A few weeks ago, I got to do something many people only dream about: dine with a famous chef in a beautiful setting surrounded by fun and fabulous people. The intimate event took place at Seattle’s Luc, a French-American restaurant owned by Top Chef judge and Top Chef Masters contestant, Thierry Rautureau {AKA The Chef in the Hat}.
While we dined on the amazing food, we were thoroughly entertained by Chef Rautareau as he spoke of how he got into the business {to always have food in his belly and a roof over his head}, his time on Top Chef, his family, and his two Seattle restaurants, Rovers and Luc. We also got to hear about the Urbanspoon app and Microsoft’s holiday offerings, as well as play with Microsoft 8 a bit on one of the touch screen devices they were showcasing.
It’s no secret that I’m a Windows gal. I’ve talked before about how much I love a good excel spreadsheet and how I just work better on a Windows machine, so I’m incredibly excited about Windows 8. I’ve been using a Windows phone for the past few years when my Blackberry died its final and prolonged death, and ever since then, I’ve been 100% Windows.
I’m hoping to make the leap to Windows 8 in 2013 {via phone and laptop}, so I was mostly interested in seeing how the new operating system compares. After playing with it the little bit that I have, I really love some of the new changes that make Windows 8 even more intuitive as well as the seamless integration from all of your Windows-based devices.
They were showcasing some of their newest Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 apps that can make the most of your holiday planning, and I loved dreaming about what I’m going to download as soon as I upgrade. For instance, the Urbanspoon app that has a database of over 800,000 restaurants internationally where you can access reviews by users, critics and bloggers alike as well as see what’s around where you’re at. Imagine having that kind of information in the palm of your hand the next time someone says, “Where do you want to eat?”
via Urbanspoon.com
If you’re a blogger, I highly recommend signing up for Urbanspoon.com where you can share your reviews of restaurants you’ve dined at. Not only would it be a great place to post all those dinner photos you insist on sharing on Facebook, but you’d also be helping non-foodies like me when I’m entertaining those who want to taste what Seattle has to offer.
Is your belly full and you’re looking to start the cocktails flowing? Get the Windows 8 Cocktail Flow app that tells you what you can create using ingredients you already have as well as help you find holiday-themed cocktails for your holiday parties. Rosemary mule, anyone?
All that’s left is setting the mood, and for that you’ll need the Windows 8 Music app that can help you create a playlist that can keep the party going. Then, when everyone is dancing and having a great time, you can share all those pictures and videos via SkyDrive’s free cloud storage solution.
And, now for the Windows Holiday Wish List:
Surface with Windows RT has a widescreen HD display that provides a larger view of your TV shows and movies. It feels great in your hands and when you want to put it down, Surface’s integrated kickstand is there when you need it, and disappears and doesn’t get in the way when you don’t. When you want to get something done, simply click in either Touch Cover—a
unique and innovative pressure-sensitive keyboard that’s 3mm thin and doubles as a cover that protects your screen, and is available in a variety of colors so people can express their personal style— or Type Cover, which adds moving keys for a more traditional typing feel that’s only 2mm more. Surface also comes with a full-size USB, enabling connectivity with literally hundreds of millions of devices, as well as a microSD card slot for adding almost limitless storage.
Price: Starting at $499.00
ASUS VivoTab RT is a lightweight and sleek with a hidden hinge design and brand-new chassis finish, the ASUS Vivo Tab RT looks and feels just like a laptop when docked, while giving you all the benefits of a tablet when you take it on the go.
Price: Starting at $599
Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11 is the world’s slimmest multimode PC. There are four unique ways to use it: laptop, tablet, tent, and stand. So prop it up or lay it flat—it's fun from any angle. The 11.6-inch HD+ display has 10 multitouch points, so you can enjoy gaming and social media wherever you go. Enjoy an optimal Windows 8 experience. Interact with all the latest software, features, and apps that Windows has to offer. The IdeaPad Yoga 11 has 10+ hours of battery life so it can power your activities throughout the day.
Price: Starting at $799.00-$899.99
A big thank you to Microsoft, Urbanspoon.com and Chef Rautureau for inviting me to attend the holiday luncheon where we received gift bags. As always, all opinions are 100% ours and no form of monetary compensation was received in exchange for this post.
Still sad about my Windows Phone…