The best hot chocolate in Montreal. The list of 27 single origin Cacao Barry chocolate choices is very impressive! The way the hot chocolates are offered is quite interesting as well. You choose a chocolate from the list ranging from 29% white chocolate to 100% dark, with all the ranges in between. It comes to your table melted in a big cup with a side of hot chocolate “base” in dark, medium or light chocolate. You add as much of the base to your melted chocolate to make it the consistency you prefer. http://willtravelforfood.com/2011/10/18/montreal-best-hot-chocolate-cacao-70/

This little hideaway in a back alley, with its communal tables and chalkboard menus, is where I go with friends when we want to share snacks. They match wines to ‘tasting trios’ selected from their cheese and charcuterie cellar. It’s best to let your server make the choices.” (604) 633-1912. As told to Rhonda May. Photo by Grant Harder. This appeared in the September, 2012 issue. See all of Savannah Olsen’s favorite places in the Gastown neighborhood of Vancouver.

If you’re a coffee nerd, Revolver is the place to go for personal-size, pour-over coffees brewed from their unique lines of beans. Hang out for a while and you’ll run into everyone who lives at this end of Gastown. (604) 558-4444. As told to Rhonda May. Photo by Grant Harder. This appeared in the September, 2012 issue. See all of Savannah Olsen’s favorite places in the Gastown neighborhood of Vancouver.

The Lynn Canyon Suspension bridge is one of Lynn Valley's best kept secrets, in northern Vancouver. The 50 meter high bridge stretches accross a beautiful canyon with waterfalls and deep pools below. The best part is, that it is free of charge. Crossing the bridge is always an exciting experience, it bounces up and down and sways from side to side with every step. The bridge is quite narrow and crossing becomes a little nerve-racking when there are several others trying to cross at the same time. The view from the middle of the bridge is breathtaking!

The Carré Saint-Louis (also known as St. Louis Square) is one of Montréal's most literary streetscapes. Famed Québecois poets Émile Nelligan and Gaston Miron called this home. Brightly painted Victorian/Second Empire greystone rowhouses line the square--one of the best leafy spaces in the city. (It's been called "the closest thing to a European neighborhood square you'll find this side of the Atlantic" by the Project for Public Spaces.) A few blocks away is the fabled 'Schwartz's Deli;' grab a 'smoked-meat' to go, then come here to chow down by the fountain, surrounded by trees and 19th-century façades... (nearest subway: Sherbrooke station on the Orange Line)

Madre restaurant is good at any time but their brunches are definitely some of the best in the city. The poached eggs & chorizo bubbles with caramelized onions and the french toast are delicious! http://willtravelforfood.com/2010/12/08/best-brunch-in-montreal-madre/

Like the name says: just braised or slow-roasted meats, served on ciabatta buns. They are known for their hand-carved porchetta, but I order the daily special—that is, if I can get there before 2 p.m. The restaurant is first come, first served, so be prepared to line up. (604) 566-9003. As told to Rhonda May. Photo by Grant Harder. This appeared in the September, 2012 issue. See all of Savannah Olsen’s favorite places in the Gastown neighborhood of Vancouver.

Formerly a members-only spot, this is now the place where old Italians and young hipsters meet for expertly pulled espressos and a seat in a sunlit window. 180 rue Saint-Viateur Ouest, (514) 495-0114. More in Montreal:Drawn & Quarterly, an influential graphic novel publisher and retail shopDHC/Art, witty contemporary art  Photo by Alexi Hobbs. Read more about Matt Gross’s trip to Montreal.

At Bar Chef, owner Frankie Solarik’s mad-scientist bartenders wear porkpie hats that recall a classic speakeasy. But they mix modern potions. They inject their martinis with green olive–flavored foam and serve punch bowls such as the Jimmy Cliff, which combines thyme-infused rum, lime, vanilla syrup, and ginger beer. 472 Queen St. W., (416) 868-4800, barcheftoronto.com. This appeared in the September/October 2011 issue. Photo courtesy of Bar Chef. 

Black Rock Lodge is the ultimate Belizean jungle lodge, located a few miles outside San Ignacio and down a dirt road that leads you into a high-walled, karstic river valley. All the cabinas are perched on the hillside with spectacular river views and wildlife viewing opportunities from the front porch. The main dining area offers more opportunities to spot birds and monkeys on the opposing hillside or watch intrepid guests go over the waterfall on an inner tube directly below. The lodge is a great place to base yourself for a range of activities and sights, such as Maya ruins, cave exploration, canoeing and rafting, hiking and bird watching.

Jennifer MacKay’s clothing boutique is the go-to store for fashionable locals, who know they’ll find pieces exclusively in her shop. I have a weakness for the shoes. (604) 685-8885. As told to Rhonda May. Photo by Grant Harder. This appeared in the September, 2012 issue. See all of Savannah Olsen’s favorite places in the Gastown neighborhood of Vancouver.

These shops are located side by side and are owned by the same person, but the former carries only women’s fashion, while the latter—and newer—caters to both men and women. The clothing, jewelry, and accessories at One of a Few definitely bring out one’s girly side. (604) 605-0685 (Two of a Few is located at 356 Water St., (604) 685-0630). As told to Rhonda May. Photo by Grant Harder. This appeared in the September, 2012 issue. See all of Savannah Olsen’s favorite places in the Gastown neighborhood of Vancouver.

The hotel occupies three historic buildings in Québec’s old port. Its 95 rooms are decorated with artifacts (such as ceramics, vials, and buttons) found during archaeological digs on the property’s 300-year-old site. Doubles from $189. 8 Rue Saint-Antoine, Québec City, (418) 692-2211. Photo by Authentik Canada/Flickr.com. This appeared in the January/February 2013 issue.

A city on an island with a mountain in the middle--along with its compelling geography, Montréal's multicultural past and present make it one of the most fascinating urban destinations in North America. (After Paris, Montréal is the second-largest French-speaking city in the world; as a visitor, though, you can mostly get by in English.) From the top of Mont Royal (the city's namesake), you get this view over downtown and the St. Lawrence River. F.L. Olmstead (the same guy who designed New York's Central Park), laid out the public park that includes 'the Mountain,' the city's forested and hilly heart... More about the park: http://montreal.com/parks/mtroyal.html

Possibly the most important and influential publishers of graphic novels in the last 20 years, Drawn & Quarterly has a must-visit shop in the cool Mile End neighborhood. It sells work from the extensive D&Q catalog (which includes Joe Sacco, Lynda Barry, and Adrian Tomine) and from other publishers. Check out 184 Rue Beaubien by local graphic artist Cyril Doisneau. 211 rue Bernard Ouest, (514) 279-2224, drawnandquarterly.com. More in Montreal:Club Social, a lively caféDHC/Art, witty contemporary art  Photo by Alexi Hobbs. Read more about Matt Gross’s trip to Montreal. 

Montreal is a wonderful city and the Bixi bike sharing system (http://montreal.bixi.com/) allows one to venture further and see other parts of the city. As the sun set, the Palais comes alive at night providing a glowing example of modern architecture not far from the Vieux Montreal area.