The Ibis Chateau de Fontainebleau works fine for a one night crash pad if you’re planning to see Sting play at the castle next door. When he has to cancel due to weather, you wonder why you’re there and should you just leave early. The room was bare bones, though available at 11:00 which was…
Category: solo travel
Le Jardin- Paris
After a lackluster dinner at Langosteria in the Cheval Blanc, I opted to cleanse my palate and experience by wandering over the garden terrace to complete the resto and bar offerings of the upscale hotel. The sun was setting and I’d secured a prime table for the occasion. There was the minor issue of the…
Danico- Paris
After hearing of Danico from both The Little Red Door in Paris, one of the world’s top bars, and a top bartender of Fort Wayne, I felt exceedingly lucky to stumble across Danico one evening looking for a place to stop before dinner. The bar is hidden in the back of a buzzy Italian restaurant…
Giada- Las Vegas
After a long week in Las Vegas, I was looking forward to my final evening by myself at Giada’s restaurant in The Cromwell hotel. The restaurant has view of some major tequila signs on the side of the strip, but you can pay a bit more and sit facing the Bellagio fountain show. I did…
Langosteria- Paris
Let me tell you a secret. While Langosteria is well-situated on the upper floors of the gorgeous Cheval Blanc Hotel in Paris, the real gem is Le Jardin next door. It’s bold pops of color paired with good service and a short, but somehow thorough menu that boasts the fruits of summer is a nice…
Caesar’s Palace- Las Vegas
It was a very long week spent at the gigantic Caesar’s Palace hotel. The room itself was just fine, but I was bamboozled into an upgrade when they told me I could enter the upgraded room early an also that it was in the same tower as my trade show. (It was not, but I…
Lago- Las Vegas
Wandering around Las Vegas, wondering what to do before my flight, I found myself in the Bellagio hotel and desperate and hungry for a nice meal before a 12 hour flight. After considering Spago, with quite a line at 11:00, I landed at Lago instead. Tucked to the side of the casino, the bar seating…
Four Seasons Brunch- Florence
The most indulgent way to spend a Sunday morning in Florence, HAS to be the gorgeous brunch at The Four Seasons. The space underneath the massive sky light was breath taking and when set with the tinkling backdrop of live music of contemporary classics played acoustically…well… there really were not words and I found it…
Parione- Florence
Well, here’s the story of the good Marco. I dined alone as one does on a solo trip which seemed to confuse the wait staff thinking I was waiting someone even after confirming I was not, so by the time I ordered an hour later, I was a little ragey from hunger, but also from…
Picteau Bistro- Florence
After an incredible stay at Continentale Florence, fun apero hours at La Terrazza, and a delicious meal at Caffe dell’Oro, I was pretty obsessed with the Lungarno Collection and determined to explore as much of these properties as I could before departing. I for went the Michelin-starred for the Picteau Bistro after reading the description…
Degusteria Italiana- Florence
With only nine tables, you’d best book Degusteria Italiana early, which meant for me, a table for one for a fancy lady lunch. The service was impeccable and I really appreciated the window-view table that the hostess told me she’s selected for me so I could watch outside. While I was of course armed with…
Caffe dell’Oro- Florence
On night one, I didn’t venture too far, thanks to my 02:30 sleeplessness. Lucky for me, I’d thought ahead and booked Caffe dell’Oro at the sister property of my beloved Continentale, just next door. The set-up was so chic, with the Italian women at the neighboring table in an eclectic mix of playing card sized…