Shooting from the Hip — 5.10 (My Favorites)

Trade Show Blog

Shooting from the Hip (trade show tips)

Shooting from the Hip by Reid Sherwood

Dining and Drink Favorites

Writing has never been my strongest point. Talking may be another story. But when Mel asked me to write this blog every week, I decided to be a team player and go along with it. So, in an effort to be different, I was asked to write about whatever was on my mind.

This week is moving week for the Sherwood family — out of the lake cottage that was so good to us after the 2009 fire and into a house with some acreage. I like the idea of space and room again.

This week’s posting is going to be a bit Seinfeld-like. After 11 years of traveling almost 30 weeks a year, I am officially qualified to list some of my favorites. And the “why’s.”

For the sake of brevity, let’s keep this about food and drink. That way we have hotels, cities, and all the other travel stuff for another blog.

My Faves:

Best Steak– Manny’s Steakhouse in Minneapolis. There are a lot of great ones. NONE are any better than this one. Literally the filet mignon is incredible. Always on the list of the Top 10 steakhouses — this is worth the flight.

Best Martini – Red Square in the Mandalay Bay Casino in Las Vegas — on the ice bar using only premium ZRY vodka with a twist of lemon. So cold . . . so refreshing.

Best Appetizer – Bistro Romano Philly – Smoked mozzarella and tomato on garlic toast. Fantastic!

Overall Meal – Indebleu in Washington, DC. It is where India and France collide. The strangest combinations of food I have ever had. They were closed for remodeling last time I was in town and still are according to their website. It was cool enough that I took Harold Mintz there. And he lived in DC at the time.

Best Beer – I am deferring to Kevin on this because the last beer I drank from top to bottom was during the Carter Administration. But after EuroShop 2008, it has to be Frankenheim Alt in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Best View – Las Brisas in Laguna Beach, CA. Sitting on the deck staring at the ocean 50 feet away is just something that has to be seen.

Best Dive – Spondivits Steak and Seafood in Atlanta. You feel like you are in a bar somewhere on the Florida Alabama coastline. Great sandwiches, great service, and always a guy playing Jimmy Buffett songs.

Best Bar – There are so many to choose from, but I have always been partial to Captain Tony’s Saloon in Key West. It was Hemingway’s favorite, as well as Jimmy Buffett, Ray Montague and mine. 3 out of 4 ain’t bad.

Just a Great Place – Olive or Twist in Pittsburgh, PA. Not only does it have a killer martini, its also about the coolest place I have ever dined or drank.

Best Exhibit Company – www.classicexhibits.com. Enough said.

Until next week . . .

–Reid Sherwood

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