Greetings from green and sprawling Tulsa, OK. Lee and I are here doing AdSpeed support team (actually, she's doing most of the work, and I am learning along with the rest of them).
We've eaten at some pretty sweet spots so far. First off is a restaurant at Utica Square, a shopping area that has a Neiman Marcus, Williams Sonoma and other stores of that ilk, as well as eateries such as The Wild Fork, a very delicious and eclectic place. I had a Pear Salad (with bleu cheese, walnuts, pears ["I wasn't expecting beets," I remarked to Lee. She pointed out that those were the pears. Oops.], and of course lettuce. It was delish. I also got the vegetable stir fry (onions, two types of mushrooms [stay away, Amanda], broccoli, peppers and more), which had a nice kick to it. Had to order some extra water. If you like berry cobbler, skip it at the Wild Fork. Well, skip it if you prefer a pie crust as opposed to a cake-like one. Lee got the tuna, which, she said, was "overcooked," but that was her only complaint. We sat on the breezy and tree-lined patio, which shared a grassy courtyard with Starbucks. From our plastic seats, we got to hear a David Gray soundalike strum his guitar and croon the evening away. It was quite lovely.
If you like BBQ ribs -- and some of us do -- then eat at Elmer's BBQ on Peoria, near 41st street. Its tagline is "It Be Bad!" and if this be bad, then I don't want to be good. For a true Southern BBQ experience, get the sweet tea and baby bick ribs. You won't be disappointed. Sides included cole slaw (crunchy and sweet) and potato salad (which appeared to have mashed potatoes).
There's also a good Greek place within walking distance of the paper, as well as various delicatessens. Oh, and there's a bonafide drive-in movie theater off the highway that plays double features (the theater does this, not the highway).
Hotel-wise, we are staying at the Candlewood Suites near 71st Street, about 30 minutes from the paper, taking traffic into consideration. There is weekly maid service and no breakfast. The laundry machines are free, according to the front desk; soap must be purchased. There is a workout room with one elliptical, one bike machine, and one walky thingy. (Brain getting fried.) We are hoping to stay at the Hampton Inn down the street (my fave hotel chain); it's directly across from the mall (hello, Macy's) and in back of the DSW shoe store.
For a kick, visit the ginormous stone hands that grace (ha ha) the entrance of Oral Roberts University. The U is next to a Star Treky-looking hospital. Very '70s sci-fi, if you're into that kind of thing.
I've got 3 more weeks here. I'm looking forward to exploring more of this city.
And yes, Virginia, there is a Panera Bread.
p.s. Some recommendations from an OK native I met on the plane: Pomodori's Italian restaurant downtown at 5th and Cheyenne. The Utica Square area in general (music Thursday nights) between 15th and 21st on Utica Avenue. The Wild Fork (mentioned above) and Queenie's (a neighborhood place) are both there. There is also an Asian restaurant on Utica called Teckai's (inexpensive rolls on Wednesday nights) -- not sure I got the spelling right on that one. Lambruzco's deli at 41st and Peoria. If you like beer, McNelly's has beer tasting (not sure where this one is). Kilkenny's nearby is also a good little pub. The Brady area north of downtown is a "fun" area with lots of restaurants. Lola's is supposed to have good music. Cherry Street is known for its antiques, bead shops, etc.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Overheard -- and had to share
I thought there should be a post where we could share the funny things we've overheard while on the road -- on the plane, in the airport, on site, in restaurants, etc.
I'll kick things off with bits of the conversation two older gentlemen were having in the Dallas airport last week. They were sitting right behind me, so I couldn't help but overhear.
The first comment I heard went something like this:
Guy 1: "How many Jews do you think there are in Salt Lake City?"
Guy 2: "About 20."
They talked a bit more, then I heard:
Guy 2: "Is there actually a lake in Salt Lake City."
Guy 1: "No, there's no lake. It's named after the salt flats."
At this point, I had to chime in: "There's a lake!"
Guy 2: "What's it called?"
Me: "Great Salt Lake."
Guy 1: "Where is it?"
Me: "Outside of Salt Lake City."
They were headed to Park City, then going south to the parks. One of the guys knew about Java Cow in Park City, but he didn't know there was a lake in SLC?!?!?!?
So, what funny things have you overheard?
I'll kick things off with bits of the conversation two older gentlemen were having in the Dallas airport last week. They were sitting right behind me, so I couldn't help but overhear.
The first comment I heard went something like this:
Guy 1: "How many Jews do you think there are in Salt Lake City?"
Guy 2: "About 20."
They talked a bit more, then I heard:
Guy 2: "Is there actually a lake in Salt Lake City."
Guy 1: "No, there's no lake. It's named after the salt flats."
At this point, I had to chime in: "There's a lake!"
Guy 2: "What's it called?"
Me: "Great Salt Lake."
Guy 1: "Where is it?"
Me: "Outside of Salt Lake City."
They were headed to Park City, then going south to the parks. One of the guys knew about Java Cow in Park City, but he didn't know there was a lake in SLC?!?!?!?
So, what funny things have you overheard?
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Tallahassee
Dining
Kool Beanz Cafe: (921 Thomasville Road): You've got to checkout this eclectic little diner! The menu might be classified as worldly southern, and the menu varies from day to day with a few staples available every day. Prices are a little high by traditional lunch standards, but you won't be disappointed. Don't be afraid to mix and match pairings on the menu. If you'd rather have the creamy grits, they'll be glad to swap them out with the wasabi mashed potatoes.
Samrat Indian Restaurant: Indian food isn't the first thing I think of when I'm looking for a place to dine. That's my way of saying I'm not an expert on what is good and what isn't, but Matt Chatterley and I ate at this little restaurant at 2529 Apalachee Parkway, and we both thought it was pretty good. The decor is nothing to jump up and down about, but the food made it a good experience.
Carlos Cuban Café: Located a few blocks from the newspaper at 402 E. Tennessee, Carlos Cuban Café is a family-owned restaurant with a sparse decor, but the smells that greet you at the door are enticing. Unfortunately, I ordered badly, deciding on a marinated shrimp salad. It was basically iceberg lettuce with some shrimp thrown on top and few peppers and onions scattered around the plate. I should have opted for more traditional Cuban fare. Matt Chatterley liked his sandwich, but I'd have to try it again and order something different to recommend it.
Barnacle Bill's Seafood Restaurant: I'm not sure Barnacle Bill's could pass an honest-to-goodness health inspection, but the food was pretty darn good. The restaurant is at 1830 N. Monroe, within a couple of miles of the old capitol building. One Internet review of the placed raved about the "Little Hotties" that grace the establishment. Far be it from me to mention something so crass in my review, but I will say that the Parmesean Oysters were pretty tasty — Matt even liked them. We both had different variations of the skillet dinner. Mine had shrimp and scallops mixed with sausage, onions and peppers on a bed of rice. Very good.
Crisper's: This is one of those fancy fast-food salad/salad places. It's located a couple of blocks from the paper at 1241 Apalachee Parkway. The salads are creative and good, and if you want to counteract the salad, they have a pretty good bakery with good cookies and other desserts.
Morelia's Mexican Dining: It's not Austin, but Morelia's is a pretty good Mexican food restaurant. It's located at 1400 Village Square Blvd. in a shopping center. I had the Morelia's nachos, and they were fairly standard piled high with guacamole, sour cream, tomatoes and jalapeños. It was way more than one person could eat. Margaritas were pretty decent too. They come in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large and Super. I got the medium, and it was pretty big. I can't imagine how big the super size was. I may have to do more research so I can report back accurately on the blog (only because I want to keep you informed, of course).
Miller's Ale House: (722 Apalachee Parkway) Miller's has a varied menu ranging from salads to baby-back ribs to seafood, including a raw bar. Jeff Robertson said the ribs were pretty good, and Carol-Lyn Jardine gave the hushpuppies a thumbs up. I can vouch for the raw oysters. The restaurant is loud, and it has a large outdoor (but covered) dining area with bar, which offers a decent selection of beer on tap.
Cabo's Grill and Bar: (1221 Apalachee Parkway) If you're a surfing fan, and who isn't, you'll want to check out Cabo's collection of classic longboards. The food is not bad either. The menu is varied, featuring Mexican food, hamburgers and seafood, and the atmosphere is beach-bummy and loud, but it's local and worth checking out for lunch or dinner.
Cypress Restaurant: (320 E. Tennessee) Cypress is an upscale restaurant located a couple of miles from the Residence Inn. The food is excellent and well-presented, but expensive. If you have a significant other in town and want to win a few brownie points, make a reservation. I had the beef tenderloin (rare, of course), which was served on some Yukon gold mashed potatoes and a homemade steak sauce. For dessert, my wife tried the flourless chocolate cake, served with homemade Madagascar vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce.
Other things to do
Wakulla Springs: This natural spring located about 15-20 miles from Tallahassee is the largest (by volume) natural spring in the world and sits on a national park. It's close to 200 feet deep, and there are underwater caves that stretch for miles (so I'm told). There's a protected area for swimming, and it is reminiscent of the olden days with diving platforms and a small beach area. A historic lodge overlooks the spring, which stays a constant 70 degrees year-round. The water flowing out of the spring forms a river and a protected environment. For $6 per person, you can take a boat ride on the river and get up close and personal with alligators, manatees, turtles and many species of birds. Entrance to the park is $4, and there are a lot of nice picnic spots.
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge: This large wildlife refuge is only about 10 minutes from Wakulla Springs. Entrance costs $6. We spotted a young black bear just after we entered the park, but other than that and some kind of catlike creature that skittered across the road in front of us, we didn't see much except for a lot of birds. The park borders on the Gulf of Mexico, so you can get down to the ocean, but there's no beach to enjoy. There is an old lighthouse, but you can't go in and it's not that impressive. If you enjoy hiking, this might be a fun place to go; otherwise, try the beach somewhere else.
Kool Beanz Cafe: (921 Thomasville Road): You've got to checkout this eclectic little diner! The menu might be classified as worldly southern, and the menu varies from day to day with a few staples available every day. Prices are a little high by traditional lunch standards, but you won't be disappointed. Don't be afraid to mix and match pairings on the menu. If you'd rather have the creamy grits, they'll be glad to swap them out with the wasabi mashed potatoes.
Samrat Indian Restaurant: Indian food isn't the first thing I think of when I'm looking for a place to dine. That's my way of saying I'm not an expert on what is good and what isn't, but Matt Chatterley and I ate at this little restaurant at 2529 Apalachee Parkway, and we both thought it was pretty good. The decor is nothing to jump up and down about, but the food made it a good experience.
Carlos Cuban Café: Located a few blocks from the newspaper at 402 E. Tennessee, Carlos Cuban Café is a family-owned restaurant with a sparse decor, but the smells that greet you at the door are enticing. Unfortunately, I ordered badly, deciding on a marinated shrimp salad. It was basically iceberg lettuce with some shrimp thrown on top and few peppers and onions scattered around the plate. I should have opted for more traditional Cuban fare. Matt Chatterley liked his sandwich, but I'd have to try it again and order something different to recommend it.
Barnacle Bill's Seafood Restaurant: I'm not sure Barnacle Bill's could pass an honest-to-goodness health inspection, but the food was pretty darn good. The restaurant is at 1830 N. Monroe, within a couple of miles of the old capitol building. One Internet review of the placed raved about the "Little Hotties" that grace the establishment. Far be it from me to mention something so crass in my review, but I will say that the Parmesean Oysters were pretty tasty — Matt even liked them. We both had different variations of the skillet dinner. Mine had shrimp and scallops mixed with sausage, onions and peppers on a bed of rice. Very good.
Crisper's: This is one of those fancy fast-food salad/salad places. It's located a couple of blocks from the paper at 1241 Apalachee Parkway. The salads are creative and good, and if you want to counteract the salad, they have a pretty good bakery with good cookies and other desserts.
Morelia's Mexican Dining: It's not Austin, but Morelia's is a pretty good Mexican food restaurant. It's located at 1400 Village Square Blvd. in a shopping center. I had the Morelia's nachos, and they were fairly standard piled high with guacamole, sour cream, tomatoes and jalapeños. It was way more than one person could eat. Margaritas were pretty decent too. They come in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large and Super. I got the medium, and it was pretty big. I can't imagine how big the super size was. I may have to do more research so I can report back accurately on the blog (only because I want to keep you informed, of course).
Miller's Ale House: (722 Apalachee Parkway) Miller's has a varied menu ranging from salads to baby-back ribs to seafood, including a raw bar. Jeff Robertson said the ribs were pretty good, and Carol-Lyn Jardine gave the hushpuppies a thumbs up. I can vouch for the raw oysters. The restaurant is loud, and it has a large outdoor (but covered) dining area with bar, which offers a decent selection of beer on tap.
Cabo's Grill and Bar: (1221 Apalachee Parkway) If you're a surfing fan, and who isn't, you'll want to check out Cabo's collection of classic longboards. The food is not bad either. The menu is varied, featuring Mexican food, hamburgers and seafood, and the atmosphere is beach-bummy and loud, but it's local and worth checking out for lunch or dinner.
Cypress Restaurant: (320 E. Tennessee) Cypress is an upscale restaurant located a couple of miles from the Residence Inn. The food is excellent and well-presented, but expensive. If you have a significant other in town and want to win a few brownie points, make a reservation. I had the beef tenderloin (rare, of course), which was served on some Yukon gold mashed potatoes and a homemade steak sauce. For dessert, my wife tried the flourless chocolate cake, served with homemade Madagascar vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce.
Other things to do
Wakulla Springs: This natural spring located about 15-20 miles from Tallahassee is the largest (by volume) natural spring in the world and sits on a national park. It's close to 200 feet deep, and there are underwater caves that stretch for miles (so I'm told). There's a protected area for swimming, and it is reminiscent of the olden days with diving platforms and a small beach area. A historic lodge overlooks the spring, which stays a constant 70 degrees year-round. The water flowing out of the spring forms a river and a protected environment. For $6 per person, you can take a boat ride on the river and get up close and personal with alligators, manatees, turtles and many species of birds. Entrance to the park is $4, and there are a lot of nice picnic spots.
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge: This large wildlife refuge is only about 10 minutes from Wakulla Springs. Entrance costs $6. We spotted a young black bear just after we entered the park, but other than that and some kind of catlike creature that skittered across the road in front of us, we didn't see much except for a lot of birds. The park borders on the Gulf of Mexico, so you can get down to the ocean, but there's no beach to enjoy. There is an old lighthouse, but you can't go in and it's not that impressive. If you enjoy hiking, this might be a fun place to go; otherwise, try the beach somewhere else.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Austin
Austin is an awesome town for eating. It would be impossible to list all of the good choices, but here are a few to consider:
Hudson's on the Bend — You'll want to save your per diem for a few days before you go to Hudson's, but it will be worth it. Hudson's is a five-star restaurant specializing in wild game and fish. The Espresso-Chocolate-Chili rubbed Smoked Elk Back Strap is unbelievable. Presentation is excellent, and the menu is very creative. You'll spend at least $50 for dinner, and it won't take much to get up to $100, but it's truly a dining experience.
Chuy's — There are more good Tex-Mex restaurants in Austin per capita than any other place in the world. Chuy's is one of my favorites. Make sure you ask for the Jalapeño Ranch dressing for your chips. There's a rumor that they serve pretty good margaritas too. : )
3. Other choices to consider: Austin Java, Shady Grove, Guero's.
Hudson's on the Bend — You'll want to save your per diem for a few days before you go to Hudson's, but it will be worth it. Hudson's is a five-star restaurant specializing in wild game and fish. The Espresso-Chocolate-Chili rubbed Smoked Elk Back Strap is unbelievable. Presentation is excellent, and the menu is very creative. You'll spend at least $50 for dinner, and it won't take much to get up to $100, but it's truly a dining experience.
Chuy's — There are more good Tex-Mex restaurants in Austin per capita than any other place in the world. Chuy's is one of my favorites. Make sure you ask for the Jalapeño Ranch dressing for your chips. There's a rumor that they serve pretty good margaritas too. : )
3. Other choices to consider: Austin Java, Shady Grove, Guero's.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Skycap Charges
I noticed Sunday that American Airlines and United are charging $2 to skycap your luggage (tip not included, of course) at the Salt Lake Airport.
Anyone notice this elsewhere? Any other airlines charging? I'm sure they all will eventually.
Anyone notice this elsewhere? Any other airlines charging? I'm sure they all will eventually.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Extra Delta Skymiles anyone?
Delta is offering up to 2,000 skymiles for people that watch five videos and vote on their favorite. It looks like there are four rounds. I just watched the first set. The destination was Budapest and all of the videos were actually interesting. Well worth the few minutes it took to watch them.
Here is the AJC story today: http://www.ajc.com/search/content/travel/otherdestinations/us_stories/2007/08/03/delta_0806.html
But, you can just go to www.delta.com/challenge to play.
Here is the AJC story today: http://www.ajc.com/search/content/travel/otherdestinations/us_stories/2007/08/03/delta_0806.html
But, you can just go to www.delta.com/challenge to play.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Tip request: Tulsa, OK
Places to eat? Directions from the airport to the hotel areas? Things to do? To avoid?
Thanks,
Danielle
Thanks,
Danielle
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