As soon as we cross the threshold, a hostess is already waiting to seat us and offering a choice of a table. At eight fifteen, most patrons are sitting near the bar, with the whole place being about a third full. “This is your first time here? Our sign blew down, and when we write it on a chalkboard, the rain washes it away.” “Tonight you are going to have lots of fun, there’s a birthday celebration and a jazz band is coming.” So now we are certain we are indeed in the right place, though when I look around us, I can see more of a pub than an upscale bistro interior, with the smell of French fries in the air. We examine the menu and my partner is disappointed at the two-sided thing we’re presented with.

“I’m sure they’ve changed the menu,” he observes in an unhappy voice. Being an elitist jazz musician himself, he probably doesn’t like the prospect of a live band playing here tonight. I have to check the restaurant name printed at the top of the menu again and again, so that I am completely sure we really are where we want to be. Though I could find no website for the Bistro, and precious little online information other than bare-bones positive reviews, I did dig up some posted menus: and these presented dishes like caprese salad, provencale escargots, chicken liver pate, smoked salmon crepes and black squid ink linguine. I don’t need a menu to tell me that no homemade black squid ink linguine is coming out of this kitchen. When we look at the current menu, we can see it’s mostly typical pub food, if a bit gussied up by some special flavours and toppings.

Our hostess returns to take our order so that I can ask – what happened? The current menu is very different from what we found on the internet. Different ownership? “Oh no, same ownership,” she reassures us. “The website hasn’t been freshened in a long time. Our menu hasn’t changed for the last couple of years, only our chefs have been changing a lot. Our focus is always on fresh food; we shop every day, we cut our own meat, we prepare our own burgers, there’s no microwaves…we just wish to have more of a free dining feel.” Although the whole bistro is definitely casual, including the paper napkins, when I see the wall signage from around the world, I would still expect a bit more sophisticated offer.

“Well, we are shrinking from that term gastro-pub,” our hostess laughs and we are put at her ease with a charming, friendly manner.

Want to read the rest of the story? Here you can find the whole Regal Heights Bistro write-up.

Many parents find that as their baby grows they end up purchasing a few strollers to meet ever-growing needs.
Whether it be: a traditional stroller for every day, a light weight stroller for traveling, staying in shape with a jogger stroller – there are many strollers to suit your lifestyle needs in a durable and practical way.

The best strollers are the ones that will have dual features to grow along side of your baby. This means considering a stroller that reclines (for newborns), is light weight, durable, supports an infant car seat and has wheels that will suit the terrain in your area (side walks, gravel or country road).

Most parents use their stroller as often as their car so its important to take your time and think about daily paths you and your baby will be exploring.

Here are some helpful tips that make the long search of so many strollers on the market simple to choose from:

Buy lightweight if you rely on public transportation.
Make sure the stroller folds easy and is smooth to assemble.

Buy the best air cushioned tire you can afford. Tires take the most beating whether it be on pavement or a trail you want baby to be comfy.

If you are an active parent, think about a jogging stroller. It provides a fun way to get back into shape with your baby “counting the calories burnt as you go” .

Determine your day to day schedule and where you and baby will be going with the stroller to consider the best options.

There it sums it up a bit for you to make your shopping for strollers easier and more fun.