Staycation at Trump Vancouver / May 18, 2017 by Jenn Chan

Gazing up at the $275 million Holborn Group built, Trump branded, twisted tower of glass and steel it is difficult to fathom the sheer scale of such a large project. Where do you even start to build such a behemoth? Who do you hire? How long will it adorn the majestic Vancouver skyline? Where did all that money go? When you walk in it is immediately apparent where the money has gone; details. Marble, crystal and dark woods everywhere. Custom made furniture, floor to ceiling windows and 180 eclectic pieces of art by local Vancouver artist Miriam Aroeste commissioned specifically for the tower. This is luxury.

Our staycation experience starts long before we enter the doors to our sensational hotel room. It starts with service. Bobby Bissessar is a prime example of someone you want to be customer facing if you run a luxury hotel, a Fortune 500 company or even a hotdog stand. The term people person gets thrown around a lot in this day and age. It equates to someone who genuinely likes people; who is humble, affable and accommodating and Bobby is all these things and more! As the Marketing and Leisure Sales Manager he is our point of contact and we are grateful for his professionalism and friendship.

Open the door to any hotel room in the tower and you will be awed by its modern features and beautiful design, but open the door to an Executive King Suite and prepare to pick your jaw up off the floor! An immense tv sits at the foot of a heavenly soft yet supportive king sized bed with an enormous, white leather headboard. Sizing things up I estimated the headboard alone to be worth upwards of $10,000; details. A well appointed desk sits adjacent and Jenn spends a lot of time there editing these beautiful photos you see above. Just beyond that is the bathroom that wouldn't look out of place in a high end spa. A stately, standalone tub dominates one corner and, to the right, double sinks precede an all glass shower with a luxurious rain head. With a push of a button all the blinds close for privacy. The balcony, one of the iconic oval outcroppings on the tower, is spacious and has a very comfortable patio couch which offers a nice peekaboo view of the Vancouver Yacht Club and beautiful, supernatural Stanley Park. Staying at Trump will make you feel pampered and ready to explore the splendour that is Vancouver!

Fresh Bottled Water & Chocolate Truffles

Trump Champagne & Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Words: Scott Allan
Photos: Jenn Chan

Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle / May 4, 2017 by Jenn Chan

Like a scene from a Disney fairytale a smiling valet, in a gleaming uniform, was smiling at my door within moments of pulling into the regal Fairmont Olympic Hotel in beautiful downtown Seattle. "Good afternoon, sir, welcome to the Fairmont Olympic, may I help you with your bags?" "Yes, thank you very much!" And we're off!

The first thing that strikes you as you enter the Fairmont Olympic lobby is the incredible, seemingly 5 mile long, rug that dominates the centre of the opulent lobby. A two story space, resplendent with giant chandeliers and 1920's luxury, that still satisfies modern notions of taste, high end style and comfort. The domed roof gives the space a real sense of vastness and I spent many pit stops between activities enjoying quiet time and taking it all in.

Service. It's the reason a burger at a 5 diamond restaurant costs $50 and at Five Guys, where they make one hell of a good burger, one will set you back $10. That and Grey Poupon, but I digress... The beaming face I was greeted with at the reception desk is the Grey Poupon of the service industry! The booking is in order, credit card info taken, recommendations on activities are given and we're off to the 10th floor and our king executive suite!

I've recently invested in a very expensive California King bed with a NASA-eque, technologically advanced mattress and Fairmont, true to form, boasts comfort that rivals that to which I have become accustomed! Tasteful greys and whites mix with accents of sunshine yellow and the room and its accoutrements are modern, warm and inviting. Everything you would expect in a property dreamed up by the Seattle Chamber of Commerce to bring a world class hotel to Seattle following WWI. The Italian Renaissance structure was completed in 1924 and dubbed "The Olympic" after the Seattle Times held a contest to name it. Its elegant, castle-like design has made it a Seattle landmark and it was designated as such under the National Registry of Historic Places in 1979.

The gym is modern and functional, the spa is prestigious yet affordable and the glass domed pool and hot tub is an oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle. If you're visiting Seattle I would highly recommend the Fairmont Olympic for its service, comfort and value!

Words: Scott Allan
Photos: Jenn Chan

Seattle Dining: Trace Seattle / May 2, 2017 by Jenn Chan

Trace is a beautiful, modern room. High ceilings, artist architectural details and brimming with potential! We were seated and looked after by our very kind server Loan. She suggested we try their Mai Tai, twist my rubber arm, but returned with 5 different colourful, photogenic cocktails at the behest of Trace's GM Zack. They came out just before our first courses: amazing pulled pork sliders and a seared ahi and poke plate.

The Crime of Passion has a nice passion fruit puree, tanqueray, pimm’s, St. Germain and cucumber dry soda. Thankfully helped to extinguish the fire from the seared ahi and poke dish which had a nice heat from a house secret spice GM Zack was nice enough to share with us, but we won't share with you. Ever. Critic/ client privileges. The Cactus Drop again boasted a purée, but this time a prickly pear puree, with Ketel One Citroen, cointreau and lemon juice. I have never eaten a prickly pear. In fact the prospect frightens me a little bit, but sipping its liquid offspring is not daunting. Not even a little bit. This cocktail is perfectly balanced with the exquisite Ketel One Vodka forming the base and the prickly pear providing a perfect compliment; very, very good!

Trace Mai Tai, Prickly Pear Margarita, Crime of Passion, Champagne Cocktail, Cactus Drop

The Champagne Cocktail has a blackberry puree, domaine de canton and, of course, champagne. Jenn was unable to take on a new initiative and give me her opinion on this drink. She lapped at it like a lizard for a few minutes, staring blankly at me as though mentally handicapped severally. Now, personally, as I prefer low-biscus, the hibiscus flavour is a little off putting. That was a tired Hawaiian joke I lifted from virtually every Hawaiian tour guide we encountered last year. In reality this drink was very much like a fizzy Ribena; a reference lifted from Jenn's childhood. The first thing I noticed about the drink was the expertly zested and curled lime. It's fragrance hits you as soon as you lift the glass to your mouth; delicious! The Prickly Pear Margarita has a prickly pear puree, Avion tequila and Trace's house 'sour mix'. You have to like tequila, or even solely tolerate it, to appreciate any drink in which it forms the base. This margarita was very good. Not too strong and not too fruity, a good balance.

Last, but not least was the Trace Mai Tai. Bacardi superior, Orange Curaçao, Orgeat, Bacardi 8 and lime. Orange, almond and lime. These are the building blocks of the Trace Mai Tai and they mix very well, better than you might imagine and the drink is overall: rum heavy (in a good way), hints of orange, almond (from the orgeat) and lime from both the juice and plump lime slices in the drink. This drink is a winner and Loan is a genius!

Drinks on drinks on drinks and then thankfully our food arrived. The Pulled Pork Sliders came piled with incredible smoked pulled pork, a charred pineapple bbq sauce on fresh sesame buns. I was never a fan of pineapple growing up. I couldn't understand how they became a staple on pizza; it both bewildered and angered me. As an adult, presumably due to my taste buds mellowing, I'll take down a Hawaiian pizza. I'll savour it on my Hawaiian burger and I'll eat it like a hungry Pitbull on some pulled pork sliders! Savoury and sweet and delicious. You need these in your life! The Seared Ahi & Poké Plate come with Ogo, scallions, macadamia nut inamona and taro chips. The five spice on the edge of the seared ahi at the top with tuna poké underneath. The hint of spice is often times better than lots of spice and always better than no spice. The two different kinds of tuna was a new twist on a tartare-like appetizer. I preferred the seared tuna and Jenn preferred the poké so it worked out very well. This dish is excellent and it disappeared quickly!

Pulled Pork Sliders: Tender smoked pulled pork, charred pineapple bbq sauce, sesame buns

Seared Ahi & Poke Plate: Ogo, scallions, macadamia nut inamona, taro chips

The Oxtail and Foraged Mushroom Risotto was the first of our entrées to make its way to the table. My first experience with a red wine / pomegranate reduction. A full bodied, rich and comforting dish. If you hate mushrooms you will still like this risotto. If you hate cheese... then move along. Your type isn't welcome. Anywhere. On Earth. This dish is a must try even for a mushroom-phobic. A college days delivery as a Panago delivery driver ruined me for the subtlety of fungus, but that is another blog post all together. The point is Jenn ate this, forearm curled around it like she was a jaded convict protecting her food from other inmates, as quickly as she could. Oh yes I got a few choice adjectives to help me write this: warm (it's supposed to be warm, it's a restaurant), comforting (oh...kay...) and delicious. Even after I let her know I could use only one of her three contributions she didn't waver. She couldn't. This dish is delicious!

Oxtail and Foraged Mushroom Risotto: Red wine pomegranate reduction

Jenn also deigned to order the Huli-Hulu Spiced Draper Valley Half Chicken. It came with grilled corn, red rice and was bathed in a pineapple bbq sauce. Super tender, juicy and flavourful with its incredible Huli-Hulu spice enveloping it in its entirety. Amongst the best pieces of chicken I have eaten and I have eaten enough chicken to satisfy the lifetime appetite of an 80 year-old fox. I went with Trace's Char-GrilledRib Steak. It was accompanied by some roasted winter squash and natural jus. A large, discus sized round of beef arrived at my table minutes, seconds it seemed, after we waved our entrées over to join our myriad of appetizers. A perfect rare, as requested, and swimming in a sultry bath of its own juices and roasted winter squash. I sat with this dish, as 4 others languished, for a good half hour. Tempered bites with measured portions of the mashed potatoes and squash. After that half hour I was still working away on the steak in between bites of others and several cocktails and felt unapologetic for neglecting the others. A solid 8.5/10!

Huli-Huli Spiced Draper Valley Half Chicken: Grilled corn, red rice, pineapple bbq sauce

Char-grilled Rib Steak: Roasted winter squash and natural jus

Dessert came and I almost exploded just looking at it. I was full, very full. Between the dishes and the many, many cocktails I had little to no room in my belly, but then I laid my eyes on the Warm Chocolate Cake and Washington Apple Semi Freddo. Root beer isn't for everyone and I'm not sure why. I love it! If thy made a root beer shampoo I would use it. Ditto on body wash. The chocolate cake was amazing, it's hard to screw up chocolate regardless of which form it takes, the accompanying vanilla ice cream was nice and light and fresh, but then you add a root beer sauce to the whole thing and you hit another level of delicious! Even if you head to Trace just for this cake and you won't be disappointed! A wise man once said "you never go full Freddo". Trace's semi Freddo adheres to that age old wisdom and uses the delicious Washington apples in a perfect way. My father was born and raised on an apple orchard in the idyllic Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. The area boats the only dessert climate in Canada and the apples are the best in the world; hands down! Washington, our beloved neighbour to the south comes a close second in my humble opinion. As a youngster we had a weekend property in Whatcom County just outside of Bellingham and up the street from Whatcom Lake so I know a thing or three about Washington apples. I would request this dessert as my last meal. It is that good!

Warm Chocolate Cake: vanilla ice cream, root beer sauce

Washington Apple Semi Freddo - Caramelized Apples

In all our experience as Trace was excellent. Loan was a very sweet and knowledgeable server and Zack made frequent trips to our table to make sure everything was to our standards. The ambience was lovely as a large table was celebrating a birthday nearby and couples could still enjoy an intimate candlelight evening. Boisterous chatter from the adjacent lobby bar kept the atmosphere electric and the high ceilings and modern decor made for a lovely vista. I would recommend Trace to anyone visiting Seattle and for any Seattleites looking for a new experience.

Words: Scott Allan
Photos: Jenn Chan

Afternoon Tea Series: The Georgian at Fairmont Olympic Hotel / April 29, 2017 by Jenn Chan

What a room! Grand in a prohibition era kind of way. 50 foot high ceilings, ornate columns and intricate mouldings. A very Downton Abbey feel in the middle of metropolitan Seattle. Adding to our experience was our extremely affable Fairmont host, Valerie, who was a wealth of knowledge on the room and the whole property really. We made a new friend!

Afternoon tea is a luxurious affair. Big Kentucky derby-inspired floppy hats, pinkies raised way up in the air and crisp dresses and suits. Judy Dench wouldn't look out of place here nor would Miley Cyrus if she were sipping her tea mere tables away. It's a space for everyone and there's something on the menu to satisfy their tastes! The first stop on our culinary adventure was mimosa town. On a groggy Saturday afternoon it is the perfect destination for a vacationer; I'll let you guess why! Jenn, Valerie and I raised our glasses to the Fairmont, without a drop of insincerity, and toasted them!

Soon the delicious teatime towers were brought out and placed in front of us. Jenn and I wisely chose the 1907 Blend Tea to accompany them; absolutely delicious and it immediately went into my top five tea list! Blueberry Scones Apricot Jam & Devonshire Cream were the first tier of our three tiered tea-stravaganza. I don't know where Devonshire is, but if you told me it was a magical land where hobbits go on mythical adventures I would believe you. If you told me they stole the recipe for this cream from a dragon I would believe it. The scones, made in-house, are so fresh and soft that they fall apart at the touch. Add the heavenly cream and the incredible apricot jam and it's a very, very satisfying carbohydrate delivery device.

My mom is a saint. I wanted for nothing growing up and love filled our home, but I'm not sure if it's a Manitoba thing or something completely Jean Allan; pronouncing sandwiches 'sammerches'. I think about her whenever I'm served a 'sammerch' and the tradition continued when I made my way to the second tier. Hereafter referred to as the 'sammerch tier'. Waldorf Sourdough Bread, Turkey, Apple, Raisins, Celery, Pecans and Herbs made up the first I tried. If I see a turkey sandwich with apple on a menu I order it. Every time. When I see a salad with pecans I do likewise. When I see a sandwich with both I shriek like a 12 year old girl seeing Justin Bieber. This sandwich is delicious!

Up next was one consisting of Curry Salmon Egg Salad Rye Bread Roll, Smoked Salmon, Curry Egg Salad and Micro Greens. Curry is not just for my beloved butter chicken or tandoori, it makes everything better! This sandwich will make you want 10 more. Which I do. Right now. Come on Chef Paul make it happen! This sandwich alone is worth the trip. The Herb Marinated Grilled Prawn, Tomato Jam, Mango Salsa, Cured Tomato, Parmesan Crisp and Mango salsa. Mango salsa should be on every menu! It would make a boiled rat delectable. It would make a toupee taste like heaven. And when you add it to one of the most delicious ocean dwellers the results are as you would expect. You want this! The Cucumber Watercress Sourdough Bread compliments the Watercress Crème Fraiche, Cucumber, Salmon Roe and Preserved Lemon extremely well. Yum! Sourdough makes everything better! I was not expecting much from a sandwich which lacks a huge protein component as I am a carnivore at heart, but the lemon tang mixed well with the very thinly sliced cucumber, which helped beat back the overpowering nature of the cucumber, and the sourdough rounded everything out.

Tea Sandwiches: Turkey Waldorf, Curry Salmon Egg Salad, Grilled Prawn & Cucumber Watercress

Feeling satisfied from our first two tiers we set our sights on the dessert tier hidden masterfully at the bottom. I started with the milk chocolate brownie. I have had a bad brownie only once. It was a little old and the crunch really detracted from the fudge-y goodness. The Georgian's brownie tasted like it came right out of the oven as we entered the room. Add in the milk chocolate icing and this will satisfy even the pickiest chocolate addict. Macaron shops are the donut shops of the new millennium. As junk food places disappear macaron shops, with their luxury price tag, keep popping up. The sole reason is because they are delicious, like very delicious. The Georgian's rose water raspberry macaron ranks amongst the prestige priced Fauberge and Thierry's of the world. Jenn's favourite was the No bake Matcha Mango Cheesecake. If you've never heard of matcha you will before too long. It is everywhere. From its humble Asian beginnings it is finding its way into foods across the cultural spectrum. This cheesecake would have been good with lawn clippings on the top, but the matcha, with its myriad of health benefits, compliments it perfectly. My favourite was the Pistachio Eclair. In the hierarchy of nut deliciousness pistachio ranks high. This eclair, my first in forever, harnesses the deliciousness that is pistachio and combines it with the slight sweetness of the icing and the freshness of the pastry. It is excellent!

Sweets: Milk Chocolate Brownie, No Bake Matcha Mango Cheesecake, Rose Water Raspberry Macaron & Pistachio Eclair

If you're lucky enough in life to do what you love for a living you have a better life than 99% of people. Real estate is my passion and I'm blessed to exist in that milieu. Photography is Jenn's passion and we are moulding her passion into an ancillary career which we hope will one day become her primary. Valerie is a people person and the hospitality industry is tailor made for her. Three strangers becoming friends over tea. A cliché from, presumably, every British movie where I imagine tea drinking is prevalent. I would also imagine that this isn't the first time friendship has been sparked in this regal restaurant. Take someone for tea at the Fairmont Olympic Seattle today and I guarantee you leave closer than when you arrived!

Click here for more info: http://www.fairmont.com/seattle/dining/thegeorgiantea/

Staycation at Shangri-la Vancouver / April 30, 2016 by Jenn Chan

Towering above the Vancouver skyline is the 5-Star Shangri-La Hotel. The tallest building in Vancouver, with its unique triangular patios and iconic penthouse, is an architectural marvel. The finishings of the hotel match its impressive exterior with their opulence.

The chandeliers, all half dozen of them, line the lobby like twinkling foot soldiers in perfect alignment. A grand piano occupies a bright corner beside a very comfortable conversation pit with deep, soft chairs.

As soon as you exit the elevator onto your floor you're greeted with by a myriad of assorted, gilded, Asian artifacts. A beautifully framed collection of colourful, antique Japanese fans gazed at us from the wall right beside our door as we fumbled through our pockets for our key cards.

When you enter your suite the gleam from the flawless Italian marble, that covers the entire dream bathroom, draws your gaze and, in true Pavlovian style, your feet follow. You enter the bathroom and cannot find an aspect you don't covet with the fervour of Gollum and his beloved ring. Double sinks, private toilet enclosure, full glass shower and soaker tub with a lovely view of Alberni Street; Vancouver's Rodeo Drive.

Across from the bathroom is a large, his and hers dressing room that lights up when you open the doors. All the amenities are there for you with an iron, a shoe shine fit and lint brush.

The king sized bed has one of those mattresses, you know the ones, that you simply don't want to leave; a pillow topped, fluffy cloud, marshmallow layered slice of heaven. A well appointed sofa and coffee table alongside a beautiful desk, facing the floor to ceiling windows, fill out the room. With a touch of a button the drapes close and with the touch of another the entire suite hoes dark. Convenience and elegance at its best.

When you get served a hearty English breakfast nestled in 1,500 thread count sheets, with gentle rays of sunshine cascading through floor to ceiling windows, you get a warm feeling in your stomach.

Is it the contentment of eggs cooked to perfection? Crispy bacon? Is it the feeling of a full stomach and a day still laid out before you? Yes, it is those things, but it is so, so much more. It's success. It's a life well lived. It's pride. It's a feeling that you're treating yourself. So treat yourself.

A stay at the Shangri-La, or Shang to the locals, is a convenient, luxurious way to treat yourself if your visiting Vancouver. Its central location, its incredible pool, spa and fitness club and its marvellous finishings make this a must stay!

Words: Scott Allan
Photos: Jenn Chan

Private Tour with Oahu Spot Tours / April 20, 2016 by Jenn Chan

I glanced at the curb and there stood a slight, suntanned, long-haired Hawaiian gentleman alongside a gleaming, brand new, 4-door Jeep with a giant sunroof. Ron is a second generation islander of Chinese descent, but unmistakably Hawaiian! His hair hung just past his shoulders and he informed us, after much getting-to-know-you chit chat, that he had even recently cut off a further 12 inches of his locks to donate to charity; a very generous soul indeed.

As is apparently the case with much of his clientele we informed him that, before our private one-on-one tour with him, we had already taken a day-long tour that had circumvented much of the island of Oahu and had seen, if only for short 5-minute stops, many of the tourist traps. One might assume that this would make his job difficult, that he would be hard up to find us locations we had not yet seen, but you would be wrong! Our first stop was at Leonard's Bakery, a Portugese bakery and Honolulu must-see for over a half century. The malasadas did not disappoint. We took them to go and proceeded to Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Park lookout. This spot will not be, ever, on any large group tour you will go on because it is not on the way to anything; you'll have to hire Oahu Spot Tours. It offered a very unique vantage of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head and the photographs speak for themselves.

Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Park - Looking at Diamond Head & Waikiki

Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Park - Looking towards Waikiki, Downtown, & Honolulu

Our next stop was the Punchbowl Crater. Borrowing from ancient Roman tradition the United States decided to place a large war memorial in the spot that was once a holy Polynesian, open-air temple; our monument trumps yours. Discipline under the ancient set of laws known as Kapu was once carried out on this lofty perch and the offenders, often executed for their offences, were dragged to the waters edge for an unceremonious burial at sea.

After Punchbowl we visited the Pearl Harbour memorial and revelled in the historical artifacts lucky enough to have visited during its 75 year anniversary of the tragic sneak attack on the U.S. by the Japanese in 1941. It was humbling to see the even-handed display of Japanese history and gallantry during the conflict.

Perhaps less hidden and out of the way, as we saw numerous large, impersonal cattle-moving tour buses in the lot, was our next stop; the Byodo-In Temple. Imagine the most beautiful Buddhist Temple you've ever seen and then place it at the base of a misty Hawaiian mountain. An incredible sight to behold and one that will leave an indelible impression upon you.

Koi Fish @ Byodo-In Temple, Oahu — Koi Fish @ Byodo-In Temple, Oahu

So enamoured were we with Ron's gracious hospitality and kind manner that we insisted, insisted, that he let us buy him lunch at our next stop. We pulled up to Fresh Catch, made famous by the Food Network's show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, just before noon and were lucky to avoid the out-the-door lineups that accompany being such a hot spot for both locals and tourists alike. The poke, raw seafood, with its many succulent sauces and preparations made us think of the many high priced sashimi of our native Vancouver, but at a fraction of the price. We bought a wide selection of tuna, salmon, octopus and rice and sat back for a much needed rest from our fast paced morning explorations.

Various Tuna & Salmon Poke @ Fresh Catch

Our final stop was, symbolically, the final stop for many others. The Nu'uanu Pali State Park was the sight of a voracious battle for control of Oahu Island and, in its capture, the uniting of all 5 islands into the Kingdom of Hawai'i. King Kamehameha I fought the last hold outs on this mountainous peak and, with the help of English guns, drove them off the cliff to their demise thus creating the amalgamation of the islands into one harmonious country.

Ron Wong is a very kind man, a gentle soul who sees the good in things and is very knowledgeable about his island. We happened upon him a few days later at a beach off the beaten tourist track and he welcomed us like friends and introduced us to his family with a warmth and kindness that really makes your feel the Aloha spirit. Do yourself a favour and book Ron for a tour as soon as you arrive on the island. You'll see the sights, learn the history and, if you're lucky like us, make a friend for life.

Words: Scott Allan
Photos: Jenn Chan