Toward the end of April I headed up to Montreal for my first CAN/AM Hockey Tournament. The tournament consists of teams from all over Canada and the United States at various levels. We ended up playing against teams from New Jersey, Boston and Ottawa, losing 4-1, 2-0, and 4-1 respectively. I managed to score a goal in the final game. We had a solid time though the international ice was a challenge.
To travel to Montreal we flew Porter Airlines Turboprop Bombaider planes with a quick stopover in Toronto. As you can imagine, Porter is experienced in processing customers with hockey gear. One checked bag consisted of two hockey sticks and an oversized hockey bag for $20.
I spent the better part of my last morning in town walking around Old Montreal which has the feel of a small old European town. Considering that the city was founded in 1642 this makes sense.
After our first day of game(s) we stopped at a couple of the brewpubs including: Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel, Benelux Brewpub & Café, Le Cheval Blanc and Vices & Versa. We had some good beer at all of them and some decent food at Vice & Versa and Benelux. Le Chevel Blanc was probably my favorite place because they played actual rock and roll music. Quite possibly the only bar in Montreal to do so.
Category Archives: Food
New York – 2015
As my travel in April continued, Julie and I went to New York for the weekend. We managed to see some family, meet up with some friends and catch a ball game. On arrival I spent the better part of an afternoon in the East Village; first at McSorley’s Old Ale House then checking out the Alphabet City Beer Company.
ABC Beer is one of the new store/bar setups but they don’t allow you to drink the bottled beer that is for sale in house. They do have a rather diverse tap selection that is kept up to date on their website so you know what’s available. After ABC Beer I met up with Julie and her friends for some Playoff Hockey at Fools Gold.
After Fool’s Gold and some hockey we finished off the night at The Meatball Shop which of course is open until 3am.
Mets Game
On Sunday we met up with Julie’s family at Citi Field for the Mets – Marlin’s game. Matt Harvey was pitching and the stadium was packed. I believe the stadium was completely unprepared for the size of the crowd. In the 5th inning I attempted to get some food and ended up walking the entire lower level of the concourse looking for a line that wasn’t 10 deep. On our way out of the parking lot, there was no one directing traffic and it ended up taking us over an hour to leave the lot. It was nice to see a crowd (and a win) but the Mets should probably put a little more effort into handling the amount of people their ballpark was built for.
Side Notes
I managed to swing by the NHL Store when they had Playoff Bracket Bars available. The matchup would have been ideal.
Minneapolis: Ohio State vs. Minnesota
I’ve been trying to make it to Minnesota for a football game since they built their on campus stadium in 2009: TCF Bank Stadium. TCF Bank Stadium is the first new stadium built by a Big Ten school since 1960 (Penn State’s Beaver Stadium). Minnesota went into the game with a 7-2 record and ranked #25 by the College Football Playoff Committee against #8 Ohio State. I thought it was an all-around great game, granted I’m not one to mind snow when it comes to football. It was 15 degrees which is the lowest temperature ever at TCF Bank Stadium and the lowest temperature the Buckeyes have played in going back more than a half-century. Ohio State had some turnover troubles throughout the game but was never really in trouble and went on to win 31-24.
TFC Bank Stadium
I always enjoy visiting different stadiums and seeing a new large scale college stadium is rather unique. The large concourses were able to hold most of the fans during halftime. When we arrived, the greeters were handing out towels and hand warmers. TCF Bank Stadium is also unique among Big Ten stadiums as they sell beer at the stadium.
Grumpy’s & Dinner
After getting situated on Friday, we headed a couple of blocks from our hotel to Grumpy’s downtown bar and on the way we stumbled upon Day Block Brewing Company so we gave it a go. The food at Day Block was excellent (garlic knots and a flight of bacon) but the beer was a little too out there for me. Nearly all of it was a spice of some sort, chili peppers in beer is not my thing. After a couple of beers we headed over to Grumpy’s. I wasn’t able to make it to Grumpy’s the last time I was in Minneapolis so I’m glad our hotel was near one of their bars. The burger looked amazing.
Butcher & The Boar
For dinner we had reservations at Butcher & The Boar where we managed to get seated at the bar before hand. The food was great, my ‘double pork chop’ was a little over the top (it had three bones, not the two that a double would imply). The wild boar sausage was great as well. Really just a great place, the service was top notch.
Transportation
Transportation into and around Minneapolis couldn’t have been easier. We took the METRO Blue Line from the airport to within a couple of blocks of our hotel and then were able to take the Green Line to the University of Minnesota campus and back.
Campus & Dinkytown
After taking the train, we walked through a decent portion of campus on the way over to Dinkytown for breakfast. Minnesota’s campus is similar to all Big Ten campuses: massive. Very quiet for a Saturday morning game day. We headed over to Tony’s Diner for breakfast which was a happening place and then made our way to the game.
Neye’s Polonaise Room
After the game we headed to Nye’s Polonaise Room for dinner and culture. Nye’s is basically a steakhouse/dive bar with a house Polka band. A combination that is hard to beat. In 2006 Esquire magazine named Nye’s the Best Bar in America. As we entered the band was playing Johnny Cash, it was everything I imagined and I had the ribeye.
Side Notes:
* The Minnesota Vikings new stadium (tentatively named Viking Stadium until the naming rights are sold) currently under construction in downtown Minneapolis.
** BIG TEN & Notre Dame Stadium Map with added University of Minnesota now that it’s been checked of my list and University of Chicago a founding and former member of the BIG TEN.