Road trip to Montreal for the Victoria Day long weekend.
For some, this trip was a bunny-hunt but for me it's about enjoying the outdoor space that Montreal offers. Streetside cafes, roof patios, terraces and courtyards...
We (matt, mos, cris, timo and I) arrived Saturday on a sunny day so right away we made our way to Santropol. It's a restaurant that has one of the nicest patio at the back filled with plants and a fountain - with a nice sandwich selection to match, like a ham and cucumber sandwich with mint jelly; or ones with nutella and banana; how about strawberries and chocolate!
Then it was about a little shopping and walking around St Laurent, St Denis and St Catherine until shops closed at 5pm!! 5pm!!! That's way too early imo.
Sunday morning was a bit chilly but sunny, so we visited the Atwater Market where there was a flower market outside perfect for spring planting. Since we don't need any planting done, we went straight to the patisserie at the south entrance of the market. The selection at this bakery/patisserie was just amazing. We were all mesmerized by the selection of cakes, pastries, bread, tarts, tarlettes... French pastries all the way! Their selection matches the ones at Paul but at a very affordable price!
The exhibition at CCA was nicely put together. There was some interesting work by two architects that shared the ideals of making the environment more sustainable, but their approaches were varied. One was about creating and maintaining the Third Landscape, residual spaces created by urban developments, while the other was about optimizing the living environment in terms of user comforts. Then we met up with my friend jason and had lunch in the village, at one of his favourite restaurants. Shopping until dinner at Janos, the purpose of the trip "bunny-hunt". It's a family-oriented restaurant that serves up delicious Portuguese grills. A mixed grill for two will settle you in for the rest of the evening. I had rib steak that was grilled to perfection, very tender and juicy. Hmm... that's when I realized that we're such carnivores!
Monday was super gorgeous weather so we hit old Montreal and rented some bikes. Of course we started our day at the patisserie at Atwater Market, it was like a sunday so a brunch was the perfect choice of meal. Pastry rolls with choice of ham and cheese/spinach/turkey, fruit tart and capuccino... mmm MMM!
The weather was so good so everywhere was packed with people sunbathing on lawns; drinking, eating at sidewalk patios; biking, rollerblading, jogging... so outdoorsy...
Montreal is still one of my favourite cities.
PS: Pictures to follow...
Wednesday, May 23
Friday, May 18
someecards
props to roo for the link to
this awesome ecard site someecards!
go pick out some cuz they're too funny!
Sunday, May 13
KKG
Monday May 13, 2007
Knock Knock Ginger
at The Silver Dollar Room
489 Spadina Ave just north of College.
10pm
Knock Knock Ginger
at The Silver Dollar Room
489 Spadina Ave just north of College.
10pm
Mother's Day
The entire weekend was spent with my mom and sis.
We were really enthusiastic to hit the malls this weekend for walking and window shopping. On saturday, I started with a jog in the morning after getting up at 8am. Then after breakfast we drove to Sherway Garden. The place is very comfortable and spacious, way better than Yorkdale. Next time you're there, check out Sportiing Life (for their 40% off rack) and stop by Faema Cafe for a caffe latte and a chocolate ruggie!!
My new polo shirt!
After a day of shopping, we celebrated Mother's Day downtown at Izakaya on Front street for some japanese food. The selection was quite limited for an izakaya, and the fried rice came out a little burnt. I would not recommend it knowing that there're some great izakayas in Vancouver, namely Kitanoya Guu, Kitanyoa Guu with Garlic, Gyoza King and Hapa.
Sunday morning we began our trip downtown at Eglinton. It felt a bit chilly but the sky was clear and sunny. We walked up and down Yonge street. Brunch was at Mars Just Out Of This World, the chain of the Mars On College at Spadina, though their menus are quite different. Our trip continued downtown to Eaton Centre and Queen St West, in search of shoes and other things...(eg at Get Outside for their Vans and Keds collection... but they're out of stock for the style and size I wanted...) We had dinner at Sushi Time. Noted items on the menu includes baked eggplant and salmon salad roll!!
We were really enthusiastic to hit the malls this weekend for walking and window shopping. On saturday, I started with a jog in the morning after getting up at 8am. Then after breakfast we drove to Sherway Garden. The place is very comfortable and spacious, way better than Yorkdale. Next time you're there, check out Sportiing Life (for their 40% off rack) and stop by Faema Cafe for a caffe latte and a chocolate ruggie!!
My new polo shirt!
After a day of shopping, we celebrated Mother's Day downtown at Izakaya on Front street for some japanese food. The selection was quite limited for an izakaya, and the fried rice came out a little burnt. I would not recommend it knowing that there're some great izakayas in Vancouver, namely Kitanoya Guu, Kitanyoa Guu with Garlic, Gyoza King and Hapa.
Sunday morning we began our trip downtown at Eglinton. It felt a bit chilly but the sky was clear and sunny. We walked up and down Yonge street. Brunch was at Mars Just Out Of This World, the chain of the Mars On College at Spadina, though their menus are quite different. Our trip continued downtown to Eaton Centre and Queen St West, in search of shoes and other things...(eg at Get Outside for their Vans and Keds collection... but they're out of stock for the style and size I wanted...) We had dinner at Sushi Time. Noted items on the menu includes baked eggplant and salmon salad roll!!
Saturday, May 12
Friday, May 11
Saturday, May 5
saturday
2 Hour dragon boating this morning really took alot out of me. In the past practices I'd been at the back of the boat. But today, by way of Iris' request to our coach Michael, I was paddling at the fourth row. It really was a good way for me to try out different positions on the boat. The water current was not as fast as it was at the back. But there's no way that I could be in the engine room. =P Sky was super clear... as a result, I got a bad sunburn...
Team BBQ after the practice was organized by our team captains. The work was done by our coach since he didn't paddle! It's a good way to get to know who's on our team. Food was amazing - angus beef burger, veggie skewers, cobs of corn, smoked salmon bbq'ed, booze, and finally fruit flan and raspberry cheesecake to round out this big meal.
After the meal, we headed over to Mountain Equipment Coop to look at some clothing and gloves. Bought a pair of gloves for $19. Will consider other clothing if need be.
In the evening, met up with Katrina, Jason and Kristi for dinner. J+K came all the way from Montreal, in preparation for J's thesis defence. Dinner spot was of course the Old Spaghetti Factory. I couldn't stop laughing at some of the things they said about studying in Montreal!!
Jason, thanks for the ride tonight and BEST OF LUCK on your defence on Monday!
Alan, Katrina and &Co, Enjoy the SportingLife 10K run tomorrow! Good luck!!!
Team BBQ after the practice was organized by our team captains. The work was done by our coach since he didn't paddle! It's a good way to get to know who's on our team. Food was amazing - angus beef burger, veggie skewers, cobs of corn, smoked salmon bbq'ed, booze, and finally fruit flan and raspberry cheesecake to round out this big meal.
After the meal, we headed over to Mountain Equipment Coop to look at some clothing and gloves. Bought a pair of gloves for $19. Will consider other clothing if need be.
In the evening, met up with Katrina, Jason and Kristi for dinner. J+K came all the way from Montreal, in preparation for J's thesis defence. Dinner spot was of course the Old Spaghetti Factory. I couldn't stop laughing at some of the things they said about studying in Montreal!!
Jason, thanks for the ride tonight and BEST OF LUCK on your defence on Monday!
Alan, Katrina and &Co, Enjoy the SportingLife 10K run tomorrow! Good luck!!!
Thursday, May 3
update
I've neglected this blog for a while.
Reason being that I have a full time job!
It's hard to imagine that the transition
from gallivanting to employment will take
longer than a week to get used to.
Dragon boat practice moved to the lake
last week. Now we practice twice weekly
plus this coming saturday, followed by
a team BBQ at our captain's apartment.
Work is going okay. I am still trying to
fit into the office and get to know the
colleagues. I've been too preoccupied
with dragon boat practice on mondays
and wednesdays that I always felt
so rushed to leave work just to make
it to Sunnyside Park on time!
The things I am working on seem
familiar to me since I've done similar
things on coop before. But it's been
too long that I need this time to
pick up from where I left off and slowly
build up the skills again...
Have to go to bed before midnight...
(that's another adjustment I need to make...haha)
Reason being that I have a full time job!
It's hard to imagine that the transition
from gallivanting to employment will take
longer than a week to get used to.
Dragon boat practice moved to the lake
last week. Now we practice twice weekly
plus this coming saturday, followed by
a team BBQ at our captain's apartment.
Work is going okay. I am still trying to
fit into the office and get to know the
colleagues. I've been too preoccupied
with dragon boat practice on mondays
and wednesdays that I always felt
so rushed to leave work just to make
it to Sunnyside Park on time!
The things I am working on seem
familiar to me since I've done similar
things on coop before. But it's been
too long that I need this time to
pick up from where I left off and slowly
build up the skills again...
Have to go to bed before midnight...
(that's another adjustment I need to make...haha)