December, 2019 | Frontdesk

6 Dallas Restaurants Where You Can Enjoy a Christmas Day Feast

Posted on 12/23/201903/29/2020 by Alicia Haugen

Christmas is quickly approaching! While some families choose to labor over the stove for a home-cooked meal, others turn to restaurants instead. If you don’t want to worry about the cooking – or the cleaning up – this holiday, here are six restaurants in Dallas that will be open on Christmas Day.

Open: 10:30 am – 6:00 pm

LAW Restaurant is hosting a holiday brunch on Christmas Day, complete with a child-friendly buffet of favorite dishes plus coffee and mimosa bars for adults. This top-rated “Texas chic” restaurant serves up delicious meals year-round, and we don’t doubt that their holiday brunch will also be impressive. After your meal, enjoy making some holiday crafts or take home a hand-crafted balloon animal.

Open: 5:00 – 10:00 pm

The upscale Avanti is open for a late Christmas dinner, and will also have live entertainment by Miguel Antonio from 7:00 – 10:00 pm. The restaurant serves up Italian-Mediterranean inspired cuisine in an Uptown bistro atmosphere. Plus, it has a Wine Spectator awarded wine collection.

Open: 5:00 – 9:00 pm

Howard Wang’s Uptown China Brasserie will serve up their regular menu on Christmas Day. Enjoy favorites like peking duck, lo mein stir fry noodles, crab wontons, and much more, plus great drinks. Reservations are not accepted on Christmas Day; tables will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Open: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm

Kona Grill’s Dallas location is having a Surf & Turf special for the holiday: an 8 oz filet served with lobster butter a crispy tempura lobster roll. There’s also a special children’s dinner of 4-ounce filet, mashed potatoes, asparagus is also available.

Open: 4:00 – 9:00 pm

Elm Street Cask & Kitchen in Downtown Dallas will be serving a special three-course Christmas menu on the 24th and 25th. Stick around for the delicious dessert course of either peppermint bark chocolate lava cake or bourbon caramel bread pudding. They will also have their usual Happy Hour and Late Night menu.

Open: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm

RJ Mexican Cuisine is open on Christmas Day with a special chef’s menu of steaks; a fajita, taco, enchilada, and nacho bar; and a dessert bar. The restaurant was voted for best scratch kitchen Mexican food in Dallas and is located in the Historic West End.

Looking for somewhere to stay while you’re spending the holidays in Dallas? Frontdesk offer secure, trendy suites and short-term rentals that are centrally-located. Start your search for a Frontdesk apartment in Dallas today!

Visiting DALLAS?

You’ll need Frontdesk’s Dallas Guidebook. It’s curated by local experts and filled with only the best bars, restaurants, and places to visit.

DOWNLOAD TODAY!

Embracing the Cold: Best Winter Activities

Posted on 12/13/201903/29/2020 by Alicia Haugen

Winter is upon us! While some people prefer to escape to warmer climates, others like to embrace the cold and enjoy fun winter activities. Snow, hot cocoa, ice skating … After all, the holidays are right around the corner!

We asked a few of our City Managers what the best winter activities are in their cities, and here is what they suggested.

Pittsburgh, PA

City Manager: Christian Molloseau

Phipps Conservatory Holiday Magic!

The Holiday Magic! Conservatory Winter Flower Show and Light Garden at Phipps Conservatory features over ten acres of gardens and lights. Here you can see a tunnel and fountain of lights, a tree carousel display, colorful poinsettia trees, a frozen forest with topiary reindeer, a rainbow glow tree, and much more. It goes through January 12.

Ice Skating Rink at PPG Place

From November 22 through March 1, the Plaza between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh transforms into the MassMutual Pittsburgh Ice Rink at PPG Place, a 16′ x 116′ outdoor ice skating rink. Admission costs $10 for adults and $9 for children, plus $4 for skate rental.

Holiday Market in Market Square

The People Gas Holiday Market is a one-of-a-kind shopping village in Market Square, with live entertainment and vendors in wooden chalets selling food, arts and crafts, and holiday gifts. The Market is open daily through December 23.

Looking for a place to stay in Pittsburgh? Find a Frontdesk suite near it all!

Kansas City, MO

City Manager: Mayra Elizondo

Ice Skating at Crown Center

From November 1 through March 8, enjoy ice skating at the Crown Center Ice Terrace, an outdoor ice skating rink at the shopping complex. Regular admission costs $7, plus $4 for skate rental. They also offer skating lessons.

Kansas City Plaza Lights

The Plaza Lights is a 15-block holiday spectacle on the Country Club Plaza, a local tradition for 90 years. Although the lighting ceremony took place Thanksgiving evening, the thousands of glimmering, jewel-colored lights will shine daily in the shopping district from 5 pm to 3 am through mid-January.

WinterFest at Worlds of Fun

WinterFest transforms the Worlds of Fun amusement park into a holiday wonderland of lights, festive decor, live entertainment, food, holiday characters, and of course, your favorite rides. It is open select nights from November 23 through December 31.

Looking for a place to stay in Kansas City? Find a Frontdesk suite near it all!

Minneapolis, MN

City Manager: Elton Bell

Cross-Country Skiing

Minnesota has thousands of trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. The cross-country skiing trails alone cover more miles of skiing than a trek from St. Paul to Los Angeles! Find a trail in the Minneapolis area.

Holiday Shopping on Nicollet

Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis’ prime shopping district, is the perfect place to find your holiday gifts. You’ll find stores ranging from Banana Republic to Brooks Brothers, jewelry stores, boutique shops, and much more. On Nicollet, you can also take in the holiday window displays that were recently unveiled at the Dayton’s Project, styled to match the nostalgia of the historical once-department store that is being renovated.

Ice Castles

Take a short drive 30 minutes west of Minneapolis to Excelsior, MN to experience their incredible ice castles. The large, abstract castles are created with an elaborate sprinkler system that grows around 12,000 new icicles daily. There are LED-lit sculptures, frozen thrones, ice-carved tunnels, slides, and more. Opening day is weather-dependent, but is slated for late December or early January.

Looking for a place to stay in Minneapolis? Find a Frontdesk suite near it all!

KANSAS CITY

Open + Quaint Loft

MINNEAPOLIS

Desirable 2BR Apt

PITTSBURGH

Urban Chic Studio

MINNEAPOLIS

Convenient + Trendy 1BR Apt

Interested in checking out one of these great wintertime activities? Warm up with us in one of our incredible one- and two-bedroom short-term rentals. When you stay in a Frontdesk suite, we ensure that you have everything you need to enjoy your stay, no matter where you are. Book with us today!

Ways to Get in the Holiday Spirit in St. Louis

Posted on 12/11/201903/29/2020 by Alicia Haugen

If you’re visiting St. Louis, Missouri (read our city spotlight) this holiday season, there are more than a few ways to get in the festive spirit. From taking a carriage ride through Tilles Park’s annual Winter Wonderland to boarding the Polar Express at St. Louis Union Station, the whole family is invited to spend Christmas in the city!

Here’s everything you’ll need to include in your itinerary this winter:

LIGHT UP THE HOLIDAYS

Way of Lights

(November 22 – December 31)

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Way of Lights, showcasing over one million lights and displays portraying the oldest Christmas celebration – the birth of Jesus! The festive light show spans over a mile-and-a-half and runs 5 to 9 PM every night from November 22 through December 31. Way of Lights also holds indoor activities during their light show for families to stay warm, including special family nights on Tuesdays: treats and drinks, camel and pony rides, Lego brick displays, and more!

Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park

(November 22 – January 2, Closed Christmas Eve)

Stop by Tiles Park for St. Louis Country Parks’ 34th Annual Winter Wonderland! Enjoy a walk, carriage ride, or drive through the twinkling holiday display running from 5:30 to 9:30 PM every night, November 22 through January 2. The park is open rain or shine, and cameras are allowed for snapping photos of your new favorite holiday spot!

Anheuser-Busch Brewery Lights

(November 22 – December 30)

Bring the whole family to the 34th annual Brewery Lights at the Anheuser-Busch St. Louis brewery. Take a walk down Pestazolli Street from November 22 through December 30 for a holiday lighting spectacular! Walking tours are open Monday through Wednesday from dusk ‘til midnight, and there’s an exclusive Kids Zone for the youngsters while you try out a few complimentary holiday brews.

Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden

(November 23 – January 4, Closed December 24, 25)

It’s the best time of the year to take a walk through the Missouri Botanical Garden. From November 23 through January 4, experience the magical Garden Glow holiday lighting display, complete with s’ mores, drinks, and photos with Elsa from Frozen! The garden’s Climatron, Kaeser Memorial Maze, Tower Grove House, and Central Axis will be covered in over one-million lights with traditional displays. It’s sure to be plenty of fun for everyone

CLASSIC HOLIDAY SHOWS

Saint Louis Symphony’s Mercy Holiday Celebration

(December 13 – 15)

There will be plenty of holiday cheer at this year’s performance of the Mercy Holiday Celebration. Listen to all of your favorite holiday tunes played by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Holiday Festival Chorus. Saint Nick himself will make an appearance, too! Join the fun at the Powell Symphony Hall this December and see why the Mercy Holiday Celebration is the favorite holiday tradition of so many in St. Louis.

St. Louis Ballet’s Nutcracker

(December 18 – 23)

No holiday season would be complete without the quintessential Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker. St. Louis Ballet will be performing The Nutcracker at the Touhill Performing Arts Center from December 18th through the 23rd. If you have young children, you won’t want to miss their special narrated performance on the 18th.

Home Alone In Concert

(December 20 – 21)

You’ve never seen Home Alone quite like this. Experience the classic Christmas movie on the big screen once again while the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra plays along with John Williams’ score. This is a one-of-a-kind show that the whole family can enjoy, so get your tickets today. You can see Home Alone In Concert on Friday the 20th at 7:00 pm or Saturday the 21st at 2:00 pm.

HOLIDAY CROWD-PLEASERS

Steinberg Skating Rink in Forest Park

(November 15 – March 1)

Nothing says “holiday spirit” quite like ice skating does! Strap on your skates and head to the largest outdoor skating rink in the Midwest. The Steinberg Ice Rink in Forest Park is open to visitors every day, even on holidays. And don’t forget to pick up a hot chocolate at the Snowflake Cafe while you’re there!

Holiday in the Park

(November 23 – January 1)

For holiday thrill-seekers, Six Flags St. Louis is the place to be. During their annual Holiday in the Park event, the amusement park transforms into a winter wonderland, complete with colorful holiday lights, incredible performances, and all of your favorite rides. You may even get to meet Santa Claus.

Polar Express Train Ride

(November 29 – December 30)

All aboard the Polar Express! Board the Polar Express Train Ride at St. Louis Union Station and experience the magic of Chris Van Allsburg’s iconic book first-hand. By the end of your journey to the North Pole, you’ll be a true believer once again. Check their website to view an up-to-date schedule.

Chanukah at the Botanical Garden

(December 22, 12 pm – 4 pm)

Kick this Chanukah off right by coming down to the Missouri Botanical Garden. On the 22nd of December, the Garden will host a celebration of the first day of the holiday. Join the party to see a traditional menorah lighting and enjoy some festive music and dancing. There’s even a traditional market where you can purchase items for your own Chanukah celebration.

Kwanzaa: First Fruits

(December 30, 12 pm – 4 pm)

Come down to the Missouri Botanical Garden to celebrate Kwanzaa this year! The holiday gets its name from the Swahili word meaning “first fruits” and commemorates the feast table of the harvest. The ceremony in the Garden will feature music, storytelling, craft and jewelry displays, and traditional African drumming performances. Kwanzaa: First Fruits runs from 1 to 2:15 PM, but you can stop by anytime in the afternoon to browse the boutique.

St. Louis is a great place to visit for a memorable holiday vacation! Return to the magical pastime of the Christmas season and enjoy a stay at one of our select suites or short-term rentals in the city. Wishing you happy holidays from our Frontdesk family to yours!

City Spotlight: Cincinnati

Posted on 12/04/201903/29/2020 by Alicia Haugen

Frontdesk welcomes you to Cincinnati, OH! The “Queen City,” also nicknamed “Cincy,” is located in the southwest corner of Ohio, just across the river from Kentucky. Cincinnati is most well known for its sports teams, unique chili, and internet sensation Fiona the Hippo, but it has a lot more to offer visitors. Keep reading to learn more about what to do, where to eat, and how to get around Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Neighborhoods

The Banks

The Banks is an entertainment district on the riverfront in Cincinnati. The area is bookended by the Paul Brown Stadium to the west and Great American Ballpark to the east. It is part of a multi-year development initiative that will continue to add more restaurants, shops, and bars.

Downtown

Downtown Cincinnati is the central business district of the city. Downtown has a wide variety of things to do, including cultural attractions, shopping, and top restaurants.

Mount Adams

The neighborhood is known for Eden Park, which has walking paths and views of the Ohio River views. Here you will also find the Krohn Conservatory, home to exotic plants and butterflies, and the Cincinnati Art Museum.

West End

This neighborhood is located northwest of downtown. The area is largely residential and you can find historic buildings and lavish mansions.

Over-the-Rhine

Over-the-Rhine is a historic neighborhood with well-preserved 19th-century buildings. It was once a working-class German neighborhood that has been revitalized in recent years. It is now home to craft breweries, hip gastropubs, trendy bars, and Findlay Market.

Things to do in Cincinnati

There are many fun things to see and do in Cincinnati. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, there is a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities, offering something for everyone!

Cincinnati Zoo

Having opened in 1875, the Cincinnati Zoo is the second-oldest in the United States. It was also named the top zoo in North America in 2019 by USA Today. The zoo houses over 500 animals and 3,000 plant species, including Martha, the last living passenger pigeon, Incas, the last living Carolina parakeet, and Fiona, the internet-famous baby hippo.

Newport Aquarium

Although technically across the river in Newport, Kentucky, the aquarium is only a five-minute drive from downtown Cincinnati and a must-see. It has 70 exhibits and 14 galleries, with more than 90 different species. The aquarium is known for its stingrays, albino alligators, and shark exhibit.

Cincinnati Art Museum

The Cincinnati Art Museum is the largest in the state of Ohio and one of the oldest in the United States. Their collection has over 60,000 objects including works by artists such as Renoir, Monet, Corot, Picasso, and many more. The museum also has a wing that specifically features works by Cincinnati artists.

Findlay Market

The Findlay Market is Ohio’s oldest public market, and it’s open year-round! Here you will find vendors selling meat, fish, poultry, flowers, cheese, deli, and other produce. There is also a seasonal farmers’ market, bringing a new character to the market. The market attracts more than a million visitors a year!

Hidden Gems in Cincinnati

American Sign Museum – collection of vintage and neon signage
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center – a museum and education center focusing on the stories of the Underground Railroad
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Garden – 300+ acre sculpture park with more than 60 outdoor sculptures
Cincy Brew Bus – a bus tour that takes you to several different breweries
The Video Arcade – Quentin Tarantino-themed video store speakeasy
Wunderbar! – serves an authentic German-inspired menu

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Cincinnati established?

The city was incorporated as a town in 1802 and then as a city in 1819. It was the first city founded after the American Revolution!

Where did the name come from?

It was named “Cincinnati” in honor of the Society of the Cincinnati, made up of Revolutionary War veterans, which was named after Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus from the early Roman Republic.

What popular sports team is Cincinnati known for?

Cincinnati is home to three major sports teams: the Cincinnati Reds (MLB), the Cincinnati Bengals (NFL), and FC Cincinnati (Major League Soccer).

What is the weather like in Cincinnati?

Cincinnati summers are warm and humid with temperatures in the 70°s and 80°s. Winters are cold and snowy with temperatures between 20-40°. The most popular time of year to visit Cincinnati is from mid-June to late September.

Best Restaurants and Bars in Cincinnati

Breakfast/Brunch

For brunch, head to Taste of Belgium in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood for delicious Belgian food with a twist. They serve up many different styles of their signature waffles, as well as other breakfast and lunch favorites. There are also Taste of Belgium locations on the Banks and in Findlay’s Market.

Lunch

No trip to Cincinnati would be complete without trying the city’s unique style of chili, which is served on top of spaghetti noodles. While there are many different chili parlors in Cincinnati, Skyline Chili is a classic (there are several locations).

Dinner

For a nice dinner, we recommend Sotto. They serve up rustic Italian cuisine like gnocchi and short rib cappellacci, with a cozy and romantic brick-and-wood interior. They also have an extensive wine list.

Bars

When it comes to alcohol, Cincinnati largely prefers craft beers, and there are no shortage of local breweries (being based in Wisconsin, we understand the passion). We recommend checking out Taft’s Ale House, an old 19th-century church that has been converted into a modern and trendy brewpub. You also always have the option of taking a brewery bus tour if you would like to visit multiple.

Best Way to Get Around Cincinnati

While some parts of Cincinnati are pedestrian-friendly, for the most part, attractions are too spread out and you will need a car. There are a few public transportation options, including the Metro bus service and the Cincinnati Bell Connector, which is a modern streetcar system that connects The Banks to Over-the-Rhine.

Join thousands of other trusted travelers on our email list!

Our 20th City!

Posted on 12/04/201903/06/2020 by Alicia Haugen

Hello again, world!

Back in March, our company Frontdesk came out of stealth mode to announce a new brand and to highlight our six U.S. city markets. Now, just eight months later, we are proud to announce the launch of our 20th U.S. city market!

At Frontdesk, we believe that travelers shouldn’t have to choose between a professional host and a desirable location; we believe you should STAY WHERE YOU WANT.™

Our commitment to providing a high variety of locations extends beyond just expanding into more cities. Frontdesk boasts the highest variety of locations within a city as well. We now manage a network of 450 suites across 120 unique apartment communities in the country, meaning that we offer more choices than almost every other urban vacation rental hosts in the United States.

Example: Frontdesk’s available buildings (gold) in the Charlotte, NC area compared to a competitor (red).

Over the past 8 months, our company has achieved 3x city growth, 3x completed reservation growth, and 2x multifamily partner growth. This is all in addition to launching our in-house custom Property Management System, Direct Booking Experience, Multifamily Partner Online Portal, and other additions to our “Frontdesk Operating System” to enhance our guest and multifamily partner experiences.

We are incredibly proud of our team for this level of growth and achievement. It takes a group of driven, autonomous, and capable individuals to make our operations run smoothly. Join us in celebrating 20 cities by using promo code 20CITYBASH at check-out for 20% off!

Sincerely,

Kyle and Jesse

Visiting DALLAS?

DOWNLOAD TODAY!

Looking for a place to stay in Pittsburgh? Find a Frontdesk suite near it all!

Looking for a place to stay in Kansas City? Find a Frontdesk suite near it all!

Looking for a place to stay in Minneapolis? Find a Frontdesk suite near it all!

KANSAS CITY

MINNEAPOLIS

PITTSBURGH

MINNEAPOLIS

LIGHT UP THE HOLIDAYS

Way of Lights

Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park

Anheuser-Busch Brewery Lights

Garden Glow at the Missouri Botanical Garden

CLASSIC HOLIDAY SHOWS

Saint Louis Symphony’s Mercy Holiday Celebration

St. Louis Ballet’s Nutcracker

Home Alone In Concert

HOLIDAY CROWD-PLEASERS

Steinberg Skating Rink in Forest Park

Holiday in the Park

Polar Express Train Ride

Chanukah at the Botanical Garden

Kwanzaa: First Fruits

Cincinnati Neighborhoods

The Banks

Downtown

Mount Adams

West End

Over-the-Rhine

Things to do in Cincinnati

Cincinnati Zoo

Newport Aquarium

Cincinnati Art Museum

Findlay Market

Frequently Asked Questions

Need Assistance?

Call/Text: +1 414 240 2398

Email: hello@stayfrontdesk.com

THANK YOU.