The Academic Public House

Sometimes I have good restaurant karma when traveling, and other times it’s hard to find one place serving a decent meal (if I don’t research eateries before hand). My recent trip to Vancouver BC, Canada this September was filled with delicious meals at restaurants I happened upon along the way making me feel lucky enough to want to play the lotto.

On my way to the MOA  (Museum of Anthropology – SO worth it!), I got off the bus around Kitsilano and asked the powers that be to lead me to something tasty. They answered my call, and soon I was seated at The Academic, which had an $8.00 lunch special on (Mon- Fri) and a table on the outside terrace. Awesome. I had a yummy half a veggie sandwich served with a heaping cone of homemade fries. They also serve their half sandwiches with salad, but I wasn’t in a weight-watching sort of mood. I paired my heavy lunch with a large craft beer from Vancouver and enjoyed a leisurely meal in the sun.

The Academic is also a fun spot to head to for a night out on the town. Their full bar and large beer selection means something for everyone. They also have several pool tables inside the bar and plenty of cozy seating. The Academic hosts night-club style events Thursday – Saturday, plus plays all UFCs, European Football, NHL and NFL games if you’re into that sort of thing!

This is an ideal bar to start the night off with a pub grub dinner and a game of billiards, and then move on to another one of the many bars and clubs in the area.

MORE:
Web: http://www.donnellygroup.ca/academic/
Location:
1619 West Broadway between Fir and Pine
-Vancouver, BC, V6J1W9
Phone:
604-733-4141
Email:
academic@donnellygroup.ca
Hours:
Mon – Thurs: 10:00 am – 1:00 am
/Fri – Sat: 10:00 am – 2:00 am
/Sun: 10:00 am – 1:00 am

Post and Photo by Regina Winkle-Bryan. See more of her dining and drinking tips at : The Spain Scoop

Cirque du Soleil is known for breath-taking shows around the world. From celebrating the music of The Beatles to opening an entirely custom-built show venue in Las Vegas for Celine Dion, Cirque du Soleil can put the music of the best artists to acrobatic artistry. The newest tour of Cirque du Soleil is teaming with the music of Michael Jackson to bring its new show, THE IMMORTAL World Tour , to stages around North America.

Whether it’s a dinner-and-a-show-date or a date-date, going to Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL is a great excuse for leaving the kids with a sitter and enjoying a night out. Check out your local venue for locations nearby that would be perfect for a before-dinner and after-drinks.

Opening in Montreal on October 2, 2011, Immortal will continue on to cities in the United States until the end of July 2012. The show combines the creative genius of Michael Jackson’s music and moves with the legendary visual artistry of Cirque du Soleil.

Depending on the venue and location, tickets range from $50 to $175. Tickets for all upcoming shows are now available from Ticketmaster.

image credit Cirque du Soleil

Icewine Grapes Chillin'

Ok, so I might be a little bit early on this, but the Niagara Icewine Festival is coming up from January 13-29. It’s in Ontario, Canada, so I thought I’d give everyone a nice heads up so that you can make your travel plans far in advance.

If it’s anything like last year’s event, you’ll be able to order wine from ice bars, watch cooking demonstrations and learn all about Icewine, one of Ontario’s (and Canada’s) most treasured products.

Read More »

I love grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. To me, it’s one of the ultimate comfort food meals. I also like unusual cocktails.

A Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Cocktail

Yet when I found out about a place in Canada that has created a drink that supposedly tastes like a grilled cheese with tomato soup, I was a bit taken aback.

Not that I don’t like savory drinks, but a cheese-flavored cocktail?

It’s a special menu item called “Cold Night In” and you’ll find it at Clive’s Classic Lounge, in Victoria, British Columbia.

The cocktail was invented by bartender Shawn Soole, who originally hails from Brisbane, Australia. Soole is reportedly a fan of molecular mixology and often creates unusual concoctions for the patrons of Clive’s.

The basis of the “Cold Night In” (which usually goes for $10), is a grilled cheese-infused Mt. Gay dark rum. Yes, I said infused. According to Soole, he grills up a full sandwich, extra heavy on the cheese and butter, and then soaks it in a jar of the rum overnight. He then strains the mixture, freezes it to congeal any fat from the sandwich, and strains it again.

Are you still with me here?

To prepare the drink, he muddles some lightly roasted cherry tomatoes with basil and salt. To this he adds 2 oz of the rum, 1/2 oz of Lillet Blanc, a dash of celery bitters, and ice. He then double-strains the mixture, adds a dash of Glenfiddich and garnishes with a cherry tomato slice.

I haven’t tried one yet, but I may on my summer trip to Victoria.

I’m told that in addition to creating unusual cocktails, Soole likes to hold Homage Cocktail Fridays, where he picks a world-famous cocktail lounge (or just one he really likes) and he recreates a few of their signature drinks. That sounds fun for the customers, and a cool way to keep the place from becoming just another place to get a drink.

If you want to check out Clive’s Classic Lounge and the “Cold Night In” for yourself, you’ll find it located at the Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites (740 Burdett Ave). It opens at 11am Monday through Fridays and at 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

[Photo courtesy Clive's Cocktail Lounge/Shawn Soole, photographer]