There may be no more perfect restaurant in New York for a very special occasion than Daniel, Daniel Boulud's eponymous Upper East Side salon. Earning near perfect marks for food, decor and service from Zagat, Daniel stands at the top of a very impressive list of world renowned New York restaurants. If you are…
Del Posto is an exciting collaboration between restaurateurs Lydia and Joseph Bastianich and Mario Batali that in 2010 received a coveted 4 stars from the New York Times. DP is the first Italian restaurant to receive 4 stars from the Times since 1974. This was as near a perfect dining experience as I can…
OVERVIEW The magnificent 249-room luxury San Diego resort, Fairmont Grand Del Mar, captures the elegance and comfort of an old-world Mediterranean estate with an enviable Southern California locale. Its design honors the indelible style of visionary architect Addison Mizner (1872-1933) who drew his inspiration from Spain's…
OVERVIEW Every serious traveler, foodie and oenophile has dreamed of owning their own place, but few of us, have the resources or the experience to pull it off. Annapolis, Maryland and Houston businessman Doug Bosch and his wife Jennifer had both the resources and the passion to covert their 300 acre family abode into the…
OVERVIEW Set in the heart of Amish country in Lancaster, PA, the Inn at Leola Village is a female owned and operated historic property. The original buildings date back to 1867 and served as farmhouses, a tobacco farm and a carriage house. This is a wonderful weekend destination where you can enjoy the charm…
Every once in a while, you come across an experience so sublime, you feel the need to tell everyone about it. Such is the dining experience at the Inn at Little Washington, about an hour and a half outside of Washington in the Virginia countryside. This is a truly remarkable place and I suggest…
OVERVIEW In the late 70’s Reinhardt Lynch and Patrick O’Connell had a successful catering business but dreamed of creating the perfect inn and restaurant. They found an old gas station in the sleepy little village of Washington, Virginia nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley and began the transformation. In no time…
OVERVIEW Built in 1929 and recently renovated, L'Auberge Carmel has only 20 guestrooms that surround a charming brick courtyard. The white stucco building with arched doorways, green trim and flower boxes filled with red flowers has the look and feel of an inn you might encounter in the French countryside. The small entryway leads…
Fish is not usually my first choice for a meal when I dine out, but that may be because I had never experienced Eric Ripert's cooking before. This is unlike any seafood you have ever had. But, I'll get to the food in a minute. 
I knew…
Start your evening in Quill, a dark and intimate cocktail lounge with an excellent drink menu. Tuesday through Saturday, legendary Peter Robinson entertains at the piano. Hotel guests can also enjoy their drinks in the cozy Book Room beside a roaring fire. 
The signature restaurant, Plume,…
OVERVIEW Located within the bustling City Center, right on the Strip, the Waldorf Astoria (formally the Mandarin Oriental) is close to all the major attractions and casinos, but thankfully does not have one itself. Guests arrive on the ground floor and are whisked to reception on the 23rd floor which is also home to…
