crafty for the holiday

Unfortunately, I had to work on Christmas Eve, but at least it was only a half day. Spent the rest of the day having an early dinner with coworkers and friends at Craft Beer Market, a cool restaurant inside the historic Salt building in the Olympic Village on a friend's recommendation. Delicious juicy burgers, a huge selection of beers (domestic and international) and yummy salads in a gorgeous building. Needless to say, we will definitely be coming back to try more items from their menu.

Inside the historic Salt building. Love the high ceilings and exposed duct work. 

A friend ordered the BC beer flights to sample. 

You'll find at least one beer here that you'll like. 

We started off with appetizers and ordered the Fast Food Sushi (Cheeseburger and fries wrapped in bacon and presented sushi style) and poutine (Hand cut fries seasoned with beer salt, fresh cheese curds and rich gravy - shown below). The "sushi" was delicious but I have to say, I'm quite partial to poutine. Especially on a cold winter day. 

I ordered the classic hamburger (8oz burger, house made pickles, lettuce, tomato and onion) with a spinach salad with strawberry and feta cheese. I love a good spinach salad. 

The beer canisters next to our table behind a glass wall. Craft also brew their own beer, surprise, surprise. 

This was too cute. I feel like if I actually liked the taste of beer, I might enjoy this brand. 

In the centre of the Olympic Village are these art installations of these massive giant birds. 

Outside the Craft restaurant. 

And right across the restaurant is this lovely view of downtown Vancouver, the mountains and the False Creek. The glowing orb is Science World, which has been renovated and looks even cooler than when I remember it as a kid. 

have a taste

It's the time of year for Taste of Yaletown, and me and my sister decided on Society. I love the pink chandeliers in this place, they're such a statement piece in the restaurant.

For my appetizer, I choose the ham hock and split pea soup with sesame bread stick. I'm actually not a fan of split pea, but I actually really enjoyed this soup.

Chicken potpie wellington with carrot purree and ricotta mushroom caps was my main dish and this was absolutely delicious! Definitely a comfort food dish and I didn't mind the carrot puree but it would have been AMAZING with mashed potatoes. But then, everything is good with mashed potatoes.

Triple decker s'more with peach puree.

While I enjoyed each dish of my meal, the dessert is what really made me crave for more. The right balance of sweet and tart and who doesn't like s'mores?! I'm never disappointed when I come to Society and tonight was no exception. Will definitely be coming back to try their spiked milkshakes and chow down on the mac n cheese sticks, a personal favourite.

randomness

Random photos from my iPhone while I'm out and about:

Sparkle ankle boots! So pretty!

See by Chloe grey leather lace-up booties that is on my wish list. 

Dinner! Just so we're clear: I didn't make this, my mum dropped off some food for me.

David Beckham immortalized in his boxers. 

The bunnies that come visit and hang out in the front lawn of my building. So adorable :)

Pan-fried dumplings in broth... also from my mum.

jumping on the red (band) wagon

Nothing like catching up with an old friend you haven't seen in years over a nice meal. My co-worker was the one the who suggested the Red Wagon Cafe, located on East Hastings. This little gem of a cafe is serving up delicious stick-to-your-ribs comfort food with a twist. I ordered the pulled pork pancakes (yay for having breakfast for dinner!) which also comes with an optional side of 2 eggs, and my dining buddies ordered the pulled pork sandwich and the croque monsieur.

Pulled pork pancakes: three buttermilk pancakes layered with pulled pork and served with Jack Daniels maple syrup. 

Look at how fluffy and airy the buttermilk pancakes in contrast with the sweet BBQ pulled pork crammed in between the layers... SO GOOD.

Pulled pork sandwich on a Portegeuse bun and served with a side of fries. This is a messy sandwich to eat, so make sure to have plenty of extra napkins

The blurry picture of a gooey croque monsieur: grilled ham and cheese sandwich with bechamel served with fries or salad (my co-worker ordered the salad with her meal) . Perfectly gooey and creamy with a nice outer crunch.

Doodles that previous customers have done on their placemats. My favourite is the octopus in the red wagon. 

I would totally come here again, if only for the pulled pork pancakes, but I'd also try some of the other items on the menu (pulled tofu sandwich, anyone?). I've heard that it gets super busy on Sunday mornings, with the line snaking out the door, but it's totally worth the wait.

familiar faces over good food

A university friend came back to Vancity after moving to Singapore three years ago for a job. So glad to see her smiling face and to chat since I haven't seen her in about five years. So, there was lots of giggling, laughing and catching up over delicious food and drink and before you know it, it's already 11 o'clock and everyone has to head home (since it was a week night). I think we might have managed to further persuade her boyfriend to move to Vancity in the near future ☺

Roasted sablefish marinated in honey, soy and sake glaze served on a bed of seaweed and Yukon Gold potato gnocchi with green beans in a taramind, lemongrass and ginger broth. SO GOOD. This is on their seasonal inspiration menu, so if you want to try this dish, get it now before it's gone!

first night on a different continent

And we ate two dinners 'cause our hostess with the mostest insisted on feeding us for the second time. I also drank more wine in the first two days of our trip then I've ever had all year. I'm surprised I didn't come back as an alcoholic.

Rose wine and "mulit-vitamin" juice.

Homemade bacon tortellini (from the farmer's market) with spinach, baby tomatoes and goat cheese.