The gallery has left the building

I love Stratford in the summer. And Lord knows, this week has felt like it. The bustle of the tourists makes me giddy. The swollen downtown core, the buskers outside the Avon Theatre (this is where I first saw Justin Bieber - ever heard of him?), the kids lined up outside Scoopers Ice Cream, the peddle boaters, the HMS Razzamajazz that glides down the Avon on Wednesdays and Sundays with a quartet of spirited jazz musicians - it's all just so breathtaking to me.

I also love how, for the last 42 years, Stratford has offered Art in the Park, an outdoor gallery for round-the-river strollers peckish for a tad more culture. What's unique about this casual set-up is that it often lends the opportunity to chat with the artist to learn more about their work and creative process. The exhibit features fine art, sculptures, pottery and jewellery - all available for purchase.

So take a stroll down Lakeside Drive on Wednesdays, Saturdays or Sundays during the summer months (weather permitting) to absorb the alluring artisanal exhibit that radiates true talent and charm.

A tip of the hatzo for Pazzo

Why has it taken me so long to write about Pazzo? I'm pazzo about Pazzo! I've been there more times than I can count. Mostly to the pizzeria because pizza happens to be one of my favourite foods and Pazzo is my all-time favourite pizzeria (Chef Greg Kuepfer belongs in the Pizza Hall of Fame and thank you a thousand times for inventing the Medici). However, on Sunday night, I gathered my crew and ventured upstairs to the ristorante where we basked in the swanktacular decor and were served up the most scrumpterrific dishes.

I'm not going to lie to you - the evening began with cocktails. Martinis to be precise, and our dear friend Megan whipped us up a rainbow of the prettiest little elixirs, including: a Farmer's martini, the Bee's Knees, Pomtini and Do Not Go Gentle. Rrrow!

And then came the food. But before we get to the courses, can we please pause for a minute to pay tribute to Pazzo's focaccia? I'm not sure where they get this stuff (maybe it's made in house) but deLICIOUS! Soft spongy interiors with a lightly crusted top that is sprinkled with quality salt. You know, the fleur-de-fancy stuff that just tastes better.

Onto the appetizer: I started with a salad of roasted asparagus, ricotta salata and beets with walnuts and thyme vinaigrette. There's nothing like just-plucked asparagus in its prime.

I'm a sucker for risotto, so I just couldn't pass it up on the menu, especially after our server sang its haute praises. She didn't let us down - I don't think I've tasted vegetable risotto accented with mascarpone and mint. Amazing.

And that, my friend, is what I love about Pazzo: if it's in season, they're serving it up. Chef Sean Collins and Sous-Chef Yva Santini take special care to ensure you're enjoying the plentiful harvest that Perth County has to offer.

The Grand Finale: lemon and olive oil tart with creme fraiche gelato. I mean, seriously.

So yeah, I'm running out of adjectives for this place and its food. Spectacular. There's another. Just go. You'd be pazzo not to!

May-cation 2010

Six years ago when my husband and I were married, we promised each other to always take the time to celebrate our anniversary in a special way. And so this year, we spent a day packing up our 13-month-old son's belongings to transport to Nana and Papa's house, where he'd spend a glorious weekend being spoiled while we did the same for ourselves in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

There's nothing like a May-cation to kick-start the summer. Even if the weather's a little cool, you know patio season is just around the corner. We spent two enchanting days strolling through the downtown shops, daydreaming about the magnificent properties we'd purchase with lottery winnings, sauntering off to vineyards for "educational tours" and ahem...a few tastings. Oh, and we ate like nobility.

My favourite sights: the Mackenzie Printery and Newspaper Museum (journalism grad, what can I say), Vineland Estates, Frog Pond Farm Organic Winery, The Olde Angel Inn, the Stone Road Grille, the Charles Inn and sightseeing at the foot of Brock's Monument.

Once again, I was bamboozled by the beauty that surrounds us here in Ontario. My father-in-law, a man of many words, has often remarked that "we live in the land of milk and honey." And you know, that wordy-but-lovable man was onto something.

Skip answering to customs officers and cruise down the QEW instead for a splendid local getaway to this enchanting part of the province.