womantraveler

A Dining Rhapsody in Chicago

After a busy client day in the Windy City, trusting my intuition for a light dinner at Rhapsody's bar in the Chicago Symphony Center was really smart. And the choice of a flight of three cheeses with a salad of fresh greens, a crab cake and white wine was brilliant. Going solo on business, I've learned to ask the bartender what's hot -- and usually that recommendation is a winner.

I'm savoring the reminiscence of Raschera (Italian Piedmont), Garrotxa (Spanish Pyrennes) and Tete de Moine (Switzerland), an assortment of both goat's and cow's milk with a variety from sharp to balanced and sweet, different textures, and so on. A glass of the sturdy Sanford Chadonnay just nailed it.

Here's my formula for a successful dinner alone in a big U.S. city as a Womantraveler. Do a little research. Read the brochures in your hotel room or ask your clients for some options. Typically the local office workers drift to the bars and early dinners straight from their jobs, so 5 to 7:30 is the worst. If you don't have a reservation, especially in a busy downtown scene like Chicago, you have to improvise. And I don't typically have huge expense budgets so I do like the bar or light meal options.

Rhapsody was smart because the early crowd is headed to the symphony and the rush begins to dissipate between 7 and 7:30. And, often bar and lounge seating (which I prefer because of the abbreviated menus and quicker service) is pretty jammed. So I got there as soon as I could, in this case about 6:30, and was willing to wait (with a smile). I make sure the staff knows I'm there and waiting patiently. It pays to be friendly -- there are lots of pushy people who aren't. When a seat opens, I take my place.

Another good choice in Chicago was 1492 Tapas Bar at 42 E. Superior Street off upper Michigan Avenue. In a rainstorm, it was a haven -- and my own bar table with an ample choice of appetizers felt novel, was definitely tasty and the budget was right, too. Candidly, I would put it in the "good but not great" category, but it certainly was far above an ordinary meal at a hotel or familiar chain. When I'm traveling for business, I seek dinners out of the ordinary. It makes the day feel not so routine -- and in my  life, every day counts.

Bags Here Today, Gone Today

It only takes one lost luggage experience on the way to the first meeting with a new client to change the system for packing. Showing up in jeans and a day-old shirt clearly won't deliver impressions of professionalism and confidence to the president or CEO. So when my flight from California to Philadelphia got canceled in Chicago, and I quickly snagged the last seat on a flight to Newark, NJ, silly me...I had happily managed to actually get to the East Coast -- and to arrive within 90 minutes' drive from my final destination -- and I expected to rendezvous with my bags at Newark baggage claim.

Having to figure out an alternative at 11:30 pm on a Sunday night does not provide a lot of options for the 9 am meeting the next morning. The lessons:

• Always carry on a small bag with a change of clothing, or wear something that can be washed overnight. Business travelers customarily carry on a suitcase for this reason, but carrying on can be a real hassle -- when traveling for a week or in winter and needing multiple outfits, when flying on small commuter jets with little or no storage, when toting a roller bag computer case that is chock full of business papers and when trying not to injure neck, shoulders and back with lots of schlepping. The one solution -- my default travel outfit: Chico's "Travelers Series." I was an early-adopter of this professional-looking wash-and-go line that also has many dress-up options, and the articles can be rolled into tiny spaces relatively wrinkle free. This solution also jives with my "always wear skirts" philosophy for airplane travel.
• Wear comfortable but stylish shoes that can be transformed into business attire the next morning.
• Carry on all make up, a toothbrush, fresh change of underwear, jewelry and other accessories. This is a good idea for a day trip because travel delays can wreak all kinds of havoc on one's appearance -- let alone well-planned calendars. Hotels usually carry some cosmetic items -- and have irons -- but don't expect eyeliner or fresh nylons.
• Remember that hotel shampoos and hair dryers come in very handy if you have to wash out clothing in a rush. To speed up drying, first wrap the item in a towel, twist the towel to squeeze out excess (or stomp on it) and then apply the hair dryer action.
• Always pack a pashmina -- the rayon versions found at most airports for under $20 are indispensable. If nothing else, you can wrap up and hide under a colorful pashmina and look quite professional and stylish.
• Check out 24-hour emergency bag delivery services provided by some airlines at some airports. This isn't always a sure thing. While the helpful United Airlines baggage customer service telephone operators were on the job all night, the local company delivering the bags from the Philly airport had closed down before I got to Newark and did not open again until 6 am the next morning. But I was able to talk to a resourceful and sympathetic sympathetic baggage service operator who put a rush on delivery the next morning.
• Put a copy of your itinerary in your luggage -- in case someone in baggage service has to open it to locate you as the owner.

The gods sorted things out so I could be a little late to the first meeting, but that isn't always something you can count on. Oh, yes, and the carry-on options are only going to get worse with all the airline cutbacks. So, stay tuned...

Shop 'til You Drop on Your Handheld

It's easier and easier to shop by mobile phone or PDA while you're on the road. Here's a roundup of the most popular Web shopping sites with their special slimmed-down interfaces for small screens -- and links to a few lesser-known sites as well. Save this for wirelessly happy travels.

Tax-tracking Business Travel

It's that time of the year again when the W-9s and 1099s start rolling in in anticipation of spring tax season. If you're a business traveler, especially an independent business traveler like me, you're either well-organized and way ahead of the game -- or facing a pile of uncatalogued receipts. So file this advice away now and follow it -- some quick tips for keeping better records on the road.

Navigating the Washington, DC Landscape

As Congress and the White House launch their much-anticipated 2007 battles this week, thoughts turn to the US Capital and its attraction as a not-to-be-missed nerve center of the world. However, having lived in the Washington, DC happily off and on since the '60s, I'm alarmed what a struggle it is to visit now for work or pleasure. The region is practically unnavigable! Cultural expansion, a wealth of historical and political tourism and a breathtaking influx of new residents from home and abroad have resulted in a transportation nightmare (an overburdened Metrorail system, gridlock on the roadways and a dearth of downtown parking). Since 1960 the DC area has more than doubled in size to 5 million, and the giddy lack of planning controls is unfortunately evident today.

Fortunately there are bright spots -- the major improvements finally starting to go on line at Dulles International Airport and the growth of urban centers in surrounding communities, making a trip downtown often unnecessary for business travelers.

One tip for making DC manageable is to stay in one of the dozens of new hotels in close-in suburbs, such as Arlington, Virginia. Thirty years ago Arlington's Ballston area was a suburban crossroads of auto dealerships and small retail stores; today it's a bustling urban center served by Metrorail, Interstate 66 and hundreds of restaurants (many of them, particularly in the Clarendon area about two miles east along the same corridor retaining their Mom-and-Pop ethnic or neighborhood pub feel). A Ballston center dining highlight was the hibachi-style Matsukake Steak & Sushi Restaurant, where knife-juggling hibachi chefs entertain diners at large communal counters. There's also a new P.F. Chang's and, less expensive quality options in chain specialties such as Chipotle, Panera Bread and Chevy's Fresh Mex. (Beware of long lines by office workers at lunch.)

This explosive growth also is bringing spiffy new hotels, including the Westin Arlington Gateway, a high-rise structure at the multi-lane intersection of Wilson Blvd. and North Glebe Road. As a longtime Westin and Starwood hotels fan, I wish I could be more positive about the experience.

Hotel News

Happy to hear that Starwood Hotels have reflagged the Hilton Key West Resort & Marina to The Westin Key West Resort & Marina. If you visit, you'll experience an upscale renovation for the next two years but it's well-deserved. Key West has some of the best sunsets anywhere, but its lodging is hit and miss. These upgrades will include conversion of the Sunset Key Cottages just 500 yards offshore into 37 luxurious residential-style accommodations. Since Key West began moving from funky/laid-back to hot/stylish in the 1980s (and, for my money, a big loss), I vote for classy trumping wanna-be wherever possible there now.

Good news, too, that we can now print out our boarding passes in the lobbies of Marriott and Renaissance hotels. Checking into flights early helps reduce onsite airport hassles, ever more prolific these days.

Hotels are trying to create community -- try harder, I say, since airlines are herding us around like sheep. Sheraton's move in this direction is to invite visitors to share stories, tips and photos about travel finds and hotel experiences. Sheraton calls it "the first hotel industry website to embrace social media and feature user generated concent." There's even a "live chat" option for those needing help with a particular property. The home page "flash" globe loaded a little too slowly in my browser, but something to give a try anyway. I always check out several online sites and compare the visitor ratings, never depending solely on one catalogue of opinions. Everybody's got a fave and a beef about something -- so our job is to be influenced by the opinions that suit our preferences.

The ABC's of Biz Travel

Successful business travel for me has three requirements -- comfort (including quiet), convenience and connectivity (and if we're lucky, charm). So much for the C's. Which means that the right B's (or B&B's) can fill the bill as much as any executive hotel. And we womentravelers get an A for adaptation. Which brings me to the Cornerstone Mansion in Omaha, Nebraska, where the ABC's of women's business travel are largely met.

As a frequent woman business traveler, you know it's a waste of a precious day to treat any destination as simply "a place" with no identity of its own. That's why the Cornerstone Mansion was a good find in Omaha and a great lesson for my business travel to other cities. I had always enjoyed the Hilton Omaha, but along with the other major hotels it was booked for the annual College World Series.

So my clients suggested a bed-and-breakfast inn. This 1893 mansion is populated during the weekly primarily by women business travelers. Situated in the city's historic "Gold Coast," where structures date back to the prairie explorations of the late 19th-early 20th century pioneers, it is adorned in hand-carved wall paneling, mantles and balustrades of mahogany, among other woods brought in from Oregon and the West. What better mix of past and present than of neighboring mansions in Scottish baronial, French chateau and American craftsman styles, rooms wired with free Wi-Fi and CNN news playing on the parlor TV?

Down the street was McFoster's Natural Kind vegetarian restaurant, a casual neighborhood place that serves chicken and seafood, interesting wines and fresh-squeezed juices. For my second-night dinner, I went downtown to the Old Market District, and was delightfully spoiled in the upscale elegance of The French Cafe, having previously enjoyed on other business trips neighboring restaurants V Mertz and M's Pub.

The Perfect Bags and Totes

Apart from the Longchamp "Le Pliage" fashion bag collection, the search for the perfect computer tote, briefcase, and handbag selection for the professional womantraveler reminds me of the Three Bears story -- not to heavy, not too ugly, and, in fact, just right. But what is "just right" in this context? I could hold a profitable yard sale with my closet full of wrong choices. Thankfully women's travel bags have finally become a focal point of the accessories trade and certainly there is no dearth of choices in colors and fabrics this season. Keep in mind these perennial criteria:

• Necks, shoulders, and backs
• Versatility
• Portability with other carry-on bags
• Style

After much digging through options, here are my hot picks:

• Longchamp's "Le Pliage" bags -- in multicolors, multisizes. I put this ingenious discovery in competition for the Eighth Wonder of the World. As you can see above, they fold small and open large. I carry at least two on all trips -- an extra large tote in a color and a small discreet version (in black) for day-to-evening. To get through airport check-in, I put the small as a pocket book inside the large one as a tote, plus everything else I want to carry on. Purchased in Paris but available in fine handbag stores anywhere or online.
• Computer bags -- Dell offers a terrific range of options in black, red, pink, and more. My favorite is the Liberator Executive in black fabric because I can carry it on one shoulder with my computer/office gear and another microfiber tote from Magellans on the other shoulder as my handbag. The combination of the two, plus detachable smaller bags that come with them is unbelievable. I went to Europe and back, plus several US destinations on business, with everything I needed except my checked luggage in these two bags. Alternatively, I use my Tumi wheeled computer cart/overnighter for trips that require carrying more files and papers.
• Briefcases -- My Lodis briefcase-style shoulder bag has been my number one sidekick for several years for a combination portfolio/handbag, and professional daytime to evening conversion. It's big enough to hold a legal pad, a few files, a magazine, and small accessories, yet slim and sleek. Tumi has also gone all out this year with great bags to satisfy the same need.
• Business totes -- The leathers in Levenger's colorful collection coordinate with the smartest range of organizer materials -- this year in peacock blue, citrus yellow, coral red, black and more. What fun and at the same time impeccably business chic.
• Handbags -- With all of the above options, handbags now are delightful jewelry. So I pack handbags into my luggage for after-hours fun. One can only schlepp so much at once.

A Womantraveler's Food Delights in Little Rock

What's a womantraveler to do, especially a business woman traveler in a place like Little Rock, Arkansas, when she's seeking a good meal after a long day, and all that's available are local bars and saloons? This happens most frequently in small- to medium-size cities in the South and Heartland America, where the economy does not support the vast urban mix of the Coasts. So I tested my requirements while on a business trip to Little Rock, home of a remarkable library of former President Bill Clinton. What I found here, surprisingly, and one finds in many places that may not have the food snob cache, is a tightly knit sophisticated local clientele and excellent food -- if you know where to go. Our choices -- Flying Fish downtown and Brave New Restaurant.

Trouble is, when you venture in from the outside, great cuisine, a dining location that is nearby your hotel and on your schedule and a relatively tame/mellow environment are not likely to be found in complete combination in places like Little Rock and much of Middle America. Not that these communities don't appreciate the sentiment, but local businesses and the Chamber of Commerce may not have the economic options to focus simply on us womentravelers -- business and solo. In a few trips to Little Rock, I navigated through the scene to develop a working template that applies anywhere.

College Town Getaways: Penn Prez's Philly Faves

University of Pennsylvania President Amy Guttman's insider's travelogue of Philadelphia is an engaging excursion that places the city squarely in the perspective of a womantraveler and illuminates how Philly continues to buff up and spice up its urban chic and appeal. With so much history to preserve (aka The Declaration of Independence and Ben Franklin), yet a carefully restrained yearn for the contemporary, Philly has always had the challenge of not turning legacy into parody a la Disneyland. Twenty years ago, professionals and the hip of all ages were escaping Center City for the 'burbs for want of anything cultural to solidly keep them downtown. Fortunately, Philly keeps building on its historic past -- and it's all to the benefit of women travelers and their pals.

Guttman first published her faves for her colleagues in the Chronicle of Higher Education -- and what a great idea. High on her list are Stephen Starr's exotically themed restaurants (such as Buddakan) across the Center City and West Philly, where Penn is located, and First Friday gallery openings in Old City. An innovative music town, Philly is a jazz mecca for those in the know, and Zanzibar Blue -- which began happening about 20 years ago -- still holds its own off Broad Street (recently renamed Avenue of the Arts). That renaming honors the performing arts venues in the quarter (mixed in withe the mega-franchise retail stores that now occupy elegant 19th century bank buildings). We also wrote about Reading Terminal Market, the nation's oldest continuous operating farmer's market, where the aromas, sounds and energy of a huge in-town working market make it a destination in itself.