CHEAPER MEALS - AMEN TO THAT

The Michelin Guide this week celebrated its 100th French edition. It's a nice milestone, but what was more impressive was director Jean-Luc Naret suggesting better deals for hungry diners.

Naret said the economic crisis that is hitting folks around the world will force some restaurants to explore "new concepts." As an example, he mentioned the chi-chi Jean Georges restaurant in New York, which, according to Associated Press, is offering a three-star lunch meal for $28 U.S. - pretty damned good.

"Those who are too expensive will be forced to reinvent themselves," he told AP. "It's not caviar every day."

Michelin this week gave the Paris restaurant Le Bristol a third star - the only spot in France to be upgraded to three stars in this year's guide.

 

The restaurant is just down the road from the palace of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is said to enjoy a STARTER of stuffed macaroni with black truffle, artichoke and duck foie gras that goes for $101 U.S.

 

Guess old Nick didn't get the memo about cheap and cheerfu.

TRENDY TORONTO

 

Shared a beverage with a knowledgable hotel person on Monday night and was told that, despite the economic crisis in North America, the trendy Hotel Gansevoort folks (New York, Miami) are gazing northward to the Big Smoke. Toronto already is slated for a new Shangri La hotel complex and a Ritz Carlton and a few others, so a Gansevoort would be an interesting addition.

 

HIGHER FEES, BETTER SERVICE?

USA Today Blogger Ben Mutzabaugh has an item that says baggage handling performance at U.S. airlines improved significantly in 2008. The Chicago Tribune, he says, attributes the big improvement to airlines that charge for service.

The thought goes that paying for extra bags has caused more consumers to bring strictly carry-on baggage, which would, of course, mean fewer checked bags to clog up the airports. And that means fewer lost bags.

Here's what Joe Brancatelli, publisher of the business-travel newsletter Joe Sent Me and website with the same name, had to say to the Tribune: "I think the regular customers have mostly adjusted [to the fees] and adjusted in a way that actually works out for everybody: They carry less."

 

 

WHERE'S THE LIGHT?

Anyone looking for the proverbial bright spot at the end of the tunnel might want to avert their eyes.

The International Air Transport Association Monday reported that airlines around the globe racked up $8 billion in losses last year. And that's U.S. money, folks.

The Geneva-based body had previously estimated industry-wide losses at USD$5 billion in 2008. But it turns out the airlines lost $4 billion in the final quarter alone.

SNOW DAY

That's some storm they've got down in the northeast U.S. today. Associated Press reports New York City schools were closed for the first time in five years for 1.1 million students and that some places today already have received 10 inches.

Yeah, it's cold up here but better cold and sunny than 10 degrees warmer and a foot of snow, eh?

TWITTERING

Getting used to the twitter business and trying to file. It's pretty fun to see late-night snippets from Chris Bosh of the Raptors or updates from hizzoner, Mayor David Miller.

And I love the sense of the humour of the guy masquerading as Leafs' GM Brian Burke, who says stuff like "The Toronto Maple Leafs: Utterly and completely unbeatable when the season is already a writeoff since 2006."

Also on the twitter list, or so it would seem, are golfer Natalie Gulbis and actress Tina Fey, although I suspect it's a Fey impersonator.

GOLF DEAL

The Raven Golf club at Lora Bay near Collingwood has an Early Bird golf pass - $319 plus GST gets you four rounds of golf Monday-Thursday, including a cart. It's available until April 30 while suplies last. You can book times starting March 15.

And you thought spring would never arrive.

Visit www.ravenatlorabay.com