All posts tagged with: Review

The world’s top runners demand the top performance gear. It has to be durable, lightweight, and made specifically for runners. The makers at Sundog have been designing sunglasses made specifically for long distance runners. Just released is the new Mach series, part of the Summer 2013 collection by Sundog.

The R&D team at Sundog took a close look at the needs of long distance runners when designing these sunglasses. For example, they nose piece is adjustable for ultimate comfort and it has a special polymer which keeps the glasses in place, especially important when sweating or running in the rain.

The same polymer is also used on the temple tips of the arms, keeping the frames from sliding and bouncing. The lightweight frames are made with a patent resin that allows them to flex to adjust to the shape of the head. This particular style is well suited for people with wider faces.

Marathon runners spend a significant amount of time outdoors and are exposed to UV rays. While sunblock can protect the skin, the eyes also require protection. Again, the R&D team ensured that the lens for the Mach style didn’t just ensure the lens had UV blocking technology, but they also designed the lens so it wraps completely around the face, almost completely protecting the eyes.

Overall the design is sleek and sporty. While these are high performance sunglasses they won’t break the bank. They are actually significantly cheaper compared to other name brands, whose designs are not specifically made for runners. Perhaps it’s time to upgrade your running sunglasses and start getting maximum performance and comfort, just like the pros!

Original Style / Design: ★★★☆☆

Material / Workmanship: ★★★★★

Makes a Statement: ★★★☆☆

Comfort: ★★★★★

Price / Value: ★★★★☆

Overall: ★★★★☆

The vibrant city of Victoria is located at the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Each year, thousands of visitors come to experience the grandeur of the city – from the BC Parliament Buildings and inner harbour, to the cobblestone streets and horse drawn carriage rides. It’s all just steps away from Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites.

With a three diamond CAA/AAA award for hospitality, the Chateau Victoria is a great accommodation choice for visitors to the city. The guest rooms and suites have recently been renovated, making the overnight experience more comfortable and enjoyable. The 66 guest rooms and 110 suites have crisp white linens, energetic floor coverings, and contemporary, dark furniture. The top two floors have eight spacious penthouse suites. Unfortunately the air conditioning in each room is a portable air conditioner, but hey, at least you can try to stay a bit cooler on those hot summer nights.

Whether you live in Victoria or are just visiting, Clives Classic Lounge, located in the lobby level of the Chateau Victoria, is an award-winning traditional mixology bar featuring hand-made classic cocktails. Vista 18 restaurant is located on the 18^th floor and offers stunning views and fine dining options. Guests of the hotel can also order in room service.

Guests are invited to use the pool, hot tub and fitness room on the second floor, and the business centre in the lobby. The hotel offers free WiFi and parking for overnight guests.

For more information, check out the Chateau Victoria website, and for things to do in the Victoria area, visit the Tourism Victoria website.

Guest Room: ★★★★☆

Bedding: ★★★★☆

Towels and Toiletries: ★★★★☆

Restaurants / Amenities: ★★★★☆

Customer Service: ★★★★★

Overall Experience: ★★★★☆

If you’ve owned your car for a while and thinking that it’s time for an upgrade, it’s time to take a look at the 2013 Acura ILX. This car has amazing sleek lines, a powerful, fuel-efficient engine, awesome driver features, and an affordable price tag; making it one of the most attractive cars for young, sophisticated, and first-time luxury car buyers.

Under the hood there is an impressive 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 150 horsepower. This is the first year that a hybrid has been available in the ILX model, which features a fuel-efficient 1.5-litre engine and an integrated electric motor.

The exterior of the car shows youthfulness, with a sense of business-professional; something most young professionals are looking for as they are growing in to their careers and starting to move up the corporate ranks. The exterior has great aerodynamic design, with complimenting design details that give it character and movement. The frame is designed for driver stability and safety, providing a fantastic driver experience.

Safety is something that car owners shouldn’t have to worry about, and the Acura ILX has drivers in mind. The car has been built with a patent A.C.E. technology, which means that in a crash the body of the car will take the impact, leaving the passengers inside the cabin safe and secure. Inside there are driver and passenger airbags, and driver stability assist controls to help the driver in the event of an incident on the road.

Driver comfort and satisfaction are the highlights inside the vehicle. The driver can quickly shift through the 6-speed standard transmission in just seconds on an open highway, and get comfortable by opening up the sunroof and letting in the breeze, while cranking up the tunes on the surround-sound stereo.

Canadian drivers will appreciated the heated leather seats come winter, which have electric adjustments and seat memory settings for up to two different drivers. The interior detail is impressive, right down to the silver accent trim and white accent stitching in the leather seats.

While the audio system does have great sound and hands-free connectivity, it lacks BlueTooth integration and simple-to-set-up smartphone connectivity; however, there is a helpful rear back-up camera. It would have been great to have seen a full touch-screen panel with GPS maps and smartphone connectivity, especially for a vehicle geared towards a younger, more sophisticated, on-the-go audience. Oh, and oddly, there’s a CD player – who has CD’s in their cars these days? LOL

Other driver luxuries include push start/stop (keyless) ignition, dual temperature controls, and audio/voice controls on the steering wheel. To add a touch of speed there are awesome sport pedals – vroom vroom!

Wrapping up the entire package is the amazing sound the Acura ILX makes as you take off at a green light, leaving the other cars behind, as the tail pipe turns out a loud, sporty belch of power. Take that!

The Acura ILX starts at just $27,790 and goes up to $34,490; pretty decent for a luxury sports car. Test drive one today at your local Acura dealer – you’ll love it!

Original Style / Design: ★★★★☆

Material / Workmanship: ★★★★☆

Makes a Statement: ★★★★★

Comfort: ★★★★☆

Price / Value: ★★★★★

Overall: ★★★★☆

When your travel adventures take you to Atlanta, Georgia, a good, hearty, home cooked meal is always appreciated. But with so many restaurant choices, it’s almost impossible to figure out where to go. Here’s some good travel advice; go where the locals love to dine, at 4^th and Swift in Atlanta’s Midtown district.

Originally built as the Old Fourth Ward, the location is the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King. That has some cache right there! Over the years the property has found itself through a number of transitions, and in its current state, owner and chef Jay Swift has turned it in to one of Atlanta’s best dining locations.

Start off the experience at the large wood plank bar with a cocktail. Mixology is taken very seriously, with both traditional and hand-crafted, original cocktails.

Chef Swift’s team of culinary artists has created a menu using top quality, fresh ingredients, which offer incredible flavours to burst from each dish. The selection is incredible, but they don’t make it easy. There are four different menus to order off of; Market, Tasting, Seasonal and Daily Feature. Just know that you can order any dish, in any order, off any menu. This is when you’ll want to become great friends with your server to they can help interpret the overly complicated menu for you, so you can figure out what you want to have for an appetizer versus an entrée.

The menus are updated daily based on the seasonal meats and produce available. There’s everything from artisan cheese plates to veal. For a land-locked city, the menu has an odd amount of fresh and salt water fish choices; if you’re going to an inland city, stick to land animals, right? Salads and vegetables are all great choices, especially if you’re looking for a vegetarian option.

Food Quality: ★★★★☆

Originality: ★★★★☆

Customer Service: ★★★★☆

Atmosphere: ★★★★☆

Beverage Selection: ★★★★★

Price / Value: ★★★★☆

Overall: ★★★★☆

The culinary scene in Houston is thriving! It’s not all about giant 16oz steaks and potatoes. In fact, Houston has a diverse range of culinary adventures to choose from. For gay men, Sunday Brunch is a tradition. One of Houston’s newest restaurants, Triniti, has one of the best brunches in the city.

Owner and executive chef, Ryan Hildebrand, had a vision to create a dream team of top chefs that could put out a myriad of flavours from sweet to savory, with a fine selection of handcrafted cocktails to compliment any meal. Ryan and his team of chefs go to work each day to prepare a variety of lip-smacking, palette tingling creations.

Of course it wouldn’t be brunch without pitchers of mimosas and Sunday sipping cocktails to go around.

Triniti focuses on new twists of traditional American fare. The brunch menu has everything from healthy choices like Greek yogurt and granola, to homemade pastries, breads and muffins baked fresh daily. Local ingredients are used to make many of the dishes, including the vegetable quiche with greens and brie. The Monkey Bread French Toast is amazing and at least one person at the table needs to order it to share. Whatever you choose, it’s sure to be made fresh, right to order, and have you leaving satisfied.

The open-concept restaurant is very simplistic in design. Wood, metal and concrete compliment each other, while natural light and beautiful chandeliers give the space warmth and character. Guests have the option for dining indoors or on the spacious outdoor patio.

Food Quality: ★★★★★

Originality: ★★★☆☆

Customer Service: ★★★★☆

Atmosphere: ★★★★☆

Beverage Selection: ★★★★☆

Price / Value: ★★★★☆

Overall: ★★★★☆

For years the Honda Civic has been Canada’s #1 selling passenger vehicle. There’s little doubt why. The Honda Civic has a great reputation for reliability, safety, style, comfort, and fuel efficiency, all at an affordable price.

The 2013 Honda Civic continues to be targeted to younger men who want a sleek and sporty car that fits within their budget. This years model features a number of safety, feature, comfort, chassis and interior styling refinements and improvements.

“We believe that combining a host of exterior refinements with additional feature content and infusing the 2013 Honda Civic with a more youthful and premium style, we have made the best-selling passenger vehicle in Canada that much better,” said Dave Jamieson, assistant vice president, Honda Canada Inc.

The fun-to-drive Honda Civic Coupe EX-L Navi has all kinds of great driver comforts. The cabin area is extremely spacious. There are so many windows that it’s like being in a glass dome; on rainy days it feels like you’re going through a carwash, up-close and personal! Most of the controls are well within comfortable reach from the drivers seat. The steering wheel is also equipped with controls for the stereo, cruise control and hands-free voice.

The stereo system is pretty decent too for a stock stereo system; granted hardcore audio guys are going to rip out the stock and replace it with their own custom deck, amp, and subwoofer. For those that are cool with the stock system, you’ll be happy to know that you can pair your iPhone or other Bluetooth devices within seconds using the touch-screen dash-mounted control system. The touch-screen controls hands-free voice, audio, GPS maps, and is also the rear-camera display!

For cold Canadian winters, the leather seats are heated; seems like a small detail, until your first time in a car on a January morning in Winnipeg; I’m sure then you’ll be thanking the designers for that attention to detail. Oddly, the drivers seat isn’t adjustable in height, which means people over 5’11” run the risk of having their head hit the ceiling if the seat is in the upright position. Minor detail. Just adjust the seat back a setting and get into a more comfortable, cruising position, right?

The Civic prides itself on great fuel efficiency. It’s a great car for driving in the city or on the highways. With the standard, you have more control with quicker acceleration, whereas the automatic transmission has a slightly delayed response time. Keep in mind, under the hood is a 1.8L, 4 cylinder engine. If you’re really looking to maximize fuel efficiency, the Honda Civic Coupe EX-L Navi comes with an Econ button, which easily saves on gas, but also makes the car accelerate at a noticeably much slower pace. No big deal, unless you’re in a hurry, then just turn off Econ and push the pedal to the floor.

The exterior is also very sporty. From the 15” tires to the deep scoop hood and body colour mirrors and door handles, it’s sleek and aerodynamic. The chassis also has a number of safety features including the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, which greatly improves the cabin area and passenger safety in the event of a crash.

Starting at $19,790, about the only thing that’s missing in the 2013 Honda Civic Coupe EX-L Navi is a keyless push-button start! It’s an awesome car, incredible value, and is the perfect car for first-time new car buyers.

Original Style / Design: ★★★☆☆

Material / Workmanship: ★★★★☆

Makes a Statement: ★★★☆☆

Comfort: ★★★★☆

Price / Value: ★★★★★

Overall: ★★★★☆

Serious runners take their running gear seriously, especially long distance runners. The smallest item out of place can wreak havoc, especially when running a 42.2km marathon. All gear needs to be comfortable and lightweight. Sundog Eyewear has just released their spring collection of sunglasses for runners and the Bolt model is a winner!

To start with, the frames are made out of Max Flex RILSAN^®, which is light weight. The material has some flexibility to it, which is a blessing for anyone who has accidentally placed their sunglasses on the seat of the car and accidentally sat on them; the Bolt is likely not to break, which is good because no one likes to ruin an expensive pair of sunglasses.

The frames also have an adjustable nose piece, which helps custom-fit the frame for you. The nose pad and temple tips are also coated in a non-slip material, which means no mater how much you sweat or how rainy it is, your sunglasses will not slide off or bounce around.

Speaking of sweat and rain, runners often complain that sunglasses fog up. The Bolt design has a vent area between the top of the lens and the frame which allows airflow between the glasses and your face. This allows moisture to escape, relieving the issue of fogging.

There are two different lens / frame options; white frames with brown lenses, or black frames with brown lenses. The lenses are photo chromatic, which block out harmful UV rays, makes colours more vivid, and reduces glare. The Bolt is a great design for people with narrower faces.

Original Style / Design: ★★★★☆

Material / Workmanship: ★★★★★

Makes a Statement: ★★★★☆

Comfort: ★★★★★

Price / Value: ★★★★☆

Overall: ★★★★☆

Vancouver’s Yaletown district is well known for trendy boutique shops and restaurants ranging from casual pub fare to fine dining. One of the newest restaurants to open in the lively neighbourhood is The Parlour.

Located on Hamilton Street, just off Nelson, The Parlour is a full service casual dining restaurant specializing in fire-baked pizzas. Each day a different handmade pizza is featured, along with a range of standard choices on the menu – from a standard margarita to a lively roasted garlic and chicken with basil. Stop by on Sunday’s for the pizza special – under $15, and champagne mimosas.

The front of the restaurant has garage-style doors, allowing the restaurant to open up to the large brick walk-way and letting in fresh air and sunshine. If you like to watch sports, it’s a good option because there are large LCD TV’s located throughout the restaurant. There is a large bar area for ordering drinks or a quick meal for one person.

Food Quality: ★★★★☆

Originality: ★★★☆☆

Customer Service: ★★★★☆

Atmosphere: ★★★★☆

Beverage Selection: ★★★☆☆

Price / Value: ★★★★☆

Overall: ★★★★☆

The 2013 Acura TSX is a really fun car to drive. It’s sleek, sporty style, powerful engine, and fuel efficiency make it a great city-driving car without breaking the bank. Starting at under $34,000 CDN, you can’t go wrong with this well-built, easy-to-drive, mid-size sedan.

Under the hood is a 2.4L four-banger engine. Not enough power? Upgrade to the 3.5L V-6 and the Acura TSX really does have some get-up-and-go! In 2013 the TSX underwent a number of improvements in the engine compartment which all directly improved fuel economy. Even with all the improvements, the TSX will have you in-and-out of traffic and up the steep hills with ease and confidence the moment you touch the gas pedal.

On the outside, the TSX is easy to look at. The lines give it a feeling of speed and agility, just like it handles on fast, tight corners. The 17” aluminum-alloy wheels, chrome trim, and fog lights all add up to a sporty design. It screams city style with a touch of class, in a comfortable, yet easy-going kind of way.

The heated leather racing seats make you feel like your at the controls of a NASCAR, and the manual transmission will have you shifting through all six gears at lightning speed with comfort and ease. The headrests are perfectly positioned to sit-back, relax, and focus on the curves ahead. Open up the sunroof and turn-up the music from the steering wheel controlled entertainment system and you’ll be set to hit the long highway on your next adventure across town or across the country.

The TSX does come with BlueTooth integration for wireless telephone connectivity and has USB integration, it does lack the touch-screen driver experience package other vehicles in its class are now equipped with. It’s a small detail, but considering the great value, it’s not something to dwell over.

Original Style / Design: ★★★★☆

Material / Workmanship: ★★★★☆

Makes a Statement: ★★★★☆

Comfort: ★★★☆☆

Price / Value: ★★★★☆

Overall: ★★★★☆

Fit for a fabulous queen! Gorgeous guest rooms, a full services Cairnes spa, complimentary car service downtown, a spectacular pool, restaurants, and more, the Four Seasons Houston is where the who’s who of the LGBT travel community stays when overnighting in downtown Houston.

The gay-friendly Four Seasons Houston is pretty much a full resort property. There are over 400 guest rooms in the hotel ranging from superior rooms to executive and Presidential suites. Each room is inviting and tastefully decorated. The larger rooms are ideal for entertaining small groups of friends for cocktails before a night out on the town. There is beautiful linen and down duvets on the beds, sound-proofed walls, wonderful terry-cloth bathrobes, and L’Occitane en Provence toiletries.

It’s easy to relax and spend the entire day without leaving the front doors. Inside the hotel guests are welcome to use the resort-style pool, located on the fourth floor, which is lined with live oak and palm trees, deck chairs, and of course a marvelous poolside bar.

Also located on the fourth floor is the fitness centre, with both cardio and weight-lifting equipment – cause a gurl needs to keep in shape on vacation, right? If you need to catch-up on your gossip and email, the business centre is open daily.

If you don’t like being away from Grindr, there’s no need to panic; there is complimentary WiFi located throughout the property – so just take your iPad with you to the pool, brunch, or the cocktail bar – it’s totally cool.

There are two restaurants, two cocktail bars, and room-service at the property. There are plenty of healthy, low-fat, high-protein and no-carb options on all the menus too. Again, you need to watch the figure when you’re on vacation, right?

If you do decide to venture out for a few hours, there is a complimentary car-service that can take you anywhere within the downtown core. Just a few blocks away is the train, which can take you out to the museum district, which is totally worth going to check out. The gay bars are about a $10-$15 cab ride away from the hotel, in the Montrose district.

Make sure you don’t miss out on Happy Hour, after all, you’re on vacation! And on Friday and Saturday afternoons there is a fantastic afternoon tea service from 2-4pm, with premium teas, light fare, Prosecco, and likely conversations about the debauchery about to take place throughout the evening.

Be cool. Do it in style. Enjoy yourself. Relax. After all, it’s your vacation, and you want to have run, right?

Guest Room: ★★★★★

Bedding: ★★★★★

Towels and Toiletries: ★★★★★

Restaurants / Amenities: ★★★★☆

Customer Service: ★★★★★

Overall Experience: ★★★★★

Marlow’s Taverns are modern neighbourhood pubs, which have become a favourite location for the locals as the place to meet up. Marlows serves up a variety of classic pub fare with southern flare, and a number of upscale dishes.

The cocktail menu features a number of southern influenced cocktails, many made with whisky, bourbon and house-made infusions. There is a small handful of beers on tap, and all the expected imported and domestic beers by the bottle, but Marlow’s has a good selection of craft beers from across the United States which are worth checking out.

The menu is moderately priced. The classic chicken fingers, nachos, and share platters are all on the menu, but it’s probably more fun to try out some of their unique items including deep fried asparagus, jalapano & cheese grits, and the locals favourite, the fish tacos. While the food is generally good, it’s also notable the many of the burgers are over-loaded and tend to fall-apart towards the end.

The atmosphere, while dimly lit inside, is friendly and welcoming. Much of the interior is in true pub style with heavy use of woods to warm the room. In the summer, hit up the large, outdoor patio, which is used year round, including cooler months and evenings, with gas heaters.

There are 10 Marlow’s Tavern locations in Georgia and one in Florida.

• Food Quality: ★★★★☆
• Originality: ★★★★☆
• Customer Service: ★★★★☆
• Atmosphere: ★★★☆☆
• Beverage Selection: ★★★★☆
• Price / Value: ★★★★☆
• Overall: ★★★★☆

“Traveling around for work for five years straight, staying in different hotels gets tiresome and lonely,” explained 25 year old retired gay porn star, Travis Irons. “But, if I had to choose, then I guess I would say any of the W’s are nice.”

If you’re like Travis, and are bold, like to express yourself, and do it with class, style, and funk, then next time you’re in Atlanta, you’re going to want to book your stay at the W Midtown Atlanta.

The swanky property boasts sensational customer experience, fantastic views of the city, and rooms that will blow your mind. Not only is it totally up beat, but it’s also located just a few minutes walk from the gay village. You can’t go wrong.

From the moment you arrive, you’re welcomed into a surreal world, where the only thing that matters is you. As you drive up, you’ll be greeted by a team of attentive bellman and valet’s, ready to whisk you into the lobby so you can quickly get checked in, and off to your awaiting room.

The rooms are fabulous! Ranging from two-queens to two-bedroom suites, each room has a personality of it’s own. In true W Hotel style, bold colours mix pop against black and white backgrounds. The textures of fabrics, wall coverings, décor accents, chandeliers, and surfaces, all add to the visual and touch sensations throughout the room.

W Hotels rooms are for people who are confident. Why is that? Bathrooms aren’t tucked away in the corner. They are on display. The bedrooms have floor-to-ceiling glass rain-fall showers that peer right through to the bathroom. Speaking of bathrooms, the soaps, monogrammed linens, bathroom accessories are nothing more than amazing too; they make you want to scream out in excitement.

There’s nothing better than sliding into a king size bed with crisp white sheets, bolster pillows, and overlooking a view of the city. That’s exactly what you’ll find here. Even if you’re just wanting to lounge around, there is a chaise lounge calling out against the window, perfect for curling up with a book, watching the sunset.

If you’re in town and are entertaining a group, the parlor is set up with comfortable seating for a small crowd. Turn up the music from the in-suite sound system, order up a few items off the room service menu, and crack a bottle of Grey Goose, and you’ve got one hell of a party!

The hotel also has a gym in the lower level with both cardio and weight equipment. If you want to be pampered, Bliss Spa can take care of that. There is a whisky lounge inside the hotel, along with Spice Market, for modern fusion fare.

Relax. Enjoy yourself. Be you. The W Midtown Atlanta is exactly what you need to spice up your next visit to Atlanta!

For more information on exiting things to see and do, including gay-friendly restaurants, nightlife, and accommodations, check out Gay Atlanta.

Guest Room: ★★★★★

Bedding: ★★★★☆

Towels and Toiletries: ★★★★☆

Restaurants / Amenities: ★★★★★

Customer Service: ★★★★★

Overall Experience: ★★★★★

You cannot go to the south and not have true southern cuisine. It’s tradition. In Atlanta, there’s one place to get the best, most authentic, and down-home fare, and that’s at Mary Mac’s Tea House, in Midtown. Open for lunch and dinner for over 60 years, it’s become a favourite of locals, celebrities, and visitors.

Upon arriving at Mary Mac’s, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the most popular places in Atlanta for southern comfort food. The white-wash walls, antique furniture, 10 foot ceilings, and large ceiling fans to keep the hot summer air moving; it’s exactly like you’ve taken a step back in time and are walking into history. Oh, and the hospitality is awesome – it’s like you’re one of the family dropping in for Sunday night dinner!

The food is outrageous! To start, have the pot likker with cracklin’ bread; it’s made from the collard green stock, cooked with a big hambone. Also served is a variety basket of fresh, home-baked breads.

You couldn’t ask for anything more genuine than what you’ll find gracing their menu. From crispy fried chicken to homemade mac-n-cheese, to potato pancakes and fried green tomatoes, they have it all!

When ordering, remember that when you’re in the south you have two choices, iced tea or sweet tea. Iced tea is cold orange pekoe tea, and sweet tea is the same, but sweetened with a crazy amount of sugar. If you’re not sure what to have, try a taste of both, then decide.

The portion sizes are beyond generous. It’s the American way! Try to leave room for dessert though – after all, you are in Georgia, and tradition is to have peach cobbler! The cinnamon and sugar, topped with a flakey crust makes this dessert so enjoyable.

Next time you’re in Atlanta, stop in at Mary Mac’s Tea Room. It’s located at 224 Ponce de Leon Ave. Get there early, especially on weekends and in the summer, because being the best, authentic southern fare restaurants in the city, there’s always a line-up, but well worth the wait!

Food Quality: ★★★★

Originality: ★★★★★

Customer Service: ★★★★

Atmosphere: ★★★★

Beverage Selection: ★★★

Price / Value: ★★★★

Overall: ★★★★

In a city known for serving up thick cut steaks and large portions, Houston is quickly being rediscovered for its culinary scene. Seven months ago, Sparrow Bar + Cookshop opened in Montrose area of Houston, a trendy up-and-coming area.

The Avant-guard eatery serves up a fantastic menu full of local and true-to-Texas contemporary comfort fare with a zing of spice to keep you on your toes. Sparrow is the creation of Monica Pope, the first Texas woman to be named a Top 10 Best New Chef by Food & Wine magazine.

The eclectic combination of non-traditional and modern fusion has made it popular dining destination for many of the locals. Monica really likes to experiment with bold flavours and spice. The menu and atmosphere are geared towards a forward-thinking crowd who appreciate culinary creations.

While there are many great steakhouses in Texas, Sparrow is not one of them. Sparrow has embraced the art of using local and regionally sourced ingredients to create a diverse menu. Although, if you do like steak, that’s ok, it’s on the menu and it’s pretty darn good too.

Before you dig into a four-course dinner, start off with Cocktail #7 on the hand-crafted cocktail menu. The spicy concoction is made with both habanero and cucumber vodka, and served in a rock salt and steak-spice rimmed martini glass.

Appetizers range from tasty bite-size BBQ pork and carrot and ginger soup, to mushroom dumplings and chick-fries, made from chickpea flour, served with a snappy red curry catsup.

For the second course, sample the elk Bolognese, served over handmade and hand cut sweet potato noodles. The creamy textures melt in your mouth and leave a wonderful sense of comfort.

For dinner, try the quails breast with roasted seasonal vegetables, and Brussels sprouts with spicy mustard sauce.

Finish up with caramel gelato, with caramel popcorn and a chocolate caramel stick, alongside cheesecake with lemon custard. All the deserts are made in house and should not be missed.

The atmosphere is casual. Rustic elements have been incorporated into the design to bring in texture and ambiance. The lighting is dim, and with the wood and metal furniture, it’s warm and inviting. It starts getting busy around 8pm on weekends, so plan ahead to get a good seat inside, or on the outdoor patio.

Sparrow is located at 3701 Travis St, and reservations can be made by calling 713-524-6922.

Next time you’re in Houston, definitely plan to have dinner at Sparrow Bar + Cooktop – you’ll be glad you did!

Food Quality: ★★★★

Originality: ★★★★★

Customer Service: ★★★★★

Atmosphere: ★★★★

Beverage Selection: ★★★

Price / Value: ★★★★

Overall: ★★★★

A staycation in metro Vancouver doesn’t instantly mean getting a hotel room in downtown Vancouver. Hotels in the downtown core can be expensive, especially for the value / budget conscious person who wants to enjoy the local area.

In nearby New Westminter, the original capital city of British Columbia, the Inn at the Quay offers great value and is a good option for a staycation. It’s convieniently located just a few minutes walk from SkyTrain, so there’s no need to drive if you already live near public transit.

Recently renovated, the Inn at the Quay has a variety of room choices, most of which overlook the Fraser River. Rooms are comfortably decorated in vibrant colours. The beds are comfortable and the rooms are outfitted with 32” LCD TV’s, workstations, and complimentary WiFi.

Located inside the hotel is the Boathouse Restaurant. The menu options include lobster ravioli, prime rib, muscles, and salmon. There are fresh dinner features every night of locally sourced seafood.

Next door there is the New Westminster Quay, with shops and dining options. Saturday’s there is a farmers market with all kinds of local baked goods, vegetables, fruit, and hand-crafted products.

If you’re looking for a fun evenings of cocktails, consider checking out Drink Urban. They have a full menu of hand-crafted cocktails, martinis and seasonal drink features.

If you’re celebrating an anniversary, birthday, or just want an escape from your every day, consider a getaway to the Inn at the Quay.

Guest Room: ★★★★
Bedding: ★★★
Towels and Toiletries: ★★★
Restaurants / Amenities: ★★★★
Customer Service: ★★★★
Overall Experience: ★★★★

Spring is just around the corner and exciting new underwear collections are being released. This spring, Joe Boxer is making a splash with exciting colours and fun graphic patterns.

Having been around since 1986, Joe Boxer is a staple for most guys underwear drawers. Clean, fun, and comfortable underwear is what their brand has always been about. But this spring, they are making underwear more fun!

Who says underwear needs to be black, grey or white? Come on, spice it up! The colour collection is now out in the new zipper packs. Randy red, chilled green, custard yellow and curious purple are just a start! There are nine different vibrant colours to choose from. These fitted boxer-briefs are available in sizes small through extra-large and retail for $21.00 CDN.

Of course it’s always fun to get a sneak-peak at what’s coming too! Later in the spring, Joe Boxer will be releasing their Good Vibrations collection. myWebbSite.ca is bringing you a sneak-peak of this fun collection. While colour is in this year, Joe Boxer is blowing it up with these fun Beach Boys patterned boxer-briefs. Retailing for $24.00 CDN in the zipper packs, the vibrations collection will make you want to show-off your brighty-tighties to everyone. Go on – have some fun!

Ideal daily-wear for a day at the office, the spring 2013 Joe Boxer colour and Good Vibrations collections feature 1.5″ elastic waistbands with reverse coloured logos prominently across the front. Made with 95% cotton and 5% spandex, the flat-lock, double-stitching will ensure they will hold together and not fall apart, and the double-layer pouch keeps everything tucked in nice and tight.

The Spring 2013 collection is available at The Bay and will soon be available through their new estore. Other Joe Boxer collections are available across Canada at The Bay, Sears and independent  menswear and sporting retailers.

Stay up-to-date with Joe Boxer by following them on Facebook.

Original Style / Design: ★★★

Material / Workmanship: ★★★

Makes a Statement: ★★★★

Comfort: ★★★

Price / Value: ★★★

Overall: ★★★★

CONTEST

Enter for a chance to win a pair of Joe Boxer Fitted Boxers and a pair of Joe Boxer Good Vibrations. To enter, tweet the following:

I want to win the @JoeBoxerCanada Spring 2013 underwear collection from @br_webb! http://ow.ly/hPSqz  #WinJoeBoxer Pls RT

Once you have tweeted this contest you can receive up to four additional chances to win, by doing the following:

1. Subscribe to myWebbSite.ca and leave an additional comment on this blog post confirming you have subscribed for an additional entry.
2. Follow @br_webb on Twitter and leave an additional comment on this blog post confirming you are a new follower for an additional entry.
3. Leave a comment on this blog post explaining your most embarrassing underwear moment.
4. Share this blog post on Facebook and leave an additional comment on this blog post confirming you have shared on Facebook for an additional entry.

Contest closes at 5:00pm PST, Monday, February 25, 2013. One random drawn winner will be announced on this blog post on or before Wednesday, February 27, 2013. Read the complete contest rules.

- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

This contest is now closed.

Congratulations Josh S., you are the lucky winner of a pair of Joe Boxer Fitted Boxers and a pair of Joe Boxer Good Vibrations from Joe Boxer Canada!

Thank you to everyone who entered. Please keep watching for more contests coming soon.

Going out to your favourite restaurant can get boring after a while, even if they serve fantastic food. It’s fun when the menu is fresh, seasonal, and features something unique. Welcome to Salt Tasting Room.

Tucked away in Blood Alley, part of downtown Vancouver’s Gastown district, Salt Tasting Room is a paradise of small plate tasting experiences. Every night on the chalkboard menu are a variety of 10 cheeses, 10 meats and 10 condiments. The menu is always changing, meaning every time you go, you’re going to have a fresh new dining experience.

If you can’t decide what to have, choose the daily plate. There are three options: cheese, meat, or best of BC. The friendly staff will choose your selection for you, so it’s a complete surprise (yes, it’ll be good no matter what they choose).

Wines are paired based on your small plate selection. You can order a regular full glass of wine, or mix it up by having a flight of up to three different two-ounce wine selections.

In the lower level is a giant 30-foot long, wood plank table, perfect for a close group to get together in an intimate location. The basement is also home to the wine cellar.

The use of wood and soft lighting make for a pleasant ambiance. If you like a quiet, romantic place, Salt Tasting Room probably isn’t for you. It can get very loud and the tables are close together, so be ready to introduce yourself to the table immediately next to you.

Salt Tasting Room is located at 45 Blood Alley. Reservations can be made by calling (604)633-1912.

Food Quality: ★★★★

Originality: ★★★★★

Customer Service: ★★★★★

Atmosphere: ★★★★

Beverage Selection: ★★★★

Price / Value: ★★★★

Overall: ★★★★

Perched high above the banks of the North Saskatchewan River and on the edge of downtown Edmonton, Alberta, is the distinctive Coast Edmonton House. The 45 story hotel boasts 299 guest rooms and a host of amenities for both corporate and leisure travellers.

At the time the property opened in 1971, it was the tallest building in Edmonton, standing at 121 metres (397 ft). Over the years the property has undergone multiple renovations in the guest rooms, public areas and most recently the conference centre.

All the rooms in the hotel are suites, complete with full kitchens, sitting areas and bedrooms. The suites are spacious and include private balconies. This Coast property has new beds, sheets, and eco-friendly towels – which all travellers appreciate. The hotel offers complimentary high-speed, wireless internet and local calling.

Guests at the hotel are welcome to use the pool, hot tub and gym, located on the mezzanine level. Also on the mezzanine level is a convenience store, perfect for picking up snacks and refreshments. Rutherford’s Restaurant & Lounge is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, offering standard American fare, and an assortment of beer and wine (cocktails and martinis are not available). Room service is a good in-hotel dining option and only has a nominal service charge.

Photo contributed by Matt Pruse.

If you’ve been on the road for a while, the hotel does have self-serve laundry facilities so you can have clean clothes to continue on your journey, and dry-cleaning available. This property is also pet-friendly.

Guest Room: ★★★

Bedding: ★★★★

Towels and Toiletries: ★★★★

Restaurants / Amenities: ★★★

Customer Service: ★★★★

Overall Experience: ★★★★

Have you tried eggs benny served on cornmeal bread instead of an English muffin? How about fried chicken and waffles with butterscotch syrup? At Sugarbowl in Edmonton, Alberta, they do the traditional, but with their own, unique flare.

Sugarbowl is one of the most highly sought after brunch locations in the city. The four-page brunch menu is ¾ of a page of meal choices, followed by three full pages of beer and wine selections. The limited menu means that the kitchen turn-around times are quick and the food is always fresh.

The best well-known for their large cinnamon buns, but be warned, they are served with butter, not with cream cheese icing. They have all the traditional brunch favourites like eggs benny (mentioned above), waffles, and omelets, along with other less traditional, but still mouth-watering items including bison bratwurst and fried chicken and waffles (mentioned above). Each menu item is served with it’s own twist, so don’t go expecting what you’d get at just any old brunch-serving eatery. It’s fun!

Located just a few minutes drive from downtown Edmonton, near the University of Alberta, Having been around since the 1940’s, it was reopened as a coffee shop and turned into a hopping modern comfort restaurant.

Open daily from 8am until at least midnight, it is well-worth stopping by. They are located at 10922 88 Avenue in Edmonton, Alberta.

Food Quality: ★★★★

Originality: ★★★★★

Customer Service: ★★★

Atmosphere: ★★★

Beverage Selection: ★★★★

Price / Value: ★★★★

Overall: ★★★★

Inspired by the past and infused with todays latest culinary trends, Rain City Grill, overlooking Vancouver’s English Bay, has been serving up its locally sourced menu and welcoming diners since 1992.

The fine dining restaurant believes in preparing unique and creative West Coast inspired dishes that are from ethical and sustainable sources. They work with local farmers, fishermen and producers to create a menu that is bursting with fresh flavours and personality.

The results are fantastic. From beetroot salad and oven roasted Cornish game hen, to smoked salmon pate and Salt Spring Island honey muscles, the menu is full of rustic comfort foods, with an urban twist.

The beverage selection is equally diverse. From the classic Manhattan to their own creations like the English Bay Breeze. Rain City Grill also boasts one of the largest wine selections of any restaurant in Vancouver.

If the stunning views, mouth-watering entrées, and a wine book the size of a bible aren’t impressive enough, wait until you meet the staff. They are authentic West Coast servers with a passion for trade, making every guest experience unique and memorable.

Yes, Rain City Grill is a highlight for a fantastic evening out on the town. Give them a try, you’ll be glad you did!

Rating:

Food Quality: ★★★★

Originality: ★★★★★

Customer Service: ★★★★★

Atmosphere: ★★★★

Beverage Selection: ★★★★

Price / Value: ★★★★

Overall: ★★★★