The Gaslamp Strip Club (It's a Steakhouse!)

Gaslamp Strip Club

340 5th Avenue, San Diego

Many of you are probably thinking that I am now a food critic and no longer a REALTOR! It's not true. I just happen to love food and when I am in a city on a convention or traveling with Rick I get to try new places.

Last night a group of Vermonter's that are in San Deigo for the NAR Convention got together for dinner. We went to The Gaslamp Strip Club on 5th Avenue in the gaslamp district of the city - not far from the convention center. You must understand, the Strip Club is a great steak house.

The steaks are all dry aged and served unprepared. You get to use a community grill to cook your own. The place was a blast and the food was really good. Along with you choice of meat they serve a huge family style salad, garlic bread ready to put on the grill and you can order sides. We ended getting a few sides for everyone to share: White Truffle Mac-N-Cheese (the house signature dish), Three Cheese Mac-N-Cheese, Brocolli and Carrots, and beet battered Onion Rings.

In short, the place was fabulous. The prices were great, the service was incredible and it's certainly worth checking out if you are in San Deigo! You can read more on their website at:

http://www.cohnrestaurants.com/restaurants/gaslampsteak/

(Oh, and Rachel Ray likes it, so it's gotta be good! - see her video on the website)

Seaport Village, San Diego

Greetings from San Diego! I am in town for a few days to attend the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) annual convention. The convention is being held at the San Deigo Convention Center on Harbor Drive. I am staying at the Hyatt Manchester Grand Hotel and my room has a wonderful view of the city as well as the Marriott Marina.

For lunch I ate at Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine - it's was fabulous! I started with Soy Beans tossed in seasoning (salt, sugar, chili's, orange, who knows what else) and then had the Prime Rib Sandwich. It was thin sliced prime rib on grilled sourdough bread with horseradish creme, havarti cheese and bacon jam. It was served with Maui onion au jus and parmesan fries.

Later in the afternoon I had the opportunity to take a walk around Seaport Village and boardwalk area. I came upon a great little cookie shop (leave it to me to find cookies) called Seaport Cookie Shop. They had the cookies on display in the window. I couldn't decide which one was for me, so I got 4! Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut, and Walnut Chocolate Chip. I couldn't resist.

With a few more days here in San Diego, I'm wondering what other food exploration awaits!

Dennis Received "GREEN" Designation by NAR

I am excited that I recently received my 'green' designation from the National Association of REALTORS! I took much of the course in Washington, DC in May, and finished with a full day class in September at the VAR Conference in Burlington. Below is the press release:

RANDOLPH, VERMONT – Dennis Brown with New England Land Company, LTD. has been awarded the National Association of REALTORS®’ [NAR’s] Green Designation, the only green real estate professional designation recognized by NAR.

Dennis achieved this prestigious designation after completing 18 hours of course work designed specifically for REALTORS®. The courses were created in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of industry experts from across the country; ensuring designees gain comprehensive knowledge of green homes and buildings and issues of sustainability in relation to real estate.

More specifically, Dennis was trained in understanding what makes a property green, helping clients evaluate the cost/benefits of green building features and practices, distinguishing between industry rating and classification systems, listing and marketing green homes and buildings, discussing the financial grants and incentives available to homeowners, and helping consumers see a property’s green potential.
“As energy costs rise along with concern for the environment, homeowners are looking for innovative ways to save money and live responsibly,” said Dick Gaylord, NAR’s immediate past president. NAR’s Green Designation was developed in response to growing consumer awareness of the benefits of resource-efficient homes and buildings. The designation helps consumers who care about energy efficiency and sustainable building practices identify REALTORS® who can help them realize their green real estate and lifestyle goals.

As an NAR Green Designee, Dennis has gained the knowledge and the tools necessary to become a trusted green resource for Central Vermont. For more information feel free to contact Dennis at (802) 728-9100 x204 or by e-mail at dennis@newenglandlandvermont.com


For more information about NAR’s newest designation, visit their website at www.greenresourcecouncil.org

Birthday Fun & Great Food!

Patrick's Place - Randolph, Vermont

Friday, November 6th, I celebrated my 43rd Birthday! Like many years in the past I joined my friends Pam and Carolyn for our annual "Birthday Luncheon". Carolyn's Birthday is the 9th, and Pam's is the 11th, so we generally do one lunch to celebrate all at once. So on Friday we met at a local Randolph eatery - "Patrick's Place". It's known for great food, friendly service and good prices. I indulged on a Bacon Cheeseburger and French Fries, and it was delicous!

That evening Rick and I joined my sister and brother-in-law for dinner in South Royalton. My brother-in-law (Gary) had a birthday just two days prior on November 4th (I have lots of family and friends that are Scoripio's!). We decided on the "5 Olde Tavern" on the green in South Royalton. It was a great choice as I have two nephews who work there and so we got to say hello to both of them. We all had one of the evenings specials, the Surf & Turf. The steak was grilled to perfection and very flavorful, and the stuffed scallops were magnificent. We topped it off with desert, and I chose the Deep Dish Apple Cheesecake Pie - yummy! It is certainly worth exploring if you are ever in South Royalton!

This morning my mother wanted to take Rick and I out to breakfast to celebrate both of our Birthdays (Rick turned 50 on October 17th). So, again, we were off to Patricks. I had one of the days specials: Cinnamon Raisin French Toast, with a side of bacon of course (Bacon is my favorite food!). It was amazing. The french toast was really thick and was incredible flavor.

So, now I have to work off all this wonderful food I consumed over the weekend. But hey, what are birthdays for!