May "Blowsaing" B.'s Profile

"How's May?"
"She's good. I took her to Memphis Blues the other day. She wasn't eating meat at the time."
"How'd she like it?"
"She loved it."
"You're my hero."

True story brah.

Well, to be fair, I had decided to go back to meat before stepping foot into Memphis Blues, but it was the first restaurant I ate at after making that decision. This place is my boyfriend's go-to spot for meat; I think he's obsessed with BBQ after eating here so many times. I have to share in the love - I tend to not opt for red meat because I don't like the taste, but when it's cooked to absolute tenderness and slathered in sauce, I really can't say no. I've only tried the pulled pork nachos [which are an absolutely AMAZING treat for $10 - so much sauce, so much meat - just the way I want it] and the pulled pork sandwich but I'm keen on the other menu options.

Their portions are really nice and generous, especially for the price. And they have a fantastic selection of bourbon on the shelf - Woodford Reserve..mm. This is where my boyfriend and I go when we just wanna fill our bellies with great cheap eats, listen to some smooth jazz (the staff'll turn it up for you if you ask!), and just get messy.

After hearing rave reviews and drooling over my friend's photos from this place, I insisted on popping by for dinner with my man on a Monday night.  It was a mega chill vibe as it wasn't very busy at all, and I'd be interested to try it out on a busier night. Now, the food was glorious. We were starving and so we insisted on ordering a basket of fries each with our burger; boy were we left with some leftovers. But I couldn't pass up having Gorgonzola cheese on my fries! And the Magic Mushroom burger... oh my goodness melt in my mouth. I don't think I've ever had quite so satisfying a burger in recent memory. I tried a bite of my man's Rodeo Star; it was good, but I definitely preferred my choice over his. I was a bit surprised when we got the bill (I'd forgotten about that $18 pitcher of beer...) but was happy to pay as the service was great and the food even better. I'll definitely make my way back.

OK, so the only reason I went to Library Square on a Friday night was for the 90s music. It was my first time going, but my friends who had gone on previous nights suggested this plan: meet there early, eat dinner, get stamped, leave, and come back later - bypassing the $12 cover charge and ridiculously long line up.

To start on the food - meh. Nothing impressive. Service wasn't anything special either, though I feel that you shouldn't have to ask for water whenever you eat at a restaurant. I ended up spending only $10 on a bit of food and a drink, so at least I was fed as opposed to paying for cover. We left to hang out a friend's place before we returned to the pub, which was already crazy crowded by 10 PM.

Now, the crowd - not my kind of deal, at all. When I think 90s music, I think  of a fun, wave your hands in the air like you just don't care kind of vibe - instead I was met with your typical grody skeeze. Me and my good girlfriends sought out our own spot away from the dance floor and danced to our hearts' content away from the grinding hips of beefcakes and young girls. I had a good time, not gonna lie - where else can you rock out to Fatboy Slim and S Club 7 on the same night? - but deep down I know I'd have more fun dancing to the same mix off a stereo in my friend's living room.

After walking past the Alibi Room countless times, I finally decided to drop in after a chill lounge at Portside Park next door. This place is my new go-to place for beer! I'm no expert by any means and so I was extremely grateful for the staff's help - the bartender was super friendly and went over all sorts of suggestions and samples according to what I was keening for. Everything I tried was delicious - the only problem is that I don't remember the names of all those beers I tried! I guess that means I'll need to go back... which I really don't mind at all.

So I love Hapa and any Japanese tapas of the sort, but this location rings the wrong bells in my book. I have no qualms with the food, but it was the poor service that's forcing me to award Hapa Yaletown with a measly 2 stars.

We were seated inside as the patio was full and my friend had already ordered the house salad to start. The chicken was awesomely tender (I could eat it post-wisdom teeth removal!) and I dug the dressing. We proceeded to order the Beef Tataki (meh), the Chan Chan Yaki, and the Zucchini Gyoza.

Now here's where things took a turn for the not so awesome. We received our tataki and chan chan yaki but where was our gyoza? We were trying to flag down a server to ask about it but it seemed they had all congregated at the bar, chatting with each other. Finally we flagged down a server and asked her about it - she asked the kitchen and said it would only be a couple minutes. I looked over at the kitchen and they looked pretty stunned, as if the order was just coming through. We ordered dessert expecting our gyoza to come before it. Nope, still no gyoza and yet they had served us our dessert. It was a good 15 mins after we got our dessert before we received our starter.

Not once during our meal had anyone stopped to even ask how we were doing while the table next to us had 3 servers doting on them at once. We were rearing to pay and get out of there but still, no attention was paid to us whatsoever as we sat there, credit cards in hand.

I'm usually more forgiving when it comes to service, but it really disappoints me when I can see the restaurant isn't that busy and yet it's so difficult for any one server to stop and pick up the bill or ask how our meal is. It irks me even further when I see them idling about when we're trying to flag one of them down.

Hapa Robson trumps Hapa Yaletown in my books.

Came here with a friend post-sunbathing, and since I've had my wisdom teeth out recently, all I can eat are soft foods. So I opted for the Salmon Chowder and was hoping for something along the lines of the delish Seafood Chowder at Burgoo. I was disappointed - too salty for my taste and the salmon had the taste and texture of canned fish. Not pleasant.

At least my beer was ok. No complaints about service, but nothing outstanding. I won't be aching to come back when there are so many other better options for a casual meal in Yaletown.

After my buddy and I finished our hike up on Stawamus Chief, he suggested we head to the brewery to gain back the calories we had lost. Mondays were half-price pizza days so we had two 12" pizzas for the price of one. They were a bit too greasy for my liking but hit the spot in terms of filling up our tummies. I tried the King Heffy Hefeweizen which I thought was fantastic - the perfect beer to finish off a summer hike. Service was a bit lacklustre as we needed to ask for things such as plates and napkins [c'mon, we're eating PIZZA] after our food was delivered.

But considering that there isn't much other selection in terms of dining in Squamish, I wouldn't be against coming back next time I'm in town!

I had my first straight-from-the-shop Krispy Kreme doughnut the other day. All other times had been thanks to club fundraising booths on campus selling off hours-old doughnuts to raise a bit of coin [and I am guilty of also peddling Krispy Kreme doughnuts to sweet-toothed students all the way out at Point Grey.] Obviously, nothing compares to the taste of a freshly baked doughnut, and so, since I was in Delta for an appointment and I'm NEVER in Delta, I hopped over at the only BC KK location with glee. Boy, do these doughnuts melt in your mouth. Not sure how I felt about being able to see the doughnuts be made [I like to be mildly blissfully ignorant with my food - even seeing my food cooked in hot oil and industrial fryers can turn me off] but it was a nice touch.

One of my favourite concert venues in the city. It's intimate enough but still enough space to move around and dance. The red velvet booths are cush as, and the drinks are cheap. I think everything that's needed has already been said, but I just wanted to write this short blurb as an expression of my Yelp-love for the Biltmore.

I buy all my concert tickets here, usually because 1. They almost always have the tix I'm looking for, 2. They're cheaper [if only by a few dollars but hey, I'm a student and will save anywhere I can], and 3. It's just a great neighbourhood record store.