A New Year: 2012

Happy 2012!

Here we are. A new year. A new start. It is a time for fresh beginnings. The new year is a great tradition because it allows for people to start new goals, set resolutions, and even make changes. I love the idea of new year's resolutions, because people will challenge themselves to do things they wouldn't normally do such as joining and online dating site or learning a new skill. We've only got one life and we should live it fully and happily. That being said, here is some inspiration for everyone: 

Holstee Manifesto Poster

*For those of you who are already living this way, continue to do so! For those who aren't, start. 

(Buy the poster here: http://shop.holstee.com/collections/designed-x-holstee/products/holstee-manifesto-poster)

And hang it on your wall where you will see it often! 

Please vote for my photo!

View link here:
Ocean Conservancy's Marine Wildlife and Seascape Photo Contest

An epic Vancouver evening

Yesterday, I was doing a Shopper's Drug Mart run at the top of the hill on W. 4th. I was in there for quite awhile that the lighting outside had started to fade and when I left the store, the mountains were in brilliant view and the sky, clear. Instead of returning home immediately like I planned to, I walked down the hill to Kits Beach to savor the beauty. Fortunately, I had my camera with me and was very happy I did:

*Can you see the seal in the water? 

Breathtaking! 

Restaurant Review: Sushi Bella

Sushi Bella, which opened doors in Kits this August (the original location is in North Van) seems to be doing well so far. Though new restaurants tend to be popular at the start, I have a feeling that Sushi Bella will continue to thrive, especially with its prime digs at 2059 West 4^th Ave—smack dab in the heart of the shopping district. I have been to Sushi Bella twice now, once for dinner and once for lunch, and it’s a great place to get your fill of Japanese fusion.

The first time I visited, I ordered the Crispy Crab Cake starter with prawn and creamy roasted garlic aioli. As someone who is a big fan of crab cakes, I’m inclined to try them whenever I spot them on the menu. For any other crab cake lovers out there, I would recommend the Sushi Bella crab cakes. (Crab cake glamor shots after the jump)

For any other crab cake lovers out there, I would recommend the Sushi Bella crab cakes.

As for the sushi, all rolls I’ve tried were ordered off the Bella Rolls section of the menu. I started off with what turned out to be my favourite – the Crazy California Roll – deep fried with crazy sauce, followed by the Crunchy Go-Go Roll (Double prawns, yam tempura, avocado, crunchy flake, chili mayo), which was also a treat. If you enjoy tempura sushi in particular, I would highly recommend this roll. I followed up on this by tasting the Rainbow Roll with tuna, salmon, ebi & avocado on top of a California roll.

Rainbow Roll with tuna, salmon, ebi & avocado on top of a California roll

Since I am partial to any sushi roll that contains cream cheese, I also went for the Love-Me-Tender-Roll with smoked salmon, crab mix, cream cheese, salmon and cucumber. Then I went for the Caterpillar Roll (deep fried unagi, cream cheese and avocado) which scored points for actually resembling the critter.

Caterpillar Roll (deep fried unagi, cream cheese and avocado) 

My second visit to Sushi Bella, I once again ordered the Crazy California Roll (because it is just so darn good, which should tell you all you need to know) and tried three different prawn tempura rolls – The Drunken Tiger Roll, Gangster Roll, and Dynamite Roll – not only do they have funky names, but they were all very tasty.

The restaurant itself is a clean, quaint spot, decorated with a lotus flower here and there. I particularly enjoy the turquoise decor Sushi Bella has made its signature aesthetic.

Sushi Bella’s signature turquoise caught my fancy.

The service is well-paced, but best of all is the pricing. I’ve been to take-out sushi places that cost about the same, or more, without the benefits of a sit-down restaurant. So, next time skip the take out and enjoy some fabulous sushi with a little more atmosphere at a very good price.

Did I already mention I was into the Crazy California Roll? I did? That’s crazy.

Sushi Bella (Kitsilano): 2059 West 4^th Ave., 604-734-4990, Sushibella.com 

(Link to Kitsilano blog: http://www.kitsilano.ca/2011/11/01/restaurant-review-sushi-bella/) 

Restaurant review: Mistral Bistro

On Thursday evening, a friend and I had dinner at Mistral French Bistro located on the corner of Trafalgar and West Broadway. If you are seeking a continental European dining experience, Mistral is worth checking out.
Owned by a married couple Jean-Yves and Minna Benoit– both of whom are chefs – the owners’ culinary journey is an interesting one and can be read on the Mistral website. The Madame greeted us upon arrival with a lovely smile and kindly offered to take our coats. Apart from very friendly staff, the restaurant itself has a cozy and intimate atmosphere with nice decor and mood lighting – suitable for date night or to just to savor some French cuisine.
Moderately priced and authentically Français, there choices range from seafood like Bourride Marseillais–clams, scallops, prawns and fresh daily fish in creamy saffron aïoli sauce–to steak frites and free range chicken with wild mushrooms. Their French onion soup was topped with lighter-than-air cream, and the warm goat cheese on crouton, which includes mesclun, pears and prosciutto, makes a light and healthy appetizer.
Overall, my experience at Mistral was more than satisfactory – with superior food choices at fair prices. The service was efficient and well paced. The staff were competent, well-mannered and engaging.
Daily lunch specials are also offered; I recommend stopping by on a crisp autumn afternoon to enjoy a glass of wine with Clams à la Provençale in butter sauce with shallots—and for those who wish, a chance to practise your French!
À la prochaine!

Mistral French Bistro, 2585 West Broadway, 604-733-0046, Mistralbistro.ca

Link to review: http://www.kitsilano.ca/2011/10/07/restaurant-review-mistral-french-bistro/

Shark dive

I went on my first ever shark dive in December in The Bahamas while visiting family on vacation. Stuart Cove is the popular company to dive with when visiting Nassau. Many film productions have been made with Stuart Cove - they have even been nicknamed the "Underwater film capital" Remember Into the Blue with Jessica Alba?

Check out the Stuart Cove website here: http://www.stuartcove.com/

Location: Stuart Cove in Nassau, Bahamas

I'm contemplating having this first one printed large and framed for my wall. It's pretty neat. 

Shark knocked me over slightly :) 

101 Dalmations (Opening titles)

I had forgotten how neat the opening titles were to 101 Dalmations - because it has been so long since I had seen it. I used to watch quite a bit as a kid and I now own the dvd but haven't watched it until now... love the opening sequence, cute, clever, happy:

Another thing I love, is that when the narration begins after the credits, we are led to believe that Roger is the one narrating, when he says he is a bachelor living with "his pet," when it's actually Pongo (his dog) who is the one narrating.