Dr. Phillips Center For the Performing Arts

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***** (5 stars)

What an amazing new theatre, and such a breath of fresh air after all those years at the Bob Carr.

Things they got right:

Great acoustics! The most important thing.
Excellent sight lines
Enough restrooms (if you go up a flight from the ground floor)
Enough bars

Things that need work:

Parking lot is far away, and requires walking right across the passenger unloading lanes in front.
No warning flashing lights for the start of act 2.
Champagne from a solo cup doesn’t cut it.

The building itself is quite attractive, and although it shouldn’t have been placed right downtown (the egos at city hall notwithstanding) it is a great addition to the city.

Dr. Phillips Center For the Performing Arts
445 S. Magnolia Ave.
Orlando, FL 32801
(844) 513-2014
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dr-phillips-center-for-the-performing-arts-orlando

Los Paises

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**** (4 stars)

This little market looks pretty scary from the outside, and upon entering things don’t seem much better, with decades old merchandise in the front case. But make your way to the back and you’ll find an excellent (and popular) little taqueria. There are a large number of prepared items available cafeteria style for lunch, but I prefer to order something made to order.

My favorite is the Tortas Pastor, a generous sandwich filled with a slightly spicy marinated pork, plus fresh avocado, tomato and lettuce. The tacos are also excellent, with fresh corn tortillas and cilantro.

Refrigerated cases hold a large selection of soft drinks from Mexico. You can also pick up groceries that are hard to find elsewhere.

You pay for everything on your way out.

Los Paises
6100 W Colonial Dr
Orlando, FL 32808
(407) 253-9199
http://www.yelp.com/biz/los-paises-orlando

The Belvedere

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**** (4 stars)

This is a beautiful dining room in the Peninsula Hotel. The space is light and airy, which makes it ideal for Sunday or Holiday brunch. We visited at Thanksgiving, and had a great time. The menu was served family style, beginning with appetizers, followed by main courses. Then dessert was buffet style.

There were a wide range of seafood, meat and vegetable items in the set menu, and the Champagne was endless.

Service was attentive and very welcoming, not stiff in the slightest. Definitely a good choice for a midday meal.

The Belvedere
The Peninsula Beverly Hills
9882 S Santa Monica Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 551-2888
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-belvedere-beverly-hills-2

Bedford & Burns

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**** (4 stars)

This terrific bistro offers a great lively ambiance, and both indoor and outdoor dining options.

There is an excellent assortment of food ranging from sashimi and caesar salad starters to steak and lamb entrees.

The winless offers great variety, and there are some very nicely priced gems.

Service is friendly, attentive, and yet not at all rushed.

One of the best choices in the area.

Bedford & Burns
369 Bedford Dr
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 273-8585
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bedford-and-burns-beverly-hills

Succulent Cafe Wine Charcuterie

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*** (3 stars)

This is more of a counter service sandwich shop (at least at lunch time) than an actual cafe. However they do have wine by the glass or bottle.

The “fish” on my salad was actually a round patty of minced and then fried fish and spices, presumably intended for a fish burger. However it contained about ten times the amount of salt that would have rendered it edible, so this was not successful. My companions’ tuna melt and ham sandwich were better.

The outside seating area is pleasant, and set back far enough from the main highway to create a nice oasis in busy Solvang.

Succulent Cafe Wine Charcuterie
1555 Mission Dr
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 691-9444
http://www.yelp.com/biz/succulent-cafe-wine-charcuterie-solvang

Buena Vista Cafe

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***** (5 stars)

This place never changes. They invented the Irish coffee (or at least did a darn fine job of copying it) and I don’t know of anyplace to get a better one. Perfect balance of coffee and liquor (and obviously very good coffee to start with) plus an amazing cream that is thick and rich yet floats and remains distinct from the liquid. Great on a cold day, but even on a warm one thesis an essential stop on any visit to San Francisco.

Buena Vista Cafe
2765 Hyde St
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 474-5044
http://www.yelp.com/biz/buena-vista-cafe-san-francisco

Eos Estate Winery

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*** (3 stars)

This is a lovely facility owned by Firestones. Most of the wines poured here are actually fro other properties, with only the Cabernet locally grown. Some wines are from as far away as Napa.

Overall wine quality was only mediocre, with several wines exhibiting sulfite or sorbet issues.

Service was friendly, and pricing is reasonable.

Eos Estate Winery
2300 Airport Rd
Paso Robles, CA 93446
(805) 591-8050
http://www.yelp.com/biz/eos-estate-winery-paso-robles-2

Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa

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***** (5 stars)

I have been to many deluxe resorts and hotels around the world, but I have, categorically, NEVER had a nicer room than the one at Dolphin Bay Resort. The vast, two bedroom space features spaces dining and breakfast areas, a large, well-equipped kitchen, luxurious baths, a full laundry room, and spectacular ocean views from two balconies. Seriously, we’re ready to move in.

Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa
2727 Shell Beach Rd
Pismo Beach, CA 93449
(805) 773-4300
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dolphin-bay-resort-and-spa-pismo-beach

Keiko à Nob Hill

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***** (5 stars)

This intimate restaurant serves a set menu with all tables starting at the same time. The courses progress from light to medium, building to a magnificent piece of true Wagu beef. The food was good, and the service polished in that Michelin approved sort of way, but the thing that made the evening fun was the proprietor’s enthusiasm for the wines on his (very expensive) grand pairing. He has worked hard to collect rare bottles you won’t find elsewhere, and is proud to show off how well they math the food. These are prestige labels, but rather rare and fairly pricey wines that he obviously treasures. This enthusiasm is what elevated the meal to 5 stars for me.

Keiko à Nob Hill
1250 Jones St
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 839-7141
http://www.yelp.com/biz/keiko-%C3%A0-nob-hill-san-francisco-2

Hunan House

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*** (3 stars)

Pretty much average Chinese food, which is a bit disappointing given its location in Chinatown, but perhaps it is too close to the tourist corridor. Chow mein included an oddly large amount of noodles turing it almost into lo mein. The lamb ribs were very fatty. Best bet is the pot stickers and the onion pancake.

Hunan House
826 Washington St
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 398-1299
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hunan-house-san-francisco