Bliss Makes Spa Days Easy

I need to take better care of myself. And as the masseuse worked out the knots in my neck, I felt every last stressor of the month start to roll away. Vanessa tried her best to remove the worries of deadlines and bills but there is only so much you can do. I think we both decided I need to become a regular spa girl with more regular appointments. The great thing is that Bliss is a chain so I can have these same services in multiple cities around the country. This is perfect for the business traveler who finds it hard to keep regular appointments in their home cities. Located in many W hotels it is easy to add a massage, pedicure or facial to the end of a work trip. This is how I ended up relieving stress while in Dallas at the W – Victory. Typically I would say go for the full body massage but today since my tension headaches and jet lag were getting the best of me, I decided to go for the “Rubber Neck”. This upper body massage focuses on the shoulders and neck and is perfect for loosening it all up. It is perfect for the person who wants a specific massage and is looking to really ease out shoulder and neck pain. Be careful, this massage left me a little sore the next day but I think that was mostly because…did I mention I was tense? *smiling*. Read more

Desperados Mexican Restaurant

I used to live in Texas and occasionally I long for Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes that seem to be so hard to come by in my current city. So when my friend suggested we visit her favorite local Mexican restaurant (Desperados) while I was in Dallas, I was more than willing to go along. Margarita lovers should not miss their award winning “La Margarita”. Served on the rocks the mixture of fresh lime juice, Sauza Commerativo, Cointreau and a little something they keep as their secret, it is the kind of drink summers and lazy days were made for. Needless to say they were so tasty we had a few. But they also have sangria for those of you looking for a non tequila drink.

The Tortilla soup is a traditional broth with homemade tortilla strips and vegetables. I have had better tortilla soup but my main dish was enough to make me call this place my new favorite spot. The Desperado Taco is typically served with beef or chicken but tonight’s special was a shrimp version. Two crispy flour tortillas enclose gooey melted cheese and the seasoned shrimp. Combined with pico de gallo and this dish is enough to make you wonder why you ever ate a taco anywhere else. My friend had the fish tacos, a fried catfish taco with cabbage and Desperados signature “mayotle” sauce. Both dishes are served with sopa de frijol and rice.

The thing that I long for most when I am needing a Tex-Mex fix are sopapillas and once again Desperados did not disappoint. Made in house and served with butter and honey they were the perfect conclusion to the meal.

There are two locations for Desperados and if you go to the Texas Fair they always have a booth. They also are located at Texas stadium, so Dallas Cowboy fans and enemies can take advantage of this local establishment while enjoying the game.

Desperados
4818 Greenville Ave @ University
214-363-1850
desperadouno@sbcglobal.net

The District’s Red Paradise

“Couples Escape or Solo Hideaway”

Looking for a quiet evening or weekend escape, at a chic boutique hotel, in one of the busiest Metro cities in the US?  Well I found the perfect spot for you in Washington, DC.  It’s called Hotel Rouge, which is a part of the Kimpton Hotel Family.

Yes Rouge (Red) is its theme and the 1960′s meet the millennium serves as its motif.  From the moment you enter, you’ll quickly escape the busy city life and be lured into this tantalizing and mesmerizing Red tranquil paradise.

After settling in my hotel, I was amazed at how much space and amenities I got for my buck.  I simply loved everything.  It felt as if this room was hand picked for me.  Each room is designed and decorated with a modernized 60′s pop culture theme.  Within the room you’ll notice framed pictures of Cadillac cars and piano bars drizzled in red, extending light fixtures and lamps accented in red, plush ottomans and armchairs accented in red, followed by a King sized bed with a floor to ceiling soft red leather headboard.

Sounds like a lot of red, however, it isn’t over done or overwhelming.  The rooms are strategically designed and well thought out, and the lingering soothing, sultry, and classy feel puts you at ease.  “Peace Man”.

The decor makes you feel like a million bucks.   And you can’t beat the nightly rate!  In December for roughly $110 per night I got amazing amenities, top-notch customer service, stylish rooms, and a hosted evening complimentary wine reception, and MORE…. Read more

A grown up Palms

I was definitely biased. Television had poisoned me to believe that this hotel would have nothing but college boys on Spring Break and celebrities acting crazy. But I wanted something different this trip to Vegas and off the strip. I figured I would spend my days at the spa and hide out in my room if needed. But luckily my worries were unnecessary. The Palms Resorts have a new property, Palms Place, which not only leaves all the images of the original two Palms properties behind but it is the perfect example of a boutique hotel.
If you arrive in the main Palms lobby as we did you have to cross the casino and take the skybridge over to Palms Place. These few minutes not only transplant you to your hotel but to another world entirely of muted colors, no noise from casino gamblers, chic restaurants and a quiet ambience. I think I am going to like it here.

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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

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