Moonstone Bistro - Redding, California

Wed, 5 Oct 2011 08:50:29 -0700

This hidden gem of a restaurant is the five star road trip find of the year! Tucked back in a quiet unassuming business park you will find Redding California’s special restaurant secret: Moonstone Bistro http://www.moonstonebistro.com/

Darling! Delightful! Darling! Ok, the food is as spectacular as Shayla, the most incredible server - EVER. Shayla rocks that restaurant with her smile ,charm, and foodie finesse. My fish tacos were as grand,tender, and melt in the mouth as if just off the line. Lunch, dinner.....wine list.....Sunday brunch. A must visit on any road trip or visit to Redding. A mere ten minutes off I-5. The Chef’s will thank you on your way out. Who would have thought it possible Redding, California would come out a winner serving a fabulous slice of eat. drink. play.

ENJOY!

Winchester Inn and Restaurant/Wine Bar

Wed, 5 Oct 2011 07:51:43 -0700

Just back from a trip North delivering my artwork(http://www.rochellecarr.com) for a Children’s Cancer Association event and on the way up we stayed the night in Ashland, Oregon. Just about every time we are on the way to Oregon we stop halfway for the night at this lovely Inn and Restaurant. The rooms are comfy and delightful. The food is amazing. The wine bar warm and inviting. If you are not intending to see the Shakespeare Festival, you should - as it’s one of a kind theatrical magic and mayhem.

The small problem on our road trip back to San Francisco is that they had no rooms available at the Winchester Inn http://www.winchesterinn.com/ and we had to stay at the http://www.ashlandspringshotel.com/. Definitely not our favorite place, but we managed to acquire the last room in the house (when we were desperate and tired from driving) so we were not too bummed for the last minute tiniest room in the world. Plan ahead if you can. If you have to cancel you lose the deposit.

We had a delightful dinner at the Winchester on the way up to Oregon(food amazing every time), yet the return trip reservations were unavailable and our second favorite restaurant “Amuse Restaurant” http://amuserestaurant.com/ was totally booked as well. Amuse suggested the newest Ashland restaurant: Coquina http://www.coquinarestaurant.com/ which was good food, but not amazing food compared to the lovely Amuse or Winchester Inn. The spices/salad dressings were pretty plain and the rabbit dish had too many savory add in flavors for what should be a simple Italian dish. The service was fabulous! The wine list is FANTASTIC! If money is not an issue try the Cristom (Eileen vineyard) Pinot Noir - we shared this bottle for an after dinner delight. Ambience is lovely. Neighborhood felt warm and inviting. You must try it all(all the hotels, restaurants and charm of this city).....variety is the spice of LIFE.

Enjoy!

Fairmont Royal Pavilion Barbados

Wed, 5 Oct 2011 07:27:23 -0700

Fairmont Royal Pavilion needs an uplift.   Perfect location, amazing beach and the water sports are fantastic. Please fix the lights and fountains in your entryway. Clean out your Koi pond. The poor fish are tired of the pond scum. The restaurant for breakfast is good not great (yet expensive) and the food in the two evening dining establishments are not worth the dollars at all. More potted plants and flowers in much of your plain cemented walkways back by your rooms would be appreciated. Please play your local island music not Americanized elevator music out by the bar - your musicians write some of their own incredible songs.   The staff in the breakfast restaurant are so lovely, kind and happy every morning! Front desk staff is always on point and welcoming. Everyone else on the grounds might put on a smile and pretend they are happy to be working at such a wonderful hotel.   Go to Tides Restaurant (waterfront) and art gallery for the best food on the island! http://www.tidesbarbados.com/ do not pass up the Little Sticky Toffee Pudding cake. We would have eaten here every night if we were not out adventuring. Do not go to Spago or Il Tempio if you want Italian food. Definitely not good quality or worth the dollars. Go for a beer as they are both on the water and the wine lists not great. Do not go to Zen for sushi at Cranes Beach. It's not on the waterfront, sushi not great and Cranes Beach 45 minutes away by car. Definitely go to waterfront restaurant in Christ Church - Tapas http://www.tapasbarbados.com great appetizers and wine list. Walk down the beach to Lonestar restaurant http://www.thelonestar.com/reservations/ for lunch on the water.  Easy and safe walking to town and grocery store. Definitely rent a car. Go see Harrison's Cave http://harrisonscave.com/home a fantastic little train tour through the caves. Wear a hat the caves drip water on your head. Kids will love this excursion.  The guys perusing the beach at the hotel beach while you are basking in the late afternoon sun will try and sell you aloe vera.....they are really trying to sell drugs so tell them to go away. Regarding the glass boat tours on the beach: make sure you have a plan and know the boat name you have rented - they try to pull up with different boats the next day and steal the business from each other.   We will go back someday to Barbados, but might just try and save up for the high end Sandy Lane Luxury Hotel......http://www.sandylane.com/  ENJOY!

Best "Things to do" San Francisco, CA

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 10:53:20 -0700

Dear Vacationers, Birthday Folks, Weekend Adventure Seekers and ANYONE for some Zipline FUN.......
We were walking downtown San Francisco after a perfect lunch on the Embarcadero. It was Scott’s birthday weekend and I just had to make it up to him and do something reeeally fun as he worked and traveled on his REAL birthday day. Lo and behold (walking back to the car) was ZIPTREK ECOTOURS. What blurted out of my mouth must have been something like “ya wanna do this?” That was before I happened to remember that I have a hella bad incredible fear of heights. $29.00 for each of us and after signing our lives away we climbed 70 feet in the air to a launching pad where they “safely”and “securely” harnessed us to heavy duty cables and cords. Then they told us to step down and let go.............!!!!! I DID IT! I DID IT! Best new thing to do in San Francisco!
Somewhere there is a saying that tells you to do something once a month you are afraid of - this is now first on my list! It’s only up in the summer so go have fun now! Info below. ENJOY!
http://www.ziptrek.com/san-francisco-california
Tour Information
• Dates: Summer 2011 (Opening early July)
• Hours: Open daily (7 days a week!) from 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.*
• Price: $29 (all ages)
• Age: 6 years+
• Weight: 65lbs - 275lbs
• First come, first serve
•
All guests are required to sign an Assumption of Risks and Release of Liability Agreement (coming soon) before zipping. Under 19 requires signature by a parent or guardian.
The ziplines are gravity fed, so guests do not have to worry about controlling their own speed. Guides are stationed at each tower to connect (launch platform) and disconnect (landing platform) each and every guest. Age restrictions apply and guests must weigh more than 65 pounds and no more than a maximum of 275 pounds.
When: Summer 2011 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. *
Where: Justin Herman Plaza at Embarcadero Square, San Francisco, California
* times may vary on certain days

Best New Restaurant San Carlos, CA

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 08:04:45 -0700

Locanda Positano is the brand new, chic, hot, Italian Osteria in San Carlos, CA! “Osteria” in Italian literally means a place where the owner "hosts" people. The owners and every staff member at this restaurant “hosts” their customers with that warm heartfelt “simpatico” persona we all respect and love.
Enzo Rosano has done it again. After “Mezza Luna” in Half Moon Bay, Rosano brothers restaurant “AcquaPazza” in San Mateo, Enzo Rosano and Vittorio D’Uruzo have created an Italian food lovers masterpiece with Locanda Positano! The food is amazing, the wine list Italian and diverse, and the prices are reasonable and comparable to any restaurant in town. The service and warm relaxed hospitality makes you not want to leave your table for fear you will miss a smile or double kiss on the cheek!
Interior designer Jaimie Belew was the guiding light behind the design of Locanda Positano. Her chic contemporary artful design style has created the perfect ambience for all to enjoy.
The melt in your mouth Ricotta al forno e funghi trifolati crostini is to die for…….Pasta Strozzapreti ~ sausage, peas, wild mushrooms will leave your table partner envious and drooling over your plate. Don’t forget the dolci or limoncello!
FYI – the restaurant was packed to the brim all night at the soft opening last Friday and every night thereafter. Make reservations.
Mangia! Mangia!
http://www.locanda-positano.com