Vancouver Restaurant Pub: Rogue Kitchen and Wetbar

When deciding on which restaurant pub to hang out in on a Saturday night, I looked hard at the different options.  After looking at menus I had to return to Rogue Kitchen and Wetbar at Waterfront Skytrain Station.  How can you go wrong when it is Open Table's Diner Choice in 2010?  I agree wholeheartedly with the award.   Without a reservation we were able to easily get a table for 3 so if you are going with a few friends, no need to worry if you can't make reservations.

Sharing pitchers of drinks are Rogue is a great money saver.  We shared a pitcher of Sangaria and at Rogue they split the bill for you and when you see that your half of the pitcher costs the same as one drink, well, what more can I say?

I had a burger for dinner and it was bursting with goodness.  They put a knife in it cause it's too big to eat at once.  You have to cut it it in half otherwise your toppings will fall out.  My friend ordered the fish tacos which is a healthier option if the idea of a 9.2 oz burger makes you shy.

This was my second experience at Rogue and definitely not my last.  My first experience is here Vancouver Restaurant:  Rogue Kitchen and Wetbar.
 

Rogue Burger

Rogue Baha Fish Tacos with Caesar Salad

Travel BC: Smithers BC

Smithers, BC will always have a special place in my heart.  Even though I haven't lived there in years, I grew up there and my love of nature is from being a small town girl. 

It's always been a popular tourist location in the winter because of Hudson Bay Mountain and this past year the movie "The Grey" was filmed on location in Smithers.  In the summer people like to go fishing, hiking, and enjoy the festivities such as the Fall Fair.  The town itself has grown and the main street has quite the Alpine feel to it like a village in the Swiss Alps.  It is a quiet town so great for rest and relaxation.

I'm fortunate to still have friends who live there so every few years I fly up during the summer to enjoy the peace and quiet of my hometown.   This year I noticed that Hawk Air has a special summer fare seat sale.  Book by May 16 and travel by Aug 30.  Buy one at regular price and the 2nd ticket for $99.  Explore BC! 

Tourism Smithers

Burnaby Restaurant: JOEY

JOEYS Burnaby is on Lougheed Highway close to Brentwood Mall.  This is a convenient location but once you know how to find it.  I did get lost even with my Google maps and GPS on my phone.  The address says Rosser Street but I found that turning from Lougheed Highway to get into their underground parking is easier.  I'm not really sure how that happens but once a person whose not good with directions, always a person who's not good with directions. 

Once you make it inside, it is a spacious location that would be great for groups.  Nice windows that bring light into the space and quite comfortable for conversation.  Now the best part was their Belllini drink special.  $2.99 during "Happy Hour" which the server informed me was anytime from Sunday to Thursday night.  Wowser!  Now that is worth coming back for again and again.  Normally I milk my drinks but with that price I didn't have to.  Great for cocktail lovers out there!

For my meal I couldn't resist the Lobster Ravioli with garlic toast.  Lovely tender ravioli and cream sauce!  Garlic toast is great for soaking up the sauce.  What a treat!

 Another main that my friend tried were the Baja Fish Tacos. 

This is the 2nd time I've been to JOEY.  Last year it was JOEY at Bentall One in Vancouver.  The food is always great and affordable.  JOEY Burnaby is great for those who work or live in Burnaby and would like free parking. 

Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge and Rice Lake Hike

Summer has arrived!  The weather has been sunny and lovely for hiking.  An comfortable and easy hike in North Vancouver would be the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge and Rice Lake.  Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge is transit friendly even on Sundays.  I took the bus #229 Lynn Canyon from Lonsdale Quay Seabus.  The bus driver tells you where the stop is, how to walk there, and the bus times to return.  Quite amazing service that it's hard to get lost.

There is a cafe and washrooms at the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge before you start your hike across the suspension bridge and to Rice Lake.  Every time I come here, I fight my fear of heights and walk across the bridge holding on tight to both sides of the ropes.  My heart beats again once I'm safely on the other side.  This is why I never have photos of the falls and the suspension bridge itself.

The trails are well marked and even though I wore hiking boots, my fellow companions were hiking with flip flops and one was even with a twisted ankle.  So perhaps "walk in the forest" would be a better term for this "hike."

Nature surrounds you with the trees and sounds of the river.  You can walk by the river and the pool where some are brave enough to go swimming, but not this early in the year.  Then you walk up a set of stairs to head towards Rice Lake.

Rice Lake is beautiful.  It's a peaceful walk around the lake a lot of different points where you can stop to enjoy the view and take a break.  There's a viewpoint on a dock to see this view below in the picture.  Beautiful.  Rare to find that's accessible by public transit.

Now what surprised me even more was that from Rice Lake, you can actually access the road again and catch a bus #228 Lonsdale Quay.  I love the ease of the North Vancouver buses that take you to the seabus.  When I arrived back from my hike, I still had the whole afternoon to explore downtown Vancouver.  The fresh air at Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge and Rice Lake was just what I needed to be refreshed for the rest of the day.

Urban Tea Merchant: Sakura Westcoast Tea Service

Cherry blossoms are in bloom in April and with that comes the Sakura Westcoast Afternoon Tea Service at the Urban Tea Merchant.  I have heard a lot of good things about the Urban Tea Merchant but never been so it was a nice treat when a friend took me there.  I choose the Sakura Westcoast Tea Service because it had a nice blend of fusion Asian and fewer sweets.  Also it goes nicely with the spring weather. 

It feels quite elegant to be drinking chilled green tea from champagne glasses.  Such luxury!  When the teapots came out and the first cup of tea was poured, I was amazed at the aroma that embraced me before I even had my first sip.  The tea truly has you enjoying it with many senses.

The Sakura Westcoast Afternoon Tea came out on a platter that was so colourful and artistic that I was hesitant to take the first bite.  It was food art with finishing touched all infused with tea.  My favourites were the open faced smoked salmon and the miso maple glazed sablefish wrapped in butter lettuce.   Very unique for afternoon tea!  The Sakura Westcoast Afternoon Tea Service ends on April 30th so you still have a few weeks left for the experience. 

Sakura Westcoast Tea Service

Find out descriptive menu details at:  Urban Tea Merchant - Afternoon Tea Service Menu

I would return for their seasonal tea services and as a special occasion to catch up with friends!  

Keep checking their website as they will have a special Mother's Day Tea in May!

 

Petite Tea Sandwiches

Vancouver: Milano Espresso Lounge Gastown

Milano's Mocha

Am I a coffee drinker?  Not really, but with a cup of mocha from Milano's Espresso Lounge in Gastown, I can certainly appreciate the love of coffee.  Milano's has Italian roots but is a local Vancouver family run business.  Milano's is not just a coffee shop, they are the local coffee roasters.  The coffee lounge has a relaxing open concept vibe that invites you to stay and relax with them.  It was great to sit by the window to do people and weather watching.  When the rain stopped and the sun came out, it was time to leave the lounge and explore Gastown.

You can have light light, or dessert which is served there but the main attraction is definitely their coffee.  I tried the mocha and it was deliciously delightful.  Even hours later, the taste is lingering in my mouth.

Milano's Espresso Lounge in Gastown is located at 36 Powell Street.

Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

There is a saying that April showers bring May flowers, however, they did not take into account that April is the month when Cherry Blossoms are in bloom.  These are beautiful flowers that everyone can enjoy in parks and public spaces including Burrard Skytrain Station.

Walking out of Burrard Skytrain Station entrance, there's a walkway of blooming cherry blossom trees and photographers taking advantage of their bloom.  It was a surprise when I walked out into the sea of pink cherry blossoms.  I got caught up in the moment and captured a a few shots on my android phone.  The blossoms reminded me of a soft comforting pillow.

The cherry blossom bloom won't last long so you may want to go this weekend to enjoy the scenery. 

You can also take part in the other events for the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival including Sakura Days Japan Fair at Van Dusen Gardens on April 7 & 8th, BC Blossom Watch Photo Contest with a deadline submission date of April 28th. 

Cherry Blossom Pillow