Top Restaurants in Vancouver- New & Revised

It's been awhile since I've listed my Top Favourite Restaurants in Vancouver!

Gotta say, Hawskworth's at the old Georgia Hotel really is what they it is.  I had a very delish duck breast (medium rare and succulent as heck!) in a broth, with baby bak choy.  Everyone was jealous of my dish! I can't say as much for their desserts, though. Ambience is really nice though; trendy but sophisticated, and the service is marvellous.

I can't say enough about LUPO, either.  I love the old character house, which was converted into this fabulous restaurant.  They have innovative foods in a fine dining setting- I had the black spaghetti (actually black!) with clams & mussels and it was to die for. All their appies and main dishes, such as osso buco are of the best quality. I've been there a number of times and it'll always be on my top list. Best Italian fine dining, for sure!

Fishworks in North Vancouver is a great spot on lower Lonsdale. It's a great restaurant amongst other great resto's in this area, but specializes in seafood (my fave food!).

Miku in the financial district/ Coal Harbour is a cool new Japanese resto, with unique "rolls".... or square rolls, anyway!  The hot plates with tender chicken slices are unique, tender and delicious! You don't normally expect much from chicken, but I have to say, this resto knows how to make chicken! Can't beat this new restaurant for Japanese food.

I keep seeing Tableau in Coal Harbour pop up as a great new venue. While I agree the atmosphere is awesome, the menu looks great and the service is good, we were served with a cool coffee (which was rectified straight away), and the croque monsieur was mediocre. However, I see a lot of potential with this place, and it could be we went on an off-day.  Otherwise, it is a really cute place.

So, these are my newest experiences, but other places I have a great time and food at are: Sushi Bella (North Van), Cork & Fin (Gastown), Bacchus (Robson area), Society (Yaletown) and our family favourite, Congee Noodle King on kingsway @ joyce.

Next on the list: Boneta in Gastown. Anybody been? How is it?

Top Ten Things to do in Spain: Barcelona, Ibiza and San Sebastian

Spain has so much to offer- unfortunately, I only got to go to Barcelona, Ibiza and San Sebastian (this time around).

Here are the top 10 things to do in Spain, in my experience:

1) Hit up OPIUM club in Barcelona. It's a really cool underground club- huge dancefloor, great vibe, decor and huge outdoor patio with bar! Def a place to see and be seen.

2) Ibiza: Cafe del Mar: for the most gorgeous sunset while sipping on sangria. On a beautiful night, with the perfect sunset, the local restaurants along the water play magical music to the sunset. bring your stack of euros, though- it ain't cheap.

3) Pacha nightclub- the iconic Cherry club- posh place that the hipsters don't frequent, but a must-see. it's connected to a lounge where you can chill outdoors and meet new friends, grab a drink or just cool off from the all night dancing!  Beware: if you're there just to see All Gone Pete Tong- Pete Tong doesn't show up until 5am!  So show up a little later if you're wearing super high stillettos that night (as I did- ouch!).

4) San Sebastien: You'll have to of course visit the famous La Concha beach, which is packed with locals and tourists alike. it is a beautiful beach with really hot spanish girls~! not even kidding.  it's a pretty romantic seaside place, so while I thoroughly enjoyed my visit with my two best girls, we got a little awkward around all the couples (as young as 13 years old) kissing and hugging and making out everywhere!

5) San Sebastien: Old Town- you must go pintxos hopping, to try all the original tapas from Spain!  I was full after one pintxos bar, and very happy off just one glass of sangria, but one MUST do the entire trek when one is in San Sebastien! Unfortunately, I caught a cold during this portion of the trip, but that didn't stop me from eating!

6) Barcelona: I'll have to throw in some sight-seeing activities, of course. I really enjoyed Le Barcelonetta area, which is around the wharf and beach zone.  You can catch a gondola ride to see the city view, and chill on the beach. We didn't eat at the touristy cafes, but opted instead of walking down the beach to the W Hotel for dinner on their upper patio.  You get the view, the food and the service.  And it was nice to eat at a posh spot. The white sangria there was quite delectable, too!

7) Picasso Museum in Barcelona: While it's not a very unique museum, it was cool to see a lot of Picasso's older work, and where he came from.  I gained a new respect for Picasso at that museum. Plus, we got free entry on Sunday! i think it's free until 4pm or something. better check the website for more accurate info. http://www.museupicasso.bcn.es/

8) Spain: must try Iberico Ham. It's the spanish prosciutto! yummmmmm (i might even like it better!)

9) Barcelona: Cerveceria Catalana in La Pedrera is an assuming tapas resto, with an even more unassuming front entrance.... upon entry though, you're soon to realize it's a bustling resto, with all the foodies munching away and beyond!  A must-try.  I really wish I had a bigger stomach for all the foods available in Spain.

10) Take a stroll around Barcelona city.  I didn't even mention the most famous tourist building, La Segrada Familia, because it's just one sight to see amongst many when walking around the city.  You must see all the pieces linked together in all the different areas.  If you like New York, Spain is probably 1000000 times better because it has that much to see, PLUS the history, plus the original beauty of old world architecture (although, i did love Italian architecture better).

What have you seen/tasted/experienced in Spain that blew you away?

One Year in Review

Holy cow, so I noticed my last post was almost 1 year ago!  Only noticed because my last post was about my birthday and now it's days away from my next bday (the big 3-0, to be exact)!

So, what have I really done since my last birthday, and what do I hope I will accomplish in the coming year?

As a young lass in my 29th year, I had a few things happen:

1) Got a new job that is crazy awesome and going to fill my resume to the brim!
2) Bought my first place! So excited for this pre-construction pad- I've already decorated it twice over.
3)  My Snowy passed away :( he's been with me for 17 wonderful years and I'm going to miss him so much for a long time coming.  His birthday would be on August 1st.
4) Went to Egypt for a great adventure.  What an amazing place.  Should be on your bucket list FOR SURE.

5) Olympics in Vancouver. cool!

6) Canucks almost won the Stanley Cup.  Very exciting and fun times to live through. 

7)  Enjoyed another fab year as a media buyer with all the perks!  said goodbye to those days but glad to have been there.

8) enjoyed another great year with my bf- who is still planning my secret 30th bday party this Saturday (he's been planning for months, i hear!)

9) Now I'm running out of things, but a year is a long time to recollect, you know! 

10) As always- friends and family are my constant. Couldn't live a good life without them and I'm so very grateful for them. 

LOOKING AHEAD:

1) um HELLO! Going to Spain with my bffs!  barcelona, ibiza and san sebastien- i am so excited!! Eeeks! 

2) um HELLO x 2! Going to Thailand with my other bffs!  phuket, bangkok, chiangmai, koh phi phi, koh phangnan, koh samui, koh koh koh!!!!  SO EXCITED x 2! 

3) I don't know what else I'm excited for, but I'm so excited for at least the next 6 months and more!! 

I hope you're just as excited for your upcoming year :)