Feb 24, 2009

Hertz Local Edition, E 40th, New York - 2/24

Rating 9.9

The location is in Midtown at 222 E 40th Street (between 2nd and 3rd). My car was ready and clean in good condition. I rented a mazda mini-suv and it drove great.

Rental was 92.49, less 5% discount, total $114.35

Only drove 71 miles.

Would go back here for sure, its 2 blocks from the Hyatt.

Grand Hyatt @ Grand Central, New York - 2/23-25

Rating 9.6
I arrived around 11:45 pm, and my man Michael (or Mike) was working the desk. He is a great kid, friendly and helpful. I didn't pay attention to the room I was given and when I got upstairs it was right next to the Grand Club. I went back down, Mike was on the floor but saw me and immediately helped but me in a different room. It was a handicapped room with double beds, but I was really tired, so in the morning I asked the front desk if they could move me.

They were great, and put in my new favorite room (not telling which one because I want it every time.

In addition, I got a hand written note and 2 Heiny's in the room from Jeff Monson who apologized for the trouble I had last time checking in. Thanks Jeff!!

Pizza Rustica - 2nd and 43rd, New York - 2/24 dinner

Rating 9.6

I love this little neighborhood pizza joint. There are about 10 tables, and the pizza is off the chart. Service is awesome also.

1 slice sausage/peperoni
1 corner slice of cheese
1 mugs root beer

$7.75

Oh yeah!!!!


212-697-8848
817 2nd Ave

Feb 23, 2009

Hertz LAX - 2/23

Rating 10.0

They were great to me. I forgot to book a rental car, and tried to get one last night. Website and 800# said they were sold out (Grammy awards were last night), and I got the local phone number. I called while on the way to the airport and they asked me to call when I landed.

I did and let them know I only needed the car from 10 am - 2 pm. They hooked my up and honored my discount......car was retail for $186 for a Malibu.....I paid $86.

Awesome guy at the desk said they had cut their fleet, the cars were older/beat, and had laid off people. There were TONS of cars on the lot, and I would have been PISSED if I didn't get one.

AA 22 LAX to JFK - 2/23

I am updating on the plane.......and the connection is really fast for 12.95......I like it.

Got upgraded to business class, but the plane is older and it shows. Seats are no better than any regular first class, not that I am complaining, but I would avoid seat 11A. It is at the back of biz class, and there must be an engine just out side -- it is LOUD. Good thing for the Bose headphones (these are a must have for travel - the expensive ones for $345, best gift I have given to me).

Food is actually pretty good, a Cajun chicken thing, chicken fried steak and potato (awesome), and ice cream/cheese - believe it or not I passed on these while reading my favorite mag from Life Time Fitness.

Also, the LA Admirals club was totally cool and I changed in the shower in the morning, they kept my garment bag and trench coat behind the desk, and showered there again before the flight to NY.

There was a celeb sitting in the cabin, and the attendants asked for his autograph. Nice young kid, traveling by himself, and I walked off the plane with him.a bunch of young girls yelling "we love you", and he waved and said thanks.

No Aunt Tracy I don't know who is, nor do I care

Yard House, Pasadena, CA - 2/23

Rating 8.5

Solid. I have been to this spot before and also to ones in San Diego and Scottsdale. Its like a large micro brewery with 100 beers on tap. The food is solid. The customer I had with me was surprised that they had a fixed price menu (7.95 for 1/2 sand and soup/salad) and a revised menu (with lower prices??).

We were there at 11:30 am and it was empty. Maybe 2 other tables in the entire place. Good service, and decent food.

New Zealand Calamari 10.45 - exceptional, tasty batter and we ate all of it
Arnold Palmer 3.45
Lemonade 3.45 (we both had multiple glasses, unlike that scum-hole in Chicago, Harry Carry's that charges per drink)
Bearnaise Burger 10.85
Classic Cheeseburger 10.45 -- this was mine, it was just ok, and so big I didnt finish, fries were AWESOME - shoe string kind like at Steak and Shake
Bacon 1.50 -whoops, that was for me

Total 43.46 for two (without tip)

Good value for a bidness lunch with an app.

American Terminal 3 - Chicago Ohare - 2/23

Rating -10

It was a disaster this morning (Monday)....I had a 7:05 am flight and arrived at the airport at 6:10......ALL the security lines had LONG, almost holiday-disaster long lines. I tried my secret spot first (by international check-in) and it was way too long, regular coach line was even longer, and my second secret spot (by Delta) was just as long. The "premiere" check in was really long (all the way to coach) but it moved.

I got to the gate at 6:50 and it was great, everyone on board and an upgrade to first.

Still the lines were awful and it reminded me why I NEVER go out on Monday.

AA 2099 was packed -- strange, first full flight in a long time.

Feb 19, 2009

Country House, Geneve IL - 2/19 Dinner

Rating 8.3

Neat restaurant/bar that has 2 other location in the Chicago land area. Best know for "Best Burger in the West"......that being the Western suburbs. We brought two of the kids with us tonight.

Pretty crowded for a very cold Thurs night......excellent service from Lynne D.....and love the peanuts in the shell at the table.

1 kids soda 1.50
1 chix tenders 4.95
1 pinot castle 6.75
2 icream 3.50
1 weihn hefe drf 4.75 (my beer)
1 teriyaki stk sa 10.95 (this was my dinner, the teriyaki steak sandwich served on french bread with a potat0 -- it was excellent)
1 cream of pot&bacon 3.45 (split this w/Katie----awesome)
1 pinot castle 6.75
1 sw chicken wrap 8.95
1 kids spaghetti 3.25

Total 58.91 (before tip)

Good value, good service, good food.

Feb 18, 2009

O'Hare Valet Parking, Terminal 3

Rating 10

This is a great deal, call ahead and make sure they have space. When you land, call with your ticket number and the car is waiting with the heat running.

$45/day

The Bagel Store, Terminal 3 by the exit, Ohare Chicago IL

Rating 10

So what if the workers are crabby.......this is the place to stay if you don't eat on the plane. Fresh bagels, and good sandwiches.

1 Turkey sand $6.79
1 pretzel $1.29
1 power aid $2.79

Total $12.12

Well spent.

Golf House, USGA HQ, Somewhere in NY - 2/17

Rating -10.0

Yeah, that's a NEGATIVE 10.

We were in the town right next to their head quarters, had a 1/2 hour to kill before our appointment, and followed the signs. They have way too much $$$$$$$$$$ on their hands, my dues should be free forever.

We went to the museum, walked in, and told the wench sitting behind the desk that we only had 10 minutes and wanted to look around. She would not let us take one foot further, demanding that we pay the $7 admission fee.

NO WAY, I only have 10 minutes. See ya, I am out.

HORRIBLE SERVICE.

Grand Hyatt, Grand Central, New York

Rating 6.0

This has become my favorite business hotel because I can walk to most appointments, or take the subway to the financial district or to NJ. I switched after I was sick of the NY Hilton treating me like a piece of meat.

I went to check in at 10 pm and there was a line 6 people long. The long desk clerk was busy chatting on the phone and all of the self-service check in machines were not working.

I also did not like that they got rid of the concierge on the club level.

They must have cut staff, and it showed.

One more chance for them before I go to the Plaza Hotel.

Patrick Conways, New York - 2/17

Rating 8.5

We needed some chow after the happy hour. This place is a block from the Campbell Apartment. Irish bar, very clean and nice, light and fun. Food was just ok. Waitress was off the boat and very friendly.

There were four of us. A beer each, 4 apps (skins, mozz sticks, wings, casadea - we were hungry) and 4 entrees (I had the fish and chips and they were horrible). Service and atmosphere made it all good.

It was a paper bill stapled to the bars receipt but the total was $141.50 before the tip. Good deal for solid dinner in mid town.

The Campbell Apartment, Grand Central Station, New York - 2/17

Rating 9.0

We took a few customers out for drinks after work. This is a REALLY cool bar located at the Vanderbuilt Entrance to Grand Central, not the first bar, but you have to walk up the stairs. The story goes that when the Vanderbilts owned Grand Central they leased this space to Campbell for his own apartment, and now it has a bar, and a bunch of sit down tables.

Great ceiling and all around decorations, lots of beautiful people having drinks before catching the train. Excellent place to take customers as the drinks are good, service is great, and the scene is awesome. Only downside is one small, shared (m/f) bathroom.

10 Amstel light (7.5 per) $75
6 Pilsner Urquell (7.5 per) $45 - that is my personal part
4 Stoli Martini (14 per) $56
Grey Goose $13
Stoli $12
Makers Mark $12

Total $230.84 (before tip)

Still but worth it.........one customer had 3 martinis and the grey goose, he missed a few trains.

Metrazur, Grand Central Station, New York - 2/16

Rating 7.0

Took a customer to lunch, there were three of us in total. It sits at one end of Grand Central over looking the terminal. Tables are fairly close together, but the atmosphere is good. Its a Charlie Palmer restaurant, I guess he owns a bunch more in NYC, CA and Texas.

Two of the people had the price fixed menu, soup, entree, and sorbet for $25 each. I had the prosciutto wrapped cod......it was just ok and overpriced at $26 by itself. The service was good (all the servers get paid benefits after 4 months), and the bread was great.

I didn't pick up the tab, so I am unsure about the total, although my guess is $90 before the tip.

Feb 16, 2009

2 Toots Grill

Rating 9.5

Arrived at 11:30 and were seated by 11:50.

Its Matty's favorite place, since a train delivers the food. Great service, fun place for the kids, and really good food!

1 rootbeer float. 3.95
1 double cheese. 6.95
1 fries. 1.95

Total 13.85

Plus a free cup cake for little guy's bday.

Feb 13, 2009

Park Hyatt Hotel, Chicago IL

Rating 10.0+

This is the best property I ever get to stay at.....the staff is excellent...and the rooms are perfect. We especially enjoy the deep tubs and that you cant hear anything from other rooms.

Also, the location can't be beat, right across from the water tower at 800 N Michigan.

Jersey Boys, Chicago IL

Rating 9

It was great, I had no idea how many hit songs the 4 Seasons had. The lead (Franky) was awesome with an unbelievable voice.

First act was much better than the second, its a long show. The theatre is great, and we had good seats, Row 11.

It is rough to get to the bathroom at intermission.

I did enjoy Dirty Dancing more.

Trump International, Sixteen Restaurant, Chicago IL -- 2/11/09

Rating 6.5

Overall - great experience from time you arrive in cab (friendly doorman), to personal escort to the elevator by a pleasant young lady with ear piece in, to arriving on separate elevator on the 16th foor. Different dining room, positioned to view Wrigley building on the right, Trib tower to the left, and large condo on the left (strange to be able to look in windows). They have a patio that overlooks the river that should be great in the summer. The room itself is two stories exposed, and smaller than what I expected. Formal. We arrived at 5:45 pm and were the first table. We left at 7:15 pm and it was pretty full. One other table with a couple and then a bunch of "suites" having dinner.

Justin was our waiter, and was attentive, but had a bunch of tables to serve. All the food/drinks were delivered by others. We did get to meet Cristinia (the somalier) who was AWESOME, she is not pretentious at all, and was friendly and funny. She even helped untangle Katie's necklace.

If you are a gourmet you will love it. I am not and while I am glad we went to check it out, I would not return. Katie LOVED it.

2 schneider weisen beer 18.00 -- I LOVED this beer
1 Nickel/Nickel Searby Chard 98.00 --- very good bottle
1 Oyseter App 22.00 -- this was Katie's and it was a joke in my book, 3 little fried oysters
1 green salad 16.00
1 Barramundi 44.00 -- this was my entree, it was really SMALL but was awesome, great taste
1 scallop Entree 40.00 --- this was Katie's, she loved it, I tried and did not, but I don't really enjoy scallops.

Deserts
1 study of chocolate 15.00 -- RIP OFF ALERT, it was the smallest chocolate cake (size of 1 frango mint), 1/2 scoop of ice cream, and some awful tart thing
1 Praline 15.00 -- Katie liked it

Total 298.82

Expensive it, and I would have rather gone to a Chicago steak house. The breads were excellent, and Christinia said that is the only they outsource. Make sure to have the orange one.

Markers Restaurant, Jersey City, NJ -- 2/10

Rating 7.0

It was an easy trip from Midtown NY to Jersey City on the PATH train.....only took about 20 minutes. 201-433-6275

Markers is a sports bar theme and was empty when we arrived at 11:15 am, but packed when we left at 12:30. Service was very good, food was marginal at best. I had the cheese burger and it was just ok. Nice atmosphere for visiting with a client.

1 cheese burger 10.50
1 cb w/bacon 11.45
Grilled chick 10.5
diet coke 2.5
2 ice tea 5

Total 42.75 --- pretty good value for 3 people.

I would probably return because its right next to the PATH station.

The Economy

It is awful out there........planes are 1/2 empty........restaurants are about the same........and the hotels are laying off staff everywhere. I don't believe its going to get better any time soon. We have restrictions on budget for travel and its has to be a trickle down effect. I am not very excited about the "stimulus" or "pork-u-lous" package that should be passed today.

Feb 6, 2009

West End, Chicago -- 1/21/09

Rating - 8

Located near the United Center, went in there for a group meeting/drinking session before the Hawks game. Unbelievably crowded before the game, like a college bar, except everyone is many pounds heavier and its a tighter fit.

GREAT BAR SERVICE. I blew off the game and watched at the bar. It was great as everyone cleared out and we actually moved to the bar.

Excellent bar food and they have Psackor Pshor on tap.

Heaven!

Rosebud Prime, 1 South Dearborn, Chicago IL - 2/6/09

Rating - 8.5

Second day in a row with a customer in tow. Best place for a business lunch by our office. Atmosphere is excellent, and service is #1. Love it.

Philly cheese steak was the special, I had it the day before and it was ok. Today I had the burger and it was excellent! Would have that any day over Philly (which is twice as much).

1 Arnold Palmer 4.95
1 Chz Burger 14.95
1 Philly 22

Total for 2 - 46.72

Lo Conte's, Boston MA -- 2/2/09

Rating - 10+

Best place for dinner in all of the NE USA, in Boston and even in the North End.

Ask for Mario and let him know I sent you. Chris is the owner and he is great.

Cant beat the service, food, or atmosphere.

1 lobster ravioli 21.95
1 chicken parm 18.95
1 chicken maranga 18.95
1 chicken marsala 18.95
1 ling meatbols 12.95
3 Peroni (me) 17.85
4 bottles of Shiraz Australia 152

Total for 5 = 274.75

Houston's in Fanuiel Hall, Boston MA -- 2/2

Rating - 10

We met a customer here for a few drinks after work. No doubt its on the expensive side, but the atmosphere was AWESOME on a cold/snowy Boston day. We had the spinach dip (great) and sushi (I hate it an never eat it), and lots of drinks. For once I didn't pay, but really enjoyed myself.

Papa Razzi, Boston MA -- 2/3

Rating - 9.5

617-536-9200

This is a favorite place to take customers. On this visit we met at noon, and there were 4 total in our party. We were there on a Tuesday and the place was empty, only 2 other tables.

Food is excellent, service is also (should be when its empty).

4 - Arnold Palmers $11
1 - Salmon Forno $16.99
1 - Spagetti $12.50
1 - Farfalle Salmon $12.99 ---this was my entree and it was AWESOME
1 - Scalopini Pollo $12.99 -- this was also really good
1 - Pomodro Cup @2.99

Total 72.93

Hilton Portland and Executive Towers

Rating - 6

I stayed in the older part, the new executive towers is across the street. I am a Diamond Hilton member so they "upgraded" me to a corner room. The rooms are OLD and SMALL. Decent bed, I was on the 4th floor so there was some street noise. Had a conference in the hotel and it was awful for the elevators. Also, workout room is small (2 elipicals, 3 treads) and was VERY busy. Would not stay here again.

Henry's 12th St Tavern, Portland OR --1/27

Rating - 9

Great atmosphere on a Tuesday night, boring dining room, but much better bar with over 100 beers on tap. Excellent service. I got hooked on Widmer.

1 cup beer cheese soup 4.50
1 pear salad 7.00
2 wild salmon 46.00
1 honey white 5.50
1 mac and cheese 5.50
2 Widmer 79.50 for the two of us

Happy hour 3-6 every day; 9-close sun-wed; and 10:30 - close Fri/Sat