Buenos Aires - Lunch, Parisian style at Croque Madame

One of my favorite French style cafes in Buenos Aires, is the well hidden and easily missed Croque Madame Cafe.

This tiny gem is located on the grounds of the Museum of Decorative Arts (El Museo de Artes Decorativas), in the corner of Pereyra Lucena Street and Ave Del Libertador.

If you go, you'll see the The Croque Madame cafe on you left side, as you pass the museum's front gate. The cafe is housed inside the gate house. Walk too fast and you may miss it, it's that small. Look for the black awnings to find it (picture enclosed).

If you miss the cafe as you walk in, past the museum's gate, you'll find yourself in a small cobble stoned courtyard. Look to your left, and you'll see the Parisian style bistro chairs and the marble top tables tucked away by a small garden under the shade of trees. That's the outdoor garden section of the cafe. Grab a chair, get a coffee, bring something to read and relax in this picture-perfect spot. I promise, it will feel like Paris.

The Croque Madame Cafe has additional sitting inside the "gate house". It's only one small room with very few tables. This area is mostly used in the evenings and when the weather is too cold to sit outside during the day. Take a look inside, it's very cute in there.

The food served at the Croque Madame is fresh and well prepared. The menu is simple and not expensive; It consists mostly of sandwiches, salads, pastries and desserts. This garden is a perfect place for an outdoor lunch or breakfast or for an afternoon coffee break. It's also a great place to read.

By the way, you do not have to enter the museum or pay the museum's entry fee to access the cafe.

DUBAI - A Water Taxi on Dubai Creek

For a taste of Old Dubai, ride an Abra, a traditional wooden boat water taxi that crosses the Dubai Creek like a small, open water bus, from Deira to Bur Dubai.

You can catch the boat on the Deira side, from the Deira Souk Station in Baniyas Road. The station is right across the Spice Market, on the water. The crossing to Bur Dubai will take about 5 minutes, where you will find other Souks, the Dubai Museum and Bastakya, the Old Town that has nice outdoor cafes and art galleries. Each ride costs 1 Dirham (.30 cents in US Dollars).

As you cross, look at the beautiful Dubai skyline and at the old fashioned wooden cargo wharves loading and unloading their goods along the Deira side of the creek.

If you want a longer boat ride along the entire creek, you can rent an Abra for about one hour to one hour and a half for about 100 to 150 Dirhams (around $50 dollars). This ride, I'm told, is most scenic at night.

Be careful stepping in and out of the boats. I've heard people do fall in that water, eeek!

Story, courtesy of Milena Rodriguez, resident of Dubai.

Washington DC - The Hotel Washington's Rooftop Sky Terrace

For a fantastic view of downtown Washington DC, visit the Hotel Washington's Rooftop Sky Terrace. Best time to visit, during lunch hours or as the sun is setting in late afternoon. If you go, keep in mind that the bar is an open deck area, best enjoyed when the weather is temperate or when the sun is out.

The Hotel Washington is located about a half a block away from the White House, in the corner of 15th and F Street NW. The rooftop terrace is located on the north side of the building, overlooking an amazing DC skyline. You can see the Mall, plus the rooftops of the White House and the Executive Building.

To get there, take the direct elevator from the main floor, located to the right of the front desk. Once you reach the terrace, grab a chair by one of the many tables along the open deck, sit back, order a drink and some tapas and enjoy a spectacular view.

When we visited this past week, we sat comfortably at the bar and ordered beers and appetizers. The service was friendly, the servers looked young and hip and the food was delicious. The crowd was a mix of tourists, families and young professionals and the place seemed very cool.

If you plan to visit, keep in mind that the Terrace rocks with a full house on Thursdays and Fridays during happy hour and the deck probably closes during the coldest months of the year (although they claim they stay open all year).

For more information or photos of The Hotel Washington, go to :
http://www.hotelwashington.com/image-gallery.html

The Hotel Washington
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3279

DUBAI - Delicious Lamb Chops

For memorable Lamb Chops at a reasonable price while in Dubai, head for the Lebanese Restaurant inside the mall that's attached to the Intercontinental hotel.

The restaurant is located near the entrance of the Food Court, next to the Caribou Coffee Shop (on the left side if you're looking straight at the coffee shop). It's a sit down restaurant with excellent service and delicious food. Order the lamb chops with french fries for $12 dollars and you may even have some left over for the return flight.

Story, courtesy of Susanne Weathersby - IADSW