Been there, done that

 Cycling, Life, Politics, Restaurant Reviews, Vacations  1 Response »
Oct 092010
 

Well I got my dose of NE Ohio and Pittsburgh this past week, and the experience can pretty much be summed up by those 4 words.

I didn’t expect much from Newton Falls, but neither did I expect what I saw. The area is unbelievably depressed. Abandoned factories, store fronts and houses are everywhere, and what houses aren’t abandoned are unbelievably dilapidated.

It was truly depressing, to see a place I lived for 4 years, and where Edie grew up, deteriorate so much.

But I was even disappointed in Pittsburgh as well.

I had heard so much about how Pittsburgh had changed, and while there where a lot of improvements, especially in the downtown area, most of the city was either unchanged or depressed as well.

The streets are narrower than I remember, the houses smaller, the streets in worse condition than in LA, and riding a bike in this city can definitely be hazardous to your health. Plus all my favorite breakfast and deli haunts were replaced by Starbucks and Brueggers.

Even the famous Primanti Bros Restaurant that has been featured on many network TV shows was a disappointment. They say it’s been around since 1933, but I don’t remember it from my time living in Pittsburgh, and I think I know why. Anyone who thinks a sandwich topped with [tasteless] cabbage (they called it coleslaw) and [tasteless and soggy] french fries is any good, can be fooled into believing anything, and I’m not easily fooled. This place exists on the hype alone.

It was still good to get home to see what I wasn’t missing, and to get any thoughts of ever moving back out of my system.

It’s so good to be ‘home’ in Long Beach, CA, and back on the bike again. Pittsburgh doesn’t have anything on LA or Long Beach (except maybe for the Steelers, but I can still root for them from afar). I plan on being here for the duration, even if Meg Whitman gets elected governor.

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 Posted by Marc at 2:42 pm  Tagged with: , ,

A weekend of gluttony

 Food & Wine, Restaurant Reviews  No Responses »
Aug 162010
 

That’s Edie and me having dinner at Fleur de Lys the night before attending the Aureole Wine Weekend at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas this past weekend. Now while dinner at Fluer de Lys was one of the best meals I’ve had anywhere, it still pales in comparison to what was in store for us the following three days at Aureole.

To put it in its proper perspective, I would just say it is probably the only event, or place I’ve gone to where I didn’t miss being off the bike. That’s how good it is.

The level of the food, wine, and service is unmatched anywhere. It is a little pricey, but there are some things you just can’t put a value on. But always remember, you can’t take it with you, and the event included 2 dinners, 3 lunches and 2 breakfasts. So it was definitely worth it.

Even better is the exclusivity of the event. There were only 28 in attendance, most of whom also attended last year. Some of whom I even remembered. :) One couple even flew in from Germany, strictly for this event.

And not only was the food and wine first rate, but the knowledge gained by being able to pick the brains of some of the more noted people in their fields is priceless.

Words really can’t describe it, so I took a few pictures, on my new Droid X. Unfortunately a photographer I’m not. Plus I was having a little trouble using the camera, but I still think the pictures provide a relatively good representation of the event.

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 Posted by Marc at 6:25 pm  Tagged with: ,

Craft: A restaurant review

 Restaurant Reviews  2 Responses »
Jun 062010
 

Went to Tom Colicchio’s venture in LA, Craft restaurant, last night, and I have to say I was pleased.

I was a little skeptical after reading some of the reviews, and while it didn’t make it to #1 on my list of favorite places to eat (that award still goes to a fabulous bed and breakfast in Chablis, France), I was not disappointed, and it exceeded my expectations.

The one thing of note is sharing is encouraged here. All the food is served family style. Of course you could just put what you ordered in front of you, and dispense with sharing, but then you’d might miss out, as I will describe later. The only problem with that [as I see it] is you miss out on the presentation aspect of the meal, which is something I look forward to when I go out to eat. But what you lose in presentation is easily made up in flavor.

Edie ordered the braised beef short rib, and I ordered the Alaskan Halibut, which I have to say was one of the most perfectly cooked pieces of Halibut I have ever eaten. Unfortunately [for me] Edie ended up eating most of that, but the short rib was still very good as well. [I'm such a wonderful husband.]

The wine list was very extensive (lot’s of Pinot Noir’s to choose from), the service impeccable, and the cheese plate was perfect for finishing off the wine. We couldn’t have expected much better anywhere else.

There were a couple of flaws though. The Wild Arugula and Parmesan salad was a little bland, the Garlic Risotto side dish didn’t have enough garlic, and it isn’t inexpensive (but I have spent more), but none of that was enough to warrant taking away a favorable recommendation.

I give it ‘s

Oh, and I almost forgot (actually I did forget and this is a later update), as we were about to leave they handed us two blueberry muffins to take home. I thought it was a nice little touch to finish off the evening, despite them not being the greatest muffins.

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 Posted by Marc at 3:06 pm  Tagged with: ,

Osteria Mozza

 Restaurant Reviews  2 Responses »
Mar 072010
 

To make up for all my regrets (forgotten and not forgotten) we went to Osteria Mozza in LA for dinner last night with friends. We were celebrating our friends birthday, and as you might guess we had just a little too much to drink. But so what, you only go around once in life, so you might as well do it with gusto, and besides, we had a good reason this time.

Suffice to say, dinner was good. We had a good time, and I would go back.

We started off with a Proseco as a celebratory gesture, followed by a 2003 Domaine Serene, Mark Bradford Vineyard, Pinot Noir, and a Howell Mountain Cabernet with the main course (corkage is only $20 per bottle), and ended with a 13 year old Rip Van Winkle rye (whiskey), which surprisingly was better than expected.

Oh, and the food was good as well. I could elaborate extensively, but I don’t want to bore you too much. So I’ll just touch on it briefly.

We started off with a selection of mozzarella from the mozzarella bar, then had a little gnocchi and goat cheese ravioli, all of  which were excellent. We then had our main courses which, with the exception of mine which was little tough [yet still extremely flavorful], were all enjoyable. Then of course there was dessert, which for me was not very memorable. We really didn’t need it, and I was more focused on the rye anyways.

The best part, at least the most exciting, was Nancy Silverton and Mario Batali were both there. Nancy was even working preparing mozzarella plates, and Mario, while all I observed him doing was schmoozing with some of the patrons, was dressed the part down to his signature Crocks. I didn’t get to talk to him, but he was standing about 3 feet from me, and he even brushed up against my friends shoulder as he walked by. I think my friend may have the shirt framed [just kidding].

My only regret this time is I didn’t go for a bike ride this AM. I was just a little too hung over (and BTW, I wasn’t driving), but I’ll easily put that behind me after tomorrows bike ride. The weather should be better too.

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 Posted by Marc at 4:17 pm  Tagged with: , ,

Were I paying $600

 Restaurant Reviews, Vacations  2 Responses »
Jun 212008
 

per night, for the room we’re staying in this weekend at the St Regis Monarch Beach hotel, in Dana Point, to celebrate my 60th birthday, I would be a little pissed.  The view of the of the adjacent cafe, partially block by a big palm tree just doesn’t cut it.

But since the room is free (I used my Starwood Rewards points), I really can’t complain a whole lot.

Other than that, and the fact there is no in room coffee maker, and the scale doesn’t work (which may actually be a good thing), the hotel easily meets my expectations.  The hotel grounds and view of the ocean are truly beautiful, the service has been outstanding, and the rooms are very comfortable.  I actually slept till almost 7 AM this morning, which is virtually unheard of.

Oh and dinner last night at Stonehill Tavern was outstanding as well.  It was a little expensive, but with a $115 bottle of wine, and $10 for two small glasses of club soda, what do you expect.  And besides, it’s my birthday.

So now we’re off to be pampered at the Spa Gaucin.  Edie is getting a facial, and I’m getting a massage.  I’m really looking forward to that.

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 Posted by Marc at 8:49 am

Vegas trip report

 Edie, Restaurant Reviews, Vacations  No Responses »
May 032007
 

It’s been a long time since Edie and I have been to Vegas, and a lot has changed.

There is construction everywhere, but there have also been a lot of improvements. There is very little pedestrian traffic on the sidewalks and at intersections. Traffic flow has been directed to pedestrian walkaways above the street and through the casinos, preventing the virtual gridlock that used to result on Las Vegas Blvd, because pedestrians refused to obey traffic laws.

We stayed at the Wynn, and I have to say it is by far one of the nicest hotels on the strip. It is pricey, but overall the ambiance and decor of the hotel, was totally inviting, and the attitude of the staff, from the housekeepers, to the desk clerks, the bell hops, the valets, and whoever else was extremely professional, as well as being extremely friendly. I would definitely stay there again.

The best meal we had in Vegas was in the Wynn, at the Daniel Boulud Brasserie. Edie had a filet that you could cut with a fork, and I had seared Ahi Tuna which was also delicious. We ended the meal with a selection of 5 cheeses, which we chose from about 15 different possibilities, which were all outstanding. To accompany the meal we had a 2004 Savigney Les Beaune Bourgnone, which at $71 (a wine at the low end of the price range), was an excellent selection to complement both the tuna and the steak.

The worst meal we had was at the B&B Ristorante (which Mario Batali has chosen to align himself with) at the Venetian. We had the 7 course pasta tasting menu, which was as bland as bland could be. (Sort of reminded me of our recent trip to Italy.) The best part of the meal was the calamari we ordered as an appetizer. Oh yeah, the super Tuscan wine we ordered was happily very good, and at $48 for a bottle was well worth the price.

While in Vegas Edie and I got to play two great golf courses, the Primm Valley Golf Club (the Lakes Course) at Stateline on Monday, and the Badlands Golf Club (Diablo and Outlaw 9′s) in Summerlin on Wednesday. Monday it was a little hot, but Wednesday was an outstanding day, as it had cooled off into the 80′s. Both course were in outstanding condition.

Golfing was particularly encouraging, as this was the first time Edie had been golfing in over a year, and it looks like her medication may finally be doing some good.

And Becky, you’ll be happy to know, I even did lots of shopping. There are lots of good stores and outlet malls in the Vegas area, and surprisingly, I actually enjoyed shopping. I bought some new shorts, a few shirts and even a new pair of running shoes.

Except for the fact I gained a few pounds, it was a good trip, and I’m glad we went. The weather wasn’t unbearably hot, and the wind only kicked up late in the day on Wednesday. The drive over was also uneventful, although it wasn’t that way for those returning to LA on Sunday afternoon. [Leaving on a Sunday, and returning on Thursday is definitely the way to go.]

I definitely would like to go back again, after summer, but for now, there’s no place like home!

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 Posted by Marc at 3:40 pm
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