Extravigator

Your Favorite Inexpensive Wine

vernon — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:29:59 -0500

Sounds like a pretty good markup. You can usually buy Caymus Conundrum for about $25 at a wine or liquor store!

Your Favorite Inexpensive Wine

Rick OShea — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:42:33 -0500

As has been talked about previously in this discussion, Caymus wines are fantastic and usually quite expensive. So, while dining out recently, I was quite surprised to find a bottle on the wine list for only about sixty dollars. I was also very surprised to see that it was a white wine, since the only Caymus wines I know of are reds. Anyhow, the name of the wine is Caymus Conundrum, and it's a varietal - a blend of chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, muscat canelli, muscat and viognier grapes, and all of us at our table thought it to be very good. Not great, but very good.....

Hotel in New York

sohcahtoa — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:24:08 -0500

I'd suggest trying the Algonquin Hotel:

http://algonquinhotel.com/

It's been around for a long, long time but it's just filled with history, charm and a great location.

Las Vegas - City Center

The Rover — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 12:28:01 -0500

The New York Times recently reviewed the Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas and the review should be of interest to all those who are contemplating traveling to Las Vegas and perhaps staying at City Center:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/travel/07checkin.html?ref=travel

Rome Restaurants

DonPablo — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:33:11 -0500

One of the other restaurants that we visited while we were in Rome, during our trip to Italy last year, was Ristorante Canova Tadolini. Some of our Italian friends invited us to be their guests at the opera one night and, a few evenings later, we reciprocated by inviting them to be our guests at this charming, very unique restaurant:

Ristorante Canova Tadolini
150 A/B Via del Babuino
00187 Roma
Tel: 06 32110702

The restaurant is, in our opinion, one of the most interesting dining spots in all of the Eternal City. Its origin can be traced back to the 1800s. Located in the Museum-Atelier Canova-Tadolini, it once was the actual studio of the famous Italian sculptor Antonio Canova and, thereafter, was occupied by one of his highly-regarded proteges, Adamo Tadolini. Today, the studio serves as both a museum and a fine restaurant. Where else can you enjoy wonderful Italian food and wine, dine by candlelight, and also be surrounded by sculptures and works of art that go back to the 19th century?. We enjoyed Ristorante Canova Tadolini immensely (especially the pastas) and we recommend it highly!

Marrakech

MIB — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:16:26 -0500

Back in Marrakesh for a nice 4 days, with my Concierge Services always exclusive.
So for who wants to use them +212 679 821 900, name is Black Star Entertainment & Luxury services but the owner told me that the brand is changing soon (by the way he invites us for a diner in an amazing place not even open yet). I have bought the Membership Card, already save money with it.
And for the Amanjena, yes it's great but not my type. The Amanjena was in the top 5 selections by the PA, but we loved the Lodge K.

Best Chocolate Shops in New York?

shawfly — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:54:22 -0500

Yes, Neuhaus is very good as well. Though, it's worth pointing out that they are a Belgian chocolatier, with hundreds and hundreds of shops around the world in more than a few dozen of countries. There are actually three Neuhaus boutiques around the city. In addition to the Broadway location, there's one in Grand Central and another at Lex and 51st as well.

I only mention their prevalence because if you traveling to New York and are looking for good chocolate, say to buy as a gift for a friend, Neuhaus would not be chocolate that's unique to New York. You can find it practically everywhere. But, it's still excellent chocolate.

Best Chocolate Shops in New York?

The Rover — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:54:38 -0500

Here's another place on the upper West Side of Manhattan with a very good selection of various different chocolate treats:

Neuhaus Createur Chocolatier, 2151 Broadway (between 75th and 76th Streets)

They say that they've been providing fine chocolates to the world since 1857. I've sampled their wares and I can truly say that I can appreciate why they've stayed in business that long.

Suggestions for a Honeymoon?

Pieter — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:49:08 -0500

This page some a few interesting honeymoon ideas

Whistler or Vail?

marcie — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:43:19 -0500

FYI…If you've been watching the Olympics, you've seen the effects of the common poor weather problems at Whistler that c.phipps and I was talking about.

Should you send it back?

Trabzon — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:45:19 -0500

Nanoose, I couldn't have said it better myself! Thank you.

Should you send it back?

Nanoose — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 12:56:54 -0500

I am more inclined to send back if the chef can quickly fix the problem...as in if it is undercooked, I can get that rectified easily. Also, and especially with lamb, we order using a color chart--not "medium rare", but "pink" Or "bloody" or "not a trace of blood" I even order my eggs "looking right at you" (sunny side up). Wine is ordered by taste if I'm not familiar with the list, "melt some butter, crush some grapes and put it a bottle and bring it out" (instead of ordering a chardonnay I am not familiar with)...and for the comment about ordering one course at a time, I really disagree with that. A waiter should not put the entire order in and leave it to the chef to time it. A waiter needs to pay attention to his table and tell the chef to hold off on the main courses if he sees the table are slow eaters. It's absurd that the table should have to control the kitchen by ordering food, one course at a time. If a waiter/chef/whomever decides to give me back to back courses without so much as a breath in between, somebody is going to be unhappy at that restaurant and it's not going to be me.

Is Flying Becoming Too Much of an Ordeal?

Rick OShea — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 17:37:17 -0500

In addition to all of the problems cited above in this discussion thread, you can add on all the delays and corresponding aggravation associated with bad weather. In particular, the recent heavy snowstorms that have ravaged many portions of the United States lately have resulted in massive delays and cancellations, and hundreds of thousands of frustrated airline passengers. Clearly, flying isn't always as exciting and pleasurable as it used to be.

Should you send it back?

sohcahtoa — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:37:06 -0500

Having worked as a waiter many years ago, I know that if customers linger over their appetizers, rather than serve the main courses before those customers have finished their first courses, the kitchen winds up cooking the main courses a little longer, in an effort to keep them warm. The result is that they sometimes are a little more "well done" than if they had been served when they were originally ready. I've found that this usually affects fish dishes more than meat dishes.

One way of avoiding this tendency is to start off by just ordering your appetizers and telling the waiter that you'll order the main courses later. This not only increases the probability that your fish or meat will not be overdone, but it also will allow you to have a much more leisurely dinner and not have the main courses rushed to the table immediately after you're finished with the appetizers, which will frequently happen if the restaurant is trying to "turn over the table" for the next customer.

Suggestions for a Honeymoon?

bfexcell — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:38:20 -0500

For me a honeymoon is the trip of your life... so it has to be exceptional. If you choose a destination and an hotel listed everywhere, in every Tour operator's brochure... nothing is really exceptional!!!
Your honeymoon have to be a real WOW experience. If you select Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius, Bahamas... all these places are nice, but you will probably go back there later.
Try to be more creative, a good travel advisor is able to organize your honeymoon in a different way.
A mixt with a lovely beach and few days of uniques experiences tailored made.
Feel free to contact me if you need some ideas, some true "WOW" honeymoon.
Bernard

Where to stay in Los Cabos?

creed — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:00:44 -0500

Honestly all three resorts are wonderful. I agree that you will have difficulty finding someone who's been to all three places. And anyone who's been to just one of those resorts will probably swear it's the best. All of them have been considered the best place to stay in Cabo at one point or another.

Palmilla is that it's a bit out of the way — though some people prefer that about it. But, in reality it's practically a toss up between the three of them. They are all wonderful places to stay, proven by their glowing reviews and the fact that high-power celebrities frequent all three resorts.

While Palmilla Golf Club was Nicklaus's first course in Latin America, he now has three courses in Cabo. Truthfully, it's a little silly to choose Palmilla purely for the golf or tennis (you choose Palmilla because it's an amazing place to stay) — especially since all three resorts that you mentioned have excellent tennis courts and there are now many world-class golf courses scattered around Cabo San Lucas that are open to the public and are only minutes away from all of the resorts. Any concierge will be able to reserve tee times and arrange transport to all of the golf courses. And if you're truly serious about golf, you won't be spending most of your time at Palmilla now that their are so many amazing golf options.

Cabo del Sol's Ocean Course — also designed by Jack Nicklaus — is next door to Esperanza and is widely considered to be the best golf course in Mexico and one of the best courses in the world. Even Jack Nicklaus himself has said that!

Where to stay in Los Cabos?

Rick OShea — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:53:15 -0500

Finding someone who frequents this website and has stayed at all three of the resorts you mentioned will probably be very difficult. Actually, I haven't stayed at any of them, but I have a cousin who spent a week at Palmilla last year and he and his wife loved it. They chose Palmilla because of the luxurious accommodations and especially because of their great on-site tennis courts and golf course. Palmilla has a golf course that was designed by Jack Nicklaus. Anyhow, they loved it and I don't think Las Ventanas or Esperanza can match Palmilla when it comes to tennis or golf. So, if you and your wife are planning on playing any tennis or golf, I'd say that Palmilla should be the place you go.

Where to stay in Los Cabos?

dgold — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:32:27 -0500

My wife and I are trying to decide whether to stay at Palmilla, Las Ventanas or Esperanza on a trip to Cabo. We will be travelling without our children. They all seem to be of equivalent level with different sites rating the 3 differently - some preferring Palmilla, some Esperanza and some Las Ventanas. I was wondering if there was anyone who has stayed at all three who could give us an objective view on which is the best.

Sea Cloud

wespj — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:44:50 -0500

Thanks for sharing all these photos. Looking incredible.

The Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica

loml95 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:52:16 -0500

i would actually suggest shutters as an alternative. right on the beach and lovely, in a shabby chic sort of way....

The Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica

willtravel — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:33:29 -0500

Has anyone stayed at The Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica, California? It's a luxury boutique hotel located right near the beach. I was reading their website (http://www.thehuntleyhotel.com) and their suites are so beautiful and have views of Los Angeles and the ocean. Also, I've heard amazing things about their rooftop restaurant The Penthouse.

I'm thinking of booking a stay. Thoughts?

More info here: http://www.thehuntleyhotel.com

Hotel in New York

Vera Galvez — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:07:56 -0500

I would check out something new- the Standard Hotel.

Luxury Eco Resorts?

Vera Galvez — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:53:45 -0500

Check out the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, CA. This is one of the few destinations I've revisited. It's god's gift to the West Coast! The resort offers all the amenities of a luxury hotel and more within a natural setting overlooking the pacific ocean.

Local jurisdictions limit the amount of development within and regulate all construction so none of the newer establishments can even be seen from highway. The resort offers villas, treehouses, & suites, a full service spa, and fine-dining facilities. They also maintain their own private hiking trails for guests.

I stayed in one of their treehouses a couple of months ago and it was just amazing.

www.postranchinn.com

Karkloof Spa - South Africa

murphy — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:49:57 -0500

If you are travelling around South Africa and are around the Durban area, I have to recommend that you at least look into staying at the above establishment.

It is 1 1/2 hours north of Durban set in a nature reserve, in an elegant and romantic world of it's own. Individual villas/thatched huts, no set times for meals, outstanding quality of food, superbly trained staff, great treatments, great game drives, and such a relaxed atmosphere that you won't want to leave.

It sounds like an advert, but we have just returned, and really cannot fault anything, I highly recommend it if you like peace and quiet (no kids) and pampering, in elegant surroundings with out of this world service.

Should you send it back?

murphy — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:38:10 -0500

Is everyone on this thread American? My husband (English) works with Americans (who meet monthly in Europe or the U.S) and if there is anything wrong when they are out dining, the Americans don't complain.

We are firmly in the camp that if you don't get what you have ordered, esp. when you have been asked how you would like it cooked, you don't wait for anyone to come over, as soon as you see the problem, you beckon someone over. People around you will understand, it may disrupt the meal for a time, but it is unacceptable for a professional chef / kitchen not be able to cook a piece of meat to the customers requirements.

Las Vegas - City Center

sohcahtoa — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:44:16 -0500

The competition between hotels in Las Vegas is becoming intense. Check out this deal that the Venetian is offering:

http://venetian.com/Pagesif.aspx?id=4535

I wonder if this is business as usual or if the deals are even sweeter as a result of the opening of City Center.

The Hotels with the Best Toiletries

bynster — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 15:05:53 -0500

St. Regis, NY - Laboratorie Remede toiletries. Very nice - 5 different products!

Is Flying Becoming Too Much of an Ordeal?

The Rover — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 11:53:48 -0500

The New York Times recently published some suggestions for airline travelers, so that they know what to expect when going through new airport screening procedures:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/01/02/us/02bags.html?scp=3&sq=TSA&st=cse

The Hotels with the Best Toiletries

ddphipps — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:53:40 -0500

I, too, am a hotel toiletry fanatic. Ironically, this love of mine has lead to do market/brand research for a bath and body skin care company who is wanting to go into wholesale for boutique hotels. Your feedback is most illuminating. Since you are their demographic, I was wondering if any of you might assist me further. In terms of products, what is important to you? Name recognition, like Bulgari, Hermes, Molton & Brown? Or would you be delighted to find something incredible that you may never have heard of before? For packing, I know that quantity is most appreciated. Who wants a drop of shampoo or a cube of soap? What are your thoughts (if any) on the look of the toiletries-a clean, contemporary design, a more ornate & classically luxurious look, or a natural/organic design? Does eco-friendly packing appeal to any of you?

You thoughts on this would be most appreciated.

Sea Cloud

ddphipps — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:35:40 -0500

I was on the Sea Cloud II back in 2001 and am still raving about it! I hope to go on another Sea Cloud trip in my lifetime...truly a magical experience! The Sea Cloud Hussar looks incredible.