Beer Review: Flying Monkeys Smashbomb Atomic IPA - Barrie, ON

Flying Monkeys continue to impress me, and now that all of the legal issues are resolved and Smashbomb is finally available for sale in bottles at the LCBO, I couldn't be happier.  This has quickly become one of my favorite Canadian made beers.  I can't quite put it in the same category as of some of the US Micro heavyweights like Firestone Union Jack, 60 Minute or Greenflash West Coast IPA, but they are not far off.  Flying Monkeys have come a long way in a very short time and are easily my favorite Ontario brewer.  Robust IPA's in Canada are few and far between...keep up the good work!

Bro's Cajun Cuisine - Nashville, TN

An old multi-leveled house turned restaurant, Bro's is a really cool place with a great atmosphere and fantastic food!  We ate there with a rather large group, so we had a generous portion of food to sample around.  We tried the crawdads, not my cup of tea, but if you like them, apparently theirs are top-notch.  Personally I had the gumbo as an app and jambalaya for my main.  The gumbo was excellent and the jambalaya was probably the best I've ever had. 


Other notable favorites around the table were the boudin balls, the catfish po-boy and the muffuletta.  It's about a 10 minute drive from downtown Nashville and well worth your time.  Enjoy!

http://www.broscajuncuisine.com

Restaurant Review: Pancer's Deli Emporium - Vaughan, ON

I usually don't rant and rave about a restaurant after just one visit, but this place blew my mind. On Sunday afternoon, after a visit to the LOCBO (Liquor Over-Control Board of Ontario), I was very pleasantly surprised when I stumbled upon Pancer's Deli.  I've been in this plaza before, but never noticed the Deli.  On a whim, I poked my head in the door to discover the treasures within.

I'm not even sure what else was on the menu, because as soon as I saw the slicer cranking out the corned beef, I looked no further.  Corned beef on rye it was.  As I salivated all the way home with the sandwich riding shotgun, I reflected on the great corned beef sandwiches I've had in places like New York and Las Vegas.  Could something so close to home even compare?  The answer quite simply is, yes.  The sandwich was one of the best I've had in recent memory and in my opinion, would hold its own with some of the best.  The coleslaw was a little bland, but the sandwich was the bomb.

If you find yourself anywhere near Dufferin and Major Mac and have a soft spot for cured meat, do yourself a favor and stop in.  You will not be disappointed.

http://www.pancersdeli.ca/

Travel Review: The Dyconia "Resort" - Wasaga Beach, ON

This has to be the worst hotel/resort/motel room I've ever stayed in. First off, the rooms are filthy. The beds are from circa 1972 and if you roll over in the middle of the night it sounds like there is a cymbal player from a symphony orchestra under your bed. The springs rattle and you wake up, this was a certainty. Not to mention the comfort level of these beds. I'd rather sleep ANYWHERE else.

Now, the fun (and disturbing) part. In our room, on the back of the door, there were dirty hand prints (and finger nail scratches) where it looks like someone was trying to escape. Furthermore, the word FREE was carved into the wood (with the second E transposed) beside these scratches. This was all a little too creepy if you ask me.
The only thing I will say about the shower is that if you're more than 6 feet tall, bathe elsewhere.

So, needless to say, I do not endorse this "resort" and would advise that you spend your dollars elsewhere. On the upside, the food was pretty decent.

Stayed September 2009, traveled on business

Martin's Bar-B-Que - Nolensville, TN

This place is completely "off the hook"... probably the best brisket I have had ANYWHERE to date.  Located about a half hour outside of Nashville, Martin's is well worth the drive.  A relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff made the stop all the more enjoyable.  We went as a group and sampled many of the menu items (all fantastic), including the whole-hog approach to pulled pork.  We were lucky enough to get there when the trap door opened up to reveal a sight that almost brought a tear to my eye - a whole pig cooking in a giant custom made smoker (below).  For anyone looking for a great BBQ meal, Martin's is a must.

Chino Bandido - Phoenix, AZ

After getting off the plane in Phoenix and arguing for an hour with the fine folks at the Budget rental counter about seemingly nothing, we had worked up quite an appetite.  Next stop, Chino Bandido.  This DDD joint is not much to look at, but the food and service was absolutely fantastic! 

They have a very eclectic menu comprised of a fusion of Mexican, Chinese and Caribbean items.  You can mix and match and if you don't know how to order, they are more than happy to help you out.  I had the Jen Red Pork (to die for), the Jerk Chicken Quesadillas with Jerk Fried Rice.  I would highly recommend this stop if you're in the vicinity.

Boycotting the 407 and the Rewards Therein

Over the past few months, my tolerance for the folks over at the 407 has severely dwindled.  They own a highway, they know it's convenient, they've lost their minds - and my business. I like to call it the Rogers Syndrome.  Rogers has no idea how to treat their customers and neither do the greedy misers over at the 407.  I used to travel daily on the ETR from the 400 to the 410 and back; but not anymore.  The price for that trip has gradually increased over the years, but when I looked at my last statement, that trip now costs $5.03... EACH WAY.  Um, earth to Matilda?   

Last Friday, my protest began.  Also, I happened to be going to Niagara on the weekend, and I would have normally taken the 67.7km journey on the ETR, but I didn't.  In two days of taking the back roads to work and not taking the 407 to Niagara and back, I have saved $45.78!!!  À la Lewis Black, 'let me repeat that':  I have saved $45.78!!!  To put that in perspective, I could buy enough groceries to last me a week. 

I'm going to keep an ongoing tab of money that I'm not paying to the ETR and will update this section regularly... stay tuned!

Molton Stanley - Waiting for the Sun (Jayhawks Cover)