property: Hyatt Regency, DFW
Address: International Drive, DFW Airport, TX 75261
Phone Number: 972.453.1234

Check Out: April 2009

Right at the airport with commanding views of ground operations.

Lobby is nice and spacious, staff were extremely courteous and attentive, room was stylish and clean. Bed was extremely comfortable, which seems to be a corporate goal. No mini-bar, nice bathroom with an extremely decadent shower head.

Plenty of outlets for the desk and recharging batteries. Several dining options, including a kind-of-sports-bar. Seared tuna was good, breakfast buffet was good.

In room internet was a little pricey, but not needed with cell cards. Gift shop had the batteries and snacks I needed, although no copy of the Washington Post in the morning (a mixed blessing). Big TV in the room, lots of channels but all I watched was football and Harry Potter on Disney channel.

Rating:

Safety: 1
Dining: 1
Bar: 1
Internet: .5 (not free)
Wireless in Common Areas: 0
Work Space, Power: 1 (enough outlets)
Shower: 1
Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
Common Areas: 1

Total: 7.5

Directions: DFW Terminal C

Last Visit: September 2009 ($109)

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Traveling by Rail

2009-10-01T16:56:00.010-04:00

One of the advantages of living on the east coast is that traveling by rail is a real option for some cities. Amtrak runs a very busy city-to-city service from Boston down to Washington, which is priced somewhat competitively with air travel. DC to NYC by rail and by air are both somewhere around $200, although there are tremendous fluctuations with air travel prices.

But, a comparison between the two is interesting.

Comfort is no comparison; rail is far superior to air in comfort. The seats are much more spacious, there is way more storage space, the seats are far more comfortable. You can get up and stretch or walk around any time you want, and if you need to use the rest room it is far larger and even accommodates wheel chairs if needed. The noise level for rail is lower, the ventilation is better, and you don't twist your neck trying to look through a little tiny airplane porthole.

As a business traveler, there also is no comparison - rail kills air. Comedians don't joke about airplane food anymore because there's no such thing. On the train you can walk to the dining car where there are a lot of options, hot or cold. You can sit at a table or have a big pull out tray for your work. There's a 110 volt outlet next to the seat to keep your batteries charged. Odds are pretty good that you'll have a solid cell phone connection the whole way. You can annoy your neighbors as you pretend you have very important calls to make, or keep your computer attached to the Internet as you roll along. Air is working on solving this; Internet access and cell phone access in the sky, power at your seat sometimes if you have the right cable. Maybe if there was enough room to open up your computer you could take advantage of this, but its pretty hard in a center coach seat to open up a laptop these days.

The time it takes to travel has been similar for me between rail and air in some cases on the east coast. While a plane is way faster than a train (about 450 MPH airspeed vs. 90 MPH ground speed), when you consider the time delays with airports and their security vs. walking onto a train minutes before it pulls out - plus the train leaves you downtown where air leaves you facing a 30 minute or more cab ride - not much difference. Of course, the further you go the less they are even. DC to Boston the plane wins; DC to Philadelphia or NYC the train wins.

One big difference is style. It's not not really a win for either side, but there is a huge difference in the perspective on the planet you get between the two modes. A plane ride at 30,000 feet is an amazing experience. You have a view of the planet, weather, and how humans exist which is so different than everyday life from the ground. A sight like Manhattan or the Grand Canyon from the air is almost surreal.

A train ride is sitting behind a picture window as you zip along water, land, people, forest, buildings, that you normally don't see. You'll pass over rivers with people rowing and riding bicycles, followed in a minute or two by building covered with graffiti long abandoned. It's hard to not hum "Ain't That America" in your head as you cross through all sections of life.

I've really enjoyed traveling by rail when it makes sense. It can also be very nice with colleagues since you can sit across from each other at a table while you travel. It's a shame the rail system doesn't connect more cities than it does for me, as most of my travel is by air.

Restaurant: Christina's

2009-09-27T11:01:00.004-04:00

Restaurant: Christina's
Web Site: None Urbanspoon Link
Address: 2666 University Blvd W, Wheaton, MD 20902
Phone: (301) 942-4137

We eat here about once a month. The staff and owners are always very good, making us feel at home. The food always comes out on time and is prepared well. The specials almost always tempt us off the regular menu with seafood offerings. We wish the place was bigger, or that it was easier to park in Wheaton, but they seem to always be busy so we assume that they are happy with where they are.

The specials are usually in the $20-$25 range.

(I posted this on Urbanspoon, which is a great application, by the way).

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More on Tripit

2009-09-27T10:39:00.004-04:00

I wrote before that I'm using Tripit.com to help with travel, and its a great service. As a way of simplifying my life, Tripit lets me stop keeping track of my trips on a spreadsheet since it does a better job of this.

One of the neat things it does it keep a map of all my travels. You can zoom in and out, as its all based on Google maps. Even though I only started using Tripit about 2 or 3 years ago, you can go in and enter older trips if there's anything you wish wasn't missing.

Tripit is a really nice application for anyone that does a moderate amount of travel, and the free version is amazingly full featured.

Airports: Indianapolis International Airport (IND)

2009-08-28T15:10:00.003-04:00

Airport Name: Indianapolis International Airport
FAA Sign: IND
Location: Indianapolis, IN USA
Airport Web Site: http://www.indianapolisairport.com/

Well, a huge improvement.

The old IND was retired last year and the new IND airport opened up beginning of this year. The old one was unattractive with small hallways, cluttered layout, and was overcrowded for its traffic. The new one is a large spacious central atrium with windows looking out to the runway surrounded by a shopping/food area (not a lot, but enough). There are two main concourses off to each side with their own security screening areas. The old one was a difficult driving/parking scene, the new one is much better connected to the highway.

Still that same sweet spot size - large enough for many services, small enough that the rental car pickup is right across the street.

Best discovery so far - good sushi in the feed court.

Rental Car: Toyota Prius

2009-08-15T17:25:00.004-04:00

So I found myself in southern California on "Earth Day" 2009. My rental car was a 2009 Toyota Prius. It's like some Bizzarro world where everything is backward. I can't think of a more opposite way to define myself than "driving a Toyota Prius through southern California on Earth Day".

I ended up with this car because it was very late when I landed in LA and this was the only car left with GPS navigation. In retrospect I should have just skipped the GPS. When introducing a new type of car technology I don't understand why you wouldn't want to make it similar to the old car technology to ease the transition. Why not turn a key to turn on the car? Why not have a standard transmission shaft on the steering wheel or the floor? Why not a standard layout ventilation system?

Instead, you insert a key-like-thing into a hole in the dash then push a start button. Sometimes this made a TV in the dash turn on or resulted in cryptic lights blinking on top of the dash. There was a small joystick looking thing near the wheel that was reminiscent of a transmission, except it provided no tactile feedback that what you were doing had any impact. All the controls were replaced by a touch-screen in the middle of the dash that was extremely distracting with animated displays while driving, especially at night. It often was a 15 minute exercise in frustration just to figure out how to get the vehicle moving.

Once it was moving it had surprisingly peppy pickup and surprisingly uninspired, mushy steering. There was a lot of under-steer to the car, perhaps a result of the low-friction tires which is part of how it gets high mileage.

The interior had good head room for me, although the styling of the exterior leaves a lot to be desired.

Final verdict: I suppose the car is attractive to those seeking some kind of environmental statement and willing to put up with a learning curve on how to drive it. But, a bad choice as a rental vehicle unless you have one already and are used to its quirks. The rental price premium I was charged far outweighs any fuel savings you would get, even with extremely long driving.

Restaurant: Ruth's Chris Steak House Pier 5, Baltimore

2009-08-09T15:12:00.003-04:00

Restaurant: Ruth's Chris Steak House, Baltimore Pier 5
Web Site: http://ruthschris-pier5.com/
Address: 711 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: (410)230-0033

We don't get up to Baltimore enough lately, and while I still know the more traditional places that are still there, the Inner Harbor has really changed from a place where tourists go to a pretty cool place to hang out. The "inner" part seems to have extended all the way out to the Domino Sugar sign with lots of hotels, and the dining scene is greatly expanded.

Unfortunately, the dining scene is mostly the typical chain places. A lot of the more local joints that give Baltimore all that great character don't seem to be around the harbor. So, not a real Baltimore dining experience until you walk around to Little Italy or some place away, but the waterfront is very nice with a lot of activity.

We hit the Ruth's Chris in the hotel on Pier 5, selected mostly for proximity to the concert pavilion. Very good, in that traditional steak house way. Service was great too, with the wait staff being nice to talk to yet not chatty. I think we liked Shula's a little more (a few blocks away) as it had nicer presentation with the meal, but the Ruth Chris location (here, there's another a few blocks away) is definitely a cooler place to be.

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Restaurant: Avra, New York City

2009-07-23T10:56:00.003-04:00

Restaurant: Avra Estiatorio
Web Site: http://www.avrany.com
Address: 141 East 48th Street, New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 759-8550

There on business, meal with colleagues. Lots of seafood, including types imported from the Mediterranean that I never heard of. Great service, great food, super ambiance. They have a small courtyard back off the street with outdoor dining - creates a real nice atmosphere - although it was raining a little so no one was sitting out there.

Didn't scan the wine list, just a glass of Pinot Grigio which is a summertime favorite. Fresh pita bread, hummus, olives, placed on the table to start. Couldn't ask for a nicer business meal.

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Another Technorati Trackback Ping

2009-07-08T15:56:00.000-04:00

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Restaurant: Daily Grill, Tysons Corner, VA

2009-07-07T08:42:00.004-04:00

Restaurant: Daily Grill, Tyson's Corner
Web Site: http://www.dailygrill.com/
Address: 2001 International Drive, McLean, VA
Phone: (703) 288-5100

Daily Grill has a number of locations in the DC area. This one is in the Tyson's Galleria shopping center, AKA Tyson's 2, AKA the New Tyson's.

It's a nice facility, and pretty large including outdoor seating if you want to watch a parking lot. We're usually there pre-concert, so well ahead of any crowd. The service is always good while not being too much, the background music is nice, and the volume level works well for conversation.

The menu is very large and varied, so its a good place to go with a group that doesn't agree on choices. It would be pretty difficult to not find something you like on the menu. The menu ranges from bar food like burgers up through steaks and seafood dishes. Prices are reasonable, but this wouldn't be considered a low cost place.

Martini was off-the-hook good, too. So few places know how to make a good Martini since vodka became popular.

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Restaurant: Papa Razzi - Georgetown

2009-06-30T15:41:00.001-04:00

Restaurant: Papa Razzi Trattoria/Bar
Web Site: http://www.paparazzi-restaurant.com
Address: 1064 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington, DC 20007
Phone: (202) 298-8000

We had been to the location over in Virgina years ago, and it was a hoot because the matre 'd was an operatic tenor. "Happy Birthday" was a very unique experience there!

That location is long gone, and this location right in the heart of Georgetown in Washington DC is better (and super convenient for Blues Alley), nicer, and has parking right next door. Plus, Georgetown is a great location for people watching, and there's a lot of people right outside the bar window.

Service was good, but I think we haven't figured out their strong dishes yet (only the second visit at that location). The scaloppine was a little too crisp, the piccata a little too tart. Salads were great, drinks/wine was great. Next time the small pizzas or a pasta dish to work through the menu.

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Restaurant: Shakti's, Wenatchee, WA

2009-05-12T00:16:00.003-04:00

Restaurant: Shakti's Restaurant
Web Site: http://www.shaktisfinedining.com/
Address: 218 North Mission, Wenatchee, WA
Phone: (509) 662-3321

Very nice atmosphere, great background music (I heard Miles, Grant Green, Charlie Parker), nice wine. The shrimp had too much butter in the sauce (for me), but well done.

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Restaurant: Ricciuti's Brick Oven Pizza

2009-05-05T15:19:00.004-04:00

Restaurant: Ricciuti's Brick Oven Pizza
Web Site: http://www.ricciutis.com/
Address: 3308 Olney Sandy Spring Rd, Olney, MD 20832
Phone: (301) 570-3388

One of our "go to" places. Close by, nice atmosphere, varied menu. Seems like an Italian place, but really its about locally grown, creatively prepared, nice food. The point seems to be the wood fired pizza oven (and its worth the trip), but the entries are frequently what we get.

We found out Monday's are half-price wine night (bonus!), and when the weather is nice the outside tables can be nice if one is available. An old house with lots of room, including a ghost (ask the waiter).

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Restaurant: Shula's Steak House, Baltimore

2009-05-05T15:02:00.004-04:00

Restaurant: Shula's Steak House, Baltimore
Web Site: http://www.donshula.com/rest.php?s=shulas
Address: 101 W Fayette St, Baltimore, MD‎
Phone: (410) 385-6630‎

Been here three times now. Located in the downtown Baltimore Sheraton, and not to be confused with the more casual sports bar Shula's II next to it. A traditional steak house with the typical expensive (yet top notch) cuts of beef and a la carte sides. And in a nod to current eating habits, lots of fish on the menu as well.

Not very crowded on weekends. Maybe its the economy, maybe its the result of being in a business oriented hotel on a weekend, but never very crowded. Service is better than average. Last time the chef ended up chatting with us a while. One of there gimmicks is having everyone cut open their food after presentation and using a flashlight to make sure it is cooked as desired.

Themed to the legendary Don Shula of that undefeated season, the restaurant paints the menu on a football and hangs pictures from that historic team on the walls. As fate would have it, we usually end up near a picture that has the great Washington Redskin Billy Kilmer right in the middle of it. He is a family favorite and the picture is always appreciated.

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Hotel: Marriott Residence Inn Long Beach

2009-04-26T23:20:00.004-04:00

City: Long Beach, California
Chain: Marriott
Property: Marriott Residence Inn - Long Beach
Address: 4111 E Willow St, Long Beach, CA 90815
Phone Number: (562) 595-0909

Check Out: April 2009

Typical Residence Inn experience (which means good things as well as bad things). Right off the 405, very close to Long Beach airport. Some remodeling was going on while I was there. The rooms are more like studio apartments than hotels, and they do a happy hour each night and free breakfast like Hampton Inn.

Rating:

Safety: 1
Dining: 0.5 (breakfast only)
Bar: 0
Internet: 1 (free, wired)
Wireless in Common Areas: 0 (I think)
Work Space, Power: 0.5 (power was not convenient to desks/tables)
Shower: 1
Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
Common Areas: 1

Total: 6

Directions: Off I-5 south of Disneyland exits (College Drive?)

Last Visit: August 2008 ($150)

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Tripit

2009-04-14T18:30:00.003-04:00

I've been using Tripit.com for a while. This is a great service for organizing your travel. Tripit receives your Email notifications of e-tickets, hotel reservations, etc. and organizes them into one nicely formatted itinerary document with maps, weather, and links for check in. You simply forward your reservations and its sends you a notification when its done.

Some added functionality is that you can create a network of fellow travelers with whom you would like to share this information - great for your colleagues. It sends notifications and alerts as you are going to be in the same city.

Because Tripit keeps track of all your flights I'm going to remove the flight records here that have no details and move them to Tripit. I'll leave the ones where I provide some descriptive information.

Restaurant: Wildfire, Chicago

2009-02-19T10:29:00.003-05:00

Restaurant: Wildfire, Chicago
Web Site: http://wildfirerestaurant.com
Address: 159 W. Erie, Chicago, Illinois 60610
Phone: 312-787-9000

Here with a business dinner. Looks like a traditional steakhouse, although the menu was very large and a lot of seafood also. Had about 6 or 7 different ways to order Filet Mignon! Large open kitchen in the back with lots of flames as they have grills and rotisseries running back there. Like a traditional steakhouse, the sides were a la carte.

Service was good, although I was with a large group that was a little too loud to really understand the service.

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Restaurant: The Palm, Boston

2009-02-14T13:09:00.003-05:00

Restaurant: The Palm, Boston
Web Site: http://thepalm.com
Address: At the Westin Coplay Place, 200 Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617.867.9292

Visited for a business lunch. As you would expect, the food was great (although I can't go on and on about a club sandwich), but the real attraction is the service which is off-the-hook good. In Coplay Place which is near the Prudential Center.

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Restaurant: Les Halles, Washington DC

2009-02-09T18:56:00.004-05:00

Restaurant: Les Halles Brassserie
Web Site: http://www.LesHalles.net
Address: 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20004
Phone: 202.347.6848

One of our favorite places to go - kind of casual, the food is great, unique atmosphere, and a great location. Right on Pennsylvania Avenue down the street from the White House, and super convenient for the National and Warner theaters. We usually get the small fillets, and they make the world's greatest french fries.

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Hotel: Hampton Inn Downingtown/Exton

2009-02-08T11:12:00.006-05:00

City: Exton, PA
Chain: Hampton Inn (Hilton)
Property: Hampton Inn Downington/Exton
Address: 4 North Pottstown Pike, Lionville, PA 19341
Phone Number: (610) 363-5555

Check Out: 2009, 2011

(Comments reflect room 232)

Typical Hampton Inn experience, clear, good cost point, easy check in and check out, limited services but free Internet and parking. Very close to PA Turnpike Downingtown/Exton exit, not too far from Valley Forge/King of Prussia.

Bathroom was a bit small, would have been nice to have the external vanity/sink area. Closet was kind of small, and had clothes rod mounted facing out which makes it very hard to hang clothing in there.

Good lighting, in room refrigerator and microwave. Might have made the best hot tea in room yet (although that's a low bar).

Rating:

Safety: 1 (in the middle of nowhere)
Dining: .5 Breakfast only (on lower end of Hampton experience)
Bar: 0, beer for sale though
Internet: 1 (free)
Wireless in Common Areas: 1
Work Space, Power: .5 (limited power)
Shower: .5 (Shower head at shoulder height)
Air Conditioning, Bed: .5 (Loud AC)
Common Areas: 1

Total: 6

Directions:

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Last Visit: 2011, $110

Hotel: Hampton Inn Dayton-Airport

2009-02-05T18:14:00.003-05:00

City: Dayton, Ohio
Chain: Hampton Inn (Hilton)
Property: Hampton Inn & Suites Dayton-Airport
Address: 180 Rockridge Road, Englewood, Ohio 45322
Phone Number: (937) 832-3333
Map:

Check Out: August 2008

Typical Hampton Inn experience (which is positive - clean, internet, free breakfast).

Staff was extremely nice and friendly, as is typical for the Dayton area, and especially appreciated when arriving very late from delayed travel. Near the airport, but not as close as you'd think.

Rating:

Safety: 1
Dining: 1 (breakfast only, buffet)
Bar: 0
Internet: 1
Wireless in Common Areas: 0
Work Space, Power: 1
Shower: 1
Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
Common Areas: 1

Total: 7

Directions:
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Last Visit: August 2008 ($120)

Hotel: DoubleTree Hotel Anaheim/Orange County

2008-08-17T15:56:00.002-04:00

City: Orange, California (Orange County)
Chain: DoubleTree
Property: DoubleTree Hotel Anaheim/Orange County
Address: 100 The City Drive, Orange, CA 92868
Phone Number: (714) 634-4500

Check Out: August 2008

Nice hotel, although proximity to Disneyland makes it cater to tourists more than business. A little noisy in the halls at night, etc.

Right off interstate 5, easy to get to.

Rating:

Safety: 1
Dining: 1
Bar: 1 (untested)
Internet: 1 (not free, available throughout hotel)
Wireless in Common Areas: 1
Work Space, Power: 1
Shower: 0 (came out the wall around 6 foot)
Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
Common Areas: 1

Total: 8

Directions: Off I-5 south of Disneyland exits (College Drive?)

Last Visit: August 2008 ($150)

Hotel: Westin DFW Airport

2008-08-13T22:58:00.003-04:00

City: Irving, Texas
Chain: Westin (Starwood)
Property: Westin DFW Airport Hotel
Address: 4545 W. John Carpenter Freeway, Irving, Texas 75063
Phone Number: (972) 929-4500

Check Out: August 2008

Hotel is a very nice business class hotel. Unexpected was the noise level in the hallway for a hotel in this price range in the middle of the week - drunken conversation in the hall around 1 AM, little kids yelling in the hallway around 6 AM.

Room was nice and comfortable. Flat panel television mounted on the wall with an extremely low res signal coming into it (so what's the point) and a remote with dead batteries. Other than that, very clean, nice staff, very comfortable bed, mini-bar in the room, and plenty of plugs for charging batteries.

Wireless Internet signal weak in rooms at the end of the hall - wired Internet did not work.

Rating:

Safety: 1
Dining: 1 (several choices, breakfast buffet a little overpriced for what it was but coffee was good)
Bar: 1 (untested)
Internet: 1 (not free, weak signal)
Wireless in Common Areas: 0
Work Space, Power: 1
Shower: 1
Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
Common Areas: 1

Total: 8

Directions: Near DFW

Last Visit: August 2008 ($unknown - company paid but I think around $170)

Flight: AirTran 801 DFW-BWI

2008-08-12T22:53:00.000-04:00

Departing From: Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW)
Traveling To: Baltimore, MD (BWI)
ETD: 4:08PM August 12, 2008 CST (Actual 4:20 PM)
ETA: 8:38PM August 12, 2008 EST (Actual 8:08 PM)
Est. Duration: 3 h 30 m (Actual 3 h)
Departure Gate: E17
Arrival Gate: 27
Seat: 22D
Equipment: Boeing 717
Miles:
Other:

Exit row seat, so not too bad. Long flight - seat wouldn't stay up. No one in the middle seat, which is especially nice on a long flight. Was able to open the laptop and get work done for a change.

Left a few minutes late, arrived about a half hour early which is especially sweet. A little turbulence, but nothing bad.

Airports: Dayton International Airport (DAY)

2008-08-05T14:49:00.002-04:00

Airport Name: Dayton International Airport
FAA Sign: DAY
Location: Dayton, OH USA
Airport Web Site: http://www.daytonairport.com/

Medium sized airport - 2 main concourses about 22 gates on each. Quite a long walk for an airport this size. Some food services in the center of the two concourses, but once you take the long walk down the concourse there isn't much there.

Free WiFi in concourse C - a rare luxury. Not too bad on the bandwidth either.

Restaurant: Moon Gate

2008-07-07T11:30:00.002-04:00

(301) 657-3740
4613 Willow Lane
Bethesda, MD 20815

A sister restaurant to China Gourmet in Kensington, and the former Moonlight Gourmet in Rockville. Moonlight Gourmet was our go-to place for a long time until it closed down a little while ago. We miss it a lot, including the staff there.

Moon Gate is similar in downtown Bethesda. Similar menu with some minor differences. Municipal parking across the street, so easy to park and get to, right off Wisconsin avenue.

Hotel: Four Seasons Hotel Miami

2008-06-23T00:10:00.004-04:00

City: Miami, FL
Chain: Four Seasons
Property: Four Seasons Hotel Miami
Address: 1435 Brickell Avenue, Miami, Florida 33131
Phone Number: (305) 358-3535

Check Out: May 2008

Obviously, as nice as hotels get, and the only reason I was here was because of a convention in the building. The hotel is incredibly nice and stylish, and also in the heart of Miami. The bottom 9 or so floors of the building are office space, so the common areas, dining, pools, etc. are actually about 10 stories up. So, while in the middle of town, its up and away from the noise of the street and overlooking water. A resort in the sky.

Service and staff were as good as they could be, influenced by the culture of Miami. A lot of fun dining on paella and sangria, and also funny teaching a temporary bartender how to make a martini ("just pour gin in the shaker with ice").

Note: this hotel is beyond the expectations of an expense account for business travel.

Rating:

Safety: 1 (never left 10 stories up, don't know about the neighborhood)
Dining: 1 (unbelievably good, pricey)
Bar: 1 (top notch)
Internet: 1 (not free, should be deducted at this price)
Wireless in Common Areas: 0
Work Space, Power: 1
Shower: 1
Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
Common Areas: 2 (bonus)

Total: 9

Directions:

Last Visit: May 2008 ($345 through convention)

Hotel: Marriott Courtyard Collegeville PA

2008-06-22T16:42:00.005-04:00

City: Collegeville, PA
Chain: Marriott
Property: Courtyard by Marriott Collegeville
Address: 600 Campus Drive, Collegeville, PA 19426
Phone Number: (484) 974-2600

Check Out: June 2008

Your basic Courtyard experience. The hotel sat on top of a hill with nothing near it for a while, but there is now a large shopping area across the highway with several places to eat including Olive Garden and PF Chiang, a Best Buy, Wegmen's grocery, and many others. 15 min drive to King of Prussia if you need shopping overload.

Rating:

Safety: 1 (in the middle of nowhere)
Dining: .5 Breakfast only (didn't try it). Free coffee & tea
Bar: 0, beer for sale though
Internet: 1 (free)
Wireless in Common Areas: 1
Work Space, Power: 1
Shower: 1
Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
Common Areas: 1

Total: 7.5

Directions:

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Last Visit: November 2008 ($109 a night through Orbitz)

Flight: United 860 IAD-BOS

2008-04-23T08:30:00.000-04:00

Flight: US Air 3088 DCA-IND

2008-02-18T15:40:00.002-05:00

Flight: US Air 2043 BOS-DCA

Departing From: Indianapolis, IN (IND)
Traveling To: Washington, DC (DCA
ETD: 4:10PM February 18, 2008
ETA: 6:15PM February 18, 2008
Est. Duration: 1 h 30 m
Departure Gate: D1
Arrival Gate:
Seat: 9D
Equipment: Embraer 135
Miles:
Other:

We had made a pack to avoid US Air, and this reminded us why. Switched to an earlier flight because we got to the airport way earlier, and the flight was delayed back to the time of the original flight. US Air's ability to hit schedules is getting very bad.

Restaurant: Sakura - Olney

2008-02-15T00:19:00.000-05:00

(301) 260-7676
18143 Villiage Mart Drive
Olney MD 20832

Combination Japanese steak house and Sushi Bar. In a strip mall.

Restaurant: Cafe Deluxe Bethesda

2008-02-15T00:12:00.002-05:00

Elm Street (Bethesda Row)
Bethesda, MD

Same menu as the Tysons Corner location. The small pizzas are great, the salads are great. Seared tuna is a personal fave. This location is just a big square room - noisier than the Tyson's location (which is no quiet joint either), and the crowd is much more families than kids compared to Tysons which is more of an adult gathering place.

Parking is easy behind in the municipal lot. Lots of alternatives in the neighborhood as well.

Restaurant: Carrabba's Italian Grill - Southport

2008-01-22T10:45:00.001-05:00

4690 Southport Crossing
Southport, Indiana 46237
317-881-0844

Same as others. A little heavy on the fried and cream sauce options, but nice place for business trip dining with others when trying to not spend too much.

Restaurant: The Rusty Pelican

2008-01-11T16:12:00.000-05:00

2735 West Coast Highway
Newport Beach, California 92663
949.642.3431

Upscale seaside restuarant, next to a marina. Had lunch there, and it was dark inside, bright outside. But, very good food and service.

Not too far from Long Beach airport, 10 miles or so.

US Air flight 3897 on...

2008-01-11T08:32:00.001-05:00

US Air flight 3897 on the 9th of January left 8:35 from Washington Reagan Airport to Indianoplis airport seat 3A unremarkable flight. listen

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Flight: US Air #3088 IND-DCA

2008-01-09T16:40:00.000-05:00

US Air flight 3088 from Indianapolis to Washington Reagan, sat seat 11A, we got airport early and we were able to catch a flight should've missed or delayed two hours early. Tiny little Embraer 175, about 5 feet of headroom in this little guy.

Flight: American #1442 ORD-DCA

2007-09-26T21:49:00.000-04:00

Departing From: Chicago, IL (ORD)
Traveling To: Washington, DC (DCA)
ETD: 4:10PM September 26, 2007 CST (Actual 5:30 PM)
ETA: 6:15PM September 26, 2007 EST
Est. Duration: 2 h 30 m
Departure Gate: H4
Arrival Gate: 28
Seat: 31D
Equipment: MD-80
Miles:
Other:

Full flight, way in the back next to the engines. Thank God for Etoymonic Isolator earphones. Two days of endless stress traveling due to delays, wait listed flights, and no hotels available in the Ohare area. This one left reasonably on-time and was just glad when it was over.

Do yourself a favor and avoid Chicago Ohare whenever possible. Its a chaotic place without customer service and few options if there is a problem. Gates change frequently and you'll never hear the announcements. Gate agents are overloaded, customer service counters are non-existent or unstaffed, food choices are bad or too busy to use.

Had to grab a sandwich from Starbucks - the only portable things available outside McDonald's as our gate was changed three times. Back of an MD-80 has good things - the left side is a galley area so less passengers (meaning less crowded, less noise, less luggage, etc.), but the engines mounted on the side are noisy so plan accordingly.

Flight: Southwest #2997 JAN-BWI

2007-09-14T23:24:00.000-04:00

Departing From: Jackson, MS (JAN)
Traveling To: Baltimore, MD (BWI)
ETD: 2:55PM September 14, 2007
ETA: 6:15PM September 14, 2007
Est. Duration: 2 h 30 m
Departure Gate: 4
Arrival Gate: B something
Seat:
Equipment: Boeing 737
Miles:
Other:

Flight was not very crowded, a little turbulent with the remainder of a hurricane we were flying through.

Flight: Southwest #1161 BWI-JAN

2007-09-13T23:29:00.000-04:00

Departing From: Baltimore, MD (BWI)
Traveling To: Jackson, MS (JAN)
ETD: 5:30PM September 13, 2007
ETA: 6:30PM September 13, 2007
Est. Duration: 2 h 30 m
Departure Gate: A-4
Arrival Gate:
Seat:
Equipment: Boeing 737
Miles:
Other:

Full flight, typical Southwest experience...

Flight: Southwest #133 MCI-BWI

2007-08-29T23:53:00.000-04:00

Departing From: Kansas City, MS (MCI)
Traveling To: Baltimore, MD (BWI)
ETD: 7:20PM (CST) August 29, 2007
ETA: 10:40PM (EST) August 29, 2007
Est. Duration: 2 h 30 m
Departure Gate:
Arrival Gate:
Seat:
Equipment: Boeing 737
Miles:
Other:

Flight: Midwest #100 DCA-MCI

2007-08-29T11:55:00.000-04:00

Departing From: Washington, DC (DCA)
Traveling To: Kansas City, MS (MCI)
ETD: 7:20PM (CST) August 29, 2007
ETA: 10:40PM (EST) August 29, 2007
Est. Duration: 2 h 30 m
Departure Gate:
Arrival Gate:
Seat:
Equipment: Boeing 717
Miles:
Other:

Nice flight - very comfortable. Meals available for purchase that were good as well.

Flight: US Air 2043 BOS-DCA

2007-08-27T19:59:00.000-04:00

Departing From: Boston, MA (BOS)
Traveling To: Washington, DC (DCA)
ETD: 4:45PM August 27, 2007
ETA: 6:15PM August 27, 2007
Est. Duration: 1 h 30 m
Departure Gate: B-18
Arrival Gate: 43
Seat: 18C
Equipment: Airbus 319
Miles:
Other:

Switched to an earlier flight - got back to the airport sooner than expected. Nice an empty, no one in the aisle with me. US Air tried the $25 stand by fee again then waived it. Silly.

Ear pain from air pressure in cabin again. Only happens on Airbus 319... Ear didn't clear until tomorrow morning.

Flight: US Air 2028 DCA-BOS

2007-08-27T07:55:00.000-04:00

Departing From: Washington, DC (DCA)
Traveling To: Boston, MA (BOS)
ETD: 9:45PM August 27, 2007
ETA: 11:15AM August 27, 2007
Est. Duration: 1 h 30 m
Departure Gate: 45
Arrival Gate:
Seat: 10C
Equipment: Airbus 319
Miles:
Other:

Supposed to go 8:45 on 2026 - messed up tickets, changed to 9:45. US Air is trying to charge $25 for a "stand by fee", waiving it for now. Probably to let us get used to the idea. Note to self, avoid US Air. This was a full fare charge on the Shuttle, for cryin' out loud.

Flight: American #1879 DCA-MIA

2007-08-06T21:00:00.001-04:00

Departing From: Washington, DC (DCA)
Traveling To: Miami, FL (MIA)
ETD: 7:15AM August 6, 2007
ETA: 9:40AM August 6, 2007
Est. Duration: 2 h
Departure Gate:
Arrival Gate:
Seat:
Equipment:
Miles:
Other:

Flight: American #1290 MIA-DCA

2007-08-06T21:00:00.000-04:00

Departing From: Miami, FL (MIA)
Traveling To: Washington, DC (DCA)
ETD: 7:15PM August 6, 2007
ETA: 9:40AM August 6, 2007
Est. Duration: 2 h
Departure Gate:
Arrival Gate:
Seat:
Equipment:
Miles:
Other:

Menu: Restaurants by City

2007-05-19T09:42:00.049-04:00

California

Los Angeles

Charlie Parker's (Orange County)
Sonoma Grill (Norwalk)

Monterey/Big Sur

Sacramento

Taro's by Mikuni

District of Columbia

Clyde's (Gallery Place)
Les Halles (Federal Triangle)
Malaysia Kopitiam (Dupont Circle)
Oceanaire Seafood House (Metro Center)
Papa Razzi (Georgetown)

Indiana

Indianapolis

Carrabba's Italian Grill - Southport

Illinois

Chicago

Bella Bacino's
Volare
Wildfire

Maryland

Baltimore

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Pier 5, Baltimore
Shula's Steak House, Baltimore

Bethesda

Barking Dog
Black's
Cafe Deluxe Bethesda
City Lights of China
Chipotle
Crossfire
Mama Lucia's
McCormick and Schmick's

Mon Ami Gabi
Moon Gate
Oakville Grille and Wine Bar
Philadelphia Mike's
Pizzaria Da Marco
Quizno's
Tako Grill
Tastee Diner
Terrace Deli

Chevy Chase

La Ferme

Columbia/Ellicot City

Clyde's of Columbia
Tersiguel's French Country Restaurant

Kensington

China Gourmet
K-Town Bistro
Savannah's

Olney

Big Greek Cafe
Olney Grill
Ricciuti's Brick Oven Pizza
Sakura - Olney

Rockville

Clyde's Tower Oaks
Moonlight Gourmet
Ruby Tuesday
Seasons 52

Wheaton

Christina's

Massachusetts

Boston

The Palm

New York

New York City

Avra
Shinbashi

Pennsylvania

Exton

White Horse Tavern

Lancaster

Iron Horse Inn

Texas

Dallas

La Calle Doce

Grapevine

Gaylord Texan Resort, Texan Station

Virginia

Tysons/McLean

Cafe Deluxe - Tyson's
Chef Geoff's - Tyson's
Daily Grill
Legal Seafood
McCormick & Schmick's
Wildfire

Washington

Seattle

Von's

Wenatchee

Shakti's

Wisconsin

Milwaukee

Umami Moto

Hotel: Quality Suites Oceanfront - Jacksonville

2007-03-17T16:13:00.000-04:00

City: Jacksonville Beach, FL
Chain: Quality Inn
Property: Quality Suites Oceanfront, Jacksonville
Address: 11 North 1st Street, Jacksonville Beach, FL
Phone Number: 904-435-3535

Check Out: March 2007

Right on the beach. A Florida Beach with palm trees and everything. A bit far from JAX airport, maybe 25 miles.

Like many beachfront hotels, the decor was a little beat up and not very stylish. Because it doesn't have to be, because you are there for the beach. It's a bit more noticeable when you are not there for the beach but are there for business.

Staff was extremely nice and courteous, and the rooms were very clean. They had free breakfast in the morning in the style of a Hampton Inn, but it wasn't very good. Too microwave tasting or something - strange. Better food/bar would have knocked up my score a bit. The hotel gift shop is stocked with beer and wine. Internet was free in the room - cabled. The rooms have a balcony overlooking the dunes and then the beach, with a wide boardwalk (concrete actually) in front.

Because of daylight savings time, didn't really see what the beach looked like since it was dark when we got in, and dark when we got up. A few quick pictures, and we sat outside waiting for our ride to the airport, which was nice.

Rating:

Safety: 1
Dining: .5 Breakfast only (bad)
Bar: 0
Internet: 1 (free wired)
Wireless in Common Areas: 0
Work Space, Power: 1
Shower: 1 (excellent)
Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
Common Areas: 1

Total: 6.5

Directions:

Last Visit: March, 2007 ($159 a night, corporate rate)

Hotel: Sleep Inn Charlottesville

2007-02-25T18:01:00.000-05:00

City: Charlottesville, VA
Chain: Sleep Inn
Property: Sleep Inn Charlottesville
Address: 5th Avenue, Charlottesville, VA
Phone Number: (434) 244-9969

Check Out: February 2007

Discount hotel, short on ammenities, but clean. Room ("suite" style) wasn't much on furniture but it was very large.

They provide breakfast in the morning, but there's a Waffle House across the street, and a Burger King next store. Not an interesting part of Charlottesville, but close to the Interstate.

Rating:

Safety: 1
Dining: .5 Breakfast only (didn't try it - we went across the street)
Bar: 0
Internet: 0 ("data jack" is a phone jack - although I found an open WiFi nearby)
Wireless in Common Areas: 0
Work Space, Power: 1
Shower: 1
Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
Common Areas: .5

Total: 5

Directions:

Last Visit: February 13, 2007 ($209 a night)

Hotel: Sheraton Great Valley

2007-02-20T00:17:00.001-05:00

City: Frazer, PA
Chain: Sheraton
Property: Sheraton Great Valley Hotel
Address: 707 East Lancaster Avenue, Route 202 and 30, Frazer, Pennsylvania, 19355
Phone Number: (610) 524-5500

Check Out: February 2007

Very nice hotel. Frequented by QVC visitors (QVC is nearby), so much higher than normal ratio of famous people to regular people as they try to sell their merchendise. Rooms were nice, staff was very nice. The air conditioner in the room was way too loud and they promptly changed us to another room.

Attached to the hotel is a nice historic inn, with a nice breakfast in the morning. Definately worth another stay.

A little difficult to get to depending on the direction you are approaching on route 30. You might need to get off at Exton and drive down old route 30.

Rating:

Safety: 1
Dining: 1
Bar: 1
Internet: ? (unknown)
Wireless in Common Areas: ?
Work Space, Power: 1
Shower: 1 (awesome - high up and wasteful)
Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
Common Areas: 1

Total: 7

Directions:

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Last Visit: February 13, 2007 ($209 a night)

Restaurant: La Calle Doce

2007-02-17T23:56:00.000-05:00

415 West 12th Street
Dallas, Texas 75208
214-941-4304

Had lunch here, and it's a great little place to eat. Unique, or probably authentic, mexican cooking. Home cooked nachos, seafood soup, and great tacos and fajitas. Nice but casual.

The flan was a real treat. Much denser than what I have had in the past. Almost like a cheesecake in consistency.

Hotel: Courtyard Dallas Market Center

2007-02-16T17:42:00.000-05:00

City: Dallas, TX
Chain: Marriott
Property: Courtyard Dallas Market Center
Address: 2150 Market Center Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75207
Phone Number: (214) 653-1166

Check Out: February 13, 2007

Your basic Courtyard experience, although the shower was much nicer than usual, and the dining room and room service seemed a bit more than usual. Also, a real bar with a real bartender who poured great drinks.

There's a Denny's next store if you need something different. There's a little pool and garden area in the middle of the building (outside). It seemed a bit more upscale than a normal Courtyard.

Rating:

Safety: 1
Dining: 1
Bar: 1
Internet: 1 (free and slow, or paid and fast)
Wireless in Common Areas: 1
Work Space, Power: 1
Shower: 1 (awesome - high up and wasteful)
Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
Common Areas: 1

Total: 9

Directions:

Last Visit: February 13, 2007 ($209 a night)

Flight: United #5351 SAT-IAD

2007-02-14T16:28:00.000-05:00

Departing From: San Antonio, TX (SAT)
Traveling To: Washington, DC (IAD)
ETD: 12:02PM February 14, 2007 (actual: 3:00 PM)
ETA: 3:20PM February 14, 2007 (actual: 7:00 PM)
Est. Duration:
Departure Gate: 16
Arrival Gate:
Seat:
Equipment:
Miles:
Other:

I was supposed to be on a 1-stop through O'hare. But there was winter weather all up the northeast portion of the country which killed schedules everywhere. This was a flight that was supposed to leave before I got to the airport, but it was delayed because Dulles was closed. So, I was able to get on, which was a double bonus:

My connection through O'hare was cancelled later.
The equipment and crew were here, so I knew this flight would get there once Dulles was open.

So, ended up home a little later than original, but I did much better than I would have with the original tickets!

Airports: Charlotte/Douglas International Airport (CLT)

2007-02-11T18:47:00.000-05:00

Airport Name: Charlotte/Douglas International Airport
FAA Sign: CLT
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Airport Web Site: http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Airport/Home.htm

Airports: Reagan National Airport (DCA)

2007-02-11T18:38:00.000-05:00

Airport Name: Ronald Reagan Washington International Airport
FAA Sign: DCA
Location: Washington, DC USA
Airport Web Site: http://www.metwashairports.com/national/

The smallest, and the best of the three Washington area commercial airports. The perfect size for lots of services, easy parking, and getting in and our easily. There is a Metro stop right there, and the daily parking is an easy walk across a bridge to get inside. Lots of dining and shopping, an incredible view across the Potomac river to our nation's capital.

Driving there can be difficult. During rush hour you are fighting every other driver in the DC area. One mistake by one driver on the GW parkway means you might miss your flight if your schedule is tight. However, heads and shoulders the best experience compared to IAD and BWI.

Restaurant: White Horse Tavern

2007-02-10T09:39:00.000-05:00

707 East Lancaster Avenue, Route 202 & 30
Frazer, PA 19355
Phone: 610-524-5500

Historic tavern attached to a Sheraton hotel. The decor is "tavern" - a fireplace in each room, chair rail moulding, creaky floors, etc. We had breakfast here buffet style, and it was good and the service was good.

We liked all the horse themed pictures on the walls.

Flight: US Air #2043 BOS-DCA

2007-01-23T16:02:00.000-05:00

Departing From: Boston, MA (BOS)
Traveling To: Washington, DC (DCA)
ETD: 04:45PM January 23, 2007
ETA: 06:20PM January 23, 2007
Est. Duration:
Departure Gate:
Arrival Gate:
Seat:
Equipment: Airbus A319
Miles:
Other:

Flight: US Air #978 CLT-BOS

2007-01-22T21:59:00.000-05:00

Departing From: Charlotte, NC (CLT)
Traveling To: Boston, MA (BOS)
ETD: 09:30PM January 22, 2007
ETA: 11:24PM January 22, 2007
Est. Duration:
Departure Gate:
Arrival Gate:
Seat:
Equipment: Boeing 757-200
Miles:
Other:

Flight: US Air #2362 Gainsville, FL-CLT

2007-01-22T19:10:00.000-05:00

Departing From: Gainesville, FL
Traveling To: Charlotte, NC (CLT)
ETD: 07:10PM January 22, 2007
ETA: 08:30PM January 22, 2007
Est. Duration:
Departure Gate:
Arrival Gate:
Seat:
Equipment: CRJ50
Miles:
Other:

Flight: US Air #2401 CLT-Gainesville, FL

2007-01-22T09:19:00.000-05:00

Departing From: Charlotte, NC (CLT)
Traveling To: Gainesville, FL
ETD: 09:19AM January 22, 2007
ETA: 10:36AM January 22, 2007
Est. Duration:
Departure Gate:
Arrival Gate:
Seat:
Equipment: CRJ50
Miles:
Other: