The restaurant scene in North Vancouver has evolved immensely in the past 50 years. I use this period of time because it was 50 years ago that the Seven Seas Restaurant was opened at the foot of Lonsdale. A converted passenger ferry, it served the community of North Vancouver for about four decades before the City of North Vancouver decided to unceremoniously deep six it in 2002.

It was a surprising decision because the old ferry was more than just a restaurant; it was a tourist attraction and a corner stone of the community. It served as a historic reminder of North Vancouver’s dependence on ferries to move people and goods on and off the North Shore prior to the erection of first and second narrows bridges. For most, the Seven Seas Restaurant was the only reason to venture down to the foot of Lonsdale which was the industrial heart of North Vancouver. It stuck out like a sore thumb in the early years but still attracted people to its legendary buffet table, just the same.

Since the Seven Seas’ start in its unlikely location, the foot of Lonsdale has changed immensely. Today, restaurants can be found at every turn and line both sides of Lonsdale Avenue, all the way up to the upper levels highway. This 2.3 kilometre stretch of road has enough culinary choice to delight the most discerning of pallets, drawing people from all over the lower mainland. So prevalent are the eateries and coffee shops along this strip, one might assume that they are the driving force behind the rejuvenation of the Lonsdale corridor.

Now, as much of North Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver redevelops, we are beginning to see similar patterns developing elsewhere. The latest is in Lynn Valley where the new Lynn Valley Village Square has attracted no less that seven new places where you can find a bite to eat or a drink of you choice. Although there is a ways to go before you could consider Lynn Valley a dining destination, residents now have a few more choices. The need to leave the community to find a decent meal is a little less necessary.

As the Lynn Valley “Pod of Density” continues to develop and the population grows, larger chain restaurants are destine to arrive. It is only a matter of time before larger establishments such as Earl’s, Milestones, Cactus Club or Brown’s locate in the village center and like Lonsdale, Lynn Valley will eventually be awash with restaurants. The once quiet backwoods community of Lynn Valley will become a bustling urban satellite and all the dining choices that come with it.

However, if the Seven Seas experience can be taken as any indication of what a restaurant needs to do to be successful in North Vancouver, they will have to do three things. They will need to be a integral part of the community it serves, provide quality meals that are of exceptional value and finally they will have to attract people from outside of the community. Whether this happens in Lynn Valley or not, only time will tell but things are looking up for those of us who love to dine a little closer to home.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kieth_Rispin

From elegant and chic to inexpensive and family-friendly, the restaurant options in Toronto are as varied as the city itself. Here are some top suggestions that will suit those looking to indulge as well as foodies seeking more thrifty yet flavourful fare.

Canoe

Named the top restaurant in the city in 2009 by Toronto Life magazine, Canoe is a constant favourite with gastronomes. High on the 54th floor of a tower in the city’s banking district, Canoe features incredible views of Toronto, al in a sleek setting. Highlights from Chef Anthony Walsh’s contemporary Canadian menu include honey mussels from British Columbia, lamb loin from Alberta and suckling pig from the praised St. Canut Farms. Entrees are priced in the $38 to $44 (Canadian) range. The menu for Canoe’s can be found at their parent company Oliver and Bonacini’s website.

Canoe is located at 66 Wellington Street West at Bay Street. For reservations, call 416-364-0054.

Conviction

Chef Mark Thuet’s bistro features upscale dining with a twist. From the front of the house to the back of the kitchen, Conviction is staffed with former inmates. Wanting to give reformed ex-cons a chance to turn their lives around, the alternative staff work under the direction of Thuet and his wife and business partner Biana Zorich. The restaurant opening was filmed as a TV reality show called “Conviction Kitchen”. The menu showcases Thuet’s dedication to local ingredients and offers French favourites such as cassoulet and choucroute. Dishes are priced from $20 and $40, and tasting menus are available. Visit the restaurant’s website for more information.

Conviction is located at 609 King Street West. For reservations call 416-603-2777 ext. 1.

Mistura

Chef Massimo Capra’s midtown Toronto hotspot offers a modern Italian menu with delights such as Nova Scotia scallops, Ontario rabbit and Alberta lamb ribs. Highlights include beet risotto and wild boar agnolotti with sour cherries. After dinner, head upstairs to their sister restaurant Sopra for some live jazz. Entrees range from $30 to $50. Visit their website for the most current menu.

Mistura is located at 265 Davenport Road at Avenue Road. For reservations, call 416-515-0009.

Pizzeria Libretto

Have a craving some real Italian pizza? Try Pizzeria Libretto in Ossington Village. With its energetic dining room packed with cozy booths and shared tables, this family-friendly, boisterous and fun eatery draws foodies from all over Toronto with its genuine Neopolitan wood-fired pizza is often called the best pizza in the city. Chef Rocco Agostino brings in fresh San Marzano tomatoes and Ontario Fiore di Latte mozzarella for his pizza pies each day, which are then baked in a oven that was built in Naples especially for the restaurant. There is a pizza to suit every taste on the menu, from the Prosciutto and Arugula to the Rapini topped with goat’s cheese, black olives and mozzarella. Pizzas are priced between $10 to $16.

Pizzeria Libretto is located at 221 Ossington Avenue at Dundas Street West. Visit the pizzeria’s website for more information. Reservations are not accepted.

El Trompo

This taco bar in Toronto’s vibrant Kensington market is wildly popular with both tourists and locals looking for a delicious lunch under $15. Traditional Mexico-city style tacos with marinated pork are served on corn tortillas with pineapple and onion coriander; the menu also features beef, mushroom and spicy tinga chicken versions as well as horchata, the traditional Mexican cinnamon-flavoured sweet milky rice drink.

El Trompo is located at 277 Augusta Avenue. Visit their website for hours of operation.

Whether you are looking for a great meal in a formal dining room or on a casual patio, the Toronto restaurant scene offers something for everyone!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rosalie_Scott

If you are planning to visit the city of Montreal and want to taste some pure Mediterranean taste, then you would probably want to know about the best known Mediterranean restaurants in Montreal. The city of Montreal enjoys great popularity among people to provide a wide variety of food.

All over the city, you can find various restaurants like Bistro, Mediterranean, Lebanese, Caribbean, Asian and more. When you want to taste some Mediterranean dishes, you can get a wide selection of cuisines to select from.

Montreal is observed as a city popular as a restaurant destination. It is the city for food lovers. The second biggest city in Canada comes with a blend of both new and old to offer you a great time to relax, eat and have fun.

Montreal Mediterranean restaurants provide a wide variety of cuisines. Few of their given specialties are Montreal bagel, delicious smoked meat, hot dog and grilled fish. All of dishes cooked with best cheese, olive oil and other fresh ingredients. There are two popular Mediterranean restaurants in Montreal. There are La Goelette Plus and Ella Grill.

La Goelette Plus

The La Goelette Plus is a popular Mediterranean restaurant in Montreal. Established in the year 1980′s, La Goelette is a popular spot in St-Laurent Boulevard. This restaurant occupies a good position among the other best known restaurants in Montreal. Its specialties lie in offering fresh and quality food.

Not only sea delicacies, there are other mouth-watering cuisines which adds a great feel and taste. If you want to taste something fresh and unique, then La Goelette is the place to be. You even get a range of outstanding delicacies like Black Angus Beef, milk fed lamb and a variety of other Greek specialties.

Not to forget the extensive list of wines served in La Goelette Plus. Complementing your dish, this Montreal restaurant brings you a great collection of selective wines. The list of wines provides you wide pricing and selection.

This is a great place where you can guarantee an elegant evening with friends and family. The warm decoration, the professional approach leave the guests stunned. In order to enjoy an elegant evening, La Goelette will be a perfect choice.

Ella Grill

If you are unknown to the true essence of the traditional Greco-Mediterranean cuisines, then you need to visit Ella Grill. Be sure to spend a great time in this Montreal restaurant. Ella Grill is specially known to offer a soothing environment that makes the restaurant a delightful and an outstanding one to visit.

The refreshing Martini cocktails add a distinct flavor and set your evening in the right spirit. Ella Grill comes with its unique specialties and the hand picked fresh dishes prepared with perfection stands alluring all the way.

Ella Grill serves you some of the best appetizers including grilled oyster mushrooms, marinated octopus, lamb chops, traditional Greek salads. Overall, Ella is a popular restaurant which promises an awesome environment, food quality and service quality. If you want to have great fun and spend time, then Ella is the right place to spend some quality time.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Soma_Piyali_Nath

In this and future Travel Insights articles, I hope to be your guide to break through the clutter and provide you with some insights on everything from travel trends, hot and emerging destinations, how not to get ripped off by shady travel suppliers, ways to save money, and useful travel tips and resources to get you on your way – whether that be for business or pleasure.

For more than twenty years I have been intimately involved in the travel and tourism industry promoting and marketing destinations, airlines, resorts, and other tourism suppliers. This career has given me the wonderful opportunity to explore the world from cruising in the Galapagos Islands, relaxing on the idyllic Caribbean islands, riding a Harley through the Outback in Australia, trekking through the jungles in Uganda to observe gorillas, bartering with shopkeepers in the bustling markets in Muscat, or visiting centuries’ old towns and villages of Europe. Visiting all these destinations and working closely with travel industry suppliers – airlines, hotels, car rental firms, tourist boards, travel agencies – I’ve learned many things and some hard lessons along the way.

It’s my goal in this column to raise your travel awareness and be your beacon of useful information so you can make informed decisions that will save you time and money when planning your next trip.

Now with a daily media onslaught of bad economic news, your investment portfolio taking a beating, the Canadian dollar losing its value, the last thing you are probably thinking about is travelling. My advice – travel!

This advice is not meant to minimize the real and true hardships that many across Canada are feeling right now in this ailing economy. If you have just been laid off escaping to the Caribbean may not seem like a priority! But it may be the perfect solution in stimulating the economy and here’s why.

The travel and tourism industry is the world’s largest employer. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, 79,131,000 jobs were directly attributed to the travel industry and another 232,637,000 indirectly in 2007. In Canada, government revenues from tourism activities reached 19.7 billion dollars in 2007 with total tourism spending $70.8 billion. Now that’s economic impact!

If people don’t travel as was evident after 9/11 (remember Canada 3000?), thousands of jobs are lost. It’s not just the big airlines or hotel chains but mom and pop motorcoach operators, the waiter who brings you that tasty dish at your favourite restaurant or the person working the rides at the local amusement park.

So what’s this all mean for you – it’s a golden opportunity if you have the means available to travel. In the past few weeks airlines have launched seat sales to various destinations including Canadian winter favourites like the Caribbean, Florida, Cuba and Mexico. The tour operators are offering incredible bargains and valued added incentives to the sun destinations as well as to Europe, Asia, Australia, and ski destinations. Cruise lines have responded to lower bookings with reduced prices, customer perks, scheduling shifts, and removal of fuel surcharges.

So lots of good news for those travelling in the next few months. This is also a great time since lower demand means less crowds and a more personalized travel experience. This is especially true with more long-haul and personalized trips – like an African safari, or a culinary/wine tour in Tuscany. If you have been waiting for that “dream” holiday this may be the best time to take advantage with lower prices. You also have more power to negotiate some extras – like throwing in a free breakfast, staying an extra night for free, or obtaining a room upgrade. Many travel suppliers are willing to do this with less demand as they want to retain you as a future customer – just ask.

Sunquest/Holiday House/Fun Sun’s(www.sunquest.ca) – launched a RainCheck promotion – hot on the heels from itravel2000’s snow day promotion last year.  The RainCheck policy is if your vacation is rained out (eg. rains ½ inch or more each day for 4 days of a one week vacation) you get credit for your next vacation and receive a voucher for an equivalent amount.

Daytona Beach has launched again its Canadian Sand Dollars promotion (www.csd.daytonabeach.com) where Canadians can get discounts on accommodation, dining, activities, shopping, spa treatments, and more at 130 participating suppliers.

Air Canada Vacations (www.aircanadavacations.com) is offering Buy One, Get One Free on select packages to various sun destinations including Cuba, Aruba, Cancun, Jamaica, and Costa Rica. It’s better in the Bahamas (www.bahamas.com) – and for your pocketbook too! Canadians can obtain a $200 US rebate for trips booked to Nassau/Paradise Island – this was a previous promotion but check if they extend it.

Walt Disney World introduced a Buy 4, Get 3 promotion earlier this winter. Stay 7 nights but only pay for four nights as well as the attractions pass. Check out www.disney.ca for the latest.

You can be sure there will be many more offers especially if you travel outside of the traditionally busy March school break periods. There will be some good deals on Barbardos this winter as WestJet has launched new service there. Keep an eye out when airlines launch new service as this means there will be usually be good deals.

For those not needing the warm rays, Europe is a great time to visit – airfares are cheaper, cities and towns are less crowded (in the non-ski popular areas) and hotels are looking to fill rooms. It’s the perfect time to visit London for a theatre and museum cultural escape. Crotia, Poland and the Czech Republic are becoming more popular spots for Canadians. Need a spa break – check out some spas in Hungary. SpaFinder.com is an excellent resource on everything spa or a Canadian based site, www.traveltowellness.com written by spa guru Anne Dimon.

If you can’t venture far check out your own local hotels – many offer special deals especially during weekends when they don’t have the business travellers.

Keep that wanderlust and keep on travelling. You will feel better for it and so will the economy

By Chris Ryall

Corporate Travel Solutions
4460 Highway 7 East
Unionville ON L4W 1A2
Tel: (1 866) 872-8448
http://www.travellovers.ca