At last, beantowners can trade in their DUIs for BUIs (which by the way are a much lesser offense) and get home on two wheels, hopefully running over nothing more than an errant soda can. The Bixi bike is set to arrive in Boston in the near future. A hybrid of "taxi" and "bike," Bixi is the Montreal version of the oh-so-popular bike-sharing system that sprung from Paris two years ago (though that program certainly has its problems). Bixi bikes have the added benefit of being eco-friendly, as they are solar powered.

● MNB (Downtown) - Hookah, hootch, and hotties at Monty's latest supper club.

● Tokyo (Plateau) - The perfect crossection of played Vice aesthetic and lower St-Laurent douche baggery. Weekends are filled with dudes from Boston who heard that this was "the spot", but making an appearance on the massive terrace for Wednesday Rock night is a must for those who know, i.e. us.
● Casa Del Popolo (Mile End) When Spin magazine pegged Montreal as the "next big thing" in 2005 (much to the dismay of scene purists), this quaint indie music hub was its unofficial headquarters. The buzz train has since left town, but the cute girl with the pixie cut and flower print dress reading a dog-eared copy of Moby Dick in the corner, hasn't.
● Bar Korova (Plateau) - Classic table-top video games, tawdry PBR signs, religious icons, a giant stuffed caribou head, neon sunglasses hovering over a DJ that spins dream pop, krautrock, no-wave, and post/proto-nu rave (of course). This place is what hipster diarrhea looks like.

These are getaways for lovers -- or lusters -- only, without the family, just-good-friends, kids, laptops (lap dancing and clothing optional) or other encumbrances. Either you want to see and be seen, or you don’t. Whether you’re after an in-room Jacuzzi, couples massages, meals, or just a fireplace and a view, read on.

Pan Deï Palais (Côte d'Azur) - A princess’ historic palace turned boutique hotel in the heart of St. Tropez. With only 12 guestrooms, the palace is exclusively reserved for hotel guests -- so unless the people you’re trying to avoid are staying there, you’re safe. Valmont treatment fit for a princess are available in guestrooms and spa.
Also rans: Château de la Chèvre d’Or, L’Hôtel Du Cap – Eden Roc, La Réserve Ramatuelle.

Before moving to New York, I spent six best-years-of-my-life in Montreal, a culturally rich Canadian metropolis just 370 miles to the north of us. There’s so many things to miss about the city -- if you haven’t been there, go -- but thankfully, a fellow expat is bringing a part of the city to me. In September, Mile End, an homage to Montreal in the guise of a casual, neighborhood eatery, will open its doors in the Cobble Hill area of Brooklyn.

● Kavanagh (N.D.G.) - An emporium of everything wonderful, weird, and rock n' roll, baby.

● Müvbox (Old Montreal) - Good things come in small red boxes.

● Papas Tapas/Martinis (Plateau) - Finger food or fingering ... it's good to have options.

● Bar & Boeuf (Old Montreal) - Where the recession died and went to heaven.
● DavidsTea (Plateau) - A healthy pick-me-upper.

● The Sparrow (Mile End) - Birds do it, bees do it, even cheeky geeks with ease do it. Let's do it, let's all eat brunch.