"Vivek's Picks" -- A (highly) Mobile CEO's Guide to Eating Out
Vivek is an entrepreneur who is also an ex-VC and a globe-trotting foodie. He blogs about his favorite restaurant finds, wherever his travels take him.

Five things Vivek keeps in mind when deciding whether an eating/drinking establishment makes his top picks: 
  1. Short menus -- demonstrates focus, i.e. do few things but do them well.
  2. Fresh ingredients -- determines the difference between good and great.
  3. Simple preparation -- allows real taste to come through, i.e. light roast as opposed to dark roast coffee.
  4. Informed and friendly staff -- helps engage with chef without meeting the chef.
  5. Bread -- makes the wait that much more bearable.
The Enterprise Social Networking features, Mobile Presence and Status, on the DiVitas phone has proven to be a handy tool for Vivek who likes to "microblog" news about what/where he is eating and drinking throughout the day. Knowing these Mobile Presence and status updates are DiVitas-eyes only allows him to be candid with these reports on his whereabouts.



Vivek Khuller, CEO of DiVitas Networks based in Mountain View, Calif. The DiVitas Mobile Unified Communications (Mobile UC) solution unifies the deskhone number with voice, IM and  Social Networking (Mobile Presence and Status) on a mobile phone to make it easier for individuals to connect with one another on the first try. With its enterprise mobility solution, DiVitas is using enterprise social networking to help companies affordably create a more mobile workforce.
Comments (0)

Vivek's Restaurant Review: Ben's Chili Bowl
Posted Thursday, September 24, 2009 by Vivek Khuller
I’ve had a dinner date on the books for several months now. I am scheduled to be in D.C. on the same day as a friend of mine from my University of Maryland-days
– and the plan is to hit Ben’s Chili Bowl for some good ol’ American eats.

The headlines are often about “Obama the foodie" and how he gave Ben’s Chili Bowl (my upcoming destination) a major endorsement when he took the family there for dinner.
DiVitas CEO Vivek Khuller and Obama have something in common - they are both foodies
As a fellow foodie, all I can say is, the man’s got taste. I am looking forward to eating my chili cheese dog. I only hope we can find two empty seats.





President Obama made headlines when
he stopped for a quick bite at Ben's Chili bowl.

Comments (0)

Vivek's Restaurant Pick: My Five Top Coffeee Microroasters (Bay Area and L.A.)
Posted Thursday, September 17, 2009 by Vivek Khuller
I have been meaning to write this column for quite some time, given my passion for coffee. There is an underground movement that’s taking the coffee business to the next level – the emergence of “microroasters.”

These coffeehouses are led by passionate coffee aficionados who travel the world to pick the best beans. They roast the beans in small batches, almost daily, to offer the best possible coffee. Four of my five top microroasters are located in the Bay Area: Ritual, Barefoot, Four Barrel and Blue Bottle. The fifth, Intelligentsia, is in L.A and Chicago.

Those of you who are planning to descend on San Francisco for this week's VoiceCon 2009 or Enterprise 2.0 conferences, or any other reason, must stop by one of my favorite microroasters to experience the Bay Area’s other innovation – coffee.






Vivek Khuller, CEO of DiVitas Networks based in Mountain View, Calif. The DiVitas Mobile Unified Communications (Mobile UC) solution unifies the deskhone number with voice, IM and  Social Networking (Mobile Presence and Status) on a mobile phone to make it easier for individuals to connect with one another on the first try. With its enterprise mobility solution, DiVitas is using enterprise social networking to help companies affordably create a more mobile workforce.
Comments (0)

Vivek's Restaurant Pick: Mesa Grill, Las Vegas
Posted Thursday, July 30, 2009 by Vivek Khuller
Mesa Grill – Bobby Flay’s Southwestern restaurant – was on the eating itinerary when the DiVitas team attended Interop Las Vegas a few weeks ago (our tradeshow coordinator loves the guy).

In true Vegas form, everything about Mesa Grill is grandiose but cool – take the 20-foot tall rotisserie, 28-seat bar, three-tiered dining room and 8,800-square-foot layout for example. Food-wise, the menu pairs bold Southwestern flavor with Bobby’s flair for grilling and presentation. Unfortunately chef-owner (and Food Network darling) Bobby Flay was not in residence that night, but it was still a fun and tasty experience.












Vivek Khuller, CEO of DiVitas Networks based in Mountain View, Calif. The DiVitas Mobile Unified Communications (Mobile UC) solution unifies the deskhone number with voice, IM and  Social Networking (Mobile Presence and Status) on a mobile phone to make it easier for individuals to connect with one another on the first try. With its enterprise mobility solution, DiVitas is using enterprise social networking to help companies affordably create a more mobile workforce.
Comments (0)

Vivek's Restaurant Pick: Spork (San Francisco)
Posted Monday, July 27, 2009 by Vivek Khuller
I recently took a friend to my new favorite restaurant – Spork, a KFC-turned-hip-little-diner located in San Francisco’s Mission District.
Vivek Khuller's review of Spork in San Francisco DiVitas Mobile UC
Their dining motto: a fast food-ish but healthy menu, fresh ingredients and eco-friendly restaurant management. They claim to compost about 70% of their waste, and all of the cooking fuel is recycled into biodiesel. It’s nice to know that I’m saving my arteries and the environment at the same time!

I’m a real foodie – I’ll search far and wide for that new great dining experience – and I love Spork’s atmosphere as much as the food they serve. Conversation often revolves around the surrounding decor. Everything about the place is quirky and delicious. I would name some of my favorites, but of course the menu changes frequently and I don't want to set up false expectations.

The owners have managed to reinvent the “spork” (KFC’s famous fork/spoon combo) as a cool eating utensil, while the 1950s-60s Americana décor is true to its hip-little-diner mood.

For the record, yes we ate with sporks. The next time you’re in the city, check it out and tell them Vivek sent you.



Vivek Khuller, CEO of DiVitas Networks based in Mountain View, Calif. The DiVitas Mobile Unified Communications (Mobile UC) solution unifies the deskhone number with voice, IM and  Social Networking (Mobile Presence and Status) on a mobile phone to make it easier for individuals to connect with one another on the first try. With its enterprise mobility solution, DiVitas is using enterprise social networking to help companies affordably create a more mobile workforce.
Comments (0)

Vivek's Restaurant Pick's: The Venetian Room, Orlando FL
Posted Wednesday, July 15, 2009 by Vivek Khuller
I have to give a shout out to my friend Dori Meade at CSX. At her recommendation, a sizable group of us (DiVitas and some of our partners) recently chanced a meal at the The Venetian Room located in the Caribe Royale Hotel in Orlando, FL.

This restaurant was a great find because Orlando has very few options for fine dining outside of the major theme parks. The Venetian Room is a great alternative for people on the conference track, who visit Orlando frequently and are looking to escape the usual.

My must-try: The Grand Mariner Souffle with crème anglaise (on the side) for dessert.







Vivek Khuller, CEO of DiVitas Networks based in Mountain View, Calif. The DiVitas Mobile Unified Communications (Mobile UC) solution unifies the deskhone number with voice, IM and  Social Networking (Mobile Presence and Status) on a mobile phone to make it easier for individuals to connect with one another on the first try. With its enterprise mobility solution, DiVitas is using enterprise social networking to help companies affordably create a more mobile workforce.
Comments (0)

Vivek's Restaurant Pick: Ubuntu Restaurant & Yoga Studio (DiVitas Newsletter: May Edition)
Posted Friday, May 22, 2009 by Vivek Khuller
My ongoing search for exceptional dining recently took me to one of California’s noted wine country destinations, Napa Valley.

While there we stopped for dinner at Ubuntu Restaurant & Yoga Studio – probablVivek Khuller is the CEO of DiVitas Networks and an avid foodiey the best all-vegetarian restaurant in the country. The word “Ubuntu” means “humanity toward others”, a philosophy described in a short video by Nelson Mandela, which is posted to the restaurant’s website.

But Ubuntu is not only the restaurant’s name. The word illustrates this community-focused restaurant, and its organic menu that is made with food harvested daily from its own “biodynamic” garden.






Vivek Khuller, CEO of DiVitas Networks based in Mountain View, Calif. The DiVitas Mobile Unified Communications (Mobile UC) solution unifies the deskhone number with voice, IM and  Social Networking (Mobile Presence and Status) on a mobile phone to make it easier for individuals to connect with one another on the first try. With its enterprise mobility solution, DiVitas is using enterprise social networking to help companies affordably create a more mobile workforce.
Comments (0)