Restaurant: Christina's
Web Site: None Urbanspoon Link
Address: 2666 University Blvd W, Wheaton, MD 20902
Phone: (301) 942-4137
We eat here about once a month. The staff and owners are always very good, making us feel at home. The food always comes out on time and is prepared well. The specials almost always tempt us off the regular menu with seafood offerings. We wish the place was bigger, or that it was easier to park in Wheaton, but they seem to always be busy so we assume that they are happy with where they are.
The specials are usually in the $20-$25 range.
(I posted this on Urbanspoon, which is a great application, by the way).
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Sunday, September 27, 2009
More on Tripit
I wrote before that I'm using Tripit.com to help with travel, and its a great service. As a way of simplifying my life, Tripit lets me stop keeping track of my trips on a spreadsheet since it does a better job of this.
One of the neat things it does it keep a map of all my travels. You can zoom in and out, as its all based on Google maps. Even though I only started using Tripit about 2 or 3 years ago, you can go in and enter older trips if there's anything you wish wasn't missing.
Tripit is a really nice application for anyone that does a moderate amount of travel, and the free version is amazingly full featured.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Airports: Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
Airport Name: Indianapolis International Airport
FAA Sign: IND
Location: Indianapolis, IN USA
Airport Web Site: http://www.indianapolisairport.com/
Well, a huge improvement.
The old IND was retired last year and the new IND airport opened up beginning of this year. The old one was unattractive with small hallways, cluttered layout, and was overcrowded for its traffic. The new one is a large spacious central atrium with windows looking out to the runway surrounded by a shopping/food area (not a lot, but enough). There are two main concourses off to each side with their own security screening areas. The old one was a difficult driving/parking scene, the new one is much better connected to the highway.
Still that same sweet spot size - large enough for many services, small enough that the rental car pickup is right across the street.
Best discovery so far - good sushi in the feed court.
FAA Sign: IND
Location: Indianapolis, IN USA
Airport Web Site: http://www.indianapolisairport.com/
Well, a huge improvement.
The old IND was retired last year and the new IND airport opened up beginning of this year. The old one was unattractive with small hallways, cluttered layout, and was overcrowded for its traffic. The new one is a large spacious central atrium with windows looking out to the runway surrounded by a shopping/food area (not a lot, but enough). There are two main concourses off to each side with their own security screening areas. The old one was a difficult driving/parking scene, the new one is much better connected to the highway.
Still that same sweet spot size - large enough for many services, small enough that the rental car pickup is right across the street.
Best discovery so far - good sushi in the feed court.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Rental Car: Toyota Prius
So I found myself in southern California on "Earth Day" 2009. My rental car was a 2009 Toyota Prius. It's like some Bizzarro world where everything is backward. I can't think of a more opposite way to define myself than "driving a Toyota Prius through southern California on Earth Day".
I ended up with this car because it was very late when I landed in LA and this was the only car left with GPS navigation. In retrospect I should have just skipped the GPS. When introducing a new type of car technology I don't understand why you wouldn't want to make it similar to the old car technology to ease the transition. Why not turn a key to turn on the car? Why not have a standard transmission shaft on the steering wheel or the floor? Why not a standard layout ventilation system?
Instead, you insert a key-like-thing into a hole in the dash then push a start button. Sometimes this made a TV in the dash turn on or resulted in cryptic lights blinking on top of the dash. There was a small joystick looking thing near the wheel that was reminiscent of a transmission, except it provided no tactile feedback that what you were doing had any impact. All the controls were replaced by a touch-screen in the middle of the dash that was extremely distracting with animated displays while driving, especially at night. It often was a 15 minute exercise in frustration just to figure out how to get the vehicle moving.
Once it was moving it had surprisingly peppy pickup and surprisingly uninspired, mushy steering. There was a lot of under-steer to the car, perhaps a result of the low-friction tires which is part of how it gets high mileage.
The interior had good head room for me, although the styling of the exterior leaves a lot to be desired.
Final verdict: I suppose the car is attractive to those seeking some kind of environmental statement and willing to put up with a learning curve on how to drive it. But, a bad choice as a rental vehicle unless you have one already and are used to its quirks. The rental price premium I was charged far outweighs any fuel savings you would get, even with extremely long driving.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Restaurant: Ruth's Chris Steak House Pier 5, Baltimore
Restaurant: Ruth's Chris Steak House, Baltimore Pier 5
Web Site: http://ruthschris-pier5.com/
Address: 711 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: (410)230-0033
We don't get up to Baltimore enough lately, and while I still know the more traditional places that are still there, the Inner Harbor has really changed from a place where tourists go to a pretty cool place to hang out. The "inner" part seems to have extended all the way out to the Domino Sugar sign with lots of hotels, and the dining scene is greatly expanded.
Unfortunately, the dining scene is mostly the typical chain places. A lot of the more local joints that give Baltimore all that great character don't seem to be around the harbor. So, not a real Baltimore dining experience until you walk around to Little Italy or some place away, but the waterfront is very nice with a lot of activity.
We hit the Ruth's Chris in the hotel on Pier 5, selected mostly for proximity to the concert pavilion. Very good, in that traditional steak house way. Service was great too, with the wait staff being nice to talk to yet not chatty. I think we liked Shula's a little more (a few blocks away) as it had nicer presentation with the meal, but the Ruth Chris location (here, there's another a few blocks away) is definitely a cooler place to be.
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Thursday, July 23, 2009
Restaurant: Avra, New York City
Restaurant: Avra Estiatorio
Web Site: http://www.avrany.com
Address: 141 East 48th Street, New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 759-8550
There on business, meal with colleagues. Lots of seafood, including types imported from the Mediterranean that I never heard of. Great service, great food, super ambiance. They have a small courtyard back off the street with outdoor dining - creates a real nice atmosphere - although it was raining a little so no one was sitting out there.
Didn't scan the wine list, just a glass of Pinot Grigio which is a summertime favorite. Fresh pita bread, hummus, olives, placed on the table to start. Couldn't ask for a nicer business meal.
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Web Site: http://www.avrany.com
Address: 141 East 48th Street, New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 759-8550
There on business, meal with colleagues. Lots of seafood, including types imported from the Mediterranean that I never heard of. Great service, great food, super ambiance. They have a small courtyard back off the street with outdoor dining - creates a real nice atmosphere - although it was raining a little so no one was sitting out there.
Didn't scan the wine list, just a glass of Pinot Grigio which is a summertime favorite. Fresh pita bread, hummus, olives, placed on the table to start. Couldn't ask for a nicer business meal.
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Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Restaurant: Daily Grill, Tysons Corner, VA
Restaurant: Daily Grill, Tyson's Corner
Web Site: http://www.dailygrill.com/
Address: 2001 International Drive, McLean, VA
Phone: (703) 288-5100
Daily Grill has a number of locations in the DC area. This one is in the Tyson's Galleria shopping center, AKA Tyson's 2, AKA the New Tyson's.
It's a nice facility, and pretty large including outdoor seating if you want to watch a parking lot. We're usually there pre-concert, so well ahead of any crowd. The service is always good while not being too much, the background music is nice, and the volume level works well for conversation.
The menu is very large and varied, so its a good place to go with a group that doesn't agree on choices. It would be pretty difficult to not find something you like on the menu. The menu ranges from bar food like burgers up through steaks and seafood dishes. Prices are reasonable, but this wouldn't be considered a low cost place.
Martini was off-the-hook good, too. So few places know how to make a good Martini since vodka became popular.
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Web Site: http://www.dailygrill.com/
Address: 2001 International Drive, McLean, VA
Phone: (703) 288-5100
Daily Grill has a number of locations in the DC area. This one is in the Tyson's Galleria shopping center, AKA Tyson's 2, AKA the New Tyson's.
It's a nice facility, and pretty large including outdoor seating if you want to watch a parking lot. We're usually there pre-concert, so well ahead of any crowd. The service is always good while not being too much, the background music is nice, and the volume level works well for conversation.
The menu is very large and varied, so its a good place to go with a group that doesn't agree on choices. It would be pretty difficult to not find something you like on the menu. The menu ranges from bar food like burgers up through steaks and seafood dishes. Prices are reasonable, but this wouldn't be considered a low cost place.
Martini was off-the-hook good, too. So few places know how to make a good Martini since vodka became popular.
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Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Restaurant: Papa Razzi - Georgetown
Restaurant: Papa Razzi Trattoria/Bar
Web Site: http://www.paparazzi-restaurant.com
Address: 1064 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington, DC 20007
Phone: (202) 298-8000
(Note; as of Dec 2014 this location seems to be gone)
We had been to the location over in Virgina years ago, and it was a hoot because the matre 'd was an operatic tenor. "Happy Birthday" was a very unique experience there!
That location is long gone, and this location right in the heart of Georgetown in Washington DC is better (and super convenient for Blues Alley), nicer, and has parking right next door. Plus, Georgetown is a great location for people watching, and there's a lot of people right outside the bar window.
Service was good, but I think we haven't figured out their strong dishes yet (only the second visit at that location). The scaloppine was a little too crisp, the piccata a little too tart. Salads were great, drinks/wine was great. Next time the small pizzas or a pasta dish to work through the menu.
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Web Site: http://www.paparazzi-restaurant.com
Address: 1064 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington, DC 20007
Phone: (202) 298-8000
(Note; as of Dec 2014 this location seems to be gone)
We had been to the location over in Virgina years ago, and it was a hoot because the matre 'd was an operatic tenor. "Happy Birthday" was a very unique experience there!
That location is long gone, and this location right in the heart of Georgetown in Washington DC is better (and super convenient for Blues Alley), nicer, and has parking right next door. Plus, Georgetown is a great location for people watching, and there's a lot of people right outside the bar window.
Service was good, but I think we haven't figured out their strong dishes yet (only the second visit at that location). The scaloppine was a little too crisp, the piccata a little too tart. Salads were great, drinks/wine was great. Next time the small pizzas or a pasta dish to work through the menu.
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Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Restaurant: Shakti's, Wenatchee, WA
Restaurant: Shakti's Restaurant
Web Site: http://www.shaktisfinedining.com/
Address: 218 North Mission, Wenatchee, WA
Phone: (509) 662-3321
Very nice atmosphere, great background music (I heard Miles, Grant Green, Charlie Parker), nice wine. The shrimp had too much butter in the sauce (for me), but well done.
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Web Site: http://www.shaktisfinedining.com/
Address: 218 North Mission, Wenatchee, WA
Phone: (509) 662-3321
Very nice atmosphere, great background music (I heard Miles, Grant Green, Charlie Parker), nice wine. The shrimp had too much butter in the sauce (for me), but well done.
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Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Restaurant: Ricciuti's Brick Oven Pizza
Restaurant: Ricciuti's Brick Oven Pizza
Web Site: http://www.ricciutis.com/
Address: 3308 Olney Sandy Spring Rd, Olney, MD 20832
Phone: (301) 570-3388
One of our "go to" places. Close by, nice atmosphere, varied menu. Seems like an Italian place, but really its about locally grown, creatively prepared, nice food. The point seems to be the wood fired pizza oven (and its worth the trip), but the entries are frequently what we get.
We found out Monday's are half-price wine night (bonus!), and when the weather is nice the outside tables can be nice if one is available. An old house with lots of room, including a ghost (ask the waiter).
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Web Site: http://www.ricciutis.com/
Address: 3308 Olney Sandy Spring Rd, Olney, MD 20832
Phone: (301) 570-3388
One of our "go to" places. Close by, nice atmosphere, varied menu. Seems like an Italian place, but really its about locally grown, creatively prepared, nice food. The point seems to be the wood fired pizza oven (and its worth the trip), but the entries are frequently what we get.
We found out Monday's are half-price wine night (bonus!), and when the weather is nice the outside tables can be nice if one is available. An old house with lots of room, including a ghost (ask the waiter).
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Restaurant: Shula's Steak House, Baltimore
Restaurant: Shula's Steak House, Baltimore
Web Site: http://www.donshula.com/rest.php?s=shulas
Address: 101 W Fayette St, Baltimore, MD
Phone: (410) 385-6630
Been here three times now. Located in the downtown Baltimore Sheraton, and not to be confused with the more casual sports bar Shula's II next to it. A traditional steak house with the typical expensive (yet top notch) cuts of beef and a la carte sides. And in a nod to current eating habits, lots of fish on the menu as well.
Not very crowded on weekends. Maybe its the economy, maybe its the result of being in a business oriented hotel on a weekend, but never very crowded. Service is better than average. Last time the chef ended up chatting with us a while. One of there gimmicks is having everyone cut open their food after presentation and using a flashlight to make sure it is cooked as desired.
Themed to the legendary Don Shula of that undefeated season, the restaurant paints the menu on a football and hangs pictures from that historic team on the walls. As fate would have it, we usually end up near a picture that has the great Washington Redskin Billy Kilmer right in the middle of it. He is a family favorite and the picture is always appreciated.
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Web Site: http://www.donshula.com/rest.php?s=shulas
Address: 101 W Fayette St, Baltimore, MD
Phone: (410) 385-6630
Been here three times now. Located in the downtown Baltimore Sheraton, and not to be confused with the more casual sports bar Shula's II next to it. A traditional steak house with the typical expensive (yet top notch) cuts of beef and a la carte sides. And in a nod to current eating habits, lots of fish on the menu as well.
Not very crowded on weekends. Maybe its the economy, maybe its the result of being in a business oriented hotel on a weekend, but never very crowded. Service is better than average. Last time the chef ended up chatting with us a while. One of there gimmicks is having everyone cut open their food after presentation and using a flashlight to make sure it is cooked as desired.
Themed to the legendary Don Shula of that undefeated season, the restaurant paints the menu on a football and hangs pictures from that historic team on the walls. As fate would have it, we usually end up near a picture that has the great Washington Redskin Billy Kilmer right in the middle of it. He is a family favorite and the picture is always appreciated.
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