Crystal "Tickle Trunk" H.'s Profile

Down an alley? Check! No line up? Check! Available tables? Check!

Well, this meets lunch requirements! With it's pastas served cafeteria style, but made to order, and a bread + soup/salad accompaniment, this meets my lunch expectations. The crab ravioli was rich and delish (it was on special) complete with it's al dente pasta. Stars just for having salad -- fresh salad, well dressed! I don't think I could ask for more out of a low key lunch spot... except for maybe a less-full-tummy afterward.... oh how I just wanted to crack a bottle of wine and chill out all afternoon!

This is the largest fresh squeezed orange juice I've ever drank! And at $5 it's well worth it! Order at the counter and have a seat (hopefully) upstairs. You could very well be sitting in the alcove, aka "furnished rooms" which are really just tables in a small place.

Watch your mouth though - the chicken pot pie will burn your mouth - remember what your mamma taught you: blow before you chew! But dang, I'd order that one again  -- it's tasty, delicious and has just what I want - a big, ol, crusty lid!

The last time I had soft serve was a twisted cone at McD's...circa 1999. So you may imagine that my eyes were bright with anticipation, my lips were breaking into a smile and that I was practically begging by the time I made it through the line and to the take out window-- GIVE IT TO ME... salted caramel and chocolate twist that is.

Thanks for dedicating a whole other window just for a special soft serve combo...

Making today The. Best. Day. Ever!

I think I've got musky skunk love for ya! Like a glove, Skunk Funk fit my style and my wallet to near perfection. Reining from Spain, the clothes here are made from sustainable and sometimes recycled fabrics (according to the truly helpful sales associate).

Limited quantities improves my chances of not having the same shirt, skirt, jacket or dress as someone else while each piece has a pattern, a button, a hemline or a neckline that is slightly off centre of norm - one of my many requirements for liking much of one collection. Plus their sales racks were discounted to 50% off - score!

The fruity, nutty, yogurt parfait is worth standing in a long line or waiting for an outdoor table for. The yogurt is the type of thick, rich, creamy goodness that I only wish I could replicate when making ours at home. The fruit is fresh, ripe, large and plentiful. And the granola - full of almonds! Impressive! Even if you never bother to drool over the dark, flaky pastries or order a coffee, trust me... start your day with parfait!

This is THE boutique where many future compliments will be coming from. If you're like me, looking for affordable, fashionable pieces that dress up and dress down, you'll likely find it here. Or, you'll at least browsing, and getting touchy feely with what you see: shirts, pants, skirts, denim, tanks, frilly tights, hairbands (and you know how I love those)... and more... like party dresses!

Granted, this neighbourhood might not be top of mind when you think to go shopping, but trust me, it's worth a visit. They even have a sale rack, and they've only been open a month!

Oh, Gallery, Gallery, How I wish to love thee,
With your al fresco atmosphere,
Little old society ladies,
And suits and skirts.

But your
Mushy heirloom tomato salad
With soggy, overdressed iceberg lettuce (huh?)
Made me cry. Shame on you for treating your bocconcini that way.

Perhaps I will come to love thee
On an empty tummy
And a liquid lunch meeting.

I could share how perfect an americano is here, or how the clean minimalistic tables are comfy and modern looking, or even how the little courtyard off the east side of the building makes me yearn for a never ending summer, but I won't... no, I'm here to say the have DRY soda! How'd they get Dry soda? Does anyone else in Vancouver have it? And if so where?

I now know where to go when I'm wanting a morning coffee, followed by a gin-esque drink, long before the appropriate late afternoon. Go juniper berry soda if you're a G+T lover.

PS. If you're pecking away at your keys for hours on end, pull up a stool at the front - there's lots of outlets there!

As last night's birthday girl I felt truly spoiled by everyone who came out for dinner and dancing! An enormous thank you to Reena for organizing everything and to Katie and Derek for my awesome birthday cake -complete with Yelp burst!

Nuba, you did a fantastic job at accommodating the two big tables of us. I loved hearing them shout out "Number 5 Hat trick" utilizing their numbered system to the fullest! And of course, the food! I devoured a plate of cauliflower, nibbled on the duck, feasted on Le Petit Feast and found a new favourite - the fried halloumi cheese and tomato salad - OMG! Thank you Nuba for treating us to this cheesy goodness and the champagne toast at the end of our meal. You guys and gals truly know how to make a party of 25 (ish) feel special!

Mad props to Honey Lounge for letting us all in cover free before 1030! And for the drink tickets because I was the birthday girl - I've never, ever been given such love at a club! And then to top it off, you played so many songs we all loved. It was like the DJ was reading my mind - including No Diggidy! How did you know I wanted to dance to Blackstreet?

Thank you for all of the shots, the drinks and the dancing...  and of course the memories!

Pedros is the gateway to decent coffee and a childrens playground. On any given summer Saturday morning grab a coffee, and a friend for a chat, or even a great book and lounge on the back patio. You'll watch children feeding geese, imagining themselves sailing on the high sea and getting brain freezes from their gelato scooped next door.

The atmosphere inside is like any old coffee shop (perhaps akin to bojangles in yaletown), with appetizing looking pastries and friendly baristas, but it's the outside energy that makes this place a star on its own.