ROAD TRIPPING: SANTA BARBARA, THE AMERICAN RIVIERA

Wandering around the beautiful Santa Barbara County Courthouse

Wandering around the beautiful Santa Barbara County Courthouse

When it comes to bucket list road trips, driving up PCH has been at the top of mine for years. I have been to California many times to visit my older sister, but we usually end up staying in Los Angeles where she lives. Don’t get me wrong, Los Angeles has so much to offer and I love going there to visit my family, but there is no denying that California has so many other amazing cities to discover as well. That is why when I found out that I had to go to Anaheim for a work conference, tacking on a couple extra days for a little 48-hour road trip to Santa Barbara with my sister was an easy decision.

There is something special about driving along a windy ocean coastline, the salty wind in your hair, listening to your favourite tunes that can make any stress you are feeling completely fade away. At least that’s how I started to feel as we approached downtown Santa Barbara, a small costal city cradled by the Santa Ynez Valley that is known for its So-Cal lifestyle, surf culture, and of course amazing wines. In anticipation for this trip I had put together a jam-packed itinerary that was going to be so much fun my sister and I could not wait to kickoff our little ‘sister bonding getaway’!

GENERAL WEATHER FOR SANTA BARBARA

The weather in Santa Barbara is generally very pleasent and mlld thanks to the breeze that comes off the ocean. June to September are definitely the warmest months with highs of 25 celcius (77 fahrenheit) and lows of 15 (53 fahrenheit) ! June is said to be a bit foggy but generally still very enjoyable, and December to February can be rainy with lows of of 8 (45 fahrenheit) and highs of 19 (66 fahrenheit)!

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @ISTHATSOH

The first of many interior design decisions to come! Now that we are half way through the last phase of our interior renovations (the basement) I am getting really excited about shifting my focus from renoing our Toronto Victorian home to styling a
No more scary basement! 🏡 Here is a little before and after of our basement underpin by @icy.reno We went from 6 foot ceilings to just under 8.5 and installed new drains, waterproofing and a radiant floor! DYK that doing an underpin and finishing
Hanging out in the lobby of the Kimpton Goodland Hotel just outside Santa Barbara

Hanging out in the lobby of the Kimpton Goodland Hotel just outside Santa Barbara

BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

During my research I came across so many cute hotel properties in Santa Barbara.  Ultimately, and after much debate, my sister and I ended up settling on the Kimpton Goodland* in Goleta, a small town just 10 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara. The hotel looked very trendy, the kind of trendy that would be appealing to millennials looking for a not-so-fussy, yet hip and comfortable place to stay while in town. The property used to be an old motel that the Kimpton brand took over and revamped, and I loved the nod to surf culture and its So-Cal aesthetic. Our room was small but cozy for two and we ended up spending most of our time hanging around the pool, enjoying complimentary wine and appetizers in the lobby (6PM daily), and making s’mores around the hotel’s fire pit. Even though we only stayed there for one night we really enjoyed ourselves and would totally stay there again!

*Since my stay, the Kimpton Goodland has been purchased by AWH Partners and has changed it’s name to ‘The Leta Hotel’ (a nod to the city of Goleta). It still has all the beloved elements associated with the property like the fire pits, pool, air stream and restaurants, however enhancements have been made to their hi-speed Wi-Fi, streaming services, bedding quality and lobby area.

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WINE TASTING IN SANTA BARBARA

Being a huge wino, visiting wine country while in Santa Barbara was a must! The Santa Ynez valley is known for producing numerous varietals thanks to its varying micro climates – a very unusual thing. Further, one of the reasons why Santa Barbara County produces such flavourful wines is because the Santa Ynez valley actually runs east-west as oppose to the typical north-south. This means that vineyards and crops have more hours of daylight and therefore produce more flavourful fruits and vegetables. Naturally the first thing we planned to do when we got to Santa Barbara was hop on a tour with Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours. Shortly after checking into our hotel the van arrived to pick us up and within 40 minutes we were sitting in the heart of the Santa Ynez valley sipping on a delicious glass of Rosé. Our driver Paco was very knowledgeable and told us all about the wineries and the history of the area. A picnic lunch was arranged as part of our tour and Paco had made sure to reserve an area on the outdoor patio overlooking the vineyard from where to enjoy it. Paco wanted to make sure we had time to fully absorb the experience and made sure we stayed on schedule and had enough time at each winery in Santa Barbara. To sweeten the experience he also provided complimentary waters and snacks for us to enjoy while on the bus between wineries, leaving us to sit back, relax and really enjoy the experience.

RESTAURANTS IN DOWNTOWN SANTA BARBARA

After our amazing day with Santa Barbara Wine Country Tours, my sister and I made our way into downtown Santa Barbara for dinner at a new food hall that had recently opened downtown. Cubaneo, a California inspired Cuban restaurant; Shaker Mill, a Cuban inspired craft cocktail bar; and Modern Times, a soon-to-be opened brewery, share a casual indoor and outdoor eatery space dubbed Kim’s Service Department. My sister and I both love food and we both know when travelling to unfamiliar cities it’s easy to blow a lot of money on expensive dinners at well-known restaurants. What we were after though was finding those smaller, cheap and cheerful spots that only locals go to and Kim’s Service Department was just that. Menu prices were extremely reasonable and both my sister and I found something on the menu to enjoy. Being a Cuban restaurant, I went for the ‘Number One’, a  gluttonous pork loin sandwich with caramelized onions, pickled Fresno chilis, cilantro, garlic aioli, and little gem lettuce on a toasted baguette. The combination of flavours was incredible and I loved how the toasted baguette ended up soaked up all the juices and flavors to help you get the full impact of each ingredient. Paired with delicious fruity craft cocktails from Shaker Mill, this made for the perfect end to our first day in Santa Barbara.

Breakfast in bed at the Kimpton Goodland Hotel just outside Santa Barbara

Breakfast in bed at the Kimpton Goodland Hotel just outside Santa Barbara

THE FUNK ZONE SANTA BARBARA

The next day, while enjoying breakfast in bed, my sister and I decided that after checking out and before heading back to Los Angeles, we would drive to check out the Funk Zone in Santa Barbara. My sister, who is a fantastic artist, really wanted to wander through the numerous artist studios, galleries, home good stores, cafes and shops that make up the Funk Zone and I was happy to oblige. The Santa Barbara Funk Zone, once considered an undesirable part of town, has been gentrifying in recent years. Converted warehouse spaces now house a variety of interesting businesses, breweries, restaurants, and market spaces. Murals and contemporary art pieces are scattered throughout the neighbourhood as well as over two dozen wine tasting rooms - all within blocks of each other. That’s right, you don’t even need to leave downtown Santa Barbara to experience a wine tasting in Santa Barbara

Before heading back to Los Angeles we decided to grab a quick lunch at Tyger Tyger, a Southeast Asian food cart inspired restaurant in the Funk Zone Santa Barbara. The building is hard to miss with its giant, white tiger mural painted on its facade. Inside, neon pink lanterns lining the ceiling add further charm to its trendy Asian aesthetic. Once again, we weren’t looking for anything too fancy and Tyger Tyger’s quick, counter service setup was the perfect combo of price point and deliciousness. Starving, we ended up ordering way more than our stomachs could handle, but we both loved the exotic flavours that came with each dish. My favourite was definitely the Vietnamese crepes and the Shrimp Summer rolls, while my sister was more drawn to the Pulled Chicken Salad – all great options if you ask me.

So many amazing food options to choose from at Tyger Tyger

Although short and sweet our road trip to Santa Barbara was packed full of fun activities and things to do, and definitely only made my desire to see more of California even stronger. If you ever find yourself doing a PCH road trip or are in the Los Angeles area for an extended amount of time, I definitely recommend doing the 90-minute drive to Santa Barbara and experiencing the beautiful city for yourself. You don’t necessarily even have to stay overnight, but one thing is for sure, it’s definitely a city that can’t be missed!

OTHER FUN ACTIVITIES & THINGS TO DO IN SANTA BARBARA

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM MY TRIP TO SANTA BARBARA

That’s it! If you have any questions about downtown Santa Barbara, The Funk Zone Santa Barbara, Wine Tasting in Santa Barbara or comments/recommendations for the best restaurants in Santa Barbara, please feel free to hit me up in the comments section below, otherwise I hope you have a beautiful trip to Santa Barbara!

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SKIING THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS IN ASPEN, COLORADO

Life in a snow globe - My trip to Aspen, Colorado with Adam - At the top of Buttermilk Mountain (Pyramid Peak in the background)

I sat in silence staring out the window at the snow-capped mountains trying to recall the last time I was on a snowboard. Growing up in Canada you learn to make the most of winter. My mom, in an effort to get us out of the house, repeatedly signed us up for Snowhawks Raven Ski & Snowboard School every year. This meant my brother and I would be up early on Saturdays trying to catch the Snowhawks bus so we could spend the day at different ski resorts snowboarding and hanging with friends. It was during these weekend that I fell in love with winter.

Now though, sitting in my window seat 30,000 feet in the air on my way to Aspen, I couldn’t even recall when I had last touched my snowboard. Somewhere along the way life pulled me away from the one thing that made me love winter, but now as I drew closer to my final destination, that was all about to change. 

Rocky Mountain Range in Aspen Colorado

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The first of many interior design decisions to come! Now that we are half way through the last phase of our interior renovations (the basement) I am getting really excited about shifting my focus from renoing our Toronto Victorian home to styling a
No more scary basement! 🏡 Here is a little before and after of our basement underpin by @icy.reno We went from 6 foot ceilings to just under 8.5 and installed new drains, waterproofing and a radiant floor! DYK that doing an underpin and finishing

Although I’ve heard people rave about how amazing skiing in Aspen is, I have never been. In truth I wasn’t really sure where it sat on the spectrum of ‘extremely pretentious to completely approachable’ but I was super excited to find out. Thankfully I had Adam with me who was equally excited about the trip and itching to get on the slopes, so I knew no matter what it was going to be fun.

While in town, Adam and I would be staying at the Limelight Hotel, a contemporary hotel located right in Aspen Village that came with many perks including complimentary breakfast, ski shuttle service, 2 hours car loans and airport car service! Once we landed at Aspen Airport and gathered our bags, we were greeted warmly by a Limelight driver who was ready and waiting. He ushered us into our very own private Audi Q7 (part of the hotel fleet) and within 15 minutes we were at the hotel.

Eager to check out the area Adam and I quickly dropped our bags in our room before heading out to explore. The room was large and had, wait, two queen beds? LOL! Adam and I had to laugh at this because he always complains that I am like sleeping next to an inferno and having his own bed would be the icing on the cake for him… and my needy nightmare. Regardless of the sleeping situation we were on a mission to find ski gear because Adam and I kind of showed up to Aspen with no outerwear and no gear… That’s right, NOTHING!

Thankfully a stones-throw from the hotel was 4 Mountain Sports, a full service retail and rental shop that offered an array of premium ski and snowboard gear starting as low as US $60 per day. It took Adam and I less than an hour to get fully fitted with all our gear – snowboard for me, skis and polls for him, boots and helmets for both – which, besides our helmet and boots, we didn’t even need to take back to the hotel because they deliver your gear to the slopes. Whaaatttttt!?

Now that we had our gear sorted all we had to do was get fitted for outwear. To help us overcome this challenge we turned to Lorenzo at Suit Yourself – a local skiwear outfitter who brings jackets, pants, gloves, and goggles to your hotel room so you don’t have to freeze your butt off on the slopes. He hooked us up with premium Helly Hansen outerwear for an average of US $50 a day and just like that, Adam and I were ready to hit the slopes!

Enjoyed a charcuterie board at Meat & Cheese in Aspen, CO

By the time we finished all our errands it was nearing 3pm and, considering the 7-hour travel day we just endured, a drink was much needed! Enter Meat and Cheese, a cute eatery and marketplace where you can sit down and enjoy an array of artisanal breads, meats and surprise, surprise, cheese! This place came highly recommended by the hotel as well as the folks at Four Mountain and we were not disappointed. Their menu consists of a variety of charcuterie boards and featured mostly locally sources ingredients that were completely up our alley. Knowing very well that we were going to sit down and have dinner in a couple hours Adam and I decided to grab a couple drinks and share a couple charcuterie boards to save some room for dinner.

Two things I quickly learned about Aspen, Colorado was that 1) altitude can really affect your tolerance when it comes to alcohol, and 2) eating out can quickly become expensive. Thankfully one of the reasons why Meat and Cheese came so highly recommended was because their lunch specials are pretty affordable in comparison to other restaurants located on ‘restaurant row’ in Aspen Village. Also since it only took me one glass of Prosecco to start feeling buzzed, Adam and I were also able to save a little money there. LOL!

Enjoying and authentic Italian meal at L’Hostaria in Aspen, CO.

That night’s dinner was at another local favourite and one of the oldest restaurants in Aspen, L’Hostaria. Located less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel L’Hostaria is an authentic Italian restaurant that was described by many locals as their ‘go-to date night spot’, and upon walking in we could see why. The traditional, cozy, white table cloth, candle-lit Italian restaurant ambiance was in full effect and not only was the dining room completely packed with patrons but so was the bar. Having essentially saved ourselves for this meal Adam and I were starving so we started with a selection of appetizers including their eggplant parmesan which was phenomenal! For our mains Adam and I shared the mixed seafood pasta and the lamb chops only to politely fight over who would get the last bites. By the time we left we were both stuffed to the gills and ripe and ready for bed.

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Eager to seize the day on the slopes Adam and I got up early and made our way down to the restaurant for breakfast. It wasn’t until we sat that we remembered we had forgotten to sign up for the hotel’s complementary ski shuttle service the night before and were faced with the hard truth that it was fully booked up. Thankfully the hotel informed us that the Aspen bus station was only a 5 minute walk up the street and RFTA buses to the slopes were not only free but they departed every 30 minutes. The only downfall we learned to taking the bus was that your commute takes an extra 20 minutes but, alas, beggars can’t be choosers and a free ride is a free ride!

View from the chairlift at Snowmass Mountain

One thing you should know about Aspen is that there are four mountains to choose from; Aspen, Highlands, Snowmass, and Buttermilk. Aspen and Highlands are the hardest of the four mountains and have the most single and double black diamond runs. Snowmass offers more of a variety of terrain while Buttermilk is great for novice skiers and beginners. Since our trip was early in the ski season all the mountains except Buttermilk were open (it would open on our second day), and since I hadn’t snowboarded in ages we decided on start on Snowmass Mountain.

Once we finally got to the base of Snowmass, grabbing our gear and lift tickets (you can order them ahead of time online) was easy! Before Adam and I knew it we were at the top, strapped in, and ready for our first run. Although I was feeling slightly nervous about not having snowboarded in nearly a decade, it really only took me a couple of runs for the muscle memory to kick in and before I knew it I was carving confidently down the hill, whizzing by people and cutting through trees without any problems. Sure I may of wiped out half a dozen times but I was having so much fun! By the end of the day I was back to my old ‘winter loving’ self again.

Après sangria at Venga Venga Cantina!

After a full day of skiing, Adam and I were looking forward to getting some much deserved  drinks at one of Aspen’s best après-ski spots, Venga Venga. Weeks earlier, while researching the destination I had seen quite a few mentions of the Mexican cantina and tequila bar, and since it was at the Snowmass Mall close to where we drop off our gear, we thought we would give it a try. Turns out Venga Venga is quite the perch! With panoramic views of the slopes and fire pits on the patio to keep you warm, people gather to drink cold brews and unwind after a big ski day. Soon after we showed up a DJ arrived, followed by even more people and before you knew it we were in the midst of a full on aprés party! If we didn’t have dinner plans at Crêperie du Village that night we would have probably stayed there drinking sangria and eating tacos well into the night.

Much like Venga Venga, I first came across Crêperie du Village while researching Aspen and instantly became smitten with its French Alpine Bistro aesthetic. With its cozy, candle lit corners, and sheep skin covered chairs I knew I was just going to love this place. The restaurant was quite busy when we arrived for our dinner reservation, a great sign that the food was going to be equally as good as the ambiance. In no rush, Adam and I ordered a cocktail followed by the escargot (my fav), foie gras (Adam’s fav) and the steak tartar (both our favs). It was easily my most treasured meal of the entire trip and the perfect restaurant for a romantic evening. Adam and I wined and dined like Aspen royalty and deemed Crêperie du Village definitely worth the splurge.

After dinner Adam and I stopped by J-Bar at Hotel Jerome for a quick nightcap. The recently renovated hotel is actually one of Aspen’s most beloved historic landmarks and is often referred to as Aspen’s crown jewel. The bar inside, which is said to be haunted, has for years been the favoured watering hole for many who visit Aspen. Expectedly, the cocktails were on the pricier side but that didn’t stop Adam and I from getting cozy in front of the roaring fireplace and cheering to a perfect day in Aspen.

Enjoying a nightcap at J-Bar in Hotel Jerome

Having thoroughly enjoyed our day of skiing at Snowmass, Adam and I decided to yet again get up early and hit the slopes. This time though we had remembered to book the shuttle the night before and instead of having to wait the 30 minutes for the bus we were at the slopes in a speedy 15 minutes. Since we had plans to go snowmobiling in the afternoon and were only going to spend half the day skiing we decided to check out Buttermilk Mountain as it was opening day and apparently had the best views of Pyramid Peak – a choice we did not regret. For someone who hasn’t skied in a while I would even recommend going to Buttermilk before Snowmass as I felt their green and blue runs were easier than Snowmass’.

Adam and I doing a snowmobiling tour with T-Lazy Z Ranch in Aspen

After another amazing morning Adam and I headed straight to T-Lazy 7 Ranch for our snowmobiling tour. T-Lazy 7 Ranch has been an active ranch and lodge in Aspen for 80 years. About 50 years ago they started offering 2-4 hour snowmobile tours and Adam and I were told their tours were the best way to see the Maroon Bells – the most photographed peaks in North America. Having never snowmobiled before, we didn’t know what to expect but once we arrived and checked in we were quickly escorted over to the shed to be fitted with helmets and boots. Once we were fully decked out and ready to go, we were paired with a snowmobile and given a short safety lesson before heading out. The tour took us through the picturesque Maroon Creek Valley (the road is closed to cars in the winter making snowmobiling or cross country skiing the only way in or out) all the way to the base of Maroon Lake where we enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate and took in the beautiful view of the Maroon Bells. Once we got all our pictures we headed back to the ranch where our instructor guided us to their designated track where we got to open up the snowmobile and go as fast as we wanted! So fun!

By the time we finished snowmobiling it was time to après! Adam and I headed back to Aspen Village to check out Shlomo’s Deli & Grill, who’s après ski session is apparently best on Saturdays. By the time we arrived the bar was packed and the party was in full swing. There were girls on the bar dancing to old school hip hop like House of Pain and the whole crowd was going wild. It was definitely the youngest and rowdiest après ski party we encountered while in Aspen. Adam and I loved all the music the DJ was spinning and stayed there partying and dancing for hours until we started to get tipsy and needed to eat. Craving some pizza, Adam and I decided to headed back to the Limelight Hotel for their famous oven fired pizza which totally hit the spot – yum!

Après Ski gets rowdy at Shlomo’s Deli and Grill - *Now Closed

Although Aspen can be expensive there are definitely ways to get around paying premium prices and spending and arm and a leg. For example, rates for accommodations are lower at the very beginning of the ski season (late November early December) as well as later (early April) for closing parties. If you stay at the Limelight you can also save some money on food and drinks by using the hotel’s car loan service (complementary with your stay) to stop by the grocery store as some of the rooms have kitchenettes. Alternatively, some restaurants do offer lunch/après specials like Meat & Cheese and the Limelight Hotel or even try the bar menu for dinner at L’Hostaria. If you are willing to splurge and spend some dough, dinner at Crêperie du Village and snowmobiling with T-Lazy 7 Ranch were amazing, quality experiences that added great value to my overall trip.

Unfortunately our weekend of fun in Aspen came to a close and although short it sure was sweet. We both agreed to come back again, next time for at least a week, and perhaps with a group of friends in tow. In the end our trip to Aspen reignited our love for winter and we both walked away promising to plan more ski vacations together in the future.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM THE TRIP

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48 HOURS IN MONTREAL

Enjoying a Cappuccino at Caffe Farine in MTL’s St. Henri neighbourhood

Enjoying a Cappuccino at Caffe Farine in MTL’s St. Henri neighborhood

Romantic cobblestone streets, beautiful architecture, delicious eats, and friendly, warm people. All of these characteristics to me what make travelling to Montreal one of best cities to visit in Canada. There is something to say about a place that no matter how many time you visit, you still find yourself coming back for more. Montreal to me is exactly that. Every time I venture back to my french speaking roots (my mother is from the Laurentians) there is something new, delicious, and fun to discover.

Recently, needing a change of scenery from my everyday Toronto, I took a trip to visit a close lifestyle blogger, dear friend and Montrealer @HEY.MACA, to do some Montreal sightseeing. At the time I couldn’t shake off a lingering creative rut and desperately needed a shift in perspective. I knew Montreal would provide the perfect call for inspiration I needed and Maca the best host to show me all the new things to do in Montreal and the best restaurants in Montreal downtown core. We spent the next 48 hours running around Montreal collecting hot spots of happiness and inspiration along the way. She took me to all the new cool places and I left Montreal feeling completely full of delicious foods, inspiration, and with a list of new favorites restaurants in Montreal’s downtown core. .

So… without further ado, here is a list of some of my favorite new discoveries from my 48 hours in Montreal with Maca!

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CAFE’S AND RESTAURANTS IN MONTREAL WORTH CHECK OUT:

Caffe Farine - A cute coffee shop in the St. Henri neighborhood (pictured above) with the most amazing coffee (their foam was soooo on point!) I have ever had while in MTL! It was very quiet, had great lighting by the window, and I loved their vibrant blue banquette and little Ciao Bella neon sign on the wall. It all made for a perfect coffee shop photo-opp and a great spot to grab a caffeine fix when visiting Montreal.

Ssense Cafe - The new Ssense store in the Old Port features a beautiful cafe and reastaurant on the top floor that is an architecture and design lovers dream! The lighting inside is also incredible and casts perfect rays of contrasting light into the space. Although the whole place makes for a great photography setting Maca and I both found it hard to shoot portrait style photos in here. Reflected light made for an interesting cast on skintone and accentuated all flaws - more than normal. Although it wasn’t a good place for us to shoot outfit photos it was still an amazing and inspiring space. The food coming out of their small kitchen looked and smelt quiet amazing as well. Even if you have no plans to eat, the Ssense boutique should be on your ‘Montreal sightseeing’ list as it is a premiere shopping destination for luxury designer brands in downtown Montreal

Foiegwa - This restaurant has been open for a while and I have been dying to go because I have seen it on so many list regarding ‘Best restaurnats in Montreal’s downtown’. Every time I visited Montreal in the last two years I had it at the top of my list of places I wanted to eat, but it wasn’t until this last trip that I was actually able to go and let me tell you, it was worth the wait! The food here was spectacular although a little pricey*. Maca and I shared the beef tartare and immediately ordered another one after finishing the first - we couldn’t get enough!

*One of the beautiful things I love about Montreal is all their great restaurants. Usually in the past, especially as a student, I would always remark on how restaurants in Montreal’s downtown core were so affordable, even the super nice ones. I remember going to visit my friends at Concordia and having a nice meal and thinking the same meal in Toronto would probably cost 20-30% more. That said I know Toronto food prices have gone up (perhaps because of higher food cost or even increase in rent) so I can only imagine Montreal is experiencing the same. Honestly this comment was more about me no longer seeing Montreal restaurants being as affordable as they once were and how they are more on the same tier as Toronto in terms of food price points.

Cafe Pista - This little Mile End gem was totally my hipster coffee shop dream and one of the best cafes in Montreal to sit and work. It was very bright with amazing tile floors and white and mint decor/accents. Although their menu was small the food looked amazing and I couldn’t stop myself from ordering their ‘Bol Pista’ - a salad version of a salmon poke with a boiled egg - a delicious choice if you ask me. If I was looking for a cafe to do some work while I was in Montreal this would be it. This place just did it all for me - great people watching, awesome food, and cute decor.

McKiernan Lunchonette - This new collaboration between the owners of Maison Publique and Joe Beef is definitely one to add to your list of things to do while in Montreal. Having only opened the week prior to my trip I was so happy I got to check this place out before I left Montreal. I was only informed of its opening the night before I was leaving town, and being a big fan of Joe Beef’s food and having heard amazing things about Maison Publique, this place immediately shot up to the top of Maca and I’s ‘to-do’ list. The cafeteria style space the restaurant is located in is nowhere near downtown but rather in a more industrial loft style building on the outskirts of Montreal. Although it may be a little bit of a trek from where you may be staying, the breakfast we had here was delicious and so was the spicy Caesar cocktail I ordered. The space is available to rent for larger events and the new Lunchonette venture doubles as both an on and off-site catering company.

Pastel Rita - This pretty pink heaven is a mixed-use space featuring a boutique, an atelier, and a coffee shop/winebar. The three designers (a jewelry designer, a milliner and a leather-smith) share an open concept atelier in the back (with glass windows so you can peer in), while displaying their handmade goods in a boutique space and coffee shop in the front. The whole idea of having a shared co-working space that is also partly open to the public is a very cool concept to me. It is something I don’t often see as they are usually more private, members-only spaces in Toronto. I always find watching people work on their craft very inspirational and it helps feed my curious tendencies. Taking this opportunity of inspiration and combining it with coffee, and all pink everything, makes for an afternoon well spent in the Mile End area and a cool places to hang out while visiting Montreal.

Pictured Below - a shot I took of @Hey.Maca in Pastel Rita wearing a hat from Heirloom Hats.

Montreal

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @ISTHATSOH

The first of many interior design decisions to come! Now that we are half way through the last phase of our interior renovations (the basement) I am getting really excited about shifting my focus from renoing our Toronto Victorian home to styling a
No more scary basement! 🏡 Here is a little before and after of our basement underpin by @icy.reno We went from 6 foot ceilings to just under 8.5 and installed new drains, waterproofing and a radiant floor! DYK that doing an underpin and finishing

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM MY TRIP TO MONTREAL!

Left unsupervised in Montreal’s Old Port

Left unsupervised in Montreal’s Old Port

Waiting for my coffee at one of the best cafes in Montreal - Tommy - Located in Montreal’s Old Port

Waiting for my coffee at one of the best cafes in Montreal - Tommy - Located in Montreal’s Old Port

I hope you enjoyed this travel guide on the best cafes in Montreal, Old Montreal restaurants, things to do in Montreal downtown and so much more. If you have any questions, comments or recommendations of your own, please feel free to leave them in the comments below and I wish you a great time visiting Montreal!

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MONTREAL EN LUMIERE

Montreal has always been a city that had to be different from its other Canadian counterparts. If Montreal had a voice it would say, “show me your best and I’ll make it 10 times better!” and they do. Don’t get me wrong – there is no competition going on here but rather a touch of savoir-faire only a Montrealer can add to an outfit, an event, or even a lifestyle; and when it comes to Montreal’s 375 Anniversary you know they are throwing around their savoir fair like it’s pixie dust!

Evolutions by Yann Nguema, EZ3kiel - Lyon, France

This year Montreal went all out for their 18th edition of Montréal En Lumière. With over three weeks of festivities 1.4 Million people descended upon the city to partake in special cooking events, attend musical performances, explore the art instillations that adorn the city and of course stay up all night to enjoy Nuit Blanche! With over 200 activities on Nuit Blanche alone there is no way you were going to run out of things to do.

For this year’s edition of Montreal en Lumiere, Lyon, France (nicknamed the world capital of gastronomy) was the featured city and with it came their regional flare on French cooking! With over 29 guest chefs participating in 44 gourmet cooking events Montrealers and tourist alike came out in hordes to feast like kings at these unique tastings. For those who were unable to attend one of these special cooking events there were also 240 other food related activities going on throughout the three week long festival, some even free!

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The first of many interior design decisions to come! Now that we are half way through the last phase of our interior renovations (the basement) I am getting really excited about shifting my focus from renoing our Toronto Victorian home to styling a
No more scary basement! 🏡 Here is a little before and after of our basement underpin by @icy.reno We went from 6 foot ceilings to just under 8.5 and installed new drains, waterproofing and a radiant floor! DYK that doing an underpin and finishing

 Some of the food related events I was able to attend included Le Bouchon Lyonnais at Balmoral where the restaurant was transformed into a traditional Lyonnais bistro to serve up incredibly tasty customary dishes that made you feel like you were transported in space to the capital of French gastronomy. Guest Chef Joseph Viola’s menu consisted of French specialties like ‘Le Pate en croute au fois gras de canard (pastry encased pate of duck foie gras and sweetbread) – a dish that takes approximately three days to make and won him a championship award in 2009! I also had to try the beef sirloin steak, flambéed with cognac and doused in a black peppercorn sauce (highly recommended by my waiter and happy that he did). This dish was quiet generous and was accompanied by thinly sliced fried potato’s, string beans and my very own side of mac and cheese!

The second food related event I was able to attend included a tasting at Montreal’s Ikanos restaurant where guest chef Neil Jewell teamed up with restaurant patriarch Constant Mentzas to develop a unique seafood menu just for the festival. Ikanos restaurant located in the Old Port of Montreal is housed within a brilliantly renovated and decorated old warehouse building. The ambiance alone would make me want to sit at the bar all evening eating and drinking. For a pre dinner palate cleanser I tried an item off their cocktail menu called ‘It's Spritz thyme!’ and as an appetizer I had their cured snapper with mountain tea gel, grapes, radish, horseradish and, lemon balm. My second dish was the samos and miso roasted black cod with turnips, porcini mushrooms and, mushroom flavored dashi. This dish was definitely my favourite! To add a little carb to my meal I also had the Saffron-butter poached lobster, chorizo, fennel, and orange tortellini in a bouillabaisse broth, rouille. Is it just me or was the red carpet rolled out for this special Montreal en Lumiere collaboration?!

Ikanos Restaurant - 112 Rue Mc Gill, 514-842-0867

Nuit Blanch, a one night event full of art instillations, music and drinking, attracts 350,000 (let’s say between 300,00 and 350,000) to the streets of Montreal alone. On Nuit Blanch you could have found me in Montreal’s underground exploring 77 different projects and exhibitions from various contemporary artist. Each exhibition or project varied from interactive instillations, video exhibits, special enactments and performances to photography and sculptures. With hours of entertainment you could spend all night running around Montréal’s underground while also benefiting from free shuttles to different neighborhoods, extended Metro service and last call hours!

As part of Montreal’s 375th anniversary Montreal en Lumiere also added Illuminart to this year’s event schedule. With over 25 works that fuse art, lighting and technology, these instillations were a must see! The urban installation spread over 3.6 km surrounding the heart of the festival, Quartier des spectacles. I ran around to discover some of the best pieces to show you below! Many of the artists that participated in Illuminart were actually from Lyon, which not so coincidently holds a big festival of lights annually that historically dates back to the 1700s called La Fête des Lumières de Lyon!

It doesn’t end there though! This year at Montreal en Lumiere came an eclectic assortment of musical acts ranging from DJ’s to Francophone to Jazz and Blues musicians. Even Vancouver’s own indie band Mother Mother and rock band The Tea Party performed during the festival. Needless to say there were plenty of shows to choose from, the hardest part being more about which ones to attend.

To say that Montreal en Lumiere surpassed my expectation would be a massive understatement. They pulled out all the bells and whistles this year and pretty much threw a three week long party! Even as a non French speaker I found it very easy to navigate through the festival activities and city. With lots of fun events both outdoors and in, taking your loved one, friends or even family will end up leaving you asking yourself why you hadn’t done this sooner

If you have any questions about the festival I encourage you to visit the Montreal en Lumiere website by clicking -> HERE

To see how else Montreal is celebrating their 375 Anniversary click -> HERE

Have you read my article about the newest boutique hotel in Montreal? You can now! Click -> HERE

If you have any questions you would like to ask me feel free to leave them in the comment section below!

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO, EAT, AND SEE IN TAMPA - RECOMMENDED BY LOCALS

I went to Tampa last month and asked 7 locals where their favorite spots to eat, drink and hangout were. This is what they told me.....

Photo Credit: Ashley Reams Mistretta

RYAN BROWN - BEVERAGE DIRECTOR AT ANISE
EDGE @ THE EPICUREAN HOTEL - Epicurean's rooftop bar is the perfect spot for guest and locals to enjoy uniquely crafted cocktails.
ROOSTER AND TILL - Enjoy small plates of Modern American cooking in a rustic atmosphere
MISE EN PLACE - Refined Modern American cooking.
CIRO'S SPEAKEASY - A speakeasy and supper club featuring hand crafted cocktails true to the prohibition era.
FLY BAR - Tampa's pioneer urban bar and restaurant.
CENA - simple and fresh Italian food in a contemporary setting
HOTEL BAR - crafted cocktails in downtown Tampa
DONATELLO - Fine Italian cuisine
BRICK AND MORTAR - Rustic atmosphere American fare in St. Pete's
IL RITORNO - contemporary Italian
MANDERINE HYDE - Retro cocktail bar

STUART - BARTENDER AT HIDDEN SPRINGS BREWERY
ANGRY CHAIR BREWING - Micro brewery in Seminole Heights
MERMAID - Craft brews, diverse wines & eclectic fare
FIRST CHANCE LAST CHANCE - Bar and courtyard
RESERVOIR BAR - Dive bar in historic Ybor
INDEPENDENT BAR AND CAFE - Cafe/bar open for breakfast. Music/movie night and a beer garden.
FLY BAR - Tampa's pioneer urban bar and restaurant.
HAVEN - modern Mediterranean dishes served in a stylish, refined dining atmosphere
DIRTY SHAME - Dive bar in historic Ybor

COUPLE IN FLY BAR
THE COLUMBIA - Traditional Spanish restaurant in historic Ybor
ULELE - Rustic-chic site for native Floridian fare, with barbacoa grilling & house-brewed beers
BERN'S STEAK HOUSE - Tampa's famous refined steakhouse with the largest private wine collection in the world
SOHO (SOUTH HOWARD) - a popular street in south Tampa for drinking (college kids hotspot)
ACAPULCO GROCERY - hole in the wall restaurant but the best taco's in Tampa
MIGUELITOS TAQUERIA Y TEQUILAS -  Voted Tampa's best Mexican restaurant.
JANNUS LIVE - Outdoor music venue in St Pete's
HYDE PARK - upscale open air shopping district with lots of dining and entertainment
GASPARILLA PIRATE FESTIVAL - Tampa's Mardi Gras, pirate style!

GEOFF CRAIN - BARTENDER AT HOTEL BAR
BERN'S STEAK HOUSE - Tampa's famous refined steakhouse with the largest private wine collection in the world
BODEGA ON CENTRAL - Cuban sandwiches & other Latin American street foods in St. Pete's
CROWBAR - downtown bar and beer garden with live music
NEW WORLD BREWERY - Indie pub and brewery with live music
THE RITZ, YBOR - Tampa's premier special events and concert venue
HAVEN - modern Mediterranean dishes served in a stylish, refined dining atmosphere
THE HUB BAR - Laid-back 1940s-vintage bar with strong drinks and jupbox
BONEYARD - Dive bar in historic Ybor
FIRST CHANCE LAST CHANCE - Bar and courtyard
ROOSTER AND TILL - Enjoy small plates of Modern American cooking in a rustic atmosphere

MIKE - INSTRUCTOR AT URBAN KAI
BERN'S STEAK HOUSE - Tampa's famous refined steakhouse with the largest private wine collection in the world
ROOSTER AND TILL - Enjoy small plates of Modern American cooking in a rustic atmosphere
BOCA - Farm-to-table eatery serving Californian-Mediterranean small plates
SOHO SUSHI - Upscale eatery offering specialty sushi rolls & cooked Japanese fare
THE GETAWAY - Tiki bar in St. Pete's
FLY BAR - Tampa's pioneer urban bar and restaurant.
ELLA'S - American comfort food
 OXFORD EXCHANGE - European-inspired space featuring a restaurant, bookstore, coffeehouse & shop with decor & gifts.
MISE EN PLACE - Refined Modern American cooking.

GREG WHITE - SOCIAL MEDIA AND BRAND MANAGER AT E2 MEDIA LLC
THE MILL - Inventive New American food with a Southern spin joins craft cocktails in farmstead-chic surroundings in St Pete's
ROOSTER AND TILL - Enjoy small plates of Modern American cooking in a rustic atmosphere
FODDER AND SHINE - Locally sourced Southern comfort fare, craft beer & cocktails in modern, country-inspired digs.
ULELE - Rustic-chic site for native Floridian fare, with barbacoa grilling & house-brewed beers
CHOCOLATE PI - French patisserie and sweet shop
ON SWANN - Creative New American cuisine prepared in an open-concept kitchen of this chic, lofty eatery.
BOCA - Farm-to-table eatery serving Californian-Mediterranean small plates
BERN'S STEAK HOUSE - Tampa's famous refined steakhouse with the largest private wine collection in the world
WAT MONGKOLRATANARAM - a Buddhist Thai temple known for its Sunday food market
WHISKY JOE - Rustic hangout with a party vibe that serves casual American chow & booze right on the beach.
YOLK, WHITE & ASSOCIATES - Sandwiches, Breakfast, Coffee etc.

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