Grove Park Inn Review - Asheville NC

Since it's opening in 2001, a lot of hype has surrounded the Grove Park Inn's $40 million spa. Travel and Leisure magazine rated the facility the 13th best hotel spa in the World in 2008, behind such notable properties as The Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok, Thailand. Is it possible that the mountains of North Carolina could hold such a Global treasure? Mariana and I decided to find out.

This was my second trip to the Grove Park Inn. My first was about 15 years ago, pre-Spa, and I was not impressed. I tend to measure a hotel by the rooms and, let's face it, the Inn's accommodations aren't its strong point. That much hasn't changed. The "Arts and Crafts" movement decor are supposed to hearken back to turn of the (last) century charm. To me, it just looks like cheap dorm room circa 1988. But that's just personal preference.

Upon entering the lobby, large fireplaces, rocking chairs, and folksy boutiques give off a "Giant Cracker Barrel" vibe. Charming? Maybe. But it didn't hit us right away.

After checking into the room, we immediately headed for the spa. Your treatments allow you full-day access to the facilities, and I planned to milk every precious moment out of the experience.

Despite a similar exterior to the Inn, the spa has a completely different vibe. The decor is modern, the amenities are pristine, and the music and lighting combine to create a welcoming and refreshing atmosphere.

The pool area, a focal point of the spa's promotional materials, is incredible. The motif is that of an underground cave, similar to a giant version of Hugh Hefner's infamous grotto. Cascading waterfalls provide a welcoming wall of ambient noise, giant rocks line the walls and ceiling, and welcoming fireplaces offer intimate spaces to cozy up.

With a pool to ourselves, I floated on my back while enjoying relaxing music you can only hear underwater. I looked up at the beautiful faux stars that adorned the ceiling above. I had my beautiful wife, a roaring fireplace, soothing music, and picturesque surroundings. It was truly heaven.

The experience was, in short... amazing.

The spa was so amazing, in fact, that it changed our entire outlook on the Inn. Coming out, we saw the property in a whole new light. We enjoyed some fried oysters at the Magnolia Lounge, hit the Great Hall for a salmon BLT and enjoyed a breakfast buffet the next morning at the Blue Ridge Dining Room. When it came to leave, we had completely lost all track of time. The mountain serenity provides the perfect backdrop to just sit on the porch or relax by the fire for hours. Your cares will seem miles away.

I came in with low expectations, and left ready to return again soon.

*****

We moved downtown to The Renaissance Asheville Hotel, a perfect stay for exploring downtown Asheville by foot. We enjoyed some organic fare (garden salad, tico burrito) at the well-reviewed vegetarian eatery The Laughing Seed. It's definitely a must-visit. Desert came in the form of hand-made truffles at The Chocolate Fetish, a required stop for anyone with a sweet tooth. We had planned to dine at Zambra's that evening, but the daily menu just didn't offer appeal. Instead we opted for a place closer to the hotel, Bouchon French Bistro. This turned out to be another unexpected highlight of the trip. The Trout Almondine is exceptional, as was everything else we tried.

*****

Next stop on the tour was downtown Greenville, SC, where I was in town to present an Internet Marketing Seminar to the NC/SC Associations of Festivals and Events. As is typical with downtown convention hotels, The Hyatt Regency was bustling with an odd assortment of gangstas, punks, ne'er-do-wells, and wedding guests. Adding to the insanity was a Narcotics Anonymous family convention, a rowdy group that wasn't about to let the absence of drugs rain on their 24-hour party. The Grove Park Inn, it was not.

We did, however, have another great dining experience at Soby's, a Greenville restaurant offering New-South cuisine with biscuits as appetizers. The Shrimp and Grits was right at the top of the list of best ever, easily blowing away a similar offering down the street at Sassafras. The next day brought a trip to Tsunami, located conveniently by the hotel. It won't go down as the best sushi ever, but it was good, nonetheless.

*****

After three hotels in four days, we were eager to get back home. While I'm not dying to revisit the Greenville Hyatt, I do have my sights set on returning to the Grove Park Inn. I've already suggested to my extended family that we spend Christmas at The Grove Park Inn in lieu of exchanging presents. If anyone has done so, or has any other tips about the Grove Park Inn, please share them in the comments section.

Loews Santa Monica - My Favorite Hotel in the World

As a traveling comedian, public speaker, and husband of a flight attendant, I've stayed at probably 500+ hotels in 37 states and several foreign countries. After much soul-searching, I've decided that my favorite hotel in the World is... drum roll, please...

The Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel

I've stayed there three times, and I can't wait to go back. Now before you start calling me crazy and raving about the Dar Al Masyaf in Dubai, read on. These are my personal criteria for evaluating hotels I've visited, in order of importance...

**********

Within Walking Distance to Great Shops and Restaurants 
I do enough driving in my day to day life, so when I'm on vacation I don't want to drive. My ideal hotel is within safe (emphasis on safe) walking distance to World-class dining and shopping.

The Loews Santa Monica is just steps away from Third Street Promenade, where you can find any food your heart desires, pretty much any major retailer you can name, and plenty of free and exciting street performers to enjoy. There's also Santa Monica Place Mall, Main Street District, and the upscale Montana Avenue just a short ride away. And don't forget my inexplicable love of Cha Cha Chicken, just blocks away from the hotel.

Ocean Front
I never tire of visiting the beach. Seriously, it never gets old. I rarely get in the water, I don't surf, and I'm not a sun bather. I just like the vibe of the beach, and the sight and sounds of the ocean waves.

The Santa Monica Loews is not technically ocean front - there is a very small street separating the beach from the hotel. And the Santa Monica beach doesn't boast the best sand or cleanest tide. Honestly, the beach itself is just OK. For me, though, the Santa Monica Pier more than makes up for it. I'm an absolute sucker for amusement parks, and an amusement park on the beach is about as good as it gets. The nighttime views of the World-famous Pier Ferris wheel from the Loews balcony are to die for.

Workout Facilities 
My wife has to work out on vacation, which makes a good gym very important for me.
The Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel has as good a gym as any hotel I've stayed at anywhere in the World. Plus there's a Spa, saunas, locker rooms, Yoga classes, and lots of other fitness-related amenities.

Nightlife 
Mariana likes to dress up and go out. And as I already mentioned, I'd prefer not to drive. Having local nightspots to hit is a must.

The Loews Santa Monica is surrounded by places to go at night. Skip the restaurants on the Promenade and just visit the neighboring hotels. That's right, go hotel-hopping. Start next door at Le Merigot, then hit Shutters on the Beach and catch the sunset at Casa Del Mar. Head back to the hotel and finish out the evening at the ultra-hip Viceroy. Counting the Loews, that's five hot spots within three city blocks.

Nearby Outdoor Activities 
I'm hardly an adventurer, but I love to have outdoor things to do near or around the hotel.

The Loews Hotel Santa Monica has the aforementioned Pier and Third Street Promenade, along with Palisades Park and the Santa Monica Boardwalk. One of my joys in life is to rent a bike (right outside the hotel) and ride either North towards Malibu or South through Venice Beach. Whether on foot or on bike, the sights and sounds of the boardwalk are an experience not to be missed.

Cool Vibe 
This one is hard to explain, but it's just a feeling that you get from staying at the hotel.

The Santa Monica Loews Hotel definitely exudes a hip vibe. For starters, there are likely to be celebrities, sports teams, or LA power moguls staying, visiting, or holding court in the lobby. You don't know who you might run into. And even if you're not into that, sitting out by the pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean definitely makes you feel like a star.

Service 
I don't need my eyelids covered in cucumbers as I sit in the sauna, I'm just looking for good, friendly service.
The Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel has upgraded my room at no charge every time I've stayed there. They call me by my name and get me anything I need. What more could I ask for?

Hotel Room 
I'm putting the room itself last on my list of criteria. Seriously, after 500 hotels, a room is pretty much a room. I want a comfortable bed, a good view, and clean amenities. That should be standard.
The Loews Santa Monica has passable rooms with comfortable beds and spectacular views - particularly of the Santa Monica Pier.

**********

So those are my criteria. Noticeably missing from the list is Price. Sure, price is a factor. I'm not considering "any hotel in the World if it was free" - I'm only considering properties that I can reasonably afford right now. I have yet to stay at a Ritz-Carlton or Four Seasons. I'm also a little biased to mainland US destinations. I like to travel the World, but for lots of reasons it's just not as fun as it used to be.

Considering these criteria, my favorite places to visit are Santa Monica, Miami Beach, and Las Vegas. I'd like to hit the Loews Miami Beach and The Hotel at Mandalay Bay. I also wouldn't mind getting back to New York, London, Austin, Berlin, Monterrey, and Playa Del Carmen. I've even grown fond of our own Myrtle Beach.

Now based on these criteria, which hotel do you recommend I visit?

O2 Wireless Festival Review: Morrissey, Beck, New York Dolls

Our economic stimulus check arrived in the mail last week. Mariana and I promptly spent the lot of it celebrating Independence Day in London. Was that not the idea?

We crossed the pond to attend The 02 Wireless Festival on July 4, 2008 in London's Hyde Park. The event was a lesson in indulgence, boasting five stages of continuous music. Add in a dozen stages of karaoke, Guitar Hero pavilions and Rock Band game tents, and it added up to a sonic overload. To say it was aurally overwhelming is an understatement.

We saw bits of The Wombats, Siouxsie Sioux, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, and many others. And while tens of thousands of adoring fans sang along to Beck at the festival's main stage, a few hundred music faithful crowded into a small tent to see one of the most influential rock bands of all time, The New York Dolls.

The Dolls were way before my time, but they kicked off the punk movement and influenced bands ranging from The Clash, to Motley Crue, to Guns N' Roses, and The Smiths. It was worth the trip from North Carolina just to get a glimpse of these true true rock 'n roll pioneers.

Long before The Smiths, festival headliner Morrissey was such a fan of the Dolls that he was the President of their fan club. Morrissey was instrumental in reuniting the Dolls in 2004, and no doubt pulled some strings to get them at the 2008 02 Wireless Festival. Thank you, Moz.

I've only been to two Morrissey concerts and this was my second favorite, trailing last year's Morrissey concert at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, SC. It's hard to beat the intimacy of a small venue performance. But it was cool to see Moz treated like royalty in his homeland.
     
Pictured above: Morrissey wearing an American Idol t-shirt.

The O2 Festival Rocks...

All in all, there was much to like about the 02 Wireless Festival. Foremost, Hyde Park is a great venue for such an event. It's beautiful, spacious, and easily accessible by public transportation. Coming in, we breezed right through the entrance line. Going out, we filed right into the awaiting train at the nearby Hyde Park Corner Underground stop.
The event was very lenient with bringing in your own food and beverage items. We packed a weekend's worth of food and drink and waltzed right in, saving us a fortune in expense. And if you wanted more, the sheer volume of food and beverage vendors offered a multitude of choices with no lines at all. There were plenty of places to find a seat on the grass, or you could easily snag a picnic table if desired. And not once did I have to wait even one second to use the restroom.

But Give Me Less Bands and Longer Set Lists.

My only real gripe is that I don't get the five stages. I'm 100% into the idea of discovering new bands, but the logistics of navigating through the maze of crowds to the distant stages makes it impossible. Depending on where you stood, the three outdoor stages created a wall of sound that could snap someone on the edge of sanity. The two stages in tents imposed a limit to the actual amount of people who could see the bands. It was entirely possible to not get to see a band you paid big pounds to see.
The five stages are also a disservice to the bands. How is The National supposed to compete against Morrissey, The New York Dolls, and the other acts unfortunate enough to be scheduled at the same time? Instead of being exposed to thousands of new fans, the smaller stage bands end up playing for the same few hundred fans who would have seen them at the Pub down the street.
The set lists were also way too short. Give me fewer stages, more sprawling space, and longer set lists.
But hey, I'm not complaining. A sunny day spent with Morrissey in London is a good day indeed.

Top Restaurants in Los Angeles - Places to eat in LA

I just returned from another exciting trip to the Los Angeles area. Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to dine at a variety of places along the Southern California coast, and I’m posting some of my experiences here for your enjoyment. Please share your favorite places to eat in the comments section below.

Ventura Beach, CA Dining

Cafe Pacifico - Mexican / Baja Coastal
Marriott Ventura Beach, 2055 East Harbor Boulevard, Ventura, CA 93001, 805-643-6000
I’m starting off the beaten path here, but my recent trip took me to Ventura Beach, CA. The Marriott is definitely the place to stay in town. While not beachfront, the ocean is just right around the corner - a short walk or bike ride away. Cafe Pacifico was the surprise dining experience of this recent trip. I had to kick off my CA visit with fish tacos, tortilla soup and a house salad. They were all excellent. The breakfast buffet was also a pleasant surprise. Even if you’re not staying at the Marriott, a visit to Cafe Pacifico is definitely worth your while. www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/oxrvb-ventura-beach-marriott

Thousand Oaks, CA Dining

Marmalade Cafe & Catering Co.
140 Promenade Way # I, Westlake Village, CA 91362, 805-370-1331
I had the pleasure of meeting talented radio promoter Alan Rommelfanger for lunch, and he picked this nice spot right off Hwy 101. Strangely, I realized I had been to the Promenade at Westlake before to pick up lunch at Bristol Farms. The service at Marmalade was very slow and the food was forgettable, but the company made up for the lackluster dining experience. www.marmaladecafe.com

After my trip to Thousand Oaks, I took the Malibu Canyon from 101 to the Pacific Coast Highway. What a breathtaking strip of highway. That was at least my third trip on that stretch, and it was just as awe-inspiring as the first. If you’re in LA, it’s worth driving up to Thousand Oaks just to take that drive.

Santa Monica, CA Dining

Papillon at Loews Santa Monica - Fireside Lounge
1700 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401, 310-458-6700
The Santa Monica Loews hotel in is unquestionably one of my favorite places to be in the entire World. With oceanfront views overlooking the Santa Monica pier, and World-class dining and shopping options just footsteps away, the Loews just can’t be beat. I always grab a bite at the Papillon hotel lounge or outdoors poolside. And it’s not for the food. It’s for the location, the star sightings, and the feeling that you’re in the middle of something exciting. By the way, the also serve this up at Shutters, Casa Del Mar, and The Viceroy – be sure to visit them all. www.santamonicaloewshotel.com

The Hump - Sushi
3221 Donald Douglas Loop Rd., Santa Monica, CA, 310-313-0977
When my friends told me that the best sushi in LA was at the Santa Monica airport, well… it seemed a bit fishy (c’mon, how could I resist?). But the chefs at The Hump fly their ingredients in daily from Tokyo fish markets in oxygen-filled containers. That’s pretty fresh. It easily has to be the best airport restaurant in the World, and many (including Frommer’s) argue that it’s the best sushi in LA. www.thehump.biz

Typhoon - Asian
3221 Donald Douglas Loop South, Santa Monica, CA 90405, 310-390-6565
While at The Hump, be sure to go downstairs to visit owner Brian Vidor's other restaurant, Typhoon. The exhibition kitchen executes an endless menu of dishes from every corner of Asia: Japanese gyoza, Indian samosas, Chinese dim sum, Thai coconut-chicken curry, Filipino fried squid, Indonesian stir-fried noodles, and much more. Although I was too full from Sushi upstairs, I still managed to try out the delicious Kimchi. I could have eaten three bowls, and Dim Sum (one of my favorite jokes from Geechy Guy). www.typhoon.biz

Cha Cha Chicken - Eclectic Caribbean
1906 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90405, 310-581-1684
I’m going to lay it out for you – I love Cha Cha Chicken. During my last trip I ate there 3 times in 2 days. For this trip, going to Cha Cha Chicken was one of the things I looked forward to the most. I’m not even sure why I love it so much. It’s just a beach shack serves on the corner of Pico and Ocean Blvd. I usually get the food to go and take it back to the Loews. It’s a great affordable option that’s unique, delicious, and easy on the wallet. www.chachachicken.com

Burbank, CA Dining

Acapulco Mexican Restaurant Y Cantina
3113 W Olive Ave, Burbank, CA 91505, 818- 841-4433
My old friend and Los Angeles magician Mic Cover picked this out for a meeting spot, so I could be close to my meeting at Warner Brothers. It seemed like any other Mexican restaurant, except it had a buffet – something you don’t see too often here in North Carolina. While there were plenty of options on the buffet that you would regret later, it turned out to be the perfect lunch spot for someone willing to make smart decisions. I opted for salad and rice topped with grilled chicken and fresh salsa, along with fresh-cut fruit for desert. I would visit again without hesitation. www.acapulcorestaurants.com

Warner Brothers Outdoor Café
After years of searching, I finally reconnected with my old friend Ronnie Warner. He was the first comedy club bookers to use Selected Hilarity as a headliner. He also raved about a then 15-year-old unknown comic named Dave Chappell, and held Def Comedy-style shows in Durham, NC long before Def Comedy existed. In short, Ronnie had an eye for talent and was ahead of his time. His hard work has paid off with a business partnership with Mekhi Pfieffer and a prime office on the Warner Brothers lot. We spent hours talking, laughing, and catching up. Ronnie borrowed a golf cart and we rode around the lot for a while before eating at an outdoor café. While the food was nothing special, the experience was unforgettable.

Lomita, CA Dining

Harry's Oklahoma Style Smokehouse BBQ
25501 Narbonne Avenue, Lomita, CA 90717, 310-326-9842
Can you believe I left Burbank at 4:30 PM on a Friday to drive all the way to San Pedro during peak rush hour? And can you believe it took less than an hour? I headed off to Rancho Palos Verdes to visit my old friend and former WWE Champion, Rob Van Dam. For dinner we picked up a pound each of pulled chicken and pulled pork from Harry’s. The owner has adorned the walls with photos of himself from the 70’s with lots of really old-school country music stars. My favorite picture, though, was a picture of the owner with Andy Kaufman – complete with the neck brace from the Jerry Lawler piledriver. Priceless. If you find yourself in California craving some home-style BBQ, Harry’s is the place to go. www.harrysokstylebbq.com

Venice Beach, CA Dining

Figtree's Café – Oceanfront / American
429 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291, 310-392-4937
There’s no place in the World quite like the Venice Beach Ocean Front boardwalk. Ask me about my trip there with RVD and SVD offline and I’ll tell you some stories. There are plenty of oceanfront eating options in Venice, and this seemed like as good as any. We opted to eat outdoors and despite the 70 degree temperature, the wind made downright freezing. The slow service didn’t help matters, and some of our appetizers actually came out after the entrees. I had the seemingly innocuous Grilled Mahi tuna sandwich, but I was soon filled with regret. Maybe it was the hummus – but something in their “fresh ingredients” didn’t sit well. I’ll leave it at that. www.figtreescafe.com

Now enough about me. Where do you like to eat in LA?

Morrissey Tour Reviews: House of Blues Concert Myrtle Beach SC

Despite attending college during the heyday of The Smiths, I didn’t get into them as much as my classmates. I have kept up with Morrissey’s solo career and admired much of his work. My wife even dragged me to see Johnny Marr and the Healers at the Cat’s Cradle a while back. But it wasn’t until the release of Morrissey’s 2004 CD “You Are the Quarry” that it all came together for me. In particular, the song “I’m Not Sorry” struck me as one of the most beautiful songs ever written by any artist in any genre. I went back to explore the full cannon of Morrissey’s work and I was hooked.

Fast forward to July 21, 2007 and a seemingly unlikely place to end Morrissey’s current “Greatest Hits” tour – Myrtle Beach, SC. Yes, the man who put the “M” in “Manchester” was planning to close his tour at the beach that put the “Red” in “Redneck”. It seemed an unlikely combination. It was my first Morrissey concert, and I had no idea what to expect.

My wife and I stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott at Barefoot Landing. It’s convenient for attending the House of Blues, but not convenient for much else. By the way, be sure to eat at the House of Blues if you’re attending a General Admission seating concert. You’ll get to bypass the line and be one of the first in.

Morrissey attracts all types. The line was filled with everything from preppies to Goths to greasers, and from teenage misfits to middle aged office workers. These 2,500 or so people would otherwise never mingle, but here they were – anxiously chatting with each other in line about their favorite Moz memories.

The House of Blues is a great venue. We headed down front, slightly stage right. Even though the show was sold out, it never felt crowded. The air conditioning pumped strong all night. I’ve have never felt cooler at any concert.

After seeing a ton of concert footage from around the World, I was a little nervous about being down front. But the crowd in my section was incredibly well-mannered. They’d politely push forward when Morrissey extended his hand, then retreat like the ocean’s tide when he stepped away. The energy and adoration in the room was unreal.

And Morrissey? Well, he was awesome. From “Panic” to “How Soon is Now,” he tore through classic after classic. He joked, he smiled, he played with the crowd. According to the hardcores on the Morrissey website, it was one of his single best concerts in over 10 years.

Who would have guessed that Morrissey and Myrtle Beach would make such a winning combination? There was magic in the House of Blues that night. And I’m glad I was there to witness it.

Courtyard By Marriott New York Manhattan - Upper East Side Review

Courtyard By Marriott Upper East Side Review
Summary: New, clean, highly recommended

My wife and I go to New York City about once a year and always bid on Priceline.com for a hotel. Priceline is a bit of a gamble: you don’t know where you’ll end up until after your card is charged, and the charges are non-refundable. But NYC is very easy to get around, so it's usually a risk worth taking. This year we ended up at Courtyard By Marriott New York Manhattan - Upper East Side.

We had a lot of plans for the weekend which included attending the Saturday Night Live season finale (Midtown), visiting the fabulous Calvin Wiley (Village), and getting a passport renewed (SoHo). Based on those criteria, the Upper East Side was not where we wanted to end up. But we also had plans to visit our friend Bryan Tucker from SNL, who it turned out lived just blocks from the Courtyard.

This particular Marriott property opened in August of 2006, and everything has a newness about it that is absent from many NYC hotels. The rooms were clean, spacious (especially by NYC standards), and well laid out. In addition to our King size bed, we had a sitting area that included a couch and workstation. The bathroom was also roomy with modern amenities and a very clean shower (keep in mind this can be unusual in NYC).

Most importantly, the staff was friendly and always ready to help out. And like any good stay, we rarely needed them.

For the fitness minded travelers, the lower level features an indoor pool, locker rooms with saunas and steam rooms, and a workout area with cardio equipment, machines, and free weights. Head outside down 90th street, and it’s a straight shot to the Central Park reservoir jogging track (1.5 miles around the track, 1.5 miles to/from hotel). If you’re looking for a good 5K, walk to the track (largely uphill), jog the track and then back to the hotel (largely downhill).

When you’re hungry, head over to 2nd Avenue between 88th and 90th. At 1726 Second Ave. you’ll find a delightful Mexican eatery called Taco Taco, known for its outstanding fish tacos. On either side of Taco Taco, you’ll find casual dining ranging from Thai, to Japanese, to Southwest, to Chinese, to anything you want to eat.

The nearest subway station is a mile away, but you’d better get used to walking if you’re coming to the city. You can also easily catch a cab outside the hotel. Rides to/from LaGuardia were about $20-25 + toll ($4.50) + tip. Rides to/from midtown were $10-15, and all the way to the Village or SoHo were in the $20-25 range.

Heading into the trip, I was a bit disappointed that we ended up so far away from Midtown. But this turned out to be one of our best stays, and the Courtyard played a big part in our satisfaction. We’d definitely return to the hotel, and we recommend you give it a try, as well.

Courtyard By Marriott
Upper East Side
410 East 92nd Street
New York, New York 10128
212-410-6777
http://marriott.com/hotels/travel/nycmh-courtyard-new-york-manhattan-upper-east-side/

Miami Beach Travel Tips and Advice - Miami, FL

Miami Beach Travel Tips
Summary: where you stay can greatly impact your cab and food bills

I've had the pleasure of visiting Miami Beach on three occasions, staying at the charming Blue Moon, the forgettable Deauville Beach Resort, and most recently, the construction-laden Eden Roc Resort. I definitely want to return, and would like to make my next stay at the Loews Hotel. Britney Spears reportedly resided at the Loews while we were in town, no doubt eschewing the company of her soon-to-be-ex in favor of the ubiquitous business convention goers.

South Beach includes everything south of 23rd street, and is the area that the beach is most widely known for. North Beach has it's own charm, but I found my stay there costly in hidden ways. Although I did manage to jog the four miles from the Eden Roc (49th Street) to South Beach, I still took five cab rides to/from South Beach over three days. That added up to about $50 in cab fees. Plus, there were very few dining options around the Eden Roc - none of them particularly reasonable price-wise. South Beach has infinitely more dining options, plus a myriad of low-cost eateries such as Subway, Miami Subs, etc. I likely would have been able to save an extra $50 or so on food had we stayed in South Beach. That's $100 I could have blown any number of ways (a visitor to Miami Beach and his cash are easily parted).

Cab rides to/from the Miami airport to Miami Beach were a flat $32 + tip. There was absolutely no problem catching a cab from the airport, and most any hotel can flag one for you. You can theoretically hail a cab from the street, but I never had any luck. Your best bet is to duck in the nearest hotel and hail a cab from there. In fact, we ended up hitching a ride at the Ritz-Carlton after unsuccessfully trying to catch one on the street.

Miami Beach is unquestionably growing on me. It doesn't quite hold the same lure as New York, Los Angeles, or Vegas. But it's a short plane ride from Raleigh, and there is much to love: beautiful people, to-die-for weather, interesting cuisine, plentiful shopping, and so much more. Plus, you never know if that Hummer with the tinted windows holds Jennifer Lopez or a Columbian drug lord. Either way, an adventure awaits you around every corner!

Cafeteria South Beach - Miami Dining Review

Cafeteria Miami Beach Review
Summary: Hip, Tasty, Reasonably Priced

Today we continue our journey through Miami Beach dining destinations with a review of Cafeteria. The restaurant is located on South Beach's famed shopping avenue, Lincoln Road, and is a sister restaurant to New York's trendy establishment of the same name.

We did not seek this place out. I was looking for place to eat on Lincoln Road, and the menu aligned with my cravings at that particular moment in time. I was seduced by the lure of the turkey burger, as there had been week-long cookouts at the Eden Roc Resort to fuel my desire. I opted for field greens instead of fries, and Mariana chose the Baby Spinach salad. Both choices were excellent.

There were a lot of other items I would have loved to try including any of the wraps (Buffalo Chicken, Blackened Mahi, or Spicy Shrimp), the Crab Burger, the Shrimp and Garlic pizza, the Crispy Skin Atlantic Salmon, the... well, you get the idea - there were a lot of good choices.

Most people opted to dine outdoors, but we sat inside and pretty much had the place to ourselves. The architecture, lighting, and music made for a very stylish dining experience, without the painful price tag of say, Nobu. The place becomes a nightclub called Air after dark, which no doubt accounts for much of the modish accouterments.

The verdict? Two ketchup bottles up. There are a lot of great places to eat on Lincoln Road, not to mention South Beach as a whole. I recommend a stop at Cafeteria for a fun, fashionable, dining experience.

Nobu Sushi - Nobu Miami Dining Review

Nobu Restaurant Miami Review
Summary: Delicious, but pricey.

I'm by no means a sushi snob. I'm just as happy eating pre-packaged crunchy shrimp rolls from Whole Foods off my kitchen counter as I am dining on Toru sashimi seated next to Kate Hudson in Malibu. But the latter makes for a better blog post. Plus, it's always fun to seek out the best sushi in town, which has lead over the past year to Nobu in Malibu, The Hump in Santa Monica, and most recently Nobu in Miami Beach.

Nobu is owned by master chef Nobuyuki "Nobu" Matsuhisa and Robert DeNiro. The Miami Beach location is located inside the Shore Club, and is adjacent to the owners' sister restaurant, Ago. The whole package (location, ambiance, people) is way too cool for school. If you're in to paying for chic, then pull out the wallet and get ready to roll!

Here's the tally for Mariana and I:

• Two pieces of Tuna sashimi
• One order of Yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno
  
• One order of Rock Shrimp tempura with spicy cream sauce

Add a couple of drinks plus the built-in 18% gratuity and the bill tipped the scales at $94. Mariana called it the best meal ever that can't be purchased at Magnolia Grill in Durham (hard to dethrone her favorite). I call it a lot to pay for a small town boy from Saxapahaw who still feels the not-too-distant pain of scrounging around for $2 worth of change to pay for a Wendy's side salad and chicken nuggets. But hey, life has been good and once in a while you've got to treat yourself.

So what's the verdict? Two chopsticks up. Count on me to make stops at Nobu in Las Vegas, London, New York, and wherever else my travels may take me. I'm saving up...