OOOh Sugar!

Searching for great Cuban cuisine and the Perfect Mojito we ventured to Azucar in Downtown Jersey City. This Newport Area hot-spot provides great Cuban cuisine, Live Music and a Cigar Lounge. Not to mention the Grand Mojito. A medley of Flor de Cana Grand Reserve Seven Year old rum, soda, mint, sugar and lime it was cocktail perfection. It makes their standard Mojito a sad second choice and is completely worth the two extra dollars. This cocktail easily made our Perfect Mojito List.

Our meal consisted of the Gambas al Ajillo, a large dish of jumbo shrimp sauteed with garlic and spices and the Lylia’s Bistec de Palomilla. The Bistec is pounded thin sirloin served with sauteed onions. Both were delicious and served with rice and black beans.

Save room for dessert and the Natilla Azucar. This house speciality is a creamy custard topped with scorched sugar. It is a cold, sweet, and large enough to share. Creme Brulee fans will find this more than meets their needs.

We were too tired to try our fancy footwork to the live Cuban band but the music was great and helps to make the restaurant have a more authentic feel. The decor does not match the atmosphere or cuisine with its leopard print backed chairs and large bamboo stalks. You can ignore that as the food, Mojitos and music are not to be missed.

www.azucarcubancuisine.com

Indianapolis during the NFL Football Kick-off

I am what some might call the anti-football fan. I don’t like to watch it on TV and will go to the live game, not to watch the game, but to cheer along with friends.  So what a surprise when I arrived in Indianapolis in what was the second biggest celebration for this town’s football fans. The NFL Kick-off! After winning the Superbowl last year, Indianapolis Colts fans were excited to cheer their team into another season. They were playing the New Orleans Saints days after the second anniversary of Katrina. Saints fans were in town not only representing their team but all that is New Orleans. Don’t I know how to pick em…

I should have known something was going on when this normally affordable hotel city had sky high hotels rates. One of my favorite places to stay is the Embassy Suites Downtown on Washington Street. This large high rise hotel is connected to a shopping mall and surrounded by places to eat.

 

It is centrally located downtown and offers easy access to the highway. With its cooked to order breakfast and nightly manager’s reception of cocktails and snacks, it is perfect for people looking for an affordable place to stay with some of the comforts of home included in the price. The extra large rooms have a separate sitting and sleeping area with a small table and pull-out couch.

 

This makes it a perfect for groups of travelers and families. For business travelers the table area allow you to separate your work and rest areas. Each room also has a small fridge, microwave, two televisions, three mirrors and two vanity areas. The vanity in the sleeping area has a full mirror and sink which allows someone else to do their hair or make-up while someone else is in the bathrooms. Perfect for groups of women traveling together and trying to get ready all at once.

 

I have always received amazing service at the hotel and it is usually a first pick when staying in Indianapolis. The front desk staff are knowledgeable about the area and very friendly. Even though I arrived close to Midnight after tons of travel drama, I was greeted with warm smiles and quick service.

The one downfall for this property is the parking garage and entrance. With its sharp corners and distance from the actual hotel, parking  is a less than pleasant experience. The garage is connected to the building where the hotel is located but has a separate entrance and elevator. When bringing your luggage you have to cross the driveway area and then enter the hotel. From there you take an escalator to the check-in area. Unfortunately though there are ramps and other measures to make it accessible it is not the best set up for people with wheelchairs or even large luggage. The escalator is also very narrow. If you can get past this part the other amenities and space in the rooms make it a great place to stay in Indy.

By the way, the Colts won the game though I spent my time in the mall!

Embassy Suites Indianapolis - Downtown
110 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-236-1800