When is the last time you’ve been to visit Atlanta?

Outside of 45 minute airport layovers and one ugly nine hour day when air traffic control grounded all planes due to one of the regularly scheduled spring category four thunderstorms, it’s been nearly 10 years for me.

Well I’ve got some more than exciting news for you. Atlanta has changed, and the entire town is alive and abuzz with renewed vitality, and a freshness rarely seen in a first tier American city. I can think of four HUGE new reasons to get down there (and fast!) before hotels do away with great weekend specials when the world outside of the south hears of Atlanta’s cultural renaissance.

REASON # 1: THE HIGH MUSEUM OF ART
Reason #1 has been making international headlines in the art world for some time and inspired our second look at the epicenter of the New South. For the first time ever, the Musée du Louvre in Paris has forged an unprecedented partnership with an American art institution to share its exhibitions and collections outside of Europe. And ohmygosh, I am beside myself! They have selected Atlanta’s High Museum of Art a venue we can actually drive to, whenever we long to feel the presence and grandeur of the world’s finest art in an absolutely spectacular setting.

Atlanta’s High Museum of Art launched a capital campaign in 1998 surpassing their $130 million goal in November 2004 for a major expansion that includes funding the partnership’s operational requirements, and a more than doubling in size to 312,000 square feet. The expansion included three new buildings surrounding a public piazza by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano. Piano’s civic work on projects like the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, the Auditorium in Rome, the reconstruction of Berlin’s Potsdamer Platz and the Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan among many others makes him one of the most important architects of our time.

It is an experience in and of itself to visit one of Piano’s creations firsthand. I was an hour late to the press luncheon and ensuing media tour which afforded me the opportunity to take in Piano’s space on my own without the barrage of national media/flashing lights and verbal banter of my colleagues. Good fortune for me, as this space loses impact without a sense of solitude. I took the elevator to the top floor of the Wieland Pavilion with plans to work my way down at the recommendation of one of the museum’s curators who was preparing for the evenings opening gala festivities.

Getting off the elevator was one of those ‘a-ha’ moments, an epiphany where you gain insight into and understanding of your place in the world and the world’s place in art. A perspective everyone should experience. My breath was taken away as I took in the space aptly named the Grand Gallery, and its contents. This was a space that exemplified the critical role context plays in art. For truly a work of art is not complete until it’s found an appropriate resting place.

The top floor of the Wieland Pavilion’s ceiling is composed of seamless rows of coved skylights that provide a complete spectrum of light that will morph with seasons and alter the art, but yet not expose the works to damaging direct sun rays. The space was grand yet intimate, warm but neutral, and unobtrusive with its walls and ceilings that receded and enveloped simultaneously. The space made each work of art in the museum’s large scale contemporary collection a centerpiece with the use of alcoves and linear partitions – as fine as the Guggenheim or Smithsonian for artistic context.

I worked my way down the building spending most of my time getting lost in one of the finest single artist exhibitions I’ve had the pleasure of viewing (even more than the Monet traveling exhibition of 1994!), Andrew Wyeth: Memory & Magic. Again, context was critical, as the wall colors were changed to work with Wyeth’s natural palates and the stark openness of his work. The exhibition is organized chronologically and thematically in an unobtrusive, complimentary setting, and imparts a fresh understanding of Wyeth’s work since we are able to view his artistic style and periods in the entire context of his career. Over 100 works showcasing Wyeth’s varying use of media, materials, his fascination with life, death, nature and thresholds, and intimate relationships with his subjects, are viewed will give rise to a new understanding of this important contemporary American artist. Get down there before the end of February to see it if you can!

REASON #2: WINING AND DINING AT THE RITZ
If visual art is a sensory treat for you, then tune up your sense of taste, and smell too. Surprisingly, the most consistently awarded and acclaimed restaurant in all of Atlanta is located in one of the city’s top hotels, the Ritz Carlton Buckhead. Over 10 years running as a AAA Five Diamond Mobile Five Star dining destination, The Dining Room at The Ritz Buckhead is one of only two restaurants in all of Atlanta that can make such a claim.

Although the food program has been consistently exceptional, experiencing the creative cuisine under newly appointed Executive Chef Arnaud Berthelier’s direction is akin to going on an international culinary tour. “I learned to cook so I could travel,” confesses Berthelier, whose French, Spanish and Northern African influences are evident in his dishes. His experience at the Ritz-Carlton Sharm El Sheikh, a seaside resort located on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, at Alain Ducasse’s Le Louis XV in Monte Carlo, Le Saveurs in London and La Tour d’ Argent and Michel Guerard in Paris translate into highly innovative international cuisine prepared with classically French cooking methods.

The evening I dined, I opted for the five course tasting menu with dishes like citrus cured monkfish with ruby red grapefruit and bok choy tomato confit dressing deliciously paired with the 2002 Clos du Bourg Vouvrary Demi Sec (an epiphany in Loire Vouvrays), and butter poached sturgeon with baby chanterelle fricassée, caviar and garlic chive broth with the 2002 Domaine Jouard Chassagne Montrachet…so delicious, the less civilized of us might be inclined to lick our fingers!

The highlight of the evening if there could be one, though was the venison loin poached in glue wine, stuffed endive, chocolate sauce paired with the 2001 Briccolero Chionetti Dolcetto Di Dogliani. I told the maitre de that was always a raised eyebrow away that I believe I felt my eyes uncontrollably roll back in my head upon taking the first bite – information shared for a good laugh with the chef team on stage throughout the evening in the open kitchen. Chef Berthelier finished with a goat cheese bavarois course and the warm Georgia Apple pie with saffron cream and 21 Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream, bearing resemblance only in name to our impression of this classic southern dish. “I’m adding regional foods into my menus and have many ideas for new menu introductions in the next few months,” says Chef. The Dining Room at The Ritz Buckhead will surely continue it’s five star tradition under Berthelier’s watchful eye.

If you are a wine enthusiast, though, this story that started out as four reasons to go to Atlanta, has really turned into five. The Ritz food and wine program philosophy recognizes the essentialness of exceptionally paired wines with food in the dining experience, for an artfully crafted meal without the right pairings is no different than art without context. The Ritz Buckhead happens to have a young female prodigy running the wine program that is beginning to turn heads in the wine world. At 23, Chantalle Grilhot is the first woman and the youngest person to have take on the role of sommelier in The Dining Room’s 20-year history. Grilhot won first place in the 2005 Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs regional finals for “Best Young Sommelier in America” this year, and was written up as the youngest of young up and coming wine personalities in America in Food and Wine Magazine. She is in her second year of the highly intensive Master Sommelier program, and is on target to become the youngest person to achieve this distinction. Food and wine lovers simply cannot come to Atlanta without enjoying the fruits of this team’s labor.

REASON #3: DESIGNER DIGS
Atlanta has always had good shopping, but in the past few years, the Buckhead shopping metropolis Phipps Place and Lenox Square are starting to bear as much resemblance to Fifth Avenue in terms of international designer names as Miami. A Jimmy Choo boutique opened this year, joining a slew of other fashion icons like Gucci, Hermes, Versace, Armani and Cartier to make Atlanta a destination designer shopping excursion. Neiman Marcus is undergoing a major expansion to keep pace with Atlanta’s tastefully heeled. Sax Fifth Avenue is following suit with designer boutiques opening a Prada shop store within a store concept, and preparations were in order for their fall opening of Dolce & Gabana. You’ll also find trendy lesser known boutiques like Anne Fontaine – filled with all white blouses, and the biggest buzz of all was Intermix, a Soho based boutique attracting Hollywood fashionistas like Paris, J’Lo and Sarah Jessica Parker all the way to Bette Midler and Yoko Ono with their pioneering sense of mixing and matching. The store features well known designers like Valentino, Matthew Williamson and Catherine Maladrino mixed with up and coming new designer names, putting together looks like polka dot halter dresses and cowboy boots, Ugg boots and Channel style tweed, with a true sense of style. Bring your charge cards ladies and gents!

REASON #4: BIG FISH
As if you needed another reason to head down I85, here’s one for the little people in your life…The New Georgia Aquarium. Opening just in time for Thanksgiving weekend, this new Atlanta cultural venue almost entirely bankrolled by Home Depot’s Bernie Marcus will stake its claim as the largest Aquarium in the world, with over eight million gallons of fresh and marine water and over 100,000 animals representing 500 species from around the world.

Whatever your poison, fish, food, fashion or phenomenon’s of art, get to Atlanta while the gettin’s good!

Damn, y’all.  I travel way too much.  I don’t remember exactly when I started collecting the card keys from my business trips, and I’ve never counted them all, but I couldn’t help taking a quick look through a portion of the collection which I found a moment ago.  Each card here represents one week not spent in my own bed, and you can see the stack on the right there which I didn’t even go through.  The crazy part is that I’m pretty sure these are from the past year only.  If I had a dollar, right?

The house above is located just north of Tequesta in Martin County, nearly directly across from the spot where Tiger Woods & Celine Dion are building. You can see his home site on another one of my posts.

This view is looking south down the Intracoastal Waterway toward the Jupiter Inlet and Jupiter Lighthouse. The house is 13,621 square feet of living space with 9 bedrooms, 8 full baths and 4 half baths. It’s currently listed at a price of $ 12,900,000.

What makes this particularly interesting is that just a short distance from this house, Burt Reynolds has his 3 acre, Intracoastal estate on the market and although he has dropped the price from $ 15,000,000+ down to the $ 8 million + range it has been on the market for several years.

The house below is in The Bear’s Club, Jupiter and is also listed for $ 12.9 million. The Bear’s Club is located on the same parcel of land as the Ritz-Carlton, across the street from Frenchman’s Creek and adjacent to Admirals Cove. Michael Jordan recently gained publicity for purchasing two lots for a price of $ 4,000,000 to begin building.  The neighbors don’t like it but the Town of Jupiter says he is in compliance.  Sorry, I couldn’t get it centered.

In any event, this house is 12,297 square feet with 6 bedrooms, 6 full baths & 2 half baths. This price puts these two homes in the $ 1,000 per square foot range.

To follow the Jupiter/Tequesta real estate market (without the TW gossip), either follow this blog, or my websites which is http://www.coastalfloridarealestate.net/

You can see videos of the Coastal Florida lifestyle and different communities as well as my Morning Updates by going to You Tube and visiting my channel: www.youtube.com/richardsites

Richard Sites                                                                                                                                           

Realty Associates-FL Properties

Ahh, the question we get every year  . . . what is there to do for New Year’s Eve?

Last year I celebrated New Year’s Eve in white–a wedding dress, that is. Needless to say, the pressure is on to make our first anniversary pretty spectacular. So, I dedicate this blog to my husband, Keith. Hopefully he (and you, too) can peruse these offerings to make it a New Year’s Eve (December 31, 2009) to remember!

NEW YEAR’S EVE PACKAGES

Sergio’s SARAVA: New Year’s Eve Samba Party  The party begins after 10pm ($15 cover) with a fantastic mix of cultures at Sergio’s SARAVA in Shaker Square. Dance to SAMBA JOIA Brazilian Drum Line and DJ Kris Koch of Num Num World Music spinning the best samba, salsa, bhangra, afro-cubano, bollywood and much more. The cash bar will be open and a menu of Sergio’s signature street plates will be available. At midnight you’ll not only celebrate the New Year, but Sergio draws for a trip for two to Rio (click here to enter). After, enjoy a beautiful overnight stay in the Glidden House located in University Circle for only $99+tax. Click here for more information.

Cleveland POPS Orchestra: 14^th Annual New Year’s Eve Concert and Dance  Cleveland POPS welcomes the new year with a rousing concert of music from Broadway’s contemporary musicals. The concert starts at 9pm with Broadway singers J. Mark McVey and Capathia Jenkins singing selections from Phantom of the Opera, Tommy, Rent, Lion king, Mamma Mia, The Wiz, Hairspray, Dreamgirls and more. This two-hour concert will be followed with social dancing in two separate locations within Severance hall. Guests can complete their New Year’s experience with an overnight stay at the InterContinental Cleveland Hotel. Click here to learn more.

The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland: New Year’s Eve Celebration  The last night of 2009 is yours for the taking. Indulge in a bottle of bubbly and a special dinner for two at The Ritz-Carlton’s award-winning restaurant, MUSE. In its entirety, the New Year’s Eve Celebration Package include (starting at $499+tax): deluxe overnight accommodations, a chilled bottle of champagne, a welcome amenity, valet parking and this special New Year’s Eve Dinner for two (during either the first seating at 6:30pm or the second seating at 9pm. Reservations required. Click here or call 216.623.1300.

Then, ring in 2010 with style in The Ritz-Carlton’s intimate and festive Lobby Lounge on 6 with live music, dance floor and party favors. The Lobby Lounge on 6 offer sa menu of light fare and a vast selection of spirits as you toast your way in the New Year. Dom Pérignon sold by the flute is the perfect way to treat yourself and the one you love to a fantastic 2010. This music and dancing is open and available to the public.  

Hard Rock Café and Renaissance Cleveland Hotel: Rockin’ New Year’s Eve  Experience a rockin’ New Year’s Eve at the Hard Rock Cafe and then walk “home” to the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel. This New Year’s Eve package includes deluxe accommodations; complimentary parking; admission to the Hard Rock Cafe’s New Year’s Eve Party featuring live music by The Curve, assorted appetizer buffet and a full open bar; and a complimentary breakfast buffet for two in the Brasserie Restaurant. This package is $309+tax, so book now. Click here to learn more.

Renaissance Cleveland Hotel: Sans Souci New Year’s Eve Package  Count down to 2010 in all the grandeur of the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel. The Sans Souci New Year’s Eve Package begins when you arrive to your room to find champagne waiting for you and your guest. Then, head downstairs to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Sans Souci and savor an exquisitely prepared four-course meal for two featuring chef Anna Kim. After dinner, enjoy live entertainment and the best view of the downtown holiday lights in the Lobby Court Lounge. “Take the elevator home” and wake up refreshed in the New Year with complimentary buffet breakfast for two in the Brasserie restaurant. This package, which starts at $329, also includes complimentary self-parking. Click here to book or learn more.

Windows on the River: New Year’s Eve 2009  This fun, multi-faceted New Year’s Eve package ($220 per couple/$112 per guest) at Windows on the River includes an elegant dinner with your choice of sliced beef tenderloin with béarnaise, salmon filet with ginger mustard or chicken piccata. The open bar serves premium brands and the music and dancing is compliments of Park Place. Enjoy a dessert station and a late-night breakfast buffet. This package can also be paired with overnight accommodations at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at the Key Center, which includes shuttle service, breakfast for two and late check-out (rates start at $179+tax). Click here or call 216.861.1445 for more information.

The Hilton Garden Inn Twinsburg + Blue Canyon: The New Year’s Eve Package  Take in the best of both worlds with this exciting New Year’s Eve package. Guests receive a $60 gift card to the award-winning Blue Canyon Kitchen and Tavern where they’ll experience live entertainment, drink specials and complimentary party favors. The package includes an overnight stay for the Hilton Garden Inn Twinsburg (one king or two queens), breakfast for two in hotel’s Great American Grille and a 2pm late check-out. All of this costs $149+tax. Click here or call 330.405.4488.

House of Blues: Buddy Guy New Year’s Eve Show  Listen to the artist who inspired the likes of Hendrix, Clapton, Beck and Vaughan, famed musician Buddy Guy, at the House of Blues this New Year’s Eve beginning at 8:30pm. Add a southern-style dinner for two at HOB’s restaurant (GA = $229, RESERVED =$309) to make it an evening. And, for those looking to ring in the New Year in style, packages are available with the Hyatt Regency at The Arcade (GA=343.10, RESERVED=$432.10). Visit www.houseofblues.com/cleveland or call 216.523.BLUE (2583) for details.

AMP 150: New Year’s Eve Five-Course Prix Fixe Dinner  The Cleveland Airport Marriott’s hot, new restaurant is offering a five-course dinner on New Year’s Eve that will make ringing in 2010 better than ever. The meal starts with oysters with caviar and is followed with arugula salad, seared scallops, filet mignon, swiss chard, short rib ragu and warm valrona chocolate cake for dessert. The first dinner seating time begins at 7pm and costs $60 per person. The second seating time starts at 9pm, includes a glass of champagne at midnight and costs $75 per person. Make it an overnight stay for a total of $225 (7pm dinner) or $255 (9pm dinner).  For more information or to book, call 216.252.5333 or click here.

Brennan’s Catering and Banquet Center: 26^th Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration  Take on 2010 with a all-inclusive, action-packed package with Brennan’s Catering and Banquet Center. Their New Year’s Eve Celebration begins at 7pm and includes an an all-you-can-eat buffet, open bar with top-shelf liquor, champagne toast at midnight, party favors, music and dancing. At 1am, guests can dive into a continental breakfast. Hotel accommodations with complimentary shuttle service and breakfast available for $79 at the Sheraton Cleveland Airport Hotel. Click here or call 216.251.2131.

Make it Quail Hollow Resort – This sumptuous New Year’s Eve package includes luxurious accommodations, dancing, live music a delicious meal. Enjoy a three-course menu created by Resort’s decorated chefs and then top it off at midnight with a champagne toast to a happy, healthy New Year! A complimentary breakfast is served before departure to complete your Quail Hollow Resort experience. NYE Package $299. Call 440.497.1100.

 HOTEL-ONLY STAYS

Doubletree Hotel Cleveland Downtown/Lakeside  Ring in the New Year’s in style. Celebrate the start of new beginnings with the Doubletree Hotel Cleveland Downtown/Lakeside with a $129+tax package that includes: overnight accommodations, breakfast for two, overnight parking and a late check-out of 1pm. Click here or call 216.241.7437 for more information.

Cleveland Airport Marriott: New Year’s Eve Movie Madness Package  Stay in for New Year’s at the recently remodeled Cleveland Airport Marriott. For $169+tax, guests can take part in the New Year’s Eve Movie Madness Package featuring accommodations (king or double bed), party favors, tossed salad for four, chicken wings or chicken fingers, large pizza with one topping, one pitcher of soda and two movies of your choice. The next morning, enjoy an American breakfast for four. For more information or to book, call 216.252.5333 or click here.

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTIES + EVENTS

Nautica Queen: New Year’s Eve Cruise  Enjoy a scenic cruise and get cozy on the Nautica Queen with its two heated, enclosed decks this New Year’s Eve.  This package includes hors d’oeuvres, dinner, dancing, party favors and a bubbling bottle of champagne to ring in 2010. Click here or call 216.696.8888.

Quaker Steak & Lube: Vermilion New Year’s Eve Party  Enjoy an 80s-themed New Year’s Eve party at Quaker Steak & Lube in Vermilion with a riverfront view. Packages are available that include hotel reservations, transportation, drink tickets, champagne toast and appetizer buffet. Call 440.967.3724 or click here for details.

Melting Pot Orchestra in Concert: New Year’s Eve 2009  Head to the Family Life Center at the Garfield Church to enjoy a unique performance by the Melting Pot Orchestra beginning at 9pm. For an additional price, guests can also enjoy a buffet dinner and dancing (Motown, line dancing and more). Call 440.247.6872 for tickets and more information.

The Improv  Join the Improv for a night of big laughs, great food and good cheer. The comedy club offers three different packages (5:30pm, 7:30pm and 10:30pm) that include food, comedy from the hilarious Guy Torry and two VIP passes to future shows. Check out each of these unique packages by clicking here or by calling 216.696.4977.

Windows on the River (City View Room): New Year’s Eve 2009  Head to the City View Room at Windows on the River at 8pm for an exciting New Year’s Eve bash featuring an open bar, fresh vegetables, cheese and crackers, hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, champagne toast, party favors, a coffee station at midnight and music compliments of Jerry Bruno Productions. Discounted price is available for $65+tax per person if booking before Dec. 20. Click here or call 216.861.1445.

Landerhaven: Cirque Esque  Head to the ultra-luxurious Landerhaven for a New Year’s Eve event featuring appetizers, food stations, open bar, champagne, valet parking and dancing and music from the live sounds of Run Avril Run, along with special guest performances. At 1am, enjoy a bountiful breakfast. This all-inclusive package is only $125+tax per person (or $800 for a table of eight guests). Reservations required, so please call 440.499.0700 x288. Click here for details.

NEW YEAR’S EVE DINING SPECIALS 

The Bistro on Lincoln Park:  The Year-End Special Package  Enjoy a four-course menu for $90+tax per couple at the Bistro on Lincoln Park. The first course begins with an amuse served with a glass of champagne followed by courses two and three, which will include two selections of your choice. The fourth course, naturally, will be one of Chef Matt’s decadent desserts. For an extra $20, your meal will be paired with recommended wines to complete the dining experience. Reservations are recommended.

The Bistro on Lincoln Park: The New Year’s Delight Package  Celebrate the end of the year with Chef Matt’s mouthwatering creation with a seven-course Chef’s Tasting menu for $75+tax per person at the Bistro on Lincoln Park. For an extra $20.00, your meal will be paired with recommended wines to complete the dining experience. Reservations are recommended.

Pickwick & Frolic: New Years Eve Party Package + Comedy Performance + Buffet Dinner  Head to Pickwick & Frolic for their New Year’s Eve Package ($49 per person) that includes live music and dancing beginning at 9pm followed by hors d’oeuvres stations at 10pm. The package also includes a champagne toast, balloon drop and the Fabulous Midnight Martini Show featuring the music of Sinatra’s Vegas.

Earlier that evening, you can head to Hilarities Fourth Street Theater for a comedy show featuring Sebastian Maniscalo ($25 general admission/$35 preferred seating). Include the New Year’s Eve Party Package to make it $90+tax per person.  Add a buffet dinner featuring rotisserie prime rib in Pickwick & Frolic beforehand for a total of $131.50+tax. For more information, click here or call 216.241.7425.

Sergio’s SARAVA: New Year’s Eve Prix Fixe Dinner Package  It’s hot. It’s sexy. It’s the taste of Brazil! Enjoy a three-course Prix Fixe dinner at SARAVA featuring Sergio’s authentic Brazilian menu in a chic, fun environment for only $50+tax per person. Pair the dinner with the Samba Party later that night for additional $25 per person and receive your very own reserved table for the evening! Call 216.295.1200 or click here for reservations and information.

MUSE at The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland: Five-Course Prix Fixe Menu  Partygoers can say farewell to 2009 with an elegant multi-course presentation ($105+tax per person) at The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland’s award-winning restaurant, MUSE.  This New Year’s Eve dinner begins with an amuse and a sun choke bisque. The meal progresses with a petite garden collage followed by beat poached scallops served with braised celery root and a vanilla beurre blanc. Entrée selections include surf & turf, seared halibut and crisp duck breast. Dessert features a trilogy of chocolate for 2010. The first seating is perfect (6:30pm) for those with a planned night on the town, and the second seating (9pm) comes complete with a champagne toast at midnight for those who wish to savor the evening as they ring in 2009. Wine pairings are available for an additional $30 per person. For reservations call 216.902.5255. For information, click here.

Go green in 2010 with the Greenhouse Tavern This upscale eatery located on East Fourth Street rings in the New Year with an eight-course tasting menu with seating times at 7pm and 10pm. Each French-inspired course comes with a wine pairing, and is finished with a port and petite fours (including Keri’s famous cookies and hazelnut macaroons). The Greenhouse Tavern, which opened this April,  is the first LEED-certified restaurant in Ohio and boasts an interior comprised of mostly recycled and repurposed materials. Click here or call 216.443.0511 to learn more.

New Year’s Eve Celebration at Grand River Cellars – The evening begins at 6:30pm with light appetizers followed by a large buffet dinner featuring a selection of entrees including beef, chicken and seafood (plus all the trimmings). Music by Light of Day begins at 8:30pm. Each couple receives snacks throughout the evening, party favors, one bottle of wine and a dessert for two. After the music stops at 12:30am, a light breakfast is served before sending everyone home. Reservations are required for the evening. $67.95  per person plus tax. Call 440.298.9838.

FOR THE KIDS

The Great Lakes Science Center: New Year’s Eve Eve (Wed., Dec. 30, 7 – 11:30pm) Celebrate the New Year one night early at the Great Lakes Science Center. Explore hundreds of hands-on exhibits, have fun on the indoor carpet skating rink, enjoy hot chocolate and warm snacks, make polymer snow to take home and enjoy the holiday OMNIMAX film, The Light Before Christmas. Top the night off by ringing in 2010 with a ginger ale toast and a four-story balloon drop with more than 1,500 balloons! Advanced reservations are suggested, as space is limited. This event sold out last year, so be sure to book early. Click here or call 216.694.2000 for more information.

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo: Noon Year’s Eve (Thurs., Dec. 31, 10am – 1pm) The grown-ups can have their New Year’s Eve fun at night, but kids get to celebrate 2010’s arrival during daylight hours at the fourth annual Noon Year’s Eve party at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Party with the animals, create animal-themed crafts, play the Zoo-Years resolution game and dance with the rockin Radio Disney Street Team. At the stroke of noon, ring in the “Noon Year” with an apple juice toast and a ball drop. Click here or call 216.661.6500 for more information.

The Children’s Museum of Cleveland: New Year’s at Noon Celebration (Thurs., Dec. 31, 10am – 2pm) Families are invited to The Children’s Museum of Cleveland for its 5th Annual New Year’s at Noon Celebration. This year’s family-friendly event includes a delicious hot buffet from Gallucci’s Italian Foods, sparkling beverages, soda, desserts, party favors, activities and a live deejay. And best of all, the traditional countdown to midnight at noon . . . enabling even the littlest visitors to ring in the New Year. Click here or call 216.791.7114 for more information. –Submitted by Lexi Robinson-Hotchkiss

I have been in NYC for now five years and I have to say I have never found a good spa! Not joking on this one. I am a world savvy traveler and got some of the best massage in the world.

My favorite two spas in the world are:

-Hotel Maya in Ubud Bali, which got the best spa award n 2008 and most beautiful wellness resort worldwide! Straight out of a fairy landscape with some of the top Thai and Asian massage. www.mayaubud.com

- Caudalie spa in Italy Piedmont at Relais Maurizio, the first vinotherapie spa. Imagine getting massage with grapes, a bath in a wine barrel, in the middle of a vineyard and drinking wine in a 16^th century Franciscan monastery. http://www.relaissanmaurizio.info

So after being in these places, you can image I became quite picky when it comes to massage. Yesterday, I got an invitation from a magazine I work with to try the La Prairie Spa at the Ritz Carlton.

When I arrived they immediately oriented me to the locker room, which mostly looked like a private European boudoir lounge. Between marbles, sophisticated woods and European furnitures, I felt I had my very own changing room for myself. I tried the steaming room before the massage and was glad to find outside fresh little lemon-scented towels dipped in ice. The therapist was waiting for me in another lounge/waiting room.

The therapist asked me when was the last time I had massage. I could not say it was by a hot argentinien guy at Rose bar: ), so yes officially a while! Massage was great. When done I was complimented with a glass of champagne and a little gift back with a personalized note from the therapist. I have to say I was vey impressed by the level of personalized attention, details and the service. Yes I like to be threaten like a princess! A great spa I would recommend to anyone, especially after trying some of the worth spa in NYC, which are also some of the most expensive.

NYC La Prairie Spa

50 Central Park South,

New York, NY 10019

Tel: 212-308-9100

Dear Harris,

You were right, Michael Hart’s Band is phenomenal. They had the party going all night long to some truly incredible music. All of our guests could not believe how good they were. Thank you so much for such a memorable evening. 

Warmest regards,

Karen and David

Tidak sampai satu bulan setelah peledakan Bom di Mega Kuningan (17/7), Kepolisian Republik Indonesia (Polri) berhasil meringkus jaringan teroris pimpinan Noordin M. Top di Bekasi Jawa Barat dan Temanggung Jawa Tengah (8/8). Noordin (ahli rekrutmen) bersama Azahari (ahli pembuat bom) merupakan gembong terorisme berkebangsaan Malaysia yang telah lebih dari enam tahun buron menebar teror di Indonesia. Tahun 2005, Azahari telah dinyatakan tewas dalam penyergapan rumah di Batu Jawa Timur (11/11/).

Kini jasad hasil penyergapan 18 jam di Temanggung sedang diselidiki Polri untuk memastikan identitasnya, apakah ia adalah Noordin atau bukan. Jika jasad tersebut adalah Noordin berarti gembong terorisme yang paling dicari di Republik Indonesia tidak lagi menjadi ancaman. Akan tetapi, apakah aksi terorisme serta merta berakhir dengan tewasnya Noordin? Apakah pemburuan terorisme seperti yang dilakukan oleh Detasemen Khusus (Densus) 88 Polri efektif untuk membasmi terorisme di Tanah Air?

Terorisme

Terorisme berbeda dengan tindakan kejahatan dan kekerasan biasa, karena memiliki karakteristik khusus. Pertama, terorisme adalah kejahatan berideologi. Kekuatan utama terorisme bukan terletak pada senjata, kemampuan menggunakan senjata, jumlah anggota, jaringan yang luas, atau kekuatan finansial yang dimilikinya, tetapi pada ideologi. Terorisme hanya dikerjakan oleh sedikit orang dengan keyakinan yang sangat kuat atas aksi mereka dan mengorbankan apa saja untuk sesuatu yang diyakininya, termasuk nyawa mereka sendiri.

Kedua, terorisme memiliki tujuan yang berbeda dengan kejahatan biasa. Menurut Leonard Weinberg (Global Terrorism: A Beginner Guide) tujuan dari terorisme adalah tekanan psikologis yang dirasakan oleh semua orang, berbeda dengan kejahatan biasa yang memiliki target kekerasan fisik yang spesifik.

Ketiga, terorisme memiliki pesan dan tujuan politik. Louise Richardson (What Terrorist Want: Understanding the Enemy Containing the Threat) mengatakan terorisme adalah kekerasan yang sengaja dilakukan terhadap warga sipil untuk mencapai tujuan politik. Dalam perspektif ini, kekerasan bisa diartikan sebagai media komunikasi simbolik. Jika komunikasi simbolik tersebut diamini oleh masyarakat dan diabaikan oleh pemerintah, maka benih-benih terorisme akan terus bermekaran.

Keempat, inti permasalahan terorisme bukan berada di ranah hukum. Penindakan hukum represif tidak akan menyentuh akar gerakan terorisme, tetapi hanya menyentuh akibat, bukan penyebab dari aksi teror. Akar permasalahan yang sesungguhnya berada di luar aspek hukum dan terkait dengan aspek keadilan, ekonomi, dan politik.

Belum mati

Melihat karakteristik khusus tersebut, terorisme tidak ikut tewas bersama tewasnya Noordin. Jaringan yang selama ini dibina oleh Noordin tetap mengakar dan hidup di tengah-tengah masyarkaat. Polri telah berhasil menangkap banyak kaum radikal dan melemahkan jaringan yang selama ini banyak disebut-sebut sebagai penyokong aksi terorisme di kawasan Asia Tenggara. Namun, tenaga-tenaga muda binaan Noordin terus bermunculan, di antaranya anak-anak yang baru lulus SMA. Semangat dan keyakinan Noordin sudah tertanam pada pengikutnya.

Berdasarkan hasil penyelidikan polisi, jaringan Noordin kembali memanfaatkan mantan narapidana terorisme yang masih memendam semangat dan keyakinan ideologi mereka. Hal itu terindikasi dari keterlibatan Air Setiyawan, yang juga pernah ditangkap tahun 2004 terkait pengeboman Kedutaan Besar Australia. Selain itu, kelihaian Noordin untuk merekrut anggota baru juga telah terwariskan ke pengikutnya.

Terorisme adalah fenomena gunung es. Penindakan hukum represif hanya menyentuh pucuk terorisme, tetapi akar masalah masih belum tersentuh. Ketika terorisme dipandang hanya sebagai kejahatan biasa dan dipahami dengan logika keamanan semata, maka makna terorisme telah tereduksi. Jika upaya pembasmian hanya berfokus pada pemburuan teroris tetapi tidak menyentuh akar persoalan yang sebenarnya, dikhawatirkan aksi terorisme bukan semakin berkurang justru semakin marak dan mencari model-model serangan baru yang lebih berbahaya dari aksi-aksi sebelumnya. Pembasmian terorisme memerlukan pendekatan yang lebih komprehensif dan mendalam dari sekedar pendekatan represif ala Densus 88.

Tanggung jawab masyarakat

Mantan anggota JI, Al Chaidar (8/8) mengatakan habitat yang paling nyaman bagi Noordin dan penyemaian benih terorisme di Indonesia meliputi Jawa Tengah, Jawa Barat, dan Banten. Hal tersebut dipertegas oleh Kepala Desk Koordinasi Pembasmian Teroris Menko Polhukkam Ansyaad Mbai (28/7) mengatakan sebagian kelompok masyarakat kita yang sangat permisif terhadap para teroris dan ideologi mereka. Akibatnya para teroris itu bisa mendapatkan tempat berlindung yang nyaman. Noordin yang buron bisa menikah dengan wanita Indonesia. Perlindungan yang paling aman adalah keluarga.

Sikap permisif tersebut tidak terjadi di negara lain, seperti Malaysia tempat Azahari dan Noordin berasal. Ketika Azahari ditetapkan sebagai buronan, keluarganya tidak diterima lingkungan setempat sehingga harus hidup berpindah-pindah. Di Arab Saudi, pemerintah, ulama, aparat keamanan, pakar dan masyarakat merangkul pelaku teror untuk hidup benar, menjauhi militansi dengan memperhatikan penghidupannya dan meyakinkan bahwa visi keagamaan mereka keliru, bahwa agama dan jihad tak ada kaitannya dengan kekerasan terorisme, termasuk bom bunuh diri.

Masyarakat paling bertanggung jawab membasmi benih dan kultur ekstrimisme di lingkungannya. Ulama, tokoh masyarakat, dan masyarakat Banten yang dikenal religius wajib memberikan penyadaran kepada anggota masyarakatnya terutama dari kalangan pemuda tentang ajaran Islam yang lurus, seimbang, dan menjadi rahmat bagi semua alam semesta, tanpa terkecuali.

Akhirnya, terorisme belum mati dengan tewasnya Noordin. Pembasmian terorisme dengan pendekatan represif perlu dibarengi dengan pendekatan preventif yang persuasif dan akomodatif terhadap kepentingan berbagai kelompok yang merasa termarginalisasikan berbagai kebijakan selama ini. Termasuk penerapan kebijakan yang merangkul dan rekonsiliatif antara pemerintah dengan masyarakat dan diantara masyarakat itu sendiri. Pendekantan preventif dan rekonsiliasi seperti itu akan lebih efektif menyentuh inti dari masalah terorisme dibandingkan penerapan kebijakan represif dan konfrontatif. Dengan cara itu, dalam jangka panjang, gerakan terorisme di Tanah Air akan dapat diselesaikan. Semoga.***

Penulis adalah alumnus Ilmu Hubungan Internasional UGM

Marriott International is undertaking a corporate restructure that will see it split into four autonomous divisions whilst bringing the formerly stand-alone Ritz-Carlton brand into its corporate offices.

Marriott President Arne Sorenson said that details of the plan still need to be finalised but confirmed that “the number of jobs lost will not be very large”.

He said there would be four continental offices, each of which will have its own president and resources to operate independently, including separate sales and marketing, revenue management and finance.

The idea is to decentralize power so that the regional presidents “have the resources necessary to make decisions and so those decisions can be faster, more efficient, more local,” Sorenson said.

However, he emphasized that the change “will be entirely invisible to the guest”, and focussed on the back-of-the-house, rather than the front of the house Ritz-Carlton brand experience.”

Marriott is currently split into four divisions: Ritz-Carlton; global timeshare; international lodging group; and U.S. and Canadian operations.

It will be reorganized into four divisions, Sorenson said: the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Only the timeshare business will function outside the new regional structure, Sorenson said.

The reorganization will be completed by 2011. But Sorenson said the new presidents for Europe and the Americas had already been appointed.

Ritz Carlton Sunday Brunch

We talked about going to Ritz Carlton at Tysons Galleria for Sunday brunch for many years. We kept putting it off primarily because it was expensive and we really didn’t have a good reason to.

Well, we did it this time on Bao’s birthday. Since mine was 4 days later, we’d combine two celebrations into one.

I called to confirm that the brunch was available because the website said Ritz Carlton is trying to find a new chef to change the theme at the current location. The guy told me that reservation was not necessary and the cost was $69.95 per person.

Even with white table clothes, the 80-seat dinning room was quite modest and the brunch facility was right next to the dinning room. The service was very attentive probably because we were there early and the dinning room was almost empty with about 12 guests. We were asked whether we like champagne or mimosa which was champagne with a small amount of orange juice. We both asked for mimosa which came with the brunch.

The Stainless steel brunch facility was spic-and-spam everywhere and the display of various dishes was quite pleasant throughout. It had a wide selection of salads, soup, shrimp and crab claw cocktail, raw oyster, smoked salmon, pâté, sushi, fruit, bread, 12 different kinds of cheese, prosciuttos, breakfast fare, 8 different hot food, roast beef, lamb chops, caviar and at least 10 different kinds of desserts.

We were very pleased with the selection and the quality of the dishes. Salad was great: every thing was fresh and nicely prepared. Smoked salmon was delectable with thick smoke flavor. Shrimp cocktail, stone crab claws and raw oysters were very fresh and you really didn’t need to add cocktail sauce. The lamb chop was tender with pink center and the sauce was thick and savory. The flavor of the caviar was luscious and it was served with a non-metal spoon. It came with fixings such as chopped red onion, egg yolk, parsley and capers. Bread was nicely done and the croissant was buttery, crispy and very flaky they way it was supposed to be. If I had to complaint, I preferred it served warm with whipped butter and orange marmalade on the side.

There were at least 10 kinds of cheese on display: hard, soft, goat cheese, brie, Gouda, blue cheese and sheep cheese. I tried probably eight of them but didn’t like the flavor of a couple because they were a little too pungent for me. Besides, I was too full to appreciate the delicate flavor of some fine cheeses. A jar of honey by the cheese station was a good addition though.

Ritz offered two kinds of pâté at the brunch: southern French style country pâté and chicken liver pâté. I liked the chicken liver pâté because it was moist and creamy. It practically melted in my mouth. I wasn’t too crazy about Ritz’s country pâté because it wasn’t spicy enough as I expected, its texture could be a little coarser and the smell was stronger than country pâté I had from other local French restaurants.

I also didn’t care too much about the hot food served in the chafers because they were all over cooked. We didn’t try sushi either because they weren’t very appetizing to us. The selection was limited too. Raw oysters were fresh but the cocktail sauce was too salty and thick. Bacon and sausage weren’t hot and there was only one kind of soup – cream of mushrooms.

Lastly, I had to praise the pastry chefs at the Ritz because they have done an excellent job. We both liked all the desserts we’ve tried because they were the highlight of the brunch: plenty of selections, excellent presentations and everyone we tried was great. I particularly liked the rum-soaked cakes because the cake was so fluffy and moist, the taste so sumptuous and luscious and the entire cake was completely soaked with rum and honey and it was chilled to perfection right from the cooler under the serving table. The pumpkin mousse, Coconut Macaroons and crème brûlée were excellent too.

All in all, it was a very nice experience: casual, relaxed, eat what you like and too many varieties to try. There was no guilt to eat as much as we could because it was a celebration of our birthdays. Bottomless mimosa was a nice touch too and I didn’t even ask for it: our mid-aged waiter was very observant and he stopped several times to re-fill my champagne flute to the brim. Several times when we came back from the buffet station, we found our napkins nicely folded and placed on the table after we’ve left them on the chair. Every wait person was courteous and greeted us with smile. I also saw a couple of chefs came out from the kitchen to check on the quantity of the food. They were polite too.

The dinning room was roughly divided into four sections and the tables were widely apart with plenty of space in between. The high ceiling was nicely decorated with layers of molding and soft lights. All the time when we were there from about 11:45 AM to about 1:30 PM, the place was very quite. We didn’t see any kids and we didn’t have to raise our voices to talk to each other. By the time we were ready to leave, the dinning room was about ½ filled. We figured that there were about 70 to 80 guests on that particular Sunday. Toward the end of our brunch, Bao got a phone call from our daughter who called to wish her a happy birthday.

So here is my final comment:

Come with a BIG appetite, arrive early with your loved ones or your friends, enjoy the wide selection of finely prepared cuisines, pick what you like to eat, eat as much as you care to, indulge yourself with good service, drink as much mimosa as you like and do not forget to save some room for the wonderful desserts at the end. Order a cup of their good coffee and take your time to enjoy yourself.

Sunday brunch at Ritz Carlton’s Maestro isn’t cheap by any standard but once in a few years is still worth it.

Last week, I had the pleasure of dining at The Ritz-Carlton, Battery Park with two of the best chefs from Grande Lakes Orlando.  Although Orlando is a destination where one expects to be subjected to not-so-great food, Chef Sean Woods and Chef Mark Beaupre (from The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott Grande Lakes Orlando- home of Norman’s and Melissa Kelly’s Primo) are big proponents of farm-to-fork and have tons to share about the ‘100 mile’ menus.

We enjoyed a delicious spread of appetizers, compliments of the chef: Mixed Green Salad, Crab Cakes and Fresh Tomato & Mozzarella

I dined on a lobster salad, which was remarkable and I was at a loss of words when I finished this meal.  The lobster was incredibly succulent and the warm tender vegetables were perfectly blanched to my liking.

A big thank you to Jason for inviting me to this delectable lunch soiree.  It truly was an enjoyable afternoon filled with tasty Ritz Carlton food and unique conversation revolving around The Ritz Carlton and JW Marriott at Grande Lakes Orlando; the cuisine, spas and resorts, all of which sound like the perfect get-away, especially with the chilly winter season upon us.  I am incredibly eager to jump on a plane and visit this magnificent resort in Orlando.

More to come…stay tuned as I blog about the (other) magical side of Orlando…where you will be pampered through every aspect of your stay…from the golfing to the spa, Grade Lakes offers a vast array of services for everyone.  Who knows, you may just get an inkling to jump on a plane and treat yourself to a decadent get-away.  Perhaps I’ll see you down there…basking in the sunshine and soaking up the farm-to-fork cuisine, spa treatments and countless other relaxing offerings.  You’ll think twice about where you are…Orlando? Yes, Orlando can be paradise…there is a world outside of Disney…and it surely is magical.

A travel writer recently asked me if Clevelanders were regulars at hotel restaurants. He said where he lived it was common practice for the locals to frequent area hotels for the dining options, but he had noticed that wasn’t true everywhere.  I told him that with hip, upscale (and yet affordable) eateries like MUSE at the Ritz-Carlton, Table 45 at the InterContinental and now AMP 150 at the Cleveland Marriott Airport, it was becoming a trend here too.

I live in West Park, a brick bungalow-filled Cleveland neighborhood minutes from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. So I was thrilled when I learned that just up the street on W 150th (also known as Warren Road) the Cleveland Airport Marriott was doing a renovation and opening a slick new restaurant/bar . . . AMP 150. (With the name representing both the energy of the place and “America’s Modern Palate” on West 150th.)

The restaurant is the creation of celeb chef Dean James Max and is operated by executive chef Ellis Cooley. It features an ever-changing menu with the emphasis on seasonal and locally-grown and made items. Nothing on the menu is over 20 bucks. Prior to the party, I went there during happy hour and tried some of the artisan breads and cheeses which were great.

The opening night soiree was packed. Cider martinis and Akron’s own Thirsty Dog brew flowed, a band played, food samples were passed and the Hell’s Kitchen chefs in town for the Fabulous Food Show leant some more culinary celebrity to the evening. But the star of the evening was the renovated space itself with its sleek lines, beaded lamps and dividers, light wood and marble. With good food and a good, casual design, I look forward to more meals at AMP 150. Check out the 200-seat restaurant and bar for yourself at amp150.com (4277 W 150, Cleveland, 216.706.8787) –Submitted by SF

EDITOR’S NOTE: Read more about AMP 150 in food writer Joe Crea’s piece from the Plain Dealer. (Sept 29, 2009)

Despite a World Wide recession, Toronto has seen a flurry of development in the Financial district with several green commercial office towers and three luxury Hotel-Condominiums nearing completion.

Three new downtown office towers:

• Bay Adelaide Centre West
• RBC Centre
• Telus Tower

All of these new office towers will strive to be “Green” to comply voluntary with the LEED qualifications, some will have the Gold rating.

Three new luxury Hotel-Condominiums:

• Trump Tower
• Ritz Carlton and the Residences at the Ritz Carlton
• Living Shangri-La Toronto

Most of the downtown Toronto office towers were over 20 years old so there was a pent-up demand by tenants for bigger and more efficient buildings.

Even the three new Hotel-Condominium projects will be most attractive to executives doing business in our financial district along with providing accommodation to these financial employees who prefer to live downtown.

Related Posts:

Toronto’s Highest Condos

Toronto’s New Downtown Commercial Real Estate

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., led the 2009 American Automobile Association (AAA) Five Diamond awards with 27 properties earning the top rating. This includes first time winners at Lake Las Vegas, Nevada; Dallas, Texas and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

Hotels in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean were rated by the AAA inspectors who anonymously visit thousands of properties each year, carefully reviewing everything from guest room cleanliness to quality of service, “To achieve and maintain the highest level of hospitality during these difficult economic times is a significant accomplishment”, said Michael Petrone, AAA tourism development director.

Each week the team at VillaWarehouse.com choose a selection of travel news that has caught there eye.

Approaching the 20 year anniversary of the Berlin Wall coming down, expect the travel news to focus on Berlin, the changes and  East Germany

The Times – Berlin

The coolest sight in Berlin is also the most chilling. It looks as if it has been left there by mistake but, this being Germany, it is there entirely on purpose. It is a listed building on Erna-Berger-Strasse that doesn’t appear on many maps, although is not too hard to find.

First go to Potsdamer Platz — in the Wall years a flattened expanse of no man’s land and now a shrine to swanky capitalism (Ritz-Carlton on one side, Mercedes-Benz sales headquarters on the other).

The Telegraph – Ski-ing in Spain

Excellent images, go and take a look at the Telegraph

Bullish outlook: the family-friendly resort of Formigal is attracting more British skiers to Spain Photo: JAMES BEDDING

Three vultures wheeled high over the plain stretching away from the runway as we walked down the steps of our charter plane into the balmy evening air. As the transfer bus crunched over the gravel of the unfinished drive leading away from the airport, and along a country lane past cypresses, fincas with whitewashed walls and chapels with terracotta roofs, I wondered whether Spain was a wise choice for a ski trip.

The Independent – Guide to visiting Lapland

A must for those with young families!

Christmas is coming and I want to see Santa

To meet the genial man in red, complete with the full works of reindeer, jingling sleigh, enticing parcels and much snow, head to northern Scandinavia. St Nicholas, the protector of children, morphed into roly-poly Santa Claus in the 19th century. He actually hailed from Myra in south-western Turkey. Yet over the last two decades or so, Lapland has become regarded as the traditional homeland of Santa. That is partly because of the magical look of the snow-white winter world there. Yet it is now also because of the quantity and quality of Christmas-related trips to the region. Accessibility from the UK is a key element, too, with packages offered from a host of departure points around the country Glasgow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Cardiff among them.

Thats the weekends eye catching travel news

VillaWarehouse.com admin team

I just read an interesting interview in Forbes with Simon Cooper, president of the Ritz-Carlton, who provides some insight into Ritz-Carlton’s customer-centric culture. Here are some of Cooper’s remarks:

• We focus on three fundamentals. First, location–making sure we get absolutely the best location. Second, product–building the right physical product for what our guests want today and what they will want tomorrow. That’s the platform. Third, people–our ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen. They animate the platform.
• We use what we call “lineup,” which is a Ritz-Carlton tradition… we want every single hotel, everywhere in the world, every partner, every shift, to utilize lineup, which typically takes around 15 minutes every day…That is a wonderful training and communication tool, where every department layers on the department message.
• Part of the lineup everywhere around the world is a “wow story,” which means talking about great things that our ladies and gentlemen have done.
• We entrust every single Ritz-Carlton staff member, without approval from their general manager, to spend up to $2,000 on a guest. And that’s not per year. It’s per incident… The concept is to do something, to create an absolutely wonderful stay for a guest.
• A culture is built on trust. And if leadership doesn’t live the values that it requires of the organization, that is the swiftest way to undermine the culture.

My take: As you may remember, I wrote about my less-than-ideal experience at the Ritz-Carlton in Puerto Rico. After I wrote that post (and complained at the front desk), one of the managers called me, apologized for our problems, and offered us a free dinner in the hotel’s nicest restaurant. It was a great meal; and it created a positive impression of the hotel.

As you can see from Cooper’s remarks, this type of customer-centric behavior is no accident. Ritz-Carlton empowers its “ladies and gentlemen” to deliver great experiences for customers. To get a better sense of how this hotelier operates, take a look at the Ritz-Carlton Gold Standards.

If you want to develop a customer-centric culture, here are some additional posts that should help:

• 6 C’s Of Customer-Centric DNA 
• Free Book: The 6 Laws Of Customer Experience
• Management Imperative #1: Invest In Culture As A Corporate Asset 
• Execs Need To Focus More On Culture 
• Tesco Showcases Strategy + Culture 
• Discussing Zappos’ Culture With Tony Hsieh 
• Joie de Vivre Engages Employees And Everyone Wins

The bottom line: A customer-centric culture takes purposeful leadership.

Before…

During…

After…

Reviewed: 3 November 2009

I flew out to Grand Cayman this week for a couple of business meetings. Long way to fly for a day of meetings, but, it was important. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to really explore the island. Maybe next time.

When I arrived following 14 hours of travel, I really didn’t feel like doing anything but relaxing at the hotel and grabbing some dinner. Most of the dining at the hotel seemed pretty casual and I really wasn’t in the mood for a cheeseburger, so, I went downstairs to the ridiculously named “Seven Prime Cuts and Sunsets” that is better known as simply “7″.

The restaurant offered both indoor and outdoor seating. The main dining room was nicely appointed with a very small (5 seat) bar near the Maitre D’ station. Along two of the walls were a couple of wide counters displaying huge bowls of ice filled with stone crab claws and various other crustacean and sea food delicacies.

The staff was very professional and attentive and the customer volume seemed somewhat low for the size of the restaurant and the time of night. I sat outside at a small table in the warm, humid night air.

Promptly a waiter came to my table “Hello Mr. Downing, I’m Courtney from Jamaica. I’ll be your waiter. If there is anything I can do to make your evening more enjoyable, please let me know.” I found it a bit odd that everyone spoke to me by name- The bus staff, the waiter, the restaurant manager- “Mr. Downing, would you like some more water- Mr. Downing, may I take away your plate?”…

Even though it was a bit over the top, it wasn’t overbearing or uncomfortable. I hate it when the wait staff hovers over you. This definitely wasn’t the case. They seemed to be there when you needed something and not when you didn’t.

The menu was split between steak and sea food. The meat was all wet aged Prime and the sea food fresh. I started with some oysters. These were north atlantic, slightly briny, dense and delicious. The mignonette was a little tart from too much vinegar, but, I tend to be a purist and just eat good oysters au natural, as nature intended.

Following the oysters, I had the steak tar tar. This was delicious! It was served on a bed of onion and formed into a small tower. There were some micro greens on top and a hint of spice. The texture, taste, spice were perfect. To top if off, there were a few drops of 12-year-old balsamic along the side of the plate. It was dense, sweet, with a hint of dark chocolate and coffee. It really added to the dish both in taste and presentation.

For my main course, I had the Dover sole. It was pan seared with a butter and caper sauce and a few slices of peeled lemon on top. It was dense, sweet, and delicious. The dish was rich and satisfying. Not so much from the sauce which was light and citric, but, from the fish which was outstanding.

As a side, I tried the lobster mashed potatoes. These were rich, creamy and buttery. There seemed to be a mix of pureed potatoes with chunks of well-cooked potatoes, ample butter, and chunks of lobster. It might have been a bit heavy as a side with the fish, but worth it on its own.

I also had a side of sauteed spinach. They had creamed spinach on the menu, but, this is not a favorite of mine as I prefer it just sauteed with garlic.

Since I was dining alone, I didn’t order a bottle and simply had a glass of a house Super Tuscan style wine. I ordered it before I really looked at the menu and it probably wasn’t the best choice to go with the sole. But, it worked out just fine.

This is one of my favorite parts. An indulgence that I just can’t do in California. After dinner, I ordered a 10-year Laphroig scotch and a Cohiba robusto from Havana. To sit at my table, after finishing a great meal, and be able to sip a peaty single malt with a Cuban cigar was heaven.

I sat there talking to the restaurant manager, Bertrand from Paris for about an hour. Telling my horror stories about eating Andouillete in Monte Carlo as he told me that not even the French enjoy eating that. He agreed with my ascertion of “C’est la Merde”.

Altogether, this was a great dining experience for a hotel restaurant. The food was great, the staff was perfect, nice setting, and perfectly paced.

Photo: Scott Meivogel

Yes!

A four-day weekend in Cleveland Plus in the summer typically comes in at an expense of 30– 40 percent less than what one might pay in cities like Philadelphia or Boston. That’s right. If you visit all the same types of attractions (including a city bus/trolley tour, zoo, science center, art museum, natural history museum and stay in a high-end hotel) in Cleveland Plus, you could save more than one third on costs. What does this mean? It equates to more cash for a longer or, better yet, a more luxurious vacation – something we all could use.

And, Cleveland Plus has no shortage of luxury style attractions and accommodations. Here are our tips for a true luxury vacation:

While it might seem like a stretch to stay at the Ritz-Carlton while on a budget, we can assure you that Cleveland’s version offers very affordable rates without losing that “Ritz experience.” The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland recently completed a major renovation of the 206-room hotel located in the heart of the city’s downtown. They offer amazing views, spacious guestrooms, uncanny service and the kind of luxury accommodations one might expect would come with the name. It’s a historic hotel with classic beauty and the kind of affordability that we can all enjoy.

Of course, if luxury is the name of your game, then University Circle is your playground. As the nation’s most concentrated square mile of arts and cultural institutions, this Cleveland neighborhood is home to more than 20 unique venues including the Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Botanical Garden, Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland Institute of Music and Severance Hall, winter home of the renowned Cleveland Orchestra. On the budget side, a visit to University Circle means you pay one price for parking, as most venues are within a short walking distance.

While the Cleveland Orchestra is one of the world’s most renowned, we can’t help but to point out all that is the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM). During the day, CIM is a music school attended by some of the best musicians in the world (and often taught by members of the Cleveland Orchestra). But at night, it comes to life with various free concerts put on by CIM students throughout the year.  It’s like a smaller, more intimate orchestra experience that is remarkably moving – and free.

You can’t travel luxuriously without a stop at one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in Cleveland – The Cleveland Museum of Art.  As one of the United States’ most important art museums, this enormous artistic venue is the only major museum in the country to still offer FREE admission to its permanent collection. Located in University Circle, the museum is still undergoing a multi-million-dollar renovation, but has opened select wings periodically. The most recent wing to open, the east wing, features an incredible collection of art that spans centuries. Now through April 2010, you can also view the only American exhibition of Paul Gauguin: Paris, 1889.

Also in University Circle sits the Cleveland Botanical Garden, which is a combination of indoor exhibits housed in a magnificent glasshouse and 10 acres of diverse outdoor gardens. This includes the spectacular Glasshouse that focuses on two unique regions of the world – the Costa Rican Rainforest and the Madagascar Spiny Desert. And, the best part? The cost is only $7.50 per adult (and only $5 after 5pm on Wednesdays).

A trip to Cleveland wouldn’t be complete without a stop in our world-renowned theater district, the second largest of its kind in the United States (outside of NYC). And, a trip to the theater doesn’t have to cost you. Since 2006, thousands of guests have taken advantage of Smart Seats, where guests of PlayhouseSquare can purchase $10 tickets to several shows. This unique program allows people to experience shows that they normally might not attend – without spending full price.

But this year, PlayhouseSquare is adding more Smart Seats at just $20.  $20 Smart Seats will allow guests to enjoy a new Smart Seat experience on the main floor.  Shows including $20 Smart Seats are Young Frankenstein, Chicago, In the Heights, Xanadu, August: Osage County, Grease, Fiddler on the Roof and others.

Meanwhile, in 2009-10, Great Lakes Theater Festival (GLTF) at PlayhouseSquare’s Hanna Theatre unveiled new regular season pricing designed to increase accessibility for audiences. As part of the program, 25% of the seats at every GLTF Hanna Theatre performance are priced at $25 or under. Furthermore, tickets for every regular season performance always begin at $15, making GLTF one of the most affordable theater options in our region.

And, if you’re the type of traveler looking to sit back and relax, experience the ultimate form of luxury –a trip to the spa.  Even frugalistas can pamper themselves while saving a buck by going with express services. 

Head to Marengo Luxury Spa, a full-service day spa located in the classically designed Arcade in downtown Cleveland. Here you can order express facials, massages, manicures or pedicures, which can cost about half the price and take about half the time (typically 30 minutes) of traditional services.  Marengo ensures that no matter the service, you still walk away physically rejuvenated, soothingly pampered and spiritually renewed.

For frugalista with a retail therapy problem, Cleveland Plus offers the Aurora Premium Outlets, located just 30 minutes southeast of the city. With 70 outlet stores in a charming village setting, Aurora Factory Outlets offer impressive savings at Calvin Klein, Coach, Gap Outlet, Michael Kors and more. My personal favorite? The Ann Taylor Factory Store – don’t miss it!

And no luxury vacation is complete without a stop at the Velvet Tango Room. Recently rated as one of the “Top 10 Places to Slip into a Modern Speakeasy” by USA Today, the Velvet Tango Room is reviving the art of a well mixed cocktail. But if you ask me, they’re changing lives daily. While each of their unique cocktails begins at $15 a piece, you’ll soon realize that it’s a small price to pay for changing your entire perspective on cocktails. I’ll personally recommend the Apricot Fizz (light, airy and unbelievable smooth) or the Dark and Story (spicy,homemade ginger ale finished with Black Seal rum).  If you’re on a budget, come for happy hour and stay for only one drink. It’s worth every penny.

Click here to learn more about how you can save money while experiencing more of Cleveland’s rapidly growing culinary scene.

Not satisfied yet? We’re making it even easier for visitors to come to Cleveland Plus this year with the Cleveland Plus Pass, a special multi-attraction savings card that gives travelers access to ten (10) major attractions at a savings of at least 30 percent. Click here for more information.

Still searching for more ways to save time and money? Click here to discover 75 Ways to Save Money in Cleveland Plus. –Submitted by Lexi Robinson-Hotchkiss, Communications Manager

This post has nothing to do with software, but very relevant to services of all kinds. Read about how Ritz Carlton takes it beyond just customer delight. They work on customer anticipation and employee liberation. I am surely going to test this out someday

http://www.forbes.com/2009/10/30/simon-cooper-ritz-leadership-ceonetwork-hotels.html/

Sometimes cooking the turkey at Thanksgiving is for the birds. Here’s a starter list (by no means comprehensive) of area restaurants serving up the holiday meal. If you know of others, please add them by commenting on the blog entry.

John Q’s Steakhouse 
• Thanksgiving buffet from 12-5pm. $28.95 for adults and $11.95 for children ages 12 and under.

Brasserie at the Renaissance
• Thanksgiving brunch from 6:30-11am. $15.

Mallorca
• Serving its regular menu plus a turkey dinner.

Ritz-Carlton
• Muse open regular hours serving its regular menu
• Brunch buffet served in the ballroom from 11am-3pm. $60 for adults and $28 for children.

Maggiano’s Little Italy
• Family-style dinner including turkey, pasta and other items. $29.95 for adults and $14.95 for children. Call 216.755.3000 for reservations.

Moxie’s/Red The Steakhouse 
• Offering prepared meals for takeout Wednesday night. $140-150 for dinner for four.

Click here for more Cleveland restaurants open on Thanksgiving. –Answered by Corinne Allie, Social Media Specialist