Adrie Reinders

Perennial, Chicago

It is always hard to find a restaurant that borders between casual and formal, where at the same time you can eat well and don’t have to sit all dressed up in your suit and tie.
I found just such a place last night in Chicago – Perennial. A comfortable place, with a calm interior, a place where you sit and talk amongst yourselves as the booths are laid out spaciously and you feel at home. There’s no pressure to turn around the tables quickly, so you can settle down to eat and enjoy the food in peace and quiet. The food was good, I had carpaccio followed by the chef’s special that day, short ribs. Both were great, the short ribs excellent – it really is one of my favorite dishes.
Service was friendly yet professional -  and our waiter Matt did a great job.

the location of Perennial will be absolutely great in spring and summer – as the restaurant is located right on the edge of Lincoln Park.

For more info:  www.bokagrp.com

Food:  8.5
Comfort: 7.5
Service:  8.5
Price/Quality: 8
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Last night I stayed at the Midtown W Hotel in Atlanta, 188 14th Street. I happen to know W Hotels quite well since I used to stay there regularly in both New York and Chicago.

The public in W Hotels is often a little younger and very trendy. Reception did a great job in welcoming me – the service being open, friendly and professional both with regards to luggage handling and check-in.

Notable are the rooms in this hotel – smart, well laid out and spacious and a great bed. Everything done in designer style – although to me it seems the design sometimes has gained the upper hand on user friendliness.

The Gym in the hotel is good – you will find everything there you need as a traveller, although being in the basement – it is a little grey/dark.
In short, all round a good hotel – with the right price/quality ratio at US$ 177/night during the weekend.

Their attempt at vamping up the hotel by bringing in other brands, such as the Spicemarket restaurant, in my opinion is not a success. Spicemarket in New York is one of my favourite places – cool, great design, great food but here it does not come into its own. It almost seems that the W attempted to make their own brand “cooler” by bringing in Spicemarket, a little like bringing in Starbucks everywhere these days instead of making your own specialty coffees. I thought the people at W would be more creative then that!

Comfort 8
Service 8
Price/Quality 9

Yesterday I had a business dinner in NOBU Dallas, The atmosphere was a bit noisy, but the place looks great.

I had Sushi and Tempura as an appetizer. The food was excellent, the waiter was professional, but a little bit too much so.  She did her job very routinely, but she did not give the impression she really enjoyed her work. Almost like she wanted to get you out of the door as soon as possible.

Nobu, 460 Crescent Court Dallas, www.noburestaurants.com

Food  9

Service 7

Comfort 8