Morning Sun

It's a bird... it's a plane... it's a golden sperm?!

I was in Asakusa last Monday.  I looked up in the sky and there it was, a golden sperm.  No... actually it was the Asahi Super Dry hall which was designed by French designer, Philippe Starck.  The "golden sperm" (as it is referred to by locals) is a symbol of Asahi Breweries dynamic heart according to the Asahi Breweries website.  The adjoining building right next to it is the 22 story Asahi Brewery headquarters which was built in 1989.  It was designed to resemble a foamy glass of beer. 

Asahi Breweries is the 2nd largest beer brewery in Japan and soft drink company based in Tokyo, Japan.  Asahi Super Dry is my favorite beer from Japan.  I always order Asahi Super Dry whenever I feel like a beer at an Izakaya or Japanese restaurant.  

"I got my mind set on you."

Tadaima!

I just got back from Tokyo yesterday.  Rachael and I stayed at the Takanawa Grand Prince Hotel which is really close to the Shinagawa station.  There is a supermarket at the Shinagawa station that we would go to everyday.  Rachael could not read the Kanji characters, so we just called it "Supermarket".    

Here are a few  beverages that I picked up.

The first night there I got this Rooibos tea drink.  It was a very refreshing drink with a nice light taste and a smooth Rooibos taste finish.  Great summer drink.

Rachael bought this Acai smoothie drink that was really good.  Small bottle packed with excellent Acai taste.

Green goodness - kiwi in a bottle.

BOSS Cafe au Lait

Their slogan says it all, "SUNTORY BOSS is the boss of them all since 1992".  

Sprite with a twist of lemon.  Not very eventful.

I love Asahi - couldn't just settle for one.

This was my favorite pick in Tokyo.  Throughout the trip, I bought this drink a few times.  It's a pear juice that simply tasted like biting into a cold super ripe green Anjou pear. 

Had to save the best for last.  "Cocktail Partner" I had to buy this just for the name.  I partied with my Passion Peach Cocktail Partner that night.  This would be a high school student drink of choice.

We are all Canucks (and Canadian)

I reluctantly went to the Canucks game on Tuesday, March 3rd. Anyone who knows me well knows that I don't normally venture out on weeknights. Despite my reservations we managed to have a helluva time. We ducked into Moxy's just before game time for a quick bite and a beer. Their Amber Ale (house brand) was not bad. Smooth, medium bodied and chilled to the core. It went well with a surprisingly well-made beef dip I ordered for about $10. My glass, filled with 18oz of this liquid gold, hit our table while still fully frosted. Not a bad start to the night.

With under 7 minutes until the opening faceoff, we bolt for the gates and our seats... except Rich made a pitstop to pick up two of these bad boys... a Canadian lager served in a plastic cup (fully loaded with a spill-proof lid!). We followed this act with 3 more rounds at the spectcular price of $8.75 each. (It seemed like a good deal at the time... we may have been influenced by the earlier drinks). And, although the beer may be local, unassuming, and seemingly watered down, it turned out to be the perfect beverage to savour the taste of victory. The only thing that I could have done without was getting carded by some teenage girl probably 15 years younger than I am. She can serve me beers, but it wouldn't be legal for her to lick the overflow that ended up on her wrist. Go figure.

Red Crappe

Tonight I went out to the Waves Coffee at 2588 Main Street.  Lately I've been really into their red espresso.  The Red Symphony (red espresso, white chocolate and steamed milk) is the drink that I usually order whenever I go there.  Tonight I wanted to try a different red espresso drink so I ordered the Red Frappe. (red espresso and milk blended with ice) 

I was very disappointed.  It tasted like watered down milk with a hint of red espresso.  I think that it needed another shot of red espresso and some kind of sweetener to be added. (actually on the red espresso website they suggest that for a sweeter taste to add honey or white chocolate) After a couple of sips all I was left with was a half a cup of blended ice.  All of the liquid was sucked out of the drink.  I think that the measuring ratio may have been incorrect, because I ordered the smallest size and after my drink was poured, there was still enough frappe left in the blender to fill 3 more cups.  

It was by far the worst frappe drink that I have ever had, but I will give the Red Frappe another chance.  Please make me reaffirm my faith in the red espresso product.

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.