I had visited this place some time ago, long before I started this blog and had good (although not entirely sober) memories of the place. As I was in Singapore on business alone this time, I was sober both on arrival and subsequent departure from my visit this time round. Anyway, it was a Saturday and this place was busy; almost all of the tables were taken and a lot of walk in Customers were being turned away. I now know exactly why this was the case; this is simply the best Lebanese restaurant in Singapore.
Beiruit Grill, Singapore – Singapore
Amarone, Edinburgh – UK
For Mother’s Day this year, I was treated to lunch at Amarone, an Italian restaurant housed in what used to be a city centre bank. The restaurant claims to model its contemporary interior on a typical Milanese restaurant, and I was certainly impressed with the simple but stylish décor. On arrival we were greeted immediately and shown to our table by a friendly member of staff.
2012 in review
As the year comes to an end, people start to reflect on the highs and lows of the year. Perhaps it was most appropriate that today, as I thought about writing this post, I received my Skywards Gold welcome pack (send by FedEx nonetheless).Carlton Hotel – Singapore
I had flown to Singapore with Air France in their A380 (review will be up shortly) and was slightly annoyed to have to queue for a cab into town; clearly Emirates have spoiled me (they have a complimentary chauffeur service for business and first passengers).
I was in Singapore to pilot a key element of a project that lasted three days. EDI – CDG – SIN is a long way to go for a three days. Anyway, the taxi took about 25 minutes and I was surprised to find that the infamous Raffles Hotel (and Long Bar) was situated directly across the road from The Carlton. Continue Reading…
Pizza Express, Queen Street, Glasgow – UK
We recently took a trip to Glasgow to show Number One Son the beautiful Christmas lights and bring Student Daughter home for a bath and some home cooking. Organised as ever (or just being a control freak), I went online and booked a table at Pizza Express. We visit this restaurant chain frequently in Edinburgh, as it is a good family restaurant which always offers special deals and tasty food. A quick search online produced an offer for a three-course set menu at £12.95. Anyone out there with teenagers will understand you need to save the pennies where you can. I gleefully printed it off and took it with me.
Alounak Bayswater, London – UK
I had been working with a colleague from their home office in Notting Hill as I had yet to pass the security checks required to be permitted entry to this clients building. We had worked (a little) and decided it was time for lunch.
Alounak was described a ‘very popular’ and a ‘place that Persian people queue for a table’. My colleague then went on to explain that they have the most amazing bread that is made fresh for you at the enormous oven that sits just by the entrance. I was sold – even though they didn’t sell booze (yes, we took our own; heaven forbid we have to have a business lunch sober).
Da Dante Restaurant, Bonn – Germany
It was lunchtime. My day had started at 3:46am as I live some distance from the airport and had to catch a flight at 6am. I had arrived in Bonn later than I was meant to but still had just enough time for lunch before my meeting.
Da Dante is situated in the Hotel Kanzler where I was staying and alas hotel restaurants do not normally excite me and this was no exception. I prepared myself for mediocre food along with high prices and in I went. Continue Reading…
Hilton Cologne – Germany
I had just checked out of the Marriott Cologne which I had booked using Hotwire and had a really pleasant stay. As a Diamond Hhonors member I was expecting good things from the Hilton Cologne…I was travelling on business and due to a conference at the UN in Bonn, I was staying in Cologne. I had walked from the Marriott through the station and out the other side, past the cathedral and found the Hilton on my right. It certainly wasn’t a long walk from the station. I left my bags with reception and hopped on a train to Bonn (where I managed a visit to the Haribo factory!)
Marriott Hotel, Cologne – Germany
I was working in Bonn for a client but as the UN had decided to hold a worldwide summit, hotel rooms were not readily available. Despite my best efforts, my client wouldn’t stump up the 300€ for a room at the Hilton Bonn which I could have blagged using Diamond force from Hhonors. I was stuck with a hotel in Cologne and a train journey each way, which isn’t really what I had a mind. Anyway, I was a little surprised to learn that hotel rooms in Cologne were also expensive so I decided to take a gamble with Hotwire. My gamble turned out to be the Marriott.
The Marriott is situated directly opposite the train station (the back end, not the exit by the cathedral) and you can almost see the lights on the hotel when you exit. Check in was excellent. I had a bit of a discussion about how I normally favoured Hilton and was upgraded to a Deluxe room. The staff member (I think she was a manager) was friendly and helpful and seemed to really want me to try and really experience ‘her’ brand.
So much for Customer Loyalty O2…
I, like most of the developed world have an iPhone. I bought this on contract 2 years ago today. It has served me well, however I no longer want to spend £36 a month for a phone I have now paid for.
Having looked around the web for a bit I decided that I don’t want to spend the best part of £500 on a new phone when the one i have still functions perfectly well. I looked online and found a deal with three – offering 600 minutes, 1 GB data and unlimited minutes on a SIM only deal for £12.90 a month. Pretty good – but I travel a lot with work and three are expensive for roaming charges. I am also a bit lazy and feel like it would easier to continue with O2. O2 offer a similar product (with less data) for £15.50 a month. Now i know this is not a big difference, but I don’t see why I should pay more for less.
