Restaurant & Bar Reviews

Luma in Toronto is an Oliver and Bonacini restaurant that I stopped into for lunch this past October.

The restaurant is located on the second floor of what looks like a cinema, there is a huge video displayed on an open white wall as you enter the complex. Find the stars on the right of the entrance and walk up, you’ll then find  LUMA!

The food and experience at the restaurant were top notch even though we stepped in just before lunch closed for the day.We were welcomed with open arms and a pleasant smile, the fresh prepared organic food that followed was delicious.

Our lunch consisted of the calamari and scallop special:

And the Mushroom flatbread with the soup of the day.

Both hit the spot and I would highly recommend stopping into LUMA for a meal or a drink if you have an hour to fill and an empty stomach!

Since the renovation of the Pump Room Public Chicago, we’ve been a handful of times to experience the new space and taste the work of restauranteur Jean-Georges Vongerichten. This spot is sure to deliver a great scene with delicious food and phenomenal service. The Pump Room in Chicago has an extensive history for celeb spotting.

Be sure to start with a glass of wine or a cocktail, the selection was deluxe.

For appetizers try the Tuna Tartar, Salmon Crispy Sushi Rice with Chipotle Aioli or the Pretzel Dusted Calamari, all were delicious and didn’t last long enough to get a picture of. Every dish we had was fantastic, for an Entree it’s really up to your preference, the menu for the Pump Room has a great selection that won’t leave you disappointed.

pump room entrance from Public hotel lobby.

Cocktail Menu at Pump Room ~ Try the Moscow Mule!

To get a taste of Old San Juan in an open air space tryout El Picoteo in El Convento Hotel. The restaurant along with two others is located in a “landmark monument to the Conquistador Age, Hotel El Convento in San Juan, Puerto Rico showcases a timeless aura of Old World charm and splendor. Befitting its origins as a Carmelite convent 356 years ago, with a loving restoration of Spanish Colonial architecture and design…”

This is a must stop for the architecture and to feel like you’ve experienced Old San Juan! Try the Sangria at Picoteo in El Convento along with a taste from their wide selection of appetizers.

Checkout details of all three restaurants at the El Convento Hotel website.

Who would have thought the local movement would hit Puerto Rico?  It has and with over the top taste and service that you can experience first hand at 1919 Restaurant in San Juan Puerto Rico! This newly renovated spot is in the Vanderbilt Hotel and will deliver an experience to remember.

1919 Restaurant was recommended to us by our contact at the Hotel El San Juan, thankfully we both ended up getting dressed up otherwise we probably would have felt out of place (it was only suggested business casual.)

The service boarded on what we have received at spots like L’ESPALIER in Boston, very fine and exceptional food! It doesn’t stop there though, the food is locally sourced and organic when possible which kept the wife happy.

Everything was delicious, the service was impeccable and we found out they do an express style lunch for business type traffic during the day, so if you’re not up for an evening out, take a taste during lunch hour! The two dishes that stand out from our order; Scallops (the broth was fantastic) and the Tuna Tartar had a unique rice wafer.

Make a reservation at 1919 Restaurant in San Juan

CONDADO VANDERBILT HOTEL : SAN JUAN : PORTO RICO : 787.724.1919

Asia de Cuba is one of my fav places to eat in Los Angeles.
Located in the funky Mondrian hotel it offers inside and outside dining.

The food is Cuban fusion and is outstanding.

Calamari salad is the signature starter and is a must. It is a big portion so can be shared.

Tuna pica is also excellent.

The view of LA is incredible .

The mojitos are very good as well. Especially the mango .

Salmon was great.

So was Cuban chicken.

The steak was so good that I forgot to photograph it before I started eating.

The wild decor almost has an Alice in Wonderland feel.

While this is not a cheap place it is definately worth a visit.
To make a reservation

Located in downtown Savannah the Coffee Fox brews the coffee of roast master Phillip Brown

The store is located at a very historic spot in Savannah.

This very civilized establishment also serves beer and wine.

The place also has great coffee.
For more info

Nobu is one of the most famous Japanese restaurants in the world. It has outposts all over the world including NewYork,London,Vegas and Miami .The Miami branch is located in the Shore Club on Collins Ave.While the hotel is very funky the restaurant is really simple with no real atmosphere . So you go there for the food.

As I said you come for the food and it is expensive.

We started with tuna sashimi which was excellent.

Rice cakes were good.

Rock shrimp was fantastic

Octopus was fantastic.

Pork belly was very good.

Wontons tasted like wontons.

The most disappointing part of the meal was the sushi.

I enjoyed my meal overall but thought that everything was just a little too pricey.
To make a reservation

Located in the Short North district this is prob my favorite restaurant in Columbus. A short 5 minute walk from the Hyatt it is the perfect place for dinner or lunch.

The restaurant is in an old warehouse type building with exposed brick walls and some great art.

The bar is small but very well stocked and the bar tenders are excellent.

One word of warning though. Even though there is free wi-fi reception is not good so do not expect to get much computor work done.

The food is great. Presentation always very nice and quality very consistant

To make a reservation

The Hubbard Grill is located in the trendy Short North district of columbus. It is about a 10 minute walk from the Hyatt which is home to the Ohio Star Ball.

The building started life as a Chevvy dealership and some of the original fixtures have been left.

The bar area is quite noisy so if you want to talk try and grab a booth.

Food is well priced and portions are very generous.

The food was excellent.

The rib-eye was done in a Marsala sauce with fingerling potatoes and was really tasty.

Pepper crusted Ahi Tuna with jasmine rice was as good as I have ever had.

Drink selection was well priced and features some American gems such as the Sophia Coppola sparking complete with straw.

Beer selection was very good and Curtis our server very kindly gave me a small tasting of different columbus beers. I really like the elevator brand.
Service was great and atmosphere very good. Will definately be back here.
To make a reservation

I was on my way back from judging the ‘Nyemchek Junior All-Star DanceSport Championships‘ in New York and needed to find a spot to watch the Chelsea/Liverpool match on Sunday at 11AM. After much research, a call to AMEX concierge and a bit of investigation I found Tigin Irish Pub in Stamford Connecticut at 175 Bedford Street, what a find as it’s also right near the location of the Tri-state classic DanceSport competition held in March every year. I settled in quickly getting started with an Irish Coffee

The pub is very comfortable but retains an ole Irish Feel.

The food is very good. Typical breakfast fare.

The Irish coffee was brill. One of the best I ever had and there were plenty of tv sets on which to watch the match.
To make a reservation