Tac/Quila Restaurant Review (Palm Springs, USA)

Kells & I were in Palm SpringsπŸ”— last year for our annual birthday jaunt.

We had dinner at Tac/QuilaπŸ”—. This restaurant has a nifty story. A lawyer couple decided to change careers. They popped their restauranteur cherry by opening FARMπŸ”—. Then came the second baby Tac/QuilaπŸ”—.

Tac/QuilaπŸ”— showcases the rich Jualisco foods, tequilas and mezcals.

MENUπŸ”—

DrinksπŸ”—

Kells & I shared a flight of margaritas (Kiwi Mint, Watermelon, Pineapple, Blackberry, Lime). I’m not particularly fond of tequila but I do love cold fruity drinks. And boy these went down smooth. (Good thing we shared or we’d’ve been in trouble with our own flight.) They all had distinct flavours that we loved. Kiwi Mint, Watermelon & Pineapple were our top 3.

NibblesπŸ”—

Kells ordered Calamari and a couple tacos (al pastor, chicken). I ordered 3 tacos – carne asada, calabacitas & carnitas. The food was delicious.

Each taco had a distinct focus and accoutrements. Truly enjoyable.

Atmosphere

Restaurant had inside and outside seating. However, because of the layout, it seemed like 1 seamless area. There was something to look at everywhere from the ceilings, walls, tables… foliage, people, food or funky carpentry. There was a bustling lively energy in the air. The waitstaff were great.

Recommendation

You must get the flight of margaritas for sharing. Tacos and calamari are bang on. We’d definitely come to Tac/QuilaπŸ”— again.

Foots ΒΉWe had access to the larger pre-pandemic menu last year. But this miniaturized menu is a pretty good cross-section.

N&K Review of Bamboo Sushi (Portland)

Kells, Cutie T & I went on a girls weekend getaway to Portland OregonπŸ”—, earlier this year (pre-pandemic times). As it was Cutie’s first time, we wanted it to be extra special. We stayed at the ritzy Hotel MonacoπŸ”—.

One evening we chose to dine at Bamboo SushiπŸ”— (downtown location). They’ve got 3 locations in The PDX.

Kells has had Bamboo Sushi πŸ”— before.

But, it was mine & Cutie T’s first time. Bonus: it was right around the corner from our hotel.

Our order

Garden of Eden roll – Micro crunch, tart, slight sweet,

Chasing the Dragon roll – tempura shrimp, tart at first, soft spicy flavour, chewy rice, elevated dynamite

Eden & Chasing

Soft shell crab bao – soft tempura crunch salt, heaven

Friday the 13th -taste the sweet salt then slow spicy heat (delayed). Table fave.

Kimono -elevated cali roll, complicated, starts apple then sweet crab, chewy rice, salty goodness.

Ocean Farmer Roll-garlic butter with seared salmon, “delicious”, starts soft smoke then rice then fresh.

Itame Roll -Special, cilantro, light flavour, fresh, ideal for those starting to eat raw fish.

Itame

Considerations

Parking: on the street or find a lot.

Pricing: it’s not cheap but it is cheery.

Ambience: Pimped-Up Casual.

Recommendation

Yes! Go stuff your gobs with this fabulous food!

(We do mean after the pandemic precautions have lifted. Also, bring a cigarette cuz you’ll need after you finish this sexy sushi.)

La Quinta Cliffhouse Grill & Bar Review (Palm Springs)

Posey parkers heading out to dinner
#ReturntoEsmerelda πŸ”—

What does Canada, magic and La Quinta CliffhouseπŸ”— have in common?

N&K dining alongside Murray SawChukΒΉπŸ”—!

We decided to have a lovely dinner out on a recent girls trip to Palm SpringsπŸ”—. And we chose La Quinta Cliffhouse Grill & BarπŸ”—. It had good reviews… and was also bit more poshy to match our mood.

Our orders

https://www.laquintacliffhouse.com/

K ordered Surf n Turf which was absolutely delightful. Steak was well seasoned, tender. Lobster tail was tenderly delectable.

N took cliffsnotesπŸ”— (haha) on an old phone. Unfortunately, the old phone died. And now the only menu available is the COVID-19πŸ”— #socialdistancingπŸ”— takeout menu. N can’t remember what she ordered, and none of the takeouts quite capture the dish.

The fish was perfectly cooked and well seasoned with amazing sides.

Service

Friendly and attentive but not up in your grill.

Ambience

Reminded us of an old-school mansion, some large round family-style tables, roomy.

Spirited Beverages

Are accessible on their tableside tablet.

Recommendation

Yes La Quinta Cliffhouse is a destination eatery. Check it out, N&Kers!

Footnotes

ΒΉWe were tucking into our plates when this flashy dude walks into the restaurant with his mum and pops. K recognized him as Canadian magician Murray SawChuk, who has a residence in Vegas. (Of course we gave him a shout out on IGπŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦.)

Review of Kimpton Hotel Monaco Portland

We had opportunity to take a girl’s trip to PortlandπŸ”— recently.

It was our friend Cutie T’s first time in the PDX so we wanted to stay in a central area, park then walk everywhere. We chose Kimpton Hotel Monaco PortlandπŸ”—

The entrance is magnificent

As you can see, the hotel’s entry is elegant from the outside and… magnificently opulent inside. It reminds us of old gallant hotels for the rich riches but not gaudy or tacky.

The staff and service

Everyone was warm and friendly. Check-in was fairly quick, as we were pre-paid.

As soon as we got to our room, the front desk texted us to say if we needed anything, just let them know. We needed extra pillows, blankets, a straightening iron, suggestions for a night out… and they got back to us!

To the room…

Elevator and walk to to the room was delightful.

… And beyond

This King Suite was sumptuous!

Seating areas

Yes lots of areas to park your sweet booty.

Bathroom

Large, airy, light. Shower, tub, lots of counterspace.

Sleeping areas

The king bed had a sliding door with a huge TV, dresser, comfy chair, night tables with lamps and plenty o’ plug ins. The bed was fabulous firm. I didn’t feel Kells move around at all. In the evenings, the three us snuggled up with snacks and the TV.

Cutie T preferred to sleep solo on the sofa bed. She had her own TV. Mattress looked a bit thin but Cutie T slept fine curled up in the mountain of blankets and pillows.

Lighting & Space

King bed had large windows with sheets and blackout curtains. There were some floor ceiling and table lamps. Seemed a bit dark in the foyer but who cares.

Room felt very airy, due to the vaulted ceilings.

In-room amenities

Mini bar, intimacy kits, snack items and room service are available for additional costs.

Included in-room are animal print robes, landline, basic drinking glasses, bar fridge, hair dryer & delicious toiletries. Other things available upon request (such as Keurig, tea, cutlery and coffee pods).

In-room entertainment

There were 2 TVs. TVs don’t have internet or bluetooth capabilities. There is cable with pay-per-view options.

Hotel amenities and entertainment

With resort fees, you can use the fitness room.

Coffee, tea, swanky hot chocolate in lobby in the mornings.

Wine, beer, amuse bouche are available every evening 5-7 pm for all hotel guests. They also have live music in the lobby.

Concierge service also available by text.

Transportation

Valet parking was included in our package. But we were close enough to walk everywhere downtown.

Recommendation

Yes we absolutely recommend it.

Voodoo Donuts

We had opportunity to take a girl’s trip to PortlandπŸ”— recently.

And of course we had to pop in to sample a bit of somethin’ somethin’ at the infamous Voodoo DonutsπŸ”—.

Voodoo Donut’s crazy decor and outrageous flavour combos go right along with the city’s slogan “Keep Portland Weird”.

for more info on stumptown’s classy slogan, click hereπŸ”—.

We got there around 9 pm. The lineup was only about 20 minutes. Warning that it can be as long as 2 hours. Since they’re open 24 hours, we suggest checking in on the lineups… and go later if it’s nutso.

We got:
-guava colada: kapow guava in centre and soft coconut donut surrounds.
-mango tango: yep it’s mango jelly and is fluffier.
-dirty old bastard: PB&C have joined forces, firmer texture like a fritter.
-portland cream: like the Boston cream but not custard. It was an indescribable flavour. We’d skip this.
-maple bacon: yep exactly like it sounds. This will be your jam if you enjoy maple syrup waffles with a side o’ pig strips.
-apple fritter: classic and a goodie.

K&I have healthy appetites. But one Voodoo donut could easily feed 2 or 3 folks.

Go check them out!

Review of Castelli’s Italian restaurant (Palm Springs)

While in Palm Springs in October, K&I wanted a bit of dinner.

We wandered aimlessly for hours, parched and starved. And we finally came upon Castelli’s Italian RestaurantπŸ”—,

Read about our other Palm Springs adventures and reviews here

Ambience

We had no reservation and came at dinner time. We were seated outside the kitchen, but with a view of outside patio. This was a great vantage point for people-watching. Restaurant was dimly-lit restaurant. There was that comforting din of murmurs, cutlery clinking, busy-ery. Walls were decorated with pictures of crooners, The Godfather, other Italian ex-pats. There was also a piano player and singer. Our pony-tailed curliqued friend was really good!

Waitstaff

Efficient, pleasant but not too chit-chatty. They were incredibly observant. As they were leaving or coming back into the kitchen, various staff picked up our excess dishes, or offered cutlery. I love when people work as a team. This makes me feel supported, and like anyone on the team can (& will) help.

Our order

Starter: Crab-stuffed Mushrooms. These were good but not stellar. All dinners also come with garlic toast. This was toast-tastically flavourful, crispy. We had to get a second basket.

Nals’s dish: Risotti Con Funghi. Nals isn’t into shiitake but this dish wasn’t shiitty at all. Risotto was delightfully toothy. “Sauce” was creamy and just coated the rice for perfect separation and flavour. And the con funghi flavour was bang on!

Kells’s dish: Ravioli d’Aragosta: delicious vodka horgonzola cream sauce with 3 large freshly-made ravioli. These monster ravioli were filled with mega lobster. Good flavour contrast of sauce and filling.

Dessert: Chocolate Lava Cake a la mode. Moist, flavourful and rich. Worth every bite.

Recommendation is 100%

Hands down, no question: if you are in Palm Springs and want a delicious Italian dinner: you must go to Castelli’sπŸ”—.

Review of: Red Fish Blue Fish Food Truck (Victoria, BC)

Waiting for our order

Nals and Kells were on πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦Vancouver IslandπŸ”— for Kells’s family stuff in early September.

Read Kells’s thoughts on her grandfather’s police memorial hereπŸ”—.

We ate at Red Fish Blue Fish Food TruckπŸ”— in πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦Victoria, BCπŸ”—.

We orderedπŸ”—: tempura battered Fish n Chips (Halibut) and a Tacone (albacore tuna). Halibut tasted good but a bit soggy. Tacone was delightful with perfectly seared tuna. Tortilla was a bit sticky. Maybe if it was warmed, it would’ve been better.

Kells had been here before with The Mr. He enjoyed the Halibut & chips as well.

Recommendation

We’d probably come here again… if we were in the area, and hungry. The setting was gorgeous. And we’ll be sure to have ice cream bars from πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦Rogers ChocolatesπŸ”—!

Sky’s the Limit at SkyCity Hotel in Auckland, NZ!

Nals visited New Zealand this Christmas. She mainly stayed with family. But lucky for SkyCity Hotel… she was able to sneak away one night.

General feel

SkyCity Hotel has a lofty, brightly lit, sparkly feel with huge chandeliers and a marbly lobby. Our floor was carpeted for reduced noise, but felt expansive. There were a few places to sit, in hallway outside of elevators.

Our room

was Kingsize. It too was lofty, with warm colours. Windows are huge almost floor-to-ceiling. We were on 4th floor & got dizzying views. (Views of construction, but still dizzying.) They had blackout drapes and it was quiet due to the double-glaze. There was plenty of lighting options.

The bed

Soooo big and firm. Surprisingly, I didn’t feel Mr. Nals rolling around in middle of the night. (He’s littler than me, but is like a heavy log when fast asleep.) This bed looked perfect for jumpy pillow fights. There was also a glorious multitude of pillows.

The rest of the room

There was a nice little seating area with a loveseat that could fit 2-3 folks.

The desk was a good size with stationary and hotel info.

In-room entertainment

There is a large TV with variety of channels, wifi, lots of places to plug chargers. There might’ve even been a docking station.

Comforts

The hair dryer was proper. It wasn’t that useless hunk of plastic secured to the wall. There was an iron with the board. They had a Keurig-type machine with coffee/tea/hot choco. Mugs, wine glasses and tumblers were provided. There was also a bar fridge and microwave. And inside the closet was a delightful little safe.

Bathroom was spacious with toiletries. We didn’t have a tub but shower was spacious. And there was a fabulous rainshower head!

Hotel Entertainment

Skycity Hotel has tons to do like the Skytower, a casino, conference rooms, a cafe and a couple of restaurants. They also have a fitness room.

Parking

There is self or valet parking for ~50NZD/day. But as it is downtown, it’s easy enough to catch the train (or bus) or use your legs for transport. We also saw motorized scooters zipping about town.

Tips

– Don’t put e-keycard near your phone so you can avoid de-magnetizing the keycode.
– lots of construction going on in Auckland so ask for a room with a nice view.
– within walking distance of restaurants, cafes, liquor stores. I will be posting on local cafes & restaurants soon.

Does Nals recommend Skycity Hotel?

It’s in Auckland’s Central Business District (aka CBD but not to be confused with this other thing) so it’s a central location. Reasonable rates, easy to book and check out. Quiet and luxuriously comfortable.

So hells yeah!
we’d stay here again
in a heartbeat.