And the Winners of the $25 Gift Certificates are.....

Congratulations to our two winners, Toby and Jack, for taking home the prize!
After a short break, let me refresh your memory about the two $25 gift certificates that are being given out to my readers. They are good in any of the Sequoia Company of restaurants which includes:

We had 33 entries and to ensure fairness, I prepared a spreadsheet just for the giveaway. The winners were then selected using the Random Number Generator (more on that here) -- I'm such a happy geek!

Not only will our winners be the cool kids on the block by trying one of these cool restaurants, hopefully, they will also invite a date for a fancy lunch or delicious dinner! Congrats again! I hope you enjoy your dates and I will be emailing you shortly for shipment details.

As for the rest of you, stay tuned for more giveaways coming up on Just a Date Blog!

P.S. Thanks to PL for being the "Chairman" of my Ethics Committee.

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Crème de la crop! UBC Botanical Garden Apple Festival

This weekend, I went out to the Apple Festival with DL that I recommended to my readers. Here are some of the pictures that I took. By the time I arrived, they were sold out of apples and my ORGANIC APPLE JUICE! Argh! (ssSP! Scroll to the botttom for a really funny picture.)

 

Volunteers selling apple pies. Huge lineup, really popular!

I got to try apples and rate them on their appearance and taste.

Different types of apples mixed with other fruits

 

Homemade apple cider. Slightly too bitter.

Do you see anything wrong with the picture below?

I had a really fun time exploring the Botanical Garden -- will come back for a future date!

An apple a day keeps the doctors away!  ♥♥♥

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Win a $25 Gift Certificate - two winners! Just a Date Blog's Two Month Anniversary Giveaway

My first post was dated August 14th and two months certainly went by pretty fast. To commemorate this mini milestone, I have prepared two gift certificates to give away to two lucky bumblebees!

 

These two $25 gift certificates are good in any of the Sequoia Company of restaurants which includes:

• Teahouse in Stanley Park
• Seasons in the Park at Queen Elizabeth Park
• Cardero's in Coal Harbor
• Sandbar on Granville Island

These are all great restaurants and I would love to share them with you!

How To Win?
To enter, you must
1. Be a follower via Google Friend Connect, Twitter, etc. (just click follow on the right hand side)
2. Leave a comment on this post along with an email address that I can contact you with. (One entry per person)

Optional Extra Entry
Mention this giveaway with this link (http://bit.ly/b7odII) attached on Facebook/Twitter  and submit URL through another comment (One extra entry per person)

Dates
The giveaway will end at 11:59 pm on October 24th. International readers are welcome to participate as well. Winners will be announced on the 27th.


Thank you
Just wanted to take a quick chance to thank everyone for their support. This blog would be nothing without you  =)


Good Luck! ♥♥♥

*Restaurant images taken for their website
Website: http://www.vancouverdine.com/sequoia0experience.aspx

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Upcoming Events: UBC Botanical Garden Apple Festival

Wondering what to do this weekend?

• Located at the UBC Botanical Garden (map)
• October 16 and 17, 11 am - 4 pm
• Entry $2; Food tasting:+$3

An apple a day keeps the doctors away! I stopped eatting apples everyday so maybe that's why I've gotten sick lately. Just wanted to let my readers know about this cool upcoming apple festival that will be fun to check out on a date. On October 16th and 17th, UBC Botanical Garden will be introducing their Annaul Apple Festival, from 11am to 4pm. Admission is only $2 and for an extra $3, you will get to taste the different varieties of apples as well.

There will be products on sale there as well. I, for one, know I'm bringing home some organic apple juice!

About activities happening on that day from their website:

The Vancouver Island-based BC Fruit Testers Association mounts a display of the nearly 200 apple varieties still grown in British Columbia. Members of the association are on-hand to give demonstrations of grafting and cider-pressing. Try to stump them with apple varieties from your garden, as they are also available to identify apples (hint: bring along six apples from your unidentified tree). Nearby, Master Gardeners discuss apple-related diseases and pest management. Or, at any time of the year, you can visit UBC Botanical Garden's online Fruit Trees discussion forum!

Have fun ♥♥♥

P.S. Happy TEN day! Post will be published at 10/10/10 at 10:10 am
UBC Botanical Garden Apple Fest website: http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/events/applefest.php

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Fresh Out of the Water: Screaming Mimi’s Seafood Deli and Steamer

• Located in Lonsdale Quay (map)
• Accessible by Seabus. Street parking available
• Casual ambiance and great fresh seafood

Having never been to North Vancouver before this year, the discovery of Lonsdale Quay (Quay is pronounced ‘key’, as in house key) really fun for me. Ever since, it has always been a market of unique and special things. The easiest method, I think, of visiting Lonsdale Quay Market is by taking the SeaBus. While I plan to assemble the marvels of Lonsdale Quay in a post, for now, I would like to share a quick lunch place located inside the Quay.  

The night before I met up with JS, I told a friend that I really wanted to try Screaming Mimi’s. So when JS asked if I wanted to this restaurant, I was extremely stoked to see him. (Great minds think alike!)

Screaming Mimi’s is located right next to the entrance that is closest to the Seabus terminal in Lonsdale Quay. This is definitely a good place to have a quick bite or a casual lunch.

If you are a seafood lover, specifically oysters, you must try Screaming Mimi’s Seafood Deli and Steamer. Oysters seem like their specialty; they offer creamy baked oysters, jalapeno oyster on a bun, fried oysters, and raw oysters. You can even pick your own live lobster or crab and have them steam it for you.



They have buckets of various fresh mussels, crabs, lobsters, clams, and oysters on the counter. Seating is limited in the store – there are a few tall bar-stools and tables. The décor is really interesting but beware that this place smells like fish. Not everyone may be able to stand this smell.

Jumbo Steamed Beach Oysters with Butter and Lemon

$19.95 for half a dozen

Always on a lookout for oysters with the perfect balance between fresh and sea water, JS and I ordered half a dozen of their Jumbo Steamed Beach Oysters served with butter and lemon. Like I mentioned at an early post (Cardero's), the oysters' growing environment affects how they taste. The ones I tried at Screaming Mimi’s were different from those at Cardero’s.  These plump oysters were bolder with a saltier taste of the ocean. I sprinkled lemon juice on them and savoured their taste.

Halibut Clam Chowder with Tomato Base

Small $3.99

Like kids, JS and I both jumped at the option of adding halibut to our Clam Chowder. Unfortunately, they were sold out of their crema rosa base and we had to try the tomato base instead. Not being a fan of tomatoes, this soup didn’t stimulate my taste buds at all. However, they did use a lot of fresh ingredients to prepare the soup; the halibut was delicious.

Mediterranean Seafood Cocktail$3.95 for 100g

Screaming Mimi’s also sold small appetizer dishes of freshly cooked seafood.  We decided to try two of these: Cocktail Prawns with Lemon Garlic Sauce (shown on the top of the post) and Mediterranean Seafood Cocktail. At first glance, the only difference between these two dishes is their sauce. The main ingredient in both dishes is prawns but the seafood cocktail also included bits of halibut and other seafood.

As a seafood lover, I love how casual this place is. Everything about this place evokes memories of the ocean and the fish smell guarantees fresh ingredients. Definitely give this place a try next time you visit North Vancouver!

Have fun ♥♥♥


Screaming Mimi's Website: http://www.kostathefishmonger.com/deli.shtml

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Cardero's Mussel Mania

A few readers asked whether there were any other deals besides the $25 Prime Rib on Sundays at Cardero’s. Let me direct your attention to their Mussel Mania that happens from Monday to Friday, 3pm to 6pm. Perfect for relaxing and enjoying the company of friends after a long day of work or school! Details below:

I’m not a big fan of beer so this deal doesn’t appeal to me as much as it does to others, but let me know if the mussels are good!

Have fun ♥♥♥

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West Coast Patio Dinner at Cardero’s

• Located at Coal Harbour: metered parking available (map)
• Great restaurant to go on dates; Reservations recommended
• Amazing ambiance; Separated into patio, dining area, bar, and lounge
• Live music 9pm – 12 am, Sunday to Thursday

I like getting lost in the city. Every time that happens, it’s like a new adventure and a ticket to finding some awesome places. Cardero’s is one of those surprises I found while trying to navigate in the coal harbour area.

The dining area was separated into three sections: bar, lounge, and dining room. They also had a open kitchen which is always fun to watch. Also to note, Cardero’s offers live music in the pub at 9pm to 12 am from Sunday to Thursday.

Pina Colada (left)
and Strawberry Margarita (right)

Taking advantage of the warm weather, GT, AG, and I opted for a table on the patio. Overlooking the harbour, it was everything I could ask for. While the gentle breeze kept things cool and the west coast sunset as our background, we sipped on some girly cocktails and shared our appetizer of Five Jumbo Prawns ($13). I’m happy to report these prawns will not be used in any English oxymoron examples. These monsters had a nice firm texture and just enough sweetness to them. Highly Recommended!

We had a chance to speak with one of the chefs and he recommended we try the Fresh Shucked Oysters that were just shipped from Vancouver Island. The flavour of oysters is dependent on their growing environment. Factors such as salinity of water, mineral content of the water, and temperature all affect the flavour. They are often sold at market price which varies with the season. I was a little disappointed with the oysters at Cardero’s. Although their briny taste highlights their freshness, they lack the plumpness found in a substantive oyster.

Fresh Oysters on the half shell $2.50 each (taken from menu)

Pacific Sesame Crusted Albacore Tuna:  wasabi soy sauce, wok broccolini $25 (taken from menu)

For my main dish, I decided to order the Pacific Sesame Crusted Albacore Tuna. The portion was perfect for me and the tuna was fresh and prepared really nicely.

Wok Squid: crispy with garlic, chilies, onions, cilantro, ginger  $11 (taken from menu)

However, AG, who seems to have a knack for choosing Asian food in restaurants, was disappointed with his Wok Squid – he found the squid bland and the fried rice slightly oily.

Sunday Night Slow Roasted Prime Rib   $25

The Roasted Prime Rib that GT ordered was decent sized and had great taste - they offer this dish every Sunday for only $25.

Cardero’s is best known for their atmosphere and they certainly have done that really well. Food was good but nothing to write home about. However, what makes this a place ideal for a date is the walk you can have after dinner along the harbour. Seems like the perfect thing to do after a great dinner, right?

Have fun ♥♥♥


Cardero's Website: http://www.vancouverdine.com/carderos0experience.aspx
Cardero's Address: 1583 Coal Harbour Quay, Vancouver
Cardero's Phone Number: 604.669.7666 



Just wanted to thank all my honeybees for patiently waiting for new posts. Love you all! ♥

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Upcoming Events: Gastown Blues and Chili Festival

Wondering what to do this Sunday?

Random fact: Chili is short for Chili con carne which means peppers with meat, in Spanish.

Just wanted to let my readers know about this cool upcoming festival that will be fun to check out on a date. On September 19th, Gastown will be introducing their 2nd annual Blues and Chili Festival, from noon to 7pm. Gastown is the home of talented and unique chefs and they will face each other in a Chili competition during this festival. While local celebrity judges make decisions about the best chili in town, visitors will be able to sample the goods and enjoy live music and other entertainment.

From their website:

The Gastown Blues & Chili Festival is a celebration of community businesses, local residents, and will raise funds for a local music-based charity. A carnival-type atmosphere with games, a beer tent and other entertainment is guaranteed to have both young and old enjoying the vibe!

Have fun ♥♥♥

Gastown Blues & Chili Festival website: http://gastownbluesandchili.wordpress.com

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Adventure in Nature: Lynn Canyon Park and Suspension Bridge

• Cost: FREE
• Located in District of North Vancouver (map)
• Café right near the entrance
• Recommended trails: Twin Falls or 30 Foot Pool
• Free parking available; Public transport is not difficult: take the SeaBus to North Vancouver and take Bus #229 for about half an hour.

Random fact: Apparently, there is a sign that says there should only be a maximum of four people on the bridge at one time. I never saw that sign...and I've never seen less than six people on the bridge before.

Possibly just another urban myth, the suspension bridge effect (Urban Dictionary covers it here) describes the inaccurate perception of attraction while under fear. In less geeky terms, while crossing a suspension bridge, you can mistake fear for love because they have similar symptoms: your heart beats fast, your pupils dilate, and you feel butterflies in your stomach.

Instead of splurging $35 on the famous Capilano Suspension Bridge to test this theory, enjoy nature without hurting the wallet; let me recommend the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. Built in 1912, the 50 meter high Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge allows you to see the beautiful canyon with raging waters, waterfalls, and pools of water and shaky enough to make any stomach queasy.

On our way to Twin Falls

The important thing to remember when visiting Lynn Canyon is that the suspension bridge is not the only attraction at the park. The numerous trails that you can explore guarantee a wonderful time during your stay.

DL and I decided to catch up while exploring the Lynn Canyon Park. The view from the middle of the suspension bridge is amazing: scenes of green, punctuated by the soft sound of the waterfall and ripples of the river below you.

You just need to be there to understand how beautiful everything was!

After crossing the bridge, we decided to turn right and take a leisurely stroll on the trail that leads to the Twin Falls Bridge. Walking underneath the tall evergreens, the hike was serene and soothing and really easy to follow. This well-maintained trail should only take 20 minutes but we took our time exploring the forest. Once we arrived at the falls, the view was breathtaking and spectacular; I believe my photos barely captured how wonderful the place is.

Still a kid inside (hehe)

I wished I explored the park more but it was getting late so I didn’t get a chance to dip my feet into mountain-chilled river and relax under the warm sun beside the blue-green pools. Another popular trail to follow leads to the 30 Foot Pool which I’ve heard wonderful things about too.

After the hike, the café is a great place to sit down and rest. They feature sweet and savoury crepes as well as distilled coffee. The way they distilled coffee and prepared tea reminded me of my chemistry experiments with DL in high school (haha). The café offers indoor and outdoor seating and it’s a great place to sit down and gaze out at the forest. I didn’t get a chance to try their food and drinks as they were closed when we got back.

Lynn Canyon Park is truly a great place to go on a date. Whether enjoying an adventure exploring the trails or sipping distilled coffee at the café, it was a great location for having conversations while having a great time. Oh! Did I mention it was free?

Have fun ♥♥♥

Lynn Canyon Park Website: http://lynncanyon.ca/ 
(they have some stunning panoramic photos)

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Casual Date: Q Go Ramen

Located near the busy intersection of Granville and Broadway, Q Go Ramen is Vancouver’s newest store to enter Vancouver’s ramen scene. As an avid ramen fan, I was excited to visit them on their opening day. When I went by Q Go at noon, there was already a queue forming. I decided to come back later in the afternoon so I would get a better sense of the place.

• Located in the Fairview area near Granville and Broadway
• Delightful place to have lunch with co-workers or a casual date
• Great ramen and attentive staff

Since I went back when the shop was quieter, I had a chance to talk to the owner of the store. I asked about the origins of their name: what does Q Go mean?

Q Go’s touching story originates during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) when a Japanese soldier took refuge in the home of the owner’s grandparents. After nursing him back to health, the soldier revealed that he prepared ramen for the Japanese Mikado (emperor). To thank his hosts, he prepared a bowl of ramen for the old couple. This recipe has since been passed on in the family. Q Go is actually a play on words on the Japanese numbers: kyuu go (nine five). These two numbers are significant in Asian culture as they symbolize the royalty.

Q Go has a simplistic but serene approach to their decorations which reminds me of a Japanese garden. Like other ramen restaurants in Vancouver, the store is small and offers seating mainly for smaller parties.

Like many Vancouver ramen stores, this restaurant offers three main soup bases with the option of adding extra ingredients. They offer four types of Ramen: Shio, Miso, Shoyu (soy sauce) and even a Vegetarian option. I tried the Shio Ramen. I found the soup really flavourful which is a probably a result of cooking of the pork bone and other quality ingredients for a long period of time.

Shio Ramen $7.50

Tonkotsu broth enhanced with salt flavouring served with boiled egg, marinated chashu, arage kikurage fungus, bean sprouts, and green onion (taken from menu)

I also decided to order their Takoyaki. I wasn't as impressed with them as I was with the ramen but considering it was their opening day, I assumed they just had a few things to iron out.

Takoyaki $3.75 for four

Q Go Ramen is a great place for a casual date or meals with co-workers. Definitely give them a try when you're looking for next time you decide to eat out!

Have fun ♥♥♥

Q Go Ramen Address: 1443 West Broadway Vancouver, BC V6H
 

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Dance and Dessert: Dulcinea Chocolate Café

Today’s post is small and sweet, just like this café is.

After a wonderful walk near English Bay, why not stop for some dessert? There are a lot of restaurants and vendors around the area but I always find myself returning to Dulcinea Chocolate Café.

Pronounced as Dool-see-nay-ah, this cozy Spanish café is a great spot for smaller groups or couples to stop by. As you step into the café, you are greeted by the sweet aroma of chocolate and the warm shades of brown décor. Seating is a limited for big groups so this isn't the best place for crowds of more than six people.


Although they are known more for their drinks, GT and I opted to check out their dessert selection instead. GT had the Xango, pronounced as Changa, which is one of my favourite desserts from this café. I had the Lava Blanca (its pyramid shape amused me).

Xanga $6.10
Warm, crispy flour tortilla wrapped around New York style cheesecake, and topped with caramel, chocolate, or strawberry sauce (taken from menu)

Lava Blanca $6.95
Fluffy chocolate mouse with a Crema Inglesa custard center (taken from menu)

What I love about Dulcinea is how they incorporate culture into their café. They show their appreciation for the local arts by featuring emerging artists who often interact with the café’s guests.

While chatting with their friendly staff, I found that they do special events every Tuesday and Thursday. On Flamenco Tuesday and Salsa Thursday, an on-site instructor introduces guests to these dance types. I think learning something together while having fun is a great way to build chemistry between couples. Give it a try.

Have fun ♥♥♥

Dulcinea Website: http://www.dulcineachocolatecafe.ca

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