Japadog Delish

For those of you who haven't been, Vancouver BC is an incredible city.

Downtown is a metropolis of high rise apartments surrounded by parks and fresh water. There are boats constantly maneuvering in and out of False Creek and the smell of Asian inspired cuisine around every corner.

Like I mentioned earlier, we didn't bring maps with us. And since it was an "international" trip, we didn't have our data coverage either. But this didn't hinder our trip in the slightest! In fact, being the good foodie's that we are, we had already decided on the most important thing to do in Vancouver: EAT.

B had researched this food cart (naturally) that Anthony Bourdain stopped at on his No Reservations show a couple of years ago. We looked over the menu online and agreed this would be one of our first stops in BC. And we didn't have to look far at all! Right on the corner of Burrard & Smithe, and conveniently located right outside our hotel, was the original Japadog. 

Japanese food + hot dog = Japadog

This amazing cart is literally the BEST street food I have ever had. 

B's Spicy Cheese Terimayo

My Oroshi Dog

After eating there for our first meal, whenever we would brainstorm our other researched eateries, Japadog always came up. I mean, why not? But we refrained. 

I will honestly say though, if I have any excuse to come up to Vancouver, it would be for a Japadog.

Locals love it. Tourists love. I love it.

Website Here.

Savvy Sightseer

City travel essentials:

1.  Converse. Perfect for walking long distances yet effortlessly cool.

2.  Scarf. The easiest way to turn that plain T-shirt into something a little more stylish & classy. Mine is made by Swiss designer, Felix Buhler.

3. Trench. Especially in the north west, this is a must-have. Rain? No problem. Sun? Still perfect. Mine is from Gap from about 4 years ago. 

4. Cross-body Purse. It has to be big enough to put your phone, chapstick and cards in, but small enough that you're not fretting about it being rummaged through by strangers. This one fits the bill to a T, thank you Kate Spade! 

5. Sunglasses. Even if the sun isn't obviously shining, sunglasses are a great way to shield your eyes from sidewalk vagabonds. Or to keep your boyfriend from noticing you checking out the Louis Vuitton window every time you walk back to the hotel...

Oh, Canada!

3 day weekends are rare in the real world.

Intending to take full advantage of the long weekend, B & I planned a little international trip for the holiday and drove north to Vancouver, BC.

The weekend was laid back: no data coverage and no maps. We tried to do some typical tourist sight-seeing things, but it was outrageously expensive. $5 to park and another $32 to see a bridge? I don't think so. 

Instead, we put our money where it mattered: in food & (for me) in Topshop.

Granville Island Market

Lentil Soup & Fresh Focaccia Bread

Stanley Park Totem Poles

Aki House Roll

Breakfast Crepe

Yaletown

Canadian beer for watching the Memorial Cup

Smoked Meat Breakfast Bagel

Details on my favorite dining spots in Vancouver still to come.

Stay tuned!

xx

Friday Look of the Day

Blazer: Nordstrom

Shirt: J.Crew

Belt: J. Crew

Jeans: 7 For All Mankind

Shoes: Cole Haan

Bag: Steve Madden

Jewelry: Kate Spade (bangles), Tiffany & Co. (ring, chain)

Work Hard. Eat Here.

You know the saying: work hard, play harder.
Well that has definitely been the feeling this week except there hasn't been much time to play.
So when the idea to venture to Lower Queen Anne after work today popped up, I was all for it!

 We headed to Toulouse Petit- a glorious restaurant and lounge- for a bite and a drink after work. The sun was out, the traffic was bearable, and my stomach was hungry for some delicious French-inspired food.

The restaurant was packed when we arrived and the music was roaring. When Abs and I got to our booth, we stared at the menu in awe: everything - and I literally mean everything- on the menu sounded amazing. When Suz arrived we ordered our drinks and finally decided on some small plates to share.

We shared the Grilled Octopus Valenciana, Savory Crawfish ‘Beignets’ with a Hot Pepper Jelly and Spicy ‘Louis’ Sauce, Grilled Asparagus Wrapped with Prosciutto and Pommes Frites with Aioli.

Our favorite dish was the Crawfish Beignets- they were absolutely scrumptious and the sauce to die for. It was a little sweet with a kick from the pepper jelly. I will definitely be getting this again!

After successfully cleaning our small plates and draining our drinks, it was time to go home. It was definitely a fun break for a Thursday night din-din. 

If you're interested in seeing for yourself how AMAZING this place is, check out their website HERE.

Toulouse Petit is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all sorts of happy hours.

Breakfast Happy Hour is a real thing here. And it just few to the top of my To-Do list!

xx

Hallava Heaven: Top Notch Falafel

Last week Abs and I ventured around the industrial neighborhood of Georgetown for a little lunch.

It was a gorgeously warm day and dining outside seemed necessary.

As I'm sure you can tell, I'm alway thinking about food- I love to eat.

So when I heard about the Hallava Falafel food truck, I thought we'd might as well check it out. Just down the street from HQ, this little food truck is definitely a diamond in the rough.

There was a line when we got there (a good sign) and an even longer line when we left (a really good sign). We both ordered the classic Falafel sandwich and Abs splurged and got the double dipped fries which I will definitely be getting next time.

Dying for a good falafel joint? 

Hit up Hallava Falafel NOW. You can thank me later. 

Even though it's a truck, it has a stationary home right on the corner of Airport Way and Doris Street in Georgetown just south of SODO. 

xx