Embracing Adventure
Warmer months are around the corner and that means you can break out your hiking shoes, summer tires, and backpacks. Here is some inspiration for your Newfoundland adventure season.
We would love to answer your travel-related questions. Just shoot us an email, leave a comment below, or reach out on social media (@twowildtides). We’d also love to hear about your NL roadtrip experiences! What are your favourite places to visit? We love hearing from our readers!
Every year, the Restaurant Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (RANL) puts off an amazing event that highlights local restaurants, food and beverage distributors, and businesspeople. It’s called the Savour Food and Wine Show, and this year, I was lucky enough to attend.
For those who don’t know what to expect at this type of event (because I didn’t), there are booths with local food and beverage samples that you get to try. You can mingle, chat with patrons and vendors, try some delicious snacks and drinks, and then vote on your favourites. There are also lifestyle booths and musical performances to take in.
I loved the Savour Food and Wine Show for the excellent selection of vendors (over 50!!), the friendly and helpful volunteers, and the logistics of the event– there were no lineups, traffic jams, or major hiccups (that I could observe as a guest). The venue was perfect: the Delta Hotel and Conference Centre is well-known and centrally located. After the show, my friend and I even stopped in the newly-renovated lobby bar for a final drink to end the night, which was lovely. If you attend the 2020 Savour Food and Wine Show, I highly recommend booking a room and making a night of it!
Let’s talk about favourites:
I stopped by several food tables. Restaurants at the event included local hotspots such as Adelaide Oyster House, Sushi Nami Royale, Ches’s Fish and Chips, Chinched, Gypsy Tea Room, Coffee Matters, and Piatto Pizzeria. There were also newer or less well-known restaurants like Moxie’s, Green Door, Quesada, and PJ Billington’s. My most memorable bites were the chicken and mushroom rigatoni from Moxie’s, the hand rolls from Sushi Nami Royale, and the miso and sweet potato cheesecake from Green Door. Click on the pictures below for a closer look.
I made sure I stopped by each and every beverage table (haha). There was such a wide variety of alcohol available. There was, of course, many types of wine, but there was also Palm Bay, Disaronno Amaretto, spiced rum, beer, cider, whisky, Newfie Screech, and vodka. My favourite wines, although not pictured, were the Yellowtail Pinot Grigio (which has been a go-to for me for quite some time) and the Auk Island Winery Vinland Red. Other standout beverages were the Maker’s Mark Whisky cocktails, Palm Bay’s new mimosas and rosés, Landwash Brewery’s ‘Smiling Land’ brew, and Rock Spirits’ sangria selection.
I also want to give a shoutout to NL Fruit Bouquets for their scrumptious banana split bites. I could have eaten that whole platter!!
Overall, RANL’s Savour Food and Wine Show was such a fun event. It opened my eyes to new restaurants and liquor to try and old favourites that I plan on revisiting soon. I am already planning Savour Food and Wine Show 2020 with my mom because I know she’ll love it and I am already itching to go again. Please reach out to us if you have any questions about the event or I am sure RANL will be happy to answer your questions as well. Let us know if you plan on attending next year! Did you go this year? What were your faves? Leave us a comment below or on social media, @twowildtides.
Please check out RANL: online, on Facebook, and on Instagram. You can visit the Savour Food and Wine Show Facebook page here— be sure to give them a like to be kept updated about future events!
xoxo,
char
Winter is fast approaching. One of the best things about Winter is the hot drinks; coffees or cocoa in cute cafes with friends and family. Don’t get us wrong, we love visiting cafes to study or meet friends all year round, but there is something extra special about it in the wintertime.
Here are the coziest coffee spots in St. John’s:
Rocket Bakery. Could you guess this one would be on the list? The Rocket is a YYT staple. They have the best food, staff, and entertainment in the city (or at least I think so). If you can get a table, it’s a great place to hang out with friends, have a lunch, or chat with someone new. It can be a bit noisy and busy, so I wouldn’t bank on getting a lot of studying done here. Definitely a cozy place to escape the weather and maybe even grab some local Christmas gifts!
Jumping Bean, Elizabeth Avenue. (a.k.a. business meeting central of St. John’s) Here you’ll find the best coffee in the city and some healthy (or not) treats. I also recommend the veggie breakfast sandwich. Yum. Its centralized location makes it a great meeting place for new and old friends. Jumping Bean Kelsey Drive is a close second, and since it is newer, less well-known, and more out of the way, it is always quieter, which sometimes makes it even more appealing.
Starbucks Kenmount Road. I’m not big on Starbucks, but sometimes it is the most convenient option. Out of all the Starbucks in the city (and there are quite a few– the mall, Torbay Road, Stavanger Drive, Topsail Road, Water Street, Chapters…), this one is my favourite. I think it is the most comfortable and cozy; and although I hate Kenmount Road, it is the most convenient meeting point for friends and family from out of town who are visiting and want to grab a coffee.
Second Cup, Stavanger Drive. I love Second Cup for one reason: their London Fog. Linds introduced me to it back in our York days, and it changed my life. The London Fog is the ultimate cozy-day drink and Second Cup makes the best one, hands down. The London Fog is one of very few reasons I will go to a chain over a local cafe. I’m not exaggerating here. It’s a great place to study as it is pretty quiet and low key. It’s also the perfect place to chill out post-Stavanger Drive Christmas shopping.
Fixed Coffee, Duckworth Street. This is the most eclectic little cafe. Great coffee, great tea, chill vibes, cute succulents. A nice place for deep chats and long dates. 10/10 recommend.
Battery Cafe. This gem is located on the corner of Battery Road, at 1 Duckworth Street. It might be tiny and crammed, but you won’t find friendlier staff or a nicer neighbourhood anywhere else in the city. I love the oatmeal and the sandwiches. This cafe is a great stop if you’re out on a wintery walk in the lower battery and want to escape the cold; or if you’re headed up to Signal Hill for a first, second, or twentieth date; or if you just need to get away from it all for a little while.
These aren’t the only great coffee shops in the city, but they are my go-to’s. What is your favourite cafe in St. John’s? Leave us a comment or tag us in your pictures on social media. We love hearing from our readers!
xoxo,
char
Baycation (n): a vacation around the bay. Not too far from home, limited travel time, and cost-effective; while still providing luxury and a break from real life. A getaway. Baycations have been known to reignite a pride in one’s home province as people realize the sheer beauty of their own backyards.
Whale House Guest House is a modern, eco-friendly boutique style accommodation; the only of its kind in the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, in the small town of Mobile. Located only about 40 minutes outside the heart of St. John’s, Newfoundland, one can escape from the city for a night or two by themselves or with a loved one without straying too far from the city. The best part? They are open year-round, so you can take your getaway at any time.
Located right on the East Coast Trail next to the most popular hiking and snowshoe trails, Whale House provides the perfect break for tired hikers after long days on the trails. The owners, who epitomize the well-known trait of good ol’ Newfoundland hospitality, will even shuttle your bags and belongings to your next trail stop so you don’t have to carry them with you that day.
With quirky and unique touches such as ducks in their own treehouse, pineapple crush in the mini-fridge, and nan’s homemade quilts, Whale House will steal your heart (without stealing the contents of your wallet). Keep reading for more about our stay in the Humpback Suite.
Perfectly located within the town of Mobile, Whale House is only a minutes-long walk to beaches, East Coast Trail trailheads, the wine shop, a corner store, and boat tours. There are also a number of great restaurants and coffee shops in the area. Whale House gets its name from its close proximity to the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, where at certain times of the year, whales come to feed and play. From Whale House, you can see out over Mobile Bay, which is a humpback feeding ground, making it one of the best places in the province to spot whales. It was only fitting that we stayed in the Humpback Suite.
The Humpback Suite is a cozy and comfortable, yet modern and chic guest room, perfect for a couple or solo traveller. All of the beds are handmade by local craftsmen (you know how we love supporting local businesses and creators!!) from 100% natural wood that is free from chemicals. When you toss yourself on the bed and bury your face in the pillows, you’ll even notice a subtle aroma of essential oils. It is little touches like this that make your stay meaningful and memorable.
This suite is one of only two guest rooms that have a hot tub– relaxing in the eco hot tub with the cool air nipping my cheeks and the stars twinkling in the sky was the perfect way to unwind. Due to the low levels of light pollution out in Mobile, on a clear night, one can see constellations and planets that you would never be able to see in the city. Marty and Amanda, the owners of Whale House, never failed to keep the environment in mind when designing the guest house. The hot tubs, whenever possible, are filled with clean rainwater. The water from the taps and shower in the suites come from an underground spring, meaning it is chlorine-free and better than any bottled water around. To protect the water and other environmental systems, all cleaning supplies used are 100% natural– and you can tell because the rooms are immaculate.
I was blown away by the thoughtful accents in the room. Handmade quilts, made by Amanda’s Nan in Joe Batt’s Arm on Fogo Island, make your sleep extra warm and cozy. Pineapple crush and other complimentary drinks in the fridge, as well as coffee, tea, and kombucha, leave your thirst quenched. Electric kettles, convection ovens, and hot plates allow you to cook a healthy and romantic dinner from the peace and quiet of your suite. And snacks and cereals in mason jars, to which you are welcome to help yourself, show that the owners have thought of everything their guests may want to enjoy during their stay.
Visit the Whale House website or Tripadvisor for more photos and information about the Humpback Suite, and to book a night for yourself. I highly recommend this luxury accommodation for your next vacation, baycation, staycation– whatever you call it, you’ll have a night that you won’t soon forget.
After our perfect night in the Humpback Suite (and I’m not kidding– the sleep was perfect! The hot tub and essential oils knocked us out into the most peaceful snooze), we were invited up to the Blue Whale suite by Marty and Amanda. This is a much larger guest room with interesting and unforgettable modern fusion decor, with one-of-a-kind art and sculptures, and a perfectly placed bed so guests can soak up whale sightings and star-gazing while curled up in a quilt. Even though we didn’t stay in this suite, I still want to share a few photos because it is simply gorgeous. P.S. this is the other suite that has a hot tub. Check out the Blue Whale suite on the Whale House website or on Tripadvisor for more photos and information, and to book.
twowildtides would like to send the most heartfelt thank-yous to Marty and Amanda for having us out to Whale House Guest House; for showing us another of Newfoundland and Labrador’s wonderful hidden gems; and for reminding us what hospitality really is.
Please check out their blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Leave them a comment and tell them twowildtides sent you! We would also love to see your photos if you decide to book a night (which you really should), so tag us on Facebook and Instagram, @twowildtides!
happy travels,
char
Planning a trip to St. John’s soon? Live in Newfoundland and Labrador and heading to the big city? Have an upcoming birthday or anniversary and looking to celebrate with style and class? The Murray Premises Hotel is a remodelled and transformed historic building but the charming and rustic atmosphere from the 1840s remains. The leaflet that describes the history of the hotel claims that visitors will “experience old world charm with new world comfort” and I think that statement sums it up perfectly. From the heavy wooden beams to the exposed brick walls, every corner of this hotel tells a rich and vivid story of days gone by.
The Murray Premises has stood the test of time. As the oldest collection of fishing industry mercantile buildings in NL, it is the site of many trials, tribulations, and disasters– but like Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, the property is strong and resilient, having survived the Great Fires of 1846 and 1892 which devastated most of the city. Although this is a modern and luxurious hotel, I could still feel a strong sense of what may have occurred within the walls before the hotel ever existed– not in a creepy way, but rather in a fascinating and peaceful way. Now there are new buildings popped up all around, such as Jack Astor’s, The Keg, and Mill Street Brewery, as well as the Husky building and a parking garage; but the integrity of the historic property still remains and its proximity to these facilities and others create a convenience for hotel guests.
My stays at the Murray Premises Hotel, just recently and with my family as a kid, have always been fantastic. Lately, the Murray Premises staff welcomed me to collaborate with them on this article. They put me up in a gorgeous Executive Suite with a harbour view. The room was immaculate and included a king-size bed, a jacuzzi soaker tub, a fireplace, and a towel warmer (bless!) plus other standard hotel amenities such as a coffee maker, tv, and mini fridge. What I loved most about the room was its warmth and coziness. You can see from the photos that the rustic vibe doesn’t sacrifice itself for modern luxury. The hotel was designed with a perfect balance between the two. It is aesthetically pleasing and comfortable.
Some of St. John’s’ top restaurants, shops, and nightlife (a.k.a. George Street) are located just seconds from the hotel– I’m not exaggerating. Not to mention Mile One stadium, the Rooms, and our many other historic sites which are minutes away. The Murray Premises Hotel is a great option for travelers who want an authentic experience of downtown St. John’s.
Of course, the first thing I had to do upon check-in was fill up the jacuzzi for a soak. It was bliss. I had a glass of wine, the fireplace was going, and my warm towels were waiting for me. It was the perfect way to chill out before ramping up for a night with friends.
Included in our stay was a buffet-style breakfast. I’d describe it as a continental breakfast kicked up a notch. They swap cheap muffins for decadent croissants and apples and bananas for a large variety of seasonal fruit. The light meal along with a mug of green tea was exactly what I needed to drag me out of the groggy state I was in from the coma-like sleep I had (undoubtedly thanks to the comfortable beds but likely facilitated by the wine). Also take some time to enjoy the lounge off the lobby where you can grab a coffee before check-out or in lieu of breakfast if you’re not a morning eater.
St. John’s has many fabulous hotels but the Murray Premises is unique. It offers a history and rustic vibrance that others don’t. I cannot wait to return to the hotel and try another room as they are all slightly different. Thank you so much to the Murray Premises for having us and for extending the highest standard of hospitality.
Have you stayed at the Murray Premises Hotel? What did you think? Let us know in the comments and follow us on social media for more updates, @twowildtides!
