Restaurant & Bar Reviews

Stopped in to What A Bagel! for a quick lunch. It’s a popular spot for folks working in the Toronto fashion district as it’s top quality food and fast service.

They have an extensive list of sandwich (on a bagel) and salad (with a bagel) options! I went with the arugula salad topped with chicken (sans bagel) and my friend tried the burger with sweet potato fries.

It’s a casual spot but worth a stop if you’re in the need of a quick bite to eat! Also if you’re from the states you’ll be able to take advantage of their wifi to stay connected with e-mail and online travel plans.

Table side discussions also revealed if you visit on your birthday with proof of ID you’ll walk out with a dozen bagels of your choice!

Victor restaurant was a pleasant surprise for my stay at Hotel Le Germain in Toronto, it really held up to the five star experience the hotel gives.

They offer a tasting menu and al la carte, as well, if you are headed to the theater they have an option that will give you the full experience with a faster turn around.

We ended up ordering a few options across the menu so we could have a variety of tastes throughout the evening.

‘Little Portugal’ Lobster and Chicken Cataplana, chorizo, rice and saffron

‘Les Miserables’ Duck Breas ‘Al’Orange’ Pomme fondant and carrots.

Sushi Pizza 2013! Sashimi, lobster salad, roe, avocado, crisp rice and wasabi-miso dressing.

Seasonal Vegetable Casserole

The night finished with a tasty takeaway left by our waiter of caramel covered popcorn squares.

The space is small and gets really busy as the night goes on, I highly recommend making a reservation at Victor Restaurant in Toronto’s Hotel Le Germain so you can ensure you’ll be able to get in.

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!

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

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

At the time of our dining Zagat rating for this restaurant was 26 (out of 30) we arrived in between meals and had access to the bar menu which did not disappoint.

We took up two seats at the end of the bar and quickly made friends with the bar tender, who used to be a wine distributer. We started with an Irish Coffee and a nice Pinot Noir (I forget the name, started with an S and was fantastic!)

For our meals we had the Turkey BLT with delicious fresh chips (image above) and the Watermelon Salad with Greek Yogurt Sorbet, Feta, Mint, Olive Oil, accompanied by the Tuna Taco which was Chili Marinated Ahi, Guacamole, Pickled Jicama. I was certainly full by the end of it. Important to note the taco’s are very small. Also I found it charming that they offer many gluten free options as well as gluten free bread to start!

This restaurant is somewhat of an establishment in Boston, great service, excellent food and a fantastically comfortable atmosphere. Stop into Boston Four Seasons Bristol Lounge at any hour and you won’t be disappointed.

Do not let the strange location of this restaurant fool you( it is on the top level of the South Coast Plaza). It is my fav place to eat in the Irvine/Costa Mesa area

It features 2 outside eating areas.(this one is actually in the mall)

This one is inside the restaurant walls but actually the roof opens up.( confusing at first but after a few drinks it will all make sense)

The bar is small but very well stocked and the bartenders have always been excellent on each visit .

The main seating area is right next to an open kitchen.

The food is excellent. I have never had anything that I did not really enjoy.

The bone marrow an tataki were both excellent.

Coq au vin simply magnifique.

John Dorey is a fish and was excellent.( I thought he played for Huddersfield )

For dessert it is definately off to Hungary.

We actually started and finished in Hungary .
RTo make a reservation