Othello Tunnels & Old Settler Pub

If you are going to be on the Hope or Coquihalla area, check this place out. 

"... These tunnels were designed by Andrew McCulloch to save going around the Coquihalla Canyon. The railbed crosses the Coquihalla River several times and the views are well worth the trip. The trestles have all been converted to walkways now, and it is a provincial park. It is located about 5 km outside of Hope."
(http://www.thekvr.com/othello.php)

It is one of those beautiful BC places to hike -- water rushing, monolithic boulders -- BC at its best. The main trail is an easy hike. There are however, more medium trails off the main one. We have decided to turn around, though, upon seeing bear poop as we aren't equipped for a possible confrontation. 

To complete our rustic day, we thought we would eat locally. Unfortunately, it was pretty dead everywhere in Hope at 7pm Saturday night. So off, we go again on our small road trip. We decide to go to Harrison Hot Springs. Still sticking to "rustic" we go to the Old Settler Pub. It is a nice change to go to a place where it's not a "Donelly or Mark James" type. We both have a "stick to you ribs" food - meat, potatoes and beer -- very authentic.

If you have a day, this is one good excursion away from the city.

Denman Tap House & Steamworks

Laughing Statues at English Bay

Denman Tap House
This location has been many many different eateries before. Despite the fantastic location (overlooking English Bay), they cannot seem to get enough loyal customers. I've been here when it was a "fancy" seafood place, and most recently as SOHO pub (recently all closed down). It was the first day of playoffs, so it was pretty much packed everywhere. It was a half hour before puck drop and there were still several tables around. This didn't last very long though.

I was pleasantly pleased with my food. I ordered the halibut with couscous. It was just a tiny bit overcooked but it was actually quite decent. I had my trepidations ordering seafood in a pub but it was my second pub of the day and I already had "pub grub" at Steamworks in Gastown.

I hope to come back here in the summer -- check out it they make a decent pitcher of sangria.

Steamworks

This place in Gastown has been around for a long time (since 1995) but until last week, I've never checked it out. It is pretty much what you'd expect for a brew place -- good central location, typical pub grub, excellent for a group, good pub ambiance.

I recommend the ginger beer (I can't remember what it's called, but I'm sure they will know.) It was perfectly refreshing.

13 Rue Therese

This posting is not about a real place I have been to, but a place I have been transported to in my imagination. It is Paris, 1928.

I have just finished reading this book by Elena Mauli Shapiro called 13 Rue Therese. I have heard about this book from a review on The New Yorker a few months ago and have had been intrigued. 

What a wonderful journey she has taken me to. It is a fictionalized story of a real Parisian woman and her shoebox of memories. It is a life imagined from fragments of her mementos. 

The character reminds me a little bit of Anais Nin -- a seemingly very proper woman who definitely has a penchant for the wild side.

Super moon at Taverna Greka in New West

I used to be a regular at Taverna Greka when I worked next door, so it was the perfect place for my girlfriend and me to catch up. It turned out to be the perfect night to be there. On an ordinary night, it has a fantastic view of the river and the bridge, but on the night that we were there, it was the super moon day. It was a busy night, but the host (owner) was nice enough to squeeze us in window side without a reservation.

We dined as the moon impressed us. The food was quite decent and the retsina was nice and chilled. There was even a belly dancer to entertain us (as if the moon wasn't enough).

I was there with a friend, but this could be a nice place for an intimate evening.

Thomas Haas

As some of you may know, I enjoy my pastries and chocolate. I finally got around to visiting Thomas Haas' tucked away location in North Vancouver last week. My GPS couldn't actually find it, but it brought me close enough, I just had to ask someone and was referred to the orange umbrellas infront. 

They have beautiful easter treats for the kids and even more beautiful treats for me. I tried the generously champagne infused, gold flecked chocolate creation. Only one word to describe it, Yummm!

 Champagne Truffle - Layers of champagne ganache between 3 layers of moist cakes: chocolate, almond and hazelnut

I also tried a passion fruit flavoured macaron. Also a perfection. It had a different texture from the one in Granville Island culinary school, which I also loved. Their version is less crisp on the outside and more spongy soft. Nevertheless, it's delish just as well.

Alligator appy!

Well, it is nice and close to the theatre (The Stanley), so I did go to Ouisi Bistro again. I guess this is a sign of a good place when you can go back several times and not be bored. 

I tried the alligator for appetizer this time, and the Caribbean "hotter than hell" fare.

Gator Bites

genuine Louisiana alligator, served 14~

spicy & hot with a dollop of Cajun tartar sauce

The alligator, I hate to say it, taste like chicken - an over-cooked chicken actually. It's all about the sauce, and the sauce was good. I wish I asked how they make it. Perfect with a glass of a cold one. 

The Caribbean Hot Plate 18~

****Hotter than Hell ****

habanero and coconut chicken with

cilantro-lime pesto, red beans and green rice

If you think you can live through "hotter than hell," I say go for it.  It has a nice combination of different flavours. I ate the entire thing happily. (with another cold one.) I think I will try to make their cilantro-lime pesto at home, it will be perfect with white fish as well.

The Philanderer

I have been so crazy busy the last few weeks that I am so behind here. I am finally having the time to do my updates again, so here it is.

The sign of a good play is it's timeliness. Last night, I saw George Bernard Shaw's play written in 1898,  The Philanderer,  at the Stanley. It is amusing to know that it seems that since the dawn of forever, many married couples have been bored with each other, and have married for all the wrong reasons.

"You might have married him not because you loved him,
but because you didn't love anybody else.
When one is young, one marries out of mere curiosity,
just to see what it's like." 

It's funny that so many plays are all about marriages. I guess that would be because that's were the drama lies. (Right next to teenage daughters, that is. - who thankfully/hopefully grows into more reasonable adults.)

An Artistic Affair for Our Most Amazing Top Customers

Being an avid grouponer, I received an invite to a freebie night. What a concept?!

Free drinks (wine and beer) and appies (prawns, sushi, flatbreads), music (dj) and painting at the rooftop of the Art Gallery (all of my favourite things). The view at the rooftop of the art gallery was beautiful, perfect venue.
 
Check out Groupon:
http://www.groupon.com/r/uu5093204

3G

As you may have gathered on my previous posts, I am not a vegetarian. 3G on Cambie is actually pretty good. I didn't really miss not having meat. The "shrimp like" dim sum was actually pretty close to a real shrimp dumpling. Only complaint is that our last order took a very long time. This is a decent place for a quick lunch.

3424 Cambie St Vancouver

Colin & Justin at the BC Home & Garden Show

Sample design that they discussed on the show

These tv personalities of HGTV sure were entertaining (in their matching Scottish garbs of bright yellow and pink kilts and an unfortunate run in with fake tanning that they have attained and explained on a morning foray with local tv).

Who else will describe a badly decorated room as being, "flacid."

The annual home show is always so inspiring, (sort of like walking around Ikea, but more). I always leave that place with projects swimming around in my head.
 

Check it out. It's there all weekend.

Plus, if you haven't seen the new convention centre yet, it's a good opportunity to have a looky-loo.