Par Pool & Spa

Churrascaria anyone?

Churrascaria. Up until recently, I just wasn't familiar with the word. The essence of Churrascaria: Brazilian steakhouse.

After a wonderful dinner at the Marina Grill on Friday night, it was time for something different. Last night's dining at the Moon Palace was at "Samba". Like the Marina Grill, Samba is open-air, next to the pools & beach. I like the tables that are closest to the outside.

Dining at a Churrascaria is a little different from other restaurants. Do your fill of buffet style salads & appetizers, then the waiters bring on a revolving selection of grilled & roasted meats coupled with tasty dipping sauces. Finely garnished with brown rice & black beans, and Brazilian style vegetables.

Dining at the Moon Palace

Dining at any of the Palace Resort properties is almost always exquisite. The freshness of the food. The quality of the presentation. The friendliness of the serving staff. The right sized portions. Everything.

If you're interested, here's what is tickling my palate while staying at the Moon Palace Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

I arrived 2 days prior to the BioGuard Dealers Enrichment Conference to catch up on some writing & grab a few hours of punctuated R & R. Friday's dinner was taken at the Marina Grill which features local Dominican cuisine and seafood. One of my absolute favorites types of cuisine. My thinking: if you're on a Caribbean island, why not eat fresh & local. The evening's appetizer was a plate of local calamari & Conch hush-puppies served over a bed of lightly thinly sliced, sauteed peppers & onions with a spoonful of dipping sauce to complete it.

Next up: Cream of Pumpkin soup. Creamy, smooth, delicious, savory.

Congratulations Kim Bensen!

Congratulations Kim!  Kim Bensen (and can't forget her husband Mark) has been a friend of my wife Barbara & me for the better part of 25 years.  Like other small business owners we've watched each other get through thick and thin.  Literally!

Sometimes life is not as simple or easy as you would like to have it.  In her book, Kim goes through the ups and downs of being a wife, a mom, a small business owner.  She has a compelling story that many of us can relate to.  It's a great read.  You'll even discover some life changing ideas for yourself.

We wish Kim & Mark well in this new venture as they connect with people through her book, website ( www.KimBensen.com ), television interviews, newspaper columns and more. 

All the best from all of us at ParPools.com!

Why I Love Mexican Food

Being back in Mexico for the 2009 BioGuard Enrichment Conference brought back great memories.  While a junior in high school (way back in 1976), I had the privilege of living in Saltillo, Mexico (located in the northern Mexican state of Coahuila) for about 10 months as an exchange student sponsored by Rotary International.  It was a great time that remains a vivid memory for all of these years.