Honey West Restaurant & Lounge

The food and the service was excellent. We had Prosciutto Philo Chicken, their pizza of the day, Italian red wine and a refreshing original tasteful virgin drink (which was an impromptu out-of-the-menu request I asked from the bartender). The palate experience was really good.

However, if you pay for a 60-dollar two-head light lunch, you expect a little upscale ambiance. Until our food reached our table, we were whining about the restaurant atmosphere.

Overall, I think we paid more than we came in for.

Honey West Restaurant is in 399 Elizabeth St.

Montana's Mediteranean Goat Cheese Chicken

Visited Montana's lately? You should. Because the Mediteranean Goat Cheese Chicken on their new menu is really good.

Montana's Burlington is in 3040 Davidson Court. Haven't dined there yet. I'm a frequent visitor of one of their Oakville branches, though. Their service has always been superb. It's on 3537 Wyecroft Road.

Photo from their website.

Caffe Demetre

An awesome dessert place in Burlington. The ambiance is cozy, the staff is friendly, and the dessert menu? Name it, they have it. Ice cream, crepes, pies, cakes, smoothies, lattes, hot chocolate... create your own if you must! This is paradise for anybody with sweet cravings! The best way to end a good date.

A good crowd always makes a good ambiance. I remember the patio almost always full in the summer. I wouldn't wonder why. Caffe Demetre Burlington is located at 1250 Brant Street, (905)331-6007. Photos credited to their website.

The 5 Drive-In Theatre

I have a thing for big screens and surround sound so I was never a fan of drive-in theatres. But if

1. You think $11 is a good deal for two (or three) movies (or $5 every Tuesdays),
2. You want to snuggle comfortably in your car while watching movies (not bad for dates... or for tagging along sleeping babies?),
3. You don't mind the acoustics of your car stereo (you'll tune in to your theatre's frequency for the movie audio),
4. You need a playground to entertain your kid/s while you watch your movies, or
5. You simply want the 1950's drive-in theatre experience
   

then try 5 Drive-In in 2332 9th Line Oakville. Check out their website for rates, promos, and schedules. Photo borrowed from their website. I could not see myself bringing a camera in a movie theatre, sorry.

One more thing, 5-drive in requests no outside food. I'm appalled why some people would bring their own.

Philthy McNasty's

Friday dinner was Philthy McNasty's in Burlington (1250 Brant St., 905-3198555, http://www.philthymcnastys.com/). Their famous wings was good. But their virgin Strawberry-Banana Daiquiri and Philthy Cheesesteak fell below our expectations.

Overall, it's just your ordinary sports bar, with ordinary interiors, and not-so-good service.
Photo borrowed from their website.

Two Weekends Left: Tulip Celebration in the RBG!

Two weekends to go!


A spring bloom must see! Please allow my snapshots to speak for themselves.

Cherry Blossoms in Spencer Smith

One of the many reasons why a bike ride along Spencer Smith Park calms my many senses.

Spencer Smith park is the heart of downtown Burlington. Any Burlington visit will not be complete without stopping by Burlington's window to Lake Ontario.

Tulip Celebration at the Royal Botanical Gardens

I just love tulips! This weekend, the plan was to check out the Tulip Celebration at the Royal Botanical Gardens. I wanted get some flora inspiration. Maybe it could jump start my amateur photography skills (if there's even any).

Until I found out that the hubby needs to work tomorrow. Bummer.

Nevertheless, if you guys haven't come up with anything to do this weekend yet, you may want to check out RBG's world-famous Rock Garden. Not just for the tulips in spring bloom, but for scavenger hunt, bbq lunch, live classical music and some expert gardening Q&A. The Royal Botanical Garden is located at: 680 Plains Road West. The Tulip Celebration is scheduled May 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 to 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check out their website for more details: http://www.rbg.ca/. The photos for this blog entry are credited to their web page. I am so wishing to be there tomorrow, and post my own photos.

Blossom City Chinese Restaurant

Unless you are travelling by feet, you are likely to miss Blossom City in downtown Burlington. It is the only Chinese restaurant downtown, the prices are very reasonable, the service is good, and they claim no MSG in their food.

I've had more authentic Chinese food, but not here in Burlington. So if you find your shoes in downtown Burlington and feel like having Chinese a la carte, Blossom City is located at 403 Brant Street. Their contact number is (905) 634-4611.

Bar/Grill Review: Milestones Grill + Bar

Ambiance? Posh. Casual. But posh.

Cocktail must try? Bellini.

Food? A+++++

News Flash? This Wednesday, April 29 from 4pm to close, Milestones will be having their Free Date Night. When you order any appetizer, entrée, or both, your date gets theirs free. Check out their website for more details: http://www.milestonesrestaurants.com/.

My Milestones experience was in Oakville (3529 Wyecroft Rd), and the dining experience exceeded our expectations. Milestones Burlington is in 1200 Brant Street. The photo I used for this entry is credited to their website.

Burlington Mall Fair

I wasn't supposed to blog tonight. But did you know about the fair in Burlington Mall? I'm not sure for how long the fair was gonna be, but tomorrow's weather is a good time to enjoy their outdoor rides and the carnival games.

I peeked in to have some fries (which were actually tasty for outdoor fair fries) and take some photos. Enjoy!

Bar/Grill Review: Joe Dog's Gasbar Grill

When you want to set a casual mood to an otherwise uncomfortable date... head to Joe Dog's.

They have a sports bar ambiance, causal friendly crowd (and staff), patio dining, side alley chilling, game screens, live bands, signature cocktails, dj's and dancing! And, boy! Do they serve good food. Their Baked Garlic Shrimp is my fave-o-rite!

Check out their website for their daily deals: http://www.joedogs.com/index.php?section=burlington. Joe Dog's is located in 531 Brant Street. We're heading there again. Tonight.

Bistro Review: Pepperwood Bistro

Our Sunday brunch in Pepperwood Bistro was a delight in many ways.
- The 'Sunday Jazz Brunch' set a relaxing tone to our visit... I just love live music!
- The tasteful cozy lounges in the dining area were welcoming.
- The staff was warm and friendly.
- The 'Bistro Steak & Eggs' and 'Chateau Versailles Brie & Tomato Pizza' gave us a brunch experience like no other.

And we are definitely coming back. Here's why:
- The Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Dessert Menus are yet to be explored.
- The patio bistro, which gives a good view of Lake Ontario (and its passersby), is a perfect place to have a drink, now that we're experiencing this beautiful warm spring weather.
- Live Entertainment every Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights (from 9pm 'till close)!

Pepperwood Bistro is located at the heart of Burlington- in 1455 Lakeshore Road. The photo I used for this blog is credited to their website: http://www.pepperwood.on.ca/index2.html . I have a photo taken late winter/early spring... but their photo just better suits the upcoming summer!

Cafe Review: Coffee Culture

Cozy lounge chairs, wi-fi, cookies, pastries, cake slices, fresh-off-the-grill sandwiches, soup of the day... all in this coffee house. These are my reasons why I start my Fridates meeting up with my hubby in the Coffee Culture.

For a busy downtown cafe, this place has ample cozy-comfy seating. And while other coffee shops offer cold sandwiches, Coffee Culture's hot ciabatta subs plus soup of the day makes this cafe all the more my personal choice for chilling, blogging, reading a good book, or meeting up over a good cup of hot choco (my favorite).

Coffee Culture (http://www.coffeeculture.ca/) is located in 390 Brant Street.

Sugar Rush in Downtown Burlington

Craving for sweets? An afternoon walk in downtown Burlington will not only give you a good view of Lake Ontario. It will surely satisfy your sugar rush as well.

Along Lakeshore (corner Brant), The Big Sweet Candy Store will give you a trick or treat nostalgia. A few steps more and you're in front of RC's Boardwalk Fries & Ice Cream Parlour. You don't wanna skip through Crave though. They do serve good Gelato.

Turning right in Brant, Lakeview Pastry & Chocolates is impossible to miss. And right across it? You'll find Casteleyn Belgian Chocolates.

Resto Review: Paradiso

Paradiso tops my list of fine food in Burlington. Their cuisine is flavourful Mediterranean, their ambiance speaks of intimate elegance, their wine list boasts of variety, and the staff are friendly.

With their menu changing twice a year, the dining experience is Paradiso is something I look forward to when I crave for really good food. I remember ordering shrimp pasta in beer & tomato sauce in one visit, and pasta with blackend scallops the next. Good thing their 'Creme Brulee Trio' is the one thing constant in their menu on both occasions. The three creme brulee flavors satisty my sweet tooth in so many levels.

Paradiso Restaurant (http://www.paradisorestaurant.com/) is located in 2041 Pine St Burlington and 125 Lakeshore Rd E Oakville.

Spa Review: JeSpa House of Beauty & Wellness

I found my winter shoes on the doorsteps of JeSpa one day, to get my well-deserved overdue facial. I was warmly welcomed by their staff, who by the way, were prompt in answering email inquiries. JeSpa's atmosphere was serene. I was walked into a room fragrant with the scent of fruits and flowers, and was invited by a bed looking nothing like a spa bed. It was plush white, complete with bed warmer, down duvet and cotton bed covers. I was given a complimentary skin analysis before my Organic Oxygenating Facial. It helped me understand my skin type better.

What I loved about my JeSpa experience was that they went beyond taking care of just my face. I was treated to hand, arm and shoulder massages while waiting for my organic facial mask to settle. Yes, the natural aroma enveloping the room was most likely from the organic Eminence products they use; which not only relieved me from any chemical stinging sensation, but smothered me in a smell so delicious I felt fresh and rejuvenated even long after my 90-minute session. With a good balance of pamper and skin treatment, this House of Beauty and Wellness is worth a second shot.

JeSpa House of Beauty and Wellness (http://www.jespa.ca/flash.htm) is located in 600 Brant Street. You can contact 905-6312951 to book your next 'me' time.