New music Fridays might be a big day for Spotify, but this Monday was an exciting one for the Canadian country trio Runaway Angel who just released their new single, "Hard To Get" on Canadian country radio stations; the girl group has also been nominated for a CMAO Award for Group/Duo of the Year. The angels--Cadence Grace, Ann Chaplin and Stacey Zegers--are sharing their music with people all over the world.
The group has been performing together for the past five years, and has played on some of Canada's biggest stages, such as Boots and Hearts, Lucknow's Music In The Fields, Trackside and The Havelock Jamboree. The group has opened for a slew of major acts including Dallas Smith, Jason Blaine, Chad Brownlee, Brett Kissel, The Road Hammers, and Emerson Drive. Runaway Angel made their first big splash in 2016 with the release of their debut album No End In Sight, which led to four singles, and earned them a CCMA nomination for the Discovery Award. Needless to say, it looks like these ladies are going places.
Stacey Zegers (pictured above, left) has been a vegetarian for 14 years, and she does aim to eat vegan 95 per cent of the time, but gives into her absolute favourite food, pizza, every now and again. Though, she admits she is constantly on a quest to find a delicious vegan cheese alternative. A quest we are admittedly on as well. As a plant-based food lover, it's not surprising that the singer-songwriter has plenty of insight as to where you can find the best vegetarian dishes in London, Ontario.
While the 2018 CMAO awards were taking place in the city over the past weekend, we talked to Zegers (who is a local resident) about her favourite hot spots to check out and favourite snacks on the road!
Road Snacks
I always pack myself homemade trail mix, with lots of pumpkin seeds, cashews, raisins and all of those fun things.
Breakfast
Symposium Cafe. It’s a little bit fancier, but they have really good cappuccinos and lattes, as well as eggs Benedict, which I am a big fan of. I don’t eat meat and they offer lots of different kinds of vegetarian eggs Benedict. I am a coffee-over-tea kind of girl, but wasn’t until recently. I am trying to kick the habit.
Lunch
Plant Matter Kitchen is a vegan restaurant with locally-sourced organic ingredients, making it a one-of-a-kind London spot. They get really creative with their dishes.
Dinner
Root Cellar is a quaint little locally-owned place. It's all locally-sourced and organic and it's in the heart of London Ontario’s historic Old East Village. They make their French fries with truffle oil. Their fries are so good. I am a beer over wine 100 per cent. I'm willing to try anything on tap and local. But my usual go-to brew is a white ale, like Kronenberg Blanc.
Best Pizza Place
My favourite pizza place in London is Pieros, it’s my weekly religion. It’s classic thick crust, homemade pizza with quality ingredients.
I always get a really weird combination: savoury, sweet and spicy. So, it has pineapple, black olives, onion and banana peppers and then I put mild barbecue sauce on it too. I highly recommend this combo to everyone.
Cocktails
Barney's patio. It's only open in the summer; this is a local London hot spot. It’s a really cool vibe, right in the middle of downtown London. I live downtown, so it’s within walking distance for me, which is great!
Home Cooking
I have mastered the burrito bowl. You can use whatever is in your fridge. Layer it up with beans, corn, spinach, avocado and salsa. You can use potatoes or rice as your base. Throw in whatever you feel like! They are delicious! Super tasty and filling.
Death Row Meal
My family is originally from Holland, as I am a first generation Canadian. My Oma always made this chicken soup, which brings me right back to my Oma's kitchen in Holland. Meat or not, that would be my last meal.
