Sunday, August 14, 2011

Dallas: Hyatt Regency, Union Station August 2011

The hotel.  The tower with the sphere is where Wolfgang Puck's restaurant is.

My nice and comfortable room.






The grand atrium!The view from my room.

The Old Red Museum

Dealy plaza. 
George Bannerman Dealey (1859–1946) was a Dallas, Texas, businessman.
Dealey was the long-time publisher of The Dallas Morning News. He used his influence to accomplish many goals but will always be remembered primarily for one of them. He crusaded for the redevelopment of a particularly blighted area near downtown Dallas. When the redevelopment, involving a large square located at the intersection of three major avenues, was completed, it was named Dealey Plaza in his honor. This site became known worldwide when, on November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated while his motorcade drove through Dealey Plaza.

 

Something for every day of the year!

My hotel in the background.  This is the exact location where JFK was assassinated.

The white 'X' in the road marks the exact location.



DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit)

Saw this old Dallas High School while on the train to the mall.  Sad that it is all boarded up.

My hotel.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Dallas: A Foodie Tour

I recently travelled to Dallas, TX for work.  Although not overly impressed with the Dallas that I was exposed to, I will say the food was excellent no matter where I went!  Here is a taste:
The first stop was Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse.  I had the famous slow roasted brisket sandwich with onion rings.  That and an iced tea was the daily lunch special for under $8 bucks.  The brisket just melted in your mouth! The onion rings were awesome, the breading was like a thin cracker.




I took the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) to a Dallas mall.  While walking around I tried this Gelato place.  I got a small gelato.  You could get up to three flavors in the small cup so I tried the Dulce de Leche, Banana Creme, and Peanut Butter Chocolate.  OMG! :)





Mexican at RJ's in Dallas's West End.  I had the shrimp and spinach enchiladas.  It came with rice and slaw.  Excellent!
 



 The Butcher Shop.  The fired the steaks in plain view.  I had the garlic ribeye with horseradish mashed potatoes. Delicious!

 





Took the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) one night after class to Mockingbird station and had yummy Mexican here.  It was ladies night and we all got our meals for 50% off!  I had the chicken flautas with rice and beans.  The beans were in a separate dish and I realized that I hadn't taken the picture when I was half done!  Oops!
A little post dinner at Coldstone:  1/2 and 1/2 Lemon Ice and Raspberry Ice.  Refreshing in the 108 degree heat!
Did NOT eat here but had to show this!  Who would eat here? Well if you are over 350 pounds, you can eat here for FREE!  Sick!

The last night, I went up the tower that was attached to my hotel.  (Hyatt Regency, Union Station)  Wolfgang Puck has a restaurant there, 560 feet up in the air.  The restaurant, which is Asian Fusion, is in a sphere that completes one full rotation per hour. 
I had the following:

Salt and Pepper Calamari

Blackberry Lemonade

Green Bean Appetizer
(The only pic of me in the restaurant and it was taken with an iPhone that didn't have a flash.)

Shanghai Style Prawns (Large shrimp in a tomato bisque with peppers and the most delicious butter bread sticks.)


“Salt and Pepper” Calamari and "Shanghai Style" Prawns.
They brought complementary appetizer and small dessert.



Monday, August 1, 2011

Serene Beach Day

The guys and I headed to the Jupiter Lighthouse on Sunday morning for some sun and water!  Our plans were foiled when the place was invaded by jellyfish.  Lots of them; big and small!
We ended up at Carlin Park.  I sat in the sun while Sergio E and Sergio V did some exploring along the rocks.  It was so nice to lie back on the sand and just listen.  The sound of the waves crashing in over and over is such a loud and powerful sound.  I wondered at that very moment how many people all over the world were laying on a beach hearing that same powerful sound.  I felt so small next to that vast sea yet I felt so peaceful.  The sun and the sea are really therapeutic!
The guys finished their exploring and we all did some ‘noodle-floating’ in the ocean.  The ocean was beautiful in color and perfect in temperature.  Seeing Sergio V’s face as he shouted, ‘This is sooo much fun!’ was the icing on the cake!