Discovering Dubai

October 12th, 2009 | Admin

Discovering the city

Dubai is 150 km of Abu Dhabi. A little more in car by absolutely rectilinear, soporific, continuous and monotonous a freeway takes half an hour. Once the last towers of Dubai are left back, fills a feeling to us of emptiness, infinite territory… Only desert to where the view reaches and asphalt roads, completely new. Lives here somebody? Beyond the highway, of the desert? The landscape marches past quickly after the lowered window of the Mercedes takes that me to the hotel where I lodge. Akim, the conductor, prefers to work at night due to the eternal traffic of Dubai. It could say that to lead during the fresh hours he is more pleasant, but not… We are at the beginning of June, they are the 02:00 in the morning and the temperature has not descended, or perhaps only a little. °C are 35 and the air is hot, is suffocating. We are not in tourist season and the hotels are empty, or almost. As of the autumn, the clients will begin to occupy these establishments, to everyone more luxurious. Abu Dhabi is looked like Dubai from this point of view, but it offers a perspective that hardly is in Dubai. The hotels are more extensive here, the sea is put in value in the first place and, with pleasing, a little is perceived the horizon if we inclined a little. The question is inasmuch as time? Commercial towers, hotels, restaurants and centers are constructed to an amazing and unavoidable speed. Modernity seizes progressively of the surroundings.

Famous Dave’s BBQ Sauce Recipe

September 6th, 2009 | Admin

Just in time for Labor Day: Famous Dave’s BBQ Sauce. Make this famous BBQ sauce right in your own kitchen. Sweet, spicy, and citrus flavored, no wonder Famous Dave’s BBQ is loved by so many.
Recipe courtesy of RecipeSecrets.net
Ingredients:
2 slices hickory-smoked bacon (thick cut strips)
1/3 cup chopped Vidalia onion or other sweet onion
1/4 cup water
3/4 [...]

Personal Request for Restaurant Donations

September 4th, 2009 | Admin

Hello,

It is not often that I reveal anything about myself or my personal life on this blog, other than the foods I like to eat ;)   At this time, however, I have a personal request for those of you in the restaurant business and affiliates who read this blog (and any other generous people who may be reading)

Two months ago my best friend’s baby boy, Jake, was diagnosed with a rare genetic eye disorder called Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy (FEVR).
With this diagnosis it was discovered that Jake has only “light” sight
and minimal peripheral vision. On July 16th and 17th, Jake underwent
double eye surgery to reattach his retinas and remove fluid blockage
with the hopes of allowing him the chance to see, at least, shapes and
shadows. It will be another 4-6 months before they will know if the
surgery was successful. What is known, is that Jake will need extensive
eye therapy, glasses and most likely multiple surgeries throughout his
life. FEVR is a progressive disorder with no known cure. The only thing
that can be certain is that Jake will be fighting for sight for the
rest of his life.

Because of all the therapy and ongoing care that Baby Jake needs, his mother (my friend) is unable to return to work.  As you can imagine, this has caused a great financial burden on the family.  To help alleviate some of the costs of therapy and the loss of income, a small group of friends and I are hosting a Benefit on Friday, September 18th to raise money for Jake and his family.  The benefit will include the following:

The benefit is open to anyone who would like to come and support our cause. You can find specific details of the event on Jake’s Benefit Website, Our Visions of Hope. At this time I am looking for restaurant donations to include in the raffle drawing.  If you are in the restaurant business and would be able to donate Gift Cards (or make a monetary donation to Jake) please e-mail me at kristi@twincitiesrestaurantblog.com. 

Thanks for your support!!!!!



A Walking Tour of Boston’s Waterfront

September 4th, 2009 | Admin

Boston stands proud as the birthplace of the American Revolution and the present day hotbed of art, education and culture. For baseball fans, the city offers a taste of Red Sox history at Fenway Park.

With so much to see and do, we set off early in an effort to reach Boston by 9 a.m. Our primary intention was to walk along Boston’s scenic harborwalk, which has been constructed to provide easy access to the Harbor and connect the waterfront neighborhoods. Some parts of it are still undergoing extension.

Canada: Montréal Has That Je Ne Sais Quoi

September 2nd, 2009 | Admin

Canada has always remained a mystery to me. It is rarely mentioned in politics, history or just in good old banter. Kind of like the quiet kid who sits in the back of the class that you suddenly find so alluring.

My Aunt invited me to stay with her at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal for a few days while she attended a convention. I figured this was a true opportunity to dig down as deep as I could to answer the question that has been haunting me: What is it with Canada?

I awoke bright and early to meet Claire-Marie Lavoie, a tour guide from the Infotouriste Centre who would be showing me around the best parts of the city via van.