A yearly tradition for my wife and I is our anniversary weekend across the border at Niagara-On-The-Lake. Before I came to Western New York, I had no idea there were even vineyards and wineries here. The fact that there are world class wineries, incredible chefs with five star restaurants, and an internationally recognized theater company just minutes from my house is a secret that more people need to know about!

I always take my show on the road to kick off the Shaw Festival Theatre season. I have come to know many of the people responsible for making the Shaw such an amazing operation, and every year I seem to learn something new about it. For example: did you know that Queen Elizabeth herself dedicated the Festival Theatre complex in 1973? And from very humble beginnings in 1962, the Shaw now plays to over 300,000 people every year. That’s a pretty remarkable number, considering NOTL has only 15,000 year round residents.

After my event on Friday, Heather and I stayed at the Sterling Inn and Spa. Regular listeners of mine know we often give away One Tank Getaways here, and this time I was lucky enough to take one of my own. If you have never been, I would seriously recommend taking advantage of one of the packages they offer. I challenge you to find a more luxurious experience for so little money! Plus you’re within walking distance of the Falls, with free parking – that alone is worth the trip.

First we had one of the finest dinners of our lives at A.G. which is located right at the hotel. I had been hearing great things about chef Cory Linkson for years, but hadn’t had the chance to experience his genius first-hand until now. Heather and I have had some amazing meals in our lives, but Friday’s dinner ranks at or near the top. It was 7 courses, with a specific Ontario wine paired with each course. What made the dinner so memorable to me was the interesting food pairings and textures. For example, I would never think to put scallops, lentils, and chorizo (mexican sausage) together, but Cory did it, in an incredibly delicious way. I was blown away, even more so because everything on the menu was locally produced. There truly is something about fresh, local ingredients that makes your dinner experience that much better.

We floated happily away from dinner and checked into our suite. It was huge, clean, ultra-modern, and absolutely perfect. You really can’t beat an in-room jacuzzi; and I hated to leave the extra-large multi-head shower Saturday morning, but there were wineries to visit, so off we went.

Our weekend coincided with the Wine and Herb Festival in Ontario Wine Country, and we had passports which let us take part in special food and wine pairings at each winery we visited. We decided to focus on ones we hadn’t visited already, and were pleasantly surprised by Palatine Hills Estate Winery, which we found mostly by accident on our way out of town, by way of Lakeshore Road.

Hard to believe it’s been 14 years of marriage to my beautiful wife, but I’m happy to say we still have fun together after all these years, and there was plenty to be had during our anniversary weekend in beautiful Ontario.

–Brian

Heather and I went to the Niagara Ice Wine Festival this weekend with a great group of people, who are as interested and excited about wine as we are. We haven’t been in that kind of rare company since Virginia, where our appreciation for viticulture was born. It felt good, and I hope you enjoy the goofy pictures of our experience below.

After a wonderful weekend, we came home, and over dinner decided to open the last bottle of Virginia wine we had in our collection. It was a Jefferson Meritage from 1999 that had survived our move from Charlottesville to Fredericksburg – as well as the long trek from Virginia to New York nearly 2 years ago. We had taken good care of it, but you never know with changes in temperature and location how a wine will fare.

After letting it breathe for a while, I’m happy to say it was one of the finest bottles of red wine we had ever tasted. Smooth and mellow after nearly 10 years in the bottle, it was everything we hoped it would be. Now bear with me, as I attempt to explain what wine-lovers take for granted, and what Heather and I experienced again this weekend:

Somehow the planets aligned this last weekend, and Heather and I were able to celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary kid-free over the weekend at Niagara On The Lake. Looking wistfully back now, I have to say it was one of our best anniversaries EVER.

Up until Friday, I had only driven through the town, so it was wonderful to take some time, relax, and talk to people there. We saw a great show at the Shaw Festival Theater Friday night: Mack and Mabel. And the Shaw Club Hotel where we stayed was just tremendous.

I’ve never been to a hotel with so many amenities! They thought of everything: light switches and automatic shades controlled from the bed, an iPod compatible sound system, 42” plasma TV in the room, another TV in the bathroom, a soaker tub, free DVD rentals and European breakfast – it was phenomenal!

We also had one of the best meals of our lives Saturday night at Zee’s Grille. The chef really took care of us, coming out and making sure we were happy; everything was top-notch.

As you can see, the weather was gorgeous. Everything was in bloom, so we took advantage and toured some wineries, walked along the beach, strolled through town, and had a great time. If you’re looking for a place to spend a romantic weekend, I give this idyllic little town my highest personal recommendation.

Tulips, horse-drawn carriages – take away the pickup and the street light (left), and it could be springtime 1860! Niagara-On-The-Lake is truly a magical place.

–Brian

What is the best recipe for beating the mid-Winter blues? A family trip to Toronto!

We took the brood up North again last weekend for a series of station “remotes,” and had a great time. I’m always amazed at all there is to do up there – you really can’t do it all in a weekend, but we did quite a bit:

Headquarters was the palatial Sheraton Toronto Centre, which I would highly recommend to anyone traveling through. Fabulous service, and you can’t beat a heated pool that’s half inside and half outside. It’s fun to be have snowflakes falling on you in 90-degree water! (Picture above from our 38th floor room.)

Dinner and a show at Medieval Times. Eating with your hands, knights on horseback jousting and fighting with swords, what’s not to like! The kids were duly entertained, and enjoyed their plastic swords (left)

Finally, a romantic meal – kid-free – at the rotating 360 Restaurant at the CN Tower, overlooking the lovely Toronto skyline from the world’s highest free-standing structure.

When we returned, Mother Nature had deposited another foot and a half of ice and snow on the greater Buffalo area. How it was warmer and more temperate in the Great White North I’m not sure, but we’re looking forward to our next visit.
–Brian

When I was a teenager, filled with teenage angst, my parents took us to Toronto to the newly opened “Canada’s Wonderland.” Like a typical teen, I didn’t want to be seen with my family, so I walked separately and tried to act cool…which was difficult since I hadn’t packed shorts, and it was sunny and in the upper 80s at the amusement park. My brothers still joke about the black jeans.

Sadly, that was my last memory of Toronto, until this past weekend. I had a great time, this time with my wife and children, the latter of which who thankfully have yet to experience teenage angst. We spent the weekend at the palatial Sheraton Centre, which almost would have been enough in and of itself! Quite a complex, including a massive 6 mile long underground mall, which I would imagine is going to be very welcome to residents in another couple of weeks up there. We also saw the CN Tower, and took in some great nightlife, all thanks to the radio station.

It was after midnight Saturday when Heather and I stumbled back to the hotel, but there were still people out and about as if it were 5pm. And Sunday morning, people were camped out partying in the street, waiting for the historic Santa Claus parade. It was a very different vibe up there, but quite a lot of fun, and I truly can’t wait to go back.

–Brian