Sitting squat on a forlorn block in the Union Square vicinity, San Francisco’s Hotel Nikko will not surprise you as a striking architectural gem, but no matter. As you step inside the towering concrete mass an instant feeling of Zen alters the senses, the sound of water gurgling, a perfect … 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
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
An elegant yet edgy sense of decorum presides over the lobby of the InterContinental Stephen F. Austin, in Austin, Texas, easy to find at night thanks to the glowing red stripe around the building’s exterior. This is in stark contrast to the rowdy street party in full swing just a … Read more
It’s hard to miss Wynwood Kitchen & Bar as you drive around the nondescript streets of Miami’s Wynwood in search of the place. You’re in the off the beaten path warehouse district, full of galleries and pop-up shops, and all that seems to be missing (at least from a New … Read more
Las Brisas Acapulco screams “notice me” from the moment you drive through the hotel’s porte cochere and spot the hot pink hibiscus flower logo, till you’re ensconced in your “casita” high above the city 15 minutes later. And you should! The hotel is right out of a dream and it … Read more
The idea to visit a storied resort on Mexico’s Pacific coast, one struggling with negative press, was pretty simple. For as long as I can remember Acapulco had been on my bucket list if only due to its sexy name and glamorous past. “Aka-poole-ko” … it sounds sensual, right? And … Read more