Restaurant: Clyde's of Columbia

Restaurant: Clyde's of Columbia
Web Site: http://www.clydes.com
Address: 10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, MD 21044
Phone: (410) 730-2828

Like all the Clyde's locations, it can't quite seem like it wants to be a fancy restaurant or an affordable restaurant. The location in Columbia seems to lean toward affordable, with much more of a casual, sports bar vibe than other locations. The long space has a a bar with a dozen beer taps as its main decoration, and a projector showing the hockey game on an 8 foot screen really shouts "sports bar". Yet, most of the patrons are there for dinner at tables along windows facing the lake, or in side rooms decorated like an old timey gentlemen club.

Service was good and attentive without being too much, the menu is varied across entrees down through burgers and sandwiches. The food is very affordable, the most expensive entry was under $30 and the special of the month was a lobster dinner for around $25. It's easy to get out of Clyde's at $30 a person including a drink or dessert which makes it a nice choice for larger groups. We were there with friends and outside of the noise level being a little high (not too high, mostly reflected noise from all the glass) it was a pleasant place to spend a few hours in conversation.

Everyone seemed happy with the food. Tuna steak was a little overcooked but I ordered medium so maybe my fault (lots of interpretation on what that means), but it was very good with wasabi sauce and greens. Other dishes were the paella, lobster, beef brisket, and grilled salmon. A liberal in the salt use, but this is common from most chefs these days.

I was surprised I liked it this much, as we've been disappointed at other Clyde's locations. This location has been here a long time and perhaps has a very long established staff and routines. For a casual place that isn't too expensive this was a good choice.



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Restaurant: Taro's by Mikuni

Restaurant: Taro's by Mikuni
Web Site: http://www.tarosbymikuni.com
Address: 1735 Arden Way, Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95815
Phone: 916-564-2114

Better than average sushi joint, located in a shopping mall.



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Hotel: Doubletree Milwaukee Downtown

City: Milwaukee, WI
Chain: Doubletree (Hilton)
Property: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Milwaukee City Center
Address: 611 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53203
Phone Number: 414.273.2950

Check Out: March 2011 ($120)

Right downtown, easy walking to much of the downtown area.

Nice, not real high end but very clean, full service hotel that is at a reasonable price point for business travel. Gave me a hot cookie when I checked in. Hilton Honors gold status put me on the top floor.

Room was clean, comfortable, but surprisingly noisy for 10th floor. Seemed like constant police activity up and down the street. Good internet, Hilton hotel so Hilton Honors perks apply. Used the hotel dining room for breakfast ; buffet that was so so, but that's typical (big tray of eggs, potatoes, etc.).

Staff was nice, helpful.

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 (Ditto)
  
• Common Areas: 1 (Ditto)
  

Total: 9





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Flight: Frontier MKE to DCA

The day had all the makings of a disaster. I had to attend a meeting in Milwaukee late in the day, and there aren’t a lot of direct flights between DC and Milwaukee. But, the timing of things seemed like a noon flight up and the last flight back of the day would work thanks to the meeting schedule and the time difference. This would get me back in the office on Tuesday for a pretty full day.

Of course, panic starts to build the day before as we watch the weather report predict very nasty winter storms for Milwaukee. I decided not to panic - weather happens - and if its too bad to travel then its too bad to travel.

The sun comes up the next day and while the news is reporting bad weather, all the flights seem to be on time. So, off to the airport and wait for the plan. A minor delay (15 minutes) is easily attributed to flight issues somewhere across the country.

The plane lands in Milwaukee and it is not snowing badly, but it is cold, mildly windy, and snow is blowing everywhere. The airport seems normal except for all the slushy junk you have to walk through. But, now they are talking about winter weather back in DC. And, I find out the meeting might go long. I was prepared to spend the night if I had to, but I wanted to get back home.

As the meeting was running long I received the page that the flight back was delayed an hour. Well, probably the only time I was glad to have a flight delayed! No problems getting back to the airport, but the snow had kept going all day long.

Thanks to the delay, enough time to get a hot meal for the first time today. And, airport food is soooo delicious! (Actually, not too bad but maybe that’s just because i was so hungry).

On the plane we had to wait for the runway - it was blown over from the wind. Then, two coats of deicer.

As we took off I could watch the snow blow by the aircraft well past 10K feet. Didn't think it would be this high in the air. How do you burn fuel with water pumping into the front of the turbine? Kind of amazing when you think about it.

Now its after midnight. Still, in the air two hours later than expected and wondering what the weather will be like when I land. My advanced scouting team reports sleet, and it sounds very scary against the windows.

Hotel: SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Philadelphia Plymouth Meeting

City: Plymouth Meeting, PA
Chain: SpringHill Suites (Marriott)
Property: SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Philadelphia Plymouth Meeting
Address: 430 Plymouth Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
Phone Number: 610.940.0400

Check Out: March 2011 ($120)

Very close to PA turnpike entrance in Plymouth Meeting, PA, northwest of Philadelphia. Central to airport via Blue Route, King of Prussia, Conshohocken.

Compare to Hampton Inn; low frills hotel targeted at business travelers with included breakfast, workspace in rooms. "Suite" in the title should be used lightly in this hotel, there are walls to break up the room in to separate work area, bedroom, and bathroom, but no doors and the TV swivels to turn between "living" and "bed" areas.

However, the room was clean, comfortable. Internet access not included. Small exercise room and pool. Small kitchen area in the room with microwave and refrigerator. For a diversion, Plymouth Meeting Mall is across the street.

Staff was nice.

Rating:

• Safety: 1
  
• Dining: .5 (did not use)
  
• Bar: 0
  
• Internet: 0 (for a fee)
  
• Wireless in Common Areas: 0
  
• Work Space, Power: 1
  
• Shower: 1
  
• Air Conditioning, Bed: 1 (Ditto)
  
• Common Areas: 1 (Ditto)
  

Total: 5.5



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Restaurant: Malaysia Kopitiam

Restaurant: Malaysia Kopitiam
Web Site: http://www.malaysiakopitiam.com/
Address: 1827 M St NW, Washington D.C., DC 20036-2503
Phone: 202 – 833 6232

Had lunch there with a colleague. Not too far from Dupont Circle metro, food was really good. Hadn't had Malaysian food before, really enjoyed it.

Not fancy decor, but service was good. A great choice for lunch downtown.


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Restaurant: K Town Bistro

Restaurant: K Town Bistro
Web Site: http://www.ktownbistro.com
Address: 3784 Howard Ave., Kensington, MD 20895
Phone: (301) 933-1211

Side issue; really dislike the "K Town" nickname that some locals seem to be trying to establish. For one thing, most people refer to "Kensington" and not "Town of Kensington" which seem to be what some are trying to shorthand. For another thing, its a little too hip-hop for such a WASP-y old school suburb. The owners of this restaurant inherited this from the previous owners of the space I believe ("K Town Grille" maybe?). The previous space was way too short lived to be trying to maintain some of this history, in my opinion.

We've dined here two or three times now. The owner takes a lot of personal attention in the service and activity. The menu is not extensive, but this is good; care on a few selected items is much better than a lot of choices done inconsistently. The salads have always been very good and they usually have some nice approaches to the soups. The entrees we've tried have been very good, including an interesting South American fish.

Wine choices are limited, but this is Kensington after all where the idea of a restaurant serving wine is a new and scary.




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Restaurant: China Gourmet, Kensington

Restaurant: China Gourmet
Web Site:
Address: 3739 University Boulevard West, Kensington, MD 20895-2123
Phone: (301) 946-9400

Many Montgomery County restaurants come and go pretty quickly. As soon as you get used to one and it becomes a favorite, it goes away. In some ways, this is a story of two restaurants, one that's still around and one that is not any more.

China Gourmet is still around, in the shopping center at the pie slice of land created where Connecticut Avenue splits off University Blvd. in Kensington. It has a lot of windows facing the road, and a bar area in the back where the Kensington locals hang out (Kensington was a "dry" town historically - not anymore - and China Gourmet was technically out of town right across the street). It's fairly large and can hold a lot of diners, and also does a pretty brisk take out business.

Like most Chinese restaurants the menu is huge and varied. And, if you can't figure out what you want from the menu they are extremely accommodating about changes. Or, making up entrees on your own without a fuss. They are very consistent, and when I try new Chinese places I usually order something well known and use China Gourmet as the benchmark. I've actually been dining here since it opened, probably more than 12 years. I don't even remember when it opened anymore, it seems like I've been going there my whole life.

The owner of the restaurant owned at least three places I was familiar with. There is a restaurant "Moon Gate" in downtown Bethesda, and there used to be another one on Rockville Pike up near Woodmont Country Club called "Moonlight Gourmet". Moonlight was another one of our go-to's, and we liked how we had two great places for Chinese food depending on the part of the county we were in. Moonlight also had very consistent cooking, really great service, and were very flexible on menu changes. But, Moonlight didn't last. Don't know why, problem with the lease or something, but we were heartbroken when Moonlight closed because we were going there often as its closer to our regular dinner time travels. Fortunately, China Gourmet keeps going strong and is always there like an old friend, even when its been a while since we see them.

So, same ownership, same general area, same food. But, one restaurant lasts forever and one is gone in a few years. In Montgomery County, the second scenario is much more common than the first.




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Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites San Francisco Airport South-Burlingame

City: San Francisco, CA (Airport)
Chain: Hampton Inn (Hilton)
Property: Hampton Inn & Suites San Francisco Airport South-Burlingame
Address: 1755 Bayshore Highway, Burlingame, California, USA 94010
Phone Number: 650-697-5736

Check Out: November 2010

Just south of the airport; you can even enjoy the planes coming and going right out your window if you're lucky!

This is your basic Hampton Inn experience (which is not a bad thing), one exit away from SFO. It is near the water, across the street from a large Marriott which is right on the water. The Marriott actually makes this Hampton Inn a much more attractive place to stay than normal. While the free breakfast is nice, after breakfast there is no food at Hampton Inn. However, with a big full service Marriott right across the street you can go there for a drink or dinner.

This is not close to downtown, however, but it is convenient to the airport.




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Hotel: Residence Inn by Marriott Pittsburgh University/Medical Center

City: Pittsburgh, PA
Chain: Marriott
Property: Residence Inn by Marriott Pittsburgh University/Medical Center
Address: 3896 Bigelow Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone Number: 412 621 2299

Check Out: August 2010

High on a hill (like everything else in Pittsburgh). Large rooms, free breakfast deal. Typical Marriott experience.



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Restaurant: Cafe Deluxe - Tysons

Restaurant: Cafe Deluxe, Tyson's Corner
Web Site: http://www.cafedeluxe.com
Address: 1800 International Drive, McLean, VA 22102
Phone: (703) 761-0600

This is a very regular place for us to go. We've been to the Bethesda location also, we like this one much better. The decor is retro jazz, and the music choices being played are often super choices for me. Bar is good, divided from the dining area and usually adds a nice vibe to the place (although can be a little loud at times). There is outdoor seating when the weather is nice, or inside but with all the doors open is close to being outside also. The outdoor seating isn't the greatest, with a commanding view of the Tyson's Corner shopping traffic, but well done for the space they have.

The service is usually very good, the cooking is very consistent. We eat here so often that its usually a quick check of the specials, then an order of a favorite. The seared tuna is my first choice usually, and their mac and cheese is a fun order and very well done. The menu isn't huge and doesn't change much - lots of creative twists on well known dishes - but all executed well and reasonably prices.

Monday's is half price on wine, another nice bonus if you're doing something over in Virginia on a weekday.




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Restaurant: Chef Geoff's Tysons

Restaurant: Chef Geoff's Tysons
Web Site: https://www.chefgeoff.com/chef-geoffs-tysons-home.html
Address: 8045 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA 22182
Phone: 571.282.6003

Mid-level local chain.

We had been to the downtown location, and liked it a lot, and were looking for another Wolf Trap convenient place so we gave this a try.

The location is good, the decor is good. It's a very noisy place, the bar area is smack in the middle so the happy hour crowd can overwhelm the dining experience. We made some really bad choices on food selection also, particularly a vegetable dish that was incredibly salty and oily.



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