The Industrial Revolution ended long ago in the United States but remnants of its impact are still palpable. Once temples of commerce, many cities bustled with sprawling factories, grand theaters, turn of the century office towers, majestic hotels, and regal apartment buildings woven together by pedestrian friendly street grids. Today, much of this ornately designed architecture is demolished or condemned. Over the years, speculative … [Read more...]
About Steve Mirsky
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Food Drink & Hospitality Explored with your host Steve Mirsky
Top 11 Things to Do in Montreal’s Golden Square Mile
The name of Montreal's Golden Square Mile or Le Mille Carré, a square mile of signature historic blocks at the heart of downtown at the foot of Mount Royal, traces its origins back to 1950s real estate developers promoting the area's prosperity. Today, "Golden" more aptly describes the stellar array of attractions available within such a small radius. In 1983, only 30% of the district's historic buildings survived the wrecking ball due to … [Read more...]
Stage Coach Inn: A Distinctive Piece of Hudson Valley Heritage
New York State's Hudson Valley is filled with artisan food producers, bucolic scenery, and a wide array of historic inns and bed & breakfasts. One lesser known attraction is the region's horse racing heritage dating back to the 1700s. The village of Goshen New York is home to the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame accompanied by an historic track built in 1838 now incorporated into the museum and still in operation today. In fact, what … [Read more...]
The Beach Plum Farm Cottage Experience in Cape May New Jersey
It all started in Cape May New Jersey when Curtis Bashaw, Founder and Managing Partner of Cape Resorts, had his eye on a plot of land adjacent to Beach Plum Farm for building his dream home. Just 2 miles outside the town's well preserved Victorian-era historic district, this 62 acre farm along with 3 additional farms in South Jersey supply Beach Blum Farm's kitchen as well as other in town Cape Resorts dining venues like The Ebbitt Room, Blue Pig … [Read more...]
Philadelphia’s Long Heritage of Public Markets and Food Halls Continues Growing
When visiting a city for a few days even as a dedicated well researched traveler, it's difficult to cover all the can't-miss attractions let alone sample the wide crosscut of renowned food and beverage offerings. Markets and food halls provide a solution with an array of choices under one roof instead of visiting each establishment individually scattered across many neighborhoods. One of the first in the United States, Philadelphia's public … [Read more...]
Chevy’s 2019 Equinox Gets Me to Portland Maine’s Growing Artisan Food & Beverage Scene
The concept of taking a road trip sounds carefree and largely based on serendipity. But after rearranging your schedule and marking time on your calendar, the realization sets in that you need a planned itinerary and well equipped vehicle to get you to the most scenic routes and can't-miss sights. It helps to have comfort and navigational assistance like you get in Chevy's 2019 Equinox. I recently tried it out on a coastal road trip to … [Read more...]
Celebrating The Willard InterContinential’s Rich Washington DC Heritage
Just two blocks from the White House and within walking distance to everything the nation's capitol has to offer, it's easy to see why The Willard InterContinental in Washington DC is known as the "Residence of Presidents" and has remained an anchor in a town that's undergone countless transformations over the hotel's 200 year existence. In 1862, National Hawthorne wrote, "The Willard may be much more justly called the center of Washington … [Read more...]
Staying at Eugene Oregon’s Inn at the 5th Perfect for Exploring Southern Willamette Valley Wineries
Downtown Eugene Oregon is decidedly more laid back and outdoorsy than much larger and more renowned Portland to the north. The University of Oregon's extensive in-town footprint and streets packed with local non-chain shopping make it a pedestrian haven. Strolling here especially on weekends during the warmer months envelops you in the city's music scene like a sax player belting out tunes under a cavernous overpass enhancing the acoustics and … [Read more...]
Experiencing the Real Nevis Through Artisan Dining and Locally Run Inns
Situated in the refreshing trade wind breezes of the Leeward Island chain in the West Indies, Nevis remains authentically Caribbean eschewing the homogenization that has befallen so many other island destinations. This means absolutely no strip development, fast food chains, casinos, or stoplights and only one international brand resort on this 36 square mile island. Nevis's 12,000 residents live in villages where no buildings exceed the height … [Read more...]
Local History and Spanish Cuisine Comes Alive at Hilton Boston Woburn
Just 10 miles north of downtown Boston accessible by commuter rail, Hilton Boston Woburn overlooks marshland in a rather unassuming part of town just off exit 36 on I-95 surrounded by industrial/commercial space and apartment buildings. But the hotel's recent $16 million renovation elevated what was once a hum drum business class hotel into an entirely new realm featuring historic connections to the surrounding community accompanied by onsite … [Read more...]