My Hotel Life on EightWest

My Hotel Life: woodtv.com

So much for my little break...but this is too special not to post. I was interviewed by EightWest anchor, Rachael Ruiz and Matt Kirkwood about my blog (yes, this one) and my column on Shore Magazine, The Good Life. Here's the clip.

A big thank you to Rachael for reaching out and promoting my work. You're the best, Rachael!

Holiday Chill

My Hotel Life is going to take a much needed chill-time to refresh for the upcoming year. Thank you to all for following my blog this past year. It has been an epic year and it wouldn't been possible without all your support and encouragement. Have a wonderful Christmas break with your family and close friends. MHL will be back on New Year's Eve. GA

Top 23 Gifts for the Renaissance Man in your life

It's the week before Christmas and you still haven't found that perfect gift to give to your renaissance man. Renaissance Men are hard to shop for because they are more picky than your vegan friend at the office holiday buffet. Look no further because My Hotel Life has done the shopping for you compliments of my favorite gift boutique in the

Cherry Street District of Grand Rapids - LAMB.

To make it more interesting, let's take a poll and see which Renaissance Man is dominant this season. Which one is your man?

THE ARTSY-FARTSY RENAISSANCE

There's nothing more perfect for your ArtPrize volunteer than Pantone strips turned espresso cups . $12.50 

 THE FLANNEL RENAISSANCE

For the renaissance man who is corporate during his weekday trips to New York, but by Friday night, he slips on his Merrels, lights a fire in the den and reads his weekend NYT. Fireplace matches for $3.

THE RELIGIOUS RENAISSANCE

He never forgets to pray before each meal. He's got a very good sense of humor but still fears that his "permanent record" in purgatory could still be a factor when he dies. Jesus and Mother Mary Salt-N-Pepper shaker. $27 each.

THE CAMERA-READY RENAISSANCE

For that renaissance man who takes pictures of everything he eats for his facebook page. There is no better inspiration that this Wanderlust book of food pictures. $9.99

 THE GLOBETROTTER RENAISSANCE

For the man who travels to all these Wallpaper destinations not for business, but for leisure. Nothing says Mr. Renaissance like a Basel book. $7 each.

THE STYLISH GLOBETROTTER

When the plain Wallpaper guides just don't cut it, then the Luxe guide is a perfect alternative. Even if he doesn't use it for his actual trips, it sure looks good on his cafe table at the O'Hare airport Starbucks. $9.99 each.

 THE RED CROSS RENAISSANCE

This is the perfect gift for your doctor friend who volunteers to help out in Haiti and Zimbabwe, then after the mission, takes off for Costa Del Sol for some R&R. The plastic holder doesn't scream "I've got 'mo money than you." $12

 THE NYC RENAISSANCE

For the man who can't stop talking about New York and how it is so much better than any other city in the world. You visited him one summer weekend only to bunk in his closet of an apartment in Queens. Oh, well. NYC Subway Tape for $13

 THE BLACK LUGGAGE RENAISSANCE

He has to have a black carry-on to match his black Zegna suit. Add some zip to his luggage with these easy to identify luggage tags. $7 for a set of six.

THE ROAD WARRIOR RENAISSANCE

He has driven the company car on every interstate highway in the last year. He loves to give directions even though he's never been to that particular place. Here's a handy Paper GPS for his glove compartment. $8

THE MACY'S RENAISSANCE

He would never admit it, but during his MBA years, he worked the wrapping center at your local Macy's to help pay the bills. Map and subway wrapping paper for $5

 THE GADGET RENAISSANCE
He loves to "up" everyone with the latest gadgetry. How about a fist USB to show them who is king? $39.

 THE FOODIE RENAISSANCE

He calls himself a foodie even though he can't cook for squat. This book by a foodie blogger will arm him with more ammunition for his table side rants about  his truffle expedition in Italy. $24.95

THE PBR RENAISSANCE
He's too cheap to buy good wine but he knows a lot about micro-brews. He is on a first name basis with the bartender at the local brewery but can't tell the difference between pinot noir and pinot grigio. Bottle opener $9 

 THE RENAISSANCE "BABY"

You know the type... always complaining about how much he travels and all these nights in luxury hotels and fine dining explorations are just killing him. These "baby" pills are the cooler version of the Tylenol bottle for the long cross-Atlantic trip in business class. $4.00

THE ASCOT RENAISSANCE
He swears by block ice for his single malt. He wears his ascot in Europe but wouldn't be caught dead in one in Grand Rapids. Rock Cubes with scotch glasses $55 per set. 

 THE OPEN-DOOR RENAISSANCE

He loves to tell his peeps in the office that he has an open-door policy.  Just don't come in when he is busy changing his facebook profile picture. Plastic tube door stoppers for  $16

THE CHEAP RENAISSANCE

He invites all his friends to the fanciest bar but disappears when it's time to settle up the tab. Here's a book for all his cheap conquests. $24.95

THE COTTAGE RENAISSANCE

He can't wait to drive to the cottage every Thursday night...blah, blah, blah. Settle him down with this low key weekender bag from Apolis. $196

THE ASIAN RENAISSANCE
This sake bomb set is perfect for your token Asian friend. Just make sure he's Japanese because not all Asians like sake. $79.

 THE BRAD PITT RENAISSANCE

He's the blonde one with a big heart and Asian kids in tow. I can't think of a better gift than these cool chopsticks for kids. $9.

THE EXERCISE RENAISSANCE
A sexy water bottle for the man who carries that ugly water bottle everywhere even though he doesn't really work out. Ok, he's at the gym's sauna. TK:aro water bottle $34. 

THE STONER RENAISSANCE

Not what you're thinking. For the guy who loves indie labels. Why not buy him a Brie Stoner CD to support the local scene. $5

Cheese, Swine & Wine

The Purple Pig's signature Bone Marrow

The buzz about The Purple Pig in Chicago is deafening. It's one of the restaurants my foodie friends blurt out automatically as a recommendation for a dining destination. Not to oppose a friends advice, I reserved a nice banquette

lunch table for one on a cold, yet sunny day last week. The main entrance is located in the side courtyard of 500 N. Michigan Avenue. You can't miss the purple canopy.

The Purple Pig is small by Chicago standards: 3 communal tables, a row of banquettes and seating at the bar. It is modern, yet all the wood cabinetry and banquettes cozies up the place. I arrived at 11:45 AM; fifteen minutes before the place got crowded for the daily lunch rush. The hostess who sat me was friendly and gave me the option of selecting my table, which I thought was very considerate for a single diner. 

As the title states, TPP specializes in pork, cheese and wine. However, the menu offers a cornucopia of selections from cured meats, sandwiches, salads and a wide assortment of small plates. Though on this lunch visit, I limited myself to the first specialty. Vegetarian? Don't despair because TPP offers quite a selection of vegetable small plates such as the Butternut Squash, Pumpkin Seeds, Brown Butter & Ricotta Salata ($6); Salt Roasted Beets, Whipped Goat Cheese & Pistachio Vinaigrette ($5); and Castellfranco, Arugula with Sunchokes, Hazelnuts & Apple Cider Vinaigrette ($7). For the heartier appetite, indulge in the Pork Blade Steak with 'Nduja & Honey ($14); Pig's Tails Braised in Balsamic ($9); Octopus with Green Beans, Fingerling Potatoes & Salsa Verde ($10); and the Coppa Panini with Provolone Cheese, Pickled Cherry Peppers & Whole Grain Mustard ($8). 

Filipinos make this bar food called sisig, which is composed of sauteed chopped pigs face, ears and hot peppers. With that picture in my head, I ordered the Pig's Ear with Crispy Kale, Pickled Cherry Peppers & Fried Egg ($6). I accompanied that with the Fried Brussels Sprouts with Thyme, Lemon & Chili Flakes ($6). The Pig's Ear came out in a swine shaped bowl. The ears were cut up in strips, dipped in batter, fried and topped with a perfectly fried egg. As the egg yolk smothered its yellow goodness on the fried strips, my mouth started to water and my first taste of the concoction did not disappoint. The batter was airy and the combination of egg, strips and peppers were outstanding. 

I was expecting the brussels sprouts to come whole, but each leaf was meticulously peeled from its core, fried and then tossed with the lemon, thyme and chili flakes. The texture of the veggie was amazing though on this occasion, the amount of lemon in the bowl overpowered the dish.

I asked my server for his recommendation as TPP's best dish, and without hesitation, he suggested the Bone Marrow, which was not listed on the menu. Done. The Bone Marrow was served with Toasted Crostini's and a Simple Salad with Capers and Onions. A beautiful presentation I must say. The bone marrows were still bubbly from the oven. The marrows were silky and translucent. I spread the marrow on the toasted bread, sprinkled some salt, and as I glimpsed at the piece before I opened my mouth, I experienced marrow euphoria. What a dish!

Not to overlook, the service was also very attentive. My server was respectful of my photographer/writer persona and did not make me feel like a nuisance as some snotty servers have in the past. I also noticed that the manager made his rounds around the room and connected with several of the guests including myself. 

The Purple Pig is the real deal. I wouldn't hesitate sending any of my friends to this "pork" joint in the middle of Mag Mile. It was definitely worth the 4-hour train ride from Grand Rapids. 

The bar area before the lunch rush

Nothing like tap water in a nice bottle

Fried Brussels Sprouts

Pig's Ears topped with a Fried Egg

A perfectly brewed Illy cortado

Back door

My hostess prepping my table

A closer look at the Bone Marrow 

Lunch crowd

The Veuve Party

The Winter party season officially kicked off as Grand Rapidians toasted glasses of champagne at the 2nd annual Veuve Clicquot Holiday Celebration at the Amway Grand Plaza hotel. Jus like the inaugural event, the party inside the Pantlind Ballroom was hopping from the moment the first cork of champagne popped until the last drop of juice

fizzled out of the last bottle. The city is definitely no longer the conservative and sleepy town it once was as smartly clad guests from Armani jackets to Manolo Blahnik shoes were on display on every corner of the room. Even the men showed up in evening attire as there wasn't a single guy in the sports bar uniform of team t-shirt, baggy jeans and Axe covered body spray in sight! The Veuve party is a good precursor to the city's New Year's Eve celebration which is slated to fill every hotel room and every bar downtown. It sure gives this city another reason to clink glasses filled with  Veuve.