Kenwood Inn And Spa

www.kenwoodinn.com
10400 Sonoma Hwy
Kenwood, CA 95452-8015
(707) 833-1293

Sonoma is an area of California I had not really visited before and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the landscape which reminded me a lot of Italy. Rolling hills, softly undulating vineyards, hospitable people – in short, a great escape from the city.

Kenwood Inn lies tucked in amidst gorgeous nature. The restaurant has a kitchen that is influenced heavily by Italy with Chef John being obsessed by the fresh, flavoursome ingredients from the local area. Everything he prepares is authentic and true, and beautifully prepared and presented. It’s a real highlight of your stay to experience food that is as good as this. Apart from that the Inn boasts a great winecellar.

Service was great, and the direct communication with Chef John meant that every dish became a personally prepared jewel.

Comfort was reasonable, a little too rustic for my taste although spacious and well presented.
The surrounding area is stunning.

Food: 9
Comfort; 7.5
Service: 8.5
Price/Quality: 8.5

2534 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94110-2512
(415) 648-7600

The advantage of writing a blog about restaurants is that people start to tell you about unusual places and venues to go to, or invite you to sample a special meal in their city or region.

This week, two friends invited me for dinner in the Foreign Cinema, right in the heart of the colourful district Mission in San Francisco. Foreign Cinema is typically one of those spots you wouldn’t find if you didn’t know about it. The design is modern, with an outside area where you can eat and where at night films are projected on a big white wall whilst you eat. Very unusual.

Foreign Cinema is known for its californian/mediterranean food, starters are unique and are shared by the diners at the table. My main course was a Madras Chicken Curry, wonderfully flavours and taste.

Service was friendly, knowledgeable and professional and the decor very pleasing and comfortable.

If you are heading to, or staying in San Francisco, an absolute must.

Food: 9
Comfort: 8
Service: 8
Price/Quality: 8.5
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Noura Belgravia
16 Hobart Place
London, SW1
www.nouralounge.com

During my stay in London this past week, I had lunch at Noura, a small chain with several (4) restaurants in London. Whilst I can tell you that London is a different city as soon as the sun comes out, you get the sense that at Noura the sun always shines. They have a small outdoor area, but inside is the place to be – spacious, but done in such a way that you don’t feel like you are drowning, beautifully decorated with great eye for detail and very comfortable. The staff are all from Lebanese descent, and the food is based purely on Lebanese cuisine.

After some delicious warm pitta and olives and marinated radish, I opted to for a chicken skewer with salad and humus. As dessert I had a plate of lebanese pastries, inlcuding baklava served with a Lebanese coffee which had a lovely hint of cardamom.

The food was pure and fresh and simply great. A really strong recommendation. Good to know also is that Noura was awarded the “Best Vegetarian restaurant” award in 2005.

Food: 8.5
Comfort: 8
Service: 8
Price/Quality: 8.6

Anchor Oyster Bar

+1 415 431 3990
579 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114

Anchor is located in one of the most colourful neighbourhoods of San Francisco, Castro. A lively area with lots of boutiques and restaurants.
A contact recommended visiting Anchor, a small fish restaurant – no bigger then a few tables inside and out with lots of wood and zinc, marine style decor.
The whole place is put together well, has excellent service and simple, pure food.
My dinner consisted of fresh oysters, followed by the crab cakes – both very good. Service is professional and friendly – definitely a great recommendation!

Food: 8.6
Service: 8
Comfort: 7.5
Price/Quality: 8.5

Today I had to change my business class flight departing from Amsterdam due to a family member’s serious health issue. I paid a business class ticket because I like to have flexibility when I travel and am faced with changing schedules from time to time. But when I wanted to change my ticket today, I was told by KLM that I would have to pay almost as much again to change my ticket – making the total outrageously high. I have an office in San Francisco and make this trip every single month. KLM gave me a platinum card for life because of all the flying I have done with their airline – but the only real use that card seems to have is as an icescraper in wintry conditions when the window of my car freezes over!!

KLM already wasn’t one of my favourite airlines because of the way they make it impossible to use your airmiles when you want to. They are now in my black book – is this the new way to steal from your customers??

Shame on You, KLM

First of all, I like gadgets, but generally I use them a few times and then get bored with them, as the offer little or no extra value. This time is different though, which is why I have been waiting to give you my opinion for a few weeks (besides not wanting to make you insanely jealous).
Why this review in this blog? Simple – I use my iPad when I am traveling – it is not a replacement of regular laptop, merely an addition to it.

E.Mail – because of the big screen – very simple. Not as quick as using a full computer (keyboard) but clear and very workable.
iTunes – same functionality as the iPod
E.Reader – simply wonderful, mostly because of the lit up screen en simplicity of use
Browser – extremely fast and user friendly
Pictures – great to see and explode across the screen
Skype – works just as well as on any laptop.

Because of the simple, compact form and user friendliness – overall a great product.
I have the WiFi version (rather then the 3G) which works fine for me – but maybe for others that need constant access to the internet 3G will be better
Last of all, it is as if the battery lasts forever – I easily get 10 hours use out of it before recharging.

In short – iPad: 9

Everyone that reads my blogs regularly, knows that I am a fan of the W hotels, albeit always with a critical eye. The W on Union Square in New York is one of the older W hotels I know. The positioning is fantastic, overlooking the square. Union Square is a lively, active place with seamingly endless activities such as a farmer’s market and is located walking distance from SoHo and Greenwich. From here you can hop on the undergrond to almost anywhere in the city.

The lounge at the W has been a popular place since its’ opening, a little on the small side to today’s standards, and (for me at least) too much noise, music and voices vying for attention.

The personnel at the W is always very friendly and helpful, they definitely do make you feel at home. The rooms are on the small side, but nicely done. The size is a problem that you will find through the W chain of hotels. Breakfast was great, expect the regular dishes but served with a twist.

Comfort: 7.5
Service: 8.5
Prize/Quality: 8

I was invited for lunch this past week in the Bombay Palace, 30 W 52nd Street, NY. The first impression was very positive, comfortable decor, lots of staff, large and spacious as often in NY. You can choose the a la carte or the lunch buffet, with a wide variety of typical Indian dishes. The disadvantage of a buffet, in my opinion, is always that the specific flavours of a dish get lots over time, similar to that of take-away food. But the food was definitely good and affordable. And I cannot claim to be an expert of Indian cuisine.

I had Chicken Tandoori, poppadums with mango chutney, steamed rice, some lamb massala and for desert, kher.

For anyone looking for a lunch full of flavour without having to wait a long time, this is a good place to know.

Food: 7
Comfort: 7.5
Service: 7
Price/Quality: 7.5

Bombay Palace Restaurant

www.bombay-palace.com
30 West 52nd Street
New York, NY 10019-6103
(212) 541-7777

I have been a frequent diner at SushiSamba – the very first time in Miami on Lincoln Avenue. For a long time that was one of my top favourites. Later on I discovered the New York version on 7th Avenue, very busy during summer particularly as they have a great roof terrace.
Yesterday I landed in New York coming straight in from London and just had a craving for good sushi, so I headed to SushiSamba on Park, near Union Square. It was quite quiet, maybe due to the slightly early hour and the record heat that day, 90F, everyone was still enjoying the late afternoon sun.

As a starter I had Miso soup – nicely salted and then the Californian roll and a Spicy Tuna with flakes. I have to say both were delicious.
Services was friendly and informal, decor OK – it was probably modern about 15 years ago.

Food: 7.5
Service: 7.5
Comfort: 7
Price/Quality: 7

SUSHISAMBA park

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(212) 475-9377

245 Park Ave S
New York, NY 10003 40.7381 -73.9878

Tavern at Lark Creek, 234 Magnolia Avenue, Larkspur

The Tavern at Lark Creek is close to central San Francisco, the Wine Country and the East Bay, located on Magnolia Avenue in picturesque Larkspur.

Larkspur, located at only a 30 minute drive from down town San Francisco, north of the Golden Gate bridge, makes you feel like you entered a different world where it seems time stood still.
The area resonates peacefulness – with its large houses, winding roads, big gardens and the scent of flowers in the air.

In one of these older style villa’s, you will find the Tavern at Lark Creek. It exudes country living – a large fireplace, different rooms where food is served and lots of candles and low lights. The decor is precisely as you would expect in such an environment, a lot of wood and rather heavy furniture but very comfortable nevertheless. Service is great and friendly and the food well done and above all, with great flavours.

I had the crab chowder to start – followed by scallops which were delicious. Soft and well cooked, served with a light sauce with small green asparagus tips and wild mushrooms. Lovely flavours none of which overpowered the delicate taste of the scallops. For desert I had the home made Vanilla Icecream which was superb.

The whole pictures was excellent – in an environment where you could sit and chat comfortably with your table companions.

Food: 8
Comfort: 8
Service: 8
Price/Quality: 8