Cocina Abierta--San Juan

San Juan  A tropical paradise

Our Winter Getaway took us to San Juan for the week.   I had never visited San Juan longer than a few hours by cruise so this trip was really exciting.   We stayed at The Renissance LaConcha in the Condado which is so convenient to restaurants, shopping and just plain fun.  

Upon arrival to the hotel, our flight arrived before check in time.  The staff directed us to the Lobby Bar where we enjoyed lunch while waiting for our pocket pager to let us know our room was ready.  

We enjoyed a trio of burger sliders and shrimp salad....very enjoyable.  While chatting with our bartender, he suggested we enjoy Cocina Abierta close to the hotel.  The handy restaurant reservation app Opentable booked our table at no charge.    We arrived 15 minutes early but  Nicole immediately seated us and became our perfect dining advisor and server.      She suggested we begin with their famous Croquettes with Tomato Jam.   Wonderful!  

Croquettes with Tomato Jam

As we proceeded with her advice, we began enjoying Plantain Carpaccio, 

Rabbit Stew, and Duck Mofongo.  Unusual combinations of flavors

and textures.  Loved it!  

Plantain Carpaccio

Belgian Rabbit Stew

 Duck Mofongo

My personal favorite from the cocina

was the Angus Beef Short Ribs....rich and delicious

Angus Beef Short Ribs

After finishing our wonder meal, Nicole suggested we try the Goad Cheesecake and the ChocoPecan Pie.   The perfect finish to a fine meal.   I would suggest to anyone enjoy a great meal on their next visit to San Juan...I know we will.  

Goat Cheesecake

ChocoPecan Pie

You can find more pictures and reviews at 

TripAdvisor

Fleming's Steak House 2016 Easter Brunch

Easter Brunch at Fleming's’ Steak House

Hot Biscuits with Preserves and Butter

This was not our first visit to Fleming's for Easter Brunch and it will not be the last.   Everything was wonderful and our servers were very prompt with every request.    We began with cocktails, of course and hot biscuits from the oven.  Proceeding on to our Starter Course we chose the Leek Soup and the Seasonal Fruits.  The soup was creamy and delicious and the fruits were fresh and plentiful.  

My server surprised me with the Eggs Benedict with Filet Mignon.    A nice potato cake topped with the filet and poached eggs.   They offered a Filet Mignon served with table-side mini potatoes and broccolini with tomatoes.  We both remarked how fork tender the mignons were...no knife needed.    Both of the side dished were perfect.  

Fresh Fruits with Chantilly Cream

Potato Leek Soup

Eggs Benedict

Filet Mignon with Gorgonzola Cream Sauce

Broccolini with Tomatoes and Golden Beets

We finished our wonderful brunch with their desserts....
and they were enjoyable.  

Berry Cobbler with Ice Cream

White Chocolate Bread Pudding

Reservations might be necessary and it is so nice
that Opentable offers this free service.  

Easter Brunch 2016 Menu

Starter

Your choice of

SAVORY POTATO LEEK SOUP

MODERN CAESAR

FRESH SEASONAL FRUITS

Entrée

Your choice of

SIGNATURE EGGS BENEDICT

Sliced filet mignon or smoked salmon, served on a potato cake with 

wilted arugula and béarnaise sauce

BAKED BRIOCHE FRENCH TOAST

Layered in vanilla and orange custard, with a brown sugar, butter and walnut streusel, 

served with grilled sausage, maple-blueberry syrup and Chantilly cream

PRIME RIB WITH A TRIO OF SAUCES

au jus, creamy horseradish and Dijon mustard sauces

FLEMING’S BRENTONE OMELET

Farm fresh eggs, gruyère cheese, shiitake mushrooms and country ham, 

topped with French brie cream sauce

PORCINI CRUSTED FILET MIGNON

Braised mushrooms, Gorgonzola cream sauce

Sides

Entrées served with

PARSLIED BABY POTATOES

with maître d’ butter

 PAN SEARED BROCCOLINI

Desserts

Your choice of

CALLEBAUT WHITE CHOCOLATE BREAD PUDDING

Layers of brioche, rich cream and kahlúa

MIXED BERRY COBBLER

Rustic brown sugar streusel served with vanilla ice cream

Featured Cocktails

BACON AND BLUE CHEESE BLOODY MARY, $8.95

rosemary brown sugar bacon, blue cheese stuffed olive, toasted chipotle rim

SONOMA SPARKLER, $8.95

Fleming’s signature passion fruit mimosa

Casa Fiesta--Lenoir City

Casa Fiesta acquired the space of a dismal Chinese restaurant 

and BOY,  did they make a great transformation.  The Interior is beautiful...wonderful colors.  

I have been enjoying Mexican food for decades.....including many trips to Mexico.  Today, I enjoyed something that I have never had in a Mexican restaurant.    Everyone serves chips and salsa but today I was treated to complimentary frijoles con queso.  Their very good salsa was just perfect....nice chunky and good heat but not overpowering.  The full bar was enticing, but being lunch, I had to decline.    My diet soda was served quickly in a very large glass for $1.79 including refills.  My waiter kept everything full!  

Since this was a lunch visit, I chose the Lunch Specials on the back of the menu.  The regular menu looked very good and I know we will be back for a supper meal.   I chose the Fajita Salad with Steak @ $6.99.    It also was available with chicken but I am glad I chose the steak.   Perfect temperature served in a flaky almost pastry like tortilla bowl.   Wow...it was good.    I would highly recommend Casa Fiesta to anyone.   It was a little light on the lettuce...but that was OK.  

Casa Fiesta's Guacamole served atop was wonderful...I will be sure to order that as an appetizer with a supper meal and a margarita!  

Boathouse Rotisserie and Raw Bar

I have always wanted to eat at 

BOATHOUSE ROTISSERIE AND RAW BAR!

We have driven by Boathouse for so many years and never had an opportunity to eat here.  While returning from Atlanta, I decided it would be the day.  I made reservations at 3PM but we arrived at 1:30 and our hostess quickly made a change and we were seated immediately.   It was a Sunday afternoon and the "after church" crowd was heavy.  

Boathouse offers inside and the more popular  waterfront deck,  We chose inside since it was a bit chilly.  They do have heaters outside for those chilly nights.  The river view is exceptional and you can see it from the inside seating.  

We began with their Nacho Cheese dip and guacamole.  Nice big chunks of avocado and a good bite with the jalapenos and spices.  Very enjoyable.  

Boathouse Menu is very diverse....Raw Bar features including PEI Mussels, Peel and Eat Shrimp, and Oysters on the half shell.  We chose a different dining route.  I chose the California Salad ($12) with additional shrimp (3 @ $9) instead of the salmon ($7) that was offered.   The wood grilled shrimp was good but I thought 3 bucks for each shrimp was a little much.  My salad turned into $21 which was good...but a little high.  Also we enjoyed the Wood Grilled Salmon with Olive Fries.  Had to ask what Olive Fries were and as suspected fried in olive oil.  They were wonderful.  No desserts on this trip but maybe next time.   

California Salad with Shrimp

Salmon with Olive Fries

All in all...a very enjoyable brunch and I would return again.   Just remember to make a reservation...it gets very busy at this long time Chattanooga restaurant.  

Reflections on a Wonderful Dining Event!

The Polaris Reflecting in a Skyscraper

The Polaris sits atop the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, one of two revolving restaurants in the city. Opened in 1967 as the Regency Hyatt House,  John C. Portman, Jr.'s revolutionary 22-story atrium design for the hotel has influenced hotel design enormously in the years since. The hotel instantly became one of the most recognized buildings in Atlanta.

The building consists of the main "Atrium Tower" and two extensions, completed in 1971 and 1982, containing a total of 1,260 rooms. On top of the Hyatt Regency is a revolving restaurant called Polaris, located just beneath the blue dome-shaped structure which gives the hotel its distinctive profile. This was John Portman's first designed revolving restaurant of many. When the hotel first opened, the restaurant gave diners an ever-changing panoramic view of the entire city; however, as taller buildings were erected on all sides of the hotel, the restaurant's view became increasingly constricted. The Polaris closed in August 2004 and remained empty until renovation plans were approved in 2013. Polaris reopened in June of 2014.

I highly recommend getting reservations...and Open Table 

helped us.  Since we were staying on the Club Level of the Hyatt Regency, we didn't need to worry about traffic and parking!   

Our elevator swept us up to the 23rd floor and we entered the restaurant.   Very contemporary...very stylish.  The Maitre D immediately seated us and we began enjoying Tito's Martinis and Benton Bacon Popcorn.   I have never had that before and it was astounding....we loved every last kernel.      Our choice of soup was Leek and Crab...very tasty.  On to our entrées we chose the Sea Bass and the Steak Oscar. The Sea Bass was moist and flavorful.  The Steak Oscar was perfect atop a bed of mashed potatoes.  The Crab and Asparagus accompaniment was more crab than I have had in a long time. Everything at the restaurant is served in with sleek contemporary dinnerware.  Unusual but completely enjoyable.  

Video of The Polaris in Atlanta

Breathtaking 360 Vista

Vivid Art Work and Interiors

I would highly recommend The Polaris but

be sure you can arrive before sunset and enjoy a wonderful

evening with cocktails and dining.  You won't be  disappointed.  And one again, don't forget to make your reservations.