Wednesday, September 26, 2007

PICKS OF THE MONTH: VANCOUVER


Restaurant: Chopsticks

1193 Hamilton Street, Yaletown, http://www.foodvancouver.com/restaurant-review.php?restaurant=53
.

Chopsticks are not just two sticks we use for eating sushi. Nor is it on
ly a song children play on the piano. It's the hip Asian fusion restaurant in Yaletown - Vancouver's equivalent to Soho. A lively atmosphere, creative mouthwatering dishes and trendy patrons all make this bistro one of the hottest places in town. Order a bunch of different entrées and appies to share with friends and enjoy a few cocktails before making your way to one of the neighborhood's chic clubs or lounges.


Café: Savary Island Pie Company

1533 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, http://www.foodvancouver.com/restaurant.php?restaurant=2030
.

Every evening around 8pm,
like clockwork, a little voice inside my head whispers: a slice of pie would be really great right now. But not just any pie will do - it can only be from the uber popular Savary Island Pie Company in West Vancouver. Just looking at their selection of cakes and pastries makes me melt. Their products are made with natural ingredients, fresh organic fruits and loving care, which is why their pies are in a different league from the store-bought versions. The Savary Island Pie Company doubles as a coffee shop so you can eat in or take a couple of slices to go. My personal favorite is their raspberry rhubarb pie, which is, in my opinion, the most delicious dessert in town!


Shop: Oliver Barret


B5-940 Main Street, The Village at Park Royal,
http://oliverbarret.com/
.

Why is it that whenever you ask one of your fellow fashionistas where she got that fabulo
us pair of shoes or bag she names some foreign city that you won't be visiting any time soon? It seems like the cutting edge brands filing the pages of magazines are never sold in Vancouver...until now. Oliver Barret, a small independent boutique at Park Royal in West Vancouver is the solution we've been waiting for. The store carries a variety of the hippest, latest brands from London, Paris, L.A. and New York. The girls that work there are super nice and trendy and, unlike most other stores, they are asked to recommend new labels for the store to carry, which keeps the merchandise fresh and exciting. The boutique often carries popular brands from foreign countries rarely seen in Vancouver. Next time you decide to add a little flavour to your wardrobe, Oliver Barret is the place to be.


The Museum of Anthropology

6393 N.W. Marine Drive, UBC, http://www.moa.ubc.ca/
.

Let's face it, Vancou
ver isn't exactly a cultural mecca. Sure we have an abundance of nature, outdoor recreation, nature, restaurants, shops and (believe it or not) nature, but when it comes to satisfying our artistic appetite, this city leaves you unfulfilled. Thank God for the Museum of Anthropology, located at the University of British Columbia. History enthusiasts and tourists can soak up the culture at this beautifully museum designed by famed Canadian architect, Arthur Erickson. The Museum showcases several hundred years worth of First Nations art, history and mythology. On a rainy Vancouver afternoon, of which there are many, the museum is a great place for taking pictures of Indian carvings, hearing the secret stories of the totem poles, learning about First Nations history and understanding ancient cultures. It may not be filled with crown jewels or Caravaggios but it is a great place for all ages. If you visit one museum while in Vancouver, make it this one!

Friday, September 21, 2007

FAVORITES - SEPTEMBER


Song:
Hate that I love You by Rihanna feat. NeYo

.
Musician: Julie Delpy

Movie: The Red Violin

Book: The Idiot

Artist: François Boucher

Trend: Booties

Designer: Chanel


Drink: Red wine


Food: Cheese


City/Place: Buenos Aires


PICKS OF THE MONTH: PARIS


Restaurant: Le Pamphlet

38 rue Debelleyme, 75003, http://www.cntraveller.com/Special_Features/Paris_Bistros/Le%20Pamphlet/
.

The first time I tried to go to Le Pamphlet I foolishly showed up without a reservation. I was told that there would be a table available in 3 hours (at 10pm) so, with nothing better to do than wander the streets of the Marais for hours on this summer evening, I accepted. In a city full of culinary masterpieces, I wondered if this little hole in the wall could actually be worth the wait? Absolument! Le Pamphlet is probably my favorite restaurant in all of Paris. Sure the staff is friendly and the chef is charming, but the bottom line is that the food is to die for. Each course is a sensation for the senses or what the French would call divine. The home-made terrine de canard is the best I have tasted. Just make sure to reserve a few days in advance to avoid une grande tristesse.


Nightlife: Le Bar Dix


10 rue de l'Odéon, 75006, http://www.timeout.com/paris/guidevenue/1535/Le_Bar_Dix.html

As fun and glamorous as the Hotel Costes or the Buddha Bar can be, sometimes a girl just wants to put on an old pair of jeans, some comfy shoes and a dab of lip gloss and meet up with her friends at a smoky little cave where pretentiousness is a cocktail and cigarettes are an accessory. For a casual night out on the town, amazing sangria and a very French drinking experience, le Bar Dix on the Left Bank is the place to be.


Shop: Les Petites

Several locations around Paris, http://www.lespetites.fr/

.

No longer must you chase down chic Parisian fashionistas on the street to find out where they bought their fab outfit. Their luxe cashmere cardigans, feminine dresses and fitted wool jackets can all be found at Les Petites. This label, which specialized in small sizes, provides great-fitting basics for women with petite frames. Whats more, their pieces are all made with rich fabrics at prices that won't completely empty your Gucci wallet. So forget Vuitton, Gautier and Dior - for beautiful French clothing that you won't find anywhere else, I recommend Les Petites.


Culture: Le Jardin du Musée Rodin

79 rue de Varenne, 75007, http://www.musee-rodin.fr/

Let's face it, living in Paris doesn't exactly allow for a large backyard complete with flowers, trees, fountains and marble sculptures. But who needs the upkeep anyway? When the sun shines, Parisians of all ages flock to one of the city's many manicured gardens for an afternoon among the birds and the bees. For a few euros, city dwellers can enjoy a picnic and good book in the jardin of famous French artist Auguste Rodin. With a grand hotel particulier (now the Musée Rodin) presiding over the grounds, it feels like you are simply enjoying an afternoon on your private estate. There may be others around, but it still feels like your own special little place.