For The Love of Food

Every city has a culinary history, and a particular dish that is so revered and beloved that merely recognizing a competitor's version is blasphemous. That's the case when it comes to the debate between Montréal bagels, and those found to the south of our borders. The two are completely different animals, but for some reason when the lines are drawn there's no turning back. I for one have always been shamed for my love of both the Canadian and American bagel, but I refuse to pick sides. From texture, to density and flavor, these two famous varieties couldn't be any more different. Montréal bagels are sweeter and chewier, while American bagels have always seemed more bread-like to me, in both consistency and flavor. What can I say - I love them both and ain't nobody goin' to stop me! With that in mind, I was incredibly excited when New York Magazine announced that the recently opened Mile End Deli was literally schlepping Montréal bagels overnight to sell on Saturday morning in Brooklyn. Now that's what I call commitment. I can finally utter the phrase I've been waiting so long to say: "There's nothing like a St-Viateur bagel on a snowy Brooklyn morning..."

#1 Dad

The past couple of weeks at my new job I've finally started to realize why people love Pandora so much. Pandora let's you create your own "radio station" by choosing one artist to mold an entire playlist after. What I've really enjoyed is finally hearing the artists that I've always heard about, but never got around to listening to. Case in point Loudon Wainwright III, singer/songwriter, thespian, and father of Montréaler Rufus Wainwright. I've been a fan of Loudon since he played the classic "divorced dad going through a midlife crisis" character Hal in Judd Apatow's Undeclared, but until today I had never heard his music. I've really been missing out. My knowledge of folk music is limited at best, so when listening to a Pandora playlist inspired by Nick Drake I was pleased to discover that the man who had made me laugh years ago, is also one hell of a musician. Check out this video of Loudon playing a track from the Knocked Up soundtrack, and if you're a fan of Freaks & Geeks I suggest you give Undeclared a whirl.

A Bunch Of Phonies

1. Joan of Arctic boots by Sorel, $130; sorel.com, 2. Fox Faux Fur Jacket, $170; topshop.com, 3. Faux-fur Trapper Hat, $16.50; gap.com, 4. Charmer Leather Jacket by Guess by Marciano, $258; marciano.com.

Whether you love fur or hate it, we can all admit that it never goes out of style. From the Hollywood starlets of the silver screen, to the editors of our favorite fashion mags, fur is unwaveringly chic. Fortunately for us animal lovers, faux fur has seen a major revival in the last decade. Instead of finding scraggly looking duds that look cheaper than a Chinatown bus ride, the fake stuff is looking more fabulous than ever.

I never hid my dismay when my mother would dredge out her furs from the basement closet once Montréal winters hit hard. Even so, those furs were family heirlooms, and justifiable considering Canada's brutal winters. What's always bothered me is seeing women in Los Angeles parading around in pelts like their lives depended on it. Thankfully some designers have found the perfect solution with faux fur, and have treated their designs with exceptional care. There's nothing like being warm and toasty on a blustering New York day, so here are my pics of some of the best looking synthetics around. People who say they can't "pull it off" take heed: all you need is a little confidence and you'll be feeling like Marilyn in no time.

Off To Montréal!

I have a horrible secret to admit... I haven't stepped foot on Canadian soil in over a year! The horror! So I'm off to Montréal tomorrow to spend a few days in my hometown, and reconnect with my Canadian compatriots. I have many lovely activities lined up, but the most important of all is diving into Québec's national dish: Poutine. What is poutine you ask? Well it's crispy Belgium style french fries, with cheese curds (or "squeaky cheese" as I like to call it), topped with gravy. It sounds gluttonous because it is, and I promise you it's worth every calorie. To get an idea of all the fun that goes down in Montréal, check out my Citiscape article from TRACE magazine. Until my return, I bid you adieu!