A lazy Saturday in Vancouver

Saturday morning started with breakfast in the Olympic Village and tie shopping for Billy.

Once I was dropped home I scooted over to Carso’s for a catch up and a big walk.

We power walked around Stanley Park for about an hour, getting lost in the Forrest but eventually finding ourselves in Lovers Lane and making the trek back to second beach.

Back along the water front on English Bay, we found a Crepe & Lemonade Food Truck – just what I was craving! Carso and I shared a nutella strawberry crepe with a fresh lemonade. Delicious. I love that there are food trucks all over downtown Vancouver. I’ll have to head to the food Carr fest that’s on at the moment.

Carso and I were going to head out but seeing as she had been ill all week we decided it was probably best she didn’t consume copious alcoholic beverages.

I retired home to chat to my Dad, Blom, Lauren and some others from home. Great to finally have a catch up, between time zones there’s not always convenient time to chat.

I am looking forward to checking out some more Vancouver nightlife soon, I haven’t experienced much at all. It seems to be quite a different scene to what I’m used to. There’s either pubs or clubs. Nothing in between where you can go for a boogie and a chat. Just means I have to keep searching I guess!

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Olympia, West End

After a huge stroll around the beautiful downtown Vancouver area we were craving a cheese and Oliver platter.

Finding Olympia in West End had a plate similar to what we wanted we settled in.

We ordered the feta and olives plate and the tzatziki plate with a cocktail for myself and a Long Island ice tea and Maeghan.

The feta and olives plate was very slap -bang. In that it looked like they’d just chopped up some feta, tomatoes, cucumber and bread then put some olives on it. Only $7 so can’t complain too much I guess.

Tzatziki plate was alright, lots of pita bread. Again only $6.

My Bloody Mary could easily have been a tomato juice and the Long Island ice tea a diet coke.

Average at best!

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Olympia Pizza & Pasta on Urbanspoon

Hidden Italian West End Gem

I can’t praise this place enough.

After a huge day moving we decided we were craving Italian. While West End, Vancouver has so many restaurants we hadn’t noticed Italian so headed to Urbanspoon to find one.

Adesso was down Haro, off Denman. We thought we were heading the wrong way until we found a gorgeous little outdoor patio area which was part of the restaurant. It’s unusual for a licensed venue to be in a residential area and they are lucky to have a clause to get them around it.

There is a great ambience, both outside and inside. Inside is decadent, a great place for a date or special dinner. Outside is more casual but still fine dining. We chose outside to enjoy the long daylight hours. Plus it was super cute with the hanging flower baskets and fairy lights.

Our server was very informative and passionate about the food. When we quizzed her as to whether we should get the bruschetta she immediately said no as we get complimentary focaccia and oils to start. She suggested the mushroom pizza, however we went for the margherita and the mussels in white wine and garlic.

The pizza was delicious, fresh and cheesy. The mussels – wow. The broth was amazing and they were cooked to perfection. We couldn’t get enough. Even though I said I’d have no more bread I couldn’t help but have some more with the broth.

I couldn’t decide on a main and asked for suggestions. Our server again was great, full of suggestions and knowledge. I went for the Taglietele Nera – black squid pasta with local ingredients. It was amazing. I ate it all even though I was full.

Susan really enjoyed her pasta as well. She had the clam with fettuccine, she also wanted to unbutton her pants – full to the brim! Or pants hem in this case.

We washed it all down with a carafe of red wine. We started with a glass each, I had prosecco and Susan, the red. We liked hers so much we ordered more.

When I quizzed about whether they had a twitter handle they bought out a card with all their social media links on it. Being from the digital industry I was very impressed and quick to tweet (and now blog) my praise.

A fantastic evening at an amazing restaurant. I will be back soon.

 


Adesso Bistro on Urbanspoon

True Confections

Cake, cake and more cake!

Huge cake!

Checked out True Confections for dinner on Wednesday. I figured cake for dinner was a good balance to my earlier 90mins of yoga. I am still sore!

There are so many cakes to choose from and they’re huge. HUGE!

I went with a milk choc hazelnut cake although could have quite easily gone a few of the others!

It was delicious – a huge slice cost $8 and I couldn’t eat it all. I would advise to share a piece – save your pocket and your hips!

It’s times like this when I really despise being lactose intolerant – so much cream and mousse and cheesecakes.

If you’re in West End it’s in Denman and Haro – in going for the almond cake with amaretto next!

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True Confections on Urbanspoon

Canada – one week in

I’ve been super lazy with my blogging considering I have nothing else I have to do!

A week has passed in Canada already. I actually feel like I have been here longer than that.

With the sun setting at 10pm the days are long. So much time for activities!

So far I have…
– walked the entire edge of Stanley Park – 10km in all
– attempted to blade Stanley Park – a terrible decision
– got lost in the city
– met up with friends – Carso, Maegy, Chris and made some friends – Merica, Christina, Jackson and Toby.
– visited the aquarium
– watched the sunset on English Bay
– visited Granville Island Markets
– had a night out
– done some promo work for a nightclub
– had an interview with Steve Nash Fitness
– looked at an apartment I love
– eaten out a little too often
– got back to exercising regularly

Many activities. Most of my time is taken up walking and searching Craigslist. Looking for apartments and jobs.

I’ve found a few jobs I like so far that I have applied for in the digi world but competition is fierce here. I have been looking into some promo work to keep me occupied and make some friends.

I found an amazing apartment. It’s really nice and the chick who lives there is just lovely. Se teaches yoga and works in marketing. It has the most incredible views you’ve seen in your life. Right across the ocean to the mountains and over Stanley Park. But that’s because it’s on the 18th floor and I’m not sure if I want to live that high. I cant find anything else half as decent for the same rate or in West End. Decisions, decisions.

Suppose I better get up and into my activities!

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