Tag: travel

The Toiletry Bag is Always Ready

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I was asked recently for a few of my best travel tips by a co-worker who is new to traveling for business.  I have quite a few but this one is probably the easiest one to follow and can benefit you traveling for business and personal.  Always keep your toiletry bag packed and stocked.  

imageI have TSA Pre✓® so I do not have to take my toiletries out for security but they are in a clear case, close to the size of a quart size plastic bag.  Before any trip, I simply grab it and toss it right into my suitcase.  When I return home, I make sure it is re-stocked as I unpack before it goes back in my bathroom cabinet.  And I make sure that the items I buy are either short and wide or tall and slim so they stack easily in the case.

It’s easy to remember eye glasses, deodorant and my Clarisonic, so what do I always have packed in my clear bag?

My makeup, razor, toothbrush, floss, q-tips, and WOW stay packed in a bag I use daily so that can be zipped and packed quickly the morning of my flight!

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Are you global?

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globalI travel a lot for work.  A majority of my trips are overnights and that makes it easier for everyone in the family.  I take the first flight out and one of the later flights home the next day.  What is the best part of my travels, taking restaurants out of the running?  TSA pre-check.  I get through security in a matter of minutes AND everything stays in my bag.  No undressing, unpacking, redressing and re-packing.  If I wear heels, that may be the only thing that I take off.  After a few years of this convenience and being able to bring my daughter through Pre-check, I “recommended” my husband get it too.  So we took it one step further- we both signed up for Global Entry.  My fee was comped with my corporate Amex Platinum card so we only had to pay for my husband and my daughter. Worth it?  YES.  Now when we travel as a family, domestic or international, we can get through security quickly.  Plus, being in Dallas, Mexico is a quick trip and we all know how long the line is at Customs to get back into the states, especially with kids!

 

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On the Road Eats: Chicago

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Shame on me.  I usually check for special food events after scheduling trips but this time, I just forgot.  So, shame on me…..it was Chef Week in Chicago and I had no idea.  See, I recently booked a trip for work where I was only going to be there for 24 hours(ended up 26 hours, but anyway).  As usual, I needed two lunch spots and a dinner….which is normally what I search Eater and Chowhound for but the places I picked(correction- reserved on OpenTable) had to be super close to where my meetings were in the interest of time.  And wow…I got lucky this time.  I only ended up ordering from one of the Chef Week menus but if I had been in town longer, there were some good options.

Travelle at The Langham Hotel
I have heard about this spot for a while, and on Chowhound they recommended visiting for lunch.  And with it being right across the street from my hotel, it was a perfect option.  I reserved a table for one on OpenTable, was given a corner table to eat and get some work done and had not only awesome food, but excellent service.  I decided to order off the Chef Week menu and glad I did.  I started with the white gazpacho soup with shrimp, grapes and almonds, then the halibut with spring peas and an artichoke chowder and finished my meal with a lime panna cotta, ginger chips and poached rhubarb.  Three courses, $22 plus tip and tax.  What a great place!  Now if only i could stay at the hotel…..

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RPM
My friend at work(Hi SB!) often travels to Chicago and she and I both love this spot. It’s great for drinks and small plates or dinner alone, with friends or with clients.  This time it was just me, a quick dinner before heading off to my hotel for a night of emails, proposals and at some point, mom stuff(you know – grocery list, the never-ending to-do list for kid and family stuff!).  I sat at the bar, and decided to order three different items, although I will admit I had tried two of the three dishes during past visits.  The difference- this time I didn’t have to share.  I started with the homemade ricotta(awesome), then the meatballs(super delish) and then the pasta carbonara(keep reading).  I admit that my favorite pasta carbonara dish is served at La Traviata in Austin, not much compares but the one at RPM was pretty good.  They serve it in a similar fashion with an egg on top that gets mixed in by the server and maybe with a bit more pepper than I am used to but I almost cleaned my plate(with the two dishes before the pasta, I just couldn’t do it).  If you want to go for dinner, make a reservation(and do it far in advance).  I went on the early side and it was already packed.  A second option – RPM Steak which I hear is fantastic as well!.
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GT Fish & Oyster
I consider 4 city blocks to be close whether it is a freezing day or not in Chicago. I wanted something lighter, and seafood sounded great.  This was also a Chef Week restaurant although I did not order off that menu.  I needed this to be quick so I sat down right at 11:30am and was out by 12:10p.  I started with the oyster po’boy slider with kimchi and peanuts, then the lunch combo of clam chowder and the Tuna BLT with a fried pickle.

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Hotel Chicago Downtown, an Autograph Collection by Marriott
This was my second stay and a much better one now that the lobby renovation has been completed.  I like this hotel, love the location and I think with my renewed Marriott loyalty, this will be my spot for future trips!  It is very modern, they have a large concierge lounge for breakfast and “snacks” and it has a great vibe.  I do wish they were a little more in touch with some dining options(no one mentioned it was Chef Week which disappointed me) but they did tell me(after I asked) that I could go to a few restaurants close by and charge it back to my room(this means more points!)  So, check out this hotel if you are a Marriott member and let me know what you think!

 

On the Road Eats: New Orleans

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Have you been to New Orleans?  I just visited for the FIRST time.  And I am sure as a 20-something, I would have loved the bars on Bourbon Street but as a 40-year old, I was most interested in the old neighborhoods and the restaurants.  This was a super FUN weekend!

The Roosevelt Hotel – Waldorf Astoria
My husband surprised me with this trip to New Orleans for my birthday and I was not involved in any of the planning(HOW NICE IS THAT!).  We “übered” our way downtown from the airport(Thanks Solomon) and arrived at the Roosevelt.  We were upgraded to a suite(good to be a Hilton Gold Elite) and found the hotel and location to be great.  Thanks to Don, the awesome concierge and his great recommendations!

Old Absinthe House
IMG_0546We stumbled upon Old Absinthe House on our first walk down Bourbon Street and my husband recognized the name and said we must go in.  What is absinthe?  I googled – a potent green aniseed-flavored liqueur, originally made with the shrub wormwood.  Hmm…I think I will pass since potent is not my thing but I had a great cocktail at the bar and loved the atmosphere.  It was not a “younger and wild” spot – much more adult which is why I enjoyed it so much!  We met a nice couple who was super friendly and gave us some great recommendations of where to go later that evening.

Le Foret
IMG_0556A few blocks away from the Roosevelt Hotel is Le Foret serving traditional New Orleans French cuisine.  We arrived on the earlier side so we could eat and still enjoy the rest of the evening.  It was a quick walk from the Roosevelt, the service was almost perfect(the server was weird when we didn’t order dessert) and we both enjoyed our meals.  The shrimp appetizer was great and the tenderloin was wonderful!

Ritz Carlton – The Davenport Lounge
IMG_0560The concierge recommended we stop by the Ritz for drinks and music and I must say, I am glad we did.  We were lucky to get seats at the bar(the place was packed) and our bartender was from Jamaica (we got married in Montego Bay and had a nice chat with him)!  We loved the music and the adult atmosphere of this spot and between the drinks and the surprise dessert from the bartender, we definitely enjoyed this spot!  This is a must visit the next time we return!

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Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar
IMG_0570 I am so glad the couple we met at Absinthe bar recommended this spot.  Take a LONG walk down Bourbon Street and there appears this great spot with a fun energy and a fantastic piano sing-a-long in the back!  I think this was one of my favorite spots of the weekend!  Nice people, great drinks and far enough away from the chaos of Bourbon Street.  I will definitely go back here the next time we visit New Orleans.  Now if only I could carry a tune and sing with the guy playing the piano.  Oh well, a girl can dream!

Camilia Grill
Ok – this spot took me back to college where everything was greasy and salty and well, deliciously bad for me.  We took the green line from our hotel, waited in line outside for 25 minutes and then inside for another 15 and finally got two stools at the counter.  Marvin, our fantastic waiter dressed in his bow-tie, ordered us some fabulous omelettes and coffee. This was definitely the spot to be on Saturday AM.

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Galatoire’s
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I cannot express enough how much I loved this restaurant.  Not only was it a special spot to me because the entire restaurant sang Happy Birthday to me, but the service and the food were both fantastic.  We started with bread(you break bread over the table, no plates required) and then the gumbo and the fried oysters.  Best gumbo of the whole trip!  Then we shared fish topped with Étouffée and the cauliflower gratin.  We finished with the bread pudding and a special candle for my birthday.
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Cafe Du Monde
Of course we had to go here.  How do you visit New Orleans and NOT visit Cafe Du Monde?  The Cafe Au Lait was wonderful and the beignet was a great treat at midnight!IMG_0634 IMG_0641

Mr. B’s
Since the trip was not planned months in advance, we were not able to get a reservation at Commander’s Palace.  But the concierge recommended we try Mr. B’s jazz brunch.  We were able to get a reservation and although we were not near the musician’s during our meal, we could hear the music and it was quite enjoyable.  Plus, I wanted to eat light so I would have room for lunch and we really enjoyed our meals.IMG_0647 IMG_0649 IMG_0651

Deanie’s Seafood

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We asked the concierge for a recommendation for great oysters and great po’ boys.  He said, walk over to Deanie’s and you will get both!  I loved the seasoned potatoes they serve at the beginning of the meal and both the raw and chargrilled oysters were great!  IMG_0673IMG_0659

At the end of the weekend, I knew I wanted to return as there were so many more restaurants I had to try and places I wanted to explore.  Commander’s Palace is top of the list but it is a long list.  Any recommendations??