I Heart Edmonton

Because we all can't just get up and head out to the East Coast, the Trap & Gill brings it to us , kinda BY EMIL TIEDEMANN I've never been to the East Coast, thus I've never experienced first-hand that authentic Maritimes lifestyle that has set the region apart from the rest of Canada, kinda like how Stephen is amongst the Baldwin brothers (just kidding, calm down). But there's an underlining charm buried within those Newfie accents, and a carefree, pull-no-punches agenda that leaves me envious to no end. So, for now, the closest I can get to St. John's infamous George Street are via grub 'n' pints joints like The Atlantic Trap & Gill . Dreary Sunday late afternoons usually aren't set aside for high balls at Whyte Ave. for myself these days, but Monday was a holiday, poker was around the corner, and my sister Carrie and I were in the mood for a brisk pick-me-up. In fact, it was Carrie who suggested one of her former drinking holes, the Trap ...

"Live, lounge and play" at one of Whyte's most relaxed highlights BY EMIL TIEDEMANN In the heart of the heart of Edmonton--the marvellously concentrated Whyte Ave.--is The Billiard Club , a lounge-slash-pool hall-slash-cafè situated on the second floor of Old Strathcona 's historic (& retired) Post Office building (est. 1912). You can't miss it...it's the only clock tower on the legendary avenue. When you first walk into the doors of the 97-year-old structure you have the choice of continuing into Chianti's (Italian) Cafè & Restaurant, or detouring upstairs into our feature spot, which has been operating there for more than a decade now. Darkened hardwood floors and unpolished brick walls welcome you into the spacious quarters, which is actually separated (by curtains) into two areas, and topped off with a back-view patio. A friend and I each ordered a highball ($5.50) at the double back-to-back bar before making our way to one of the tables near ...