Other Cities

Will's Finest on Stage

Can't get over to England to see Shakespeare? Then Ashland, Oregon is the next best place. This is home to all of Will's work performed on three stages from February to November. The repertory company rivals the best in the world. You need at least three days to take it all in, from the history plays to the comedies and a good sprinkling of contemporary ones as well. All beautifully performed and produced. And then enjoy a nightcap at a late night bar on Main to discuss what you experienced.

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Theaters-Performing Arts Centers • All Neighborhoods

Downtown Caffeine High

Coffee options abound in downtown Honolulu, but there is just one Downtown Coffee. A short yet functional drinks list limits your options to the basics: drip, espresso, latte, cappuccino, Chai--but really, serious coffee-drinkers can do without all the fancy stuff anyway. Young good-looking baristas flirt and take their time preparing your fair-trade brew of choice, and in these moments you may find yourself tempted by the tray of sweet goods on offer. With only two tables, Downtown Coffee is not a place to linger. If you are in no hurry, however, there is plenty of seating in an around the quiet and leafy plaza just outside. Get there early enough and a free Star-Bulletin is free with your drink, otherwise there's always the short stack of glossy Japanese language coffee magazines to, well, look at.

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Coffee • All Neighborhoods

It Takes a Village

I'm addicted to good bread and The Village Baker is a place to mark on your tourist map when you're wandering up and down Main Street. Everything is freshly baked in the back where you see the bakers hard at work with their music blasting. Round loaves line the shelves as you come in and range from sun-dried tomato & basil, apricot almond, jalapeno & cheese, whole grains, sourdough, and a great assortment of very large wholesome cookies. It's a pity they don't offer a shipping service because I'd be a regular customer. Buy plenty and freeze it at home. You'll be coming back on your next trip.

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Shopping • All Neighborhoods

Caffeine Perfection

Café Myriade is definitely my favourite cafe in Montreal. The coffee here is amazing, both in taste and in the many (even...myriade?) ways it can be served by award-winning baristas. You can get a regular ol' drip coffee, or a good-sized latte with artistic foam decorations on top. You can also get wild and crazy with decanter-like siphon pot contraptions (as pictured in an article on the cafe from The Gazette), order whole beans to take home, or sign yourself up for a coffee tasting. Yum! Due to its location directly across the street from Concordia University's Library Building, the place is always hoppin' with students and anyone who enjoys a good cup of coffee. Prepare for the place to be packed and take yours to go, or fight the crowds for a prime seat by the window. Whatever you choose, it's a little slice of heaven.

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Coffee • All Neighborhoods

Moose Munch

Tis' the season to start thinking about buying gifts for the family, and Harry & David in Medford, Oregon is a landmark of delectable goodies you won't want to miss. They're famous for their fresh fruit and nuts, candies and cakes, wines from around the world, and gift baskets for every occasion and budget. It's a great place to shop for a picnic, and sample as you buy. You'll also find the napkins, wine glasses, plates and basket. Whatever you choose, be sure to include the Moose Munch--you'll need lots of it it's so good--and pick up a stuffed moose on the way out. He's hungry.

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Shopping • All Neighborhoods

Late-Night Caffeine

Dublin has a painful lack of casual coffee places that stay open late--Busyfeet is the answer to the problem with a late closing time and outdoor seating. Their coffee is great, and their cakes are even better. They also do great lunches and light dinners, the interior is warm and inviting--pretty much perfect. I sometimes spend longer than is generally considered polite sitting there with a book and a coffee. Situated on trendy South William Street, sit outside and spot a hipster or two.

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Coffee • All Neighborhoods

Mangia This

Cucina Biazzi lives up to its name of authentic Tuscan Italian. Tucked away behind the fire station on Main Street, this intimate setting includes patio seating, and a warm indoor area that overlooks the lawn, flowers and herb garden. They specialize in a fixed menu that begins with a tasty antipasto, then continues with a choice of homemade pasta dishes, followed by the main course of beef, chicken or fish, and then with a crisp salad. At this point you're catching your breath, but if you still have room, then you must try one of their exquisite desserts. Come very hungry. And give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the Italian music, a bottle of Oregon wine, the wait staff, and the other guests.

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Restaurants • All Neighborhoods

Brain Candy

Concordia University is one of only two English-language universities in Montreal (the other being snooty McGill). In addition to boasting the largest international student population in Canada, Concordia also has a very active student union, which represents students on-campus in addition to throwing the usual parties student groups are typically known for. Because of these reasons and more, it is perhaps inevitable that Concordia has become known as a hotbed for political discussion, dissent, and social activism of all sorts. From various QPIRGS (Quebec-based public interest research groups) to student advocacy groups to the free lunch provider The People's Potato, there are plenty of reasons to study--or simply hang out--at Concordia. Check out their Loyola campus in NDG for a more traditional, green university space, or revel in the downtown Sir George Williams campus's open design and integration into the city core.

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Schools • All Neighborhoods

Spill the Beans

Right across the street from the University of Southern Oregon is the best coffee shop in town. The Beanery caters to students, professors, and the returning visitor like me. One of their best choices is The Beanery, a mocha concoction that is smooth and rich and delicious. Ask for the Mexican chocolate and you'll be coming back for refills. The shop is a great place for reading, writing, people watching and eavesdropping for catchy dialogue for your next play. If you stay long enough you may see some actors stop by on their way to their next performance. But whatever you do, take some coffee home. Also, their tea selection will take you around the world.

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Coffee • All Neighborhoods

Super Secret Fried Chicken

There's the kind of dive where you want to take your picture in front of the sign, and then there's Lamar's. It's like the rabbit hole Alice drove right by. Planted transparently on an urban street at the edge of downtown, you'd drive right by it a million times and never know (I don't think they want you to find it). At night, a leaning fluorescent sign struggles to call attention to what looks like an abandoned hotel. There's no parking, no crowds outside and no clue they're even open. You get the feeling there's a secret knock walking in to an almost afterhours-feeling, empty, dark dining area. Walk past, down a dark hall and turn into a tiny space bookended by a small bar and Motown's favorite lost jukebox, littered with mismatched seating. If the velvet wallpaper doesn't get you, call your friends near and order your favorite liquor drink. You will spend the rest of your life trying to describe the "generous" pour to others. Go ahead and order the half fried chicken dinner "to-go" when you get there, as it takes an hour or more to get, and easily is the best you've ever had.

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Nightlife • All Neighborhoods