But if you’re at work or travel through the corporateland Denver Tech Center the other location at I-25 and Arapahoe Road is one of the best southest lunch spots.  It’s been located here for a few years, housed in a former Denny’s, although you would never know if from the inside.

Despite being a popular lunch place the lines are never long.  It’s a bright open place – and even has a full service bar for those that need a lunch time pick me up.   The photo below, rapidly snapped from my phone, is probably one of the best local food porn pics I’ve taken and makes me hungry just posting it.

While showing my Mom around the Netherlands we were hungry. I’d taken her to a few of my favorite local spots but today we were en route to a museum, and didn’t want to languish in a corner table from noon til three.

We saw a McDonald’s, made the usual jokes, and walked in for a burger and salad. I was schocked. This McDonalds was really, really nice! I can’t believe I’m writing this but I enjoyed being there! It seems I’m way behind the times, and over the past rew years McDonald’s has rebranded some stores in a Starbucks-eque cafe style chique. And what they’ve done is pretty aesthetically appealing.

I figured it was a Europe thing. I’ve read McDonald’s maintains nicer, larger restaurants overseas, and some locals actually do make the arches a destination for a Big Mac, or “Royale” as it’s called in France.

The location on Kalverstraat, a pedestrial shopping mall in the heart of Amsterdam was clean, well maintained, replete with comfortable chairs cozy spaces. A week later, departing Schiphol airport, I had coffee, milk and a croissant while killing a few hours awaiting my flight. Location? A beautiful, quiet and modern mezzanine overlooking the departures/transit area. You guessed it – it was a McDonald’s.

Upon my return home this week, my newfound McDonald’s curiousity brought me to the Belleview and I-25 location near my work. Sure enough this one was just as nice as the two Amsterdam locations, with soft leather chairs, WiFi and soft orange and yellow lighting. The staff was wearing jet black shirts and looked well kept and professional. I had a sausage biscuit and coffee before biking over to work.

Unfortunately the food is still the McDonald’s from my youth, and smells just as bad when carried onto an airplane. But without getting into fat and calorie counts I’m certain a Quarter Pounder and a Diet coke won’t induce any more heart attacks than a Starbucks triple mocha latte with whip cream, downed with an oily muffin.

There it is – three McDonald’s restaurants in two weeks. Good job McDonald’s on the rebranding. I may not return often but it’s a nice look. Sorry it took me three years to notice it.

Downtown Denver

I eat here often, as it’s is one of the finest Chinese restaurants in Denver, and still manages to offer reasonable prices. The owner, Johnny Hsu, even knows me by name. Surprisingly, of the thousands of photos I collect from everywhere I go and everything I do I don’t have a shot of the interior here. However take my word it’s a delightful place.

This time my friend and I split the Peking Duck. Over the years I’ve eaten almost everything here (save for the standard sweet and sour chicken) but never did the Peking Duck – mainly due the enormous proportions of ordering the one big duck for myself.

We decided to give the duck a try – splitting it with my usual appetizer of lettuce wraps. This made for a perfect dinner for two. The roast duck, crispy brown skin and plum sauce were perfect, and all this time I never had the fun of tucking the duck breasts into these little flaky pancakes with the sweet sauce. Definitely a treat I wish I had tried much sooner.

Given the quality of their other plates I have no qualms about recommending this as one of the best Chinese places in Denver. (Ming’s Dynasty over in Glendale is nice, but I do consider this a step up.)

They’re at 431 South Broadway at Alameda, next to the Taco Bell. The two share a parking lot, so you can prank your date by pulling in and nonchalantly stating you’re in the mood for a flattened cheesy bean enchilada.

More at Imperial Chinese . com

A coworker of mine has a long time friend who’s lived in Marrakesh for 20 years. We exchanged emails leading up to my trip, and she informed me about the festival and to “not be surprised at live sheep being driven around town on motorbikes or cars.” She was kind enough to meet for dinner my first night in town for wonderful meal and informative introduction to the city.

While Tuesday was bustling at the Souk, (the mazes of markets stalls in the center of the city), with families buying food and supplies for the holiday, I was told Wednesday would be a slow day in the city with many shops and restaurants closed while families spent time together.

The owner of the Riad I stayed at (report to come) arranged a guide who didn’t mind working the holiday and took myself and two girls from Australia, also staying at the Riad, on a day trip to the Lower Atlas Mountains.

He drove us outside the city, up some canyon and mountain roads (very similar to Colorado) and after a few photo stops we arrived at the town of Achayn, where the elegant Kasbah du Toubkal Hotel is situated on a hill with views of the Atlas Mountains and Berber villages on the hillsides.

Our guide Mohamed and his family lived in one of the villages a short walk from the hotel. After time spent relaxing amid the peaceful rooftops staring at the jaw dropping views Mohamed returned and took us for a walk through the villages where we saw families preparing their sheep, and to a waterfall a short hike up the canyon.

We didn’t ask for or expect what happened next: He took the three of us to his home for a meal. We removed our shoes and sat on the comfortable rugs atop his roof, with the same incredible views of the mountains and valley. His father made mint tea, taking 10 minutes to add and filter then mint and sugar. After tea the family prepared a table on the rooftop, and we were served a dish of lamb, with dates and walnuts. We ate it with the bread, but of course reluctantly used the forks on hand. We had an onion and olive salad with pomegranate for dessert.

Mohamed is one of seven children, with most of his sisters married. We met his Father, Mother and cousins He spoke English very well, and was able to tell us about his family’s history and their home. Of course he and his mother wondered why on earth the two girls, a few years younger than myself, were not married yet.

I’m grateful to this family for having me over to see a real Berber home in the mountains, and to share one of the best meals and visits that I’ve ever experienced.

The one thing lacking in these airports however, from Van Nuys to Laramie, is decent foods. Restaurant options in most FBOs (private operators) consist of a few vending machines and if you’re lucky some fresh brewed coffee. Some small town airports might have a cafe serving fresh sandwiches, but they’re usually open from 10-3 on Saturdays, and that’s if the person shows up.

Centennial airport in southeast Denver is known as the second busiest general aviation airport in the country, second to Van Nuys in Los Angeles. “The Perfect Landing” restaurant is located on site, and they’re open real hours with a very impressive and substantial menu. I vist with work friends every few months to eat – and of course gawk at the variety of private aircraft moving around the field.

I haven’t been here for dinner yet, but for lunch I usually enjoy the grilled Atlantic salmon salad salmon salad. They offer plenty more American plates like Prime Rib and a Philly Steak sandwich. I’ve only done breakfast once – which was a few years back and did the chicken fried steak. I saw on their menu yesterday “Virginia Beach crab cakes with eggs” Anyplace that does crab cakes for breakfast gets my vote.

The close for a few hours every afternoon, but reopen in the evening for a happy hour complete with piano bar.

Pairing the diverse menu is the view from the second floor of the main terminal: A sweeping 180 degree view of the front range, with the two runways and ramps right in full view. You can watch sleek corporate jets speed down the runway for takeoff, and low time private pilots wobble in and bounce their practice landings over and over.

It’s a great restaurant and a lively spot for a suburban airport. I recommend a visit, and if you’re passing through via land or air it’s a fine place for a fuel stop and some great food.

They’re at 7625 South Peoria. From East Arapahoe turn south towards the airport, and park at the Denver Jet Center building.

Full menu at The Perfect Landing .com

I woke up on my first morning of a New Orleans stay and already had my utilitarian robot breakfast in the hotel.

Immediately after my friend asked if I was in the mood for brunch at The Court of Two Sisters. I told him I wasn’t that hungry, and was only planning to wander the French Quarter taking some photos, and also the aroma of beer fermenting the gutters.  I told him I’d join him for coffee and a bagel. He then informed me that it’s a one price buffet. None of this “order one small item” business. I didn’t want to spend $30 dollars when I wasn’t even that hungry, but reminding me that I was “in New Orleans” he convinced me to do it anyway and I’m glad I did.

I was overwhelmed at the selection, and chose to try a little of everything in as modest of portions as I could: Crawfish, turtle soup, and shrimp with remoulade sauce – (that’s a southern dip with horseradish and worstershire sauce.) For the main course I had two orders of eggs benedict, and for dessert a hefty slab of bread pudding.

It was an immense breakfast  – but we stopped short of turning it into a “Man versus Food” episode.

The restaurant is indoor and outdoor, in a large old mansion with courtyard. Entry is through a tunnel like passage (originally used for horses) leading to the dining area and courtyard.

This being the first morning after arrival I noted a small cultural observation of how polite the locals are. My friend and I sat at a two seat table inside against the courtyard window. Everyone that passed by us, whether staff or patron, nodded or said a polite “excuse me”, even though they weren’t interrupting us in the least.

An immense brunch of new flavors, and a perfect counterpart to my favorite dinner restaurant the Praline Connection which I visited on my 2006 trip.

The Court of Two Sisters is at 613 Royal Street, in the French Quarter.
http://www.courtoftwosisters.com/

That’s not to say you can’t find locally grown fruits and veggies in the U.S., or that the similar big box processes aren’t found in a Mexican Super Walmart or Gigante, but coming from a local market where eggs are so fresh they don’t need to be refrigerated, it’s a change. If I’m staying somewhere for more than a couple nights I always prefer to rent an apartment or hostel with a kitchen – and make my first stop is to a local market. It’s cost effective, fun and doesn’t force you to eat every meal at a restaurant.

At local markets you notice the differences. Last fall in Argentina I saw box delivery truck with a fully stripped cow hanging by its legs in the back, stopped in front of a restaurant early morning. While it was surprising to see I realized and appreciated this meat was probably on a farm just days ago, and after being processed was now being delivered to butchers and restaurants, rather than being stripped down in a factory and hauled across the country on a refrigerated semi truck.

Meanwhile back in the states we have seven step placards on how to wash our hands.

In April I had just spent a week in and around Puerto Vallarta. (I somehow wound up going here three times in 11 months with different people.) I tip well and am not a high maintenance diner, but I do have one habit in restaurants: I like to pick where I sit. I certainly won’t hog a huge table for two people, but if I spot a quiet table back in the corner versus being seated in the center or middle of traffic flow I don’t hesitate to ask to me moved. Friends with server experience have told me this is annoying since they attempt to evenly spread patrons to each person’s section. That’s completely understandable, but if I’m spending my hard earned money on a nice dinner I want the best possible experience.

In Mexico, or in any local restaurant who’s appreciative of your business, should you say “That table looks perfect,” the host will usher you over, pull out your chair and say “Enjoy your meal.” A meal is an event, and it’s understood that the ambiance is part of that meal. That’s exactly what happens every time at the Espresso Ristorante, a favorite Italian place pictured above in Vallarta.

Jump back to my last return to the U.S., when in less than 20 minutes after clearing customs I was reminded of the glaring corporate lifestyle. We had a few hours to kill in Phoenix before my Mom, Caleb and I connected to our respective cities, and I walked us down to the Chili’s (US Airways terminal) to relax and have a beer.

My Mom wanted to sit on the faux “patio,” or the quiet area looking into the mall like terminal. I told the host we were going to grab the small table and an extra chair. “No No,” he said. “The two seat tables must remain only two so servers and patrons can pass through.” Understanding that, I told him the table was at the end of the aisle and there were no other customers in that area. He gave us a pained look, so not wanting to be “that guy” I acquiesced and followed him to a booth in the noisy interior, where I learned the names of toy dinosaurs from a rambunctious five year old on the other side of the half wall.

It certainly didn’t ruin my evening, or make me hate Chili’s, but abruptly transitioning from a relaxed less rigid atmosphere to an establishment governed by well meaning rules is a stark and noticeable contrast. While a schematic of rules and operational methods benefit the greater good of corporate continuity it often creates obstacles to simple enjoyment when applied in a non-logical manner…

I believe a good response to customer service is “If that makes you happy, doesn’t bother anyone else, we’ll be happy to oblige!” More companies should make their their mantra.