During my visits to Kingston I have had the delightful opportunity of dining at many of the fantastic restaurants that abound all over the city- and- thank goodness- there are still many left for my next trips. Since I am not a food critic by any means, I tend to judge restaurants as much by ambiance as by culinary expertise. The place that first comes to mind as being "a fun place" , and a place I have returned to many times, is "The Toucan" - a pub and eatery with a delightful patio at the side. It's just around the corner (and a few blocks) from the Frontenac Club Inn, Radisson and Sheraton. This patio looks out onto the back alleyway is so much a part of the Kingston scene. One memorable weekend we went out on Friday night. We heard a local, but very well-known group called "The Mahones". I loved them- the more I drank, the faster they sang- good old Irish tunes with lots of noise and rhythm. It was grand. Next day we went to The Toucan for brunch, and lo and behold, who sat down at the next table? THE MAHONES! Well it was like eating with royalty, or some such.
I love the patio at The Toucan- the food is great, the portions are generous and the price is terrific. It has the feel of "Cheers", busy and bustling, and obviously a place for friends to meet and greet. Alas, last time I visited they had taken my VERY favourite item (Eggs Benedict) off the menu. I hope that when I return this spring or summer they will have put it back in its place of honour........please?????? Maybe someone can put in a good word for me.
Linda (Smith)
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Kingston is my City
As mentioned in my previous post I was going to have all of my answers for the National Geographic contest, so here they are.
Looking foward to seeing everyone elses!
My City Questionnaire
Kingston is My City
The first place I take a visitor from out of town is Fort Henry National Historic Site!
When I crave cupcakes I always go to Card’s Bakery
To escape stress I head to the Rosemount Inn & Spa for a massage
If I want to have fun I go to the waterslide at the Ambassador Conference Resort
For complete quiet, I can hide away at the Kingston Frontenac Public Library
If you come to my city, get your picture taken with the Town Crier
If you have to order one thing off the menu from Aqua Terra Restaubistro it has to be The Aqua Terra (beef tenderloin and tiger shrimp!)
Tribal Voices is my one-stop shop for great jewellery and accessories
Locals know to skip dinner and check out dessert first at White Mountain Ice Cream instead
When I'm feeling cash-strapped I go to S&R Department Store
For a huge splurge I go to Chez Piggy for dinner
Photo ops in my city include Springer Market Square on market day and the best vantage points are along King St
If my city were a celebrity it'd be Bryan Adams (down to earth, truly Canadian and always amazing to see live)
The most random thing about my city is ‘Skeleton’ (McBurney) Park, it was a cemetery in the 1800’s and is now a city park… human remains still get uncovered today
My city has the most uniformed men
My city has the most intelligent women.
In my city, an active day outdoors involves sailing on Lake Ontario
My city's best museum is The Penitentiary Museum
My favorite jogging/walking route is through Lake Ontario Park
For a night of dancing, go to Joy Supper Club. Or, for live music, check out The Merchant on Friday’s
Bubba’s is the spot for late-night eats
To find out what's going on at night and on the weekends, read www.whatsonkingston.com
You can tell a lot about my city from walking down Princess St. in the heart of downtown
You can tell if someone is from my city if they know where Sir. John A. Macdonald is buried
In the spring you should check out Maple Madness at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area
In the summer you should go sailing – Kingston is world renowned for it or watch free movies in Springer Market Square …
In the fall you should take a 1000 islands boat cruise, you’ll have the best view of the best foliage anywhere
In the winter you should stay warm with a specialty coffee from Sips coffee & dessert bar
A hidden gem in my city is Orchard St. Park
For a great breakfast joint try Morrison’s
Don't miss the Busker’s Rendezvous’ festival in July
Just outside my city, you can visit the Cataraqui Conservation Area for some great hiking
The best way to see my city is on the Confederation Tour Trolley
If my city were a pet it would be a turtle
If I didn't live in a city, I'd live on a horse farm
The best book about my city is A Kingston Album: Glimpses of the Way we Were
When I think about my city, the song that comes to mind is ‘I will always return’ by Bryan Adams
If you have kids, you won't want to miss the Teddy Bear Picnic
The Aberdeen St. party for Queen’s Homecoming could only happen in my city.
Looking foward to seeing everyone elses!
My City Questionnaire
Kingston is My City
The first place I take a visitor from out of town is Fort Henry National Historic Site!
When I crave cupcakes I always go to Card’s Bakery
To escape stress I head to the Rosemount Inn & Spa for a massage
If I want to have fun I go to the waterslide at the Ambassador Conference Resort
For complete quiet, I can hide away at the Kingston Frontenac Public Library
If you come to my city, get your picture taken with the Town Crier
If you have to order one thing off the menu from Aqua Terra Restaubistro it has to be The Aqua Terra (beef tenderloin and tiger shrimp!)
Tribal Voices is my one-stop shop for great jewellery and accessories
Locals know to skip dinner and check out dessert first at White Mountain Ice Cream instead
When I'm feeling cash-strapped I go to S&R Department Store
For a huge splurge I go to Chez Piggy for dinner
Photo ops in my city include Springer Market Square on market day and the best vantage points are along King St
If my city were a celebrity it'd be Bryan Adams (down to earth, truly Canadian and always amazing to see live)
The most random thing about my city is ‘Skeleton’ (McBurney) Park, it was a cemetery in the 1800’s and is now a city park… human remains still get uncovered today
My city has the most uniformed men
My city has the most intelligent women.
In my city, an active day outdoors involves sailing on Lake Ontario
My city's best museum is The Penitentiary Museum
My favorite jogging/walking route is through Lake Ontario Park
For a night of dancing, go to Joy Supper Club. Or, for live music, check out The Merchant on Friday’s
Bubba’s is the spot for late-night eats
To find out what's going on at night and on the weekends, read www.whatsonkingston.com
You can tell a lot about my city from walking down Princess St. in the heart of downtown
You can tell if someone is from my city if they know where Sir. John A. Macdonald is buried
In the spring you should check out Maple Madness at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area
In the summer you should go sailing – Kingston is world renowned for it or watch free movies in Springer Market Square …
In the fall you should take a 1000 islands boat cruise, you’ll have the best view of the best foliage anywhere
In the winter you should stay warm with a specialty coffee from Sips coffee & dessert bar
A hidden gem in my city is Orchard St. Park
For a great breakfast joint try Morrison’s
Don't miss the Busker’s Rendezvous’ festival in July
Just outside my city, you can visit the Cataraqui Conservation Area for some great hiking
The best way to see my city is on the Confederation Tour Trolley
If my city were a pet it would be a turtle
If I didn't live in a city, I'd live on a horse farm
The best book about my city is A Kingston Album: Glimpses of the Way we Were
When I think about my city, the song that comes to mind is ‘I will always return’ by Bryan Adams
If you have kids, you won't want to miss the Teddy Bear Picnic
The Aberdeen St. party for Queen’s Homecoming could only happen in my city.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
I <3 Kingston
National Geographic’s Travelers magazine and Intelligent Traveler blog want to know why we love our city and who better to tell them than the readers of the ‘I Love Kingston’ Blog?!
Go to this link to get the list of questions and submit your answers to the email address provided for the chance to have it featured on the Intelligent Traveler blog and potenitally a book.
Remember to submit your answers here as well (the email link at the bottom of the page) so we can feature them too!
I'll have my answers up soon.
Go to this link to get the list of questions and submit your answers to the email address provided for the chance to have it featured on the Intelligent Traveler blog and potenitally a book.
Remember to submit your answers here as well (the email link at the bottom of the page) so we can feature them too!
I'll have my answers up soon.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
From Community to School
My son goes to a downtown school. A school that is currently on the chopping block because of the expense to the board to keep it running. However, the expense to the city if the school closed would be enormous. And downtown Kingston businesses know this and that's why they stepped up to the plate to help this little school that could!
In February the school held a fundraiser for the kindergarten yard revitalization project (Not the kindergarten revitalization project as I called it many times by mistake - sounds like we're upgrading our kids). The more we as a community can support this school, the less the board will have to do and therefore the less likely it will be to close. With the help of donations for the silent auction at the dance from many businesses in Kingston, (like the Four Points Sheraton, the Ambassador Hotel, the Holiday Inn , the Rosemount Inn , Boiler Room Climbing Gym , and Kingston Glass Studio & Gallery) we raised over $3500 for the yard.
Now that's a community...and a school that I can be proud of. Thanks Kingston!
In February the school held a fundraiser for the kindergarten yard revitalization project (Not the kindergarten revitalization project as I called it many times by mistake - sounds like we're upgrading our kids). The more we as a community can support this school, the less the board will have to do and therefore the less likely it will be to close. With the help of donations for the silent auction at the dance from many businesses in Kingston, (like the Four Points Sheraton, the Ambassador Hotel, the Holiday Inn , the Rosemount Inn , Boiler Room Climbing Gym , and Kingston Glass Studio & Gallery) we raised over $3500 for the yard.
Now that's a community...and a school that I can be proud of. Thanks Kingston!
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