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...[more »]

Grab A Brew, Pick Some Apples Im a big fan of apple picking. It gets me into the Fall spirit here in New England. It reminds me of being a kid. The scenery is beautiful. You get to support locally grown produce and eat the crop as you go along. I am also a big fan of beer. So when I found out that the Hyland Orchard in Sturbridge, Massachusetts is also a brewery, I knew just where to go when the apple season began. Hyland Orchard is a low-key, no-fuss kind of place. The facility itself is compact, while the orchards are varied enough to suit all tastes throughout the season. There is a tractor ride to bring you to the orchards, or you can walk the few minutes up the hill. But everyone knows a tractor ride makes an apple picking day official. Pavilion Anchors Surrounding Ground...[more »]

Deschutes Brewery and Public House for Dinner Versions of First Thursday exist all over the place, but in Portland, Oregon, it’s the event for summer arts. All throughout NW Portland artists set up stands showing off their wares, galleries open their doors or inaugurate new expositions, and bars and restaurants serve packed tables of art-minded customers. First Thursday, as the name suggests, happens on the first Thursday of each month, from about 5pm onwards. Though it goes year round, the event is most crowded in the summertime when the weather is niceand Portlanders are dying to be out of doors. First Thursday - Local Artist Matt Ford For dinner on First Thursday, try Ping for Pan-Asian plates in Chinatown. For something truly northwestern, try Deschutes Brewery and Public House i...[more »]