Cactus Club Vancouver
photo via John Chow – Rob Feenie’s Brined Hunter Chicken
When I’m in Vancouver I’m often working funny hours and I can always count on Cactus Club to be open late. I’ve lately taken to frequenting the Dunsmuir flagship location.
I have to say that I’m fairly anti-chain-restaurant, but Cactus Club has really stepped it up since [...]
Beef Dip at The Bench
The Bench Market in Penticton has one of the best beef dip sandwiches around. It may only be around in the winter as The Bench changes their menus with the seasons. If you’re in Penticton or Naramata and looking for a place to grab a coffee, have breakfast, or eat lunch, definitely check out The [...]
Cocktails at The Diamond in Gastown
I have heard so much about The Diamond over the past 6 months, but I’m not sure why it took me so long to get there.
Located in the old Loft Six in Gastown in the Gassy Jack circle at Powell and Carrall Street, the Diamond is a cool second floor loft bar reminiscent of something [...]
Fishworks North Vancouver
I grew up in North Vancouver and I can say that it has never really been a place for foodies, but lately the strip mall burger restaurants have been making way to some interesting cuisine. Burgoo seems to be leading the charge for the Lower Lonsdale set with their hearty stews and tagines, and now [...]
Au Petit Chavignol Vancouver
My friends Joe and Andrea want to meet me at Au Petit Chavignol for brunch/lunch.
“Where is it?”
“Somewhere down East Hastings. The address is 843.”
“Uhhh, okay.”
“Don’t worry, it’s supposed to be good”
I drive across town to 843 East Hastings and instantly recognize what is the yuppie/foodie haven Au Petit Chavignol. It’s bright yellow mod-design signage and [...]
Vancouver 2010 Street Art
The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games are approaching fast, and within the last month or so since my last visit to Vancouver the amount of street art in the city has also grown quickly. The city has a good vibe right now and I’m excited to see Vancouver shine at its best. The art around town [...]
Japadog Vancouver
Japadog has made the hot dog fun again. For some reason this Japanese themed hot dog stand offering the likes of grated daikon, dried seaweed, teriyaki sauce, and Japanese mayo as toppings on their street meat, has become a must-go-to spot for me on nearly every trip to Vancouver. Japadog has been such a success [...]
Vancouverism
“Vancouverism is characterized by tall, but widely separated, slender towers interspersed with low-rise buildings, public spaces, small parks and pedestrian-friendly streetscapes and facades to minimize the impact of a high density population.”
-The New York Times, December 28, 2005
Check out this site for the Vancouverism exhibit running through the Vancouver 2010 Olympics at the Woodward’s Building.
Cool Bars in Barcelona
My first trip to Barcelona was totally overwhelming. It was over the New Year’s holiday and the place was packed. I was overly concerned about pickpockets, but never fell victim. The street vendors selling beer, drugs, night club tickets, and whatever else were really pushy.
This time around on my second trip to Barcelona I felt [...]
La Champagneria Barcelona: The Return
If you are in Barcelona I highly recommend a trip here. It’s a crazy crowded space, but if you can deal with being packed like a sardine it is an awesome fun time!
La Champagneria (Can Paixano)
Barcelona Cava (Champagne/sparkling wine) Bar
Reina Cristina 7, Barcelona, Spain
[t] 93 310 08 39
Hours: Monday to Saturday (approximately)
5pm to 10pm (likely [...]
Carry-On Luggage for European Travel
I have spent the last few winter vacations travelling around European and Asian cities and for the most part have been fine with my existing luggage, but European carry-on requirements are different than those in North America, so particularly on discount airlines like Ryan Air or Vueling my bag has been too big to carry-on [...]
First Hours in Marrakech
Business travel and cosmopolitan jetsetting have made me soft.
Within one minute of stepping off the plane in Marrakech I am obviously a fish out of water. I can’t figure out where my luggage is supposed to come off, and I’m stuck in a giant herd of people wearing traditional Berber clothing. My luggage actually doesn’t take long, [...]
Cafe Braseleira Lisbon
Cafe Brasileira in Lisbon — Rua Garret 120, Chiado
This is a great place to go for a morning coffee! The area seems like a meeting place so coffee on the terrace is a nice place to people watch and rest the feet.
What’s in a Bag?
Paul Smith is a designer and brand that I have a strong affinity for — despite not owning any article sporting his name. Unfortunately at this point in my life it’s out of my budgetary diet, but I do aspire to filling my entire bachelor closet with Paul Smith stuff.
Today in London I went to [...]
Sex, Wine, and Pintxos
If I were a rockstar I would move to San Sebastian, learn to speak Basque, and do nothing other than drink wine, have plentiful sex, and eat Pintxos (pronounced Peen-chos) until my heart failed. If you don’t know what Pintxos are this will probably sound a tad dirty, but let me assure you that it is just really exciting tapas style food and nothing more…well, depending on how much you like food.
The First Class Upgrade
“Good evening Mr. Stenberg, can I take your jacket and offer you a glass of Champagne before take-off?”
It’s not always that I get to fly in first class, but when I do it is such a sharp contrast to the awkward and crowded start to an economy flight. While I have my bubbly drink, a hot towel, and a newspaper to read, the majority of the plane is bumbling around trying to find their seats, and praying that the guy in the middle is either non-existent, or at very least, of decent personal hygiene.
I Heart You Austin Texas
A travel diary of my first trip to Austin, Texas — a place where live music, taxidermy, college co-eds, and amazing food is abundant. I miss you Austin, Texas, but I will be back!
World’s Best Coffee Shops Listing
Okay, so I haven’t been everywhere in the world, nor have I gone to every coffee shop, but I love coffee. It’s no secret. In fact, I plan on dying of some coffee related ailment, but hopefully not lack of coffee. So call this a work in progress as I attempt to go everywhere and drink coffee everywhere.
The James Hotel Chicago
This is my third stay at The James Hotel in Chicago, and I have to say there is a reason, or possibly ten reasons, why I keep coming back. The staff here is fantastic, and the rooms are great. The James has a modern, youthful vibe — minus the pretension. Upon check-in the clerk reminded me [...]
Chicago Hot Dog Chronicles
I’m not usually a fast food kind of guy, but the Chicago dog pretty much rules the fast food world in my mind. I’ve even started making them at home. Hello coronary angioplasty. Below are some photos of my Chicago hot dog adventure.
Eating Solo in Paris
This is my two night guide to eating alone in Paris. The city is amazing, but can be a little daunting as a solo non-French speaking diner. I did a bunch of Google homework and tried a handful of restaurants and found two that stood out as great places to dine alone in Paris.
La Champagneria Barcelona (Greatest Bar Ever!)
Can Paixano (La Champagneria)
Reina Cristina 7, Barcelona, Spain
[t] 93 310 08 39
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This is the greatest bar ever! A bunch of people mill around out front chatting, smoking and basking in the glow of the dim yellow light from inside Barcelona’s La Champagneria. The place is no bigger than a small coffee shop and [...]
The Great Montreal Poutine Diary
I went to the highly recommended poutine establishment La Banquise in Montreal — supposedly the best poutine in Montréal. A delicious first round left me daydreaming of a place where I could eat poutine to my heart’s content without any cares to the potential health issues. What ensued was a personal challenge to eat/mange my way through the 25 different types of poutine, one at a time, on every subsequent trip to Montréal. Surely these trips would be well spaced enough to allow my poor body time to recuperate. The following is an account of my artery clogging journey.
David Burke Primehouse Chicago
Whenever I’m in Chicago all I want to do is eat. Eat, eat, eat. I love eating in Chicago. Even hot dogs here are great, but steaks are even better. Unfortunately for my rather un-American appetite eating a 22oz steak is almost enough to put me in a food coma, but I somehow still managed [...]