We celebrated Ivan's birthday over the weekend with our friends Aryn and Rob, with a fun trip up to Whistler to partake in this crazy adventure course called Monkido...its a really awesome and challenging course that you do up high in the trees..there are ropes, nets, ziplines, and a lot of laughs. Highly recommended for a very unique and fun afternoon...you can check it out through Wild Play who also hosts Zoom, the crazy fast and high zip lines. There are so many cool things to do in this province that you just don't know about!
The course took approx. 1.5hrs and we were all feeling pretty good about our Indiana Jones type efforts (or not so much), so we rewarded ourselves with a lovely cocktail in the lounge at the Fairmont Hotel...their martinis are fabulous...served in ice cold glasses - the way nature intended! Ivan ordered this amazing spicy mandarin martini with a slice of jalapeno...it was delish. Prices are a bit ridiculous...so always be sure to stock your min bar with your favorites upon arrival!
We popped some bubbles in the room and nibbled some cheese and appies before heading out to eat. We went out for tapas to a place called Elements We started off with the chicken satay with a mole sauce. Sauce was good...chicken was a bit on the dry side..next was the coconut curry prawns, which were nice, but nothing spectacular...plus it was served with a pool of dipping sauce on the side, but not enough substance to dip...perhaps a little garnish of rice or nan on the side would have made it feel more complete. Next was the pistachio stuffed mushroom caps..Rob, Aryn and I enjoyed these, but Ivan thought they tasted like they were stuffed with peanut butter (aka...bad). We carried on to the heavier courses starting with the duck sausage which was the highlight of the evening...this dish was excellent, and the sliders (mini beef burgers)that followed were pretty good as well.
The last dish was recommended by the server..called the Butler Steak...it was a flank steak done to perfection...but the shavings of Parmesan and the surrounding sauce didn't go over too well with my fellow diners. We made a motion to try dessert to celebrate Ivan's birthday. Actually we made Ivan go to the bathroom (against his will) so we could order him a free birthday dessert...he thought we were all a bunch of chumps...which we were, but whatEVER, its free dessert! Rob was DYING to try the peppercorn cheesecake, which sounded pretty awesome, so we asked the opinion of our server. TIP: if your server doesn't immediately respond to your "how is the...." question with a confident positive remark..but instead recommends just about EVERY OTHER item on the menu...you can safely assume your pick is crap. But...having drank way to many wobblies, sometimes your judgment can be a little clouded....so we proceed to order the cheesecake. How do you think it was??? SHIT is how. Serves us right for ordering it...and Ivan hates cheesecake, so he thought we were a bunch of real selfish sons a bitches....oh well, lesson learned.
Our server was kind enough to take the shit-cake off of our tab...but the restaurant was still expensive for what it was...definitely not a Bin 941/942 experience to say the least (which are two excellent places for tapas in Vancouver). Rob equated Elements to eating in Disneyland....it all looks good, and pretty, but they overcharge for a substandard product...not only that, but we were all still starving when we left.Good thing I had snacks waiting at the hotel! Personally I think, if you never get a chance to go to this restaurant, your life will still be utterly complete.
The night ended with a fabulous robe party (don't get any sick ideas) we were all wearing our posh Fairmont robes, snacking on chocolate covered strawberry's, brie, and spiced gourmet nuts, while sipping bubbles and laughing till snot came out over a 2hr game of TABOO don't have the game....GET IT and...
Enjoy!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Joe Fortes...a Vancouver Classic
This is a no brainer. A classic restaurant in Vancouver, that has been around for years. I am fortunate to go to Joe Fortes a few times a year, despite the prices. Yes, its expensive, and yes, its worth it.
Their rooftop patio is exquisite in the summer...great for people watching while sipping martinis and nibbling a few appies. Lunch has a very reasonably priced menu and is a wonderful place to impress a client or your boss.
I really believe Joe Fortes also has the best Oyster bar...they are perfect, very fresh and incredibly tasty. I remember the first time I tried an Oyster...it was about 10 years ago and I gagged it down. But now, I love them...with a little Champagne....need I say more. I prefer Fortes Oysters to Rodney's Oyster House, because they seem to be more fresh. Rodney's serves up a variety of 4-5 dressings and vinaigrette's alongside the Oysters..sweet to spicy...which I think mask the true flavour and silk of an Oyster. A splash of fresh lemon juice, and slide that baby down....to me Oysters taste like sex.....picture that next time you are enjoying one, and tell me you didn't like it...please! If you need to get into the swing of things...try Rodney's first so you can take some baby steps with the sauces....plus that restaurant is filled with Hot, muscly waiters and bar tenders...the eye candy never hurts. A little shuck and fu*k for the single gals...why not...that'll get you into the Oyster groove.
Once you have had your fun at Rodney's, you must graduate to Fortes! The other night, the boss was in town, and so generously treated the team to a dinner out. We started with the seafood tower, which was amazing....split 1 amongst 4 people, is plenty to start...ridiculously expensive, but a fun variety none the less.
I enjoyed the sable fish for dinner, which was perfectly done...nice balance of sweet and savory, with bok choy, and enoki mushrooms....a most highly recommended dish by our server (and now by yours truly). Which reminds me..the service is always good, the waiters are well educated on their product and they always show confidence. How do I know...most times when ordering at a restaurant, my hubby and I will say...bring me whatever dish will make us want to come back again. This can intimidate many a server....you can tell how confident or unconfident they are about their positions, the restaurant, the food...really everything. If they seem unconfident, then we will choose our own items....but if they feel positive about their recommendation....go for it....dining can really be an adventure!
Only disappointing item of the night was the banana cream pie...kind of a deconstructed version...whole caramelized bananas with a bruleed crust (those were good)...whipped cream and the banana/vanilla pudding, which tasted chalky to me, like it was out of a box. I have had their cheese cakes before, which are delish...so aim in that direction, and...
Enjoy!
Their rooftop patio is exquisite in the summer...great for people watching while sipping martinis and nibbling a few appies. Lunch has a very reasonably priced menu and is a wonderful place to impress a client or your boss.
I really believe Joe Fortes also has the best Oyster bar...they are perfect, very fresh and incredibly tasty. I remember the first time I tried an Oyster...it was about 10 years ago and I gagged it down. But now, I love them...with a little Champagne....need I say more. I prefer Fortes Oysters to Rodney's Oyster House, because they seem to be more fresh. Rodney's serves up a variety of 4-5 dressings and vinaigrette's alongside the Oysters..sweet to spicy...which I think mask the true flavour and silk of an Oyster. A splash of fresh lemon juice, and slide that baby down....to me Oysters taste like sex.....picture that next time you are enjoying one, and tell me you didn't like it...please! If you need to get into the swing of things...try Rodney's first so you can take some baby steps with the sauces....plus that restaurant is filled with Hot, muscly waiters and bar tenders...the eye candy never hurts. A little shuck and fu*k for the single gals...why not...that'll get you into the Oyster groove.
Once you have had your fun at Rodney's, you must graduate to Fortes! The other night, the boss was in town, and so generously treated the team to a dinner out. We started with the seafood tower, which was amazing....split 1 amongst 4 people, is plenty to start...ridiculously expensive, but a fun variety none the less.
I enjoyed the sable fish for dinner, which was perfectly done...nice balance of sweet and savory, with bok choy, and enoki mushrooms....a most highly recommended dish by our server (and now by yours truly). Which reminds me..the service is always good, the waiters are well educated on their product and they always show confidence. How do I know...most times when ordering at a restaurant, my hubby and I will say...bring me whatever dish will make us want to come back again. This can intimidate many a server....you can tell how confident or unconfident they are about their positions, the restaurant, the food...really everything. If they seem unconfident, then we will choose our own items....but if they feel positive about their recommendation....go for it....dining can really be an adventure!
Only disappointing item of the night was the banana cream pie...kind of a deconstructed version...whole caramelized bananas with a bruleed crust (those were good)...whipped cream and the banana/vanilla pudding, which tasted chalky to me, like it was out of a box. I have had their cheese cakes before, which are delish...so aim in that direction, and...
Enjoy!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Roasted Veggie Panini
When I moved to Vancouver from Calgary, 7 years ago, the first friends I met were a wonderful couple named Teri and Paul. Still my dear friends today, they taught me a lot about vegetables...being vegetarian and all. As I mentioned, growing up in Calgary, in a family of meat and potato eaters....cream corn was often the veggie of choice on the side....that sloppy, drippy, crap they shove into cans and call corn ( in utter defence of my mom...this was a favorite of dad's and ours (at the time...retarded palate to say the least)...and she has since expanded her veggie repertoire exponentially....to dad's chagrin I'm sure)
I am very grateful for meeting Teri and Paul, as they loved to cook and often had me over for dinner (still do!). At this time, I was still trying to figure out how to work my stove...but I thought, if I want to keep these people as friends, I had better have them over to my place for dinner. So I quickly learned how to make pasta with veggies....perfected the "salad" and continued to learn about my new world of vegetables. I must say, I am pretty darn good at cooking vegetarian meals now....better than I am with a lot of other things! And its a great way to make sure you and your hubby...and maybe even your kids, get all of the nutrients they need!
Ivan and I returned home last night after our fabulous trip to the Okanagan, and we were famished. So we did a brief drive by pick up at Golden Valley Farm Market 3045 West Broadway...we think this is the BEST along the strip, for price, selection and quality, loaded up on the weekly essentials and headed back home to make grilled veggie paninis.
This is such a simple thing to make...no recipe required...and if you double up the cheese, you can probably sell it to your kids as a grilled cheese.
Start with your favorite bread (we are health nuts during the week, so we eat chipmunk bread with no flour)Spread mayo, or goat cheese or pesto, or a combo onto one side and a sweet chutney on the other..ex. cranberry, fig (whatever you like) Slice your favorite veggies into half inch slices...last night we used Eggplant, zucchini and yellow pepper. Toss in a bit of Olive Oil, sprinkle with sea salt and pepper (add a wee splash of balsamic if you want some zip) then throw on the foreman grill (WHAT...you don't have a George Foreman Grill...GET ONE!)Grill until soft and tender (peppers will take the longest). Place veggies on one slice..top with your favorite cheese (swiss or fontina work well)..throw in a little fresh spinach if you like (we do)...close the sandwich, throw back on the grill for 3 mins or until cheese is melted and bread is nicely toasted...and voila! We ate these alongside some of that spectacular Okanagan asparagus..also grilled on the Foreman, and dinner was a healthy success! Getting your veggies in, really just takes some creativity. Hopefully my husband is reading this right now, so he will know how to make these himself. tee hee!
Enjoy!
I am very grateful for meeting Teri and Paul, as they loved to cook and often had me over for dinner (still do!). At this time, I was still trying to figure out how to work my stove...but I thought, if I want to keep these people as friends, I had better have them over to my place for dinner. So I quickly learned how to make pasta with veggies....perfected the "salad" and continued to learn about my new world of vegetables. I must say, I am pretty darn good at cooking vegetarian meals now....better than I am with a lot of other things! And its a great way to make sure you and your hubby...and maybe even your kids, get all of the nutrients they need!
Ivan and I returned home last night after our fabulous trip to the Okanagan, and we were famished. So we did a brief drive by pick up at Golden Valley Farm Market 3045 West Broadway...we think this is the BEST along the strip, for price, selection and quality, loaded up on the weekly essentials and headed back home to make grilled veggie paninis.
This is such a simple thing to make...no recipe required...and if you double up the cheese, you can probably sell it to your kids as a grilled cheese.
Start with your favorite bread (we are health nuts during the week, so we eat chipmunk bread with no flour)Spread mayo, or goat cheese or pesto, or a combo onto one side and a sweet chutney on the other..ex. cranberry, fig (whatever you like) Slice your favorite veggies into half inch slices...last night we used Eggplant, zucchini and yellow pepper. Toss in a bit of Olive Oil, sprinkle with sea salt and pepper (add a wee splash of balsamic if you want some zip) then throw on the foreman grill (WHAT...you don't have a George Foreman Grill...GET ONE!)Grill until soft and tender (peppers will take the longest). Place veggies on one slice..top with your favorite cheese (swiss or fontina work well)..throw in a little fresh spinach if you like (we do)...close the sandwich, throw back on the grill for 3 mins or until cheese is melted and bread is nicely toasted...and voila! We ate these alongside some of that spectacular Okanagan asparagus..also grilled on the Foreman, and dinner was a healthy success! Getting your veggies in, really just takes some creativity. Hopefully my husband is reading this right now, so he will know how to make these himself. tee hee!
Enjoy!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Penticton Eats
May long weekend is proving to be quite awesome...as we knew it would be! We were very fortunate, that my dear cousins Kristie and Mark let us stay in their gorgeous apartment overlooking the Okanagan Lake, while they are out of town. It is such a treat to be here...to just indulge in pure relaxation.
We golfed at one of the top rated courses called http://www.fairviewmountain.com/ it was beautiful, albeit very windy, so we only played 9 holes.
The first day we got here, we loaded up with fresh groceries from Quality Greens...an absolutely beautiful, fresh, local and organic grocery store...I'm certain there must be an IGA or something in town...but this is the place we stumbled upon and we love it! http://www.qualitygreens.com/ And the best part yet..is the store right next door called T-Bone's. http://www.mytbones.com/ I could live in this store...its an orgy for your eyes...they have EVERYTHING...something I would have expected to see in Vancouver...but not Penticton, but WOW...you have to go. We golfed with a lovely local couple yesterday and they said they often go into the store just to get creative ideas for dinner. They have every fresh cut of organic or grain fed meats...marinated (or not), local smoked meats, as well as a deli case with stuffed vine leaves, peppers, potato salads...I could go on. Walk a little further and you will find fresh made pies, ice cream and then a large frozen section filled with lobster tails to pierogis! It was hard to make a decision, but at last we went with a Greek theme last night.
We started with dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), as we sipped on Quails Gate local Chardonnay. We sat out on the balcony and bbqued lemon pepper prawn skewers, and Greek marinated lamb, along side was some fresh LOCAL asparagus from Quality Greens...which was meaty and delicious done on the grill with a simple olive oil and balsamic marinade...sea salt and pepper and yum! (TIP: to make the most out of your asparagus, my mom taught me to peel the ends with a potato peeler to expose the tender inside..this way you dont have to snap off the bottoms!) We also enjoyed a local vine ripened tomato salad with bocchini and fresh basil....we didn't even bother with a starch...and felt completely satisfied as we dined on the balcony watching the sun disappear into the water....living the good life!
We got the tomatoes from the local Saturday Farmers Market http://pentictonfarmersmarket.org/ which happens every Saturday at 8:30am until around noon. This is probably one of the best markets I have ever been to...it goes on for blocks and has a huge variety of local produce, baking, teas, and artisan crafts...and I think everyone from Penticton comes out to enjoy this each weekend, because it was PACKED! I know my cousins go every weekend, and they really enjoy it. We also bought local, free range eggs that were awesome...and much better value than buying from Capers or Choices. What we loved...when we opened the carton, all of the eggs were different colors...when asked why, the gal who works on the farm, simply replied...well different chickens lay different color eggs! Go-figure....we are so used to the uniformity of the major grocery chains, that this was such a novel concept! We also had fresh blueberry scones that were completely delicious.
Without going into the myriad local wineries in the area( to be discussed at another time), the Okanagan Valley is a must do vacation!
Enjoy!
We golfed at one of the top rated courses called http://www.fairviewmountain.com/ it was beautiful, albeit very windy, so we only played 9 holes.
The first day we got here, we loaded up with fresh groceries from Quality Greens...an absolutely beautiful, fresh, local and organic grocery store...I'm certain there must be an IGA or something in town...but this is the place we stumbled upon and we love it! http://www.qualitygreens.com/ And the best part yet..is the store right next door called T-Bone's. http://www.mytbones.com/ I could live in this store...its an orgy for your eyes...they have EVERYTHING...something I would have expected to see in Vancouver...but not Penticton, but WOW...you have to go. We golfed with a lovely local couple yesterday and they said they often go into the store just to get creative ideas for dinner. They have every fresh cut of organic or grain fed meats...marinated (or not), local smoked meats, as well as a deli case with stuffed vine leaves, peppers, potato salads...I could go on. Walk a little further and you will find fresh made pies, ice cream and then a large frozen section filled with lobster tails to pierogis! It was hard to make a decision, but at last we went with a Greek theme last night.
We started with dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), as we sipped on Quails Gate local Chardonnay. We sat out on the balcony and bbqued lemon pepper prawn skewers, and Greek marinated lamb, along side was some fresh LOCAL asparagus from Quality Greens...which was meaty and delicious done on the grill with a simple olive oil and balsamic marinade...sea salt and pepper and yum! (TIP: to make the most out of your asparagus, my mom taught me to peel the ends with a potato peeler to expose the tender inside..this way you dont have to snap off the bottoms!) We also enjoyed a local vine ripened tomato salad with bocchini and fresh basil....we didn't even bother with a starch...and felt completely satisfied as we dined on the balcony watching the sun disappear into the water....living the good life!
We got the tomatoes from the local Saturday Farmers Market http://pentictonfarmersmarket.org/ which happens every Saturday at 8:30am until around noon. This is probably one of the best markets I have ever been to...it goes on for blocks and has a huge variety of local produce, baking, teas, and artisan crafts...and I think everyone from Penticton comes out to enjoy this each weekend, because it was PACKED! I know my cousins go every weekend, and they really enjoy it. We also bought local, free range eggs that were awesome...and much better value than buying from Capers or Choices. What we loved...when we opened the carton, all of the eggs were different colors...when asked why, the gal who works on the farm, simply replied...well different chickens lay different color eggs! Go-figure....we are so used to the uniformity of the major grocery chains, that this was such a novel concept! We also had fresh blueberry scones that were completely delicious.
Without going into the myriad local wineries in the area( to be discussed at another time), the Okanagan Valley is a must do vacation!
Enjoy!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
The Bohemian Cafe
Ahhhhhhhh.....the Okanagan Valley. So dear to our hearts. We got married at Summerhill Winery http://www.summerhill.bc.ca/ in Kelowna on September 3rd 2009, and it was simply perfection! If you are ever in town, you must go for dinner and enjoy some of their amazing wines. Known as one of the largest Organic Wineries in North America...they are famous for their Cypes Brute, a favorite of ours. This Winery has a very cool story..which I won't spoil for you...be sure to go and take the wine tour...which concludes with a tasting of course! Also the Sunday brunch is amazing (must make a reso first)...only during the warm season, it is a buffet..but a very upscale buffet...leave lots of space in your tummy, grab a seat on the patio overlooking the grape vines and the sparkling lake, and life is but a dream - sweetheaaaart! The Okanagan is truly one of the most beautiful areas in the world...the lake, sprawling vinyards, organic foods, local cheese, what more can you ask for?
Ivan and I drove up from Vancouver last week (approx 4hrs) for a work function at the Delta Grand Hotel (overpriced hotel...but great view from the pool). We decided since we were in town, to extend our trip for the May long weekend.
If I were to get into the detail of each amazing aspect of the Okanagan it would take me forever...and we would miss our tee-off time! So I will leave you with this....when in Kelowna, stop by the Bohemian Cafe http://www.bohemiancater.com/ for brunch. O.J. is fresh squeezed, and their eggs benny (when done soft poached) are to die for..all free range eggs, their hollandaise is amazing...not too thick and curd like (aka white spot slop)...but smooth and creamy and delicious...we get an order of this and an order of their healthy oatmeal blueberry pancakes, which are equally amazing and we split...the best of both worlds.
Isn't it great when you can find a dining partner to share with...so you can try more than one dish! That was actually one of the top items on my list when I was single and looking for a boyfriend...the man of my dreams HAD to be a foodie....and low and behold, I found him.
Enjoy!
Ivan and I drove up from Vancouver last week (approx 4hrs) for a work function at the Delta Grand Hotel (overpriced hotel...but great view from the pool). We decided since we were in town, to extend our trip for the May long weekend.
If I were to get into the detail of each amazing aspect of the Okanagan it would take me forever...and we would miss our tee-off time! So I will leave you with this....when in Kelowna, stop by the Bohemian Cafe http://www.bohemiancater.com/ for brunch. O.J. is fresh squeezed, and their eggs benny (when done soft poached) are to die for..all free range eggs, their hollandaise is amazing...not too thick and curd like (aka white spot slop)...but smooth and creamy and delicious...we get an order of this and an order of their healthy oatmeal blueberry pancakes, which are equally amazing and we split...the best of both worlds.
Isn't it great when you can find a dining partner to share with...so you can try more than one dish! That was actually one of the top items on my list when I was single and looking for a boyfriend...the man of my dreams HAD to be a foodie....and low and behold, I found him.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Global Grill
What can be considered a pretentious, plastic, meat market at night...can certainly be transformed into a wonderful place to enjoy a business luncheon by day. Don't get me wrong...I actually enjoy the Global Group's eateries (with the exception of Sanafir, which has really taken a tumble downhill over the past year or so)...Coast is pretty great...awesome room... Italian Kitchen and Trattoria are both very fun..and those Kobe meatballs they are so famous for are totally worth the visit...the vibe at all of their locations is always buzzing...so when you are in the mood to see and be seen...these are the places to hit up!
I was treated to lunch at Global www.globalgrill.com recently, along with a group of clients..it was pouring rain and chilly out, but we were still seated on the patio, each chair well equipped with a blanket...but you didn't even need that...the heaters from above kept us warm and toasty...so no one even had to keep their jacket on....that is a huge pet peeve of mine....I CANT STAND wearing a jacket or being cold while I am enjoying a meal...how is that enjoyable if your arms are frozen and you are shivering so much you cant even hit your mouth with the food...forget it...if I am eating at your house and its cold....you had better heat things up!
I digress....so lunch at Global is a great experience...the food seems to be much more reasonably priced, and the portions are generous. They started us off with a mixed platter of satays which were fabulous!!! This is a great option for sharing with a group of people over drinks...or a light meal for yourself. They are good value, and a fabulous way to enjoy a variety of small bites if you are not into a heavy meal. These were followed by the lunch special which was Halibut (its currently in season) which was to DIE for...it was tender and very flavourful, served on a bed of cheesy smashed potatoes and fresh green beans...perfecto...one of the nicer pieces of Halibut I have had lately.
In order to help us digest the food properly (or at least that is what I tell myself), we quickly washed lunch down with one of the most delightful cheesecakes I have ever tasted! It was a seriously creamy lemony filling, with a silky marshmallo-ey chiffon topping......can you even imagine..served with berries on the side...pure joy.
As much as I love dining out...we have not had a chance to cook for ourselves in a while..and I am starting to crave some healthy foods to get my body back in balance...so that is precisely what is on the menu for tonight! But do try Global Grill...their weekend brunch is equally as fabulous!
Enjoy
I was treated to lunch at Global www.globalgrill.com recently, along with a group of clients..it was pouring rain and chilly out, but we were still seated on the patio, each chair well equipped with a blanket...but you didn't even need that...the heaters from above kept us warm and toasty...so no one even had to keep their jacket on....that is a huge pet peeve of mine....I CANT STAND wearing a jacket or being cold while I am enjoying a meal...how is that enjoyable if your arms are frozen and you are shivering so much you cant even hit your mouth with the food...forget it...if I am eating at your house and its cold....you had better heat things up!
I digress....so lunch at Global is a great experience...the food seems to be much more reasonably priced, and the portions are generous. They started us off with a mixed platter of satays which were fabulous!!! This is a great option for sharing with a group of people over drinks...or a light meal for yourself. They are good value, and a fabulous way to enjoy a variety of small bites if you are not into a heavy meal. These were followed by the lunch special which was Halibut (its currently in season) which was to DIE for...it was tender and very flavourful, served on a bed of cheesy smashed potatoes and fresh green beans...perfecto...one of the nicer pieces of Halibut I have had lately.
In order to help us digest the food properly (or at least that is what I tell myself), we quickly washed lunch down with one of the most delightful cheesecakes I have ever tasted! It was a seriously creamy lemony filling, with a silky marshmallo-ey chiffon topping......can you even imagine..served with berries on the side...pure joy.
As much as I love dining out...we have not had a chance to cook for ourselves in a while..and I am starting to crave some healthy foods to get my body back in balance...so that is precisely what is on the menu for tonight! But do try Global Grill...their weekend brunch is equally as fabulous!
Enjoy
Poets Cove
Have you ever been to Pender Island? What rugged, wildly beautiful Island...about a 1 hour ferry ride from Victoria...Ivan and I decided to go because our sweet friends Shawn and Angela had given us a gift certificate for our wedding, to go to the Poets Cove Resort and Spa www.poetscove.com Neither of us had ever been to Pender, so this was a real adventure.
We arrived at around 3pm and drove around the very quiet, very secluded Island, which apparently hosts approx 1900 locals....the whole time we were there we only saw 10 of them....some of them of quite an interesting breed....one grocery store, 4 restaurants, a bakery....catch my drift....this Island was a little too secluded for our liking, but we are certainly glad we made the trip. And once we arrived at the resort, we could instantly see what all of the fuss was about! Gorgeous villas trickle down the hill towards the main hotel overlooking the water, 2 pools, tennis and basket ball courts, water sports...and lots of kids. What a great place to take your kiddies on a mini family vacation. We quickly checked in and ran up to the basket ball courts where we had four friendly games of 21....I don't want Ivan to feel bad, so I wont mention who won all 4...
After that we hit the pool to play our favorite card game Quiddler ( a MUST purchase for lazy Sunday's or any type of travel...we play all the time). We were having such a nice romantic little time when I think ALL of the kids from the resort decided to come and cannon ball into the pool and proceed to play Marco Polo at the top of their lungs....I was staring at them, trying to give them my best annoyed, evil eye...but they just carried on without a care in the world...I wanted to march over and send them all home to bed for being so loud and obnoxious (can you tell I don't have kids)....but alas...we were outnumbered so we went back to our room...which was the perfect decision, as we continued with our card game, in the jacuzzi tub complete with champagne, and smoked salmon (tip...always carry a bottle of bubbles and a few snacks with you for some instant romance).
By the time we finished our games we were hungry so moved down to the Syrens Bistro ...they have two restaurants...one fancy, called Aurora (apparently the nicest one on the Island), the other a casual pub type feel...we ordered ribs with coleslaw and Cesar salad, with some wanton crusted prawns to start, and decided to take all of the food back up to our room because our beautiful balcony overlooked the cove......All of the food was quite possibly some of the worst we have ever eaten...(I cannot speak for Aurora restaurant as we never went). The ribs, were certainly not fall of the bone, and had a swipe of what tasted like store bought bbq sauce...the Cesar salad was not too bad, but both salads were on the soggy side from the heavy "goup" as Ivan calls salad dressing. I'm willing to bet the prawns were from the Superstore or Cost-co frozen appie section...but the view was amazing and we still had a wonderfully romantic evening.
We got up fairly early the next morning to enjoy the sunshine on our balcony over a cup of tea and coffee and yet another game of Quiddler....so I don't feel bad, I wont mention who one all of these games. I zipped down to the little cafe and bought some fruit and the BEST homemade granola bars we have ever had...WOW...I am now determined to find a good recipe to try these at home...filled with nuts and grains, dried fruits and they weren't too sweet..and provided a lot of energy for our next adventure, which was to rent a canoe! We bought a sandwich from the cafe and popped it in my pack to enjoy for later (tip..the cafe has awesome quick food to go).
The canoe was fantastic, and I am so glad we rented one...we paddled along for about a half hour...seeing a few pretty little jellyfish and some HUGE purple and pink starfish...they were everywhere and looked like puffy cartoons. We pulled the canoe up on the shore of a little beach we were told lead up to a nice hike up the mountain....not sure about the "nice" part...yes it was beautiful...but it really was almost like the grouse grind!!! It was about an hour one way...and I was really wishing I had warn my sports bra....rigorous activities should not be done when the girls aren't supported properly....we both quickly realized just how out of shape we have gotten....having to stop quite a few times to catch my breath...but it was totally worth it at the top...the view was spectacular! Overlooking many of the Islands in amongst the water ways...we pulled out our roasted rosemary chicken sandwich with shallot aioli, and it was a pretty delicious way to enjoy the view...chugged down some water and zipped back down the mountain before the rain came in.
Both of us were exhausted by this time...arms and legs like rubber...but we still had 4 hours before our ferry left...this is the tricky part...getting off the island on a Sunday, there aren't too many ferry options...but we lazed around, went for tea, while Ivan rewarded himself with an Ice cream...then we went for an early dinner at the Hope Bay Cafe...which we should have gone to for dinner the night before...what a great little spot on the water...just adorable. We each had a huge bowl of clam chowder, filled with baby clams in their gorgeous white shells...not too thick...not to thin...it was perfect, and a wonderful way to end our mini vacation....if you go to Pender...I have heard there are a number of charming little B and B's to try...although Poets Cove is really quite spectacular...but try the Hope Bay Cafe for their chowder and...
Enjoy!
We arrived at around 3pm and drove around the very quiet, very secluded Island, which apparently hosts approx 1900 locals....the whole time we were there we only saw 10 of them....some of them of quite an interesting breed....one grocery store, 4 restaurants, a bakery....catch my drift....this Island was a little too secluded for our liking, but we are certainly glad we made the trip. And once we arrived at the resort, we could instantly see what all of the fuss was about! Gorgeous villas trickle down the hill towards the main hotel overlooking the water, 2 pools, tennis and basket ball courts, water sports...and lots of kids. What a great place to take your kiddies on a mini family vacation. We quickly checked in and ran up to the basket ball courts where we had four friendly games of 21....I don't want Ivan to feel bad, so I wont mention who won all 4...
After that we hit the pool to play our favorite card game Quiddler ( a MUST purchase for lazy Sunday's or any type of travel...we play all the time). We were having such a nice romantic little time when I think ALL of the kids from the resort decided to come and cannon ball into the pool and proceed to play Marco Polo at the top of their lungs....I was staring at them, trying to give them my best annoyed, evil eye...but they just carried on without a care in the world...I wanted to march over and send them all home to bed for being so loud and obnoxious (can you tell I don't have kids)....but alas...we were outnumbered so we went back to our room...which was the perfect decision, as we continued with our card game, in the jacuzzi tub complete with champagne, and smoked salmon (tip...always carry a bottle of bubbles and a few snacks with you for some instant romance).
By the time we finished our games we were hungry so moved down to the Syrens Bistro ...they have two restaurants...one fancy, called Aurora (apparently the nicest one on the Island), the other a casual pub type feel...we ordered ribs with coleslaw and Cesar salad, with some wanton crusted prawns to start, and decided to take all of the food back up to our room because our beautiful balcony overlooked the cove......All of the food was quite possibly some of the worst we have ever eaten...(I cannot speak for Aurora restaurant as we never went). The ribs, were certainly not fall of the bone, and had a swipe of what tasted like store bought bbq sauce...the Cesar salad was not too bad, but both salads were on the soggy side from the heavy "goup" as Ivan calls salad dressing. I'm willing to bet the prawns were from the Superstore or Cost-co frozen appie section...but the view was amazing and we still had a wonderfully romantic evening.
We got up fairly early the next morning to enjoy the sunshine on our balcony over a cup of tea and coffee and yet another game of Quiddler....so I don't feel bad, I wont mention who one all of these games. I zipped down to the little cafe and bought some fruit and the BEST homemade granola bars we have ever had...WOW...I am now determined to find a good recipe to try these at home...filled with nuts and grains, dried fruits and they weren't too sweet..and provided a lot of energy for our next adventure, which was to rent a canoe! We bought a sandwich from the cafe and popped it in my pack to enjoy for later (tip..the cafe has awesome quick food to go).
The canoe was fantastic, and I am so glad we rented one...we paddled along for about a half hour...seeing a few pretty little jellyfish and some HUGE purple and pink starfish...they were everywhere and looked like puffy cartoons. We pulled the canoe up on the shore of a little beach we were told lead up to a nice hike up the mountain....not sure about the "nice" part...yes it was beautiful...but it really was almost like the grouse grind!!! It was about an hour one way...and I was really wishing I had warn my sports bra....rigorous activities should not be done when the girls aren't supported properly....we both quickly realized just how out of shape we have gotten....having to stop quite a few times to catch my breath...but it was totally worth it at the top...the view was spectacular! Overlooking many of the Islands in amongst the water ways...we pulled out our roasted rosemary chicken sandwich with shallot aioli, and it was a pretty delicious way to enjoy the view...chugged down some water and zipped back down the mountain before the rain came in.
Both of us were exhausted by this time...arms and legs like rubber...but we still had 4 hours before our ferry left...this is the tricky part...getting off the island on a Sunday, there aren't too many ferry options...but we lazed around, went for tea, while Ivan rewarded himself with an Ice cream...then we went for an early dinner at the Hope Bay Cafe...which we should have gone to for dinner the night before...what a great little spot on the water...just adorable. We each had a huge bowl of clam chowder, filled with baby clams in their gorgeous white shells...not too thick...not to thin...it was perfect, and a wonderful way to end our mini vacation....if you go to Pender...I have heard there are a number of charming little B and B's to try...although Poets Cove is really quite spectacular...but try the Hope Bay Cafe for their chowder and...
Enjoy!
Monday, May 17, 2010
The Masthead Restaurant
Vancouver Island seems to have so many hidden treasures...it is really a foodies playground...you just have to look for it! After our wonderful experience at the Heron Rock Bistro in Victoria, the next evening we were absolutely spoiled with an amazing dinner out in the Cowichan Valley! Ivan and I were visiting friends who live in Maple Bay...one step into their amazing house and wow....I could easily live the life that they enjoy there!!!
We claim to be real "city folk" but there is something so pleasant, simple and enjoyable about the Island life...like a gourmet camping retreat...you can watch the water ripple, while breathing in the pure air and enjoy the sounds of nature, while you drink James Bond Martini's a la Jim, and feast on seafood....really the perfect combination in my books!
Our friends Linda and Jim took us to The Masthead http://www.themastheadrestaurant.com/, a cute little place along the water...it is apparently spot prawn season...so extremely fresh..right off the boat... I HAD to start with a plate...if you have never tried spot prawns, they are very different from normal prawns, in flavour and consistency. Spot prawns are very soft in texture...quite small...but almost melt in your mouth. I split my order with my hubby who enjoyed the jumbo scallops served on mascarpone risotto...and WOW..those are a must...absolutely delicious..probably some of the best we have ever had...I had the Halibut for my main...it was pretty good...a tiny bit on the bland side...not the best Iv had...but still quite nice. I also had a bite of Jim's Venison...Iv not actually ever ordered Venison myself...but the sample was amazing, with a hint of spice...cinnimon...I will have to try this for next time....and Linda loved her local Cowichan Farm duck.
They placed a large bowl of steamed veggies...Pot au Feu (if you want to sound like a real fancy ass) in the middle to share, which was a nice touch...other than the fact that Ivan ate most of them leaving scraps for the rest....what I did enjoy was very nice! I like this restaurant because it has a focus on all local products...which is so refreshing and really makes you feel good about what you are consuming....the other thing that makes you feel good is the wine...Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc pairs perfectly with seafood...light and crisp and you can drink glass after glass!
Dessert followed with a berry crumble...which was typical, but exactly what we ordered.... and a banana's foster type dish...caramelized banana's done right in front of your table...with the fancy flambe show performed by our fantastic server...who was confident, kind and very attentive...the flambe was nice and warm served over vanilla ice cream.
I certainly would recommend a little side trip for anyone visiting the Island, to try out the Masthead...and if you are already living there..then...
Enjoy!
We claim to be real "city folk" but there is something so pleasant, simple and enjoyable about the Island life...like a gourmet camping retreat...you can watch the water ripple, while breathing in the pure air and enjoy the sounds of nature, while you drink James Bond Martini's a la Jim, and feast on seafood....really the perfect combination in my books!
Our friends Linda and Jim took us to The Masthead http://www.themastheadrestaurant.com/, a cute little place along the water...it is apparently spot prawn season...so extremely fresh..right off the boat... I HAD to start with a plate...if you have never tried spot prawns, they are very different from normal prawns, in flavour and consistency. Spot prawns are very soft in texture...quite small...but almost melt in your mouth. I split my order with my hubby who enjoyed the jumbo scallops served on mascarpone risotto...and WOW..those are a must...absolutely delicious..probably some of the best we have ever had...I had the Halibut for my main...it was pretty good...a tiny bit on the bland side...not the best Iv had...but still quite nice. I also had a bite of Jim's Venison...Iv not actually ever ordered Venison myself...but the sample was amazing, with a hint of spice...cinnimon...I will have to try this for next time....and Linda loved her local Cowichan Farm duck.
They placed a large bowl of steamed veggies...Pot au Feu (if you want to sound like a real fancy ass) in the middle to share, which was a nice touch...other than the fact that Ivan ate most of them leaving scraps for the rest....what I did enjoy was very nice! I like this restaurant because it has a focus on all local products...which is so refreshing and really makes you feel good about what you are consuming....the other thing that makes you feel good is the wine...Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc pairs perfectly with seafood...light and crisp and you can drink glass after glass!
Dessert followed with a berry crumble...which was typical, but exactly what we ordered.... and a banana's foster type dish...caramelized banana's done right in front of your table...with the fancy flambe show performed by our fantastic server...who was confident, kind and very attentive...the flambe was nice and warm served over vanilla ice cream.
I certainly would recommend a little side trip for anyone visiting the Island, to try out the Masthead...and if you are already living there..then...
Enjoy!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Heron Rock Bistro
I am currently on the Island for a work trip. I am over here every 6 weeks or so, visiting clients and enjoying the beautiful sites and sounds of what this gorgeous piece of land has to offer. I especially love coming over here when the weather is warm. I am in Victoria this trip, and a morning walk along the waters edge is a beautiful way to start the day.
I arrived on Wednesday morning to participate in a golf tournament at Arbutus Ridge in Cobble Hill....a very reasonably priced course...quite forgiving....aka I only lost 10 balls vs the 30 I normally do (can you tell I'm a pro! HA)
Last night I dined at a local bistro called Heron Rock...its been in the James Bay neighbourhood for 5 years and I met the owner last December at a party, his name is Ben Peterson...so as soon as I heard he was a chef...of course we talked food...and I liked his style...and the way he spoke about food...so naturally I HAD to try his place out.
Not much to look at from the outside....and you would never stumble upon it unless someone told you where it was...but the locals seem to keep it jam packed .....the inside still isn't much to look at....as my friend Aryn said, she wouldn't find it all that appealing during the day....but they dim the lights as the evening went on and it almost had a New Orleans type feel....fitting as apparently they have live jazz on the weekends.
The menu looked amazing...we started off with a litre of their house white....good for 1 glass...but too sweet after that, so we moved onto bubbles (always a winner in my heart). The menu and concept of the restaurant is French...but a very unpretentious French....the first part of the menu had your salads and appies...so we started off with the calamari that was cooked perfectly, tender and not too much breading at all....I hate those places (like Earls or any other chain food place for that matter...where all you are eating is the batter and wondering what the heck is on the inside)...this calamari is a must! Fresh house made bread to follow...and OMG, you have to go to this restaurant just to try the bread....my dining companions agreed instantly....this was amazing...brought fresh from the oven....the outside was delicate and flaky almost like a croissant...but the inside was soft and melt in your mouth....just go....and ask for an extra side of their whipped garlic/herb butter....we asked for seconds, but then retracted our request once the food came because the portions were huge!!!
So they have the coolest thing on their menu....a build your own plate concept...very tapas style....and very cool....they have a huge variety of mix n match....from individual fresh oysters to olives and everything in between. But the poutine also grabbed our eye...ahhhh so French....I have only tasted poutine once, in Montreal...and it is truly a sin, only to be had once a year....and when you see pulled pork poutine...well come on.....you have to try it....so we did....please do NOT order this for yourself - bring a friend or two...the portion is huge...and it is such a rich dish....don't wear your skinny jeans when ordering...but do order it, because it was delish. We also did a nice mix and match off the build your own plate....olives, 3 cheeses, duck confit, chilled salmon with house made crackers that were unbelievably tasty....Leslie Stowe Rain Water Crisps move aside!....I think the most expensive item on the tapa menu was the salmon at 7 bucks....but the portions you get of everything was very generous...we left quite a bit on our plates to say the least....but it was very fresh..and such a fun and relaxing way to eat and linger over a meal. The duck confit was a little on the salty side..but I love duck confit so it was still pretty good..
They have a feature pasta night every Thursday...3 different pastas to choose from, each sounding better than the last....a big bowl of pasta, their gorgeous bread and a glass of house wine for $19 bucks....I need to go back, just to try that out....along with all of the other items on the menu..... http://www.heronrockbistro.ca/ I am giving this place full grades....go, you must.
Enjoy!
I arrived on Wednesday morning to participate in a golf tournament at Arbutus Ridge in Cobble Hill....a very reasonably priced course...quite forgiving....aka I only lost 10 balls vs the 30 I normally do (can you tell I'm a pro! HA)
Last night I dined at a local bistro called Heron Rock...its been in the James Bay neighbourhood for 5 years and I met the owner last December at a party, his name is Ben Peterson...so as soon as I heard he was a chef...of course we talked food...and I liked his style...and the way he spoke about food...so naturally I HAD to try his place out.
Not much to look at from the outside....and you would never stumble upon it unless someone told you where it was...but the locals seem to keep it jam packed .....the inside still isn't much to look at....as my friend Aryn said, she wouldn't find it all that appealing during the day....but they dim the lights as the evening went on and it almost had a New Orleans type feel....fitting as apparently they have live jazz on the weekends.
The menu looked amazing...we started off with a litre of their house white....good for 1 glass...but too sweet after that, so we moved onto bubbles (always a winner in my heart). The menu and concept of the restaurant is French...but a very unpretentious French....the first part of the menu had your salads and appies...so we started off with the calamari that was cooked perfectly, tender and not too much breading at all....I hate those places (like Earls or any other chain food place for that matter...where all you are eating is the batter and wondering what the heck is on the inside)...this calamari is a must! Fresh house made bread to follow...and OMG, you have to go to this restaurant just to try the bread....my dining companions agreed instantly....this was amazing...brought fresh from the oven....the outside was delicate and flaky almost like a croissant...but the inside was soft and melt in your mouth....just go....and ask for an extra side of their whipped garlic/herb butter....we asked for seconds, but then retracted our request once the food came because the portions were huge!!!
So they have the coolest thing on their menu....a build your own plate concept...very tapas style....and very cool....they have a huge variety of mix n match....from individual fresh oysters to olives and everything in between. But the poutine also grabbed our eye...ahhhh so French....I have only tasted poutine once, in Montreal...and it is truly a sin, only to be had once a year....and when you see pulled pork poutine...well come on.....you have to try it....so we did....please do NOT order this for yourself - bring a friend or two...the portion is huge...and it is such a rich dish....don't wear your skinny jeans when ordering...but do order it, because it was delish. We also did a nice mix and match off the build your own plate....olives, 3 cheeses, duck confit, chilled salmon with house made crackers that were unbelievably tasty....Leslie Stowe Rain Water Crisps move aside!....I think the most expensive item on the tapa menu was the salmon at 7 bucks....but the portions you get of everything was very generous...we left quite a bit on our plates to say the least....but it was very fresh..and such a fun and relaxing way to eat and linger over a meal. The duck confit was a little on the salty side..but I love duck confit so it was still pretty good..
They have a feature pasta night every Thursday...3 different pastas to choose from, each sounding better than the last....a big bowl of pasta, their gorgeous bread and a glass of house wine for $19 bucks....I need to go back, just to try that out....along with all of the other items on the menu..... http://www.heronrockbistro.ca/ I am giving this place full grades....go, you must.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Sunday Family Dinners
Sunday family dinners were a tradition for my brother Shayne and I growing up...often this was one of the only nights we didn't have hockey or volleyball or some sort of practice to go to, so we always ate dinner together as a family...often with the grand folks. I think this is so important...especially today when everyone is so busy...so techie...so absent...Sunday family dinner is a MUST in order to re-connect and laugh together as a family. And I don't think we truly appreciated it growing up..as much as we do now when reflecting back. Mom or Gran would cook all day and we would feast at night...the meal was often roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and mom's best mushroom gravy...with a side of veg of course..followed by dessert.
Easter was rapidly approaching us (yes Easter was last month, but I didn't have a blog then, so I'm gonna tell you about it now)...and I wanted to fill my table with friends and prepare my very first Easter Meal...Sunday family dinner style. I went for it, and made a perfectly beautiful roasted chicken, that I tried brining for a few hours in a salt/sugar mixture...wow..you must try it...very tender...and all the typical fixins...but I also incorporated a modernized form of a traditional family treat!!! The pierogi...ahhh the little soft pillowy pierogi...we grew up eating this delight on special occassions such as Christmas and Easter...homemade by mom, gran, aunties and uncles....and everyone had their own unique recipe. I tried a very modern version from one of my favorite cookbooks called Rebar...its a vegetarian cookbook...but it is amazing...as is the actual restaurant in Victoria BC...you must go! http://www.rebarmodernfood.com/ So we tried out their roasted yam pierogi....with caramelized leeks and smoked Gouda (get the real stuff..not processed), and they are completely amazing!!!
I wrangled my husband Ivan in to help me with the process..and on a rainy Saturday..what could be more fun then sipping tea, listening to music and making pierogi with your hubby...I know I know men are thinking...I'd rather be watching hockey with the boys.....and so would Ivan...so I have no point...well my point is...its actually a fun activity to do together..something different...involve wine or beers if it will help! The result is a freezer full of gorgeous pierogi!!!
They went alongside my roasted chicken dinner perfectly...just be sure you saute some onions in butter and fry them up a little after boiling...a dab of sour cream ..yum! Which actually reminds me...don't use the dough recipe from Rebar...it sucks...it came out dry and inflexible...instead use my cousin and dear friend Yvonne's recipe of equal parts flour and sour cream....get a big tub to start and see how you go...but this dough is perfect...soft and pliable..and it doesn't use near as much flour as other recipes so its much lighter..you don't feel too heavy after eating them.
We froze the pierogi individually and plopped them into a freezer baggy..and enjoyed a few again last night...alongside some fresh green beans and sauteed spinach with garlic...HELLO... a veggie feast in and of itself !!!!
Enjoy
Easter was rapidly approaching us (yes Easter was last month, but I didn't have a blog then, so I'm gonna tell you about it now)...and I wanted to fill my table with friends and prepare my very first Easter Meal...Sunday family dinner style. I went for it, and made a perfectly beautiful roasted chicken, that I tried brining for a few hours in a salt/sugar mixture...wow..you must try it...very tender...and all the typical fixins...but I also incorporated a modernized form of a traditional family treat!!! The pierogi...ahhh the little soft pillowy pierogi...we grew up eating this delight on special occassions such as Christmas and Easter...homemade by mom, gran, aunties and uncles....and everyone had their own unique recipe. I tried a very modern version from one of my favorite cookbooks called Rebar...its a vegetarian cookbook...but it is amazing...as is the actual restaurant in Victoria BC...you must go! http://www.rebarmodernfood.com/ So we tried out their roasted yam pierogi....with caramelized leeks and smoked Gouda (get the real stuff..not processed), and they are completely amazing!!!
I wrangled my husband Ivan in to help me with the process..and on a rainy Saturday..what could be more fun then sipping tea, listening to music and making pierogi with your hubby...I know I know men are thinking...I'd rather be watching hockey with the boys.....and so would Ivan...so I have no point...well my point is...its actually a fun activity to do together..something different...involve wine or beers if it will help! The result is a freezer full of gorgeous pierogi!!!
They went alongside my roasted chicken dinner perfectly...just be sure you saute some onions in butter and fry them up a little after boiling...a dab of sour cream ..yum! Which actually reminds me...don't use the dough recipe from Rebar...it sucks...it came out dry and inflexible...instead use my cousin and dear friend Yvonne's recipe of equal parts flour and sour cream....get a big tub to start and see how you go...but this dough is perfect...soft and pliable..and it doesn't use near as much flour as other recipes so its much lighter..you don't feel too heavy after eating them.
We froze the pierogi individually and plopped them into a freezer baggy..and enjoyed a few again last night...alongside some fresh green beans and sauteed spinach with garlic...HELLO... a veggie feast in and of itself !!!!
Enjoy
How it all began.....
I was raised by my wonderful folks, Lorne and Shirley in Calgary, Alberta.....My brother Shayne and I grew up sitting at the breakfast table imagining what we would be eating for dinner. My mum is an amazing cook, and her and dad would spend almost every weekend entertaining guests (still do), and I remember falling asleep to our home filled with wonderful smells and the laughter of the guests trickling up to my room into the wee hours. I never took an interest in cooking, instead I was more like my dad, who would take all of mum's carefully prepared dinner from the night before and plop it all into a big pan with a schwack of butter, then call out to us "hey kids, MUSH is ready!!" and we would excitedly run into the kitchen for our weekend morning treat.
In University, amongst the Dairy Queen/KFC/McDonalds/Pizza Pops and Campbell's Chunky Soup, I actually figured out how to make sweet and sour meatballs....I was so proud of myself, I ended up eating this almost every week...ask my poor cousin Kristyn...she was a Veg head at the time, and she remembers my feetballs (as she would call them) quite well.
I moved to France after Uni. and lived with an amazing family as their Au Pair...and it was there, that my palate experience grew even wider (as did my ass)...growing up in Alberta BEEF country, my experience with the broad range of foods was a bit limited...I had never heard of Egg Plant, or tasted bocchini with fresh basil. In France you can grow herbs year round (in Calgary...not so much) so I would walk to the front door porch to grab some sprigs of fresh rosemary, or cilantro and watch Lisa (the mom I worked for) make magic...I started to feel intrigued....
Then 7 years ago, I moved to beautiful Vancouver BC...in hopes of becoming the next big movie star....I was broke and had no friends or family close by. In desperate need of making friends....I thought " hey, people like to eat and drink....so I will learn to cook and invite people over" and that's what I did. I went to the Library and took out cookbooks and magazines and copied the recipes by hand, as I couldn't afford to buy them at a store. and...wouldn't you know...it WORKED!! I now have a wonderful circle of friends, and am married to the most amazing man in the Universe and we live a fabulous life...entertaining often, experimenting in the gorgeous kitchen Ivan built me...he is my eternal test subject for my new creations.....it isn't always perfect...but it sure is fun!!
I am so passionate about food, but I work in an entirely unrelated industry...so I am excited to start blogging about my foodie experiences...I hope you will join me on my journey!!!
In University, amongst the Dairy Queen/KFC/McDonalds/Pizza Pops and Campbell's Chunky Soup, I actually figured out how to make sweet and sour meatballs....I was so proud of myself, I ended up eating this almost every week...ask my poor cousin Kristyn...she was a Veg head at the time, and she remembers my feetballs (as she would call them) quite well.
I moved to France after Uni. and lived with an amazing family as their Au Pair...and it was there, that my palate experience grew even wider (as did my ass)...growing up in Alberta BEEF country, my experience with the broad range of foods was a bit limited...I had never heard of Egg Plant, or tasted bocchini with fresh basil. In France you can grow herbs year round (in Calgary...not so much) so I would walk to the front door porch to grab some sprigs of fresh rosemary, or cilantro and watch Lisa (the mom I worked for) make magic...I started to feel intrigued....
Then 7 years ago, I moved to beautiful Vancouver BC...in hopes of becoming the next big movie star....I was broke and had no friends or family close by. In desperate need of making friends....I thought " hey, people like to eat and drink....so I will learn to cook and invite people over" and that's what I did. I went to the Library and took out cookbooks and magazines and copied the recipes by hand, as I couldn't afford to buy them at a store. and...wouldn't you know...it WORKED!! I now have a wonderful circle of friends, and am married to the most amazing man in the Universe and we live a fabulous life...entertaining often, experimenting in the gorgeous kitchen Ivan built me...he is my eternal test subject for my new creations.....it isn't always perfect...but it sure is fun!!
I am so passionate about food, but I work in an entirely unrelated industry...so I am excited to start blogging about my foodie experiences...I hope you will join me on my journey!!!
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