TRAVEL | DRINKS | Ce La Vi Rooftop Bar, LKF, Hong Kong / January 29, 2018 by Jenn Chan

When you hear "c'est la vie" spoken in polite company it is usually with an exasperated tone and the words signal a kind of indifference as to the outcomes of the day as though they were completely out of one's control; "that's life". The Cé La Vi club lounge/ restaurant/ sky deck, in the decadent, vibrant niche of Lan Kwai Fong in the Central area of Hong Kong, isn't indifferent at all in their pursuit of creating a fun, plush environment to enjoy some pretty world class mixology!

Two words that instantly capture the attention of any photographer/ socialite; rooftop bar. You invite me to a rooftop bar you can be pretty well assured that I will be attending! The shooting from up top was amazing and the service was excellent! The cocktails were very imaginative and well priced compared to the incredible surroundings. Professionals in suits mingled with tourists in t-shirts and groups of ladies dressed to the nines. A birthday party was set up in the corner of the large 25th floor deck celebrating and cackling with that distinct almost musical flurry of giggles and feminine merriment.

After spending the better part of the evening enjoying cocktails and bottles of wine lavished upon us by some very gracious fellow patrons out celebrating... something... Jenn and I retired to the streets and went pub hopping with some of our new friends. As soon as the elevator doors open onto LKF, and it's pedestrian only roadways packed with revellers, it hits you. Cé la Vi is the best bar in LKF. And that is saying something! Tell them you read about it on Jenn Chan Photography and they'll take good care of you!

Words: Scott Allan
Photos: Jenn Chan

Top Patios in Vancouver Series: Joe Fortes Roof Garden / May 11, 2016 by Jenn Chan

The words "little children loved him" adorn a commemorative fountain in Alexandra Park which overlooks Vancouver's English Bay. Sculpted for Joe Fortes, for whom the formidable Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House is named, the fountain is a testament to a Vancouver legend, a gentle giant and he is definitely worth a quick Google! It's safe to say "adults love Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House"!

Since 1985 Joe Fortes has been a must see Vancouver institution. In 2014 Zagat rated them a 24 for food and service and a 22 for decor; these are world class grades from the most famous restaurant rating system in the world. Seafood, steaks, pasta, entree salads and even casual sandwiches and fish tacos on their lunch menu, there will be something for everyone!

Our experience started atop their incredibly lush, garden patio. Seated beside the tall glass railings perched above Thurlow Street we ordered a couple of Caesars. That's vodka with Clamato, Tabasco, Worcester Sauce and usually some creative garnishes, for the uninitiated, and took our time with the menu while we basked in the May sun.

To start we ordered an Albacore Tuna Tartare served with a wakame salad, ponzu, egg yolk, pine nuts and taro root chips as well as a New England Clam Chowder. The tuna was very fresh and the pine nuts added a lovely texture and taste. The clam chowder was very delicious, rich and hearty and could have been a meal in on its own.

Our main courses were chicken and waffles and a seafood bowl. I have this issue whereby, when it's offered, I have a very hard time not ordering chicken and waffles. I mean it's chicken, excellent, and it's waffles, equally excellent. When combined they make a culinary duo that I thoroughly enjoy and can seldom resist. Add in some maple syrup and your twosome is now a threesome. I'll save any jokes to your imagination.

The seafood bowl was a generous mix of cod, mussels, clams, tomato broth and jasmine rice served with fresh, grilled bread. The broth was one of those ones you want to take to go after you're done. The cod tasted like it was pulled from the water minutes before! The mussels and clams were high quality and tasty. All in all a spectacular dish!

The scene on Joe Fortes' patio at midday feels like the lunchtime epicentre of Vancouver. Men in suits encircle lavish tables, under elegant umbrellas, presumably talking business, and sip cognac. Ladies in smart dresses, gleamingly accessorized, dine alongside shopping bags from Gucci, Louis Vuitton or the brand new Prada store across the street. Dudes and bros in skinny jeans sit at the bar and swill craft beer. Young ladies with pierced eyebrows, dark lipstick and spiked purses drink water and happily much large salads. All walks of life coming together to enjoy the necessities of life. I'd highly recommend you join them!

Words: Scott Allan
Photos: Jenn Chan

Top Patios in Vancouver Series: The Roof @ Black & Blue / May 5, 2016 by Jenn Chan

The Roof at Black + Blue is a beautiful space and the largest rooftop restaurant in Vancouver. To combat the occasional, extremely rare, rainfall in the city The Roof comes equipped with a gigantic awning that covers the entire space and, if you're lucky enough, as we were, to catch it at noon on a 30 degree day in early May, it retracts to showcase a lovely vantage of the Shangri-La tower and the iconic Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

One of the things that sets Black + Blue, and the entire Glowbal Group collection of restaurants, is service. As a lifestyle blogger you can become accustomed to getting more personal service, but as we were greeted by the restaurant manager, a very cordial gentleman named Matt Hawes, with champagne in hand and a lovely stuffed Yorkshire pudding we knew we were in for a lovely experience. Courtesy appetizers, we were informed by a fellow patron, aren't only reserved for food critics, but are routinely offered to guests as a thank you. Class.

If you don't know what a Josper Grill is I suggest, nay urge, you hit the Googles right now. Go on. I'll wait. Costing nearly $20,000 and using, exclusively, charcoal as its fuel source this wonderful contraption, the only one of its kind in the entire country, infuses Black & Blue's wares with an incredible, smoky flavour.

I ordered the Seafood Trio skewer, a melange of jumbo tiger prawns, scallops and lobster tail. While it is difficult to do lobster tail badly, and it was exquisite, what really impressed me were the scallops. I don't really like scallops. On occasion I have been heard to proclaim a distinct disdain for the creatures, but I could have eaten 50 of them! The smoky flavour was evident on the prawns, a triumph in my humble opinion, likewise the incredible lobster, but on the scallops it took centre stage and made them a true culinary triumph. My partner ordered the lamb salad, similarly cooked in the Josper Grill and, similarly, stunning!

Between courses, and basking happily in the sun, we partook in one of our favourite summertime cocktails; the uniquely Canadian drink, the Caesar. I requested mine with some spice and my partner requested mild and we were both very pleased with the quality of the vodka, easily apparent, and the mix. Both perfect 10's.

For dessert we split the dessert platter: lemon italian meringue, peanut butter macaron, butter cake, honeycomb, salted caramel chocolate cake with vanilla anglaise & caramel sauce. We paired it with a lovely rosé champagne and were very intrigued by the thoughtful mélange of flavours, but the consensus favourite was the lemon meringue.

As we left the space we both immediately looked at our schedules to see when we could make it back, the ultimate compliment. I would live there if they let me, The Roof is a must do!

Words: Scott Allan
Photos: Jenn Chan