Downtown St. John's

September weather has me feeling refreshed and ready for Fall.  There is just something about that chill in the air that makes me want to grab a sweater and get outside.  After a trying, and super busy, week at work a night out was greatly needed.  So, what prompted this night out you ask?  It was one of my very close friends' birthday and we were meeting for drinks and apps.

I live outside the city, so going into town for a walk around always brightens my day. After circling the area for free parking we settled on paying the parking garage fee.  Not ideal, but the parking garage is huge and well lit, there are stairwells that lead to both Water Street and Harbour Drive - both areas where we were going to be venturing, and in the same building is a well-known coffee location (see below) and a restaurant.

First stop, as usual, is Starbucks.  Personally, I love this location.  Inside is cozy, the staff are friendly, and it's usually a quite place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee.

After myself and my hubby purchased our beverages of choice, we started walking.  It was after usual business hours for most stores on the street, but I did see this gem in a window as we passed by:

(Note to self: I'll have to drop back to check this out)

Aside from Starbucks, another of our downtown must-see's is Freak Lunchbox - OMFG candy!! Ha ha ha. You have the choice to use either a box or a bag to contain your loose candy from bins that surround the back walls of the store. And, you can also buy packaged candy bars, international boxed candy, soda, Pez and Pez dispensers, and Jelly Belly jelly beans.  On, and as non-food related items, they have their logo t-shirts, tin lunch cans, Funko Pops, and an assortment of collectible or prank/funny items as well. I've purchased Gremlins at this location in the past too.  We did good on this trip - neither of us left with a $18 Chinese take-out box (their candy box design) of candy. I did get some coffee peanut M&M's and hubby got a few super sours (Rhubarb and Cream - I believe).

Next stop was the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for a caramel and chocolate dipped apple with crushed almonds. They do cut the large apples on site if you are planning on eating it right away, but this was going to be a snack for the next evening so we didn't avail of that service on this visit. This seems trivial, but the apples are large yellow apples and they could be difficult to eat without slicing them into more manageable pieces. As someone who has TMJ issues, not knowing how to eat the dipped apple without causing pain prevented me from trying one.  It was only this year that I discovered, through one of their advertisements, that they actually cut the apples on site. But, I digress...back on topic...

Walking Water Street and seeing the sights is a great way to get out of the house.  And, it got us moving for about an hour before sitting at the restaurant and enjoying the company of friends (and ciders :P)

The Bier Markt &Mill St. Brew Pub was our final destination for the evening before heading home. This was our second time eating here, and our first time dining downstairs. It wasn't too busy for a Friday evening, keeping in mind that we were there early (7:30) and maybe it picked up after we left (9:30).  Towards the end of our stay the live music started.  This is the kind of atmosphere that you can expect to experience here on the weekends - low lights and live music.  The night ended with drinks, an array of delicious apps, live music and friends.

Until next time...

Later Days,
Jen