//Coastal Weekend Adventures\\
A few weeks ago me and the boy headed over to Tofino for a weekend getaway. The trip was actually my birthday present, but we hadn’t had a chance to take advantage of it till now.
Tofino is amazing, even if it is a bit of a trek from the Mainland. A 2 hour ferry ride then a 3.5 hour drive across the Island makes for a trip you only do once in a while. Though, I could see us making this a yearly event like Naramata. We took the drive slow, stopping for breakfast in Parksville, Cathedral Grove for a walk, a winery tasting room in Port Alberni, and climbed the rocks on some roadside rapids. We got into Tofino late in the afternoon and walked for a bit on Long Beach. I was desperate to see the lodge that we were staying at, so we made our way over to unpack and check it out.
Middle Beach Lodge was BEAUTIFUL. A small, retreat with only a handful of rooms and cabins spread out throughout the property. Situated on a cliff, it provided amazing sunset views, private beach access, and forest seclusion. A full gym, sitting area, and beautiful breakfast spread each morning were the only amenities, but it was just perfect.
We headed into “downtown” Tofino and grab some beers on the patio of Tough City Sushi. The building it was in was gorgeous. Apparently the building used to be in Yaletown and the owner bought the teared down bricks and reassembled it on the waterfront of Tofino. For an amazing old brick building with beautifully carved doors, it was more than a disappointment that it housed a derelict sushi restaurant. So we decided to leave and headed to Shelter Restaurant for dinner just as the sun set.
The next day we woke up, headed to the gym then took a long walk on the beach again before our scheduled kayak tour with Jamie’s Whaling Station. It was just me, the boy and two young guides on our 2.5 hour tour through the channels and along the Island shorelines. Exhausted and starving after all our morning activities, we grabbed fish and chips at Wildside Grill. Delicious! On our drive back to the hotel for a nap, we came across the Tofino Brewing Company. We stopped in for a tasting and talked to one of the owners. Apparently about four or so surfer dudes (the guy we were talking to could have been the poster boy for surfer dudes everywhere) just decided one day to up and start a brewery. They now supply beer to almost every restaurant in Tofino, a few other places on Vancouver Island and at the Alibi Room in Vancouver. We bought a growler of lager, headed back to our hotel and straight to the beach for some suntanning and beer drinking. My ideal way to spend a vacation.
Later that night we made late reservations for The Schooner Restaurant so we headed to the Spotted Bear Bistro for a drink first. I wasn’t really impressed with this place at first glance, but once we sat down at the bar and looked at the menu I wished our reservations were here instead. Their amazing cocktail list was well explored by both of us and we dipped into an beautiful appetizer after staring in at the open kitchen and watching masterpiece after masterpiece come out. We headed to our reservations a bit tipsy to a near empty restaurant at Schooner. I guess locals don’t eat dinner at 9pm? I overstuffed myself with steak and wine and we headed back to our hotel.
The drive back the next day was long, but completely worth it. I’m starting to think most of our mini adventures involve a lot of good food and drinks….and I am okay with that.
// Weekend Wine Adventures \\
A few months ago the boy and I decided we needed to get out of dodge. We jumped in the car and headed for Canada’s wine country, the Okanagan. One of my favourite places in the Okanagan is Naramata. A small community with great wineries like Road 13, Laughing Stock, Hillside Estates, Red Rooster and Therapy Vineyards. As a treat we stayed in small Therapy’s guesthouse, as it was technically off-season we received a great deal. $125 a night including breakfast delivered to our door each morning, a bottle of wine on our arrival and 10% in the tasting room. Yup!
I wasn’t in the best of health that weekend (you can see me trying to smile through pain in the last photo) but we made the most of it and it helped that the bed there was potentially the comfiest bed I’ve ever slept in. We actually woke up one morning ate breakfast had two cups of coffee then had a nap for two hours. Ha.
We dined each night at Hillside Winery, which had fabulous food, live music on Friday night and, of coarse, wine. Later that night a dip in the hot tub overlooking the vineyard and Lake Okanagan while sipping even more wine. The place was empty, apparently a few more people were staying there but we never really saw anyone. It was amazing. A winery to ourselves!
We did a small tasting at the Therapy Wine shop, the boy purchased a case of wine, then over to the local café for lunch and off to an amazing massage at the Aveda Spa in the Heritage Inn.
An amazing weekend that we hope to repeat every year.
// Spaghetti with Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce & Basil \\
One of my favourite recipes to make on the fly comes from the Canadian Living The Vegetarian Collection. It’s ridiculously easy and something you can throw together by memory.
Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce:
4 Cups cherry tomatoes, halved
4 cloves garlic, sliced
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
Pinch hot pepper flakes
_______________________
12 oz spaghetti
1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
1/2 cup sliced black olives
Toss all of the above into a 13 x 9 inch glass baking dish and roast in the oven at 400F until shriveled, about 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large pit of salted boiling water, cook pasta until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain: transfer to a large serving bowl.
Toss with Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce and basil to coat. Sprinkles with goat cheese and olives.
Bam! Enjoy.
// Adventures in Portland \\
For labour day weekend the boy, myself, and another couple went for a road trip down to Portland. We had such a great weekend filled with food (I swear I feel 10 pounds heavier every time I visit the US), drinks and fun adventures. I thought I’d share some of the highlights with you in case you find yourself down that way.
Stay
Marriott City Centre - You don’t always need to stay at the Ace Hotel or Jupiter Hotel when visiting Portland. Though it’s nice, we found a much better deal at the Marriott for only $80 a night.
Drink/Eat
Norma’s Burgers and Breakfast - I love American truck stop eating. We saw this off the highway on our way down to Portland and there was no way I was going to let us pass it. After walking inside and everyone agreeing that it looked like America barfed pride in this place, a lovely waitress that you’d expect in this sort of establishment served us. Smokey voice and friendly as can be. Our utterly massive breakfasts didn’t disappoint either. We rolled out of there with stuffed bellies for the rest of our drive to Portland.
East Burn - What an amazing place. Upon first arriving to this restaurant I was a little worried as it looked empty inside. We found our way to the patio to discover seats with swings! Not only were they fun to rock back and forth on while sipping on beer but the food at East Burn was delicious. I had an amazing lobster mac n’ cheese.
After a fair amount of time swinging, eating and drinking we headed downstairs. Here you’ll find a small room with Skeeball, boardgames and video games, including vintage 4 player Pacman! We stayed here for the rest of the night getting sufficiently drunk and eventually I broke the Skeeball machine by putting a Canadian quarter in it. Oops!
Voodoo Doughnuts - After our trip to East Burn we craved some late night snacks and earlier saw the massive line at Voodoo. After a rather short wait in what seemed like a long queue, we each ordered a variety of doughnuts. I wasn’t too impressed with my choice. I kind of panicked and asked for cinnamon and sugar after the young emo-ish server looked pissed that I didn’t know exactly what I wanted. To be fair, this was probably the worst service we received in Portland because everyone else was outstanding. The guys all picked donuts with bacon on the top, which I’m sure were delicious. Damn it!
Santeria - This place claims to have the best Mexican food on the planet and….man they are right! Not only was the food amazing, but the owner/chef bought us all our drinks at the end of the night. Too boot, you’ll see a bit of ass on your way to the washroom as it’s located in the adjacent strip club Mary’s, one of the oldest in Portland!
Ron Toms - Another place on Burnside, Ron Toms was a great place to have a drink on their massive patio. Back lit bamboo and large wooden tables made it a perfect venue for catching up with friends of the boy, who live in Portland. There was also an amazing stage just right outside where a Smiths cover band was playing all night.
The Stepping Stone Cafe - I love breakfast. Another amazing breakfast place as seen on Man Vs. Food featuring “Mancakes”. This place had the best vegetarian sausage I’ve ever had.
Doug Fir - Our last food stop in Portland we hit the Doug Fir for our last breakfast. The place was gorgeous. I can’t wait to come back and see a live show at the venue downstairs. Even though the place had the AC turned up beyond belief the food and service was incredible.
Do
Greater Trumps - After shopping along Hawthorne Street we came along a cute cigar lounge. After some amazing drinks and puffs I had to use the washroom. I entered a near by pool hall called Back Stage Bar at The Bagdad. This place looked amazing. Housed in the back of a movie theatre, the ceilings were 7 storeys high! Gorgeous place. I must come back.
Trader Joe’s - You know you’re old when you get excited about visiting grocery stores in the US. Although we went to a smaller Trader Joe’s near NW 23rd street, we got some amazing food and of course cheap booze!
We did more then this on our trip but I thought I would just share a few gems with you. Next time you head South give one of these a try!
// Baking & Boozing \\
This weekend a bunch of my friends are getting together for a bike patio tour. There are about 5 houses on the stop, each with a booze theme. I’m the last stop, and since I have a fire pit on my patio, I thought it would be fitting to do a dessert theme. I mean any excuses to have S’mores, right?
The boy introduced me to Birthday Cake Shots on my birthday this year (they taste just like vanilla cake!), so I’m featuring those as the booze portion. Then to go with the S’mores I found these cute Mini Strawberry Shortcake Poppers and Mini Blueberry Cupcakes from TasteSpotting. I was up till 11pm last night making them.
We’ll probably need a little sugar boost at the end of the tour since we’re kicking it off at 1pm. Here’s hoping I don’t bail on my bike between stops! Gotta make it back to pop a few of these beauties in my mouth.
// Sunday Cinema \\
Nowhere Boy was released in 2009, yet I don’t remember ever seeing it in theaters. It’s a true story of John Lennon’s rocky childhood, difficult relationship with his mother, aunt and how he formed an interest in music. I found it a very compelling story, having not known about his childhood or how he started in the music industry. If he was accurately portrayed, John Lennon was a bit of a bad ass. Obviously, great soundtrack but also great acting by the entire cast. Aaron Johnson (who plays John Lennon) accent was right on par. Check it out.
// Home Delights \\
One of my favourite online stores is Three Potato Four. Though I’ve never purchased anything from here (due to fear of how much money shipping from Philadelphia to Vancouver would be) I constantly check out the site and get inspired to search eBay for something similar. Here are a few items that I’d love to have in my home…
Antique 19th Century Apothecary Tins - Pair $120.00
Beacon and Esmond Mills Blanket - Rose/Charcoal $350.00
Worcester Park Stn British Bus Rollsign $295.00
Town Talk Bread Transport Bin $150.00
Collectible Typography Mug - Football Lover $18.00
Weis File Box - Fatigue Green $65.00
For a similar store right here in Vancouver, check out Stepback on West Broadway.
// Weekend Recap \\
On August long weekend the boy and I headed to his parents place on the Island. We spent the entire weekend sailing, eating delicious seafood, drinking Caesars, suntanning, golfing and napping….basically practicing for retirement.
On the ferry back home we discovered this amazing house on its own Island facing Vancouver. I’m a city girl at heart but I wouldn’t mind living there. Not one bit.
