New Year’s Eve á Paris, 2023

As the title suggests, this will be a post about spending the end of 2023 in the City of Lights, Paris. I had never been to this country or city before and was very much looking forward to it. It did not disappoint. Over only three nights, the city and its people made us all feel welcome. It was a wonderful way to usher in a new year. Please enjoy these images and quips…

Hotel for the trip, quaint rooms and lively first night…

Sacré-Coure…

Always take the funicular…

Art in Montemartre…

Time for NYE…

And New Year’s Day…

Small sidenote – this will be my last blog post. Over the last 16 years, this blog became something of a diary for myself. It’s a great way to show the history of the last number of years, but people and technology have now moved away from this format. I’d like to say I could keep it up and keep it going, but that doesn’t really seem to make sense, especially as we usher in 2024. It really has been a great ride, a wonderful place to leave memories, and something I truly hope at least a few people found entertaining.  Thanks for all the reading. 

Kibbitz Nest, Chicago, IL

 From the dictionary:

If you didn't know this Yiddish word before, you do now. I don't know if this business added their own second letter "b" on purpose or accident, but I presume now having been inside, they mean this definition.

I found this place as I was walking out of a pub from dinner and noticed their building signage around the location on Clybourne. It drew me in... plus the info about offering ice cream (I mean, I only had a light dinner). 

And as it turns out, they do offer ice cream and the chance to kibitz. But it's so much more than that too. They suggest a Wi-Fi free zone as you enter, but I still saw folks on their phones. I presume they don't offer a Wi-Fi- signal, because they want us to interreact with others or paper books (see below). You know, converse and interact with the live people in front of us... what people used to do back in the 1900's. 

So, they have large group spaces, a live event space in back, a small room for group reservation, an open bar and lounge area in front... and books everywhere. Plus, games and all other kinds of things to look at and do (like foosball).

They also have a really generous offering in the food and drink area - plenty of eats and snacks, beers, wines, coffee drinks, alcohol coffee drinks, desserts, etc. As was my charge upon entering, I went with a cookie sundae. It did not disappoint and hit the spot. I'm going to have to go back because I feel I didn't get a chance to try enough things or spend enough time in the spaces. Simply put, it's a fun place to visit.

I'll be going back as soon as I can get a small group to join me.

Visit Northern CA

If you need some reasons to come out to California for a visit, here's an excerpt of a recent email I sent to friends, helping them with ideas for their trip. If any of it perks your interest, we can work on your visit next. It's written in a pretty shorthand method, but I think you'll get the idea.

Hotels

Monterey - Portola, I've stayed once, it's decent in the rooms, much liked because of its location to the wharfs, downtown, and ocean (as in Pacific)

Carmel - Mission Ranch - likely booked up, but could be worth a call, especially if you have time to plan

Monterey - Colton Inn - no frills, but reflected in the prices. You also may not spend a lot of time in the room... too much time sightseeing! 

There are so many hotel rooms in Monterey, it's obscene

Restaurants, all in Monterey (below, for now)

Alvarado Street Brewing - see below.

Mission Ranch - see above. Even for dinner, this place has views for days. They have sheep in a meadow. The crowd does skew older, but that's likely a testament to the place's longevity and hold in the community. They have a piano bar too. I'm not kidding

Revival - like a new hipster ice cream place, but good too

Hula's - I mean, a tiki bar is fun - c'mon!

There's a pretty vibrant modest downtown in Carmel-by-the-Sea too. They have tons of places to stop in and try. Their downtown promenade makes a wonderful and simple afternoon or evening (shops, eats, etc.)

Breweries

Santa Cruz/Soquel - Beer Thirty - I have not been yet, but I do hear people love it

Monty - Alvarado Street Brewing - I very much like the food, solid brews, but sooo many hoppy ones, which I'm not a fan of

Coralitos Brewing - tiny little spot, with a great big front porch. Often has a food truck out front

Watsonville - Wooden Nickel - hole in the wall, but so choice b/c of it. Good food, normal brews on tap

Like most of the US, there are many more breweries all around, most I've never been to yet

Wineries

Morgan Hill - Clois La Chance - I've never been to one yet here/locally, but they all look good/wine-ish. This one is a fave of boss/friend. Most of them have tasting hours F-Su, if not all week.

Hiking/Nature/Etc

Monterey - Monterey Bay Aquarium!! This is a huge draw in the area, and well-worth the trip, IMO. It is pricey, about $50 for an adult ticket, but the money does go to supporting their programs and ocean research... plus the sea otters  

Pacific Grove - This city is next to Monterey (you'd almost not know it's a new town). There's a very simple flower garden walk along the ocean here, I could easily spend an afternoon sitting on or near their beach and walking the coast. They have food and beer near too

17-mile Drive - this is a toll drive along the ocean, from Monterey to Carmel. It's very picturesque and affords opportunities to get out of the car and see the ocean. The price is modest per car. It also "ends" at Pebble Beach Golf Course, which is impressive and has their own fancy restaurant as well. 

Point Lobos - picturesque hiking, I've never been yet, always heard good things, little drive south from Monterey

Carmel City Beach - it's so great! Most of the beaches here can vary in quality by day and by weather. I've never been one to hang out all day and play beach volleyball with my shirt off (insert college buddy name here), but this one is so wide and such a variety of folks, can go at anytime. Sundown is very pretty.

I can do this all day. Let me know if you need more ideas. Bring your sunblock (or buy it when you arrive, TSA be damned).

Eno Vino and AC Hotel Terrace, Madison, WI

What a great place to visit! The hotel looks great, the views from the 9th and 10th floors are like none I've ever seen downtown, the food was great, and the service was much, much better than standard Madison restaurant service (these folks were prompt, informative and helpful). I would recommend this place for anyone looking to do something special, small or large groups, adventurous or shy... no matter. Check it out.

Grab the one all the way on the righthand side of the main, first-floor hotel entrance, off Webster St. Hurry, jump in!

The elevator didn't seem to want to let me hit floor 9, so I chose 10 and then it started moving...

DING!

From the elevator, head to the big windows, then go down one level to gain access to the first-come first-serve seating on the outdoor terrace...

Then just sit back, order some wine and drink it all in... wine and views...

Brose... sparkling too.

After a pretty decent summer shower, we were treated to full rainbow views on the terrace. It paid to sit tight in our seats, even if we got a little wet.

Again, the skyline views can't be beat... at least from places I've been to so far downtown.

We picked a couple items to share from the menu and really liked both - Calamari "Fries" and a great Gnocchi with Pancetta.

I hit the restroom in Eno Vino on my way out and was surprised to see such a high-end and nice restaurant inside too.

I mean, it's got "Vino" in their name...

Awesome views even from the dining room...

Google this place up and check it out if you want something fun and unique. I'll be back again and again.