Diva on the road!

Update!

2010-05-04T18:27:00.000-07:00

My most recent posts can be found here:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/565728/mallory_cyr.html

I found it a better way to get recognized for contributions, and more of a following! If you like my stuff feel free to add me as a favorite.

Here are some of the most recent reviews!

The Marriott Marquis- Times Square, NYC:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2936022/review_of_the_marriott_marquis_nyc.html?cat=16

Gaylord National, National Harbor, MD:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2899394/review_of_gaylord_national_resort_hotel.html?cat=16

And stay tuned for a review of the Warwick hotel in Denver, coming soon!!!

Kelly's Landing- a taste of New England!

2009-06-11T18:26:00.000-07:00

Kelly's Landing, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

http://kellyslandingseafood.com/

My first night in Fort Lauderdale, eating outside of the hotel, I asked our young valets where we could get some good local seafood, with a good vibe, and they sent us here. Imagine our surprise when, being from Maine, we see a sign that says “home of the Boston Red Sox!”
We enjoyed lobster, scallops and beer, all for a great price, and the staff was very kind and called us a cab with no question when we were ready to go back to the hotel! Wonderful food and experience, but for something different that didn’t feel like home, we would go somewhere else!

Sushi Samba- Awesome 24th Birthday!

2009-06-11T15:30:00.000-07:00

Sushi Samba, Lincoln Rd. Miami, Florida

http://www.sushisamba.com/

I ate here on my birthday, when I decided to rent a car and drive from Fort Lauderdale (which proved to be less than festive)We were recommended to eat here by a makeup artist at the MAC pro store on South Beach and decided to give it a try.

Our waiter was outstanding, and as soon as I informed him it was my birthday, he said "I'm bringing you a shot on the house!" The shot proved to be the size of a five oz glass of wine so I sipped it through dinner, but it was lovely. I went on to tell him about the mediocre tourist trap lunch we had on south beach where I got trapped into paying for a $31 drink, so he made it his agenda to make sure we had an amazing dinner to counteract our crappy time at lunch.
and oh man we did. Our waiter kept our waters topped off and cold, the food was delicious and came in very reasonable time, but the best part was when he brought out our dessert platter with a sparkler in it and explained, "well it's your birthday!" We also observed on the bill, my dessert (which was over $10) had been discounted!
We were also allowed to sit and relax as long as we wanted and did not feel pressured to leave so they could get new patrons.
Although we ate outside (which was so cool to just relax and people watch) we did go inside to use the bathroom and although the music was loud, it had a very cool, trendy vibe and it was obvious this place is a hot spot!
It was a wonderful, fun, delicious experience, and probably my best birthday to date. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a NON-TOURIST TRAP Miami dinner experience!!

Overall: **** (4 out of 5)

Loved: the atmosphere, the service, beverages

Not so much: I've had better sushi, and menu seemed limited

Embassy Suites, Fort Lauderdale- far from luxury

2009-06-02T15:16:00.000-07:00

Embassy Suites, Fort Lauderdale

Overall I enjoyed my stay at this hotel, but I definitely would not consider it luxury.
Upon check in, everyone was very friendly, but we were not assisted with our bags or getting to our room, we did everything

ourselves. Granted, I am sure we could’ve asked someone but there did not look to be many bellmen around and we just wanted to get to our room.
Having never stayed at an Embassy Suites before, I was pleasantly surprised to find out we did have an actual suite with a living room, kitchenette and very accessible bathroom! The layout of the hotel was very fun too; similar to a Marriott I stayed at in NYC, but with a tropical vibe.
The free cocktail hour was wonderful as was the wait staff at the E spot restaurant in the hotel,

where we ate several times without tiring of the food! When you look with a closer eye this hotel does need some updating (cracked tiles, peeling paint, etc), and the $10 a day wifi is spotty, but the service was wonderful and I had a lovely time. I would probably stay here again if I were in the area on a tight budget!

Overall: *** (3 out of 5)

Loved: beachy vibe, nice people, free cocktail hour!!!!

Not so much: needs maintenance, not much in the area

The Last Unicorn

2009-03-13T19:39:00.000-07:00

The Last Unicorn
Waterville, Maine

COMING SOON....

Marriott Wardman Park Hotel

2009-02-26T20:25:00.000-08:00

Marriott Wardman Park,
Washington DC

I recently stayed at the Marriott Wardman for a conference (as it is mostly a convention hotel) and must ay I was not disappointed. However, for such an extravagent establishment, I found it odd that it was missing some of the simple basics.

I believe my room may have been upgraded, or was just an accessible room. Originally I was supposed to only stay for 2 days then move in with a colleague for a meeting that occurred after the original conference, due to availability, but after talking to the kind people at check in, they assured me everything had been taken care of and I was escorted to a large room in the Park Tower.

I must give this hotel kudos, for it's ACTUAL accessibility. I have been in "accessible rooms" before that simply had a bar in the bathroom, but the size was hardly substantial enough for a wheelchair! This room had a large tiled foyer with a kitchenette, that was perfect to park my motorized scooter I use when I travel! the bathroom was also very accessible. It was very large, and had a hand held shower head that could be lowered.

However- although the bathroom was huge, the one thing it lacked was HOOKS. there was absolutely NOWHERE to even hang a towel. I happen to have hanging toiletry bags, and I couldn't put them anywhere. I ended up setting them on a counter, and things kept falling out and on to the floor. Very annoying.

Also, the fact that internet was $13 a day and was NOT wireless was very frustrating. Clearly when you travel on business you are going to need to access your email and the internet, and it was irritating to say the least to be tied to the desk to access the internet. Very circa 1999.
Either have it wired, and have it FREE, or have wifi and charge a little less...but still there is no need to pay such a rate daily to sit at a desk.
Room service was also out of this world expensive. We ended up paying $80 for breakfast for 2, and all we got was eggs benedict and coffee. A carafe of coffee for 2 was $17, and of course the delivery fee is ridiculous. The quality of the food was decent, but nowhere near $80 worth of amazing! The 2nd day we ordered breakfast, we noted there were 2 diners, and we did not receive a table. One of us had to dine at the desk, while the other just sat in a chair with their tray on the ottoman....not an ideal situation, especially for the cost.

Although the on site coffee was Starbucks brand, there was not a Starbucks location in the hotel, which I found to be disappointing, especially for the size of the establishment.

The size was definitely exquisite, and although it took me about our entire stay to start learning where things were (the entire hotel is like a maze, with 2 different towers) the hotel staff is very accommodating and helpful. there are staff members at every high traffic area to answer questions of where to go, so I didn't waste too much time getting lost after the first day.

The conference facilities were nice, but after the third luncheon I began to get sick of the typical salad, chicken and rolls. Luckily, both restaurants were wonderful with great food and service! For a nice change on the last couple of days. For our last dinner, the concierge also referred us to a delicious japanese restaurant that was within walking distance. The hotel was very close to lots of great places to eat and shop!

Overall not a bad place, in a great location, but I am not sure that I would stay here if I had my choice of hotels in the DC area...it misses the mark on simple things, and the $13 a day internet is definitely not conducive to teleworking.

Overall: *** (3 out of 5)

Loved: location, spacious room, good service, ACCESSIBILITY
Not so much: Very expensive WIRED internet, hard to navigate, no towel hooks!

Point Lookout! Breathtaking

2009-01-26T20:09:00.000-08:00

Point Lookout!
Northport, Maine

The last weekend in January, my agency held a conference at Point Lookout in northern Maine. In years prior, this annual event had been held at the Samoset, but it was time for a change, and we thought this would provide a wonder retreat experience, while providing sufficient accommodations and services for a conference.

We were not let down!
Getting there was quite a drive, but it went quickly since the scenery got increasingly beautiful as we got closer to Northport.

At first the facility was a little difficult to navigate since everything is spread out over the mountain in different buildings, but it got easier as the conference progressed.
We checked into our "luxury 2 bedroom cabin" and really would've been content to just stay there for the weekend. The bedrooms both had large, comfortable queen beds and their own adjoining bathroom (each with a shower).

There was also a spacious kitchen area with a dining room table large enough for an entire family to have a meal together.

The hardwood floors started off chilly, but warmed up quickly when we turned on the heat and the small gas fireplace in the living room.

Such a different setting from a classic hotel room, but still definitely luxury and oh so cozy during the winter!

The conference facilities were just as lovely. The keynote speakers took place in a gorgeous ballroom with a surrounding glass window with a view of the mountain. It was absolutely breathtaking when the sun was just peaking over the horizon. The other rooms had wonderfully comfortable chairs and great tables that made me feel like I was at a big city exec meeting. The lobbies all had cozy fireplaces and large comfortable chairs. Every room had atmosphere and provided such a great vibe of warmth.

In addition to the fabulous accomodations, all of the food was wonderful. The breakfast was very filling (I've had some terrible conference "breakfasts") with fresh fruit and several kinds of bagels, croissants and pasteries. The lunches, cocktail hours and dinners we had also exceeded my expectations and I never left a meal still feeling hungry! It was clear that great was put into every aspect of this resort

My one only small gripe was that the lodging was down the mountain from the actual location of the conference events (which were at the top of the mountain in the "summit" We ended up driving back and forth a lot, which was a little frustrating since it was very cold and windy. Beyon that however, I would definitely return to Point Lookout, either for a conference or just a relaxing weekend get away. No matter the season, this place could definitely provide a wonderful retreat!

I give it: **** (4 out of 5 stars)

Liked: great food, great accommodations
Not so much: It's definitely a trick to make mountain layout user friendly and accessible!

Just an update.

2009-01-12T19:33:00.000-08:00

This winter has been pretty low key- which means no travel. It was nice to spend some time at home, with the family, but with spring right around the corner, things are going to be picking up again! There's lots of travel coming up and since one of my resolutions for 2009 was to blog more faithfully, I promise to keep up to date with reviews on this thing! I hope you'll all pack your proverbial bags and come along for the ride. I'm ready!

here's a look at what's to come!

Paradise Cove, Malibu

2008-07-05T07:01:00.000-07:00

Paradise Cove, Malibu, CA

http://www.paradisecovemalibu.com/parking.htm

I had lunch here while visiting my friend in los

angeles. It was a beautiful drive, and the lunch

was just as great! We were taken right to a table on the beach and got to eat

with our feet in the sand. The service was surprisingly slow seeing as the place was not too crowded, but it was lunch time...

We all got salads, and I had "bob's Cobb" which was absolutely huge, but delicious and I was able to get the leftovers to go, so it was more than one meal for the price. The highlight was when a seagull started dining at the table next to us after the customers who were eating there left. Everyone was amused by him!

Beyond the slow service (we waited quite awhile for drinks and then after we ordered it was another lengthy period before our food actually came...) it was a gorgeous place to eat, with wonderful food. The perfect beach lunch! I'd definitely recommend it to anyone to try at least once!

Overall: ****

Liked: Great food, good atmosphere!

Disliked: slow service...

Firestone's Restaurant- Woodstock, VT

2008-06-17T20:35:00.000-07:00

Firestone's

http://www.firestonesrestaurant.net/

On the search for dinner before ascending Mt. Killington for a conference, I randomly ended up at the Firestone Restaurant and had no regrets.

It must be absolutely majestic in the winter, as it's beautiful even in the off season. The door to the place resembles that of a mythical castle, and when you walk in, it's like entering a giant ski lodge. Everything is made of wood, there's a fire burning, and the bar is accented with strings of twinkle lights. The ambiance is to die for! And this was before I even had food!

Our waitress was very friendly and brought us our drinks quickly while we browsed the menu. We began the meal with a smoked salmon platter that had decent sized portions of smoked salmon rolled up with capers, as well as onions a small salad of greens and a dipping sauce. We also got a basket of delicious bread with two different types of homemade butter to start our meal.

This restaurant prides itself on its flatbread pizza, and they were delicious. My colleague got a cheese and mushroom pizza with three different kinds of mushrooms, and we ended up getting most of it to go since it was so large (good thing since there was no food at our hotel)! I decided on the mediterranean pasta with kalamata olives, feta cheese, and artichokes, which surpasses my expectations and was exactly what I had been hoping for!

The meal was very enjoyable, and we left, very full and content with our leftovers. For both of our entrees, appetizer, and a salad, the bill was less than $50.

I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants a great meal in a cozy atmosphere and I will make sure to return if I am back in the area!!

Overall: **** (4 out of 5 stars)

What I loved: the food, the atmosphere, the service.

Not so much: very out of the way unless you're heading to Killington....

The Killington Grand, Killington VT

2008-06-10T05:20:00.000-07:00

"Off Season" = No Food?

First of all, I do want to preface this review with the fact that
1. I was staying here for a one day conference, not an actual ski vacation
2. It was "off season" so perhaps it is not an accurate portrayal of the overall quality of the establishment...

But on we go. I drove about 4.5 hours from my home in Maine for a one day health conference at the Killington Grand. Before we even arrived at the hotel, I received a text message from my coworker that said "eat dinner before you arrive! No restaurant!"
I found that hard to believe, but just to be safe we had a delicious dinner in Woodstock before we began driving up the mountain
Thank goodness we did because it was true the restaurant was not open! I could not believe that with two large events going on, they wouldn't have any food available!
The conference was skimpily catered. We were told there would be a full breakfast, but there was only pastries and donuts (which, some people may not even have been able to eat due to health restrictions!) We then had boxed lunches, which were filling enough (sandwiches and chips), but the conference was over at 3, and that was the end of the food! In order to get any meal after that you had to drive down the entire steep mountain, which we really had not anticipated doing until we had to leave.

Besides that, I thought this was a pretty nice establishment. We had a decent sized room with a flat screen TV, DVD player, and stereo system! There was also Starbucks coffee stocked with our coffee pot which I found to be very impressive! The bathroom was small, and our little "deck/balcony" only overlooked the parking lot, but I didn't find either to be too upsetting. The out of this world soft sheets, and flawless internet connection to quickly make up for the flaws of the room.
Something else that was small touch, but I found made the room very cozy was little ski decorations and accessories throughout the room. The handles on the entertainment center doors and drawers were little wooden skis and there was a painting of snowmakers on the mountain at night!

After our conference, I had some time to kill before we ventured down the mountain for dinner, and I happened to walk by the spa, which WAS actually open! I treated myself to a facial, and let me just say that was worth the entire trip! They didn't have a nail tech until the coming weekend, so that ruled out manis and pedis for my colleagues, but I decided to splurge and have never felt so rejuvenated! The staff was very friendly, and not overbearing when helping me choose what treatment to have, and they did not rush me out when I was finishing my cucumber water after my facial. The spa itself was cute (with a little zen garden in the waiting area) but offered a great variety of services. It was definitely the highlight of my off season stay!

Overall I think this would definitely be perfect for a couple's ski retreat! I imagine it's beautiful in the winter. But if you're going to stay in the "off season," Be prepared to do some hunting gathering, and make sure to budge some money for the amazing spa, cause it's the only thing open, and SO worth the experience!

Overall- *** (3 out of 5)

What I loved — Spa, free working wireless internet

Not so Much— Restaurant closed!!!!

Blanche & Bill's Pancake House!

2008-06-08T08:28:00.000-07:00

Bridgewater Corners: Blanche & Bill's Pancake House: "A Perfect breakfast nook!"

After attending a conference at the Killington Grand hotel, and not having any substantial meals available to us, we were more than excited to stumble upon this spot for breakfast on our way out of town.

It is family owned, and as soon as you walk in (past the menagerie of grandchild photos) you feel like you are in someone's kitchen. Half of the place is devoted to Red Sox memorabilia and there are witty hand written signs lining the wall.
The menu and place mats are basic paper, and you can tell they really started this place from scratch which adds to the charm in my opinion.
In addition to the friendly atmosphere and wait staff, the true home cooked breakfast was DELICIOUS.
I had a simple combo of poached eggs and cheese on an English muffin, and my colleague had a special designed by the grandson of 2 eggs, 2 pancakes, 2 sausage and 2 slices of toast! Both meals together, with coffee was less than $30 with tip! Very impressive!
We left, full and happy to continue our long venture home.

I would recommend this little hole in the wall to anyone looking for a simple place with outstanding food and service!

Overall: **** (4 out of 5)

What I loved: The food, the friendliness!
Not so much: A little small. You really get to know the people next to you!

Great Eggspectations!

2008-05-23T16:35:00.000-07:00

Eggspectations- South Portland, ME

Being from Maine, I am always looking for new, classier (if you will) places to eat, beyond the cliched Applebee's and TGIFriday's chains. I was visiting a friend in Portland and drove by this place. Intrigued, I decided we would do lunch here the next time I was in town. We finally did, and man were we pleasantly surprised. We were both expecting a small diner type setting with basic breakfast meals, but what we found was an atmosphere although we had just stepped through a door into New York City.
It was a little noisy as it seats a lot of people and has very high ceilings, but the expansive menu quickly made up for it!
We ordered coffee drinks (I had a wonderful authentic cappuccino, which I have only had in places outside of Maine) and took our time browsing the menu.
Our waitress was very patient, and friendly, and we did not feel rushed to order until we were ready.

If ever there was a place that has "something for everyone" this is it! The menu ranges from 10 kinds of crepes or eggs benedict to steak, pasta and seafood, plus an entire juice bar, and cocktail bar!
I finally decided on the Bagel Benedict, which combined my favorite of eggs benedict with smoked salmon, capers and a bagel! My friends got the Florentine Benedict, and a Grilled Chicken salad. We were in a rush and didn't have time for dessert, but the dessert menu itself left us wanting to come back to try the unique items!
Also a huge plus, our total bill was about $40 for three very filling meals and great drinks! You can't beat that!

All in all, the food and service surpassed all of my expectations, and I definitely plan to go back frequently to try all they have to offer. We had always gone to The Olive Garden as our "meal out" in the city of Portland, but after leaving Eggspectations, we were all saying "the Olive what?"

Overall scrore: ****
Pros: eggstensive menu (ha...), great service, reasonable prices!
Cons: noisy atmosphere

Marco Polo Ramada- DO NOT STAY HERE!!!

2008-03-28T17:08:00.000-07:00

Marco Polo Ramada "Resort," North Miami Beach, FL

How this place can even covet the word "resort" I have NO idea.
Like so many other reviewers, I gave the place the benefit of the doubt even after reading other not so glamorous reviews. DO NOT. Believe these reviews and stay ANYWHERE ELSE. Pitch a tent on the beach if you have to!

Upon entering this place, it reeks of mildew...I tried to overlook it.
We were checked in fairly easily and although nobody mentioned it, I think I was upgraded to an accessible room....but in the end it didn't matter.
The bellman was helpful to bring our bags up, even though we believe he was high on something, he was nice enough and it didn't affect his work ethic.
When we got up to our floor the overwhelming odor changed to that of Febreeze as though they were trying to cover up the other stench (I'm sure they were)

The room itself was not bad. The bathroom however had cracked tiles, a broken lock and mildew in the caulking. I only took one shower while I was there and I contemplated wearing shoes.... a la college dorm life. The water pressure was pitiful and I could've taken a better shower in the downpour we got during our stay.

The beds were ok, but not anything outstanding and as soon as we woke up we scrambled to get ready to just be OUT of the hotel.
We saved time in our morning for the "complimentary breakfast," which tuned out to be absolutely shameful. And of course nobody told us you were welcome to order off of the actual breakfast menu, although frankly I'd be afraid of what that would bring.
There was mediocre fruit, stale bread, bagels, and danishes, and ONE working toaster for the entire place. Every single chair had disgusting stains and/or sand on them. One lady was even sitting on her newspaper. The coffee was ok, but to get a to-go cup it was $2...so much for "complimentary."
Bottom line: Eating breakfast should not make you feel as though you need a shower

We left breakfast and went out to the beach where we had to SIGN OUT measly thin towels (which we later discovered we got charged $8 for)
Eventually clouds rolled in and we went back upstairs to find a decent place to get some real food and just get out of the place. When we got upstairs our housekeeper was still in our room. After an attempted dialogue with her that was completely lost in translation we went back outside for a little while, to give her more time, thinking it would make a difference.
However- when we got back upstairs it was a wonder what she even did!
To our eye all it appeared was that she made the beds (poorly)
Coffee was left in the pot and in one of the mugs we used, while the others were rinsed out and left to dry on a PILLOW CASE(?) She did not empty any of our trash cans or replace anything in the room.
Luckily after some research and a big sigh, we discovered this place is in a decent location and it was like a $10 to the Aventura Mall which has great food options and shopping! We had escaped for the day.
Thank God!

We called that night for a new packet of coffee for the next morning....and it never came. The only request we made the entire time....

When we checked out the next day (as early as humanly possible so we could bathe properly and have a decent meal)
I noticed the "resort" fee (for the cheesecloth towels is all we can figure) and was handed a CHEWED ON pen to sign my bill with. At this point I didn't even care to complain I just wanted out.

You could stay at an Econolodge and get more for your money. Besides the beach and pool, which looked decently maintained, this place has NOTHING going for it. I really could go on, but you get the point.

I plan on writing a letter to the Ramada company, as this place is a disgrace to the name. I am staying in one in Wisconsin for my next business trip, and I was looking forward to it, but to be perfectly honest.... now I'm afraid.

Overall score: ** (2 out of 5 stars....)
Why? For the beach. I only wish it had been sunny so we could've enjoyed that! :(

NY Helmsley, Nice but far from what I expected.

2008-03-11T16:26:00.000-07:00

I stayed here for 4 nights for a benefit show I was in. In the past for these events we have been put up at some ritzy places so I was expecting the best.
The staff was very friendly, and the first man we encountered went out of his way to help us back our car in properly, unloaded our bags and parked our car for us without any question.
Once we settled in though, we realized the small room had less than your average Hilton. The view was nice, we could see the Empire State Building which was beautiful at night, and there was a flat screen TV.
However, there was no coffee pot at all. There were very few electric outlets, we had a hard time plugging in all our cell phones. The bathroom was ridiculously small, which was quite the challenge when the entire family needs to get ready for the day. Also, the cups were plastic and disposable which I found odd for such an establishment and not very eco-friendly
The pillows were not that comfortable, and if you tossed and turned in bed they basically came unmade.
There was also one day where we came back to our room at almost 4:00 in the afternoon and our room had not been cleaned and our clock was never changed for daylight's savings time.

This is an ok place for a place to crash which is all we needed but even the location I was not crazy about. After our event we needed food and there was nowhere nearby we could go that was open! We didn't eat at the hotel restaurant but we did get Starbucks on more than one occasion, but that's near everything in NYC.

Overall- Not a bad place, nice people, but my stay at the Sheraton Manhattan was more enjoyable!

Overall Score: *** What I loved: Friendly staff, great view!
Not so much: No coffee maker, uncomfortable beds, small bathroom, expensive parking

Ellen's Stardust Diner- We're amongst friends!

2008-03-08T17:33:00.000-08:00

I've been to Ellen's about a dozen times and have never had a bad experience.

Yes- breakfast is slow. I would like to see anyone here belt showtunes first thing in the morning!

We went on vacation in NYC last August and ate almost every meal at Ellen's, because our hotel was right around the corner. By the end of the trip the wait staff knew us and we're all friends on myspace now.

Maybe you have to be a lover of musical theater (and the world of trying to "make it") to truly appreciate it, but many of these kids have been in shows or are between shows. They're all very talented.
My sister and I actually ended up being in a show with one of the waitresses and she remembered us! Just a hint- the more into it you are, the more into it they will be.

Also- I find the food to be delicious, as well as the drinks, and I love that they have wine, beer, etc, as well.
Last time we ate there was before RENT everyone remembered us, and our food came in a matter of minutes. We actually allowed ourselves way too much time before our show and kept ordering drinks so we wouldn't have to leave! (and they didn't want us to)
Ellen's was actually our first stop in the city after our hotel.

I will always go there when I'm in the city, even if it is just for a milkshake and to say hi!

Overall Score: *****! (5 stars!)

Hilton Alexandria Mark Center- One of my favorites I've decided!

2008-03-06T17:19:00.000-08:00

Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Alexandria, VA

I have stayed here twice for work now, and having stayed in other hotels, I realize how much I enjoy it!

The rooms are very comfortable, the second time I had one with a mini bar setup with full coffee station and drink mixer and everything!
The beds are very comfortable, and I'm doing my research to actually buy the same pillows they use at the Hiltons. I also love the hair dryers.
The conference facilities are gorgeous as well.

I have only a few complaints and they were small.
The shower makes a very strange whistling/banging noise that gets really loud when you are in the shower!
Housekeeping knocked on our door every day at 8:30 in the morning! We had barely even woken up yet, that is too early!
After the first couple of days the cleaning person stopped restocking our breakfast room service card so we had to call down each morning.
We ate room service a lot because it was just too much of a hassle to go out every night after being in meetings all day (there is not much in walking distance...) and usually it was great, but once for breakfast the main part of one of our meals was not even on the plate. Another night we ordered dinner and we were not brought a table (there was not one in the room), there was only one set of silverware for two meals, and the food was already cold and it was obvious it had been sitting around, let alone by the time we got the rest of our things to eat with! That surprised us as we had been having a great experience with the food.

The hotel restaurant is nice, but the menu is limited and you get tired of it after a couple of days. Do your research for other places to eat if you're going to be for a while, the staff is also not very helpful. The first time I stayed there I tried to explain to one of the concierges how I found a restaurant on THEIR website so he could make us reservations and he did not understand me at all. I ended up going behind the desk and finding the website myself so we could call.

Overall this is a very nice, and beautiful place and great for business, but I wouldn't mind staying closer to the DC downtown areas if I were going for pleasure.

Overall score: **** (4 stars)
What I loved:Comfortable beds, beautiful facilities
Not so much: Location far from attractions, limited dining, difficult to communicate with staff, internet is pricey!

Michel Richard's Citronell, a taste of luxury!

2008-03-05T15:51:00.000-08:00

.
Michel Richard's Citronelle, Washington DC
CitronelleDC.com

I ate here with some colleagues from work while we were in the DC area. I had never heard of it but they were very excited to try it.
Due to the price, it is definitely a once in a lifetime thing (It was about a $1000 for 7 of us) but I am glad we went.

We ordered off the "a la carte" menu which is $95 for a starter and entree. The food is definitely art and is something you won't experience anywhere else. For my starter, I ordered the "Egg Symphony" which is a series of four small appetizers (a cauliflower, lobster scramble with caviar, a slice of tomato and mozzarella, a cheese/mushroom crisp, and some sort of creamy dip in a hollowed out eggshell) all created to look like egg but they're not. Each one was absolutely divine.]
Everyone tried each other's main course and they were very good, but the starts and desserts were the highlight. I got the creme brulee and even that was made to look like a work of art.

The service was outstanding, and they kept bringing us small complimentary courses in between our meal. The waiter chatted with us and the somalier took his time to talk to us and helped us select a bottle of wine that we liked, with no pressure or criticism when we took a while deciding. The mixed drinks were elegant and flavorful as well.

For a basement of a hotel, the decor is lovely, and unique and doesn't feel like you're just dining in downtown DC, it's very classy, and depending on where you are sitting you can view the kitchen in action through a glass window, which is a very neat touch.

Citronelle is definitely a little rough on the wallet, but if you can swing it, or somebody else is treating, definitely do not miss out on eating here at least once!

Overall Score: ****
What I love: The FOOD!!!
Not so Much: The price :(

Lucerne Inn- You pay for the view...

2007-09-15T15:05:00.000-07:00

Lucerne Inn, Holden, ME

I stayed here just overnight for a meeting, and really the best thing about the place is the scenery.

We ended up not needing all the rooms we booked (they had us all in our own rooms and it was easier for some people to share) and they wouldn't do anything about it, we had rooms and money that was wasted.

The rooms are beautiful with jacuzzi tubs and fireplaces, so as long as you don't go to bed, you're fine because the beds are terrible.

Also- the food was very disappointing. The pasta at dinner was very bland and dry and our lunch was practically inedible. we ended up asking for more pickles because they were the best thing we had! I ordered the quesadillas and it was simply cheese and black beans thrown in a tortilla, and it honestly looked like it had been just put in the microwave. I've made better things on my quesadilla maker at home! Very upsetting because everything sounded so good!

Definitely not worth the money. Do yourself a favor and just go to a Hilton or the Samoset for a great Maine getaway, this place is not worth it, unless all you want to do is stare out the window.

Overall Score: ** (2 stars)
What I loved: The view and the scenery!
Not So Much: he food, the rooms, the location

Ruby Foo's- NYC

2007-09-15T12:05:00.000-07:00

Ruby Foo's- Times Square

http://www.brguestrestaurants.com/restaurants/ruby_foos_times_square/index.php

My family ate dinner here after arriving in the city (after an 8-10 hour drive in August with no air conditioner). We decided to just walk around Times Square and see what we could find and since we're big fans of sushi decided to try Ruby Foo's since it was close to our hotel (the Sheraton Manhattan).

It was fairly crowded, but we didn't wait longer than 10 minutes, and the decor gave us plenty to look at to pass the time. We ordered drinks and appetizers, both of which came promptly and our waiter was lovely and talked to us about his theater career, and did not act rushed or anything.

Our other courses came in reasonable time as well, an although I don't remember what we ordered I remember we were all very satisfied and did not leave hungry. The meal was a little pricey, but for a dinner right in Times Square, you're going to pay a little more.

My only complaint was that we were seated very close to other people and I felt like we were intruding on their conversation, but it could've been because the restaurant was busy.

I would still go there again!

Overall: **** (out of 5)

Liked: Great food, good atmosphere.

Not so much: not enough personal space!