Boston: The Verb and Its Wishful Thinking
August 27, 2023
Before the 30th Anniversary Music Party, there was Contessa. Great food with a superb city view and militant eastern european staff. Not sure I would make a habit of it. Dining with two of my favorite women tips the scales radically. But honestly, Contessa thinks too much of itself. It is aptly named.
After the 30th Anniversary Music Party, the pool at The Verb Hotel (right next to Fenway) was bait. Honestly we felt a bit baited (and switched). The Verb is trying so hard to be hip and cool. But they are falling short due to a number of factors mostly involving an actual demographic of families with kids, a terrible breakfast situation, and a very small dingy pool. Oh well. It was a great plan.
We paid for a pool view room. Whatever. We were on the second floor a nice hike from everything past many hallways of refrigerated hamster cages.
This may be one of the only times and actual touring musician has ever stayed at The Verb. Too much veneer and not enough reality makes NPS a grumpy poster.
The Pool. Such a great idea, and so not what it needs to be. We did use it. And we had some great Mai Tais from next door.
At least the shower is not plastic.
The real record player was a nice touch and fun. Many of the records were in terrible shape though.
Mandolin.
It was great to be in Boston for the night. We had fun.
Sunday Jazz at the Mad Monkfish.
All in all, not a plan to repeat but one that was worth doing once. The Verb Hotel earns two showerheads and is summarily dismissed from the target list.
NYC: Intercontinental NY Barclay
August 27, 2023
In the still active quest to find a NY hotel to use as home base, we present the (nope) Intercontinental Barclays hotel. This was a quick, trip up for business and pleasure.
The Barclays is old school. Well, old. Definitely old. Try as they might to upgrade to “hip” or “relevant,” there is too much inertia for the sluggish IHG chain to overcome.
Our arrival was very corporate and our room was nice but hamster cage. All vestiges of Kimpton privilege have been assimilated. And there is only so much that you can do to drag a mid-century hotel into the new millennium. Frankly, I don’t even remember what our room number was or even what floor it was on.
The shower was fine.
A comfortable generic bed. Design by somebody’s grandmother.
Oh, here it is, room 939 on the not at all memorable 9th floor. This is a concierge floor which means only you can share an OK breakfast with other people who think that concierge service is good.
But it was NYC! BTW, the Fasano is a great place for a ridiculously expensive business dinner. Great food and a relaxed atmosphere conducive to conversation.
Also, as always the tucked away Oyster bar in Grand Central is a fun place for a snack. We tried out the back room (new to me). The front is more NY, FWIW.
Meanwhile, the bar back at the Barclays has a reputation far beyond its ’70s reality. Great cocktails served by cynical old school NY barkeeps with a hotel lobby feel that can’t be overcome. Skip it.
The great news is that the trip’s most memorable experience was a great one. The MOMA’s Karl Lagerfeld exhibit was not to be missed. See more here.
Before whizzing back across town and under the river to Newark, we had a great lunch at Blue Willow somewhat on a whim. Outstanding.
All in all, three showerheads and a continued search for a NY home for the Barclays Intercontinental. Too much corporate genericism for us.
Back to Berlin: The Circus Hotel
July 14, 2023
Definitely get an apartment in Berlin at the Circus Hotel. Just make sure it’s not apartment two (unless you like going up and down precarious stairs). We are told apartment four in the main building is the room to request.
Apartment two aside, the circus hotel has lots to offer, including great breakfast, a top notch bar, outstanding staff, and the best lost-and-found monkey in Europe. We enjoyed the location.
Once again no AC. Berlin was cooler than Brussels (in both ways), but it still could use some HVAC tech.
The shower was just fine, though the bathroom was down some stairs and was pretty tiny.
It rained. But we ventured right out into it. Berlin with Lisa and Noelie is fun no matter the weather.
The holocaust memorial is a good place to visit in the rain.
I had not seen the Brandenburg gate since 1985. Things have changed in Berlin.
The Wall museum is well worth checking out.
But then you need a rooftop bar without a corporate event! And yet it is apparently too early to drink?! Who knew.
Problem solved! Open your own rooftop bar and serve Tanqueray and Tonics whenever you want. The collusion from the circus staff was greatly appreciated.
And what is a party without sun umbrellas?
This is the 100th luftbaloon (it didn’t make the cut).
Of course our actual reason to visit Berlin is to visit Jaqueline! new life. new town. new beginnings.
It’s startup city.
An actual dark and stormy with Angostura procured after a delicious dinner.
About that monkey…
We started the next day with a river tour. Highly recommended, especially if you bring Markus along to translate.
The architecture is stunning and gorgeous.
But it’s too hot! So time for a beer with the boyz.
St George
Or make that a truly awful cocktail at Wilde Matilde what a place.
What?!
I will never forget the clickty-clack of the skeleton teeth.
Marx and Engels. Or maybe not.
Dinner for ten (!!) at VOLK was slow. Delicious. AND SLOW. Not a fan of French-style service though the food was great.
And then it was off to the Oderberger Pool for a midnight swim. Who knew we were supposed to be there at 10?! LOL. This was awesome. A romantic and delightful thing to do as a couple.
This rainbow unicorn is a tricky thing.
Another beautiful breakfast at the Circus Hotel.
We found of a copy of the Alchemist (not in London) and so had a celebratory CR#2.
We looked into terror and fascism for as long as we could stand. The idiots in the US don’t think this can happen again. They are fools.
Time for a quick roses break to level set.
Jacqueline on the street.
And a prize visit to Beavis, an outstanding bar. Fortunately the lightning storm spared us all.
All the way from Virginia, some 601 now lives in Berlin.
Have breakfast at the house of small wonder. Amazeballs.
A visit to the Boros Foundation (set up way in advance) was superb. No pictures because these people have no idea how social media works.
Guess whose apartment this is?
Hearts.
Quick cocktail before dinner at Betty F.
And it was time to fly.
A fantastic visit, and no doubt the first of many to come.
Four showerheads for the Circus Hotel. Fewer stairs and you would have a thing!
It all sounded so romantic! A new overnight train service from Brussels to Berlin. One of us had visions of restaurant cars, a full bar, and comfortable compartments. Lets just say he was wrong.
More like a second class couchette with a hard bed and a minuscule menu topping out at hangover-inducing beer that even a college kid would scoff at. Oh well.
Lessons learned: listen to romey (check), bring your own food (check), bring your own booze (check). Just fly…
With a name like the “European Sleeper” how could it go wrong?
This guy had a faster trip with better beer and he had to steer.
Yes, of course we drank the dang beer.
Anyway, we did it so you don’t have to!
And we arrived in Berlin. At the wrong station. Late.
Two Days in Brussels: Hotel Manos Premier
July 14, 2023
After the relaxing visit to Lichtervelde for the 3rd Great Belgian Rum Tasting it was a quick train ride to Brussels to await Romey’s arrival. The Hotel Manos Premier is a bit off the beaten track between touristland and the train station. It is an easy walk to everywhere.
The room I requested was occupied by someone who had changed rooms. I was assigned the same category suite connected to the bee garden. Predictably, the HVAC was unable to handle the heat (something that seems to be pervasive in Europe these years what with massive climate change) which made for a less comfortable stay than it could have been stay. Minus ten for the room swap.
The hotel is well appointed in an old Europe kind of way. Very nice breakfast room. Cosy grounds with nice outside greenery.
The room itself had plenty of space and was comfortable but was not well put together into a coherent design. Euro-bathroom. Not plastic. But not a real shower either.
The water closet. LOL.
The bedroom had room for the bed.
By far the nicest part 0f the suite was the sitting room. This is where working AC would have been helpful.
Romey arrived! Every visit to Brussels must include the main gothic square. Have a beer.
And visit the little pisser too!
A stop in at the Musical Instrument Museum usually includes a very nice visit to the rooftop bar. Sadly, the rooftop is under renovation. The museum itself is remarkable with a great collection of very weird instruments from all over the world.
La Pharmacie Anglaise is a very good bar indeed, right next to the MIM. Handcrafted nicely-designed cocktails are abundant, and they know most of the classics.
A cocktail and some finger food at Vertigo was OK. The service could be easily improved,
Make time for a walk in the park. We spent a few hours just following our noses around the city which was very nice. Brussels is reasonably walkable.
Street fun and frites clothing.
The highlight of the visit was lunch with Yo and Caroline at restaurant Albert, on the top floor of the national library. Great food, but more importantly, great company.
Finally, before our train trip to Berlin, we stopped by for a rooftop cocktail at some completely forgettable rooftop bar (maybe JAM Brussels) with our London companions. And then it was time to catch the train…
Three showerheads for the Hotel Manos Premier. Best to have working HVAC and give people the room you promised them.
The 3rd Great Belgian Rum Tasting: Lichtervelde
June 17, 2023
Madou’s bar is becoming quite famous, and the rum collection is growing. Not only that, but the spa like atmosphere is outstanding…especially if you are a goat or a cow.
The welcoming committee chair.
Kay the barker and her faithful companion in the shade.
Warmup mai tai.
Part of the lineup.
Some notes from the first and second editions can be found here.
MAISON LQ MAUNY 2015:2019 – martinique (4)
hot. alcohol nose. clear gycerin use. dry on mouth. bitter
There was lots of Clement rum on hand, all from martinique.
We had to check our work with direct test tube comparisons for these.
CLEMENT 10 YEAR RHUM AGRICOLE 2012 (8)
dry. peppery. mature oak. delicious finish.
CLEMENT 5 YEAR MOKA RHUM AGRICOLE 2015 (6)
soft nose. curly esters. a bit sour turns to sweet.
CLEMENT 10 YEAR VANILLA RHUM AGRICOLE 2013 (7)
flower nose. soft. oak
CLEMENT 4 YEAR 5 MONTHS RHUM AGRICOLE 2020 (3)
gym sock nose. weak. bitter
CLEMENT XO (min 6 year blend) (7)
nice balanced nose. mature oak. balanced sugar. masterful blend. a bit corporate with nice components. banana.
CARÚPANO (up to) 21 year reserve (4)
sugar nose. central american style. ester curl works well. gycerin.
DIPLOMATICO AMBASSADOR (6)
sugar nose. some grass. hot. ester curl hell (not good). gets better each taste, but not as good as the 1976 product.
RATU 8 – fij (1)
coconut nose has to be fake. birthday cake disaster. yuck. please just take it.
BUNDABERG – australia (2)
weak nose. watery. blended down to bad.
TOPPITS (unpictured)
that’s a wrap. quite literally.
The final lineup.
Losers bracket.
There is Amer Picon to be had, including Citron which NPS has never seen before. We made liberals of course.
And we introduced the Industry Sour to Belgium
equal parts: Fernet. Green Chartruese. Lime. Simple syrup (1:1). Shake. Serve up.
Walks around the pond are available for a fee.
Sometimes things get hazy
Our hostess with the mostess.
We can’t wait to return.
fin.
SecAppDev in Leuven
June 17, 2023
Though we stayed at Yo’s house this time, secappdev was held in the same excellent venue as always (the Faculty Club in Leuven Belgium).
I gave three talks (including the opening keynote) during SecAppDev, and one bonus talk for the Belgian Security Consortium.
Much fun was had during the hall track and pizza night.
A Belgian, and Israeli, and an Italian walk into an ice cream shop…
The venue for the last talk was a repurposed convent.
As always in Leuven, beer was unavoidable.
Lunch at Absolut was excellent.
More beer at Malz.
Negroni capability varied widely, with Bar Nine coming in at the top. Baracca was good pizza. Manhatt’n Burgers was quite bad.
As always, Leuven is an excellent place to visit. Five showerheads and a top secret location for the accommodations.
Stuck in Texas: The Dallas Hotel Zaza
April 1, 2023
Imagine there is no worse airline than United domestic? Think again! American Airlines pulled absolute garbage service on my last trip. First some background.
A last minute talk opportunity popped up and the hosts promised to pay for a business class day trip. So the plan was to fly into Dallas at 9am (departing the house at 5:15am) and get home before 10pm. Ha!
The talk was great and the day was going smoothly, and then American Airlines operations just FUBARed things up. I mean wow. First there was the drip delay supposedly cause by weather (there was no weather), then there was a plane and no crew, then the crew landed at a gate 40 minutes away, and then, the coup de grace, the captain timed out and walked away. Leaving 300 or so people stranded in Dallas all wanting to get to Washington DC.
American, after some real delay during which I purchased a seat on the only United flight to Dulles the next day, “rebooked” me on puddle hoppers through some tiny ass Ohio town and into DCA. Nope. I flew United the next day and burned 24 hours.
American Airlines had a hard time accepting my rejiggering as reality. After a couple of hours of bullshit and waiting 10 days, they refunded my original business class leg. They had to be forced to do that. No more American Airlines for me!
Anyway, Hotel Zaza in Dallas came up during a cursory search for hip hotels. And off I went, arriving around 10pm…ironically the same time I was due to be in my own bed at home.
I think I was assigned 418. Of course no clothes and no bathroom amenities were with me.
At least the shower was top notch.
Here is the free bathroom stuff you get for your money. Yuck.
Finding a cocktail nearby at 11 was a thing. Even super barman Jacques was at a loss and sorry I was stuck in Dallas. LOL.
The car service at Zaza was good and was more than willing to drive me 4 blocks in style.
The Kennedy room (above) was a dive serviced by kids who were utterly clueless. Don’t even bother. Beau Nash looked promising, but closed at 11pm on a Wednesday. So it was off to the Tipsy Alchemist on a tip from the bartender at Beau Nash.
Though I was the wrong demographic being over 35, the cocktails were well made, and there was real bourbon in the house. Needless to say, insanity reigned after too many shots, but I somehow woke up back at the hotel in the morning. So that was good.
Actual real Weller in the house.
After a somewhat late breakfast at the hotel (pretty not bad, but also unremarkable), a visit to the Dallas Art Museum was in store.
I felt kind of like the picture above. DFW airport was still a pit. Overcrowded and old. The United gates are way better than the American worn out 80s mall gates through.
Three showerheads for the Zaza. Lets just skip Dallas from now on.
Denver Renaissance
February 23, 2023
We didn’t really have our hopes set high enough, it seems. Because business trip, travel set by others, Marriott property, etc. But here we are at a very nice Renaissance Hotel in Denver. And everything is fine.
Getting here was a thing because a huge winter storm had travel all in a bind. Something like 1200 flights were cancelled. Mine was not, but it did take an extra 40 minutes because the headwinds were so strong.
The snowy drive from the airport was actually hazardous due to Americans in SUVs.
We were assigned an excellent suite (550) with lots of windows and, most important of all, glass showers. The room design is dated, but passable. Some refurbishment would be a good thing.
We were greeted with a personal note and a bottle of bubbly (which sadly will remain behind).
Glass shower for the win. The rest of the bathroom is pure Marriott.
A fun little chair.
The lobby bar is very good with clear ice, and proper Negroni capability. Seriously.
Entertainment for the evening included bowling (?1) and tequila shots. yeah no.
A late evening visit with Gino to Lady Jane (who made an absolutely excellent El Diablo with house hot ginger syrup) killed some time before we headed over to Williams and Graham (special shouts to Jacques and Sean Kenyon). Though W&G remains a top notch bar, it somehow seems to be overrun by non-bar people from conferences. Enthusiastic and stupid. Our bartender from NC was a hot and cold mess (and being a southern gentleman myself, I can assure you he is not very legit NC). Thing is, there was no green chartreuse. But instead of saying so, NC boy swapped to something not at all the same without saying a word. Not a fan of that kind of nonsense. We did have some excellent snacks and some great drinks in the end before we were summarily dismissed. Fernet for all.
Nephew Gino.
Sam’s number 3 is a great place for breakfast, even when it is 4 degrees outside.
All told, four showerheads and a great deal of surprise for the Renaissance. You go Marriott.
Manchester for a Minute: The Midland
February 6, 2023
Seems like we were just IN Manchester…because we were. The plan at the time was to go see Florence and the Machine at the AO. But Florence broke her foot in London the day before the show. So our main reason for coming to the UK was obviated. Dang.
We decided to return to see the Florence show if and when it was rescheduled. The show happened February 3rd, and it was magical. 21,000 fans singing along in an emotional outpouring of live music. Florence and the Machine shows are not to be missed!
Last time it was the Lowry. This time we targeted the Midland Manchester, one of those grande dame hotels of yore that has been updated to modern in a British kind of way. The best thing about the Midland is its prime location and a pretty decent bar.
We were assigned 541, a junior suite category room. The coloring is tasteful and yet has all of the life sucked out of it.
We spent most of our very limited time in the bedroom half.
Meanwhile the bathroom had lots of room for, well, we’re not sure. But the shower was quite nice indeed.
The under utilized sitting room. Turns out most of the sitting was in the downstairs lobby bar.
We arrived Thursday morning. Our room was available and ready, which was a very pleasant surprise! Wish more hotels would listen when you tell them you are arriving early from a transcontinental flight. Well done Midland!
It was off for lunch at the Ivy.
Followed by packing to depart (!!), some cocktails in the bar (during which an invasion of penguins occurred), and a fancy pants dinner at the French. Dinner at the French was very good indeed, but still seemed overpriced. The table space deserves some rethinking.
We slept in and headed to Bills for breakfast the morning of the show. Or more accurately, early afternoon. Bill’s is a great place to relax over a long breakfast with some Bloody Marys.
We spent a bit of time wandering Manchester, but before we knew it, we were off to the concert. We made a detour through Five Guys on the way over for a Maryland burger.
The concert was fantastic.
Late night drinks at the Midland bar were fun even when the ABBA clad Germans invaded. Each time we inhabited the bar, we found excellent bartenders willing to learn and a bit frustrated by lack of certain ingredients. We deleted the Fernet.
The whole trip, though a whirlwind, was well worth all of the flying.
Four showerheads for the Midland Manchester.
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