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Jan 2010
Good FOUR You!
This year, I’ve had the opportunity to experience LOTS of fine dining in various countries. And eating rich, cream-smeared, foie-gras injected foods day after day is great - especially if you want to be a contestant on the next Biggest Loser. Seriously...this is one of my major travel pet-peeves. I’m all for indulgence, just not for a week straight.
That’s why I was delighted to discover FOUR - a restaurant in downtown Toronto where all the dishes weigh in at under 650 calories.
Is it called FOUR because they only use lettuce, celery, water and aspartame? I wondered that myself. The answer is...(drumroll) no. Actually, I don’t know the real answer. And lets not ruin the mystery by finding out.
Given FOUR’s slick, modern ambiance, it’s especially popular with the Bay Street lunchtime crowd (types that are eating out 5 days a week), but I think it would be a wise choice for health-conscious travellers as well.
Chef Matt Rosen consults a nutritionist about each and every creation to ensure that meals are balanced and within the calorie limit.
“It’s a challenge to make something that tastes good and is under the 650 calories,” he says.
“The key is to use things that have really intense flavours, like a tapenade.”
Instead of going all funky and serving things you’d have to look up in the Dictionary of Rare Hippie Health Foods, FOUR is decidedly traditional. Think Beef Tenderloin, Greek Lamb Salad and Chicken Meatballs. Sure, elements like bran fusilli and flax seed crisps sneak in there, but they don’t overwhelm the dishes.
I really enjoyed my meal at FOUR...in fact, I could hardly discern that I was eating at a “healthy alternative.” I especially loved the fresh-squeezed blueberry lemonade, the brie, almond and apple burger ($9) and the cute little shot glass desserts ($2). Of course, if you shoot more than one you’re also shooting your calorie count in the foot.
FOUR VITALS:
Address: 187 Bay Street
Hours: 11:30am to 11pm, Monday to Friday
Phone: 416-368-1444
Price Range: $9 to $25 for a main.
Also, note that FOUR is participating in Toronto’s Winterlicious Event. Check out their menu here:
FOUR Winterlicious Menu 2010
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The Big Picture: Parisian Rapunzel
27/01/10 18:02 Filed in: Big Picture | Europe
Sleeping Around: Arizona
25/01/10 15:41 Filed in: Sleeping Around | USA
Here’s the second installment of my monthly travel column, SLEEPING AROUND. If you have suggestions for a future destination, please leave them in the comments area below!
BISBEE, ARIZONA - I never thought I could fall in love with a trailer park.
My attitude toward them was nothing short of disdainful. And given that their current ambassador is a four-eyed doofus named Bubbles, can you really blame me?
Then, one dark Arizona night, I saw the light. It was neon light, and it illuminated the words “The Shady Dell.”
A collection of ten vintage trailers dating from 1949 to 1959, the place is a glorious celebration of mid-century modernism and a throwback to golden age of the tow-your-own hotel-room movement.
My lodging for the evening was a 1959 Boles Aero, the park’s newest addition. Upon entering, I discovered that its shiny metallic exterior was really just a big old time capsule.
Read More...
My attitude toward them was nothing short of disdainful. And given that their current ambassador is a four-eyed doofus named Bubbles, can you really blame me?
Then, one dark Arizona night, I saw the light. It was neon light, and it illuminated the words “The Shady Dell.”
A collection of ten vintage trailers dating from 1949 to 1959, the place is a glorious celebration of mid-century modernism and a throwback to golden age of the tow-your-own hotel-room movement.
My lodging for the evening was a 1959 Boles Aero, the park’s newest addition. Upon entering, I discovered that its shiny metallic exterior was really just a big old time capsule.
Read More...
Take it Home...Colorado
Where is it? Fort Collins, Colorado
Describe it. Finding a brewery to tour isn’t tough. Finding one that’s as inspiring as The New Belgium Brewing Company is nearly impossible. Yeah, they’ve got some more-than-drinkable Belgian-style beer (and you’ll sample multiple glasses of it along the way), but what’s really intoxicating is the fun, progressive vibe of the company itself. They’re so big on both sustainability and treating their staff right that they award employees a cruiser bike after their first year. They also sponsor a major bike festival and have a beer called “Fat Tire.” The staff are clearly stoked on the fun factor. Maybe it’s because they get to use a spiral slide instead of a staircase. You’ll be grinning, too, when you get to try it at the end of the tour.
How much? $5 US in the brewery gift shop. For more information visit www.newbelgium.com
FROM MY FOOD AND SOUVENIR COLUMN IN
Break a Leg, Thomas Cook!
a) Not going to Disneyland instead.
or
b) Declining travel insurance.
Now, being part of the 50 per cent of Canadians who don’t bother with travel insurance due to cost and hassle, I’m no expert in this domain. But I thought I’d let you know that Thomas Cook announced today that they’re launching their own travel insurance. For as little as $10 per trip, you can cover your ass (and head, and chest, and...well, you get it). All the details are HERE.
And on another cool note, last year Thomas Cook rolled out Canada’s first four currency ATMs in Toronto, Barrie, Mississauga, Saskatoon, Kelowna and Ottawa. They dispense Canadian and American Dollars, Euros and GB Pounds. Machines in Markham and Waterloo are also slated to open in early 2010.
W-E-I-R-D Museums
20/01/10 20:14 Filed in: Europe
By Reb Stevenson
Between The Wall and the city’s infamous nightlife, it’s easy to overlook one of Berlin’s other major tourist attractions: museums. But we’re not talking about glass cases full of ceramics or art galleries dedicated to impressionist paintings, here. We’re talking about niche museums that are – for lack of a better word – just plain weird.
Here is a peek at four of them: Read More...
So Beautiful It Gives Me Shivers
15/01/10 13:36 Filed in: USA
Calling this music “cool” would be a massive understatement. The tunes emanating from the new Crystal Grotto at Colorado’s Beaver Creek Resort are downright frozen. From now until April 4, the mid—mountain ice cave-cum-concert hall will feature chilling tunes played on whimsical hand-carved acoustic ice instruments, including a violin, cello, viola, guitar, fretless bass, xylophone, rolandophone, mandolin, banjo and drums.
Tickets are $10 US per person, and can be purchased on site. For more information, visit www.beavercreek.com
Gear: Grin Envy
$20 at www.tilley.com
From my travel gear column in
Denver Souvenir Shopping's a Snap!
God, I love finding the ultimate souvenir. So often, you end up with that “what was I THINKING?” moment when you get back from a trip, 
as you pull that ugly-ass piece of native art out of your bag (it looked good in its original setting, I grant you that) and commit it to a lifetime of attracting dust on the top shelf of your bookcase.
Personally, I’d rather pick up functional souvenirs. Topping the list: CLOTHING.
In Denver this week, I scored this sweet cowgirl shirt at Rockmount Ranch Wear. Not only is it country chic, but it’s got authenticity to boot: this is the very store where the snap-up Western Shirt was invented in the ’40s. Yee Haw!
They’ve got loads of cute, contoured girly shirts as well as scads of dude wear. And even if you don’t get a kick out of Western wear, get some for your lover’s sake. They’ll appreciate the convenience of the snaps, if ya know what I mean.
Have you ever come home with an awesome piece of souvenir clothing? What was it?
Personally, I’d rather pick up functional souvenirs. Topping the list: CLOTHING.
In Denver this week, I scored this sweet cowgirl shirt at Rockmount Ranch Wear. Not only is it country chic, but it’s got authenticity to boot: this is the very store where the snap-up Western Shirt was invented in the ’40s. Yee Haw!
They’ve got loads of cute, contoured girly shirts as well as scads of dude wear. And even if you don’t get a kick out of Western wear, get some for your lover’s sake. They’ll appreciate the convenience of the snaps, if ya know what I mean.
Have you ever come home with an awesome piece of souvenir clothing? What was it?
Hopping Around Fort Collins
After two nights in room 217 at The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park (The Stephen King Suite), I was very pleased to slip between the sheets at the un-haunted Armstrong Hotel in Fort Collins, Colorado. I’m loving the art deco theme (see their website, I’m a big fan of the design) and fresh colours that liven up this boutique property in the heart of the old town!
Postcards from Creepsville
08/01/10 21:46 Filed in: USA | Sleeping Around
Shot today at The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, where I am working on my 5th Sleeping Around column. Want to play with me?
A Rocky Start to the Day
06/01/10 04:46 Filed in: USA | Big Picture
The Star's Best in Travel '09
03/01/10 16:17 Filed in: USA
The Toronto Star recently asked me to submit my “Best Travel Experience of 2009.” Read my pick HERE. But, really, this was only one of many amazing adventures that I had the great fortune to experience last year. Stay tuned for my 2009 travel awards (no actual statues awarded), coming to this blog within the next couple of days!
Gear: Rest Stop Relief for Moms
02/01/10 20:38 Filed in: Gear
$3.99 US for a package of 20 at www.gottagomitts.com
From my travel gear column in