Hello again, blogosphere! It's been ages! To make up to those who have been checking in, here's a foodie post. A few colleagues and me dropped by at The Copper House in Squamish for lunch a couple of weeks ago while making our way back to Vancouver after a work visit to Whistler. To quote from the website of Tourism Squamish, The Copper House specialises in "fresh, local and predominantly organic cuisine".
Once inside the restaurant, we were promptly greeted and seated. With plenty of panelled walls and vaulted ceilings, the restaurant oozes a warm cottage vibe. The restaurant does not get too crowded during lunchtime and we were lucky to be seated on the side of the restaurant that faces Shannon Falls.
The food was pretty good and the prices are reasonable. I ordered risotto with crab cakes ($13) from their smaller-portioned lunch menu, one colleague ordered a pulled pork sandwich ($13) and another one had a beef burger (don't remember the price). My risotto was done very well and the crab cakes were delicious! The taste of the dish was just right, not too salty and it was slightly drizzled with lemon juice making it very light and refreshing. I only wished the dish came with three crab cakes instead of two as I was left wanting more!
Being only an hour's drive away and easily accessible via the scenic Highway 99, this is definitely one place to check out if you are in Vancouver. This restaurant has it all: good food, warm ambiance and excellent service. I am definitely looking forward to my next visit here.
Last Friday, a colleague of mine, Miss K, suggested that we go to this place to have 'pho' for lunch. As it was a spontaneous invitation, I did not have my camera with me and so, no photos! The restaurant is located on the second floor of a two-storey shop and looks quite clean and spacious. Do not expect any fancy decor - there is none of it here, unless gadget geeks consider the big plasma/LCD TV at one end of the restaurant an adornment. 
After we were seated, we were served a teapot of Chinese tea (I didn't check the bill but I think this was complementary) and given the menu. Being unfamiliar with Vietnamese cuisine (I have only ever tried 'pho'), Miss K suggested that we order a shrimp and pork roll to share so that I can try that. "Sure!" I said. It is always nice to dine with someone who knows what to order. I ordered a small bowl of 'cooked beef slices, tendon and tripe in rice noodles' and Miss K ordered a similar bowl but with rare beef. As there were not many customers around, our food came pretty quickly - all our orders arrived at the same time.
The shrimp and pork roll came with some kind of thick, dark, slightly sweet sauce sprinkled with crushed peanuts for dipping. I didn't enjoy the roll as I thought the pork slices were a bit dry and the sauce did not complement the dish well. Miss K commented that fish sauce is usually served with the rolls and wondered why they chose to use peanut sauce here.
The beef noodles were served with a plate of raw bean sprouts and basil leaves. I opted out of the basil leaves (not a huge fan of basil). The soup/broth of the beef noodles was not overly salty and has a pleasant sweetness to it, thanks to the use of daikon (found some pieces of it in my bowl). The quality and portions of the beef slices, tendon and tripe, however, was a disappointment. The slices of beef were thin and partially shredded. The tripe was also shredded into small strips. For $6.00 a [small] bowl, I was expecting the beef-to-noodles ratio to be more appealing.
After paying our bill (this restaurant is cash-only), we made our way back to our downtown office and checked our time - we made it in an hour! Not too bad for going outside of the downtown core for lunch. But I don't think I will be returning to this place anytime soon.
Mother's Day is coming soon and with only a week left, I'm sure everyone will be busy looking for that special gift. This Mother's Day, why not go green and give your Mom something which she will not only love but is also eco-friendly? Luckily, for us living in Vancouver, there are plenty of options within easy reach.Here are my top 5 picks for eco-friendly gifts for Mother's Day:1) Erin Templeton recycled leather bag
Now, tell me, who hasn't drooled over local designer Erin Templeton's delightfully simple yet sumptuous leather bags. And she is one green designer - one has the option of selecting new or recycled leather when ordering her bags. The 'Hobo' wins me over with its adjustable strap design, zipped construction (to ensure what's in the bag remains in the bag - I'm sure Mom would agree!) and not to mention, an extensive selection of colours (even for the recycled leather option!).
2) Astrosatchel bag
If leather isn't your (Mom's) thing, there is an awesome local alternative to leather bags. Locally made in the studio of Janna Hurtzig, Astrosatchel bags are made of vegan-friendly naugahyde vinyl and come in a variety of styles, designs and colours. My Mom has the medium tote and she says that it's one of her favourite bags to use - roomy, fuss-free across-the-shoulder style, unique design, easy to clean and just perfect for those wet, rainy days.
3) Clothing by Elroy Apparel
Perfect for summer, the Lilium dress from Elroy Apparel's current collection would definitely put a smile on Mom's face. Elroy Apparel prides itself in using eco-friendly, sustainable fabrics for its designs and this dress is no exception. Made from 100% organic cotton, the easy fit of this dress ensures comfort and its simple design exudes timeless chic. This dress will prove to be a sure winner with Mom (and Mother Nature).
4) Products from LUSH Cosmetics
What better way to celebrate Mother's Day than with a night of pampering and beauty? Treat Mom to some fresh handmade, preservative-free beauty products and take advantage of LUSH Cosmetics' 'Night In For Two' promotion where you can get a limited edition skincare sampler pack containing seven skincare products for just $20.
5) Recycled wood jewellery from Billy Would Designs
Designed and created by Adea Chung, each piece of jewellery from Billy Would Designs is carefully handmade from reclaimed wood. There are some stunning pieces which draw design elements from nature (think pendants with tree cut-outs and antler-shaped earrings). For Mother's Day, consider this pair of beautiful mahogany wooden threader earrings which can be easily dressed up or down. I think the dangling mini hearts are such a sweet way to show your affection for Mom.
I think I've caught the shoe bug. Within the span of a week, I have acquired two new pairs of shoes! I know that this is probably not much to scream about compared to the worst of shoe-holics. But considering that I have such a hard time finding shoes in my size in Vancouver, this doesn't happen very often.The first purchase was a nice pair of croco-embossed patent leather thongs by Sam Edelman which I got for a steal at the Skout Agency sample sale just two Saturdays ago. And while checking out the annual Army and Navy Shoe Sale last Friday, a cute pair of Arturo Chiang patent leather slingbacks caught my eye and I just had to have it. Lucky for me, they had a pair in my size (well, literally it isn't marked in my exact size but it was close). I gave it a try anyway and as it turns out, they fit me perfectly! [For those of you who has yet to check out the Army and Navy Shoe Sale, there's still time but hurry, the sale ends on May 3rd, 2009.]
I always seem to justify my shoe purchases by convincing myself that it would be long before I come across another pair of good quality and good-looking shoes that would fit me. For one, I know that I can never forgive myself for letting go of a pair of good shoes that fit, knowing that my decision would come back to haunt me when I go shoe-hunting in the future and find that all the shoes that I want do not come in my size. If you think you can relate to this form of reasoning, you're a confirmed shoe-holic!
With all the gorgeous sunshine that we have been getting lately and not to mention, the beautiful cherry blossoms everywhere we look, it's not too hard to realize that spring is finally here. As a new season arrives, it's time to refresh our wardrobe and what better way to do so than at the Gastown Spring Shop Hop! Many well-known clothing establishments in the Gastown area such as (212), The Block, One of a Few, and Obakki are participating in this great event. Expect complimentary beverages and awesome shopping deals. It's all happening this Thursday, April 30 2009 from 5.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m.
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