Two Reasons to Be a Carnivore

Those are the only two reasons I need!

WSJ Says Steak OK, No Hotdogs!

I could not have been more disappointed by the latest report from the Wall Street Journal. While I love a good steak, I live for hotdogs! Hey, when you munch a dog, you knowingly accept the risks. I think I might just go and have a hotdog from Crif for lunch.

I’ve Always Been Famous for My Appetite

A Most Unusual Concept

This sign actually did stop me dead in my tracks. Indian and Chinese? I’m not sure I can wrap my head around that concept. Either way, I guess I’ll be taking another trip up to Boston when the place opens.

A Rarity in Manhattan: Papa Gino’s Pizza

It’s a Massachusetts institution, known also to a handful of people in northern Connecticut, southern New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Papa Gino’s is a local pizza chain that makes one of the most distinctive pies on the market. It’s not great, but you’ll remember it for the rest of your life (which makes sense if you grew up on it).  I was able to convince someone to bring a couple of slices down to New York when he took a trip up to Massachusetts. The video above shows how it went.

Read the whole story on Gadling >>

Montreal and Manhattan: Hot Dogs Side-by-Side

As you know if you read this blog, I’m a hot dog fanatic. I could live on that wonderful (almost) food. So, I was psyched to meet Montreal food insider Katerine Rollet for dogs in both Manhattan and Montreal. I’ll be writing more about this for Gadling, but here’s a look at the video she put together.

If you’re planning a trip up to Montreal (which I highly recommend), follow Katerine on Twitter.

A man can still enjoy Alice’s Teacup

When I go to Alice’s Teacup for breakfast with my wife, I have an excuse. She’s the reason I’m there. One of my friends described the place as “girlie,” and she’s probably right. I don’t care. I like it. With my wife out of town this weekend, I had to summon all the courage I have in my masculinity to go there alone; somehow, I was able to do it. I was rewarded for my efforts with small, tea-type sandwiches, warm scones, and a tea with the name “African Dew.” I liked it. Every bit of it.

What really blows me away about Alice’s Teacup is the waitstaff. The waitresses not only wear fairy wings while doing their jobs (and doing them well), they seem comfortable dressed that way. You get the sense that the young lady bringing you your roasted cumin carrot sandwich dreamed of wearing fairy wings to work as a little girl and is now living the dream. They seem happy, and I’m happy for that. I want to wear a cape to work and just can’t get away with it. Sure, their chosen (or required) attire seems a bit odd to me, but they are happy. That’s what matters.

Check this place out>>

New TripAdvisor Review: Shake Shack

Check out my review of the Shack! I love that place. It’s right across the street from the office, and I go there for lunch as often as I can. But, the summer lines make it difficult these days. Anyway, check out the review, and find someone to wait in line for you.

Shake Shack review on TripAdvisor >>

Montreal goes underground

In the winter, nobody walks the streets in Montreal; it’s too damned cold. So, the city has developed a vast network of underground tunnels that connect many of the city’s hotels, restaurants, retailers and other business establishments. The underground network is pretty spectacular in the summer, too, since the whole thing has some great air conditioning.

You can find an entrance to the underground city by looking at Metro (subway) signs. If it has the letters “RESO,” the station also serves as an entrance to the underground city. Once underground, you can choose to take the subway or explore the underground city on foot.

The underground system is pretty amazing. There are plenty of retail and dining options. The network goes several stories below ground and reaches above the surface. Also, it was designed to allow as much natural light as possible. I was definitely impressed.

I thought I’d cause some trouble with my host, telling him that this subway station design is a knock-off of the Paris metro. Instead, he just laughed and explained that this particular work was a gift to Montreal from Paris. So, he put me in my place easily. I may think before speaking next time, but as I explained to him, I doubt it.

The subway system provides great access to the city. In fairness, it’s not quite New York, Washington, DC or Seoul, but it certainly is at least a step up from Boston or Helsinki. I’ve heard great things about it. I wanted to give it a try, but when faced with the opportunity, I had to choose the streets. That’s where I prefer to be when I’m working on a story.

More fun foreign street signs

Yeah, I love foreign street signs. Canada’s were considerably more sensible than those in Helsinki and Reykjavik, but I found a few that were entertaining.

Youville– population, one!

Saute-Moutons pretty much translates to “jumping sheep.” Strangely, this attraction deals with neither jumping nor sheep, but it is still pretty damned cool. Saute-Moutons takes you on a jet boat through river rapids. Large waves form, and the boat dives into them, getting the passengers drenched. On the way back, we actually saw a few whirlpools forming in the river. This is a must-see in Montreal.

Slow food in a bar? As opposed to what? Healthy mozzarella sticks? C’mon, guys. I just don’t get it.