Thursday, June 14, 2012

Restaurant: Sushi Tango, St. Paul

Restaurant: Sushi Tango
Web Sitesushitango.com
Address: 8362 Tamarack Village, Saint Paul, MN 55125
Phone: (651) 578-0064

A suburban strip mall Sushi joint, with surprisingly good food and unsurprisingly good service.

While it doesn’t look like much as you’re driving by, walking in I had high expectations in that we seemed to be the only non-Japanese people eating dinner there. Had an assortment of pieces, all good and delivered quickly and politely. The cost was also not bad, which was expected from the relatively low rent retail space and economic effort on decor. Would gladly go there again.


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Saturday, June 02, 2012

Hotel: Hilton Oceanside, Ocean City, MD

City: Ocean City, MD
Chain: Hilton
Property: Hilton Suites Ocean City Oceanfront
Address: 3200 North Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842
Phone Number: 410.289.6444

Check Out: May 2012 ($220)

Most Ocean City Maryland hotels are pretty beat.  They were built in the 60s and 70s and are constantly abused by the heavy family traffic this east coast beach town gets each year.  There is a lot of more upscale housing of the condo variety, and a few newer hotels.  This property is a newer Hilton property, located at the 32nd street latitude on the beach, which is a little past the end of the boardwalk.  This part of town is more waterslide and pizza joint-centric (Ocean City gets quieter as you move north), but this specific hotel was super nice (relatively) and we were there in the off season so very quiet.

Ocean City in May is low key enough that people can fish and walk their dogs on the beach, while warm enough for shorts and flip-flops, and most of the places are open.  We went down for a long weekend with no particular plans, but had a great room with a balcony on the corner (an upgrade from normal).

The hotel had some inside parking which was great as it was a little rainy when we got there.  There is a large pool area outside with two pools and outside eating and drinking (all closed pre-season when we were there), and an inside pool and exercise room.  There was bar and restaurant action, although we only used the bar and went elsewhere to eat.  Room service one day - very good as typical for full service Hiltons.

We liked the room a lot.  Suite style, with a living/dining area inside the door, pretty full service kitchen with real refrigerator and dishwasher, stocked with the basics for cooking and eating.  Bathroom was large with a multi-headed shower that was pretty nice, and a separate Jacuzzi tub.  Balcony off the bedroom overlooking the beach.

Staff was super nice and helpful.  Concierge service helped navigate dining in the area (we hadn't been to the MD beaches in quite a while).

Rating:

  • Safety: 1
  • Dining: 1
  • Bar: 1
  • Internet: 1 (free for Hilton Honor)
  • Wireless in Common Areas: 1
  • Work Space, Power: 1
  • Shower: 1
  • Air Conditioning, Bed: 1
  • Common Areas: 1, plus 1 point for beach
Total: 10





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