The best bars and restaurants to visit in Ottawa

 Are you looking for the best bars and restaurants in Ottawa? Then, you’ve come to the right place.  In this article, we will list four of the best venues in or near Ottawa. Some of these are budget-friendly, others are more expensive but perfect for special occasions.  All of them

Ways in which the Ottawa restaurant scene has changed since COVID-19 struck and how businesses are starting to battle back

 The pandemic affected every area of life and business, and the restaurant trade was one of the industries that were the hardest hit. As in every other state, Ottawa’s eateries suffered badly as a result of Covid-19 and needed to adapt - quickly -  to survive.  We take a look

Premier Doug Ford declares state of emergency in Ontario

 Ontario Premier Doug Ford has declared a state of emergency in Ontario as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The Premier and Health Minister Christine Elliott made the announcement at a press conference this morning. Ontario’s Emergency?Management and Civil Protection?Act grants the government broad powers in an emergency, including the

BEST OF OTTAWA 2019: Casual Dining

 After over 20-years writing about life in Ottawa, we think we have a pretty good idea of the best of what this city has to offer. In this weekly series, we’ll share our picks with you -  our top hotels, live music venues, local brews, bands and more. Check, share and discuss

Angie’s Models and Talent International Opens New Flagship Centre

 Photos by by Ali Matthews. For over two decades, Angie Sakla-Seymour has owned and operated the top modelling agency in the Capital. Angie’s Models and Talent International (AMTI) has been successful at bringing local talent to the global stage through countless magazine covers, advertising campaigns and film. “When we first launched

Silversea: Discover The Gold Standard in Cruising

 A privately owned Italian cruise line that is recognized as the gold standard in luxury cruising, Silversea’s new class of elite vessels are designed with more space for fewer guests, where travelers experience adventurous voyages to remote regions while enjoying the highest levels of personalized service. Silversea sails to the

1000 Islands Harbor Hotel

 Photo courtesy of 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel.  Weekend Escape to the 1000 Islands Famous for a certain salad dressing, Clayton, New York is also well-known as the gateway to the luxury hotels that dotted the 1000 Islands during the Gilded-Age. Heading into its second summer in operation, the 1000 Islands

Sweet Montreal

 Macaroons from Maison Christian Faure, photo courtesy of Maison Christian Faure. It’s a little known fact that Montreal is home to some of Canada’s best restaurants and chefs, including world-renowned chocolatiers and pastry makers. This is great news for anyone who, like me, has a giant sweet tooth. In the

Find Great Food Faster at Two New Jack Astor’s

 With drool-worthy new menu items and enough TVs to keep you in the game until… pretty much forever, two new Jack Astor’s are now open in Ottawa. The first settled comfortably into the new Lansdowne Park development earlier this year. That location sits just a few steps away from the Redblack’s stadium,

Kayla Pongrac: Bringing Local Flavour to Life with Art and Design

 Photo credit: Blair Pongrac  When you head to one of Ottawa’s top restaurants, like Ace Mercado on Clarence Street, you go for the experience. It’s not just about the great food, but also the atmosphere, smells and sounds. A lot of thought, planning and passion go into creating that atmosphere

Destination Denver

 The state of Colorado is an obvious destination for skiing and sports enthusiasts, but you might not know that the foot of the Rockies is an equally impressive haven for arts and culture. Don’t hit the highway out of town the next time you fly in. Instead, take a trip

Italian Retreat

 When we think of Italy urban centres like Florence, Rome and Milan probably spring to mind. But leave the hustle and bustle behind, slow down and soak up life and the beauty and tranquility of Italian village life. Tranquil Tuscany Located 15 minutes from the medieval city of Siena, there’s

Get Cooking, Ottawa!

 Whether you live alone or with a large family, life never seems to stop. Between yoga, work and soccer practice, it is no wonder planning out meals and cooking at home has taken a back seat. Moulinex wants to change that! It is introducing the Get Cooking Challenge to help

Great Things to Do In Ottawa – Day and Night

 Ottawa is anything but the stereotypical, sleepy government town and there is a lot to do for everyone from millennial to senior. As the nation’s capital, Ottawa remains recession-proof and the city's well-defined and unique neighborhoods (The Glebe, The Byward Market, Elgin Central, Kitchissippi, Kanata, Nepean and Copeland Park, etc.)

Chicago Style

 Having been inspired after an annual girlfriends weekend get-a-way to Chicago this past weekend, I wanted to highlight some of my favorite spots for all things design, especially as they pertain to Chicago. Leonardo Da Vinci said "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication".  To me, this quote perfectly summarizes my experience

A Midwinter’s Bite of the Big Apple

 Got the winter blues or a little cabin fever? Well here’s the cure: New York City. David Letterman is right when he calls it the greatest city in the world. It is. Put aside the fact that it is the commerce centre of the universe or that its storied history

Some Day at the Beach! Destination Weddings: Cuba

 When my brother-in-law announced his intention to wed in Cuba, my wife Trine literally jumped for joy. She had seriously considered holding our wedding party on a beach in the Caribbean, so she could get hitched while barefoot in the sand. I was happy too – I like a beach vacation