Holiday, Toronto, Old Time Markets
Travel News - November 2005 Holiday Season Begins in the Mid-Atlantic!
Holiday Season Highlights in Mid-Atlantic, Highlights: Toronto, The OCEANAIRE, Maryland Tourism Update
CITYPEEK is pleased to launch its redesign. Our traffic has tripled and response to the new site have been: “Your CITYPEEK site is so easy to navigate, better than others city search guides like it” and “I Love your new citypeek city-search site. I found a hotel to stay at in Georgetown, DC and pet-friendly hotel in Ocean City!” We thank YOU, without your PEEKing, we would just be a pretty face. Come back often, changes happen daily.
We are constantly staying ahead of the curve to find you the best and most current happenings, places to shop and restaurants in Baltimore, Washington, DC, Delaware and Ocean City Beach, and South Florida. Due to the tough few months during hurricane season notes on Miami and Fort Lauderdale for all the (snow birds), will return in our next edition.
Dining in Toronto, Canada, Toronto Restaurants, Toronto Little Italy:
I just returned from Toronto, Canada for a Jewish philanthropy conference. It took only 1.5 hours to get there from Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport). The sophisticated, Canadian town was as I remembered it, clean, easy-to-navigate, safe and full of great shops and excellent Toronto restaurants.
The hottest spot today is SASSAFRAZ, (Toronto Yorkville, Toronto at 100 Cumberland St) and highly recommended. I booked my meal ahead of time on opentable.com to make sure we got in. It is THE restaurants that celebs come to from all over. The service was excellent from entering the door, the wine list was extensive, enjoyed Dominus’ Napanook 2002 Cabernet. But first, Manager Mark Cuff insisted we sample the house cocktails he explains “Are the best in the world, supremely delicious”. And yes, they truly are amazing. The raspberry Collins was something you would think you drink after a workout, the margarita with chipped ice, superb. We had amuse bouche and a special sampling of roasted artichoke soup-YUM! The fois gras was delish and the filet superb. Thank you Toronto SASSAFRAZ, CITYPEEK loved the experience! http://www.sassafraz.ca/
An extremely large group, 60 of us dined at Coco Lezzone (http://www.coclezzone.com/ Little Italy, Toronto. The service was spectacular. We had to be served quickly, arrived at 6:20 PM as we needed to return to a meeting at 8. We were served drinks, appetizers and dinner, made-to-order in all of 1.25 hours. We even had time to spare. Owner Steven Salari also owns 65 DEGREES STEAKHOUSE @ 584 College Street. http://www.65degrees.com/
Toronto SHOPPING, Where to Shop Toronto, Toronto Boutiques:
Holt RENFREW-mix between Barney’s SAKS and Bergdorf Goodman’s-gorgeous merchandise. A recommended boutique is SANDRO Boutique in Yorkville and stroll up and down Cumberland, Queens Street near Little Italy is interesting. Remember your arts and visit the ROYAL YORK Museum off campus of the lovely University of Toronto. TIP: Subway is easy to use, just bring Canadian dollars for the token machine.
OCEAN CITY HOTEL HIGHLIGHT, Ocean CITY HOTEL from Governor's Conference on Tourism 2005
CAROUSEL HOTEL & RESORTwas the host hotel (Ocean City Mary Jo McCulloch and Glenette from MHLA did a marvelous job!Kudos to the silent auction committee of Ruth Waters from Harrison Group and Paula Fishback from Annapolis Tours & Watermark Cruises did a fabulous job. Rich Gilbert and Kat Evans were always on hand helping too. At the 25th Silver Anniversary Maryland Tourism Guru Dennis Castleman did the limbo, Dorothy Hamill skated in the Carousel Hotel, the Town of Ocean City, Martha Clements, Fred Wise, Ocean City Hotel Motel Restaurant (HMRA) Susan Jones opened their arms to us. Governor Erlich said that Tourism brings in over $9 billion (4.8% increase from last year!) and over 100,000 state citizens are employed with tourism in Maryland . BRAC is a new business bringing in over 6,000 employees.
The state named Ocean City hotelier Leonard P. Berger the recipient of this year's William Donald Schaefer Tourism Award, which recognizes individuals who have contributed to Maryland's $9.3 billion tourism industry. Governor Schaefer, currently Maryland’s comptroller, presented the award to Dr. Berger, president & CEO of the Clarion Resort Fontainebleau Hotel, (see Clarion @ CITYpeek.com Ocean City Hotels) and brought down the house as only he can do! Dr. Berger is chairman & president of the Governor's Economic Development Committee of Ocean City and sits on the Ocean City Tourism Commission's board.
The Carousel Hotel & Resort in Ocean City did a phenomenal job. The venue was intimate, staff friendly and well-informed and ice rink hosting Dorothy Hamill was a real thrill. It was delightful to be a part of the Maryland Tourism Community. Lindy Kosydar, director of operations and her team were terrific. They even go the extra mile and supply heaters to those needy of such touches. You can easily check them out on the CITYPEEK OCEAN CITY Hotel @ CITYpeek.com Ocean City Hotels.
Coffee Talk: STARBUCKS COFFEE hits Baltimore! You can now get a Starbucks soy, skim latte or frappacino in downtown Baltimore across the street from the Hippodrome Theatre. The cafe's presence on Baltimore’s west side is expected to boost economic development in the newly revitalized area. The new Starbucks is at Baltimore’s Centerpoint, a 392-unit apartment complex.
Baltimore, Maryland is known for its old-time open markets. They are microcosms of the area’s they inhabit. They are places to meet and greet, to buy your necessities, to stroll and feel safe. The vendors are your friends and eventually, feel like family knowing just what you walked up to their stall for. Baltimore Market’s: As Whole Food’s, Trader Joe’s (Pikesville & Towson) and Weggmann’s (Hunt Valley) take over the county and parts of the city (visit Whole Foods in Harbor East @ http://www.citypeek.com/citypeek-root1/Baltimore_Shopping.htm), the city still thrives on its open markets. Federal Hill’s Cross Street Market’s $1.3 renovations are complete. Buy your family some of the best meats, veggies and salad at . 23 vendors strong.
Cross Street market is a landmark, established in 1845, to visit when downtown in Federal Hill. Did you know that Lexington Market is the world’s largest continuously running open-stall market? It’s tenant, Faidley’s Seafood, our choice for best crabcake in Baltimore was founded in 1886 and Mary Mervis Delicatessan began in 1913. Fells Point’s Broadway Market began in 1784 to support what was then and still is the Fells Point waterfront community! Gaines McHale Antiques & Home, a Baltimore antique store, French and English antiques and great home furnishing antiques,had a grand opening October 11 in their new Harbor East location. Gaines McHale Antiques, one of Baltimore’s Best Places to antique shop. See them @ CITYpeek.com Baltimore Shopping.
SPORTS ATTRACTION, BALTIMORE MUSEUM, Baltimore SPORTS HIGHLIGHT
Named one of “six new museums you must see” by USA Today, Sports Legends at Camden Yards is a journey through Maryland’s unique sports history as it has played out on the national stage. Housed inside beautifully restored Camden Station, Sports Legends is perfect for fans, families, and kids with interactive exhibits and entertaining videos. Orioles, Colts, Ravens, Blast, etc. The museum is convenient to the Inner Harbor, light rail and on The Big Bus’s tour route. Visit Sports Legends keepers of Maryland’s sports lore and “Baltimore’s snazziest new downtown attraction” (United Airlines’ Hemispheres). 410-727-1539 SportsLegendsatCamdenYards.com.
Baltimore-DC Restaurant, New Miami Restaurant HIGHLIGHT: Baltimore : THE OCEANAIRE, Seafood Room OCEANAIRE, DC OCEANAIRE, and Winter 2005: Philadelphia Oceanaire and MIAMI, FL OCEANAIRE in Mary Brickell Village Project, 950 S. Miami Avenue. See other Miami information @ CITYpeek.com Miami
My OCEANAIRE Seafood Room opening was shared by concierges like Dee Horan, Richard Arrington, Marriott WATERFRONT HOTEL, Tammy Stone from one of Baltimore 's Best Steakhouses Capital Grille and Michael, AMERICAN LIMOUSINE. Seated next door was Harriet Goldberg, Concierge Plus and Dr. Retail, Joyce Baker. Relax with the warm colors of the décor, veggies on the table with a type of fish like herring in the center as relish, the BLT salad, crabcakes (my Baltimore friend in DC says that OCEANAIRE’s are the BEST... http://www.citypeek.com/ also recommends crabcakes from SPEAKEASY in CANTON, FAIDLEY’s in LEXINGTON MARKET, PRIME RIB of Baltimore, DC and PHILADELPHIA and OREGON GRILLE crabcakes. But, I stray—OCEANAIRE Baltimore topped off the event by serving baked Alaska and warm chocolate chip cookies & milk. NATE BEACHLER, GM/Partner and Paul Jarrett, Executive Chef/Partner did a lovely job. We wish you all of the best at one of Baltimore’s hottest growing area’s HARBOR EAST. Spotted HARBOR EAST Marketing exec, Kristin Doehring and developers, the Paterakis men, enjoying the lunch. You may reach OCEANAIRE by calling @ 443-872-0000. Tell Nate CITYPEEK.com sent you!
See more of Baltimore’s Best Restaurants like Baltimore LITTLE ITALY: DELLA NOTTE & LA TAVOLA or WINE MARKET in Federal Hill or go back and try PHILLIPS SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS and try their new SHRIMP SENSATIONS through the end of December. We loved the shrimp pasta with penne & tomato and the Carolina Shrimp Casino dishes! Phillips is in Baltimore, Washington DC in the area, Myrtle Beach, SC and soon to open in Atlantic City for all of the gamblers out there. Find PHILLIPS SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS on the restaurant pages at CITYpeek.com Baltimore or DC Restaurants CITYpeek.com DC or Ocean City Restaurants @CITYpeek.com Ocean City or Miami Restaurants and click on best restaurants.
Did you know? C MART Discount, Baltimore bought out New Orleans SAKS 5th Avenue? CITYPEEK found phenomenal buys 50% off ticket price of woman couture and now wears Dana Buchman suits and Juicy jeans with pride. You know I did “C YOU AT CMART!” The new store is wonderful and easy to find. See C MART (truly one of Baltimore’s Best Shopping) @ CITYpeek.com Baltimore Shopping as well as Arundel Mills or Beadazzled for Holiday shopping deals!
DID YOU KNOW? Baltimore Marathon thinks it brought $1.5 million in revenue partially due because of out-of-town runners/visitors. Under Armour boasted the lead sponsor. Maryland Delegate Catherine Pugh, responsible for bringing the marathon to Baltimore just published a book of poems. You can come to her book signing on Dec 3rd. Contact cepughco@aol.com.
DID YOU KNOW? Baltimore Ice Rink at Harbor Point, the city’s outdoor ice rink, will not open for the 2005-2006 season as the owner and partners form an advisory committee to locate and secure a new operator for the seasonal attraction. Since Dec. 2003, the NHL regulation size rink has attracted 25,000+ visitors, hosted an exhibition game featuring current and former NHL players and clinics.
Baltimore-DC EVENTS, Baltimore Nightlife, DC Nighlife, OCEAN CITY HOLIDAY EVENTS
November 26, 12-4 PM - Sports Legends Garage Sale: Stuffed with turkey and need to get out? Don't want to fight lines at the shopping mall? Head down to Camden Station where Sports Legends will be hosting its 1st garage sale. Old exhibit materials, cases, shelving and more. Free.
DID YOU KNOW? Baltimore CRAB STATUTES go to Auction Chicago had COWS on parade, Ocean City had Sand Pipers, Miami has Flamingos, just saw Toronto MOOSE and now Baltimore CRABS are going to auction on Nov 19 @ MD School for the Arts, 6:30 PM- features an array of crab treats, cocktails and live music by a Cajun/Zydeco group, the Crawdaddies. $125/person. www.crabtown.org for info. Crabs not sold will be auctioned off on EBAY, so stay tuned!
OCEAN CITY, Maryland Holidays, Rehoboth Holiday Shopping & Hotel Package Deal:
Winterfest of Lights - Celebrate the holidays in your favorite summer place as Ocean City lights up the season with the 13th Annual Winterfest of Lights from Nov. 17, running nightly-Jan. 2. Children of all ages enjoy hopping aboard the Winterfest Express Tram for a delightful ride through a fantasyland of colorful lights and animated displays at Northside Park. All throughout the town there’s close to a million glittering lights on display. See more about OFFICIAL OCEAN CITY Events on CITYPEEK @ CITYpeek.com Ocean City
Annual Ocean City Christmas Parade marches Saturday, December 3, 11 AM along Coastal Highway in the vicinity of the Gold Coast Mall featuring fantastic marching bands, colorful floats.
2005 Holiday Season in & around Cumberland and Allegany County, MD.
Explore highlights of our holiday offerings,including daytime and nighttime children's Santa trains on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, the breathtaking City of Cumberland Victorian tree lighting ceremony and annual Mountain Reflections light display at Rocky Gap State Park http://www.mdmountainside.com/
Rehoboth, DELAWARE Shop 'Til You DropVisit the Tanger Rehoboth Outlets with over 140 tax-free stores. After shopping, put your feet up and relax. Use your gift certificate and coupons for bigger savings. Package includes: one night's accommodations at the Comfort Inn Rehoboth; deluxe continental breakfast; $10 gift certificate for Tanger Rehoboth Outlets; voucher for $400 coupon book for Tanger Rehoboth Outlets.$85-$268, includes package items, room & tax for single or double. Prices vary upon date of arrival & room type.
Academy of Hospitality & Tourism HOLIDAY BASH-December 7, 200 5 Tremont Grand Hotel, downtown Baltimore- more details @CITYpeek.com Baltimore Events
Baltimore Magazine's Top Singles Party-always a hit December 8, 2005. See details on the banner ad or the description on the page @ CITYpeek.com Baltimore Events \
The Volvo Ocean Race officially kicked off on Saturday, November 12 with leg one of the race from Vigo, Spain, to Cape Town, South Africa. Be a part of the race from the start as the ships head toward the Volvo Race Baltimore/Annapolis stopover in April 2006 culminating with the Baltimore Waterfront Festival.
Coming Soon: Museum highlight of Mr. Steve Geppi's Entertainment Museum (opening Spring 2006 with Wendy Kelmanat the Director's helm and Julie Stewart (Sales) and Washington, DC's Corcoran Gallery's Andy Warhol exhibit. Exclusive Shopping Ideas
Job Opportunities:
Job Seeker, well-rounded and will be graduating MBA in Finance from UB Dec. 2005 and job experience in tourism. Seeks situation to help a company grow their business via strategic decision making and lean management. Any requests to review resume, contact CEO@citypeek.com.
http://www.citypeek.com/ is hiring a CITY sales director in DC and N. VA area: Self starter, commision based and strong sales knowledge of the hospitality industry a plus. Full-part time, 50-70k 1st year. ceo@citypeek.com
Cheers for now. Email ceo@citypeek.com about you’re newest, freshest and best. CITYPEEK is proud of it’s over 20,000 readers of this e-news and 4 million hits on http://www.citypeek.com/ in our first year. To refer a business or be involved, email patti@citypeek.com.
Happy Holidays!
Patti Neumann patti@citypeek.com
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