Sweetwater Tavern and Grille - A Great Chicago Sports Bar!

Sweetwater Tavern and Grille
http://sweetwatertavernandgrille.com
225 N. Michigan Avenu, Chicago, IL  60601

Hello folks!  Just wanted to give a shout out for Sweetwaters Tavern and Grille on Michigan Avenue.  We popped into this place as an afterthought, but it should have been out first stop.  Great beer, reasonable prices.  Totally kickin' array of HiDef sports TV.  If you want a certain game on, I'm sure that can be arranged.  The staff was very friendly, and Kevin tending bar had two great beer suggestions - The Anti-Hero IPA (the tap had a green fist...) and Surly.

Since I didn't eat there, I can't speak for the cuisine, but what I saw looked great.

Also, I'm here in Chicago during one of those Polar Vortex occurences - which just basically means friggin' cold!  -1 F for a low and 8 for a high.  But here's the cool part - you can get to Sweetwater's by using the maze of tunnels and bridges under the Hyatt and never have to step out into inclement weather.  Just take the escalator down from the West tower.  Follow that tunnell to a T intersection.  Turn left (right takes you out to Wacker...).  Jink slightly left and go up a half flight of stairs to the ped overpass.  Then down the stairs on the other side, and follow the signs to Sweetwater.

Sweetwater offers 10% off for Hyatt guests on the entire bill, including libations.  To take advantage of this, you have to get the voucher from the Hyatt Concierge first, so prior planning will pay off.

Narita: Best Thai Restaurant at Narita Airport

Jai Thai
www.jaithai.co.jp
Central Building 5F of the New Section, Terminal 1
Narita Airport, Narita City, 282-8601
Tel: 0476-32-9191

If you have time at the airport and find yourself wanting some Thai food, then mosey on up to the food court on the 'new section' (in the vicinity of the observation deck).  Go to the Jai Thai restaurant and get the crew special Chicken Pad Thai for 1000¥ (about $10).  Generous portion with just enough hotness.  You'll have it in about 5 minutes.



Getting there is kinda tricky, but it's one level above the security level.  Just fade right after you enter the terminal, go up an escalator, and E & E your way towards the food court/observation deck.

There's a Lawsons convenience store nearby as well, if you want something else last minute.  Enjoy!

Sao Paulo: Restaurant A Griffe do File Mignon

267 Al. Ministro Rocha Azevedo, Cerqueira Cesar, Sao Paulo

This is a great casual restaurant.  Generous portions are meant to be shared with a large table of your friends.  The mixed grille can feed quite a few folks, especially if you get a plate of polenta on the side.

mixed grill

Polenta

Sao Paulo: Pamplona Restaurant

No sign, look for two awnings

Right across the street from McDonalds on Rua Pamplona is the Pamplona Restaurant.  This is a great place to get standard Brazilian fare at very reasonable prices.  They have a cafe counter as well as a sit down section.

Look for Fejoada (wiki article about Feijoada) on Wednesdays and Saturdays (pictured below).  If the unidentified meat pieces makes you a bit squeamish, try the Frango Filet Executivo, which is a nice thinly cut slice of chicken over a bed of rice.  It comes with beans and fries and a salad, and a fried egg on top of the slice of chicken.  Also good is the fried chicken, which is served as small bone-in sections of thigh and leg meat (I think).

The staff is extremely friendly and will probably recognize you as UAL (no special prices - but they are already very reasonable).

Feijoada

Cluck Returns!!

KWI: Great Filipino Restaurant

OK, so unless you're blind, you must have noticed that there are quite a few Filipinos in Kuwait City. No doubt they've come here for promised jobs and a crack at a better life for themselves and their families.

It stands to reason then, that they probably tend to prefer their own cuisine. I love Filipino food, and I had a hunch that I'd find the good stuff here in Kuwait. Well, lucky for UAL crews staying at the Sheraton 4 Points, there is a great Filipino restaurant right across the street in the indoor mall.

It's called Lutong Pinoy, and I ate there recently and got a great filling meal for about $11 (3.25 KD split between the two of us...)  that included dessert!

The captain and I ate family style - we both ordered a main dish which came with white rice, and we ordered a plate of pansit, which is the classic Filipino noodle dish.

They let us sample the dishes, so don't be bashful! You wanna like what you order, and you probably wouldn't know what you're ordering unless you have a Filipino friend or relative. If you have a question, just ask!  Just about every Filipino that I've run into in Kuwait speaks English, and they don't mind helping you out.

I ordered the Crab with Coconut Milk. Totally awesome!!! But this dish had the crab body meat still in the shell, so you had some sloppy work cut out for you. But I've never tasted crab this good! The meat was incredibly tender and had been marinating in a creamy rich coconut sauce, so it was worth the extra effort. But it helps to be familiar with how to eat a crab and get the meat out of all the nooks and crannies. If you've ever eaten Maryland blue crab from the shell, then you'll have no trouble with this dish. The dish was rounded out with some tasty yams and other veggies in the sauce.

The captain ordered the Chicken Menudo. Also a very good dish. It had a hint of sweet and sour taste to it.

The pansit with chicken was a great side.  They made it a bit salty with soy sauce, but that also lended itself to meshes great with the other dishes.  The little cabbage leafs made it just healthy enough.

For dessert we both had the traditional Filipino sweet treat - Halo Halo. This dessert is basically candied items layered with condensed milk and crushed ice. This restaurant put a dollup of strawberry ice cream on top, but that is a local touch. The sweet/candied items can be anything - fruit, beans, coconut gelatin, jelly, yams or more. It truly is a surprise when you dip your spoon way down to the bottom, cause you're not sure what you're gonna get.

To get there:
Go through the UTC main entrance and turn left at the first hall.  This leads to an open area atrium with a stairwell.  Take it to the second floor.


At the top of the stairs look diagonally across the atrium and you'll find Lutong Pinoy in the back corner.
 

Sorry for digging in before the pics, but we were hungry!  On the left is the coconut crab, in the middle is the chicken menudo, and off to the right and with a portion already on my plate, is the pansit.


I am going to do some research on some of the dishes listed here on the door.  The lumpia is Filipino version of a fried eggroll, but I don't know what the difference is between Shanghai and Prito.
 

Good Paris Indian Restaurant

Hey y'all, after a day on the Paris Plages (Seine Beach event), I was hankerin' for some food. It was a Sunday, so the pickin's were slim. I happened across an Indian Place not too far from the Hotel, and they did a very good job with my lamb vindaloo, basmati rice and garlic naan for 18€. It wasn't the cheapest takeout, but I was hungry and in Europe on a Sunday.

So give 'em a try.
Taj Mahal Restaurant Indien
8 Rue Humblot - 75015 Paris
Tel: 01 45 75 56 85
www.tajmahal.com


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Belgian Beer Cafe, Dubai

The Belgian Beer Cafe is located at the lobby level of the Crown Plaza Festival City. The location and atmosphere combine for a fun experience, not to mention the wide variety of authentic Belgian and European beers.

UAL Crews get a 20% discount on the food, but not the booze. Their signature dish is a plate of mussels served in a few different styles. They can also whip up a mean plate of sausages and mashed potatoes. If you're in the mood for more of a snack, go for the french fries. These delectable fries a cooked in an oil that is probably banned in the US, and come complete with a small cup of mayonaisse to be true to the euro-style. These fries will russle up your european memories, but jsut don't plan on getting a cholesterol check for a few days...

Smoking is allowed in the indoor bar, so that can be a bother if it's crowded. Head outside if the temperature is bearable for a more relaxed atmosphere. Prices are high all around. Expect to pay 30-40 Dirhams for a big beer (about $9-10). Food prices are also on the high side, but the %20 discount makes it bearable.

Tokyo - Roppongi: Kadan Turkish Restaurant

I've been passing by this little Restaurant/Stand on each layover. I finally decided to stop in and grab a bite.

Turn left at the top of the Roppongi hill (away from the elevated freeway and towards the McDonald's). It'll be a few hundred feet down on the left. Big red sign and rotisseries spinning. Can't miss it!

You'll be pleased with the prices and the food is very good. I had not had a beef pita sandwich in that style before - it was a unique sauce, but still it was very flavorful. The sandwich and the beer was 1000Y. It's also a great place to duck into if the Nigerians become unbearable.

The sauce was good, but if try it first to see if it suits you.

Restaurant seating inside.

Tokyo: Pepper Lunch

UPDATE!! Pepper Lunch was closed last time I was in Tokyo. I dont' know why, as the sign was all in Japanese. The next time I'm back, I'll check on it again and report back. I'll keep the post up until I find out for sure.... Tim

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I stumbled upon Pepper Lunch while looking for some late night food. If you've got a hankerin' for some sizzling steak at reasonable prices, then this place is for you!

For about 1000¥, you get a 300g slice of meat sizzling on a hot iron skillet that you cook to taste. You'll also get a side of corn and a place of rice. There is a dollop of garlic butter which can be set into the skillet to add flavor. There is also a garlic soy sauce to pour into the skillet to add even more zip.

For a good steak at a great price in Japan, it can't be beat!

The vending machine to take your order:


A poster showing the selections:

LHR: Grosvenor Arms

I have not visited this pub yet, but heard it by a fellow F/O on the return leg of my last trip. I plan on stopping by on my next LHR layover and give a report, but in the meantime, I though I'd tell y'all about this great special! And if you can comment (with pics, if possible), please do! The more info the merrier.

The Grosvenor Arms is offering a free pint for any United crewmember that shows their offial UAL ID badge!!

The Grosvenor Arms
2 Grosvenor Street, London W1
(Google Places page)

Be sure to stop by and take them up on this offer (and please be polite and buy another to keep the special alive!!) The Grosvenor Arms is about a 21 minute walk from the Melia White House - see the Google map below.


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GRU - Hakka Japanese Sushi

Been looking for a good Japanese sushi place in SP? I've found a restaurant called Hakka that offers all-you-can-eat sushi and other Japanese fare for a moderate price.

You'll have to take a cab, but it'll only be about 15-20 Reals or so from the Hotel Tivoli on Alameda Santos. Not too bad if you go with a few of your buds. The address is:

1146 Rua Gomes de Carvalho
Vila Olimpia, SP
(11) 3044-6544

So, give it a try. Fill up on great sushi and tempura, and those crazy sno-cone looking rice thingies...

KWI - Mais Alghanim Restaurant

Hello out there! On my last Kuwait trip, I had the priviledge to fly with one of our seasoned veterans with many KWI trips under his belt. He recommended that we go to the Mais Alghanim Restaurant. So off we went!

He arranged for the Hotel van to take us there at 7:30pm. Good idea since it would have been a 45 minute walk in 100 degree heat. He prearrange for the hotel van to pick us back up at 9pm. The Sheraton 4 Points deserves a lot of kudos here. They really treat us well, so make sure they know it.

The restaurant is located on Gulf Street near the Kuwait Towers (map). The van drivers should know where it is...

The food was fantastic! Classic middle eastern cuisine. The Captain knew the appetizers to order, but we had humis with a red sauce, humis with meat, babaganush, and a leafy kinda dip thing. There was plenty of garlic paste and flatbread.

I had the mixed grill special and a mango drink. It was very delicious. I ended up taking some home because the portions were very generous. The price was 3.25 KD and the mango drink was .95 KD. Even with all the appetizers, the bill came to about 5-6 KD per person. Not bad! Certainly saved money by not having beers...

The Grilled Special:


So, next time you're in KWI, grab a few folks and head over to Mais Alghanim: You won't be disappointed!!

LHR - Lotus Thai Restaurant

I had a hankerin for Thai food on my last London trip. Now that we are far removed from the old Windsor Castle near Edgeware, I needed to find a replacement for our new hotel location. A few folks recommended the Lotus restaurant and off we went! It was just a short walk away from the Melia Whitehouse hotel.

Lotus Restaurant
80 Cleveland Street
Marylebone
London
W1T 6NE
+44 (0) 20 7580 7213

They have seating for about 20 so you can fill the place up pretty easily. The waitress, I think her name was Gam, was very good and tended to our thirsts first and then took our orders. We made it out of there for £20 - and that included 2 beers, appetizer, and noodle plate. They were very accomodating regarding customizing your order (I had my spiced up a notch). I would highly recommend the Lotus. Personable atmosphere, reasonable prices and great fresh Thai food. There were a lot of locals coming in and getting their takeout orders, so you know that's a good sign!

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We started of with an appetizer sampler, and it was very tasty. There were 3 each of 5 different finger food-type items.

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The other F/O had Pad Thai noodles with vegetables that was 3 chili peppers hot. It was hot, but not immobilizing.

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I had the Pad Thai with egg and chicken. I asked them to turn up the heat to 2 peppers, and it was right on. The dish was simply delicious!

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Cluck was bored and wanted to meet the hot lady in the corner. Her bark was worse than her bite, however.

BRU: Chin Restaurant

Last time in Brussels, I heard about a Mongolian Barbeque restaurant called Chin. This time, I decided to check it out.

Chin Restaurant
Rue de l'Aqueduc 103
1050 Ixelles
Tel: 02 537 22 90
(google maps)
From the Sheraton, go across Avenue Louise on Rue du Bailli (past Michael Collins). At the end of the road (in front of the church) turn left onto Rue de l'Amazone. When you get to the intersection, you'll see Chin on the next street over.

Mongolian Barbeque style is where you choose your raw plate items yourself and a chef cooks them up for you. Chin is no different. You have your choice of chicken, beef, shrimp and calamari for the meats, and there were about 15 or so different veggie items that you can add to the meats. You have a choice of 10 different sauces of varying spice ranges to add to your meal.

After you've chosen all your raw items, take it to the cook or waitress and tell them which sauce you want. In about 5 to 10 minutes, your food will be cooked and brought to your table. They will bring out a bowl of white rice to go with your meal.

The price for the meal was €14.50, and it is all you can eat. I ate two plates, the first one with a spicy curry sauce, and the second with a Japanese Teriyaki style sauce.

The restaurant opens at 6pm, so plan accordingly. They weren't busy when we went, but I've heard that it can get a bit crowded.

During my Air Force years, Mongolian BBQ nights were always a feast of fun, and this meal at Chin was no different. It's a great value and very good food that you get to select yourself. And that flexibility makes Chin a great group visit as well.

Choose your fixins


The chef cooks it up adding your sauce choice.


And voila! A hearty meal with all the stuff that you picked!

FRA: Baseler Eck

Baseler Platz 7
60329 Gutleutviertel, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
069 252439

Finally, I had a layover with a crowd that wanted to visit the Baseler Eck. I've heard a lot about this restaurant, and was anxious to get my Jaegerschnitzel currency updated!

To get to the Baseler Eck from the Marriot, just take the #16 S-Bahn (or any Bahn that'll get you to Baseler Platz, here's a map) and then follow the map below. Don't forget that you can do a GruppenKarte for gaggles of up to 5. If it's nice out, its not a bad walk if you want a little exercise.



Schweinshaxe is apparently the fave at the restaurant. I'd had that dish a few weeks ago, and I wanted Jaegerschnitzel, so there you go. One guy ordered the bratwurst, but I always get bratwursts at the airport, so that didn't interest me.

Everyone loved their dishes! I scarfed down my Jaegerschnitzel, with a coupla Erdinger Weissbieren. Totally way cool!

So, meander your way over to the Eck. You won't be disappointed. It's been a fave of airline crews for quite some time. Clearly evident with the number of Aviation stickers on the walls. Bring yours and get it posted! Enjoy!