Restaurant & Bar Reviews

While we were in Charlotte (for the Liverpool match) we stopped into the Ritz-Carlton Charlotte for a bite to eat at BLT Steak and a few cocktails! There was an influx of Liverpool fans through out the city and all the restaurants but that casual crowd didn’t get in my way of dressing up for the posh dinner we had planned. Service was exceptional from the point of our arrival through to our departure. We started with cocktails at the bar while our table was being arranged. We passed on the puff pastry with cheese (Chris is not a fan). Dinner was the Tuna Tartar, Alaskan Black Cod for Chris and BLT Steak had no problem accommodating for my allium allergy with my selection of the Lobster Cobb Salad and a baked potato on the side. Chris devoured the Tartar and Cod, speechless with how delicious it was. I too had a delight eating the Lobster Cobb (wish there was a place in Boston that did this!) Checkout BLT Steak at 110 North College Street, Charlotte, NC 28202!

A favorite place of ours in Boston, Aquitaine always produces a great experience. Wine selection and entrees are fantastic along with the ambiance. I love coming in here just when it opens to grab a spot at the little bar in the front where we will sit all night if possible to have a few drinks and an exceptional meal. The music they play is on trend and the food is fantastic, our standards are the Sole with potatoes and, Steak Frites and the steak tartar!

After a long day of touring the Island of Orleans and a driving tour of Quebec City we walked up to Le Sam for dinner. The energy in this restaurant is great, a unique mix of dressy and casual depending on the motivation of the customer. They had a customized menu ‘for the bee’s’ paying respect to a very necessary creature! I started the night with a ‘Bee’s Knees’ which was a lavender/gin cocktail and was delicious as well as beautifully garnished!  They customized the maple glazed salmon for me (replaced the polenta with a sweet potato puree) it was one of the best pieces of salmon I have ever had! We also ordered the club sandwich with frites which wasn’t on the same level as my salmon but did the job. I had foolishly started the meal with the cheeseboard which was a meal in and of itself that was hard to stop picking at! Checkout the Bistro Le Sam website for more details!
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
1, rue des Carrières | Quebec City (Québec)  G1R 4P5 | 418 692-3861

Bee’s Knees Gin based lavender cocktail

Club Sandwich with Frites

Maple Glazed Salmon

Deluxe Cheeseboard

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!

Since BLT Steak is in the Ritz Carlton adjacent to the El San Juan Hotel where the Caribbean DanceSport Classic is held, we stopped in for a late dinner at the bar.

They had a limited wine list by glass, but we found something to accommodate the wife.

Vegetable chopped salad and huge baked potato, they were both absolutely wonderful!

Potato before

Potato after

Hanger steak was average and a little tough, they didn’t get my request right to not include the butter… Have to say this was not as good as the one at our local the Navy Yard Bistro in Charlestown, MA!

Tried the Old  Harbour Pale Ale.

Checkout the menu and make a reservation at BLT Steak San Juan Puerto Rico. It seems the best part of BLT Steak San Juan were the vegetables, who would have guessed!

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

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.