In this corner, we have Brighton. Harvested by the rich for centuries for its healing air and oceanic breezes, a pinnacle in English culture.
In this corner, Brooklyn, and Atlantic Avenues own Brooklyn Promenade, a refuge to immigrants and big dreamers.
And the winner is...
Monday, September 6, 2010
98th Avenue Coffee - Vancouver, BC
There is, within our sense of taste, our taste of smell. And there is, within the perfect bean, a perfect roast. Within that roast, a grind. That grind, its extraction method. It is up to you what you do with Diabolique. You have been brought to the edge of perfection. Now, go forward and define perfection for yourself within this cup of coffee.
Once you`ve done that, check out the full line of estate coffees and discover the world and its harvests in your cup.
It doesn`t matter that I sent you there, it only matters that you have now discovered.
Once you`ve done that, check out the full line of estate coffees and discover the world and its harvests in your cup.
It doesn`t matter that I sent you there, it only matters that you have now discovered.
The Calgary Stampede - Calgary, Alberta
Yeehaw - at Stampede time in Calgary, all you regular folks can come on down and have a hoedown and all ya have to do is dress up like a cowboy. Aw heck, even if ya don`t , just wear your shorts or your jeans and have a knee slapping, pancake eatin, horse watchin good time.
The whole city puts their best boot forward for this 10 day stretch of summertime every year. Country music up and coming stars jostle the stage with Nashville names to win the hearts of big, well fed crowds all over town, and at any time of day. The free pancake breakfasts hosted by major shopping malls and wealthy oil companies are well planned and well attended. Booze has taken a backseat at most of these, but not all.
The true blue rodeo action is played (on tv`s) and played up in content and in ceremony, everywhere.
I guess this otherwise conservative metropolis will never lose its wild west heritage since they spend so much energy using their history to propel them past another year in the book of business.
Calgary doesn`t boom and bust, anymore. It just goes boom, boom, boom.
The whole city puts their best boot forward for this 10 day stretch of summertime every year. Country music up and coming stars jostle the stage with Nashville names to win the hearts of big, well fed crowds all over town, and at any time of day. The free pancake breakfasts hosted by major shopping malls and wealthy oil companies are well planned and well attended. Booze has taken a backseat at most of these, but not all.
The true blue rodeo action is played (on tv`s) and played up in content and in ceremony, everywhere.
I guess this otherwise conservative metropolis will never lose its wild west heritage since they spend so much energy using their history to propel them past another year in the book of business.
Calgary doesn`t boom and bust, anymore. It just goes boom, boom, boom.
Toronto - Ontario
There are so many interesting places to go in Toronto, and in all of Ontario, but my favorite is the distillery district.
Being a western Canadian, I am interested in the history and holdings of the Bronfman Family, and that is who enriched the city with this area. Once, obviously, a distillery, and now an exceptionally trendy place -even for Toronto, who has plenty of uber and under trendy places to explore or ignore.
You could visit this place as an historian or in search of something new in D&G.
Coffee, check. Restaraunts, check. Chocolatier, check. Boutiques, check. Cobblestone streets, check. Urban industrial minimalist modern design, checkcheck.
Being a western Canadian, I am interested in the history and holdings of the Bronfman Family, and that is who enriched the city with this area. Once, obviously, a distillery, and now an exceptionally trendy place -even for Toronto, who has plenty of uber and under trendy places to explore or ignore.
You could visit this place as an historian or in search of something new in D&G.
Coffee, check. Restaraunts, check. Chocolatier, check. Boutiques, check. Cobblestone streets, check. Urban industrial minimalist modern design, checkcheck.
Vancouver - Greyline Bus Tours
I`m sure the people who take cruise ships must appreciate an in depth tour that takes as little as a half a day, when exploring new. They are who Greyline must have had in mind when they designed their tours. If there is anything you wanted to explore in the Vancouver region and you are stopping in, they have the ability and team to take you there.
My favorite was the day trip to Vancouver Island to see Butchard Gardens. The renovated quarry is a testament to the rainforest nature of the Pacific Northwest. Glorious.
I enjoyed crossing the ferry twice in one day and we were even joined by some playful looking dolphins at sunset.
Greyline tours will take you to any part of the city of Vancouver, too. The stories of Stanley Park, which are normally silently resting among the giant trees become animated and memorable.
My favorite was the day trip to Vancouver Island to see Butchard Gardens. The renovated quarry is a testament to the rainforest nature of the Pacific Northwest. Glorious.
I enjoyed crossing the ferry twice in one day and we were even joined by some playful looking dolphins at sunset.
Greyline tours will take you to any part of the city of Vancouver, too. The stories of Stanley Park, which are normally silently resting among the giant trees become animated and memorable.
Kootenay Lake Ferry - Kootenay Lake, BC
The Osprey 2000 is a gem of a boat who shuttles its passengers between Crawford Bay and Balfour all day long, seven days a week, for free.
The locals of the east shore stay connected with the business center of Nelson, and for them, it is a neccessity that is provided for. At least, for now.
It takes about a half hour to cross and you have never seen a more fjordlike lake in Canada. Largely untouched by anything but logging, the countryside is natural and expressive.
Although you would add another day of driving if you take this road between Calgary and Vancouver, it`s definitely worth it.
Experience the vastness of the Kootenay Rockies.
The locals of the east shore stay connected with the business center of Nelson, and for them, it is a neccessity that is provided for. At least, for now.
It takes about a half hour to cross and you have never seen a more fjordlike lake in Canada. Largely untouched by anything but logging, the countryside is natural and expressive.
Although you would add another day of driving if you take this road between Calgary and Vancouver, it`s definitely worth it.
Experience the vastness of the Kootenay Rockies.
Barbés Restaurant - 21 East 36th St @ Madison Ave NY, NY
The thing about the recession, is that it has made some restaraunts big and empty like wastelands. But Barbes is so small, so tucked in, that the locals who cherish this place will sustain it. We found it in our hunt for the french culture wherever we go. Moroccan feasting always sounds appetizing and it especially is after a full day of navigating a family of four around a place referred to only as " the City".
The city is amazing and amazing is what we found when we stopped in here; warm and warmly lit with a downstairs kitchen to bring us in from the cold and dark. It is like its own little tajine, full of aroma and sensuality. Narrow and pungeant, I wanted to sit from the moment I entered and I was full and glad to have rested here as I left. Nothing was left out or off of our table and no one lacked for service. The strong survive.
The city is amazing and amazing is what we found when we stopped in here; warm and warmly lit with a downstairs kitchen to bring us in from the cold and dark. It is like its own little tajine, full of aroma and sensuality. Narrow and pungeant, I wanted to sit from the moment I entered and I was full and glad to have rested here as I left. Nothing was left out or off of our table and no one lacked for service. The strong survive.
The Study Hotel - New Haven, Conneticut
My mind keeps on bringing me back to New Haven, so that I can return to the Study Hotel. In my experience, there isn't another hotel more suited to me. If you've never had a reason to visit Yale, let me describe what I love about it.
First of all, it is on the same street as the campus. For those of us not determined or fortunate enough to have entered the domain of an ivy league school, this campus has mysterious secret societies and also amazingly open forums. We went to 2 free art galleries within blocks of the hotel, showcasing Picasso and Charles Darwin, no less.
Even if you never left the hotel and forgot to look at New Haven or Yale, you could still learn something. Our room housed a hundred books on shelves that invited you to rest there in 2 reading ready armchairs. Books and hourglasses, on surfaces everywhere in the hotel, remind you to take the time to learn. Read something!
The stunning and small hotel bar hosts professors and parents of students, and feeds them in the way they've become accustomed to in New York and Boston. The staff was more than friendly, they were genuine, like people who see you again and again. It was perfect food, drink and engaging conversation.
Big thanks to Paul McGowan for his incredible vision for this boutique hotel. It has won all of our favors.
First of all, it is on the same street as the campus. For those of us not determined or fortunate enough to have entered the domain of an ivy league school, this campus has mysterious secret societies and also amazingly open forums. We went to 2 free art galleries within blocks of the hotel, showcasing Picasso and Charles Darwin, no less.
Even if you never left the hotel and forgot to look at New Haven or Yale, you could still learn something. Our room housed a hundred books on shelves that invited you to rest there in 2 reading ready armchairs. Books and hourglasses, on surfaces everywhere in the hotel, remind you to take the time to learn. Read something!
The stunning and small hotel bar hosts professors and parents of students, and feeds them in the way they've become accustomed to in New York and Boston. The staff was more than friendly, they were genuine, like people who see you again and again. It was perfect food, drink and engaging conversation.
Big thanks to Paul McGowan for his incredible vision for this boutique hotel. It has won all of our favors.
Oso Negro Cafe - Nelson, BC
I'm not the only person who refers to this latest location for the Oso Negro crew as the 'Mecca' of coffee. It isn't just because the line up continues out beyond the door at any given moment, on any day, with desire for the center of the experience palpable. Mostly, it has to do with the primal design of the non smoking back gardens as they spiral up past waterfalls to the pinnacle point like a merging with the soul of experience. Also, Oso Negro has steadily been building a religious-like following since its inception around 1995.
Not content to educate its followers about the origins of coffee, its sustainability and its ethics, they also provide a showcase for local gourmand to express their originality through ready to eat flavourful foods. We love the pizza, the curried chick pea triangles and the spanikopita for savory, and peanut butter bliss balls, cinnimon buns and date squares for sweet. There are dozens of displayed items, warm and cold.
This steadily growing business roasts in an old brewery building blocks away from the more downtown cafe and that is all there is to it. Although grocers and restaurants sell and serve it all over the place, the 2 owners seem to be content with their provision of fair wages and pursuit of excellence; you won't see them franchising any time soon.
So, leave the comfort of your familiar cafe and make the pilgrimage to Oso Negro, on Victoria Street in Nelson. Feel the love. Enjoy the blessings.
Not content to educate its followers about the origins of coffee, its sustainability and its ethics, they also provide a showcase for local gourmand to express their originality through ready to eat flavourful foods. We love the pizza, the curried chick pea triangles and the spanikopita for savory, and peanut butter bliss balls, cinnimon buns and date squares for sweet. There are dozens of displayed items, warm and cold.
This steadily growing business roasts in an old brewery building blocks away from the more downtown cafe and that is all there is to it. Although grocers and restaurants sell and serve it all over the place, the 2 owners seem to be content with their provision of fair wages and pursuit of excellence; you won't see them franchising any time soon.
So, leave the comfort of your familiar cafe and make the pilgrimage to Oso Negro, on Victoria Street in Nelson. Feel the love. Enjoy the blessings.
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