Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Cirque De Kingston





















Kingston s K-Rock Centre presents Cirque De Soleil-Quidam. This epic production has 6 showings during its Kingston tour dates and Holiday Inn Kingston Waterfront has partnered with the K-Rock Centre for a weekend package ....

The package includes:
" Overnight accommodations in one of our newly renovated guest rooms
" Complimentary parking
" Buffet breakfast for two in the morning
" Two tickets to Cirque De Soleil-Quidam

The Best Deals in Town



















Diverse accommodation is not hard to find in Kingston; hotels, B&B's, historic inn's but the thing that always remains the same is the need for a good deal. Below is a list of Kingston's best deals:

Comfort Inn
Peachtree Inn
Holiday Inn Express
Kingston Travelodge
Motel 6

Girl Time















Reconnect with your Girlfriends by having a Weekend Getaway at the Green Acres Inn. Their Girl Friend Getaway day has two nights in one of their amazingly done Junior Suites with two queen beds, fridge, microwave, and LCD television with DVD player. Spend a day shopping and exploring one of the many unique shops of downtown Kingston. Wake up to room service continental breakfast one morning of your stay, Optional in room Spa Services available too!

Kingston's Historic Inns

















Kingston is a historic city and what better way to immerse yourself in the culture and heritage of the city than by staying in one of its many historic inns...

Abbey Manor Inn
Frontenac Club Inn
Green Woods Inn
The Hochelaga Inn
Hotel Belvedere
Rosemount Inn & Spa
The Tymparon Inn

Warm Chocolate Silk












Cozy up with a warm chocolate spa package. While covered from neck to toes in skin stimulating warm chocolate mousse, destress with a customized essential oil scalp massage & petite facial. Take home an 8oz Chocolate Spa treat: Warm Chocolate Silk Mousse Bodywrap,ᅠChocolate body polish, Warm chocolate butter creme application, ᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠᅠ Customized essential oil scalp treatment, Petite facial or8 oz Chocolate Body Butter or Chocolate body creme to take home from the Rosemount Inn & Spa in Kingston

Friday, September 17, 2010

Kingston WritersFest






WritersFest Kingston is only a few days away and this year there are more events and activities than ever taking place all over town. Storytelling, speakers, readings, music, lunches and dinners, workshops and of course the Battle of Books are all apart of the 2010 WritersFest and shouldn't be missed!

Everyone is getting in on WritersFest this year including some hotels, so if you're coming in from out of town check the following for great deals:

Rosemount Inn & Spa
Holiday Inn
Tymparon Inn
Motel 6

Back to School Kick-Start





















An amazing Back to School Kick-start ... but for parents only, from the Rosemount Inn & Spa. An invigorating Bamboo Lemongrass back exfoliation followed by hot towels and an aromatherapy back massage. Peppermint scalp treatment is the final touch. A great way to get into fall!

Monday, August 30, 2010

Exhibition Game - The End is Near










This weekend is the beginning of the end of summer, which is kicked off by the Kingston Frontenac's first exhibition game against the Ottawa 67's. Tickets are only $5 so check it out.

Sail & Stay









What better way to see Kingston than by boat; Kingston has some of the best sailing in North America so it's a must do when visiting the city. Kingston's First Canada Inn's has a great package available that includes:

A stay in one of their guest rooms
A 3hr sail with an experienced skipper from Ahoy Rentals
And an amazing lunch from Pan Chancho Bakery

What a fun way to spend a weekend in Kingston!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Family Vacation













A fun note from a family that enjoyed their time at the Four Points in Kingston...


"Just wanted to say thanks for accommodating us this past weekend, our guests and my family had a blast, we did our bit to support the Kingston economy and had a great time. According to my son Kingston is the coolest place he has ever been to and why don't we move there!! It was nice to experience the town as a tourist and not my usual business activities "

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Tango Wine Tour














Tango is going back to Prince Edward County for another exciting wine tour.

They will be visiting;
33 Vines
Sugarbush
Sandbanks
The Grange
Huu Estates
There will be a lunch provided at Sandbanks
The cost for a great day out is $80.

The bus, with a washroom, will leave Tango 930am and return around 630pm.

Call Tango for your reservation.

The Sun Will Come Out...

Tonight! Annie is playing in Market Square tonight; don't forget your lawn chair

Eggs Benedict - Green Woods Inn Style















Try this out and let us know if it's the best you've tried... if not send the recipe for your favourite.

This recipe provides a unique experience and arguably the best Egg Benedict you will ever have for breakfast. It is served with sautéed portabella mushrooms and herb-seasoned tomatoes on Rosemary focaccia bruschetta. The sauce is not the traditional hollandaise sauce but a tangy, much lighter (and better for you), home made concoction. Serves 8


Ingredients:
12 oz. Portabella Mushrooms
1 fl.oz. white wine
1 tbsp good soy sauce
8 slices focaccia (if possible Rosemary and Sea Salt)
3 med – large tomatoes
1-2 tsp fresh mixed or dry herbs (fines herbes assortment)
3 garlic cloves
Sea Salt
Black pepper
1 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
½ cup (approx.) extra virgin olive oil
8 eggs
4 English muffins
4 tbsp (heaped) mayonnaise
4 tbsp (heaped) Balkan natural yogurt
1 tsp English Mustard powder
400g shaved Black Forest Ham
3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Paprika


Sautéed Portabella Mushrooms
Heat olive oil, butter and soy sauce in a pan and grate in one or two garlic; heat gently. Slice the mushrooms and add to the pan. Sautee until golden brown. Add the 1 fl.oz. wine and simmer for a few minutes more and the wine reduced by half.

Rosemary Focaccia Bruschetta
Slice the Focaccia about ½” thick and toast lightly
Rub the toasted bread with a fresh garlic clove
Brush the bread with extra virgin Olive oil and sprinkle lightly with course sea salt. Bake in the oven at 300 degrees for 10 minutes just before serving

Herb-seasoned Tomatoes (the herbs used can vary with the seasons)
Using the best tomatoes you can possibly find, slice or dice the tomatoes sufficient for one to two tablespoons per person. Season the tomatoes using dry and/or fresh herbs, pepper, extra virgin olive oil, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar (only add salt just before serving)
(Tip – In mid winter when the tomatoes are not our wonderful locally grown varieties warm the tomatoes mixture in the oven just before serving) Don’t forget to add the salt!

Egg Benedict
Take half an English muffin per person; butter the cut side and place face down on a hot pan until golden brown.
Using approximately 50g /person of shaved ham, chop across the ham into fine strips. Sautee gently in butter for fifteen to twenty minutes turning to ensure all the ham is covered and the ham cooks through.
Poach one egg /person (tip – poached eggs may be left in the hot poaching water for several minutes before plating – just remove from direct heat)

Green Woods Inn sauce (simple yet amazing)
Half table spoon /person mayonnaise
Half table spoon /person natural yogurt
Mix mustard powder into a smooth paste (one teaspoon /eight people – don’t overdo this)
Mix together and place in heat proof container and place in an oven at 300 degrees for 15/20 minutes.

Plating
Pre-warm the plates to maintain temperature. Place the bruschetta and the muffin on the plate. Top the muffin with the shaved sautéed ham and then the poached egg. Top off the egg with the sauce and dust with paprika.
Place the mushrooms on one end of the bruschetta and the tomatoes on the other end.
Dust as required with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (mostly over the egg) and serve.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Back from the Dead














A fun deal from local Innkeeper Holly Doughty from the Rosemount Inn & Spa...

The Sir John A. "Back from the Dead" package! Enjoy an afternoon in Sir John A.'s footsteps with a walking tour of Sir John A.'s city and perhaps a stop at the local Brew Pub for a celebratory John A. drink! After an eventful day come alive in the spa. Chill out with a Fresh Fruit Smoothie Body Wrap, a stimulating Peppermint Scalp Treatment and Reviving Back Massage. Ahhhhh... Then it's off to the concert to enjoy an evening under the stars at " The John A. Macdonald Back From the Dead Concert Tour" - an entertaining look at Canadian history as seen through the eyes of the creator of Canada, Sir John A. Macdonald. Package Includes: -2 nights accommodation -Gourmet breakfast each day -Afternoon tea & cookies -2 open air theater tickets -"Back from the Dead" Spa treatments for two ....To die for!

Live at Lunch

















Kingston's got a great lunch time tradition during the summer: live music. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays Confederation Park plays host to local musicians. Tomorrow afternoon the Tom Savage Trio will start at 12:30pm.

Big Band Fridays, sponsored by Four Points also start in July at the Market Square Amphitheater with Jazz, Dixie Swing and Country nights.

Mamma Mia Tomorrow

The first movie for Downtown Kingston's "Movies in the Square" plays tomorrow night at Springer Market Square. Mamma Mia will start around 9pm, bring a lawn chair.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Get Your Shots In













One of the many great entries for the Kingston Accommodation Partners Summer Photo Contest from June Cairns.


"It's the end of May, and the concrete arc has Fort Henry in the background. The boats are tethered waiting on the owners to explore Lake Ontario."


For more information on how to enter the photo contest click here

Movie Time!













Once again the summer movie selection has been announced for Movies in the Square. Always a great mix of family friendly movies and a few classics I can't wait to see again. Here is the list

June 25 - Hook
July 2 - The Goonies
July 16 - Mrs. Doubtfire
July 23 - Singin' in the Rain
July 20 - My Girl
August 6 - Rocky
August 13 - Contact
August 20 - Homeward Bound - The Incredible Journey (one of my childhood favourites!)
August 27 - The Aristocats
September 3 - A League of Their Own

If you could add another movie to this list what would it be?

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Summer Photo Contest is Now Open















Once again the Kingston Accommodation Partners want to see your great pics of Kingston... so send in some of your fun shots for the chance at some great prizes. All the details are here

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Something Quick and Fun





















While visiting Kingston this summer don't forget that one of the city's most interesting historic attractions is right in the middle of your shopping and dining ... City Hall! I know, how can City Hall be any fun? A guided tour. In between the rounds of shopping and just before lunch take a quick trip through with one of the tour guides.

Learn more about Canada's first capital, view the art collections, stained glass windows and old jail cells, it's a fun history lesson that helps you appreciate Kingston.

Visit the City of Kingston website for more information

Photo Credit: Paul Wash

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Homegrown Live



















Kingston loves to promote its own, and music is no exception. On May 15th I’ll be heading down to one of the many venues around the city that will be hosting local musicians of every genre and style.

My schedule will be The Queen’s Inn for some country in the afternoon and then heading to the Toucan for dinner and my local favourite Pelt!

Here is the list of what’s playing where:


Blues: Brandees
Rock: Time to Laugh Comedy Club
Country: The Queen’s Inn
Folk: The Wine Cellar at The Mansion
Jazz:Monte’s
Eclectic: The Living Room at The Mansion
Alternative: The Toucan
Youth Alternative: The Living Room at The Mansion
Celtic: Kingston Brewing Company
Mixed and Open Stage: RCHA Club

You can find all the information here

Friday, May 7, 2010

Mother's Day in KTown

Once again, NGB Studios is having an open house for Mother's Day. Over 23 artists, mostly Kingston local, but some from Cornwall and in between. A great peek into working artist studios.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Local Food














As Summer approaches, and the thought of fresh strawberries comes to mind, I thought it would be a great time to remind everyone about the Local Foods Local Chefs initiative.

Kingston is a city that promotes the use of local food and lots of restaurants, hotels and other businesses have embraced this. The objectives of the initiative are as follows:

* To increase sales of local food at the Kingston Farmers Market
* To increase the number of downtown restaurants and shops featuring local food
* To build regional market opportunities for the local food industry
* To develop Kingston as an authentic culinary tourism destination
* To increase consumer awareness of local foods

My favourite local food treat is a strawberry-apple smoothie! What's yours?

Monday, April 26, 2010

Elton Fever




















Kingston was hit with Elton fever last week when the Elton John concert was announced and tickets for the big show at the K-Rock Centre went on sale. The line up for tickets was around the block and they sold out in about 10 minutes!

Luckily we managed to get some tickets and will be inviting down my mother to watch the show with us. Hopefully the race to book hotel rooms isn't as crazy and she can find a spot at her usual favourite the Holiday Inn.

Did you get your tickets? Is there another big show at the K-Rock Centre your looking forward to? Let me know!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Spring Has Sprung In Kingston

Here are some great spring pictures from the Hochelaga Inn in Kingston...


























Do you have a great spring picture? Submit it here and I'll post it!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

More running news…


Kingston is turning into a hotbed of running activities; especially now that the 17th World University Cross Country Championship will be happening at Fort Henry on April 11th.
There are 25 countries confirmed to compete and the weekend includes opening ceremonies at the new Queen’s centre on April 9th, multicultural events, community races and the chance to volunteer!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Iron Duke Delicous


Visitors to Kingston this summer should be aware, if their not already, of a great little pub that's turning into a town favourite. I've already personally escorted two visitors from Ottawa to their doors when asked about places to eat in the city. One of the great things about The Duke is that it's centrally located downtown close to hotels and shopping. They also support the local food movement and have even offered a recipe for their Cheddar and Ale Soup.

1/2 cup (125mL) Butter
1 large Onion (rough chop)
4 stalks Celery (rough chop)
1/2 cup (125mL) Leeks (diced)
1 tbsp. (15mL) Garlic (minced)
¾ cup (175mL) Flour
6 cups (1.5ltr.) Chicken stock (vegetable stock is fine if you want to keep it vegetrian)
36 oz (1ltr.) Ale of your choice (Mill St. Stock Ale or Beau's Lug Tread Lagered Ale are good local options)
2 tbsp. (30mL) Dry mustard
2 cups (500mL) 35% cream
2 lb. (900g.) Old White Cheddar, grated for melting (Empire Cheese from Campbellford makes a great 4 yr old cheddar, Wilton Cheddar is also good)
1 tsp. (5mL) Tabasco
1 tsp. (5mL) Worchestershire
Salt and Black Pepper

Heat a heavy bottom pot. Add butter and vegetables to the pot, cook vegetables off until translucent. Add flour to vegetable mixture. Cook for an additional 5 minutes (do not allow roux to brown). Slowly add chicken stock, beer and dry mustard. Simmer 45 minutes.
Add 35% cream - bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Whisk in grated cheddar and season with Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce.
Puree and return to the stove. Bring back to a boil. Taste, season with salt & black pepper.
Serves 10

Monday, March 22, 2010

Spring Foot Falls in Kingston


For many, Kingston is a destination for culture, entertainment and sailing; but a thriving athletic scene is starting to draw new types of visitors to the city, runners! During the year the Kingston Road Runners Association holds a race almost every month and for 2010 there will be two races in June and September.

The big race weekend of the year in Kingston is happening at the end of April, the 24th to 25th and includes three races. The Saturday will have the KidsFest 3K and the KGH Trauma 10K and Sunday is the Half Marathon and 5k.

Runners from outside of Kingston are always welcome for the big race weekend and discounted accommodations are available at the Four Points Sheraton

Friday, February 26, 2010

Get the Popcorn Ready

The Kingston Canadian Film Festival is starting next week (March 3 -7) and features a huge number of Canadian films in great spots all over the city including the Capital Theatre, The Grand with events at Queen’s and Tango. If you can’t make it to Cannes, come to Kingston! Below is the full list of films:


ATANARJUAT: THE FAST RUNNER

CARCASSES

CARRY ON SERGEANT!

COOKING WITH STELLA

COOPERS’ CAMERA

C.R.A.Z.Y.

DEFENDOR

LES DOIGTS CROCHES

GENIUS WITHIN: THE INNER LIFE OF GLENN GOULD

HIGH LIFE

J’AI TUÉ MA MÈRE

LAST TRAIN HOME

MY WINNIPEG

THE NATIONAL PARKS PROJECT: GROS MORNE

NO HEART FEELINGS

PASSENGER SIDE

PEEPERS

REEL INJUN

A SHINE OF RAINBOWS

THE TROTSKY

THE WILD HUNT

ZOOEY & ADAM

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

The Start of Spring
















Spring may officially start March 20th but March 5th is when it starts in Kingston. The Gardening Expo is happening March 5th at the Portsmouth Olympic Harbour from 9am to 9pm. Gardening related business and horticultural experts gather at the Harbour to offer their products and knowledge in landscape designs, seeds, garden art, furniture and more Seminars and demonstrations all day long. Garden Fashion Show Sunday @2.30 pm.

Keep it Local














In an effort to kick start the local food movement tons of great recipes have been popping up that feature regional products. I’ve already posted one great recipe from Bistro Stefan and below is another one from Kaitlin Byrick, Local Foods Local Chefs Coordinator.

Braised Pork Belly
2 lbs boneless pork belly
4 cloves garlic
1 onion, roughly chopped
3 stalks celery, roughly chopped
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 sprig rosemary
1 dried bay leaf
4 cups chicken stock
½ cup soy sauce
½ mirin (rice wine)
1 tbsp packed brown sugar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 225F. Place pork belly skin side up in a medium oven proof casserole dish and score skin with a sharp knife. Scatter garlic, onion and celery over and around pork belly.

Add thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, stock, soy sauce and mirin to the casserole dish. (Liquid should come halfway up pork; if it doesn't , add water). Cover tightly with foil and bake, stirring occasionally and basting pork with liquid, until very tender, about 6 hours.

Increase oven temperatures to 500F. Sprinkle top of pork with brown sugar and salt and pepper to taste; bake uncovered until top is golden and skin is crisp, about 20 minutes. Let cool, then cut into slices. Strain sauce and drizzle over meat.

Serves 4

Be Your Own Guide

Kingston’s Fort Henry is opening up in early March for self-guided tours… don’t miss the opportunity to explore the rich history of the Fort on your own time.



XC Skiing in Kingston

There is no better way to explore the nature trails of the Kingston region than by cross country skiing. Skiing allows you to choose your pace so the excursion can be as leisurely or as strenuous as you wish. It also allows you to enjoy the scenery without having to trudge through ankle deep snow, you just glide right through.

If you’re a beginner skier or looking for some tips the Cataraqui Conservation Authority hosts lessons on Saturdays throughout the winter. From 10am to 12pm.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Kollaboration Kingston


A great new project just got underway in Kingston called Kollaboration Kingston. Basically it's a 2-day intense set of exercises in which 17 artists will be encouraged to develop cross-medium collaborations with each other. The collaborative pieces will be exhibited at the Sandra Whitton Gallery downtown just in front of the Holiday Inn in May.

For more about the project visit www.ktownartists.ca

Beggar’s Purses














After savouring the Beggar’s Purses at Bistro Stefan (located at the Best Western Fireside Inn), I simply had to have the recipe! Fortunately, they were kind enough to provide it to me…very simple and so delicious…


Ingredients:

·2 Chicken Breasts

·1 lb Cream Cheese (Room Temperature)

·3 cups Mushrooms (Assorted or choose your favorite)

·2 piece Shallots

·3 Cloves Garlic

·1/4 Bunch Fresh Tarragon

·Salt & Pepper to Taste

·3 Cups White Wine

·2 Tbsp Olive Oil

Directions:

1.Chop mushrooms, shallots and garlic all the same size

2.In a frying pan, warm some oil and sauté mushrooms, shallots and garlic

3.Once you smell the garlic, add your chicken and white wine

4.Cover and simmer until 90% of the liquid is gone

5.Remove from heat, remove chicken breast and cool

6.Once cooled, roughly chop all ingredients together

7.Add cream cheese into mix and blend

8.Season with salt & pepper and tarragon

9.You are ready to wrap mixture into your favorite crepe!

YUM

Monday, February 1, 2010

A Time for Art Lovers


January 29 to February 14, 2010
artignite is a celebration of art in all forms.

It is a festival of the dynamic, energetic, and vibrant students and community artists who invigorate the Queen's campus and City of Kingston, inspire us and contribute to the cultural life of our community.

Coinciding with FebFest, artignite offers the art-lover a chance to experience an eclectic mix of shows, exhibitions, concerts and art activities.

For a list of Art events and venues visit: http://www.queensu.ca/artignite/index.html

Friday, January 29, 2010

Winter Blah Remedy










Now that the holiday season is over and the snow and cold is no longer festive it can sometimes be a struggle to enjoy the remains of the winter. Luckily for those in Kingston FebFest is a welcome opportunity to embrace winter again. .

FebFest has been growing steadily in Kingston for the last few years drawing larger and larger crowds. For FebFest 2010 events will run for a week, starting Monday Feb. 1st with this finishing up on Sunday Feb 7th.

Hockey and skating are the main highlights of the Festival with the OHL all-star classic, Stanley Cup display, free skates and the ice show Imagination on Ice with Elvis Stojko.
However there are many other activities such as a snow sculpture competition and the Flying Canucks that make it a great time for even the non-hockey crowd.

More information can be found here

For out-of-towners I found a getaway package just for Febfest - check it out >>

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Grand Prize Winners








































As I mentioned earlier the Kingston Photo Contest has been wrapped up and the grand prize winners have been decided. Deliberation was tricky because so many entries were amazing. The winners had dynamic shots of the city from perspectives not normally seen.

Congratulations to:

Jim Vance – “Summerhill” winner of the Best Western grand prize which includes:

One night’s accommodation in a Fantasy Suite at the Best Western Fireside Inn
Includes Champagne, Chocolate Covered Strawberries, and Welcome Basket
Kingston toque
Coffee Mug
Lip Balm
Kingston Photo Book


Shawn Gillis
– “Confederation Basin from a Cesna” winner of the Hochelaga Inn grand prize which includes:

One night’s accommodation at the Hochelaga Inn
2 X $50.00 Gift Certificates to Atomica Gourmet Pizza & Wine Bar
Kingston toque
Coffee Mug
Lip Balm
Kingston Photo Book


Paul Wash – “Kingston City Hall and Visitor Information Centre” winner of the Four Points by Sheraton grand prize which includes:

One night’s accommodation at the Four Points by Sheraton Kingston
1 $25.00 Gift Certificate to the King Street Sizzle
Kingston toque
Coffee Mug
Lip Balm
Kingston Photo Book

Weekly Winners

























The Kingston Photo Contest came to a close a few weeks ago and all the entries have been processed and reviewed. There were a lot of great entries with beautiful pictures of Kingston through all seasons, fun group shots and lots of fantastic scenery imagery as well.

For each week of the contest weekly winners were decided and the following were our winners:

Week one winner: Cyndy Gibson – “Little Girl with Santa”
Week two winner: Alicia Spenser – “Friends in Front of City Hall”
Week three winner: Jerome Simon – “Harbour View”

Each winner received a great prize pack which included:
Prize Packs include
Kingston toque
Coffee Mug
Lip Balm
Kingston Photo Book
$20 Gift Certificate to King Street Sizzle or 2 One-Day Kayak Rentals from Ahoy Rentals (Valid through September 2010)

Courtesy of the Kingston Accommodation Partners and the prize sponsors.