Edited 9/24/09:  Apparently my review wasn’t enough.  Rumberos closed this week.  But you can still visit its sister restaurant, Rumba Cafe, in Adams Morgan.

Rumberos is located in the up-and-coming Columbia Heights neighborhood in northwest D.C. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday (closed for lunch on Monday). On Sundays, Rumberos offers a fantastic brunch menu followed by dinner.

Rumberos features fantastic Latin and South American inspired cuisine with a little bit of Caribbean thrown in for good measure, all at reasonable prices. I recently enjoyed the Bife de chorizo for dinner. Translation: a 14 ounce ribeye, which is prepared Argentinean style over a wood fired grill. The steak was perfectly prepared and the “wood fired” flavor really came through. Frankly, it was one of the better steaks I’ve had in D.C. Service was polite but not fast. That was fine by me. I spend enough time in a hurry and it was nice to slow down, enjoy wonderful food and soak in the great atmosphere the restaurant offers.

If you’re in the market for lighter-fare, Rumberos has a decent happy hour special featuring $4 dollar beer and wine and $6 dollar Mojitos. They also offer a menu of Tappas specials for $4 dollars each. Bar service has always been top-notch with a good drink list and nice array of wines. On many weekends, you’ll find live music at Rumberos in the evenings. It gets crowded so get there early for dinner and then enjoy the music.

If you’re looking for a new place to dine, give Rumberos a try. You won’t be disappointed. And for you miles junkies out there, Rumberos is a participant in the idine program, so you’ll get miles for dining too.

I completed a two night stay at the Embassy Suites Boca Raton on August 20, 2008. I was in the area on business and the ES was close to the job site. As I’ve noted in previous posts, this stay coincided with the arrival of Tropical Storm Fay. Fortunately, the worst of that was on the west side of the state, but we did get plenty of rain and wind.

Check-in

Check-in was pleasant enough, however my Hilton HHonors Gold status was not recognized in any manner.

The Room

The room appeared to have had a recent coat of paint and reasonably up-to-date furnishings. As with all Embassy Suites hotels, the room is a two-room suite with separate living area and bedroom. The living area was functional and well-lit with couch, chair, work table and an in-room refrigerator. The hotel offers wireless internet for a fee of $9.95 per night (free if you are a Hilton HHonors Gold or Diamond member and select wireless internet as your Hilton HHonors VIP benefit). Note: if you work for a not so hip employer who does not allow you to use wireless connectivity, your only option is one ethernet hardwire connection in the business center. This hotel does not have wireless “bridges” like many hotels that can trick your non-wireless PC into connecting to a wi-fi network.

The bedroom was equipped with a king-size bed, adequate closet space and offered a balcony that I didn’t make any use of. The bed was not the latest version of any Hilton bed, but was comfortable enough.

Complimentary Breakfast

The comp breakfast was the standard offering but was very tasty. Nothing else I can say.

Manager’s Reception

The best part of any Embassy Suites stay is the free booze. This was no exception. The evening cocktail hour was actually two-hours, and delivered by an extremely pleasant lady who seemed to be well-known by some of the regular guests. I tipped her a buck per glass, and never wanted for service. Be sure and stop by if you’re staying at the hotel.

Things to Do

Unfortunately, the weather prohibited much in the way of extensive adventure after-hours. I did try one terrific restaurant and recommend you do the same if you’re in the area. I dined at Seasons 52 on Tuesday evening. Dinner was fantastic! If you’re not familiar, Seasons 52 menus rotate on a seasonal basis, and food offerings focus on healthy eating. As the waiter put it, you won’t find any butter in the restaurant. But I was not disappointed. My salmon was fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. Give it a try if you’re in Boca or any of their other locations in Florida and Atlanta.

The Bottom Line

I’d stay again if in the area. The front desk service was ok, if not outgoing, and I wish all the Hilton family hotels would be more consistent in recognizing their HHonors VIP guests.

You may have figured out by now that I just completed two separate week-long stays in Tulsa, Oklahoma as part of a project I’m managing at work. Or is that project managing me? Oh well…..

In any event, I lived in Tulsa for a few years towards the end of the last century, so it was kind of fun to return, see some old friends, and check the place out. Long story short, Tulsa has changed. And changed for the better. Not so much that I’m clamoring to escape the confines of D.C. for a simpler life in Oklahoma, but it’s not bad, nonetheless.

Quite a bit of time, effort and money is being invested in the downtown area. Old warehouses are being converted into loft apartments and condos, bars and restaurants are opening, and the live music scene (good even when I was there for a town this size) is still better than average. The new BOK Center opens later this summer.

Next time you’re in Tulsa, try and check out James E. McNellies Public House (409 East 1st St.). You won’t find more beer on tap anywhere nearby, trust me. Try the locally brewed McNellie’s Pub Ale. I went on Wednesday, which happened to be $3 dollar burger night. I think everyone in Tulsa must’ve been there, because the place was packed!

There are other good options as well. Lola’s at The Bowery being one. Great tapas and good bar service. And Caz’s Pub, another good bar, which happens to also have a restaurant, Caz’s Chowhouse, nearby.

There are more, but my time was limited. If I make it back to Tulsa, soon, you’ll find me at McNellies!

I’ll be spending this week in Atlanta. Flying Delta and bunking at the W Atlanta Midtown. I’ll post a trip report about this relatively new hotel (remodeled Sheraton) from the road. Also need to post some more details about my recent trip to Tulsa. Have some more restaurant recommendations should travel take you there.

I spent the week on the road. Things began with a 5:30am cab to National Airport (DCA) and progressed from there. The first leg of my journey was to Springfield, MO via Chicago O’Hare on United. The first leg was mainline with a connection to United Express operated by Skywest. I had a seat in United’s Economy Plus section so legroom was adequate, and service was fine. I’m sure there were some elite travelers who were a little ticked on this first leg as the normally mainline service was operated by a Ted airplane, so there was no first class section. The connection was aboard a 50 seat regional jet. This flight was crowded and I was seated on the bulkhead next to a gentlemen who felt all the armrests belonged to him. Those planes are small enough without being seated beside those who lack courtesy, but I digress. Otherwise, the flight was fine which is the norm for any regional jet operation flown by Skywest in my experience.

The hotel for Springfield was a Hampton Inn located on Ingram Mill Road. It was standard Hampton Inn, basic amenities, hot breakfast included and free wireless internet. All the basics, and the stay was fine. I checked in early and the lady at the front desk went out of her way to find a room that was ready.

I was suffering from a head cold during the first half of the trip so I’d expected to dine on a first class meal of of peanut butter and crackers. This required a drive to the store, but I never made it there. As I was passing through downtown Springfield, I came across an interesting looking restaurant, Flame Steakhouse and Wine Bar. Well, I figured anything with wine bar and steak in the name had to be ok, so what the heck, I parked in went in. I found a very nice restaurant with a posh atmosphere, attentive service, friendly people and best of all, a great steak! I had the 12 oz ribeye accompanied by a Mark West Pinot Noir for those of you keeping score. I ordered medium rare, and it was perfectly prepared. So give Flame a try should you pass through Springfield sometime.

Mid week took me to Tulsa in my one-way rental car. The hotel for this part of the trip was the Marriott Southern Hills in South Tulsa. I’d read some less than flattering reviews of the hotel on FlyerTalk, but was pleasantly surprised with the stay. As a Marriott Rewards Gold Member, I was upgraded to the Concierge Level, and was able to check-in at 11am. The room was standard Marriott, including the new Marriott bed so all was well. The concierge lounge on the 11th floor was great with a very nice staff and not a bad spread of food compared to some I’ve visited.

While the purpose of my visit was business, having lived in Tulsa for a number of years, I took the opportunity to see some old friends. Dining at In the Raw Sushi at Brookside (they’ve added a second location known as “on the hill”) which I previously posted about, and on my final night in Tulsa, a relatively new restaurant, Stonehorse Cafe. The restaurant is located in the Utica Square shopping area, and I would certainly recommend it if you are in Tulsa. We dined on appetizers so I can’t speak to the entrees, but my friends are frequent diners and really bragged on the food. The service was friendly, and the food I did have was good. Utica Square also happens to be home to the Polo Grill, a really great Tulsa restaurant.

Friday finally came, and it was time to head home. The return trip was again on United, beginning with a United Express flight operated by GoJet Airlines from Tulsa, and a mainline United 757 from Chicago to DCA. Both flights were on-time, and I even managed to use a soon to expire upgrade coupon I had to sit in first class on the Chicago to DC segment. United offered a choice of shrimp ceaser salad or a warm chicken sandwich for lunch. I chose the salad which was surprisingly fresh, of adequate proportion, and accompanied by warm bread and followed with a warm chocolate chip cookie. The cabin staff had their work cut out for them serving lunch to 24 first class passengers on such a relatively short flight, but they got it done and were friendly and attentive throughout the flight.

It was a good week. Busy with work, but it was great to be able to see some old friends, experience a new city and be out of the office for a bit. But as the title says….it’s good to be home.