Tag Archives: fine dining

Surf’s Up at Duke’s

If you can’t make it to Maui this weekend, your next best bet is to head over to Duke’s.

Located in Malibu and overlooking the ocean, Duke’s is the perfect dinner destination that brings Hawaiian flare without all the tourists. Locals from Malibu and Los Angeles can never seem to get enough of the fruity cocktails and signature fish tacos that Duke’s serves up for lunch and dinner.

If you stick around for dinner to enjoy their fresh fish selections such as their lobster tail, make sure to grab a table near the window to enjoy ocean views and the sunset. Though they are known for their fish tacos and array of assorted seafood, diners rave over their macadamia nut ice cream and kimo wine as well.

Duke’s also has designated nights for wine lovers and fruity cocktail aficionados. Wednesdays are dedicated to bottles of half-off wine while the Barefoot Bar assigns different nights to different drinks.

If you are visiting the bu’, make sure to visit Duke’s.
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Lacroix’s Haute Cuisine in Beautiful Rittenhouse Square

Every now and then you have one of those moments where you think “I don’t know what on Earth I just ate, but it was delicious and I want more!” And even when they tell you what it is (kampachi who?) just smile, nod and be thankful that the glorious morsel is in your mouth! Lacroix provides exotic flavor blends that will wow even the most adventurous of palates in one of the most luxurious and beautiful settings in Philadelphia.

Overlooking the haute Rittenhouse Square, Lacroix provides a serene loft above the bustle of the streets. The staff is exceptional, as is the sommelier (handsome and French, just the way he should be).

It seems futile to suggest entrees because everything will leave you speechless and thrilled. If you’re not in town for dinner, the brunch is legendary. From the towering raw bar with exceptional caviar selections to the crisped corn beef and potato hash with, ahem, poached egg on top (awesome!) all bellies will leave full and delighted.

Grill 23 Offers Serious Steaks

Step into the bustling steakhouse known as Grill 23 and you will be greeted with impeccable service and first rate steaks. Located across the street from the old John Hancock building and in what was once the commodities trading floor of the old Salada Tea Company, this award-winning and nationally recognized Back Bay steakhouse has emerged as one of the city’s standouts.

The two-floored dining room focuses on an open-air kitchen where guests can watch Executive Chef Jay Murray prepare each signature dish. The a la carte menu at Grill 23 features quality steaks with even higher price tags ($40 to $50) such as a dry aged New York strip, Kobe cap steak, bone-in filet and ribeye, but returning diners believe it’s worth every penny. The wine list, which reads more like a book, is truly amazing featuring red reserves like a 1998 Screaming Eagle cabernet that goes for a handsome $1,400 per bottle. When the restaurant fills in on the weekends, expect the noise level to rise tremendously, so depending on your mood book a reservation early for a quiet celebration or later for a more lively atmosphere. Visit grill23.com for more information.

Party Central at Thrive Dallas

Thrive Dallas takes the standard nightclub atmosphere and turns it into an event. This establishment claims the Playboy Intimates Model Search, DJ’s Tek-Neek and Joe Vega, and a line of impressive twenty-something outside each week clamoring to get inside. Thrive is an ideal location to throw a raging private party or have a fun girl/guy’s night out.

Connected to the Crown Plaza Hotel downtown, this club makes it easy to commit to a fun, safe weekend when adding a hotel room into your plans. The restaurant section serves up fine dining and provides the perfect opportunity to eat well before a long night of partying.

Though a nightclub connected to a hotel might not sound as rocking as a stand alone club, Thrive continues to draw large crowds week after week with its good tunes and array of drinks. Be prepared to wait in line from time to time and adhere to the strict dress code-it is always enforced. Thrive is doing just that, and adding to the nightlife that keeps Dallas dancing until dawn.

Find Your Spot in Bishop Arts District

A stone’s throw from downtown Dallas is an eclectic neighborhood that will make you feel as if you have stepped into a new wonderland. The Bishop Arts District is a town square of sorts that combines art galleries, boutiques, fine dining and casual bistros, as well as special events like wine walks and gathering for cyclists.

Set up with free parking, tree-lined sidewalks and a myriad of windows to shop from, Bishop Arts draws the young, the old, and the fabulously funky. Enjoy drinks at the quaint bar inside Eno’s Pizza, a famous Frito Pie at Tillman’s Roadhouse, and a hard-to-find soda pop from your childhood at the Soda Gallery. Unique t-shirts and trendy styles abound at Epiphany, all natural pet foods for your furry friend are sold at the Green Pet, and when your favorite first edition is in need, take it to The Book Doctor; they specialize in repairing books.

With this incredible mix of things to do and see, it’s no wonder that Bishop Arts is one of the fastest growing gems in Dallas. Take an afternoon or evening to explore and experience, and you just might find that you have a new favorite hang out.

Nan Thai: Discover The Food Golfer Vijay Singh Loves

Thai dining- at its highest level- is easily found at Nan Thai Fine Dining. Outside, the tone is set with an eye-catching gold statue right at the corner of Spring and 17th Street, minutes from Atlantic Station and the Woodruff Arts Center. Inside, it doesn’t stop. Elegantly appointed sculptures and art compliment the sleek and sophisticated room full of bamboo touches; even the bathroom is a calming oasis.

Equally impressive is the distinctive and flavorful food by Chef Nan Niyomkul, who co-owns Nan with her husband Charlie. The Pla Muk Thod, affectionately known as “fire calamari,” is an appetizer must. Pla Sahm Lod, the Chilean sea bass done in a three-flavor chili sauce, is a satisfying entrée. It’s not cheap like most Thai places, but it’s very well worth the expense.

Business is fine, but Nan works even better for romance. Its many admirers include Tiger Woods and family friends Vijay Singh and his wife Ardena. Singh is such a devotee that his love prompted a 2005 Sports Illustrated article about the Niyomkuls and their food, so it’s certainly cuisine worthy of any Master.

A Chicago Classic: The Rosebud

Chicago is known for its restaurants, but some stand out far above others, and one of them is Rosebud. For 30 years, this landmark restaurant has attracted famous Chicagoans and the visiting elite for its dreamy ambiance of shiny wood floors, mahogony framed mirrored walls and white linen covered tables. With impeccable service and mouth watering steaks, the Rosebud has gained such a fan base that it now has several addresses including a specialty Italian restaurant on Chicago’s bustling Rush Street, a trattoria, an express shop and several suburban locales.

It’s hard to believe that back in 1977, it was just a mundane grocery store. What’s easy to picture is the array of guests who have frequented the place: Tony Bennett, Oprah Winfrey and even magical ol’ Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra. From the starting line-up of the Bulls to the Bears, this place tends to be crawling with stars and big wigs. Just check out the “Wall of Fame” if you need assurance while there.

Celeb watching aside, this is a place to indulge so don’t hold back and get that 14 oz. Italiano steak – delicioso!

Say “Oui” to the Dining Room at Hotel St. Germain

Fine french cuisine isn’t always the easiest to find. That’s why the Dining Room at the Hotel St. Germain is such a Dallas gem; it boasts a seven-course gourmet experience that utilizes the freshest of ingredients and meats. Crystal and china accents make the tablescapes eye catching and exude a rich Parisian feel. The champagne bar is a delight when celebrating any occasion, or no occasion at all.

If seafood is your fare, try the pan-seared sea scallops with lobster sauce and caviar-an utter treat. If you are a meat-lover at heart, beef tenderloin with roasted artichokes and fingerling potatoes will have you saying “Merci!”.

If all this sounds very luxurious and refined, it is. Jackets are required for men, so prepare to dress to impress. Afterall, why not look tres chic while indulging in a little bit of France down south?

The Joule Hotel Speed Dials Martinis & Neiman Marcus

Historic doesn’t always conjure up images of sleekness and sophistication, but in the case of the Joule Hotel in downtown Dallas, it does that and much more. With 129 masterful rooms and amenities like a full martini station and direct dial to Neiman Marcus from your guestroom, it’s easy to see why The Joule has quickly become popular.

Revamped from a 1920’s Neo-gothic building structure, the hotel now houses the PM Lounge, award winning-Charlie Palmer’s restaurant, wine bar, poolside café, and a sumptuous wine shop. The heated rooftop pool and high-tech fitness center are guest favorites, as well as the Joule Art Collection that can be seen throughout the property. This hotel may have historical roots, but modern charm and delicious dining rounds out an already spectacular landmark.

History & Luxury at The Fairmont Hotel

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The Fairmont Hotel, located among the finest real estate of Nob Hill, has been a testament to San Francisco’s hospitality since its opening after the 1906 Earthquake. Not only does the hotel offer 591 luxurious rooms and suites (not to mention a 6000 sq. ft. rooftop penthouse suite that accommodates over 100 guests), but has an impressive list of services as well.

As a Fairmont guest, enjoy free use of Nob Hill’s exclusive Club One Health Center & Spa or spend your business trip in the finest corporate meeting space in San Francisco. The Garden Room is, after all, where delegates from around the world drafted the 1945 United Nations Charter.

Throughout the century, socialites and travelers have favored Afternoon Tea Service in The Laurel Court Restaurant & Bar, which serves the best in sustainable fine dining and local wines. Then experience a tropical rainforest and exotic Asian cuisine in the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar.

Seasonal packages are also available, like Valentine’s Day after hours “Wine and Dine Tour” at the California Academy of Sciences. Whatever your interest in staying at the Fairmont, this hotel is sure to provide the highest quality of service.

An Intoxicating Experience at Absinthe

Mix France’s passion for the art of dining, Northern Italy’s seasonal-inspired menus, and Top Chef Jamie Lauren’s cultured American influence and you have an explosion of rich flavor and buttery emotion that lingers on every taste bud long after you leave.

Absinthe Brasserie & Bar in charming Hayes Valley has a vintage french wine list (Wine Spectator 2009’s Award of Excellence Winner to be fair) and assortment of fine cheeses alone that will impress even the most discerning of foodies. Except how could anyone not be further enticed by menu items like Steak Tartare with poached quail egg and habanero or Charoula-Rubbed Lamb Loin with cucumber relish. Feeling like a French royale? Absinthe serves Tsar Nicoulai Farm-Raised Osetra Caviar for $75 an ounce.

In addition to the fine dining, and for the upscale foodie on a budget, Absinthe has a separate Belle Epoque-inspired bar space featuring designer cocktails and cafe style small plates. Pair the strength of Absinthe’s atmosphere with a “Sacred Heart” tequila/absinthe cocktail and this brasserie will have you seeing “la fee verte”.

Definition for Fine Dining at Four Seasons Restaurant

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Other restaurants have incredible statues, but the Four Seasons has a bubbling pool as its centerpiece, one example of how this fine dining landmark establishment stands out above the rest. Complete with stand-by jackets for those who come unprepared for the formal dress code, the Four Seasons is home to celebrity clientele and the who’s who of power New Yorkers.

Known as the go-to “Power Lunch” hotspot in Manhattan, at night the elegant crowd dines on award-winning American cuisine that – true to its name- is prepared from the freshest seasonal ingredients. The Four Seasons is the ultimate upscale New York experience, and so beloved by its regular patrons, that it was awarded the “Favorite Restaurant in the World” by Town & Country Magazine.

Dine on the Original Boston Cream Pie at Parker’s Restaurant

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The name Omni Parker House evokes a rich storied history that attracted the likes of Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, Longfellow and Charles Dickens. The city’s infamous Boston cream pie was invented here in the ovens at Parker’s, along with its renowned Parker House rolls, but historians flock to the dining room where local and national politicians like John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton have all eaten.

Stop in the longest continuously operating hotel for some of the best New England seafood in town, including Wellfleet oysters and Boston baked scrod (which they have been serving up since 1906). Legend has it the restaurant originated the term scrod as well. Two cultural icons also spent time on the staff here – Ho Chi Minh served as a baker and Malcom Little – a.k.a. Malcolm X – was a busboy. The food is just as good now as it was then. Click here for more information.

Eclectic Colorado Cuisine at 1515 Restaurant

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1515 Restaurant is fine dining Denver style. It’s a nationally recognized, award-winning restaurant that takes contemporary American cuisine, splashes it with some European flair, and adds some one-of-a-kind “eclectic Colorado cuisine” to top off the menu.

People come for the food as well as the ambiance. The bar scene on the first floor is usually crowded with a hot crowd, with lots of people watching of those who come through the door. The upstairs dining room is a bit quieter, and focused on the fabulous food like braised lamb shank or Kobe beef with saki-glazed ahi. There are a few vegetarian options and features an award-winning wine list that’s received praise from Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator.

Dovetail Restaurant

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Dining out is delicious at this lovely little oasis nestled on the Upper West Side. Muslin-covered walls and exposed brick set an elegant ambiance for patrons with a passion for extraordinary eats. There’s a sherry cellar downstairs that dually serves as a private dining room, and the main dining area seats 75. Come for brunch, lunch, or dinner and prepare to be dazzled!