Luxury Spa in Vancouver - CHI @ Shangri-la / May 9, 2016 by Jenn Chan

Have you ever noticed that the sales staff at Gucci or Prada are very knowledgeable and friendly? What about how much less scummy the salesmen at Audi or Porsche are compared to Big John's Used Car Emporium? Or how the wait staff at Black + Blue make the toddler serving you at McDonald's seem oafish and coarse? This is the main reason you head to the Chi Spa, in the beautiful Shangri-La Tower, instead of buying a Groupon for Big John's Massage Emporium; service, expertise and professionalism!

The lobby has a sleek, modern aesthetic and the receptionists are eager, genuinely eager, to provide you with refreshments and make you comfortable. Once whisked into the adjoining waiting room, with its deep, cushy seating, your experience begins. Snacks, teas and lovely flavoured waters are on hand buffet style and serene music fills the air. It would be easy to fall asleep during the few minutes while the staff put the finishing touches on your private massage room.

From there you enter a private suite that rivals, and easily eclipses, the size of most Vancouver condos. A private sitting room, rest room, large hot tub sit beside the gorgeous couples massage area. The masseuses took the time to ask us about our trouble areas and reasons to coming instead of diving right in and rubbing willy nilly. After 5 minutes I was as loose and relaxed as one can be and, after 10 minutes, fast asleep! It was the first time I had ever fallen asleep during a massage, but judging by the way my body felt when I woke up they spent the other hour and a half working intently on my lower back and right elbow as I had requested because they felt better than they had in years.

Elegance, luxury and practical pricing make the Chi Spa an excellent value for dollar! Access to the Shangri-La pool for the day, with its simple yet delicious café bar, and the state-of-the-art fitness facilities are the icing on the cake. Come for an exceptional massage and then revel in the sun poolside in one of the most central locations of Downtown Vancouver; come on I dare you!

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

Veuve Clicquot Yelloweek Brunch at Roof Garten / May 2, 2016 by Jenn Chan

Roof Garten is here for a good time, but it certainly won't be a long time. Slated to exist only in the summer of 2016 the restaurant / lounge is a bright, sunny, lavish space with a rumbling DJ booth and shimmering wait staff. Having been lucky enough to be the first customer through the doors on their first day I feel a kinship with this place which, no doubt, will last all summer '16.

The giant windows look out onto the corner of Granville and Smithe Streets, across from the Cinema Public House, and the entrance is just south on Smithe. I might suggest wearing sunscreen if you attend one of their signature Veuve Clicquot Champagne brunches as the roof is glass, the walls are glass and they enjoy unobstructed sunlight in the afternoon; an absolutely amazing atmosphere!

When you exit the elevator you will be amazed by the detail and level of finishings that have gone up in this "pop-up patio". I don't know know about you, but when I go to pop-up snowboard or shoe sale they often have a handwritten sign on the back of a piece of loose leaf they've staples to the wall and not professional signage costing, I'm sure, in the thousands.

The main focal point is a 30 foot long wooden table that rivals the giant Redwood Sequoia slab at the Long Table Distillery for which they're named. It sits alongside a DJ booth with enough equipment for a damn Kiss concert; you won't see any student alt/rock bands centre stage at Roof Garten!

Along with the Veuve Clicquot Champagne, which is divine by the way, we partook in some pretty incredible Caesars, the highballs were generous and well crafted and the beers came out icy cold and tasted like their draft beer equipment is tip top.

The food was also fantastic! I had, being brunch, a Crab Eggs Benedict and we also ordered a Breakfast Poutine. The crab was very nice, the eggs cooked to perfection in both dishes and they both paired well with our "shake off the rust from Saturday night" Caesars.

The managing partner at Roof Garten, Jens Marquardt, was on hand welcoming the many well-heeled patrons. Bottles of Clicquot, Dom and Ace of Spades were on constant parade to their final homes accompanied by large sparklers which celebrated the art of inebriation in a most fitting way! Go for the view, go for the food, go for the drinks or go for the crowd, but go; just go!

Words: Scott Allan
Photos: Jenn Chan

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

The Urban Tea Merchant - Sakura Tea Set / April 28, 2016 by Jenn Chan

The decision by The Urban Tea Merchant (TUTM) to extend their very popular Sakura Tea Set until the end of May is the best thing to happen to you today whether you know it or not!

Chef Cliff Hohl has an innate flair for Japanese fusion and the "tea gastronomy" dishes in the Sakura Tea Set hit the mark. The term, Tea gastronomy, which I believe they coined themselves, is the practice of using tea, in some way, in all of their dishes. Chef Hohl was gracious enough to take the time to lay out our platter personally and explain each different morsel in mouth watering detail.

Gold Yin Zhen tea, sprinkled with 24K gold flakes

Three different teas accompanied out meal and started with a 2016 Darjeeling Nouveau which had been picked from the Darjeeling region of India only 3 weeks earlier. The Darjeeling is the champagne of teas and it doesn't take more than a sip to know why! We then partook in their very popular Bain de Roses tea, which literally translated means Rose Bath, but was much more subtle, followed by my personal favourite, the limited edition, Sakura! Sakura! Tea. TWG Tea is the only tea the TUTM serves and it is world renowned for a reason. There may or may not be some exciting news about the TWG and TUTM partnership coming up, but it isn't my news to break :)

2016 Darjeeling Nouveau, Bain De Roses Tea, Sakura Tea

We were advised to start with the Wagyu Beef, which was perched just centimetres above a piping hot bowl of soup that was to be its final destination, as it was to be cooked in the Japanese Shabu Shabu hotspot style. Do some quick research on Wagyu Beef and you will see why it was such a tender piece of meat and very flavourful.

We then moved on to the Seared Scallops in Wild Boar Jam. The scallops were soaked in Sakura! Sakura! Tea and the earthy, floral flavour shined through and was a wonderful compliment to the Wild Boar Jam. The Kumamoto Oyster was next and it was delightful with a sweet Passionfruit Tea Jelly.

Sakura! Sakura! Tea "Stained Seared Scallop, Wild Boar Jam, Yuzu Gel

Kumamoto Oyster with Togarashi "Passion Fruit Tea" Jelly

The main course is a Miso Maple Sablefish. Being well travelled foodies and prolific food / lifestyle bloggers, my partner and I tried to think of the amount of times in the past few months we'd had Miso Sablefish; it was 4! Our fifth Sablefish was our favourite, by far, hands down! Chef Hohl's Sablefish secrets, I'm told, will die with him, but the fish was cooked to perfection and its light, buttery flavour was absolutely stunning and we will be back time and time again for it alone and we haven't even gotten to the desserts yet!

Miso Maple Sablefish, with Watermelon Radish & Deep Fried Lotus Leaf, on Shiso Leaf — Miso Maple Sablefish, with Watermelon Radish & Deep Fried Lotus Leaf, on Shiso Leaf

The dessert included a Bain de Roses Macaron, a tea-infused Ricotta Cheesecake, a Chocolate Dipped Strawberry and a lovely array of Fresh Fruit. All were heavenly with the Ricotta Cheesecake being my favourite, but only by a nose.

“Sakura! Sakura! Tea” Pavlova, TWG Tea Macaron, “Tokyo-Singapore Tea” Cheesecake, White and Dark Chocolate Dipped Strawberry & Mélange of Fresh Fruit — “*Sakura! Sakura! Tea*” Pavlova, TWG Tea Macaron, “*Tokyo-Singapore Tea*” Cheesecake, White and Dark Chocolate Dipped Strawberry & Mélange of Fresh Fruit

In all this tea set from The Urban Tea Merchant left us feeling full and satisfied, the service was exceptional, a perfect 10, and the atmosphere is lovely; it is a must do!

Darjeeling Tea, Bain De Roses Tea, Sakura Tea

Words: Scott Allan
Photos: Jenn Chan

MARKET by Jean-Georges :: Sakura Tasting Menu / April 26, 2016 by Jenn Chan

Jean-Georges Vongerichten is a French chef who studied his craft in the south of France before making the move to New York City in 1985. Market by Jean-Georges is his only foray into Canada, and the west coast itself, though he fronts 30 restaurants from Shanghai all the way to Mexico.

The dining room is contemporary and well-imagined and it is hard, upon being escorted to your table, to miss the smattering of Moët and Veuve Clicquot bottles throughout the upscale space. Our table was a meticulously kept booth overlooking the floor to ceiling windows perched 3 floors above the elegant shopping on Alberni Street. A gleaming Prada store, fresh from its grand opening, beckons from below with a steady stream of happy, well heeled customers buzzing in and out of its grand doors.

MARKET by Jean-Georges Private Dining Room

For variety's sake we chose the Sakura tasting menu with some imaginative wine pairings, opting against the alternative sake pairings, and one meal à la carte. So taken was I by our waiter's keen suggestions that I left wine pairings for my à la carte selections to his discretion and was not disappointed.

The first Sakura course was a very fresh Stripe Shrimp and Eggplant Salad paired with a fantastic sparkling rosé from BC's own Grey Monk Winery in the beautiful Okanagan Valley. Luckily my partner was in a sharing mood! The shrimp melts in your mouth at the first hint of carbonation from the rosé and there were many heartfelt "mmmmm's" during the first course. I chose an Angus Beef Carpaccio with a very surprising Taragon Mayonnaise which was paired nicely with a Pinot Noir from the Meyer Family Winery also of the nearby Okanagan Valley. It was splendid!

The second Sakura course saw another lovely seafood dish come out as sublime morsels of Albacore Tune were brought alongside Sake Cured Torchons of Foie Gras all in a Passionfruit Miso Sauce. Not being a big liver fan I attempted to pass on my generous partner's first offer to share, but after her marvelling at the symphony of flavours I ventured in and was please I did so. The fish was incredibly supple and fresh, as one would assume from being only a stone's throw, perhaps more aptly a cannon shot, away from the Pacific Ocean. I had ordered the Soft Shell Crab with Summer Squash and was delighted, as was my partner, with the quality of the seafood and the freshness, though only spring, of the Summer Squash.

Albacore Tuna - Sake Cured Torchon of foie gras, with passionfruit miso sauce

Crispy Soft Shell Crab, with summer squash, basil & soy oil

Next on the Sakura menu came the Clams steamed in Sake while I busily worked on my Soft Shell Crab. It was paired with a wonderful Chablis from the Pascal Bouchard Winery in Burgundy, France. So taken by it was I that I ordered a glass to accompany my dessert, but I am, quite regrettably, though excusably, getting ahead of myself! The clams were wonderful and it didn't take long before my partner was eating them right out of the shells so as to afford herself more opportunity to partake in the Sake, Soy, Butter and Garlic sauce they swam in. I must admit that I also abandoned a modicum of table etiquette, at her behest, in the same endeavour and it was simply wonderful!

Clams steamed in Sake - soy, butter, garlic

Following fresh on the heels of our divine clam experience it was time for the main courses... To say we were satisfied with them is like saying we were satisfied with being born; it was not something we had planned, like our birth, but, on this night at least, integral to our happiness on Earth in every imaginable way! The Sakura menu boasted, boasted, a Sablefish Marinated in Sake Lees accompanied by Crispy Rice and an Edamame Purée. The fish was cooked to perfection and complimented its side dishes with flair and was paired with a subtly tart Chardonnay from the Hester Winery, again, from The Okanagan Valley. If you're unfamiliar with the Okanagan Valley I pray you do some research! It is the location of the paternal side of my family's emigration to Canada, Canada's only desert climate and has the most amazing collection of fresh water lakes, some 72 Km's long, I have ever come across in my extensive travels. In summer it is a paradise; stated without a hint of hyperbole.

Sablefish Marinated in Sake Lees, with crispy rice & edamame puree

For my entrée I went with the Beef Tenderloin in a Red Wine Jus. As I like my meat rare I was very pleased with the red hue that I was able to spot from across the dining room as the wait staff arrived with my meal. It was cooked just the way I like it and as tender as a warm summer's breeze. It was paired with an intriguing Cabernet Sauvignon from the Cannonball Wine Company in California's Napa Valley. It was another wonderful selection from our pleasant host Nathan, presumably Nate to his friends, a stalwart fellow with a calm, friendly demeanour who seemed like the kind of guy who would also have good suggestions for beer pairings; my personal beverage of choice.

The Sakura menu offered a Matcha Sponge Cake as its dessert and it was greedily devoured by my partner. It had a lovely texture, was very, very fresh, but I have just never developed a taste for Matcha so I skillfully declined a second tasting when it was offered. Having had trouble deciding between the Warm Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream and the MARKET Cheesecake with Crispy Strawberries and Strawberry Sorbet Nathan suggested a smaller serving of each. If these were smaller servings then I am a monkey's uncle! This was the first time, that I know of, that Nate had ever lied to me :) The lava cake tasted as though it had just come from the oven and the lava flowed forth with a thick, rich avalanche of chocolaty goodness. The cheesecake ranks among my top 10. So light and airy without any hint of roof clinginess that besets other desserts of its ilk. When combined with the tangy sorbet it formed a tag team duo that really punctuated the entire dining experience.

Matcha Sponge Cake - biwa, ume plum semi freddo

Market by Jean-Georges, at the base of Vancouver's tallest tower and inside one of the city's plushest luxury hotels, the Shangri-La Vancouver, is a must see! If you can't find it just look up. The Shangri-La has dominated the Vancouver skyline since it was built in 2008 and still boasts the title of tallest tower though the regrettably named Trump Tower, located just across Georgia Street, comes in only 43 feet shorter.

Words: Scott Allan
Photos: Jenn Chan