Armory Square, Syracuse, NY

Just a fast second post about Syracuse, NY. If you're in the area with a rental car, it's probably worth your time to check out the dining/drinking options downtown in Armory Square [ link ]. It's a few blocks long and downtown, on a weekday evening, is totally dead, so parking is a breeze.

Armory Square was hopping, however, with people ranging from the college-aged crowd to those New Yorkers with gray hair and college kids of their own. This particular Spring night, everyone was out and about in the Square just enjoying the warm air with plenty of beer at the many streetside restaurants.

I ended up at the Blue Tusk Pub and Wine Bar [ official site ], tasting their mystery draught beer and their Tuesday night special, some sort of pesto chicken and mushroom sandwich on some pretty good bread. $8 well spent. Just check it out for yourself if the weather's nice.

Beer is food, right?

Awhile back I had some time to kill in the Syracuse, NY area and asked for some advice from family in the area. They recommended finding a good local brewery to pass the time, so I did.

Enter: Middle Ages Brewing Company [ more info ]. Like the sign says, it's the home to handcrafted fine ales not too far away from downtown Syracuse. M-F their shop and tasting room are open until 6pm, so hopefully you've got a car and not a long drive between seminar cities.

This shot is from the entryway to the shop and tasting room. How fitting, right? The owners are there every day to give out free samples of their rotating selection of beers, including some seasonal brews as well. You can fill up a growler, buy a case, or even piece together your own custom six-pack (warm or cold bottles available).

Fair prices and tasty beer, what more could you ask for? My faves are the Swallow Wit and the Apricot Ale, so far. The Wizard's Winter Ale isn't too shabby either.

One of the best reasons to stop by the brewing company is because the Syracuse location of Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (the original!) is something like five minutes away. This location also has a few Middle Ages beers on tap and in the bottle, so drink up.

When I first discovered the proximity of these two businesses, how could I deny myself the chance to check off the Syracuse BBQ off my list?

Manhattan? Check.
Rochester? Check.
Syracuse? Check.

Gettin Fresh in Toronto

Yet another wicked find from the WestJet magazine. Fresh has three locations in Toronto, and I loved this place so much that I bought the cookbook. They have noodle bowls, salads, fresh juices, and excellent desserts. I got the prix fix menu, which includes a juice of your choice, an appetizer, a main dish and a dessert. I had the white bean and avocado dosas, the "dolphin" smoothie, a kick butt noodle concoction that I forget the name of, and a cashew cookie for dessert. All were incredibly delectible. An added bonus: you can bring your own container for a take-away juice fix.

If you find yourself with some time in the evening in Toronto, pull yourself away from Brampton and get your booty downtown. I visited the one of Spadina avenue, which has the added bonus of being in a super cool neighborhood. Look both ways because there are bikes everywhere, as well as mass transit and lots and lots of people out and a-boot. If I hadn't got there on the late side, I probably would have walked away with several fetching outfits and possibly a new pair of shoes so be forewarned.

Padmanadi Vegetarian Restaurant

Padmanadi is impossible to pronounce, and located way the heck down in what I presume to be Chinatown. No matter. This is the first time I have ever seen a restaurant posted on yelp that exclusively had 5 stars. They've earned it. The menu is entirely vegan, but please don't let yourself beleive that means lacking in taste. I have never in my life tasted a better, more full bodied coconut curry. Overwhelmed with curiosity, I dove into my fake mutton curry with coconut rice and ordered the roti for our appetizer.

The staff were incredibly pleasant and helpful, the tea was delicious, my food was gorgeous and oh so tasty, and we got to sing an asian-style happy birthday to one of the other patrons. If I lived in Edmonton, this is where I would want to be on my birthday and christmas and passover and dawali too. My presenter announced it was the best restaurant ever in her seminar the next day, so don't be surprised if its not flooded with middle aged, slightly overweight teacher ladies.

Canada's answer to Whole Foods

While in Edmonton, I made my way up to Planet Organic Market. This place has the same flavor as a Whole Foods, complete with lovely prepared foods section. Prices are about the same as home, but as every program manager knows, fresh fruits and veggies are just about the greatest thing you can find whilst far far from home.

Cow town's veggie little paradise

Sweet sweet beans and (tempeh) bacon! I think its safe to say that after this job is over (in about 2 weeks thank GOD) I will never again have reason to visit Calgary. Indeed, a town best known for its faux space needle and a yearly event called the stampede was not really of interest for me.

Until I found the Coup. This incredible little restaurant in the trendy 17th avenue neighborhood will require a car to get to (esp if you are staying at the Port of Call Best Western), but just stick it on the central bill and be done with it. Absolutely worth the shabby explanations if you are even asked to explain yourself.

The Coup is a very fine vegetarian and vegan restaurant that I learned about through the WestJet magazine. They have everything you could want, from intensely flavorful appetizers, big bold dark-green salads, and main dishes that leave you absolutely satiated and yet still curious enough to try dessert. I ordered the balsamic vinegar marinaded eggplant dip with house-made lavash and whole wheat focaccia bread. This sent me to a very happy orbit and i felt compelled to finish the entire HUGE bowl and all the dippers. For my main, I had a truffle cream and portobello mushroom pasta dish and a nice local microbrew. With absolutely no room to spare, I decided to go for dessert. Their frangelico chocolate mousse with hazelnuts was effing crazyshit delicous. To sum up, just GO. You won't be disappointed.

Appleton

Nakashima is a sushi and hibachi place who's looks are deceiving from the outside. Once inside there is samurai decor, and a back sushi room that gives off the illusion that you are going to be sitting cross legged on the floor, but this is not the case. The sushi is more on the commercial side, but delicious none the less. An extra bonus to this place is the toilets, with heated seats and a bode option, they make you feel like you are actually in Japan if only for a quick second.