Thom Meintel 
If you can find the front door of the Hotel Union Square amid the motley storefronts on the lively block of Powell Street, you’re in for a surprise. Two stunning 10 foot mosaics grace either side of the entrance, a clear indication of the building’s 1913 landmark pedigree. Mind you, … Read more
When you think of the Everglades do you automatically see an airboat gliding through a swamp in the corner of your mind? I do. Those dime store novel vehicles conjure images of alligators and murky waters teaming with snakes and crocs. Well, you can get your fill of the real … Read more
A hush falls over The Idiot as you enter. It’s as if Dostoevsky himself was writing in the corner. That wouldn’t be much of a surprise as the warm, cozy atmosphere is perfect for tinkling with your latest poem or perhaps that song you’re writing. Soft music and a Zen … Read more
Yeah, … “there’s nothing wrong with a good grilled cheese every now and again”, chimed our server Christi as she raced around busing tables after taking my order. It was nearly midnight and Déjà Vu was still cranking out the daily special. After ordering a beer and checking out the … Read more
Michael Mina 74 has a subterranean feel, a cool cellar away from the south Florida heat. Tucked away from the madness of the Hotel Fontainebleau’s lobby, this is your go to for quick bites and yummy pick me ups when you’re spending some down time in Miami. Mr. Mina’s signature … Read more
Nestled on a tiny piazza amid the blessed chaos that is Naples, Italy is a rare find … the Palazzo Decumani. The 4 star albergo takes its name from its heritage – a former palatial residence almost hidden within the narrow streets and alleys of the Decumani neighborhood, a beehive … Read more
Let me say this straight out. It’s hard to go too long without Italian food. Blame it on my mom’s spaghetti and meatballs or the home made lasagna an Italian friend of mine used to make regularly. So it was with a sense of expectancy that we approached Capuletti, situated … Read more
There’s a surprisingly potent cultural thread weaving its way through Houston, Texas, a city of sprawling freeways and more mansions than you can imagine in an urban setting. Perhaps it has something to do with all that money from oil and energy and as it’s the 4th largest city in … Read more
Sometimes you can tell a lot about a hotel just by its name. Take San Francisco’s Hotel Diva. The Diva Sidewalk of Fame in from of the hotel is just one of many subtle hints to come during your stay, its concrete blocks sectioned off with the foot and handprints of past … Read more
St. Petersburg is a city that’s full of surprises. Add Hotel Astoria to the list. Remember when hotels treated you like you were practically a visiting dignitary? This hotel still knows how to do it. And we all know that’s saying something. A comprehensive check-in experience with a concierge at … Read more
A door in a discrete wooden fence leads you into the parking lot adjacent to Commonwealth. It’s an unusual entry, but then again nothing at Commonwealth follows the norm. A disco ball’s reflection circles the room within a skylight high above the sleek, minimalistic dining room. Anchored with warm hickory … Read more
In the hospitality business there’s always room for a new idea. After all, that’s what draws the crowds. And if the idea is one that ups the fun quotient then bring it on. Batch Gastro Pub is on to something. Their ingenious table taps (7 in total throughout the place) … Read more
You could easily blink and miss Tongue & Cheek, sandwiched between 3 other restaurants, 1 Greek and 2 Italian, in a kind’ve South Beach “restaurant row” strip mall. Talk about competition. But don’t miss this place if you’re headed to hedonistic SoBe soon; it’s like nothing else in Miami. Situated … Read more
A bright pink neon sign displaying the word “BAR” leads you into Jeffrey’s. It’s a telling marker for Austin’s most lauded restaurant, buzzing with every table full on a Friday night at 10 p.m. Having pounded the streets of Texas’ culturally rich capital for much of the day, we were … Read more
The Squire has had a lifelong fling with SushiSamba, so much so that people were beginning to talk. How much further would things go? For the uninitiated, Sushi Samba is a distinctive collection of restaurants that celebrate the culture and cuisine of Japan, Brazil and Peru. In a word or … Read more