Italians Do It Better

The first thing I do before opening a can beverage is I always wash and wipe the top of the can.  I guess that I am just paranoid of what people say about rat droppings that land on the cans in the warehouses. 

Today I went with Rachael to Waves Coffee and she bought me a San Pellegrino Limonata that was imported from Italy.  I love the way that the top of the can is wrapped with foil.  It would be nice if all can beverages use a foil wrapping. (even though I know it's not green)  It seems more sanitary.  I peeled off the foil and the top of the can was so clean, it actually shined.  It was nice not having to worry about washing the top of the can.  

That's a wrap!

SIGGnificant

Last week for the entire week, we had beautiful sunshine in Vancouver.  I love the feeling of knowing that spring is just around the corner.  I enjoy working that much more when the sun is out.  There are several of items that I carry with me on my workday.  A bag full of papers, couple of pens, an Ipod Touch, a Blackberry and a SIGG water bottle.

I purchased my SIGG bottle last July.  I was concerned about the (Polycarbonate #7 - that everyone seemed to be talking about) plastic water bottle that contain harmful chemicals.  This Swiss made water bottle is aluminum.  It is an excellent designed bottle that is seamless, which makes it extremely strong.  The inside is coated with a liner so you can carry virtually any kind of beverage inside without the lingering scents and taste of the previous beverage.  It also reduces the chance of bacteria build up.  There are different sizes, colours and designs that you can choose from.  There are also leak-proof interchangeable caps that you can purchase.  With the choice between a screw cap, sport cap, active cap and kids cap, you will be sure to find one that would fit your needs. 

There is one thing that I actually miss about the winter - how the weather keeps my SIGG bottle cold.

My Chai

Last Wednesday was my first time having dinner at East Is East on Main Street.  I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to go back again this week.  I went there for dinner tonight with Rachael.  Throughout the day, all I could think about was the Chai Tea.  

I am not a Chai Tea drinker, but I think I am addicted to theirs.  Once you're sat at a table they bring you a complimentary Chai Tea served in an espresso cup.  Their recipe is prepared perfectly with just the right amount of spices.  A small cup is never enough.  I think that was part of their plan, to get you going and leave you craving for more.    

They offer complementary refill for your dinner when you order the Eastern Plate.  If only they would offered the refills on the Chai Tea.       

Go Green

Everyday, I start my day off with a nice cup of greens+ daily detox.

When I got my first container of greens+, I ripped open the wrapping and mixed a  1/4 scoop of the greens+ with cold water.  I took my first sip and it tasted disgusting.  A green drink that tasted like grass with dirt floating around in the cup.  (Not that I have ever tasted grass and dirt before)  Over time, I have acquired the taste and would have to say that I don't mind it anymore.  Now when I drink it, it is kind of like drinking a cold Matcha Tea.

Benefits of taking greens+ daily detox every day, include:

- Improved appearance of skin, hair and nails
- Improved energy and digestion
- Improved mental clarity and focus
- Improved bowel function and sleep
- Unlike other detoxification treatments, you will also experience increased energy and vitality-naturally. 

I did not have any greens+ this morning so I've decided to have one now as I write this blog.  I feel so healthy right now.  Hmmm...I feel like some fried chicken.  

So Fresh and So Clean

I got this bubble tea from my regular bubble tea joint. When I went to the counter he remembered what my usual drink was. (Very Berry Strawberry - pretty sure that thing is packed with antioxidants) I decided to try out a drink that I've been meaning to try for a long time, Fresh Avocado Bubble Tea and I gotta say it's damn good. They are having their ongoing promotion Customer Appreciation Small sizes for only $2. I saw him take out the fresh avocado to make my drink. Jasmine got the large sized Coconut Ice Cream drink for $4, well actually she has a stamp card so she got it for free.

Fresh fruit drinks, in East Van, no frills place, plus next door you can get fresh samosas 2 for a dollar.

I actually never knew what the place is called until today.

Green Leaf Natural Food

5756 Fraser St. Vancouver.

Check it out if you are in the hood.


-Vince

D-Day

My good friend Danny and I celebrated our birthday last night. Good times with great friends. I had a few beverages that I would like to share.

We started our evening at Salt Tasting Room for some wine and tasting plates. I ordered the Van Westen Vineyards, Vino Grigio (Okanagan Valley, BC). It is an excellent Pinot Gris from Van Westen Home Lot Vineyards. Van Westen ferments their Pinot Gris exclusively in stainless steel to capture the fruit. It had a crisp fruity, melon, green apple taste with a nice smooth finish. Van Westen Vinyards family has been growing grapes for over 50 years, cultivation the soil of the Naramata Bench. All of the Van Westen wine bottles are labelled with a "V" and the names of all their wines start with a "V"(hence Vino Grigio). That is excellent marketing, making all of their wines easily recognizable.

After Salt Tasting Room, we all went over to Chill Winston for a round of drinks. I ordered a cocktail called "The Believer." The ingredients were Absolut Vodka, Stewart's Ginger Beer, lemon and lime juice. Garnished with fresh sliced cucumbers. It was a very refreshing beverage. It had a subtle lemon and lime taste with a mild ginger finish that hits the back of your throat.

We then went over to Al Porto Ristorante for dinner. We had some wine that I won't even talk about because all I can remember was the horrible service that I experienced at Al Porto. I probably would have had a better dining experience if we all just went to The Old Spaghetti Factory for dinner instead.

We finished our evening off with karaoke. I tried a cold Korean Sake called Chungha. It taste disgusting. The ingredients were rice, yeast, purified water and corn syrup. Imagine "Twizzlers" red liquorice in a liquid form. That is exactly how the Sake tasted and smelt like. I just drank it for the sake of drinking.

These pretzels are making me thirsty!

If it ain't broke, then don't try to fix it.

San Pellegrino, what were you thinking?  

The San Pellgrino Aranciata, Limonata and the Chinotto was doing so well in Canada up until late last year when they decided to discontinue the 330ml cans and started bottling the sodas in a 200ml glass bottle.  During the transition it was a mess, the cans were sold out pretty much everywhere and there was a demand in the market.  San Pellegrino's sales must have dropped drastically.  It took about a month after to finally release the bottles in Canada.  

When the glass bottles were introduced, I did not know what to think.  In my opinion, the bottle was more appealing but way too small.  It was definitely not fit for the market in Canada.  It was like taking a sip out of a 330ml can, rebottling the remaining soda back in a 200ml glass bottle, then sealing it with a crown cap and retail it for the same price.  With the crown cap, it is not a soda that could be carried at a convenience store.  If it was at a convenience store, people would have to inconveniently ask the store attendant to open their bottle with a bottle opener.  If people wanted to purchase the soda to drink later, that would not be an option unless they can open the bottle with their teeth.  Maybe bottle openers will be the next cigarette lighter. Everybody will be carrying one around.

I think that being in a glass bottle has decreased the number of sales for San Pellgrino.  Consumers want to buy a drink to enjoy.  It can't be enjoyed in a one sip 200ml bottle.  

Hurry San Pellegrino, bring the cans back soon! 

Worlds First Tea Espresso

Today I went out to Waves Coffee to try the world's first tea espresso.  I had the "Red Symphony" which consists of Red Espresso (premium ground Rooibos tea), white chocolate and steamed milk.  What makes Rooibos tea so great is that it is 100% natural, caffeine-free and is loaded with antioxidants.  In my opinion, the taste of the "Red Symphony" tasted like "Cookies 'n Cream."  When the Rooibos tea is ran though the espresso machine, I would never have imagined that the tea would come out as a dark color with a strong taste.  The taste of the Red Symphony was amazing.

The great news is Waves Coffee is open 24 hours, I can satisfy my craving at any time of day.

Super Bowl Sunday

Today is Super Bowl 43. This is the day when people rush to a bar, sit shoulder to shoulder with some stranger and glue their eyes to the TV screen. I would always be cautious of what team to cheer for in a bar. Either you meet a new drunk friend or you get beat up. I knew that neither would be the case today as I went to Mill Marine Bistro not for Super Bowl, but for Dine Out Vancouver.

With my dinner, I ordered the seasonal Granville Island Lions Winter Ale. (Alcohol By Volume:5.5%) This amber color beer had the body and richness of a robust ale, with a sweet caramel / vanilla flavor. I had this beer before and I quite enjoyed the taste. If you don't mind the sweet flavors, it's an excellent sipping beer for the winter. One glass of this beer is pretty much all I can have in one sitting, as it is quite heavy for me. It would definitely not be a beer of my choice if I was going to order a pitcher. Although, I would consider ordering a pitcher if I met a new drunk friend at the bar that was going to buy me a round.