Greetings. It has been some time since I last posted, and I've been thinking about starting this up again. I've got lots of painful stories and such, but not too many readers to speak of.
So if you are or were a regular visitor, would you be so kind as to leave me an anonymous comment letting me know? I don't keep any kind of tracker and am a curious creature.
With Painful Thanks,
Rachel
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Saturday, January 10, 2009
The Greedy Pig & Revel Room, While I'm At It
So, I recently received as a present the 2009 Vancouver Magazine Eating and Drinking Guide... as if I needed one. The idea is to revive The List, and inject a little pizazz into the mix. After reading it cover to cover, I think they should hire me, if not to write reviews, then at least to EDIT out some of the lame places that ended up as recommendations.
The new tradition is Wednesday Drinks, where a new place is tried out each week. I started the inaugural event off with aplomb by negotiating a second drink destination after the first was disappointing.
The Greedy Pig, located in Gastown in a great brick space, had good drinks and service, and the menu looked interesting. But, the thing that got me was the bedraggled gathering of all male patrons, mostly alone and watching the big screen. Turn off.
So, we then visited Revel Room deeper in Gastown. According to the bartender, it has been open for 9 months or so. It is similarly in an older building, however, this one is decked out in Wallpaper worthy kitsch (such as a squadron of Stay Puft men over the bar). Drinks were $9, but I think watching the mixing counts as dinner theatre.
My theoretically already-full companion ordered potato Jo-Jo's, which are deep fried potato wedges (and got the thumbs up, despite the spectacular margin achieved on the equivalent of one potato). I failed to negotiate a third drink, but did exact a vague promise to return sometime.
The new tradition is Wednesday Drinks, where a new place is tried out each week. I started the inaugural event off with aplomb by negotiating a second drink destination after the first was disappointing.
The Greedy Pig, located in Gastown in a great brick space, had good drinks and service, and the menu looked interesting. But, the thing that got me was the bedraggled gathering of all male patrons, mostly alone and watching the big screen. Turn off.
So, we then visited Revel Room deeper in Gastown. According to the bartender, it has been open for 9 months or so. It is similarly in an older building, however, this one is decked out in Wallpaper worthy kitsch (such as a squadron of Stay Puft men over the bar). Drinks were $9, but I think watching the mixing counts as dinner theatre.
My theoretically already-full companion ordered potato Jo-Jo's, which are deep fried potato wedges (and got the thumbs up, despite the spectacular margin achieved on the equivalent of one potato). I failed to negotiate a third drink, but did exact a vague promise to return sometime.
Now For Some Pain
Banana Leaf, Broadway location, dinner.
Mee Goreng... meeehhhh. The dud dish. Noodles were soggy and indistinct, topped unappetizingly with shredded lettuce. It would be better with something fried and crispy, like garlic instead.
Calamari. Yum, rings only, covered in spice mixture with good sauce.
Roti Canai. Delicious greasy pull-apart roti with curry dipping (smothering) sauce. I ate way more than I had a right to, and hoped no one would call me on it.
Sambal green beans. A perennial favourite, with lots of brine shrimp. Was only OK last night.
Chili shrimp. Great sauce, a little chewy.
Beef rendang. Something that is always ordered when we go here. I love it.
Service always seems to be an issue, and is inconsistent. Make demands for your rice to show up with the meal, not after. The Leaf trades off of reputation, but the place is past it's prime, and needs to step it up.
On the plus side, it is one of the only restaurants where we've found Efes by the bottle.
***
Then after much deliberation we selected Cedar Cottage pub for a pint. Oh my, what a crowd had gathered for the "big" hockey game. Lots of mullets and cheap shoes.
Consensus = why do we always end up here? Resolution = Must wait until the sun shines and come back only to lounge on the patio with too many drinks.
Mee Goreng... meeehhhh. The dud dish. Noodles were soggy and indistinct, topped unappetizingly with shredded lettuce. It would be better with something fried and crispy, like garlic instead.
Calamari. Yum, rings only, covered in spice mixture with good sauce.
Roti Canai. Delicious greasy pull-apart roti with curry dipping (smothering) sauce. I ate way more than I had a right to, and hoped no one would call me on it.
Sambal green beans. A perennial favourite, with lots of brine shrimp. Was only OK last night.
Chili shrimp. Great sauce, a little chewy.
Beef rendang. Something that is always ordered when we go here. I love it.
Service always seems to be an issue, and is inconsistent. Make demands for your rice to show up with the meal, not after. The Leaf trades off of reputation, but the place is past it's prime, and needs to step it up.
On the plus side, it is one of the only restaurants where we've found Efes by the bottle.
***
Then after much deliberation we selected Cedar Cottage pub for a pint. Oh my, what a crowd had gathered for the "big" hockey game. Lots of mullets and cheap shoes.
Consensus = why do we always end up here? Resolution = Must wait until the sun shines and come back only to lounge on the patio with too many drinks.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
In Vancouver, A Year Or So Later
Wow, over a year has passed since that lovely trip to Greece. After Naxos, we went to Santorini, where Deac proposed on the cliff walk between Thira and Oia- very beautiful with a view of the Caldera. Then to Crete, a beautiful country within a country. I loved the old crumbling cities along the Northwest coast.
We're now back in Vancouver, finalising the planning for our wedding which is only weeks away. I started my own business, and we have a siamese cat.
This has been a big year, so it's hard to cover everything. Ironically I now think back on living in Kingston, and dare I say, miss it a little?
We're now back in Vancouver, finalising the planning for our wedding which is only weeks away. I started my own business, and we have a siamese cat.
This has been a big year, so it's hard to cover everything. Ironically I now think back on living in Kingston, and dare I say, miss it a little?
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Mykonos-Paros-Naxos
Two nights in Mykonos- still quiet here- old windmills on the hill, white sand beach "Paradise", giant pink pelicans that wander the tavernas looking for their regular fish meal. Alleys with tavernas and hotels, sitting in Little Venice watching the sun set.
Paros- the fishing village of Naoussa by scooter, octopus hanging on a line outside the bars, vineyards and wheat fields, ferry to Antiparos and the ancient cave, stalagmites and two hundred year old tourist graffiti, orange blossom trees.
Naxos- horseriding through the bamboo and galloping on the sandy beach, walking through the Venetian Kastro with old stone coats of arms, kittens and churches. Best chocolaterie ever, on the boardwalk. Steep stairs and run down villas. Prettiest island yet.
Paros- the fishing village of Naoussa by scooter, octopus hanging on a line outside the bars, vineyards and wheat fields, ferry to Antiparos and the ancient cave, stalagmites and two hundred year old tourist graffiti, orange blossom trees.
Naxos- horseriding through the bamboo and galloping on the sandy beach, walking through the Venetian Kastro with old stone coats of arms, kittens and churches. Best chocolaterie ever, on the boardwalk. Steep stairs and run down villas. Prettiest island yet.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Athens
Yesterday was May day, a major holiday where all workers disappear, so it was quiet and everything was closed (except for restaurants and bars). Everything including the Acropolis and all other sites!!! So disappointing- I had to look through the grates... So, we went for a walk around most of the city. It is fantastic in Athens- a very pretty city and a vacation spot in its own right.
The hill is visible from almost everywhere, and at night it is flooded with lights, as are all the temples and churches... (of which there are hundreds. In the middle of nowhere will be a centuries old Orthodox churche. We went into one, covered in dusty gilded icons and people were lighting long tapers... ) ...which makes it very scenic walking. We had a great meal in the Plaka (marketplace), with rembetica music in the vine covered square, and then to a 100 year old bar which was dark except for the floor to ceiling backlit coloured bottles of various liqueurs, of which I tried masticha, purple fleur d'amour and mint.
Last night we dined at a very old tavern with outdoor tables along a tiered stairwell, everything whitewashed except for the bright shutters and doors. We had giant white beans in tomato sauce, and beef baked/stewed in a clay pot which was a house specialty. There were several resident cats, which were obviously well fed by patrons and the tavern. Ordering the house red is great value- 8 Euros or so for a pitcher of very drinkable wine. We then walked into a nightlife district where tables were set up for each bar outdoors. Giant screens had been set up for the Liverpool vs Chelsea match... after Liverpool won, there was flurry of people, cars and motorbikes as everyone cleared out for the night.
The hotel I chose has turned out to be very nice (Hotel Hermes), a few minutes from the major sites and very chic! Deac is out now tracking down hydrofoil schedules for Mykonos (2 nights), where we leave for today. Ferries leave out of Piraeus, the ancient port, where there has been a lot of digging, and ruins should be interesting! We finish off Greece with 2 nights in Athens, so I will see the Acopolis and National Archeological Museum then!
The hill is visible from almost everywhere, and at night it is flooded with lights, as are all the temples and churches... (of which there are hundreds. In the middle of nowhere will be a centuries old Orthodox churche. We went into one, covered in dusty gilded icons and people were lighting long tapers... ) ...which makes it very scenic walking. We had a great meal in the Plaka (marketplace), with rembetica music in the vine covered square, and then to a 100 year old bar which was dark except for the floor to ceiling backlit coloured bottles of various liqueurs, of which I tried masticha, purple fleur d'amour and mint.
Last night we dined at a very old tavern with outdoor tables along a tiered stairwell, everything whitewashed except for the bright shutters and doors. We had giant white beans in tomato sauce, and beef baked/stewed in a clay pot which was a house specialty. There were several resident cats, which were obviously well fed by patrons and the tavern. Ordering the house red is great value- 8 Euros or so for a pitcher of very drinkable wine. We then walked into a nightlife district where tables were set up for each bar outdoors. Giant screens had been set up for the Liverpool vs Chelsea match... after Liverpool won, there was flurry of people, cars and motorbikes as everyone cleared out for the night.
The hotel I chose has turned out to be very nice (Hotel Hermes), a few minutes from the major sites and very chic! Deac is out now tracking down hydrofoil schedules for Mykonos (2 nights), where we leave for today. Ferries leave out of Piraeus, the ancient port, where there has been a lot of digging, and ruins should be interesting! We finish off Greece with 2 nights in Athens, so I will see the Acopolis and National Archeological Museum then!
Friday, April 13, 2007
Questions
Vying for most commonly asked questions since I moved to Kingston:
1-How are you liking Kingston?
2-Where are you from? (upon hearing answer to #1)
3-(upon hearing #2) What brings you to Kingston..? ... it's not very often we get people moving East!... ha ha ha!
I've become so inured to these questions that I am almost like a zombie in my varying responses. I don't even listen to the minor differences in the conversation, I've become so accustomed to my rote answers:
1-It's very pretty/nice/takes some getting used to/it's so small, there are only three Starbucks here (depending on how honest/careful/frustrated/beyond caring I am)
2-Vancouver/Out "West"/the "Promised Land"/I'm from out West, Vancouver, otherwise known and confirmed by living here as the Promised Land (see above)
3-To be with my boyfriend/here for a change/exploring/(wish I had thought of being this vague from the start) for a relationship
I almost don't know what to do with myself knowing that there are only two weeks and two days left here. I caught myself thinking today, while driving home from work: will I ever come back again in my lifetime? I'm not sure. Will I miss this place? Perhaps in the way everyone misses places they are leaving and won't ever see again. I suppose that's my answer.
1-How are you liking Kingston?
2-Where are you from? (upon hearing answer to #1)
3-(upon hearing #2) What brings you to Kingston..? ... it's not very often we get people moving East!... ha ha ha!
I've become so inured to these questions that I am almost like a zombie in my varying responses. I don't even listen to the minor differences in the conversation, I've become so accustomed to my rote answers:
1-It's very pretty/nice/takes some getting used to/it's so small, there are only three Starbucks here (depending on how honest/careful/frustrated/beyond caring I am)
2-Vancouver/Out "West"/the "Promised Land"/I'm from out West, Vancouver, otherwise known and confirmed by living here as the Promised Land (see above)
3-To be with my boyfriend/here for a change/exploring/(wish I had thought of being this vague from the start) for a relationship
I almost don't know what to do with myself knowing that there are only two weeks and two days left here. I caught myself thinking today, while driving home from work: will I ever come back again in my lifetime? I'm not sure. Will I miss this place? Perhaps in the way everyone misses places they are leaving and won't ever see again. I suppose that's my answer.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
On the train with David Suzuki
Recently I took a train into Toronto to finish the second exam of the Canadian Securities Course. It had been very cold, with lots of ice and snow. Because I still don't feel quite at ease driving in such conditions, I booked the rail trip. It only takes two and a half hours.
The train was packed, and I ended up having to ask a hippie-ish type girl to free up the seat she had been propping her (wool socked) feet up on. This was the first time I've taken a train, and I loved the feeling of how it slid to the left and right, quite fluidly, while accelerating. My notes spread out on the miniscule "courtesy tray", I attempted to do a final review but really just spaced out staring into the snowy trees and at quickly passing towns.
The concierge, if that is the correct term, was enroute from Montreal and spoke in brusque Quebecois English as he handed out the tea and coffee. As my ticket was taken, I overhead him say, "we ave a celibritee on da train. David Suzuki". It was only a year or so ago that I had my last encounter with Mr. Suzuki. Deac and I were at Vij's for dinner, waiting in the lounge for a table. I remember making fun of Deac's earnest excitement. Back in my formative years, of which I believe Grade 5 was one of the most formative, David visited my school for a presentation about some type of wildlife.
And then, because I was avoiding further study, I started to think about all the people that we likely encounter in our lives on a repeated basis without ever even knowing it. In a small town like Kingston, no matter that they call it a city here, one can begin to recognize people that have some distinguishing feature or with repeated acquaintance. I recognize the lady begging in front of the local coffee shop, the women behind the counter at the deli I visit for lunch each day, and some people in my yoga class. But I doubt I would recognize them if we passed each other in a train station in Vancouver or on the street in London, or even a market in Greece. All very circuitous, but my point is that this has happened, and will continue to happen because it is a strangely small world sometimes. Thank you David Suzuki for the thought.
And, yes, I passed the CSC that day.
The train was packed, and I ended up having to ask a hippie-ish type girl to free up the seat she had been propping her (wool socked) feet up on. This was the first time I've taken a train, and I loved the feeling of how it slid to the left and right, quite fluidly, while accelerating. My notes spread out on the miniscule "courtesy tray", I attempted to do a final review but really just spaced out staring into the snowy trees and at quickly passing towns.
The concierge, if that is the correct term, was enroute from Montreal and spoke in brusque Quebecois English as he handed out the tea and coffee. As my ticket was taken, I overhead him say, "we ave a celibritee on da train. David Suzuki". It was only a year or so ago that I had my last encounter with Mr. Suzuki. Deac and I were at Vij's for dinner, waiting in the lounge for a table. I remember making fun of Deac's earnest excitement. Back in my formative years, of which I believe Grade 5 was one of the most formative, David visited my school for a presentation about some type of wildlife.
And then, because I was avoiding further study, I started to think about all the people that we likely encounter in our lives on a repeated basis without ever even knowing it. In a small town like Kingston, no matter that they call it a city here, one can begin to recognize people that have some distinguishing feature or with repeated acquaintance. I recognize the lady begging in front of the local coffee shop, the women behind the counter at the deli I visit for lunch each day, and some people in my yoga class. But I doubt I would recognize them if we passed each other in a train station in Vancouver or on the street in London, or even a market in Greece. All very circuitous, but my point is that this has happened, and will continue to happen because it is a strangely small world sometimes. Thank you David Suzuki for the thought.
And, yes, I passed the CSC that day.
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