Dining Ouch

Dining out in New York these days may bring on a critical case of sticker shock. Restaurants in the Big Apple have always been expensive--but prices have soared in just the past few months. The $15 breakfast is now the $25 breakfast. The $20 lunch is now the $40 lunch, and the $50 to $60 dinner is now the $80-$100 dinner. That glass of wine that used to be around $8 is now $12 to $15. And that $6 dessert is now $9 to $12. What’s worst: portions have been reduced in many cases, as well. Dine at one of those fancy-smancy, small plate restaurants, and you can drop a bundle trying to leave well fed. At one popular Manhattan eatery, I found an entrée that I wanted; then decided that the pumpkin-filled ravioli would make a nice appetizer. It was listed at $24, under main plates, so I asked if they could make it as an appetizer--say about half the regular portion [for half the price, hopefully], and I was stunned when the waiter said that the dish only consisted of five small raviolis to begin with--too small to halve. Twenty-four dollars, and it didn’t even contain any meat. If I had ordered an appetizer--most ranged from $18 to $35--an entrée and a dessert [no salad], my bill would have been more than $80, without beverages, wine or tip. [And this was not La Grenouille.] Now, consumers not only have to worry about high gasoline prices, but, when they eat out, they are feeling the same pressure at the table that they are feeling at the pump.

Hey, we’re all living in Gouge City. The latest Zagat restaurant guide for New York City says that restaurant prices are up by 71 percent since 2001, increasing the cost of a meal at a better restaurant from around $84 to $143.

By the way, here is a recipe for pumpkin ravioli, by Wolfgang Puck (click the link). I think I’ll just make my own, thank you!

--Diva

Never Leave Your Hotel Room...Ever

Going to a spa is SUCH a pain. Last time I went on vacation I couldn't even bring myself to traipse all the way to the spa, so I ordered an in-room massage. Now, don't roll your eyes and act like you have no idea what I'm talking about. Apparently, there are a lot of people like me, at least in the Westin Hotels & Resorts focus groups. The mega-hotel-leader has taken our laziness and desire for relaxation to a whole new level with the design of its custom in-room spa experience. Now, when you visit a Westin Resort, you'll find two beds in your room: the one you sleep in and a massage bed. Forget about a massage table--table, schmable--at Westin it's a big, heavenly bed.

Aptly titled, the Heavenly Spa by Westin Nova is a 31-inch, all-white spa bed, designed by Oakworks, which includes heated AeroCel padding with double fleecing and a fully padded face cradle. While typically your face is unattractively smashed into said cradle and blankly staring at the floor, you won't have to worry about that at the Westin. Well, your face will still be unattractively scrunched, but, below you'll be delightfully staring at a shelf that holds aromatherapy oil and flowers, making your relaxation experience complete. Ahh...they think of everything.

To prove that they really are the best hotel in the world, they also include a spa basket filled with aromatherapy scents, a CD with relaxation music and "healthful treats" like dark chocolate (okay, I'm in love!). Westin is truly a pioneer in the industry, completely redesigning the hotel spa experience by adding it right into their rooms. How incredible is that?!

But, it gets better. They take this relax/recharge thing very seriously, which is why Westin developed the Westin Renewal Council, made up of six lifestyle experts. I know, it seems preposterous, but it is actually a real job title. The panel includes trainer for the stars David Kirsch, psychologist Dale Atkins, style guru Vern Vip, organizational expert Donna Smallin, futurist (whatever that means) Jane Buckingham, and celebrity chef Akasha Richmond. Wow! I want to know if I can hire this team, they could completely makeover anyone's life. Wait, you know what that means--a reality TV show is just around the corner. And if it's not, it needs to be in the works. Now.

Westin also encourages its guests to participate in evening rituals that involve everything from relaxation lessons to tastings and art installments--all with the intent of helping "guests connect with each other and the culture of their surroundings."

Okay, seriously, where do I sign up?
Westin is completely innovative in their consistent, upscale client offerings, design and overall care for their guests. Where else can you find that?

The program is rather new and is only featured at 64 Westin properties, so if you've experienced their spa bed and renewal services, do tell! Meanwhile, I'm searching to find which Westin properties offer these goods and I'm booking a trip today...

--Heather Strang

Summertime, and the Living's Easy

Ah, summertime. The season of capris, Coronas, and the Caribbean. Until of course, you find yourself in a hotel filled with bed bugs and a view of the ocean you can only see if you stand on your tip toes. Thanks a lot Internet photos! Turns out, I'm not the only one frustrated by false online hotel advertising. So, to help the travel challenged, Expedia released "Insiders' Select," complete with a ranking system and reviews of the best hotels throughout the world. Travelers can now find the best hotels from Budapest to Bolivia. And that means I can book my trip to Cozumel with confidence knowing that the Cozumel Palace All-Inclusive has a 91.01 rating and makes for an "awesome honeymoon!" (per the traveler opinions). Of course, the happy honeymooner review only reminds me of my own failed honeymoon, which means I probably won't be going to Cozumel now, but alas, I can hardly blame Expedia for that! According to Expedia, the hotels featured represent the top 1 percent of the more than 70,000 hotels on the site. Talk about an overwhelming amount of options. The good new is--this feature is actually pretty handy and is extremely user-friendly. Although, I'm a bit confused, is a score in the 70s bad? The Claridge Hotel in Argentina receives an "excellent" traveler review, but only a rating of 74.53. What does that mean?! Oh well, no system is perfect. Insiders' Select does give me all the info I need on a hotel in one shot. Making my life and summer easier--thanks Expedia! Now, bring on those Coronas...

-Heather Strang

A Grocery Store Restaurant?

You wouldn't expect a major grocery retailer to keep quiet about a new venture. So, Safeway broke a lot of rules when it opened a standalone eatery, Citrine, located in Redwood City, Calif., in early June. The company is calling this newest enterprise an "experiment," and I'm wondering of what--food quality? PR viability? Or, are they tricking us with reverse psychology and thereby generating more press by not saying anything? You got me, but either way, I'm interested.

Apparently, Safeway realized they were missing out on a huge chunk of the money pie by not investing in the restaurant business. You see, our cultural loss is Safeway's gain. While the American people's time to cook dinner is almost non-existent, the prepared food market within grocery chains is flourishing, as is restaurant growth. To cash in, Safeway started the restaurant, complete with a test kitchen for its prepared foods sections, offering everything from Thai barbecue chicken for $12.49 to margarita pizza for $8.99 and grilled fish for under $14. Not bad. The set-up is genuine American style--customers order from the counter and take food out or eat in--quickly. Why are we in such a rush? Oh, that's right, we're the country that absolutely adores over committing and working ourselves into the ground (or am I just speaking for myself?). Well, one man's insanity is another man's prosperity. While reviews aren't yet in on Citrine--which is, by the way, a yellow gemstone--people are taking notice. And there are whisperings and reported Craigslist sightings of more Citrine restaurants to come. But, shhh...don't tell anyone. I wonder what's next--a Safeway Doggie Day Care? Your guess is as good as mine, but it is a tad bit exciting to see a grocery retailer going so far outside of the box. In fact, I'm pretty sure a grocery store running restaurant is in a completely different box. Way to go Safeway!

--Heather Strang

Aqua Fantasy

Aqua Dome...it just sounds cool, right? It's the name of a  new 140-room hotel and spa complex in Tirol Therme Längenfeld, the Tyrolean Alps in Austria. Designed by Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron--the 2001 recipients of the Pritzker prize, the highest honor in architecture (which has also been awarded to such architects as Frank Gehry and Rem Koolhaas)--Aqua Dome is one of the six VAMED Vitality World resorts, all located in Austria. And its futuristic, ethereal, outdoor thermal spa, Talfrische, is quite a sight to behold.

At first glance, the three thermal bowl-shaped pools could easily be mistaken for some sort of strange satellite dishes. The pools, which are connected to the indoor pools via two brooks, look as if they were floating above ground, 26 ft. in the air--a design that the spa says is meant to increase the feeling of weightlessness.

The pools are only about 4.5 ft. deep and each offers a different experience. The Brine Pool, which is the largest of the three, enhances the bathing experience with underwater and overwater music and light effects. The Massage Pool is just that--a giant hot tub with warm water jets to massage away aches--and features a geyser at the center. The Whirl Pool offers millions of air bubbles to invigorate and soothe the skin. The pools are situated in the midst of landscaped gardens designed by the artist Peter Paul Tscheikner.

According to TheCoolHunter.net, the dome-ceiling, glass-walled thermal spring hall Ursprung (Origins) is the main indoor area, complete with two pools and a waterfall. From there, two canal pools connect to the outdoor area with the three pools, Talfrische (Freshness Valley). "With its illuminated structures and steaming vessels it resembles the potion-making lab of a gigantic but friendly sorcerer," says TheCoolHunter. Other features of Aqua Dome include a beauty center and spa known as Morgentau (Morning Dew), a resting room called Besinnung (Reflection) and a viewing terrace called Umsicht (View). There are also multiple saunas, a steam cathedral, fitness center, a kids' area, medical center and restaurants.

I don't know about you, but I'm suddenly thinking Austria sounds pretty good right about now...

--Jessie Bove

Ladies First

Perhaps a first in the hospitality industry, a Grand Rapids, Mich., JW Marriott hotel due to open in September will feature a women-only 19th floor and lounge. The reasoning behind it is the growing population of female business travelers, who make up half of all business travelers, said Andrea Groom, spokeswoman for the hotel.

"A lot of women are saying they're not feeling like they're safe when they're traveling to a strange city," Groom told The Grand Rapids Press. "They don't necessarily want to go down to a lounge and feel like they are getting hit on by guys."

For about $30 more than the normal rate, female clientele can enjoy chenille throw blankets, ionic hair dryers, jewelry holders and special bath products in these rooms--and a nice glass of wine after a long flight in the lounge without unsolicited male conversation.

It seems like a good idea, and definitely sets Marriott apart from the competition, which should benefit the hotel chain...but maybe not. Some are already concerned whether this is discrimination, and if it is, in fact, against the law. So, does this mean non-smoking floors are against the law if smokers are prohibited? Come on..let's not get too carried away here.

I think it's a great concept. And pointing to the growing number of female business travelers, I've seen many new magazines that target this consumer as well. And I bet TravelGirl will be the first to cover this new destination.

--Rachel Brown

Ultimate Karaoke

Eat. Drink. Be Famous. That's the tagline for Spotlight Live, a 21st-century theatrical and restaurant concept located in the heart of Times Square, New York. Spotlight Live debuted on April 6 at 1604 Broadway. It is a concept restaurant that allows anyone (that's right anyone...maybe even Sanjaya) to perform live on stage for family and friends while dining.

The concept is the brainchild of Jen Worthington, entrepreneur and restaurant innovator, along with her brother, Paul Krug. Haverson Architecture and Design P.C., Greenwich, Conn., were brought on to design and execute the 22,000-sq.-ft. space. And since the real estate was already equipped with infrastructure to support a large restaurant and a theatrical component, transforming the space into the ultimate karaoke venue seems fitting. "Our approach to the design was to create a design vision built around the dream," said Jay Haverson, principal for Haverson. "Using lighting to create a theatrical focus for performers and allowing everyone to select their own lighting color from many of a changing color system, so that anyone has a chance in how to recreate the look of the room in which they perform.” A 26-in.-by-40-in. screen on the outside of the building on Broadway shows video of the performers inside Spotlight Live, and the video images inside and out are streamed online to Spotlight’s Web site and Ziddio--Comcast's YouTube-style video site.

For some, karaoke is one of those things you partake in on rare occasions and only if there's no chance of running into anyone else you know--or unless someone promises you a $50 bill. For others, it's performance heaven. If you belong to the latter bunch--and happen to be in New York--you may want to check out Spotlight Live. Embarrass yourself there before moving on to American Idol.

--Jessie Bove

Restaurant on the Cutting Edge

Diva has seen it all. But the concept of dining under the blade of a guillotine holds little fascination. Well, not exactly a guillotine. Actually there are 2,000 blades and they are Samurai swords, suspended from overhead, blades pointing down directly over the [unhelmeted] heads of diners. This bizarre restaurant is the new Kobe Club, 68 West 58th Street, in New York. And yes, it is the site of the previous, failed restaurant Mix. The project is the brainchild of restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow, who is also responsible for the popular China Grill and Asia de Cuba. Kobe Club is a dark pit--the all-black interior stands out in dramatic contrast to the prior all-white interior of Mix. Critics describe it as a “Goth Pit,” filled with chains and daggers. As to the food--the “Emperor’s Flight,” a platter of all-Japanese steaks, costing $295, may carve a hole in diners’ purses. The Kobe beef is rumored to be excellent and cheaper versions are available. So if all those knives pointed at your head don’t make you too nervous, and you are into New York’s steakhouse moment [lots have opened recently], this could be worth a try. it's definitely for those who like to be on the cutting edge.

--Diva

Bahama Mama

It's only January and I'm already tired of being cold. Given the recent record warm winter temperatures seen around the country, it's pretty pathetic to be wishing for summer this soon, but I am, and will always be, a cold weather lightweight. So when I read about Baha Mar, a new destination resort underway in the Bahamas, I was ecstatic and began to fantasize about a getaway to the $2 billion tropical oasis. Unfortunately my getaway would have to wait because the resort isn't expected to be completed until 2011. (Boooooo!) That won't stop me from daydreaming though, so if you too need a momentary escape from the cold, read on and be awed by some of the resort's amazing features and amenities...

Baha Mar will be the Caribbean's largest single-phase destination resort, created and developed by Baha Mar Resorts Ltd. and a subsidiary of Harrah's Entertainment Inc., according to a press release. The joint venture partners also have signed management agreements with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., which means Starwood brand hotels will spice up the resort. Baha Mar will be a mixed-use project located in Nassau, Bahamas, on a 1,000-acre site. Design plans call for lush, natural landscapes and waterscapes, and Caribbean-inspired architectural elements that evoke the area's Colonial, European and African influences. Baha Mar will feature an expansive water boulevard and 50-ft.-high circular waterfall, and will offer 3,000 guest rooms, with Harrah's Entertainment operating a new Caesars Resort Hotel at Baha Mar with more than 1,000 guest rooms, and a nearly 100,000-sq.-ft. casino--the largest in the Caribbean. The remaining guest rooms at Baha Mar will be offered at the first and only collection of four Starwood brands at a single resort, consisting of a W Baha Mar, St. Regis Baha Mar, Westin Baha Mar and the Sheraton Cable Beach Resort. The W, St. Regis and Westin are anticipated to include residential units. Under separate agreements between Baha Mar and Starwood, the Sheraton Cable Beach Resort is anticipated to open in 2007 following an $80 million property-wide renovation and re-flagging of Baha Mar Resort's existing Radisson Cable Beach & Golf Resort. Are you drooling yet? Well stop, because there's more...

Other planned amenities at Baha Mar include Starwood's Bliss and Remede branded luxury spas at the W and St. Regis, and a third, full-service luxury spa facility expected to be the largest in the Caribbean. Additional features include an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, a distinctive show-lake experience, 200,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, a 20-acre beach and pool experience with 3,000 ft. of continuous beachfront, and a retail village with upscale shopping, chef-branded restaurants and entertainment venues. (Okay now you can wipe up that puddle of drool.) Construction is scheduled to begin this year.

Maybe I'm biased from tropical-withdrawal, but that sounds amazing, right? See you there in four years!

--Jessie Bove

Wake Up And Smell The Hotel Room

Customization is spreading across different sectors of our industry faster than most of us can keep track of. Just yesterday the Retail Design Diva told you about a new line of shoes you can personalize till your heart's content. Today, it's scented hotel rooms. That's right, scented hotel rooms--mmm (unless you have allergies, in which case mmm might turn into achoo). While browsing The Cool Hunter, I came across an interesting story about The Five Hotel in Paris. The hotel offers 5 aromatized signature fragrances--gourmand, tonic, relaxed, natural and sensual--for guests to choose from depending on their mood that day. The fragrance is then diffused into your room (and it's combined with your own chosen associated optic fiber color environment). Fiberoptic lighting turns the bathroom tiling and bedroom ceiling into a dreamy starry night.

The Cool Hunter describes the hotel's nine "deco" environments, as "punctuated by the works of Isabelle Emmerique, each derived from a chosen base color: white, black, turquoise, aniseed, violet, red, gold, orange, taupe; carefully imagined and coordinated by applying a blend of fine materials. Each setting presents a very personalized touch, the choice of exclusive fabrics are graphically appealing by the use of colorful printed symmetries. One can discover with pleasure the discreet integration of materials dominated by the overlap of colors used for the room." Other fun features of the hotel include asymmetrical stripes, printed flowered wall paper, patterned carpets, printed leather and motifs of waves and spots. Very cool indeed. Vas-y!

--Jessie Bove