BlackenedOut

I’ve flown the BA Dreamliner between MSY and LHR more than a few times. Last flight was in June in the new biz class seating. Was an outstanding flight all around, seat, service, food, and snack bar improvements.

Go to lake Garda. Specifically the northern side, more specifically Riva del Garda. Stay at the Lido Palace.

Now on the western shore of Lake Garda there are some insanely nice hotels but those were way out of my budget.

You good my man. Thinner but so rich. Let it sit and savor it in a few weeks.

Flight out of Charleston canceled with 3 hours notice. What do we pay airline fees and taxes for?

Does it have to be Michelin starred?

Was there in May standout meals include

Le Bon Georges
Bistrot Paul Bert
Allard
Les Cocottes
Chez L’ami Jean
Huiterie Regis
Chez Michel
L’avant comptoir du Marche (other comptoirs as well)
La Gavroche Bar a vins
Plenty others but that’s a good start

Tend to believe best overall are delta Sky Clubs. United clubs are so hit or mess. Hardly ever use AA Admiral’s Lounge anymore but those aren’t bad.

Centurion lounges are great if flying through an airport with one and it’s convenient. Priority pass lounges also very hot or miss. Chase lounges have always been at capacity.

International carriers are great. Best lounges I’ve ever been to are Emirates in JFK, Venice priority pass, and San Fran Centurion.

Any lounge is better than sitting at a gate or paying $17 for a beer at some Delaware South run “restaurant.”

Sufficiently fed. Here is how ours went.

You are seated and a champagne cart appears. You can grab a glass of champagne or not. Then waiter takes your drink order. You are then taken into the kitchen where you get a first bite and are shown the produce and products that make up that days tasting menu.

Head back to table and the first selection of canapes is on the table and your drinks delivered. Another round of canapés. Then menus and discussion about the courses and such. Salmon cheesecake comes out, fish course, meat course, palate cleanser (snowball), dessert, and mignardises. Then with the bill a to go packet with cold brew cafe au lait, apple crumble tart, and signed menus of what you actually ordered (same move as TFL).

It’s expensive but it’s worth it and well done. And no one in city, state, or region comes close to that level.

Update

Made the peanut butter whiskey nog. Didn’t taste it yet but smell is incredible. Proustian moment of being a kid and having a peanut butter and honey sandwich with big glass of Cold milk. Will update in a few weeks with taste/flavor.

Don’t know you personally but having followed your travels and standards on this site for a while, I feel for you.

Maybe you can sweet talk them into a villa on St. Barths instead. High season so that kind of crushes the budget, but think you’ll find a happy medium there.

Went to Emeril’s last week.

This is painting with a broad brush but based on the restaurants I’ve gone to with Michelin stars they are up there with any 2 or 3 star spot. Fantastic meal with an interesting viewpoint on the food they are serving, exceptional service, ambiance and all of that.

To wit, Lilac and Rocca in Tampa both have one star. They are great restaurants, but neither is in the same league as Emeril’s is right now.

I’d put it up there with meals at TFL, Le Bernardin, and Carme Ruscalleda’s Sant Pau (closed but had 3).

Not sure what Michelin will give Emeril’s but I’d say 2 at a minimum based on comparison shopping.