Absolutely Necessary Things to Pack for a Visit to The Falls

Travel Tips

Each destination has its unique peculiarities, which means  when deciding what you will pack for a visit, there are particular things that will make your time there easier, or more fun, or more rewarding.
For a vacation in Niagara Falls, you need to pack all of the usual suspects – er , objects – that you would for a typical trip, but there are some things that will really make a difference.  Add the following things to your packing list, throw them into your suitcase and you’ll thank me for it!




1.A large clear plastic bag.  Why? If you own a good camera, you will want to protect it from the mist that is an almost permanent fixture at The Falls.  I like to have my camera ready, and I often carry it around my neck, but cover it with the plastic bag to keep it dry.  Sometimes you can use the plastic to shield the camera while you take a shot.  Also bring along some soft dry cloths to wipe any wayward water drops off the lens.  It is particularly important to protect your camera if you take a ride on the Maid of the Mist.  It is such a dramatic occaision for pictures, but the spray is intense.



2.  A folding umbrella – not for the rain, but for the spray if you are going to spend some time at the edge of The Falls and do not want to get soaked. (Actually, on a 30  degree day, it feels pretty good!)
3. A copy of the Frommers Niagara Region Guide that will tell you the best places to visit, eat and stay, and reveal insider tips you would never otherwise discover. (In the interest of full disclosure, I wrote the guide, but trust me when I tell you that it is a thorough and detailed guide, with lots of useful info.)

4. Your ipod or iphone – the Niagara Falls Adventure Pass lets you download a lively commentary for all of the places on the tour, with the history and lore you need to really appreciate what you are seeing.

5.  Some blank postcards and a good pen – for collecting autographs.  Niagara Falls attracts famous people like flies to honey.  There is seldom a week goes by without a notable character showing up Falls side.



6. a good pair of binoculars – that way you can visit the Canadian side of The Falls, but use your binos to get a close view of the American Falls, as well as the birds, Navy Island and the details of the rocks and islands at the top of The Falls.

7. Motion sickness pills – if you stay in The Tower Hotel – which stands atop a 500 foot tall tower – you might need them.  One whole wall of each room is all windows, and the tower will sway slightly if the wind is a bit agressive.  Very exciting, but maybe a bit queasy for a delicate tummy.



8. Your lucky rabbit foot, four leaf clover, or lucky charm – you will want to visit the glamourous Fallsview Casino, and with luck you may leave richer than you arrived.  (You will have a good time even if you loose a bit of coin.)

9. Your favourite mantra – the  Cham Shan Budhist Temple (aka The Ten Thousand Budha Temple of Peace) is a special building that you will not want to miss.  A little contemplation and some time to appreciate the truly special architecture here will put you in a Zen state of mind.



10. An easily washed, stain resistant t-shirt .  Niagara Falls is a surprising hotbed of Italian cusine, due mostly to extensive Italian immigration after WWI and WWII.  Places like Antica Pizza, or Mamma Mia’s offer up slurpy family-style plates of pasta, meatballs  and pizza – messy but delicious and affordable  and not to be missed. Just like Mamma used to make, – if Mamma was named Gina or Serafina.

Local Author Celebrates Local Flavours

 

 

Pssst!  Want to know who is growing fresh garlic?  Gourd zucchini? Micro-greens? Heritage tomatoes? ...

Ask this lady.  She'll likely know. 

She's Lynn Ogryzlo.  Here you see her teaching a class on preserves, and, while she does do many cooking classes, her real passion is for writing cookbooks.  Not just your run of the mill cookbooks, but books that are tied so closely to the land they are inspired by that you can almost smell the fresh veggies.

Her first cookbook, Niagara Cooks - From Farm To Table, won the award for best local cookbook in the world.  It is an inspiring chronicle of the people and the farms and producers in Niagara who are growing and making wonderful things for our table.  It's a treasure trove of information on where to get the best produce and the hard-to-find ingredients and who to get them from.  In addition to that information, she supplies easy to make recipes for the ingredients, with the final products lovingly photographed by her husband, John.  Each recipe has a backstory, making it the kind of cookbook that I love, not just a collection of impersonal recipes, but an inspiring read as well as an instructional one.

 
Her follow-up book, Niagara Cooks - A Seasonal Attitude - chronicles the bounty of Niagara through all four seasons, again compiling the stories of the growers and producers who inspired her.

In her next book, she expands her territory and explores the culinary richness of the entire province, in The Ontario Table, again beautifully illustrated with John's photos.

All three are gorgeous books, and they are particular favourites of mine because of the philosophy that is their context - that we should get to know our local farmers, that we should use and celebrate the wonderful things that grow in our back yards, and that we should, in a simple and joyous way, appreciate theexcellent variety of our (metaphorical and literal) table.






You can find Lynn's book at many outlets in Niagara or order them from her website here.

Local Gems: Cake & Loaf

Nickey and Josie are the spirit and energy behind this new bakery on Dundurn in Hamilton.

If for no other reason, come here for the Nanaimo Bars.   They are addictive, in a very good way.  Made completely from scratch, including the custard centre which is almost always made from a powder, even by home cooks, these bars are the best I have ever had. (Sorry, Mom!)

There are many more reasons to visit. These two young ladies, who met at Niagara College while both were taking the Baking Apprentice course, and reconnected on Facebook, opened Cake & Loaf Bakery  at the end of August in 2011, and have been local favourites ever since. Their passion is centred on local and fresh ingredients and a committment to connecting with a community of local farmers and suppliers.
"If I had to sum up our philosophy" says Josie, "I would say we believe in local and fresh, without messing it up too much!"  They are seriously dedicated to supporting local farmers, and making everything from scratch.
There are several savoury dishes on the menu, prepared by local chef Sarah Guinan, as well as freshly baked breads, vegan specialties, great baked goods and coffee from Detour Coffee.

The proof is in the eating.
Grab a selection of the delectable desserts for your family, for your friends at work, or for yourself. Everything hs been freshly made, with no pre-made additives, from fresh butter, farm eggs and local flour from Oak Manor.

 A favourite with children is the Ginger Crinkle Cookie.

 Imagine a cup of tea and a slab of the Cake & Loaf's  S'mores, - they even make their own graham crackers.

Pecan bars are loaded with nuts.

And the brownies are dense, intense and decadent.

Drop in to this local bakery which is dedicated to the best ingredients, and whose baking is top quality.
And keep an eye out for their summer specials - Ice Cream sandwiches made from freshly homemade ice cream, and individualized picnic baskets for summer excursions, weekend getaways or hostess gifts.

Cake & Loaf Bakery
Nicole Sherman and Josie Rudderham
321 Dundurn St. S.
Hamilton
289.239.6581
www.cakeandloaf.ca

DeLuca's Wine Country Bistro: Superb Dining in Niagara

There are so many good places for lunch or dinner in the Niagara Region that sometimes it's hard to choose. Niagara-on-the-Lake has numerous popular restaurants, and all throughout wine country, there are culinary gems. But some are better than others, and some suit your travel plans more accurately. If you are touring the Niagara-on-the-Lake wine appellation area, or if you have plans for either an afternoon or evening performance at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, DeLuca's is a superb choice.

It's close enough to NOTL that you can be at the theatre fifteen minutes after you finish dessert, and it's smack in the centre of the appellation. The bistro is intimate and welcoming, prices are reasonable and the food is consistently wonderful.
Anyone who has been around Niagara for a while knows Chef Tony DeLuca. All of his food initiatives have been stellar, but this new restaurant, DeLuca’s Wine Country Bistro, is one of his best. The small, artfully decorated resto is just outside of NOTL, right across from Jackson-Triggs Winery. The decor is warm and inviting, the food innovative without being overwhelming.
For a recent lunch, Tony was offering his market inspired baked egg special, which varies often. This day it was topped with smoked salmon and accompanied by an asparagus and rocket salad and fresh crostini. ($11)

His Mac’N’ Cheese is a heart-warming riff on this childhood favourite, with brussel sprouts, Niagara Gold cheese and chorizo sausage topped with shitake crumbs.($9)

This classic Shepherd’s pie is a real new twist – made with braised pork shoulder and spring vegetables, and horseradish infused cheddar mash piped on top. Rich but delicious, and not too large a portion for lunch. ($16)

Brown Bag Salmon comes in – a brown paper bag! – perfectly steamed, with a maple glaze, wild rice and spring greens. (($18)

The sandwich was a house smoked brisket sandwich served with aged cheddar, cracked mustard, cabernet pear relish and napa slaw. (($14)

Desserts change with the season, and there are many lovely Niagara wines, by the bottle or the glass, to enjoy with your lunch.
This is one of my favourite places to dine in Niagara, either as a special destination meal, or a great lunch stop on the way to the Shaw Festival.

DeLuca’s Wine Country Restaurant
111C Garrison Village Drive
Niagara-on-the-Lake
(across from Jackson-Triggs and Stratus on Highway 55, Niagara Stone Road)
905-468-7900
www.tonydeluca.ca

Ravine Bistro- Perfect Niagara Dining

A Vineyard Bistro - with Vibe, Vino and Very Good Food

Any Friday night this summer, you might consider a visit to Ravine Winery - there will be fresh oysters from Rodney's, excellent Ravine Riesling and Chardonnay to wash them down with, and live music by the Waxbills, a local folk/rock group. Sit around the outdoor bar and barbecue, and enjoy a Niagara night in the vineyard.

The Bistro is also a special place for a vineyard lunch. The fare is traditional French bistro with a local accent. For starters, there's a very good pate de campagne served with picked mushrooms frisee and a chunky apple salsa, or the warm salad, with braised ham hock, frisee, caramelized mushrooms, and a maple Dijon vinaigrette.






Mains include an excellent version of the classic steak frites , Croque Madame, and moules served in several different versions.



Dessert the day I was there included a strawberry shortcake with vanilla chantilly, or an assortment of chocolate delights. The same menu is served for lunch and dinner.



The wine list is a wise one, with good selections decided on by the young and perspicacious sommelier, Alex Harber. He's smart enough to include the wines that Ravine does best - the Riesling, the chardonnays and the cab francs, and generous enough to include the best of his wine producing neighbours. So you will find Stratus' 2007 "Tollgate", an excellent value at $9 a glass, as well as the delicious Megalomaniac 2007 Statement Cabernet Sauvignion (($14.50 a glass).

Afterwards browse the little deli in the old summer kitchen for freshly baked breads, baked goods, sauces, and gourmet items.



Then you can linger in the tasting bar to try other wines that the vineyard produces.


The venue is attractive - with a clean 'Christopher Pratt' style minimalism that is both nice to look at and inviting.



I predict that Ravine is going to be a huge success story in the area. So drive out to St. Davids and experience it now, and bring your friends. They'll thank you for introducing them to Ravine.

Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery
905/262-8463
www.ravinevineyard.com

The Dundas Valley School of Art Auction: Celebrate Art and Support A Great Art School

I took my first class at the DVSA in 1971, from the then director, Mario Polidori, and like countless other students, fell in love with him, and the school.
All these years later, I still take classes there and consider it a familiar and welcoming haven. You'd think, after all the classes I've taken that I'd be Monet by now, but no, I never have learned enough or practiced enough. Besides, the school has become one of my favourite places to be.


This weekend, the school will unveil its newly renovated self - and I think everyone, including past and present students will be thrilled with the results. The spaces are larger, the light has increased, and there will now be air conditioning! The reno has made the necesssary improvements without destroying the charm.


This weekend marks the 41st Art Auction, held annually to raise money for the school. Teachers, students and national and international artists contribute work to the aution.

There's a silent auction and a live auction, with the action starting at 7 pm Saturday, April 30th. Previews started on Thursday and run until 6 pm on Saturday.


Even if you don't scoop up an art bargain, the evening is a blast. It's always crowded, always noisy, and the auctioneer, Nello Romagnoli, is one of the wittiest men I have encountered. The live auction is exciting spectator sport.

Come out and enjoy a great night of art and conversation with like minded art lovers, and support one of the best little art schools in Canada.




When: April 30, 2011, 7 pm.
Where : Dundas Valley School of Art, 21 Ogilvie St., Dundas, 905.628.6357, www.dvsa.ca
Cost: $25 advance, $30 at the door.