February, 2016 | PIERREBLAKE

Amazing Rotating Restaurant in Times Square

28 Feb 2016 Blog, Food, New York, North America, United States

There are practically an unlimited number of restaurants in New York City! The number is cut way down when you’re looking for fine dining with a great view. If you want to take it up a step further and you’re looking for fine dining, a magnificent view and a rotating dining room then you would have to choose The View restaurant at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square. The location is absolutely fantastic!

The dining room is quite large but the way that it’s designed makes it feel quite intimate. Throughout the entire two-week trip to New York, the best service that I had was at The View. Everyone was super friendly and very attentive to all of our needs. Love is in the air.

Amazing Rotating Restaurant in Times Square Blog Food New York North America United States

We decided to start with some cocktails to get the digestive juices flowing! A great way to start the evening. Not too long after our cocktails and it was time to get to our first set of appetizers. The crab cake jumped out at me so I went with that. What a magnificent choice it was! Amazing flavor and super moist.

Amazing Rotating Restaurant in Times Square Blog Food New York North America United States

Throughout the meal, the chef was kind enough to send over little bites here and there and each were extraordinary! Feeling VIP aka “very important Pierre.”

Amazing Rotating Restaurant in Times Square Blog Food New York North America United States

I really feel that you can judge a restaurant quite well by how they cook their steaks. Let’s be honest, if you can’t cook meat properly then you’re nothing. Nothing I tell you! Luckily the steak that I ordered was cooked perfectly and melted in my mouth like butter. Smiles all around. There was a large list of sides to choose from to accompany the meat and I went with some red cabbage which was wonderful and a nice contrast to the meat.

Amazing Rotating Restaurant in Times Square Blog Food New York North America United States

After the entrees we went with two desserts and my favorite had to be the pineapple cake. The pineapple sauce that was on the cake was absolutely magnificent. Of course you know that I had to order an espresso to accompany the dessert. Always an amazing combination!

Amazing Rotating Restaurant in Times Square Blog Food New York North America United States

When we were sufficiently stuffed it was finally time to wrap up our evening and retire to Pierre’s suite. The restaurant has a very strong offering. We really enjoyed fantastic service, wonderful food and a splendid view. You really can’t ask for more! This is not just a tourist restaurant. It’s great all around and next time you have a chance you should The View restaurant in New York City!

The Nitty Gritty

Taste - 8.5

Value - 7.7

Feng Shui - 7

Convenience - 8.6

Service - 9.2

8.2

Top of NYC!

The View New York

Restaurant

1535 Broadway
New York, New York
47th & 48th Floors

Phone: +1-212-704-8900

Amazing Rotating Restaurant in Times Square Blog Food New York North America United States

Grand Hotel Sofia Review (Sofia, Bulgaria)

24 Feb 2016 Blog, Bulgaria, Europe, Hotels

Bulgaria was one of those places that I didn’t know anything about. I have friends from there, but had never visited in the past. It was time to check it off my bucket list! My first stop was Sofia. I stayed at the Grand Hotel Sofia. The hotel is overlooking a nice park in the very center of the city. I must say that this area of Sofia is the best area that I’ve seen. I was surprised to find the amount of high-end shops and brands that I recognized. They have it all folks! Sofia covers a large area, but if you’re a tourist, a lot of the sites can be found around the city center.

Click HERE to check out the Grand Hotel Sofia!

Checking into the hotel in the afternoon allowed me to check out the amazing view from my room. The park is beautiful and the weather while visiting was mostly sunny. Perfect. The room beat my expectations! The color scheme was a bit interesting from what I’m used to, but still gave a nice executive feel. I’m not sure how large the room was, but it was definitely massive. A great place to teach a yoga class. Zing.

The bathroom styling was very nice. Perhaps my alma mater played a role in my opinion. All I saw was green and white!

The next day after, eating copious amounts of food, my conscience checked in and I went to the gym. The gym was about half the size of my room but smashed in was lots of equipment. A good place to get Pierre’s swell on!

The breakfast is in a very classic styled dining room. A very formal setting and a place that also serves other meals later in the day. A wider selection of food than I could’ve ever imagined was waiting for me at the breakfast buffet. A nice touch is that they have a section devoted solely to Bulgarian cuisine! Both days the breakfast hit the spot!

The high point of this hotel would have to be the location. There is no better place to explore the city from than at the Grand Hotel Sofia. The entire experience was in order. Overall, the staff did a good job and the food was excellent. I think that the Grand Hotel Sofia is a great choice for a stay while exploring Sofia, Bulgaria! Enjoy!

Reserve YOUR room at the Grand Hotel Sofia Now!

The Nitty Gritty

Taste - 8.4

Value - 7.5

Feng Shui - 7.3

Convenience - 8

Service - 7.1

7.7

Solid!

Grand Hotel Sofia

Hotel

1 Gurko str.
1000 София
Bulgaria

Phone: +359 2 811 0811

Una Hotel Review (Bologna, Italy)

22 Feb 2016 Blog, Europe, Hotels, Italy

My time in Italy is already over. I spent two nights in Milan, Venice and then Bologna. I enjoyed every part of my Italian experience! It was all very magical and I can’t wait to return. The final destination in Italy was like I said, was Bologna. This ended up being my resting place before the rest of my travels to Eastern Europe. I spent most my time in the Una Bologna hotel recuperating from my wild days in Milan and Venice.

Click HERE to check out the Una Bologna!

To get from Venice to Bologna I took the train which was two hours and only costs €13. You can take the high-speed train and save half an hour but it costs more than double the price. When you arrive in Bologna, you can basically just cross the street and you’re at the hotel. Another convenience is that the airport bus departs from the same train station, so everything is super easy. If you want to go downtown, it only takes a 10-15 minute walk.

Normally, I stick with high-end luxury hotels, but sometimes I mix it up when I want to try something different. This hotel is not luxury, but it is still very nice. With that said, the room was actually very stylish and I quickly fell in love with the design!

I can start by saying that it was huge! There were a total of three rooms and a full bathroom. First was the living room, where there was a desk for working, which I used a lot. Second, was the bedroom. Third, was a relaxation room and closet. This is the first time I have ever seen a massage chair inside of a hotel suite. A very cool feature!

I also really enjoyed the bathroom! They had a jacuzzi tub, complete with bath salts. The hotel didn’t have a spa so I think that they balanced this out by making the rooms into places for relaxation, which is a great idea. Both days I took a bath with the salts and jets on full blast. Legs like linguine.

The view from the room was also beautiful and it was perfect for people watching. I even caught the sunrise the second morning!

Breakfast was on the ground level, next to the lobby. They have both indoor and outdoor seating which I’m sure would be quite nice in the summertime. The breakfast had all of your must-have’s for Westerners. The food was actually high-quality and tasty. They have a large selection of tea, Pierre approves.

The Una hotel in Bologna, Italy was a great switch-up from what I’m used to. I can appreciate the design inside the hotel and all of the extras that the rooms have. This is a hotel where you can go to easily explore Bologna. They also offer a truly great service. All in all, the business-oriented Una hotel has a solid offering and if it meets your requirements I would highly recommend a visit!

Reserve YOUR room at the Una Hotel Bologna Now!

The Nitty Gritty

Taste - 8

Value - 8

Feng Shui - 7.4

Convenience - 9.1

Service - 7.8

8.1

Solid!

Una Hotel Bologna

Hotel

Viale Pietro Pietramellara, 41
40121 Bologna
Italy

Phone: +39 051 60801

The Perfect Dinner in New York

17 Feb 2016 Blog, Food, New York, North America, United States

As you all know, New York City offers some of the most orgasmic restaurants in the world. During my last trip I was invited to try Vaucluse which is a French restaurant not far from where I was staying in the upper east side. Before visiting, I did some research and by seeing the photos alone I became extremely excited!

The Perfect Dinner in New York Blog Food New York North America United States When I was walking into Vaucluse the first feature I noticed was how lovely the ambiance was in the dining room. The room is very cozy and warm. The seating arrangements work well to create a super comfortable environment to get your feeding on.

The wait staff and the customers all seemed to possess class and style that Pierre appreciated immensely. These are the types of people I enjoy being around and actually met a couple who were very interesting. I definitely have a strong belief that the dining environment plays a key role in the entire experience.

The Perfect Dinner in New York Blog Food New York North America United States

We decided to start with cocktails. From the first sip I knew that the rest of the meal was going to be earth shattering! It was simply perfect. Very refreshing, smooth and an exquisite citrus flavor. My logic is that if they put that much effort into the drinks then the food shall be just as special. What a great start to the best meal of my trip to New York.

The Perfect Dinner in New York Blog Food New York North America United States

Soon after the first drink it was time for appetizers. We went with the Pomme de Terre aux Truffes and the beef tartare. I’ve never had French food where a dish with potatoes wasn’t amazing. The first was potato in a creamy sauce with a generous amount of truffle shavings on the top. MIND BLOWING!

The beef tartare had an incredible flavor as well and garnished with a gherkin. As you know, Pierre is a huge fan of pickled foods. As soon as I saw how beautiful both dishes were my mouth was watering. It was absolutely agonizing taking the photos before we had a chance to devour them!

The Perfect Dinner in New York Blog Food New York North America United States

At some point during all of this chowing down I ordered a second cocktail. I know it’s very common these days but I always have been a fan of balls of ice in my drink. The second cocktail was more fragrant than the first and of course I enjoyed it greatly!

The Perfect Dinner in New York Blog Food New York North America United States

This was all building up for the main event, the entrees. We went with a perfectly cooked steak and an order of scallops. I love steak and I believe it’s a great way to truly judge a restaurant. Of course the quality of the meat matters but what makes or breaks it is how well the chef can prepare and cook the steak. As you could have guessed both were mind blowing.

The Perfect Dinner in New York Blog Food New York North America United States

Finally, we had finished our entrees and wine and it was time for dessert. We went with the chocolate mousse and the Vacherin Exotique which was crisp meringue with fruit. Both tasted great. My personal preference was the mousse.

The Perfect Dinner in New York Blog Food New York North America United States

I wouldn’t hesitate to return to the restaurant again and again much like the couple we met who visits every week! What more do you need? Everything was perfect. The ambiance, the staff, the drinks and of course the food. A MUST TRY! Easily my favorite meal of my 2 weeks in New York City.

The Nitty Gritty

Taste - 9.8

Value - 9

Feng Shui - 9.4

Convenience - 8.5

Service - 9.3

9.2

PERFECTION!

Vaucluse Restaurant New York

Restaurant

100 EAST 63RD STREET PARK AVENUE
NEW YORK CITY, NY 10065

Phone: +1-646-869-2300

The Perfect Dinner in New York Blog Food New York North America United States

5 Top Luxury Hotels of 2015

15 Feb 2016 Blog, Hotels

I’ve been doing quite a bit of exploring the world in the past few years but 2015 was an especially big year! I visited 13 countries and reviewed some of the finest hotels that I had ever experienced. I thought it would be good to point out some of my favorites from the year so I’ve compiled a definitive list. It’s important to note that all of these hotels are phenomenal and very hard to rank. Also keep in mind I’m only ranking hotels that I’ve visited in 2015. Last but not least, keep in mind that Pierre is the boss. Without further ado, I give to you the 5 Top Luxury Hotels of 2015.

5. Park Hyatt Hotel Vienna, Austria

Coming in at number five is the Park Hyatt hotel in Vienna, Austria. If I had to summarize this hotel in one word it would be opulent. This hotel has so many things going for it but one of its key features would have to be it’s pool. The design is like no other I’ve ever seen!

Another feature I found magnificent was the dining room where the breakfast takes place. The food and atmosphere were on point. The detail there and the rest of the hotel was impeccable. I could go on and on but it would be best to read the full article.

Read the in-depth review of the Park Hyatt Vienna now!

4. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Taipei, Taiwan

Just barely beating out the Park Hyatt Vienna was the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Taipei, Taiwan. I’m sort of a sucker when it comes to the Mandarin Oriental brand.

What I love most about the Mandren Oriental Taipei would have to be the afternoon tea in the lounge as well as the facilities. Let’s start with the afternoon tea. If you have lounge access, every afternoon you’re able to go up to the lounge and help yourself to a huge assortment of sandwiches, pastries, desserts, biscuits, tea and of course champagne! Everything is absolutely magnificent and the taste is just perfect! Don’t forget to also read the review of their Bencotto restaurant.

Now, allow me to clarify what I mean when I say facilities. Specifically, what comes to mind is the steam room. Everyday I made it a point to go sweat out all my toxins. It’s design is so exquisite. It’s unlike any other steam room I’ve seen!

The entire experience was just magical. Be sure to read the full review!

Read the comprehensive review of the Mandarin Oriental Taipei here!

3. Phoenicia Hotel Beirut, Lebanon

These top hotels were all great and very difficult to rank because they all had so much to offer but coming in at number three is the Phoenicia hotel in Beirut. Before visiting I had never imagined that a hotel could have so many restaurants. If I’m not mistaken they have six restaurants! This is definitely a huge pull for the hotel, especially when all of them offer some amazing fare. Not only is the food amazing but they have such a variety it will make your head spin! I’ve reviewed Eau De Vie and Caffe Mondo seperately.

Besides food, the Phoenicia had lots more to offer. One feature in particular had to be the service. People that work in hospitality tend to be kind worldwide but the staff at the Phoenicia took it a step further. During the stay I felt genuine care from all of the staff I encountered. It was truly exceptional.

Read the in-depth review of the Phoenicia hotel in Beirut here!

2. Shangri-La Hotel Istanbul, Turkey

Coming in very strongly at number two is the Shangri-La hotel in Istanbul. This hotel seriously knocked my socks off! What first sets the tone is the magnificent lobby. The styling is very bold and personally I find it an appealing color scheme.

There are some other features of the hotel that really got me giddy as well. The rooms are flawless. They make you feel like you’re in a palace. Pure royalty. Welcomed with a tray of baklava I remember sitting on the couch and observing all of the intricate details of the room. Paired with a perfect view of the Bosphorous. The combination is very hard to beat!

Being a Hong Kong based company helps to bring an Asian influence that makes the hotel feel truly special. One of their restaurant offerings is their Shang Palace which I absolutely loved. I must say that the food there is an amazing attribute that I don’t believe has been beat in all of Istanbul.

The Shangri-La hotel takes their business seriously and they do a fantastic job in all aspects of their offering!

Read the thorough article on the Shangri-La hotel in Istanbul now!

1. Hotel Imperial Vienna, Austria

I can honestly say that out of all the hotels I’ve ever stayed at, I have never felt such a feeling of excitement as when I was at the Hotel Imperial in Vienna. Considering that this hotel was initially built in 1863 I’m certain that many other hotels built after were trying to replicate this experience.

What I’m trying to say is that Hotel Imperial is one of the mothers of luxury hotels! You can feel the history when inside. I’m a bit of a World War II fanatic and it definitely sparked my interest to hear how this hotel played a role in the war!

Anyways, the Elisabeth Suite in which I stayed was taken straight out of my dreams. The classic Viennese ceilings matched with beautiful interior design made this hotel spectacular. The entire hotel is a work of art, seriously. I was also able to experience a fantastic meal at their Restaurant Opus.

I really could go on and on but it’s best to read the full article!

Read the comprehensive review of the Hotel Imperial in Vienna now!

That’s the list folks! This year will have many more hotels and I’m super excited to make the next list! Thanks for being awesome and following along on my journey!

Make sure to follow @PIERREBLAKE on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Marriott Marquis Times Square Hotel Review (New York, New York)

11 Feb 2016 Blog, Hotels, New York, North America, United States

When most people think of New York City an image of Times Square will pop into their head. During my last visit to New York this is exactly where I ended up. I stayed at the Marriott Marquis hotel. I walked into the hotel and went up the elevator to get to the check-in counter. From the first staff member I met at street level to all of the staff members I encountered throughout my stay, they all were very pleasant.

Click HERE to check out the Marriott Marquis!

I quickly checked in and it was time for the main event! Going up to the room you’ll see a very interesting design when it comes to the hotel layout. There is a huge amount of open space in the middle of the building with rooms circling all around the perimeter. There is a huge cluster of elevators in the middle of the open space so when you’re going up or down you feel like you’re flying through space!

I secured a fairly large suite that was definitely fit for a Pierre. The first thing I noticed about the room after entering was the view! You open the door and right in front of you is the most stunning view of Times Square! After lots of traveling, something I tend to appreciate immensely is the bedding in Marriott hotels. The bedding is seriously so comfortable, I can’t get over it! The design in the rooms is spacious but slightly dated. The hotel has a perfect location for exploring all that New York has to offer!

After some time exploring the city with friends I had to retire to my room to get some TLC. After waking up I went down to check out what kind of items they had at breakfast. I decided to go for the buffet breakfast the first day and it was a great choice. I was pleasantly surprised to see cuisine from all over the world. Especially the Asian dumplings 🙂

Everything I ate tasted fabulous and I was very a happy Pierre. Once I’m in a good mood at breakfast it’s hard not to have a wonderful day. Cheers Marriott! The second day I decided to order off the à la carte menu and chose a very fantastic breakfast sandwich. I would have to say that the photo definitely qualifies as food porn. Be careful when viewing.

From the elevators you’ll notice a large gym that is encased in glass in the center of the hotel. This gym is huge! I really wish I had a chance to work out because there was absolutely everything needed to get my swell on!

Something you should definitely consider is their restaurant at the top of the hotel called The View. The entire restaurant actually spends 360° while you’re eating to offer a superb view of the city. You will be able to read about it in a separate article don’t worry. Wink.

The hotel experience was quite smooth and comfortable. As I said earlier, the design could be updated but overall I was satisfied with the experience. There’s so many hotels to choose from in Times Square but I would have to say that the Marriott Marquis hotel is definitely one of the best choices you can make!

Reserve YOUR room at the Marriott Marquis Times Square Now!