Local Restaurant Review - Medicine Hat

My favorite hangout spot in town is Local in downtown Medicine Hat.  From the incredible food to the ambiance, there really isn't any other place quite like it around here. 

The menu is concise, but well executed, and features pub favorites like, burgers, nachos, sandwiches, wings, etc. - with an upscale twist.  I'd personally recommend any of the burgers as there isn't a bad one in the bunch, but if forced to choose, you can't go wrong with The Classic with cheese and a side of yam fries (pictured below) YUM!  

As far as restaurant burgers go, the presentation here is spot on and the portions are generous.  I'm actually getting hungry just looking at that picture again.  Entrees range from around $10-$16.

Once the food has won you over you'll come to appreciate the location even more.  It's rare to find a patio in this city with much character or surrounding scenery.  With the bulk of the Hat's restaurants clustered along Dunmore road, the traffic hardly flatters those areas.  Local is different. 

The relaxed buzz of downtown foot traffic and the well maintained surroundings remind you that the design is unique to the building and area (it was repurposed from the former DeVine restaurant) and is far from just another prepackaged layout. For a franchise technically owned by Earl's, this actually does feel surprisingly original and local.

I live downtown as it is, but it's also nice to have an excuse to walk around and appreciate the character of the area.  There's plenty of parking along the side streets during the evening - midday is another story.

The interior is just as comfortable and features clever design cues from the location in Medicine Hat - notably, an aerial view of downtown wallpapered to an accent wall.  There's also a large central bar surrounded by raised tables and large booths around the perimeter.  Whether you're out for a meal or to sample a beer from their long list of selections, both imports and on tap, this is a place worth making the trip for.

Downtown has been undergoing a slow but steady transformation over the last few years.  With the revitalization of the Monarch Theatre, an additional floor added to my apartment building last summer, and the development of condos nearby, trendy places like Local are not only a welcome surprise, but are hopefully a sign of things to come.  Visit this place!

Welcome Distractions

When I first took to the Internet back in 2005 I'm not really sure what my expectations were.  That's when I first started blogging, but I use that term extremely loosely.  There was no focus, no target audience, and no style.  But in 2006 came my YouTube account, then a slightly more motivated approach to blogging, and finally, Editing Luke appeared in 2007.

On the verge of promoting a brand new site on June 10, I'm left once again to consider what I'm hoping to achieve with my welcome distractions.  I'm cautious to the fact that Editing Luke is becoming a bit of a nostalgia trip as I re-contextualize things that I've already done.  This is a challenge when my future isn't quite as predictable as my ambitions as a film student were.  In terms of my writing, where do I go from here?

Then there's also a strong desire to see my sites gain more momentum on their own.  While I'm still motivated to write for myself, I feel like I need more gratification than I did before.  

This isn't a pity post, but these are legitimate concerns I have and I don't have any role models to follow by example.  I'm the only person I know who has kept a blog consistently for over four years without letting it die out, and I think at least half of the people in my social circle had a blog or website at some point during that time.  Is it discipline or did they realize something I haven't that lead them to quit?  Who knows.

In some ways I figure we're all just winging it and hoping for the best. Maybe it's time for a bit of soul searching. This isn't the first time and it certainly won't be the last.  

The Evil Empire by Steven A. Grasse

If you're interested in an entertaining, tongue and cheek (the way I viewed it anyway) recollection of factoids about the British, you can't go wrong with The Evil Empire: 101 Ways That England Ruined the World.  Written by Steven A. Grasse, he explains that the idea for the book came about from being criticized by Brits who had strong opinions about the USA.  I can't say I blame them, but Grasse makes some good points from the perspective of a citizen of the current world superpower towards the actions of the former.

The book is a great light read as the list of 101 points is divided up into comfortable one or two page summaries of specific criticisms.  From things like 'they hooked the Chinese on Opium' to 'they caused the Great Depression', The Evil Empire is a fascinating read that just goes to show for as critical as we (as in the rest of the World) are of the USA, they're not just paying for their mistakes, but are currently paying the price for a long chain of events that we've all played a part in creating.  However, in true managerial fashion, if you're at the top, you're also the easiest one to blame.

I can see both Americans and Brits getting up in arms about who did what, who's worse, etc.  But frankly, I'm Canadian so historically we've had our issues with both, haha.  If you're easily offended I can see this book striking a nerve, and to be honest, I can't tell if Grasse is taking himself too seriously or not - but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

The Evil Empire is a mixed bag of cultural and historical snippets that create a convenient argument, but essentially just asserts that there's no shortage of guilt to pass around.  Of course, it's easy to make a case for how much the British have also improved the way our modern world operates - English is a great language after all.  But naturally this is more fun.