hello saskatoon

Lovecoast | Help You

2015-04-24T06:00:00.000-06:00

Keep an eye out for Lovecoast! This Vancouver native band describes their style as indie R&B/soul pop group. This young band certainly reaches to the past for nostalgic vibes and you can hear it in their music. Lovecoast made CBC's Searchlight Regional Top 10 list and even shared the stage with our good friends in Close Talker.

The band will be coming to Saskatoon for their first time on May 18 at Capitol Music Club.

BADBADNOTGOOD & Ghostface Killah | Sour Soul (Stream)

2015-02-21T11:47:00.001-06:00

Drew Tofin | One Night Album

2015-02-01T21:00:00.000-06:00

Drew Tofin is dropping his album One Night on February 3, 2015. I was lucky enough to get an early listen and damn was it good! If you don't know Drew personally, this guy is very talented coming from a family of musicians and having an appreciation of all genres. His album has a collection of 11 songs. It has a smooth and jazzy feel featuring his own rendition of songs by Fleetwood Mac, Barry White, Robbie Williams, Elvis and more.

I personally loved the raw live sound that the album had. His clear cut voice is strong and holds my attention from the start to the finish. My favourite songs had to be Say You Love Me (Ft. Denise Valle), Angels and I'll Always be Right There. These are songs I remember listening to as a child, my parents used to play the cassette tapes in the old family vehicle. Grab an album and stay tuned for his next show, this man is a true performer! I'm excited to see what Drew has cooking up for us next.

You can purchase your own album on February 3rd at drewtofin.com

Yours Truly

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria | Now Open

2015-01-21T06:00:00.000-06:00

Just this past Monday, Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria opened their first location in Saskatoon. The company is originally from Edmonton but now 26 locations exist. Famoso is well known for their pizzas made with '00' flour ($9-$15). They offer everything from appetizers and salads to desserts and cocktails. Their take on the pizzeria is a social dining experience that can be used as a place for a quick bite for lunch or an evening event filled with wine and laughs with friends.

Aashna, Jeremy, Dallas and myself went to their VIP evening to test out a little bit of everything on their menu. The restaurant is very open with a bar in the middle and their pizza oven in the corner. We started off with some cocktails noting the White Sangria, Cucumber Capri and the Italian Greyhound as our favourites. Along with our first beverages we ate the Mediterranean Flatbread with hummus and tzatziki, Polpette Al Forno and the Prosciutto Wrapped Mozzarella Balls. All three were good but I definitely recommend the Polpette Al Forno, and keep that tomato sauce for dipping your pizza crust!

Next on our list was the pizza. Famoso plays with authentic pizzas (red and white pizzas) and their own "New World Pizzas". We decided to go for a mixture and order something from all three and tried the Capricciosa, Primavera and the Korean BBQ Pork. All three were fantastic, the thin crust was awesome with their imported ingredients. The Primavera (white pizza) was our favourite among the three. It had a light and refreshing taste and Jeremy mentioned that this particular pizza was authentic being compared to many pizzas that he had eaten while travelling in Italy.

Lastly we were recommended by almost all of the staff to try their Dolce & Banana dessert and also went with the Tiramisu. "How could something so simple, taste so good?" Is what we all had on our minds when eating the Dolce & Banana. It had great texture from the crushed pecans on the baked banana with the cold vanilla gelato. On the other hand, the tiramisu was light and had that espresso flavour that almost everyone craves. I would recommend this one if you are almost full but need to satisfy that sweet tooth of yours.

So how was our first Saskatoon experience? The staff are really trying to make your dining experience special whether it's recommending their favourite items or whether the managing staff pops by to see what you think, we really appreciated that. The food is fresh, presented well and brought in a timely manner. The restaurant sits in the Lawson Heights parking and this Summer I believe they are offering a patio as well. I have been asked a lot over the past couple days what I thought of it, and I recommend it to everyone. The four of us really liked it and are already sending our family and friends to form their own opinions of it too!

Yours Truly

K-SWISS | Lozan III (White/White/Silver)

2015-01-13T06:00:00.000-06:00

I was lucky enough to receive a pair of K-Swiss Lozan III's in all white. This off-court tennis model has an all white leather upper with white branding and metal lace buckles. The shoe itself fits true to size and a good amount of width for those of you with wider feet. They are well cushioned, offer a clean look with almost any outfit and most importantly are comfortable.

I went out on this freezing cold Sunday with local photographer Brayden Elliott. We wandered around downtown taking photos, giving me the opportunity to give these a solid wear and us the chance to photograph the shoes. Brayden had the idea of shooting the shoes with a detailed background whether it was smoke coming out of an underground pipe or me kicking snow. The shots show those who are familiar with K-Swiss and new consumers what the brand's about in these detailed photos. K-Swiss to me is for the athletic people who care about fashion, those who want something they feel and look good when going to the gym or out for drinks. You don't necessarily need to be a fan of tennis or American culture to enjoy the athletic aesthetics of the footwear brand.

Yours Truly

Just a Taste | Fionn MacCool

2015-01-08T06:00:00.000-06:00

I actually had not heard of Fionn MacCool until I was reached by their Ontario staff back in October/November. I had friends who had tried it in other cities and gave me pretty good feedback about the pub but I wanted to check it out myself. You may be thinking to yourself "it's just another European pub, what makes it different?" A few things that stood out from my first experience was the size of the entire restaurant, the live music and the friendly/helpful service (thanks Amanda).

We sat down near the window facing 2nd ave. and ordered Original 16's and Kronenbourg to start. After the reviewing the menu on our own and then asking for the advice of our server Amanda we went with the blarney chips, shrimp cake sliders, shepherd's pie mini yorkies and the vegetarian flatbreads. Everything was delicious but our favourite was the flatbread. The savoury dill cream cheese sauce and spice from the jalapeno peppers made the dish addicting (so addicting we ordered it a second time).

To conclude, we will be back. The food, service, Kool & the Gang songs and atmosphere all contributed to making our first experience a good one.

Yours Truly

K-SWISS | Spring/Summer 2015 Collection

2015-01-04T06:00:00.000-06:00

If you come from the same generation as myself you will remember K-Swiss for their "I wear my K-Swiss" jingle and their all white runners that guys wore with their cargo pants. Now the company heads back to their heritage American tennis roots for their upcoming collection. The company has been around for almost 50 years and they have made a name for themselves by producing tennis and off-court shoes.

K-Swiss looks to create shoes with the influence of country clubs, preppy style, premium materials and classic silhouettes. One thing that you can see the brand does is use their classic tennis white upper on majority of their models. The K-Swiss also utilizes a new modernized shield logo, the five stripes and rubber outsoles. The shoes are priced between $80-$120 CAD. You can find K-Swiss at our Foot Locker in Midtown Plaza.

Yours Truly

The Heights | NYE 2014

2014-12-28T10:19:00.003-06:00

Come out for The Heights' more official opening. For $20 you will receive champagne and appetizers as well. There will be live music provided by multiple DJs and multiple rooms with different ambiances to party in. I hope to see you guys out!

Tickets are available at Bottega or Momentum on 8th Street.

Yours Truly

Tourism Saskatoon | "ExploreYXE" Chapter I-IV

2014-12-19T06:00:00.000-06:00

Tourism Saskatoon's "ExploreYXE" - Chapter I: Endless Exploring from Cinescapes Collective on Vimeo.

Tourism Saskatoon's "ExploreYXE" - Chapter II: Endless Friendships from Cinescapes Collective on Vimeo.

Tourism Saskatoon's "ExploreYXE" - Chapter III: Endless Surprises from Cinescapes Collective on Vimeo.

Tourism Saskatoon's "ExploreYXE" - Chapter IV: Endless Excitement from Cinescapes Collective on Vimeo.

50 Cups of Christmas | 2014

2014-12-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

Come celebrate the holidays with the 50 Cups dudes! These guys throw a good party and always play great music! Tickets are available at Momentum and Louis on campus.

Yours Truly

Billy Ivan | Asking

2014-12-17T06:00:00.000-06:00

Billy Ivan, a musical artist and producer from Stanton Island, New York who contacted me to let us know that he was releasing a mixtape in the new year called "The Compilation Tape". Billy himself is a self taught artist who is inspired by hip hop favourites such as Kanye, Pharrell and Jay Z. Check his new video out below and stay tuned for more.

Yours Truly

OB OBrien | Schemin' Up Ft. Drake & P Reign

2014-12-15T22:16:00.002-06:00

Huang's World | Chengdu

2014-11-02T20:55:00.004-06:00

Eddie Huang's Fresh Off the Boat now called Huang's World is what entices me to travel and experience new culture and land. The way it's documented, his honest opinions and the production from Vice is what makes me want to try offering something similar in a smaller city like Saskatoon. Take a peek at the three parts and check out some other cities that he travels as well!

If anyone ever wants me to document my experience in their restaurant or venue, you can reach me at hellosaskatoon@gmail.com.

Yours Truly

Cactus Club Cafe | Opening October 14, 2014

2014-10-13T13:47:00.004-06:00

This past Thursday, Aashna and myself were invited to the Cactus Club's soft opening. The atmosphere is really cool, the restaurant feels warm with its lighting, fire and colours. Its well decorated with the abundance of lights, wine display, televisions and Andy Warhol images.

The restaurant is separated into three areas, the dining area, the bar and a sun room. We sat in all three areas to get a feel for what they were like. The dining area is more intimate being quiet and isolated from the other two areas and would make a good place for socializing and grabbing a meal. The sun room and bar you categorize together. A central bar with televisions is the focal point with table arrangements and a DJ around it. Aash and I even caught ourselves dancing with the bartenders to R&B and hip hop favourites. It's awesome for a late night drink and appetizers.

We spent our couple of hours at the Cactus Club drinking their Liberty School Cabernets and Jameson whiskey along with their tasty appetizers. The service was fantastic, drinks were never empty, food was brought to us in a timely fashion and everyone was happy (that was most important). The laid back environment was what I liked, people were friendly, polite and energetic. If the Cactus Club can continue to offer this environment along with good food and beverages, it will no doubt be a success in Saskatoon. We ate Szechuan chicken lettuce wraps, spicy chicken, kobe style meatballs, beef carpaccio, the BBQ duck clubhouse and a peanut butter chocolate dessert. I highly recommend the BBQ duck clubhouse (if you don't have nut allergies) and the tuna sushi cone was very good for an American styled cuisine.

I would like to thank Cactus Club Cafe for a great first experience and you can definitely plan on having us back. The restaurant opens tomorrow, check it out and let us know what you think!

Yours Truly

Fionn MacCool | News Press

2014-10-07T14:46:00.001-06:00

Saskatoon, SK – October 6, 2014 – Popular Canadian pub Fionn MacCool’s has named Saskatoon as its first Draft Pick in Saskatchewan, opening its inaugural pub in Saskatchewan this week on 2nd Ave. South in Saskatoon. Priding itself on being far more than your typical pub, Fionn MacCool’s Saskatoon offers live entertainment, an extensive beer line-up, innovative pour-your-own draft tables, party starters and made-in-house food. Fionn MacCool’s belongs to Prime Pubs family of revered Canadian pubs that includes the illustrious Fionn MacCool’s on Toronto’s historic Esplanade, party-central Fionn MacCool’s in downtown Calgary and Ottawa’s legendary watering hole Darcy McGee’s on Parliament Hill.

Fionn MacCool’s is an institution in Canada, renown for fun across the country, and we’re thrilled to bring the first one to Saskatchewan,” says co-franchisee Clive Atkins. “Whether Guests want to enjoy a quiet dinner for two, a rowdy night of partying with friends or sit back and listen to an impressive lineup of live, local musicians Fionn MacCool’s Saskatoon is the place to have a good time.

Fionn MacCool’s Saskatoon is the third pub in the family to offer the ultimate beer experience, pulling your own pints. The pub features a selection of draft tables that were custom made in Ireland. Each table has two taps that Guests can activate using a special button provided to them by their server. Guests simply look at the screen beside the tap to see how much beer they have pulled. First time pullers need not stress, Fionn MacCool’s friendly, knowledgeable servers will guide them through the process. Guests who prefer to leave the pouring up to the experts can simply get comfortable at the bar and order up a pint.

Fionn MacCool’s has amped the wattage on the pub experience. Combining our warm, fun pubs with Pour Your Own Pints and party programming has taken the pub experience to new heights which is driving our popularity and growth across Canada, said Grant Cobb, SVP for Cara Operations Ltd. “We’re excited to see our first pub open in Saskatoon and we have plans to open additional locations across Saskatchewan in coming years.”

Complementing the exceptional beer choices, and live entertainment, Fionn MacCool’s Saskatoon gets the party started with daily party programs such as Keith’s Wednesdays where Guests can enjoy a 25oz Keith’s tankard for $7.00, Craft Addict Thursdays, where Guests can enjoy live music and any craft beer for $5.50 and Two-Fisted Fridays where Guests can enjoy any two drafts for $11 during Happy Hour.

As food is important to having a great time Fionn MacCool’s delicious made-in-house menu features a variety of traditional favourites made with fresh, quality ingredients including Lamb Pie, Rosslare Lamb Shank and Maple Cider Salmon as well as a selection of contemporary dishes such as Shrimp & Cod Curry Pot and Chicken Tikka Masala Boxty. The beverage menu is equally diverse and includes more than 29 types of beer on tap and in bottle, a wide selection of new and old school cocktails, whiskies and wine.

Fionn MacCool’s Saskatoon is located at 355-2nd Avenue South.

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Sirvis for LRG

2014-09-19T21:48:00.000-06:00

Being on Instagram can give us photo envy or can inspire us. Depending on who we follow, we may see fit individuals, crazy artwork or videos of professional athletes. I've been following VisionElie for a while now and he has given me the idea to photograph people holding or playing with smoke bombs. After shooting, I think they're fun to photograph, instantly making your photo colourful and being the main attraction. I wanted to use the sun, bridge and water to give off a warm feeling (it was cold in fact) and use the dark field to give off an eerie feeling.

I've gotten to know Sirvis from working at the shop (Momentum) and the dude has been grinding with his artwork and music. He's been working so hard that he has gained the attention of LRG, so I instantly thought of him being the perfect model for this smoke bomb experiment that I have been playing with in my head. The mixture of LRG's classic streetwear graphics and fits combined with the gas mask, allowed me to capture exactly what I had envisioned.

Yours Truly

The Fringe | Photo Recap

2014-08-08T00:11:00.000-06:00

Yours Truly

Taste of Saskatchewan | Photo Recap

2014-07-17T22:19:00.000-06:00

Just a Taste: Izumi Restaurant

2014-07-06T16:41:00.002-06:00

Izumi sits in a residential area within a strip mall on Arlington Avenue. From my understanding they recently had an ownership change and now serve Japanese and Korean dishes. We went for sushi strictly, but my goodness did the other dishes smell and look delicious. They serve sashimi, maki rolls, tempura, teppanyaki, fried chicken, bento boxes and more. The restaurant was clean, spacious and the servers were friendly and patient with our order taking.

We ordered salmon nigiri, inari and an assortment of maki rolls. All of the food was presented nicely and very fresh! My one complaint would be eating the large rolls, but you definitely get your money's worth at Izumi and I'm down with that. My favourite roll would have to be the specialty dragon roll which is avocado, crab and cucumber with BBQ eel on top.

All you can eat sushi is a gateway to the sushi world, but once you try other Saskatoon joints I promise you that you will be impressed. I'll definitely be back.

Yours Truly

JUST EAT | Saskatoon Promotion (25% Off All Orders)

2014-06-26T06:00:00.000-06:00

Just Eat is a food delivery service that allows you to order food from the comfort of your own computer. The good folks at Just Eat and Butter Public Relations gave us a credit to test their service. After creating an account I noticed that their are currently 58 Saskatoon restaurants partnered with Just Eat. Each restaurant has a full menu, an estimated wait time, hours of operation and a flat delivery fee. From Vietnamese food to Indian to pizza, there are options for everyone. To celebrate good food and Summer, Just Eat is offering 25% all orders this Summer in Saskatoon!

I tested the service with the restaurant Spring Roll and was happy with how easy the website was to navigate and select dishes. You can add and subtract items just like that. At the purchase screen you have the option to pay cash or credit. Three of us ate this meal and were extremely full. The discount is crazy and definitely worth the money. When ordering your food online I would suggest writing in the text box that you need utensils and a phone number they can reach you at or else you'll be like me running to the closest establishment at work.

Whether you want to eat in your own home, need a bite at work or are just feeling lazy, Just Eat is a great option for everyone.

Yours Truly

Just a Taste: Calories Restaurant

2014-06-24T21:09:00.001-06:00

Long time no see, we're back again and what better way to start if off than a new Just a Taste. This was my first time eating at Calories and I don't know what took me so long to give it a try. The restaurant offers something for everyone from homemade soups, lentil burgers to an assortment of tarts.

Aashna and myself came for lunch and she went with a tomato soup and vegetarian sandwich while I did the California club sandwich with homemade fries. First of all, our server was tight. She knew the menu well and had good input on the menu items we inquired about. When she brought us our dishes we were really stoked on the presentation from the large portions to the colours and neatly stacked sandwiches.

Sure it looks good but how does it taste? The words that come into my mind are good texture and fresh. The club sandwich came on a Earthbound baguette, how could you go wrong with that? The smoked turkey, thick bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, onions and lime jalapeño mayo gave it a savoury taste that kept the sandwich in your hands until it was done. The fries had a good texture with a crispy outside and a soft potato inside. They came with a tasty aioli and house ketchup.

We couldn't stop there either, we had to try the Saskatoon berry lemon cheesecake. It was fresh with a nice lemon zest and Saskatoon berries. The cheesecake was light and paired well with their whipped cream. I don't think you can come here and not try something in their dessert area.

Service was great, portions are large, food is fresh and flavourful and desserts keep you from stopping at the entree. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Yours Truly

Sidney York | At Louis

2014-03-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

Visit siumingmeetworld.blogspot.com for the full interview and more photos.

Yours Truly

SiuMing Meets World

2014-03-06T21:43:00.002-06:00

hello saskatoon has been a pleasure because of the experience I have gained writing and learning experience as well as being able to work with this cool group of guys. We are all at points of our lives where we have began working on personal projects as well as personal blogs. I'm not saying that hello saskatoon is dead, but we are definitely putting a pause on it.

If you are interested in what any of us are up to, feel free to message us and ask. As for myself, I have began a personal blog called SiuMing Meets World. I work and write similar things as I have on here previously but with more of a subjective style and dive into more personal topics and events that I have the opportunity to experience as time goes by. Hopefully you will enjoy it as well.

Yours Truly

Aloe Blacc | Love is the Answer

2013-12-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

Just a Taste: Park Cafe

2013-12-15T06:00:00.000-06:00

Location
Park Cafe is located on 515 20th Street.

Environment
I placed an order for take out but analyzed the restaurant as I went to pick up my food. After watching a lot of Diner, Drive Ins and Dives and having family own restaurants of their own, I understand that you can't judge any restaurant before experiencing service and tasting the food. The building is outdated but that doesn't stop anyone from lining up at their doors and filling their seats. The woman who gave me my food was very friendly.

Menu
Before browsing the menu, many have praised their breakfast options and hamburgers. The selection was beyond me from steak and eggs, burgers to salads. There truly is something for everyone.

Food
I went with a cod sandwich with fries and onion rings (shared sides with a friend). The taste was great, the fish had a light batter that you could peel off with a nice homemade tarter sauce. The bun too was soft and proportionate to the cod. It was quite messy, but a messy sandwich is always the best (minus Subway). The fries and onion rings themselves were homemade and delicious, and they give you a large portion.

Conclusion
This place is delicious, I am happy I finally had the opportunity to eat here. The cost per meal to what you receive is fantastic as well, you really get your dollars worth. With the size of menu and things that that caught my eye, I will definitely be back!

Yours Truly