A Visit To The Duke Mansion; A Charlotte, NC Historic Inn & Meeting Place

AMERICAN PRESS TRAVEL NEWS Charlotte, N.C.-Barb and I always like to experience the fine mom and pop B&B’s, resorts and middle of the road hotels and motels across America. However, sometimes we enjoy visiting the finest upscale, restored hundred year old homes and older. The architecture and landscaping of a different time, and mind-set, be they diminutive, or sprawling (The Duke Mansion is 32,000 Square feet, nearly a full acre of home) of the highly successful business magnates (now gone to bed in history) of the ilk of Guggenheim, Rockefeller, Loews, to name a few, that were able to afford the utmost in real estate and grandiose homes, now turned into guest accommodations. The Duke Mansion is such a place in time and space. With 14- original acres back in 1915 and today, gardens of roses and flora mirroring the past gardens, rooms with soaring ceilings, and huge windows with brass hardware of delightful industrial Revolution, art era design, juxtaposed near today’s comfortable beds and modern bath facilities-and at a price per day and evening, reasonable enough for any special occasion and exclusive visit.

Bed and a terrific Breakfast! Its what the 2nd "B" stands for! — **Bed and a terrific Breakfast! Its what the 2nd “B” stands for!**

We pulled into the curved driveway with easy parking, stopped for a picture of Mr. Duke’s original shooting fountain (Duke of Duke Power fame, said his Rolls Royce, Daughter Doris and his fountain was what he was most proud of) and were ensconced, thanks to the delightful concierge into a charming room with chocolates on the bed and homemade cookies and beverages just outside our door. After relaxing and looking over the grounds (So much history, so little time!) We headed for a highly recommended restaurant; Five Church for dinner! What a delightful meal awaited us after the Valet did the parking: Maine Lobster for Barbara, Scallops, and their 60-second New York Strip for us too (we share everything, and compare notes and tastes). Great service by Brian, our wait guy! We tried shrimp flat bread for appetizer and wonderful tomato bisque! Everything was “multi belle.” www.5church.com Entrance at 5^th Street and Church St. 704-919-1322.

Duke Mansion is located at 400 Hermitage Road Charlotte, NC 28207 www.dukemansion.com 888-202-1009

**Aroma of rose, and Barb was in heaven!**

Kaiyogrill & Sushi in Islamorada-A Step Up & Outta Sight for Japanese Cold and Hot Grill Specialties

Avacado stuffed with tuna tartar, and cream cheese, Executive Sous Chef Adrian Quesada, topped this with spicy mayo and tobiko then lightly torched this melange and served it with wonton chips. We were hooked!

**Executive Sous Chef Adrian Quesada for the past 4-years, putting the finishing touches on our Avocado Suchi dish-some fire to meld it all together.**

AmericanPressTravelNews-January 1st, Bob & Barb “On the Road Again” stopping at the Kaiyogrill & Sushi Dining Establishment-Islamorada, FL Keys. When we visited this upscale, yet laid- back restaurant decorated in a distinctly Asian motif, totally reminiscent of some of the fanciest sushi bars and restaurants found in larger cities such as Miami, Orlando, New York, we felt right at home. But here it is, gourmet sushi and delightful grill right in the middle of Islamorada, between the Atlantic and a thousand feet to the Gulf of Mexico too! Just about any type of sushi, sashimi, rolls, and a wide variety of hot dishes such as steaks, scallops, stuffed shrimps and lobster tails can be had here, grilled and sumptuous. Executive Sous Chef Adrian Quesada introduced us to their Asian Fusion themed food emporium and we were very impressed. There is a hot and cold kitchen, open six days per week. He described their Udon Noodles (we’re going back to slither some down the pipeline, their “Drunken Scallops” in a beer sauce, and a variety of offerings (see their online menu) that had the juices steadily flowing. Kaiyogrill & Sushi will have their own page in our “Florida Keys Best Restaurants” book coming out in late February. go: www.kaiyoGrill.com (305)-664-5556

**Barb getting ready to put on her gourmet face at Kaiyogrill!**

**How about bread pudding stuffed with banana? We left no one standing for this dessert! Fresh made is how we roll!**

Norwood’s Eatery & Bar Treehouse in New Smyrna Beach, FL Post 2 of 2-More To Come

Norwood's Eatery and Bar Sports a Treehouse and some of the best vittles I have ever eater. The restaurant has been around since 1946 and has evolved into a uniquely special place to visit and "sup." — Norwood’s Eatery and Bar Sports a Treehouse and some of the best vittles I have ever eater. The restaurant has been around since 1946 and has evolved into a uniquely special place to visit and “sup.”

APtravelnews-Feb. 4th, New Smyrna Beach, FL.-Bob and Barb Still “Smelling the Roses” and this night, enjoying the menu dishes aromas at Norwood’s. When Ms. Linda, Manager at Norwood’s seated us on the downstairs level of this great food emporium, we looked around and noticed how incredibly satisfied the patrons seated around us were with their tasty looking dishes. We felt we really found a gem and as it turned out we were correct!

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