Side-Tracked at Steamworks

Sometimes it’s nice to try a new restaurant or bar. And I do love trying new restaurants and bars! But sometimes it’s nice to go somewhere familiar, a place that you know is always great.

It has happened to me more than once, where I’ve headed downtown with a new restaurant or lounge in mind and then I’ve gotten sidetracked and headed to Steamworks, beside Waterfront Station. I know that Steamworks will never let me down!

I have not yet had a bad experience at Steamworks. The food is always good, even if I try something experimental (Proscutto Salad) instead of my regular favourite, the Santa Fe Salad.

The best part of going there is sharing a pitcher of Mojitos with a friend. The waiters don’t look at you judgmentally for splitting a whole pitcher between two people. They’ll even offer you another if you finish it!

Martinis & Manicures (and other delightful activities)

So here I am on a Monday night having a look at what’s going on in Vancouver in the upcoming weeks, and I found one that tops them all!

La Vallée restaurant is having a Martinis & Manicures night on March 11. While this doesn’t seem to be announced on La Vallée’s website, they do have a listing that describes one such evening held last October. I was too excited to read it word for word, but it looks like the evening involves martinis, manicures and chocolate covered strawberries. What’s not to love? I will be checking back on La Vallée’s site to find out more details.

I also discovered tasteof604.com, which reviews local restaurants (and they seem to include Whistler as local). It’s up-to-date, and the reviews come from diners, which I mention because I find a lot of websites that seem to make any restaurant that pays them sound fantastic. These sites are always really well maintained, but how can you trust reviews that come from the restaurants themselves?

The Interior Design Show West will be taking place at the Vancouver Trade & Convention Centre from March 19-22. This is a sister show to one in Toronto (The Interior Design Show), and there is a printable coupon for $2 off admission on their website (www.idswest.com).

I would also like to mention that Portobello West is coming back, mark your calendars for the last weekend in March (29-30). Portobello West is a fantastic artists’ market that is held on the last Sunday every month from March to November, usually with an additional market in December for holiday shoppers. Local designers peddle their fantastic wares, and the participants vary from month to month so there is something new each time. Admission is free, and my favourite part is that so many of the goods are affordable! It’s not like some art markets where everything is overpriced. The market is held at the Rocky Mountaineer Station, and there is a free shuttle that runs from near Main Street-Science World Skytrain station.

Umbrellas anyone?

If you’ve looked out your window today you may have noticed that the weather is terrible. It’s cold, windy and rainy. It’s just a typical March day in Vancouver, right?

So why not shop for a typical Vancouver accessory today? Check out The Umbrella Shop at Pender & Seymour. This is a whole shop of umbrellas! If you’ve ever envisioned the perfect umbrella and then searched high and low for it with no luck, they probably have it here.

If you don’t want to get rained on during your walk over there, you can also try The Bay Downtown. They also have a good selection of umbrellas, and if you’re coming from the Skytrain or Pacific Centre, you don’t even have to go outside to get there!