It has just enough charisma to satisfy any desires for creative decor, but with the comfort of a big chain hotel. An artistic social commentary painting of Her Majesty the Queen of England adorns the wall in the lobby lounge, and the place has just enough sophistication to make you feel like a Double-O agent.

Sometimes the water runs freely like an amazon rain shower and other times it trickles out like the worst kind of drought. It's a small detail but one that I am mindful of.

I've never considered Kensington Market the spot to go for fine dining, but clearly that's changing. Toronto's edgy bohemian neighbourhood is a colourful collage of graffiti with a pungent aroma of Canada's favourite botanical in the air. 

90’s hip hop fills the narrow space in Boston’s Downtown Crossing neighbourhood. I order some olives from the “Biggie Small Plates” section of the menu to pique my appetite. The owner, Haley Fortier, takes my order wearing a shirt with the word forlorn superimposed on the Wutang Clan logo. There is a theme brewing here.

Throw in a little 90’s hip hop and dance music and you have yourself a sushi party, not to mention one of the best sushi restaurants in the USA.