Summer is almost gone and with it, the sun, and the light.
It’s dark still when I wake up at 7am. I don’t mind at the moment as it’s nice to watch the sunrise. However! I hear that soon in Vancouver we will be pushing for more than 6 hours of daylight.
Dark when you go to work, dark when you leave work.
May have to buy a sun lamp!
I had no idea this place even existed until last night – had no idea what I was missing out on.
From what I’ve heard there’s often a huge wait and you’re lucky to get a table. Now I see why!
Four of us headed there for dinner, the wait was an hour so we grabbed a cider and waited in the lounge. Complimentary tapas are handed out and there’s a great atmosphere.
The host, who I can but presume is the owner was wonderful and attentive. Considering the amount of people dining he still made time to visit out group a few times to ensure all was well.
Eventually we sat down and they were ready for our orders immediately. We shared 2 entrees and 3 mains between us – less would have been fine. I was full to pop and there was still lots to go.
I have had Indian many times before but never like this. It was outstanding. There’s not your usual menu – butter chicken etc but an incredible, modern take.
For starters we shared the eggplant in yoghurt garlic curry and jackfruit in black cardamom and cumin curry. The jackfruit dish was suggested by the server and I am very glad we went with her suggestion. I wouldn’t normally choose it but both dishes were incredibly different and delicious.
Mains! Just as fantastic as the starters, we followed up with shiitake mushrooms and vegetable curry in a lightly creamed sauce, organic chicken breast and thigh in clove, cardamom and yogurt curry with peppers and shallots – and the best dish of the meal was the wine marinated lamb popsicles in fenugreek curry on turmeric and spinach potatoes. The Popsicles literally melted in my mouth.
Being lactose intolerant I was slightly careful with what I ate but with such amazing food it’s difficult to not over-indulge.
Attentive service, fab atmosphere, incredible food – this is one place I will definitely be back to visit.
I love the Richmond Night Market! From the amazing food, Asian nicknacks to the ‘interesting’ performances there’s everything I need to keep me happy for an evening.
I’ve been twice now, just a 20min ride from the Yaletown station, 2 block walk then $2 at the door and you’re ready to rumble!
Food wise, it’s a dream come true. Delicious plates with small portions and smaller prices. You can eat a huge variety of everything. Thank God as its hard enough to choose knowing I can fit in only 5 plates as it is!
There’s stalls upon stalls on mobile cases, accessories and chargers. There’s onesies, fake jewellery, Hello Kitty, scarves, bags, glowing items – most things you can think of from an Asian marketplace are there.
Then there’s the entertainment… Interesting is the word I’d use. Put it this way, I’ve never sat down to watch a show but I’m sure plenty of people enjoy it…
So without further adieu my top food picks:
– BBQ’d fresh squid. I love.
– Choc dipped (sprayed) strawberries. Quality of the Choc is average at best but it’s a fun novelty to spray them yourself.
– The spiral potatoes. The name evades me right now and again it’s more for the novelty here. Maybe mine was over seasoned.
– Bacon wrapped asparagus skewers
– Pork dim sims on a stick
– Steamed pork buns
– Chow mein
– Japanese dessert crepes
– Slovakian pastry filled with Nutella and rolled in cinnamon sugar
– Bubble tea
– Mango & coconut smoothie
– Ramen
I could go on but they’re the best ones I’ve had and they’re all between $3.50 & $6! Take a friend and share to try as much goodness as you can, but they close on the 14th so get there this weekend!
Four months in!
To celebrate four months in Canada I headed up to Whistler with my good friends Tahlia, Michelle and Scotty.
Snow has recently been falling upon the mountains and I’m starting to get really excited about seeing a decent amount of snow up on the tips. I will be super excited come the time it snows in the village. I don’t love the cold but I love the idea of snow capped buildings and trees, not to mention log fires, warm apple cider, snuggly clothes and attempting to learn to ski and snowboard. Eeeeeeep!
Even compared to just a few weeks back it’s beautiful to see how the seasons have change the landscape in Whistler. The leaves are the most predominant change – turning to the gorgeous rustic orange, red and brown hues.
We stopped at The Warehouse for lunch. I wouldn’t go back there. It may only be $7 or so a meal but we waited a good hour and they mixed up all four of our meals. I had The Works burger and I felt ill for ages afterwards. It’s much more fattier than I’d normally eat I guess.
We wandered around the village just taking in the sights and stopping in random stores – mainly ones that involved chocolate so I could get my fix.
There were heaps of cross country bike riders out – it’s awesome to watch. They take the gondola up with their bikes then ride down the mountain in all its muddy glory. I would love to give it a go but I fear I would break my wrist or something silly.
On the way home we stopped at a few lookout points along the way. It’s a stunning drive and the Canadian landscape still fascinates me.
The pic of me below jumping in the air is probably my favourite. Two seconds after that pic I fell straight on my butt. It was hilarious – wish someone got a picture of that!
Carso, Phillip and I headed up to Whistler last weekend for the first ever Whistler Beer Festival and to check the place out as we hadn’t been before.
We arrived Friday arvo and checked onto our hotel, The Crystal Lodge. Right in the heart of the village, definitely recommend it if you need somewhere to crash. After a quick wander around the village, I was starving. So when I saw a sign that said 12 oysters for $12 I was dragging Carso and Phillip over in no time! Three dozen oysters, a cider each and poor service at Araxi and we were off. We bar hopped for a bit and when my flatmate and his friend Mike arrived we all headed to Ric’s Bar and Grill for steak and cocktails. Can’t beat that place.
Knowing we had a big day ahead we retired to bed early after dinner.
Beer Fest day!! We were all super excited. After breakfast we headed over to the North Village and settled in at The Warehouse for some ciders/ beers in the sun. They have a great bar where you can sit outside.
Finally the first ever Whistler Beer Festival gates opened, and the huge line started moving in. $35 got you entry, a little souvenir glass, 5 x $1.50 drink tokens and a $10 food voucher – really good if you ask me. There were over 30 local breweries, who would fill your tiny wee mug for just $1.50. It was fantastic. Well organised, spent the day drinking beer and basking in the sun with friends. My only advice to the organisers would be – more shade, and to space the breweries out a little more, it was quite crowded at times. I also think some long communal tables wouldn’t go astray either.
After the festival we sauntered off back to the hotel to relax in the hot tub. Which was too hot if you asked me. I spent my time alternating between the hot tub and the pool but I’m sure it would be lovely with the snow falling around you.
Sushi Village for dinner. Not sure if it was all the beer but YUM! I over-ate but was happy and full.
Stumbled to Buffalo Bills for some crazy dancing and people watching.
Sunday I was up at around 11 and felt pretty good. We checked out and I got my Starbucks fix – bagel with cream cheese and a double choc chip frappacino with extra choc sauce.
Meeting up with my roomie and his mate we ventured out to Lost Lake for some sightseeing. Quaint little lake, you can walk around it in about 20mins – my exercise for the entire weekend! The rain started just as we reached the car and by the time we were on the road it was hitting hard. I haven’t seen heavy rain like that for a while.
Awesome weekend – can’t wait to get back there!
To celebrate moving into my new apartment, my roomie and I went out for sushi.
There’s not much choice in Yaletown for Japanese compared to Denman St in the West End so luckily it was up to standard.
I over ordered, bigger eyes than my stomach! Dynamite roll, salmon & avo roll and my roomie, Scott, talked me into trying spinach gomae. It was actually quite nice, cold spinach with a satay sauce.
I’m sure I will be visiting this place often – next up, an udon soup!
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