– Five Best Craft Breweries to Visit in Canada (first appeared in Ottawa Citizen, December 2006)
Craft Breweries and brew pubs are going strong in Canada with mapped beer routes now popping up for suds aficionados
1. Church Key Brewing Co., ON: The quaint town of Campbellford on the banks of the Trent Severn Waterway is home to this little brewery nestled in a Methodist Church built in 1878. In January of this year they poured their one-millionth pint of distinctive craft brews, including Holy Smoke Scotch Ale, Cranberry Maple Wheat and Decadent Chocolate Porter. www.churchkeybrewing.com
2. Granite Brewing Co. ON: In midtown Toronto this brewpub serves tasty food and great beers such as Peculiar Strong Ale and dry hopped, cask conditioned Best Bitter Special. In summer the back patio is a peaceful, green retreat from city bustle. www.granitebrewery.ca
3. Granville Island Brewing Co. BC: Canada’s first microbrewery is still going strong. Located on Vancouver’s picturesque and popular Granville Island, home of many markets and shops, it’s all natural brews are preservative free. https://www.granvilleislandbrewing.ca
4. Vancouver Island Brewing, BC: The Island’s first craft brewery has won numerous awards since it began in 1984. Still locally owned it’s now one of BC’s largest independent microbreweries. www.vanislandbrewery.com
5. Microbrasserie La Diable, PQ: In the heart of hopping Tremblant Village, this brewpub with outdoor terraces in summer and the warmth of a fireplace in winter, draws in the crowds for sausages matched with the six house-made beers kept on tap.
www.tremblant.ca
– Margaret Swaine who has the guts to have spent years writing on and sampling the brews of the world.
– Five Best Places to sip a true espresso in Canada (first appeared in Ottawa Citizen, December 2006)
The three top winners from Krups Kup of Excellence 2006 search across Canada to find the best spot for espresso (1-3 below) and other notables make this list java heaven.
1. Vasco da Gama, Montreal: The gorgeous ceramic frescoes of this chic café-restaurant create a great backdrop for sipping their fine quality espresso.
2. b Espresso Bar, Toronto: This Italian style café has atmosphere and modern high design linked with fine Illy coffee.
3. Thomas Haas, North Vancouver: Renowned chef and award winning chocolate maker, Thomas Haas serves up his exquisite chocolate with an espresso perfecto.
4. Bulldog Café, Toronto: The face of a bulldog etched in the latte, white chocolate/dark chocolate coffee and other creative, imaginative drinks as well as great espresso make this cozy spot a real delight.
5. Caffè Artigiano, Vancouver: Canadian champion barista Sammy Piccolo is the only person in history to place in the top three for three consecutive years in the World Barista Championships. You can taste his talent (and that of other champion baristas) at this Piccolo family run Italian-style bistro.
-Margaret Swaine who judged espressos on this year’s Krups panel of experts, still has the jitters of proof.
– Five Best Vineyards to Visit in Canada (first appeared in Ottawa Citizen, December 2006)
With over 300 wineries, Canada has oodles of great tasting rooms to visit but some are extra special.
1. Stratus, Niagara-on-the-Lake: This ultra cool winery certified for its leading edge environmental design hand coddles its grapes from vineyard to sorting tables to gravity-flow winemaking system. The resultant wines shine like the slick décor by interior designer Diego Burdi. www.stratuswines.com
2. Domaine Pinnacle, Eastern Townships: Okay they have orchards not vineyards but they do make great Ice Cider, awarded seven gold medals so far. Located in an 1859 farmhouse near the Loyalist village of Frelighsburg, on a breathtaking natural site, along with a tasting room and boutique is a newly open Cider Interpretation Centre. www.domainepinnacle.com
3. Quail’s Gate, Okanagan: Its fairy-tale pretty indoor/outdoor dining room among the vineyards is aptly named Old Vines Patio. Dinner here as the sun sets over the lake is a treat for the eyes and the palate. www.quailsgate.com
4. Peller Estates, Niagara-on-the-Lake: Set amidst the vineyards this is a wine country destination with an excellent restaurant, huge well-stocked boutique and daily events from wine pairings to cellar tastings. www.peller.com
5. Nk’Mip Cellars, Okanagan: Visitor’s to North America’s first aboriginal owned winery can take interpretive trails that wander the sage desert habitat of Canada’ only pocket desert learning about the Osoyoos Indian Band history and afterwards revitalize with samples of some fine cool wine at their impressive Robert Mackenzie designed winery. www.nkmipcellars.com
-Margaret Swaine who has sipped her way through the tasting rooms of thousands of wineries in all corners of the globe. Hic.
– Five Most Romantic Inns in Canada (first appeared in Ottawa Citizen, December 2006)
A peaceful scenic location, perhaps even a tad remote, luxurious beds with silky sheets and fine dining spell out romance – even for the triple A’s among us.
1. Langdon Hall, ON: Whether you’re in the circa 1902 former grand summer home of a descendent of the Astor’s or in the newer Stable and Cloister rooms, down duvets, soaking tubs and likely a wood burning fireplace or terrace awaits. Set amongst 200 acres of gardens and Carolinian woodlands, lovers can and do enjoy the full spa, walking trails, pool and Five Diamond awarded restaurant. www.langdonhall.ca
2. Sooke Harbour House, BC: This country auberge on the edge of the Pacific Ocean has just 28 eclectic artistically furnished rooms all with breathtaking views, balconies or terraces and wood-burning fireplaces. The menu in the much-acclaimed restaurant changes daily according to what’s seasonal, fresh and very local. www.sookeharbourhouse.com
3. Manoir Hovey, PQ: Built at the turn of the century as a private estate modeled after George Washington’s Mount Vernon home, the Manor offers lakeside seclusion and haute cuisine on 1800 feet of prime lakeshore. While most of the 40 rooms have lake views, the Cartier suite, a cottage on the lakeshore is the most romantic and secluded with a canopy bed and double tub. www.manoirhovey.com
4. The Post Hotel, AB: Surrounded by the majestic beauty of Banff National Park, the Post Hotel has limitless wilderness pursuits, including skating right at its doorstep. Romantics may prefer to stay by their in-room fireplace, enjoy a couple’s massage at the Temple Mountain Spa or a snifter of cognac in the piano room. Dining at the much awarded restaurant is enhanced by a wine list of over 1,500 selections. www.posthotel.com
5. Kingsbrae Arms, NB: On 27 acres of gardens in the historic town of St. Andrews By-the-Sea, this 19th century country estate boasts sweeping ocean views of the world’s highest tides. The romantic suites have canopy beds, marble bathrooms, fireplaces and balconies. Chef Marc Latulippe serves local and organic dishes from land and sea. www.kingsbrae.com
—Margaret Swaine, who has spent decades sleeping around in the best of beds prior and post marriage.