Hospitality Guide

It’s cold, windy and the winter jackets don’t seem to be going anywhere for a long while. Wouldn’t it be nice to just get away for a bit? With the economy heading into a downward spiral most of us are discouraging ourselves from spending money on a Timbit let alone a weeklong vacation. Surprisingly, vacation packages are also heading into that same downward spiral and good thing for us because that can only mean one thing, they’re a lot cheaper. For an average price of an airline ticket to New York and back you can get an all inclusive vacation package (all inclusive = free alcohol too).

Every winter, I spoil myself and head to a sunny destination and I was damned sure this year wasn’t going to be any different. So I checked the usual websites: itravel2000, Selloffvacations and Belairtravel. Cuba and Dominican being the more popular destinations you should expect to payless. But I wanted to go somewhere differentl this time around and I decided on Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. After all if it’s good enough for Heidi and Spencer it’s good enough for me. I finally decided on The Rui Palace Cabo in beautiful SUNNY Mexico courtesy of Sunquest Vacations. It’s a 5.5 star hotel right on the beach with an ocean front suite- what more can you ask for? Typically you would expect to pay more than $2000 but I got a deal, only $1400! But before you start planning your vacation, make sure you set a budget and stick to it! Also if your hotel is right on the beach it cuts traveling costs.

Me in T- Minus 3 weeks

Enough about me. If it’s not in your budget to go away you don’t have to - The Hospitality Guide will take you, especially to delicious eateries right here in Toronto and around the world. We will make your mouth water in San Francisco with crab legs at The Crab Shack, try some amazing coffee in Sweden and of course go to the best Hamburger joint in all of the U.S of A at Le Tub burgers. See, even the Hospitality Guide can make the winter blues disappear.

But to curve your appetites, enjoy cooking with George at the opening night gala for Toronto’s International Film Festival.

So far we’ve seen Niagara Falls from the sky, gambled our way through Las Vegas, been to Halifax to meet some of the nicest people and got acquainted with Mickey Mouse in Disney. After Disney we made our way to Quebec for a French version of the HG (don’t worry it’s not actually in French, it took a while for George Tsioutsioulas to pronounce the province name properly…don’t worry he got it by the end of the trip). If you’re hungry you have to tune into the Wing Festival episode when we crossed the border to Buffalo for a day dedicated to chicken wings. Are you obsessed with celebrities? We got a backstage pass at The Toronto International Film Festival. Two words: Brad Pitt. The HG crew’s next stop was San Francisco where we got to try some of the best crab legs in the world. Let’s not forget a weekend in Montreal and drum roll please…SWEDEN! From the ice hotel to mushroom picking the HG did it all – Swedish style of course. I can’t possibly forget The Wine Festival in the Okanagan Valley. I highly recommend starting everyday with a glass of wine – don’t forget to swirl, sniff, swoosh then swallow. And lucky George leaves the cold Toronto weather on Sunday for a week in Fort Lauderdale filled with beaches, palm trees and warm sunny weather of course. Not jealous AT ALL!

Now on a different topic. Ever since our office moved to 355 King street west I’ve realized how many different types of restaurants there are in Toronto. I’m the type of person where if I like something it’s my go to place but I think I’m turning a new leaf. Last Friday I went on a shoot with Chris, one of our camera man to a sushi bar called Blowsfish. The chef demonstrated how to make two of their most popular dishes: Black and White makimonos and tower of tuna served with crab crisps. The bartender Nishan made a Pomegranate saketini and a Mango Passion saketini. After our shoot was done, the people at Blowfish insisted Chris and I eat the dishes and drink the drinks. How can I say no? Plus it was the end of the day so a little treat wouldn’t be so bad. Everything was delicious. The sushi rolls? Never tasted ones that were that fresh. And The tower of tuna was a tower of yummy. Don’t even get me started on the drinks. I’ve already made plans to go back and I suggest anyone whose into Japanese cuisine to head over to Blowfish.

Blowfish is at 668 King Street West. Two can dine for as low as $60.

My trip to San Fran was very…. expensive.  Prada and Coach were my neighbours, DSW stared at me through my window, Versace was around the corner and Guess and Holt Renfrew greeted me up the street.  But, needless to say, I wasn’t complaining.  The shopping here is like no other. And so is the weather.  Contrary to popular belief, just because the city is located in California, does not mean that it produces oranges either. Bloody freezing. We - George the host, Chris, the cameraman and I, all had to purchase winter gear, to keep from frost bite.  Ok, I’m exaggerating.  George and Chris praised the weather being so cool.  Apparently it’s cool/ freezing all year round, and especially so in the summer time which is their winter oddly enough.  But enough about the climate, let’s talk about the food - my favourite subject.  San Fran is HUGE on their crab legs, known as the crab leg capital of the world.  It definitely live up to its title! Do your taste buds a favourite and head to The Crab House at Pier 39. Executive Chef Andrea Froncillo is a seafood God! A master chef, owning 7 restaurants in San Francisco, he creates wonders by mixing seafood with Italian tradional dishes… and sex.  Yes, I said sex.  Check out his website at sexandthekitchen.com.  Not only does he cook well, he…… never mind. Just check it out!

Supperclub. This is a whole different category of things to do and see in San Fran.  I’ll paint you a picture: You eat in bed, get spanked with a paddle, get Tequila poured down your throat, transvestites are your servers and nudity and sex is encouraged. Probably one of most unique - for lack of better words- crowd, food, concept, that I have ever experience. And I loved it. It’s like nothing you have ever seen before. HG honour.

Oh, and you’ve probably never seen so many sealions in your life, in one place, at one time, then at Pier 39.  How did they all get there? Why won’t they leave? Nobody knows……..