HOME BLOCKRestaurant at Cedar Creek Estate Winery is elevated comfort food with a wine forward finesse.
A start to a perfect evening at Cedar Creek includes a view with a firepit + some wine. Photo: d. ,king
This past weekend I indulged maybe over indulged in some amazing food and wine in British Columbia’s lakeside wine country. Along with my very good longtime friend Margeaux, we started off late-afternoon at Ex Nihilo Vineyards wine club members pick up party.
At Ex Nihilo Winery. My t-shirt names the various wines we’ll be tasting.
It was an outdoor event on the winery property with different wine tasting stations that were set up with delicious appetizers to go along with the tastings. We met some interesting people and sampled some nice selections before leaving with a case of wine between us.
Last time we were in the Okanagan together we stayed in Oliver, British Columbia and visited several local vineyards in that area. This time we stayed in Kelowna. Kelowna is about a 4 ½ hour drive from Vancouver (depending on traffic) and for Margeaux, about 3 ½ hours (depending on traffic) from Castlegar where she resides and owns Kootenay Valley Water Supply Company (providing premium bottled water and water dispensers for home and business for the West Kootenays as well as being an authorized dealer of Arctic Spas® hot tubs & pools).
In the evening we had a reservation at “HOME BLOCK” the award winning restaurant at CEDAR CREEK ESTATE WINERY. On account of already having had some wine and appetizers a few hours earlier, we chose the 3-course tasting menu. It was fabulous. Plus we got to sit outside which is always great especially in September when it starts to get a bit chilly.
Chef Neil Taylor offers a Terroir to Table tasting adventure. HOME BLOCK pays homage to the natural elements that surrounds the property with sustainable estate-grown fruit and ingredients sourced from their own gardens or those from local farmers. Always with a wine first philosophy where the dishes are created with the wines in mind.
First course: ITALIAN BURRATA (share plate) – grilled green onions, raw porcini, parmesan & wild watercress. Wine: 2020 Platinum Pinot Noir. Other Plate: Crispy Squid w chili jam, crème fraîche. 2022 Estate Reisling.
The restaurant is housed in a contemporary farmhouse building crafted from fieldstone and 100-year-old reclaimed barn wood, and the cuisine draws on those elemental roots through natural cooking methods like a wood-fired grill. The result is authentic, welcoming organic, local fare.
CHAR GRILLED 63 ACRES FLAT IRON w broccolini, salt baked onion, horseradish & aged balsamic. Paired with 2019 ESTATE MERITAGE.The STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING with vanilla ice cream & butterscotch sauce was outstanding. We took half of it back to the hotel.
Sourced – 3 Course Wine-Paired Experience created by Executive Chef Neil Taylor for *$95 wine-paired with 2 hand-selected wines (4oz pairings).
*– a few of the dishes on our pairings had an additional $12 charge either for size or ingredients. I sometimes wish they can just set the price so there’s no surprises with extra charges. Having said this, it was well worth the splurge because of the whole experience. We don’t do this every day.
For Next time (if no tasting beforehand):
An immersive 5-course wine-paired experience built around their Platinum Collection of wines. This experience highlights some of the best wines produced at Cedar Creek, thoughtfully paired with a locally-inspired, chef-curated menu and includes rare library-wine vintages for $185 per person.
**you can advise them of any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance.
Once you have a wonderful dog in your life, you cannot imagine life without one (or two).
Alongside our pack leader, animal welfare personality and influencer Lee Asher (THE ASHER HOUSESactuary); a bunch of us came out to Spanish Banks on Sunday for a sold-out event in support of dogs needing adoption.
Lee with Adele + Layla Photo: d. king
Held outside, they had to limit the numbers because of the amount of dogs and for knowing how much food, coffee + water to supply.
This was sponsored by “THANK DOG I AM OUT” – a registered non-profit society based in Vancouver, BC that is dedicated to the rescue and re-homing of dogs who are at risk of being euthanized, surrendered, abused, or neglected. Their mandate is to rehome or support discarded dogs. Sadly, there are many.
Photo: Stacey Harris
They say that shelters are maxed out now. It’s very sad to hear that many people who got dogs during Covid ended up abandoning them by returning them to shelters when they had to go back to work and no longer had time for them. For more info:
The fun fundraising walk was 4 km along beautiful Spanish Banks on a gorgeous September morning. There were two tents for those who registered online with coffee (from the coffee bike) + treats for canines and their companions. Thank Dog I Am Outhad merchandise for sale with proceeds going towards their cause. I bought a hoodie. Of course there was plenty of time for a photo opp with Lee.
The goodies included WAG BAGS for dogs with bandana, treats + discount coupons. TISOL (Pet Nutrition + Supply) was a sponsor along with TURF (fitness studio, boutique, café) and TIM HORTONS.
CANINE CONNECTION dog training experts also had a booth. They offer private and group classes for training in Vancouver Area & Vancouver Island.
This little guy named Eddie (short for Eduardo) is looking for a home. Originally from Mexico, he was found at a high kill shelter in Los Angeles. He’s now being fostered in Vancouver. You can adopt him here: LOVED AT LAST DOG RESCUE: https://www.lovedatlastdogrescue.ca/
UPDATE: EDDIE GOT ADOPTED in October, 2023. Yay! You can still go to the website above for more rescue dog information.
I know the French are crazy but what’s the deal with France destroying wine?
And I’m not talking about a few cases. After I heard about France destroying gallons of wine, I made sure to buy some French wine while it’s still around. Although there is truth to this story, I remain a bit confused as to what the real deal is. Apparently there are two sides to the story and neither one is good.
This massive destruction of approximately 80 million gallons of wine is due in part to wine being more expensive to produce during a time of reduced demand. Yes, in what is arguably the wine capital of the world, fewer and fewer people are drinking the stuff.
A fall in demand for wine has led to over-production, a sharp fall in prices, and major financial difficulties for up to one in three winemakers in the Bordeaux region, according to the local farmers’ association.
Pouring red wine into the glass, Barrel outdoor in Bordeaux Vineyard, France
According to the Washington Post, over 80 million gallons of wine will be destroyed, and the alcohol left behind will be used in other products, like cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, or perfumes. Okay; well at least they’re not completely wasting it… but who would’ve thought?
They’re drinking less? Why not make the surplus more affordable than completely destroying it?
Destroying enough wine to fill more than 100 Olympic-size swimming pools may sound crazy, but France thinks it makes economic sense. Especially since they say it is getting more costly to produce wine and the French are consuming less of it than in years past.
French drinkers are turning to other, more refreshing beverages such as beer. While high-end Bordeaux bottles such as grand cru still easily find buyers, demand for entry-level mass red wines has been dropping.
According to Bloomberg Report, wine consumption all across Europe is deceasing. High inflation with increasing food and drink prices are a contributing factor, leaving consumers to buy fewer bottles while production remains strong.
While drinking too much wine is never a good thing; not being able to afford to drink some wine is never a good thing either.
And for another twist…
Here’s a story involving a large scale WINE CRIME taken from Winespector.com:
In January, Bordeaux’s tribunal handed down sentences for five wine professionals found guilty in the largest wine fraud case in recent memory. Tribunal president Marie-Elisabeth Boulnois passed out ankle bracelets for the worst infractions, on top of heavy fines all around. But both defendants and plaintiffs are claiming that justice has not been served.
The elaborate multimillion-dollar fraud involved trucking hundreds of thousands of cases worth of cheap Spanish bulk wine north to France, changing the official paperwork to reflect a French origin, and bottling it and selling it as more valuable Bordeaux appellations, including Margaux and Médoc.Feb 16, 2023
Jean-Sebastien Laflèche, owner of négoce Defivin in St.-Loubès, and Michel Gilin, formerly in sales at major cooperative Celliers Vinicoles du Blayais (CVB), received the harshest sentences, “due to the seriousness of the acts, the nature of the facts, their durations, the quantities involved and previous convictions,” said Boulnois.
Both men will serve their prison sentences under house arrest. Laflèche, sentenced to two years, had assets worth €253,000 seized, including his Mercedes, and Gilin, sentenced to 20 months, was fined €200,000. They were the only two convicted of deception (consumer fraud). Both are banned from working in the wine trade for five years.
Their three accomplices, Daniel Banchereau, Sylvie Bernard and Fabien Figerou, received more lenient sentences. Banchereau and Bernard received suspended prison sentences and €12,000 fines. Figerou, who ran the Bégadanet cellars in the Médoc where the bottling took place, was found guilty of transporting undocumented wine.
All five were held mutually responsible for a €670,000 fiscal fine for putting irregular merchandise into circulation, putting the total fines over €1 million.
Sophie Benayoun, defense lawyer for Laflèche, denounced the decision, saying “These fiscal fines are totally out of proportion.” She argued that the five were “lampistes“—junior employees taking the blame for more powerful criminals. “You have to ask, who profited from the crime? They were the pawns.”
Gilin’s defense lawyer, Lucas Tabone, concurred. “They were employed by companies to find suppliers. These people were never the ones who made money in this affair. The ones who made money thanks to this affair weren’t here [in court].”
The civil plaintiffs, which receive small compensations in the vicinity of €12,500, included the Bordeaux Wine Council (CIVB), Federation of Grands Vins de Bordeaux, Federation of Négociants of Bordeaux and Libourne and Confederation Paysanne.
Dominique Techer, spokesperson for the Confederation Paysanne, expressed disappointment that the investigation had not made clear who had given the orders. “Everyone knows how it works. In 2013, 2014, there was a wine shortage, and people gave orders, saying, ‘Find me some wine.'” Nevertheless, he emphasized, “When you buy a bottle of Bordeaux or even Vin de France, you shouldn’t have to wonder whether it’s ‘real’ or not.”
I never expected the word beauty and the words “donkey” milk to be in the same sentence; but why should it be any different than “goat” milk?
Plus, they’re just as cute. Have a look at that face – that’s a nice looking ass!
Since donkey milk soap and goat milk soap are both made with the high-fat milk of their respective animals, they are both known for their skin-nourishing, moisturizing, and protective properties. However, donkey milk for beauty purposes is new to North America.
It was while looking at all the different soaps at the lavender shop that the owner pointed out the donkey milk soap bar and told me that he’s getting more products that will either contain or be made entirely of donkey milk and how good it is for the skin. He said that the soap can be used on the face and there’s a whole list of beauty benefits that goes along with it. He mentioned it helps exfoliate, softens, fades scars, evens skin tone and reduces acne and wrinkles.
Hmmm….always something new to explore and learn about. I’m always open to new suggestions but I’m also aware how saturated the beauty market is and maybe they have to keep coming up with new ways (taken from old ways) to draw people in. Not saying that Donkey Milk is not beneficial, but I decided to do some research which I’m sharing here.
Right off the bat, Donkey milk is rich in vitamins and minerals: potassium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iodine, retinol, vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, D, C, E. All good! The negative point is that it’s supposed to be the most expensive milk in the world.
Donkey milk may sound like a trendy newcomer to the milk market, but in reality, it has been around for thousands of years.
It has become popular again recently, especially in parts of Europe, appealing both to adventurous foodies who want to try new foods and beverages, as well as those who aim to eat natural foods with health benefits.
Spurred by interest in using donkey milk for both cosmetics and culinary reasons, Europe is experiencing a donkey milk revival.
It has a long history of medicinal and cosmetic uses. Hippocrates reportedly used donkey milk as a treatment for arthritis, coughs, and wounds. Cleopatra is said to have maintained her soft, smooth skin with donkey milk baths. Apparently she added honey to it. According to Google, she had more than 700 donkeys. That makes for a lot of milk baths!
Compared with milk from other dairy animals like cows, goats, sheep, buffalo, and camels, donkeymilk most closely resembles human breast milk. In fact, it was first used in the 19th century to feed orphaned infants.
So another ancient beauty product has found its way here and is having a resurgence. I think we’ll be hearing more about this.
Let me know if you’ve tried it?
“Donkeys live a long time. None of you has ever seen a dead donkey.” ~ George Orwell
I came across this more in-depth blog post from Better Living about donkeys in general; including their milk:
Another Okanagan Valley Vineyard worth checking out. The LATIN meaning: out of nothing, from nothing. However, I would say that their wines taste like something else.
Ex Nihilo is the last and latest winery I visited in Kelowna, Okanagan, British Columbia for an exceptional tasting experience. It’s located in lake wine country and offers extraordinary small lot craft wines which are all family run.
Ex Nihilo sculpture by Fredrick Hart
“Our offering is wine, our strength is people. What comes ‘out of nothing’ endures.” – Mike and Janet Azhadi (owners). Their journey began with nothing but a dream and passion inspired by Fredrick Hart’s sculpture, ExNihilo; a depiction of the creation of mankind, which originally came from out of nothing.
My tasting included a perfectly balanced bubbly (2021 sX IMAGINE) with a blend of 3 varietals I really like: Riesling, Pinot Gris & Gewurztraminer made in a fresh Prosecco style.
The Vampata Rosé was produced with Pinot Noir and Syrah grapes. Crisp and lush, with an explosion of rosehip on the nose and hints of rose petals.
I tried their Pinot Gris, an unusual for the Okanagan Viognier(vee-ohn-yay) which was not on the list; nice and fresh with tropical notes. I bought a bottle to take home. Two elegant Pinot Noirs and lastly; NIGHT– a Big Bordeaux style red made with Merlot, Malbec, Cab Franc, Cab Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Quite special.
After my tasting I became a Silver Key wine club member. Members are entitled to six bottles of Ex Nihilo wines delivered to your door three times a year. You fill out a form to let them know what types of wines you prefer and if you don’t customize the order before the delivery date, they make the choices on your behalf from your notes.
You also get a complimentary wine tasting experience for two each time you visit the winery. Tastings cost $20 per visit but are waived.
Other perks are exclusive availability of their XXX reserve and library wines, invitations to “members only” events, an annual VIP wine/cheese tasting experience for up to four people (which has to be booked in advance) and 17% off retail, online and club releases year round. They also have a gold membership which is the same except you get twelve bottles instead of six.
I used to share a wine club membership with a friend that was placed with MarquisWineCellars right here in downtown Vancouver. Our shipment would include wines from all over the world and it was always exciting to see what was included. This was over a few years and it was great until we decided to call it quits. It was getting difficult to plan our get togethers to share in the tastings, so we decided to split the cases but no one got the same so it was hit and miss. If we wanted the same bottle we’d have to toss a coin. It worked for a long time until it didn’t. I hadn’t joined another wine club membership until now. I usually order either from the website or buy directly from the wine shop in person. Looking forward to seeing how this works out.
The Ex Nihilo bistro is called Chaos – where they offer the best quality, fresh, local and natural ingredients while using a unique method to produce clean flavours that compliment the food experience.
A nice touch is their summer concert series, the latest being talented Chantal Kreviazuk, which was accompanied by a sensational multi-course dining experience prepared by Executive Chef Danny Tipper. You can never go wrong with good food, music and wine to accompany it.
This is also the area where I got to pick up my Adele; Layla’s litter mate and little companion.
At the winery with Adele (l) and Layla (r) before heading back to Vancouver.
Have you ever been a member of a wine club? If so; did you find it enjoyable and worthwhile?
Sometimes, just by accident, you come across a restaurant that you’ve never heard of before, and you end up being pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food, the type of food and the service.
Nightshade, located in Vancouver’s trendy Yaletown neighbourhood, turned out to be a welcome accident just waiting to happen.
On the way back from Underground Comedy Club in Gastown, my friend and I were looking for a bistro to have a late night snack. We weren’t too picky by this point and parking isn’t easy to find in this popular part of town, especially on a Friday night. However, we ended up getting a parking spot directly in front of this restaurant called Nightshade so we decided to give it a try.
A few things to note:
1) Nightshade restaurant has received the Bib Gourmand Award for excellence given by The MICHELIN Guide in Vancouver 2022. For more info refer to link at bottom of page.
2) Surprise..it’s completely vegan. But just like you don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy eating bagels, you don’t have to be vegan to enjoy this type of food. Taking a break from eating meat is a good thing. What I’ve discovered about the few vegan restaurants I’ve been to, is that they rely on using mostly fresh local ingredients with artfully plated, unexpected exceptional flavour. Any good chef should be able to grill a perfect steak, but how many can elevate a common vegetable to taste like something else?
Nightshade fills a void by bringing vegan and vegetarian food into the fine dining arena. Remember when the only vegetarian restaurants were buffet-style? Well, gone are those days! Although I must admit that I do miss a few of those fill-up-your- plate buffets.
Nightshade prides itself on being globally inspired in a warm yet elegantly floral dining setting with flavours inspired from all around the world.
The restaurant brings an elevated plant-based experience to the table, featuring local ingredients with international flair.
A few of the delicious dishes I tried:
Truffle Gyoza with mushrooms, water chestnuts and rayu sauce (a Japanese sesame chilli oil) with taro chips on the side. I liked it so much that I went back the next day when in Yaletown (again) for Pet-a-Palooza – North America’s largest festival dedicated to pets (but mostly dogs).Tempura crunch sushi roll with 7 spices, smoked tofu by oomé (a locally made in Vancouver premium smoked tofu company that uses organic, non-GMO tofu), Sweet Potato & Shoyu Pepper. Very yummy; and don’t forget I love sushi with tuna and wild salmon the best.
Garden Salad: Mixed Greens from the Farm, Feta Cheese, Toasted Pecans, Rainbow Radishes, with Sherry and Sweet Onion dressing.
Goes to prove that anything fresh and well thought out will satisfy your craving and it doesn’t mean always having to come from animals, including dairy products and eggs.
Lol – We are!And it feels so good. And at uncertain times such as this, and in general; we could all use a good belly laugh. So I went Underground.
I went to Underground Comedy club last Friday; a perfect name for a club that’s located underground. and enjoyed two hours of non-stop laughter with my new friend Hayley and her funny friends. I met Hayley in Montreal where she was a bridesmaid at my cousins wedding. Bonus: she lives in Vancouver and works part time as an actress and comedian (do we know anyone who works full-time in either of these fields?). Back in Vancouver we ended up getting together at my place along with my sister and laughed non-stop. She’s hilarious.
Remember laughing all the time as a kid? As adults we’ve become more serious and laugh a lot less. But laughter is healthy for our immune systems. You can add years to your life and improve your emotional health just by seeking out more opportunities for humour. There’s a lot of scientific research to back this up, but the simple fact is that when you laugh (and even smile) you release endorphins, which have many positive physical effects. It helps to lighten up a bit, even if just for a few hours.
Hayley is a doll who can get away with being a bit raunchy in her act.
Hayley emcees up and coming comedians trying to perfect their material at Underground Comedy in Gastown from 7-9 pm every Friday. A professional show where the cities best comedians drop in to perfect their sets starts at 9:00 pm. Acts from Netflix, CBC, Just for Laughs, Canada’s Got Talent, HBO, etc. Some of the amateurs are working their way up to pro. The dimly lit place was jam packed but we were able to get a seat and a decent glass of wine.
Funny girl
I have to give these people credit because it takes guts to get up there and put yourself out there and be wide open to criticism. Timing is very important and we’re a tough crowd to please. All the best comedians started somewhere. I remember seeing Howie Mandell at Yuk Yuk’s in Montreal when he was just starting out. He had a gift and obviously the makings of a star.
If you want to check out this small but classy and quaint venue located in the heart of Downtown Vancouver here is the link:
It’s directly downstairs (underground) from rosette – a British-inspired Pub.
A bundle worth its weight in blue/gold. Photo: d. king
If you’re looking for lavender products in Vancouver, look no further than Provence en Couleur – a one-stop-shop for all things lavender and more. Located at Granville Island.
Known as “The Blue Gold” because of its value as a crop, Lavender oil is a staple of perfumes, skincare and soaps.
Soaps + bath balms. Photo: d. king
In Provence the lavender fields conspire with the landscapes and perched villages to make stunning technicolor scenes.
So French to place in a market bag. Photo: d. king
The scented flowers signify purity, silence, devotion, serenity, grace, and calmness. That’s why spraying lavender scented water on your pillowcase before bed will give you a more restful sleep. Putting a few drops of the oil in a humidifier does the same.
You can hang, stuff or plant them anywhere you want to have more beauty. Photo: d. king
The scent of their dried flowers stays stronger for a lot longer than other types of dried flowers.
Photo: d. king
Purple is the color of royalty and speaks of elegance, refinement, and luxury.
Photo: d. kingMy bathroom window in a nautilus shell. Photo: d. king
My two canines took me to this huge event in Vancouver’s hip Yaletown district yesterday, and it made me reflect on how canines are replacing children in the lives of many. Also; how couples who’ve become empty nesters can gain companionship, love and affection from having a pet. In this case; specifically a dog. Judging by the attractions, booths and tents purposely laid out for dogs and their owners, it is clear that it has become a big business too.
I don’t think dogs want to run on a treadmill or get dressed up in a superhero costume as much as their owner wants them to.
However, having said this, my two got leid right after getting blessed under one of the tents. Then we went for lunch.
My blessed pair, but I’m even more blessed to have them.Treadmill for dogs – which could come in handy when the weather is really crappy – and provided you have space.
If you were to choose between having a kid or getting a pet, there are some pros and cons. Kids are fine at first but they can be unpredictable. Pets prefer predictability.
Let’s look at the CONS: pets don’t last as long, like kids, you can’t depend on them either to look after you when you get old and dogs need walks for frequent bathroom breaks.
The PROS: pets provide a purpose without the sacrifices required for raising a baby. No need for changing diapers in the early stages, they stay affectionate much longer than kids do, they’re unselfish, need minimal supervision, aren’t always on their phones, you don’t have to pay to send them to University or for weddings, they eat less, don’t do drugs and never talk back.
One of the new cars where the air conditioning automatically gets turned on when it gets too hot outside.This is Diesel. He won the “running of the bulldogs” contest but I’m not sure whether he’s French or English.
Growing up in Montreal I can certainly say that it is unlike any other city in Canada or anywhere else for that matter. I’ve travelled all over Canada, lived in Toronto for several years and made Vancouver my home. You can’t have it all! A city is like a relationship – neither will give you everything you need.
As much as I love living in Vancouver for the proximity to nature, I have to admit I really missed the energy and joie de vivre of Montreal. I was able to relive some of it on my recent trip.
In this post I want to share some of the old Montreal hangouts & establishments that are still around.
Although, at the bottom of this page I share a link to a previous exposé I wrote about Montreal in its absolute heyday when it was way further ahead of Toronto – for those who are still around and lived through it, only heard about it or want to know about it. The book “CITY UNIQUE” was as
William WeintraubMy uncle Frank
original as its author William (Bill) Weintraub. The writer, filmmaker, historian and part time provocateur began his career at the Montreal Gazette and was a friend to my uncle Frank (who wrote a column for the Gazette). They both shared a close bond with writing cohorts Mordecai Richler (“THE APPRENTICESHIP OF DUDDY KRAVITZ”), Brian Moore (“BELFAST”) and Mavis Gallant (“PARIS STORIES”). I loved it when my uncle would invite me over to the old Press Club on rue de La Montagne which at the time was an old boys club. I have a feeling if it still exists it’s not the same.
Weintraub especially was a walking history book of Montreal in the 20th century — one filled with amazing stories of mobsters and mayors. Made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2003, Weintraub never learned whether Jacques Parizeau saw the humour in his 1992 documentary, “THE RISE AND FALL OF ENGLISH MONTREAL.” although the former Quebec premier had requested a special screening of the film.
My uncle Frank and Bill Weintraub along with many of the original city classic characters, are now sadly gone. Ironically, news of Weintraub’s death came around the same time the city was fêting another of its famed cultural sons, Leonard Cohen, in a tribute concert at the Bell Centre marking the one-year anniversary of his passing.
Characters are what make a City Unique don’t you think?
On this last trip I decided to book a hotel room for several nights in the midtown Montreal area. There were happenings around that part of town that I wanted easy access to get to, also somewhere not too far from the airport, close to a highway, smoked meat and a metro. I found the perfect solution for all of that at hotel Ruby Foo’s.
Some things do not remain the same…
For over half a century The Ruby Foo’s brand has been a mainstay in Montréal culture. The Chinese restaurant was a famous hangout and I remember going there on many occasions with my parents. It opened in the 1950’s and quickly became the go-to place for egg rolls and chicken almond gui ding. And for the less adventurous, there was always a club sandwich. The restaurant established itself as the place to see and be seen. Everyone from Politicians, Broadway stars, Movie Stars, the business and sporting elite all made Ruby Foo’s the top spot in the city. It was class personified, fun and lively. I went solely for the Chinese food not realizing that eventually I’d be living in a city that’s known to have the best Chinese food outside of Beijing.
Then came the Ruby Foo’s hotel which first opened its doors in 1962 and quickly became an ideal destination for both business and leisure travelers. Then in 1984, a group of developers acquired the property with the vision of turning it into a 198-room hotel complex, including a mini convention centre, restaurant, commercial space and office tower. They succeeded. Sadly, the original restaurant was closed for good in 1984.
In recent years, the architectural firm of Lemay Michaud, which has built a reputation for its work on luxury and boutique hotels throughout Canada and North America has revamped the 4-star hotel complex to 198 spacious bedrooms, 6,000 square feet of meeting space in eight banquet halls, two restaurants, a barbershop (not a beauty parlour for women unfortunately – I did take exception to this), an outdoor seasonal pool and state of the art gym.
Ruby Foo’s Hotel
Overall I enjoyed my stay there. It was reasonably priced especially considering that it was high season. With so many hotels fully booked and knowing this, I booked about two months in advance. It’s clean, beds are extremely comfortable, comes with the essentials; an espresso maker, a safety deposit box, plush robes and mini fridge. The restaurant ‘Eggspectation‘ for breakfast was very good. Didn’t make it to the evening bar/restaurant. The gym is well equipped (my brother told me) and the pool area is nice except for how you reach these two places. They need to re-do the ground floor windy hallway area which gives you access to the gym and pool. I’m surprised it has absolutely no personality. Other than that, the hotel staff was really helpful and pleasant and it was very easy access to everything I mentioned. I would stay there again. Of course if you’re looking for a high end luxury hotel you want the Ritz Carlton (nothing beats the Ritz) and if you want more of a stylish boutique feel you might prefer Le Petit Hotel in Old Montreal. But for overall convenience to everywhere and price point, Ruby Foo’s is pretty decent. These are 3 totally different stays.
Casing the joints…
Montréal’s restaurant scene is one of the best in the world. From fine dining restaurants to casual eateries, the sheer variety satiates all palates.
The Orange Julep is pure nostalgia and located right across the street from the hotel. It’s an iconic giant orange orb drive in and takeout place for really good hot dogs, creamy orange drinks (they have their own secret recipe) & fries. I remember going as a kid with my parents where they come out to take your order and deliver it to the car. No drive in window. My mom would always order the Michigan Red Hot. It’s a hot dog covered in a meaty spaghetti sauce. It actually originated in Plattsburgh, New York – the closest American border for us to go cross border shopping, where we went on occasion.
For smoked meat sandwiches Schwartz’s still remains everyone’s favourite and a true Montreal classic. Located on Blvd Saint-Laurent, when you walk through those doors you take a step back 95 years. You have to lineup outside no matter who you are and wait your turn. You never know who you’re going to sit with too as they sit you wherever there’s space – everyone gets treated the same. You can rub elbows with politicians, movie stars (Elizabeth Taylor was one) to the local poet and blue collar workers. You won’t find better smoked meat anywhere else. My dad knew all the owners (family run and passed down the line) and we’d always order a slightly fatty sandwich with a black cherry cola and side of sour pickles while my mom preferred rib-eye steak. At this time Moishe’s #1 steakhouse was located right above, but she’d order the one from Schwartz’s.
However, Dunn’s is only a two block walk from Ruby Foo’s hotel and my second most favourite for smoked meat when I can’t get to Schwartz’s. They’re known for their famous cheesecake which I’ve made before and put a link to their recipe at the bottom. You’re welcome.
Le Steakhouse Rib ‘N Reef has a reputation over the course of 63 years for gastronomic expertise. It’s a swanky landmark for charbroiled meats & seafood, with a rooftop terrace and large wine & cigar lists. I think it’s a bit less than a two block walk from Ruby Foo’s. I met my childhood bestie there for dinner where we both ordered filet Oscar off the table d’hôte menu. They still maintain the old style of coming to your table to make Caesar salad. Both the meal and seeing my friend made for an exceptional evening.
Rib ‘n Reef is old style elegance
Unfortunately the live music is no longer. The Maître d‘ laughed at me when I asked what time the music started. It’s been a while.
Moishe’s in Old Montreal may still remain number one:
Founded in 1938 by Moishe Lighter, it was initially called “Romanian Paradise.” Legend has it that Lighter, an immigrant from Romania to Canada, became the owner of the restaurant in a card game. That’s when anything was wide open for negotiation if you catch my drift. The restaurant’s name was changed to “Moishes” at the outset of World War II.
After all this I should tell you that Montreal also hosts an abundance of good health food restaurants too, including vegan. Just in case you’re wondering. It’s not only bagels, poutine, smoked meat and steak.
I think this concludes my look back on Montreal edition. At least until the next time. I hope you enjoyed some of the history and stories.
An interesting and provocative look back:
My previous Post on Montreal days and nights inthe book CITY UNIQUE:
Last time we were in the Okanagan together we stayed in Oliver, British Columbia and visited several local vineyards in that area. This time we stayed in Kelowna. Kelowna is about a 4 ½ hour drive from Vancouver (depending on traffic) and for Margeaux, about 3 ½ hours (depending on traffic) from Castlegar where she resides and owns Kootenay Valley Water Supply Company (providing premium bottled water and water dispensers for home and business for the West Kootenays as well as being an authorized dealer of Arctic Spas® hot tubs & pools).
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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