The Wanderfull Traveler

We Have Moved: thewanderfulltraveler.com

2012-08-27T15:45:00.002-07:00

Http://www.thewanderfulltraveler.com

After a year with blogger I have decided to make the move to my own domain name over at Wordpress. With the help of an artist I admire, Suhita at SketchAway on Etsy, I am now ready to direct you all over to my new site.
You can find all the previous posts and brand new ones at thewanderfulltraveler.com along with new features that make it easier to follow and navigate my culinary travels. I plan to add a monthly newsletter and a convenient area to browse and purchase my photography.

I have received many e-mails asking for advice about where to eat, stay and explore in the Okanagan Valley. I am always happy to be able to provide suggestions or else why would I be blogging? At my new site I've added a feature where those looking to come to the Okanagan can contact me to plan a special dinner at a winery, a trip to a local cheese artisan or any other adventures I can dream up tailored to you for a small fee that is sure to fit any budget.

Blogging isn't the most lucrative hobby and I always pay my own way for trips, dinners and activities so anything helps and this new domain will hopefully help me achieve a many more future goals but it is never about the money. I love blogging and I am very excited to bring you more of my travels in an innovative and creative way.

I hope you'll find the new site easier to use, more engaging and something worth following.

Thank you to all my readers and I look forward to seeing you at TheWanderfullTraveler.com

- Murissa

Julia Child's 100th Birthday Celebration Dinner

2012-08-20T14:32:00.001-07:00

Les Dames d'Escoffier of British Columbia, a society of accomplished women helping other women in food related fields, arranged a province wide dinner celebrating the 100th birthday of much loved Julia Child on Wednesday. I was lucky enough to live in a city where one of my favourite restaurants, Waterfront Restaurant & Wine Bar, offered a 4 course meal inspired by Child's most iconic dishes.

First off, I was lucky enough to have come across the only 2 tickets left to this foodie event which meant that I also had the daunting task of choosing someone to come with me. My boyfriend usually works long hours so I was almost certain that he wouldn't be able to come. Although, I was hoping he could join me as he stayed behind when I went to New York last month. I then mistakenly asked my sister, who didn't appear at all interested, then I proceeded to my parents emphasizing the point that IF my boyfriend couldn't come only then would I choose who to take. Their reactions weren't favourable and so if my boyfriend couldn't come I made up my mind that I would give the tickets to my parents, avoiding the choice of who to let go of and who to save from the edge of the cliff. Luckily, my boyfriend was able to go and my parents were more than a little disappointed.

Feeling only a little guilty I was determined to enjoy the evening. Upon our arrival at the newly renovated restaurant, fairly industrial with light wood accents, we were guided to our table that provided front row views of the kitchen. I for one do not have the chops to work in a kitchen and I couldn't handle Gordon Ramsay yelling at me but I do love to watch the chefs create and cook. Waterfront's kitchen is not so boisterous as it is graceful - chefs pirouette around each other with near misses between heads and hot pans.

Amuse Bouche - Tomato Mini Burgers

After we were served our first glass of wine selected to be paired with our first two courses Chef Mark Filatow emerged from the kitchen to welcome us, point out his DVD collection of Child playing on the bar's television and explain the menu he selected for the evening of Julia Child's birthday celebration.
The menu was divided in two, the first two dishes are what represent his restaurant, what he described as a fusion between French and Asian with Okanagan ingredients. The final two dishes are from Child's repertoire with Filatow's own spin on them.

The first dish, Seared Quadra Island Scallop - with crab, cucumber tomato Sumac broth - was rather small with one scallop but served well as an amuse bouche. What really interested me about this dish was the light broth which would serve well as a soup base during the approaching Canadian winter. Otherwise the dish was fairly forgettable compared to the very rich dishes that followed it.

The second dish is a crispy memory to come back for, Crisp Pork Belly - with spicy miso and pickled cherries. Although there was very little amount of spice who could complain about pork belly? Waterfront Wines' pork belly is one of the best I've had with a ton of flavour, the cherries being both sweet and sour pairing perfectly with the salty and crisp pork belly upon a sweet and sticky base that almost had a maple flavour.

Finally we reached the dishes inspired by Child herself. The main event was the Roasted Pemberton Meadows Beef Tenderloin with cheek bourguignon, pomme boulangere and chanterelles. Basically, it's your gourmet meat and potatoes. It was a dish that reminded me of my great-grandmother's meals prepared when the family reunited in Merritt for the winter holidays. The scallop potatoes aligned like an accordion with bacon like music notes. The tenderloin was tender and thick, surrounded by thinly shredded cheek. The memory of my great-grandmother made me fall into a deeper pit of guilt knowing that my parents would have appreciated a dish that brought to mind our great-grandmother - a sort of Julia Child of the family.

Our plates were happily cleaned in the end and half forgot about dessert. A mid-size plate full of baked apples surrounded by crumbly crust seemed daunting at first until we slowly dipped out forks into vanilla ice cream, an apple and flakes of crust. Before we knew it the dish was practically eaten and we were testing our limits of capacity. A few more glasses of wine and we needed a walk along Kelowna's waterfront.

Lately I have been thinking about the link between writing - this blog, short stories, novels and even poetry- and food, two of my three passions (the third being travel). I love to tell stories and read them. I love to eat food wether it be food that is apart of a tradition (cultural or familial) or food that someone has laboured over for the sake of his or her restaurant or family. It seems that in both forms there are stories involved. A story of a nation, a story of a family's struggle (from Norway to Canada as is the case with my great-grandmother) or a story of passion and love. I do wonder what Chef Filatow is sharing with his patrons through his menu, although I gather that it is the bounty of the Okanagan as well as his technical experience preparing French and Asian food (I cannot surmise further than the obvious). Preparing food, it seems, is another medium of storytelling that I for one cannot get enough of.

Ukrainian Food in the Prairies: Regina, Saskatchewan

2012-08-14T12:28:00.000-07:00

A family tree and mapping of my Great-grandparents' journey from the Ukraine to Canada.
This baby won me a trip to Quebec when I was in grade 7, I was in French Immersion then.

I would hardly call Regina a second home although it is where a lot of my family live and have lived since my great grandparents (on my dad's side) arrived from the Ukraine just before World War I. As most Canadians know, the prairies was where many new Eastern European immigrants nestled their fleeing feet. The Canadian government, along with the very British attitudes of the Canadian people, did not treat the immigrants as well as they promised. The Daily Nor-Wester publication of Winnipeg in 1897 wrote:

"The dumping down of these filthy, penniless and ignorant foreigners into progressive and intelligent communities is a serious hardship to such a community. These people bring with them disease in almost every consignment ... and their dirty habits render the stamping out of infection among them a very difficult matter." - credit from MinorityRights.org

Even during the outbreak of World War I, as reported by minorityrights.org, Ukrainians who established a life in Canada, were mistaken as Austrians because they had immigrated through Austria on their way to Canada, and was noted on their papers. Furthermore, the collective encouraged the immigrants to not use their native tongue in front of the children, to try and assimilate as best they could and become more "Canadian." Not quite the cultural "mosaic" that Canada has promoted itself to be in history. However, these repressed cultures (Ukrainian, Russian, Polish etc.) are still culinary represented in homes and small shops across Canada.

But in British Columbia you just can't find such nostalgic shops still in operation as often as you can in Regina. Located just a short drive from downtown Regina is where the homes and a hodgepodge of random shops showing their age, and brick churches with kaleidoscopic stained glass windows appear. The smell of smoked meats floats along the unmanicured and potholed streets. I lost count of how many unassuming small Polish, German or Russian meat shops we passed along the way. We - my dad, mom and I - were going to the Ukrainian Co-Op. I have never been to any other meat shop but the Ukrainian one, with the towering black smoke stacks next to the parking lot, fuming away like those old Mickey Mouse Tugboat cartoons.

We have come for a lot of one thing - Keilbasa sausage - and at around $4-$5 Canadian per sausage ring, you don't come back to BC without enough to last you the winter (4-6 rings with my family). Which meant that one unlucky victim (my mom) would have their suitcase and clothes smelling of garlicky goodness during the flight home.

To my surprise I was not allowed to take photos within the co-op without a written consent from corporate, however, I was able to get a few good shots of the main event. The Ukrainian Co-Op, other than meat, sells DVD's on how to make Ukrainian eggs, the bright blue and yellow flag of sky and wheat, traditional clothing with embroidered red flowers, etc. One littler girl picked up a Ukrainian flag on a stick and twirled around the meat shop with it - something I remember doing when I was a kid in front of the Christmas Tree with a Vancouver Grizzlies Basketball flag (may they rest in peace in Memphis).

I was also fortunate enough to have my grandma make noodles for the entire family. A pain staking process that takes hours to make for a group of thirty or so. The noodles themselves are fairly plain, perfectly chewy and, I think, an old family recipe by my great-grandmother Anastasia. We all stop our boisterous conversations and sit down to slurp up the chicken broth, noodles and boiled chicken. Nothing could be more delicious and comforting, nor a more nostalgic reminder of where we come from and how lucky we are to be together to celebrate my cousin's wedding.

Great-grandpa Alexander & Great-gradma Anastasia
1915 & 1977

Jiro Dreams of Sushi: Culinary Travel in Film

2012-08-10T16:39:00.003-07:00

Directed & Cinematography by David Gelb
Magnolia Pictures
iTunes Rental HD (July 24th 2012) $5.99
***Spoilers & nerdy references to comic books and mythology***

I am painfully aware that in central British Columbia I have yet to eat traditional sushi let alone sushi made by a master, a shokunin, who studied how to make the perfect rice for ten years before moving on to fish cuts. Most sushi in my area, as in many North American locations, is very Westernized with rolls of rice in thick creamy sauces, cream cheese, chewy seaweed, or pieces that are too big to eat in just one bite. Of course good sushi exists in Canada but it comes at a cost.

I am again reminded of how I have yet to taste truly immaculate sushi as I watched Jiro Dreams of Sushi by David Gelb. Jiro Ono's, the protagonist, obsession with creating a masterful piece of sushi has been rewarded with three Michelin Stars. His restaurant, Sukiyabashi Jiro, only contains seating for ten and they are booked out one month in advance. For 30,000 Yen, or around $380 Canadian (not including the flight to Tokyo and hotel) you too can experience what is considered the best sushi in the world. Until then, this film will serve as an enticing documentary that offers something for every sensation save for taste and smell (but there were moments my mouth was watering).

Sukiyabashi Jiro is run by 85 (now 87?) year old Ono who fears that slowing down will bring his eventual end sooner that he'd like (which is often the case when people retire).

As David Gelb captures the beauty of the variety and high quality fish and rice - the movements of Ono's kitchen are likened to an orchestra of which he is the maestro - as well as the success of Ono's sushi restaurant a masculine theme is exposed. The success of Jiro Ono is eventually linked to the death of his father at the age of 7 and by the age of 10 he began his journey of greatness learning the skills that is required of a sushi chef. Although it isn't clear, as muddled as history and memory usually is, the viewer is left questioning wether Jiro Ono is creating himself as a myth, an inspired genius after the loss of his father -something all mythological heros (from Zeus to Iron Man) must experience to venture out in to the world and make something of themselves.

This makes me wonder wether or not Jiro Ono is constructing himself as this sort of myth or is David Gelb shaping this iconic chef in such a way? It is something to wonder in this day and age how great chefs become legends, idealized like classic film stars or political figures. Most often the father figure, in myths and legends, play a much larger roll than the female figures. In this case, there is no in depth discussion of mothers or female influences. Even when Jiro Ono mentions that his mother and father were present up until grade one, then his father died in a military camp, the mother's absence/death is not explained.

Later in the film, Ono and his eldest son - and eventual heir to his sushi stardom - Yoshikazu, venture to the small town where he grew up. He is swarmed by the female children of his youth, now with grey hair and the soft wrinkles, that kind grandmothers possess, and yet they are as joyous as children in a school yard again. Ono and his son then visit the graves of his parents, side by side, with dead flowers frying in the sun. Yoshikazu pours a ladle of water over each gravestone column as Ono remarks laughs, "I don't know why I come here. My parents never took care of me."

The lack of female presence extends to Yoshikazu's mother and she is only represented as a caretaker of Ono's children. Ono simply acknowledges their relationship by noting that he was a poor husband and father explaining that one of his sons woke up one morning to see him on the couch and thought he was a stranger.

The lack of female presence allows the mending of Ono's relationships with his son's to emphasized and for the renewal of a bond that Ono could not have had with his own father. This theme is briefly linked to the need for the renewal of fish in our oceans. With so much overfishing Ono remarks that the quality fish of his youth are no longer available leading him to question the state of Tuna and how his son will have to make due with what the planet can provide in his future.

Now it appears that Ono has made up for those absent years as Yoshikazu continues to absorb as much technique and skill as he can from his father as they work together creating what is known as the best sushi in the world maintaining their three Michelin stars. Speculation continues as to wether or not Yoshikazu can maintain the standards that makes his father's restaurant great after Ono's eventual departure but as the film reveals, Yoshikazu was the one who made the sushi for the Michelin food critics that day. However, we will see if Yoshikazu, after the loss of his father, will rise to shokunin greatness (Luke Skywalker) or fall to the wayside (Loki) .

Per Se: A Foodie's Costly Pilgrimage

2012-07-30T18:04:00.000-07:00

Per Se Doors

It wasn't the first time I had eaten at a Thomas Keller restaurant. In fact, this time last year I had found solace in the form of his Bouchon's restaurant at the Venetian in Las Vegas after an underwhelming experience at Picasso's (at Bellagio by Julian Serrano). Not only was it a delicious dinner but I was able to afford a few more Black Jack hands.

The most fantastic "cheese puffs" you'll ever have!

Now I was on to try Keller's Per Se in New York which has a much different atmosphere than Bouchons and requires the guest's complete attention for three and a half hours of pure culinary pleasure. This is what three hours of eating Keller's genius looks like....

3 Beef Carpaccio cones and 1 Salmon Carpaccio with creme fraiche inside.

Upon entering the famed blue doors of Per Se, after escalating three floors in anticipation - and confusion of how those doors fit in with the cold glass architecture of the Time Warner Centre - the dinning room is quiet despite being filled with people both snobby and accepting but no matter the attitudes the fact is everybody waited at least a month for this moment. At Per Se you can only make a reservation one month in advance maximum and if you procrastinate a day or two (say 28 or less days before your desired date of reservation) you probably won't get in.

Wild King Salmon Gravlax
Toasted Rye, Horseradish Creme Fraiche and Kirby Cucumber Sorbet

I should probably mention that after a hangover and three days of staying up late and waking early that we thought about cancelling our birthday reservation at Per Se on the day of. However, when I called to do so the woman notified me that it would be a $175 charge per reserved seat (4 in our case). If we were to be paying no matter what we would most definitely be eating. Not only did we wonder what we were getting ourselves into but wether or not we belonged.

Oysters and Pearls
Sabayon of Pearl Tapioca with Island Creek Oysters & Sterling White Sturgeon Caviar.
This caviar and the tapioca was absolutely one of the best pairings I ever ate!

We were seated overlooking Central Park and the blurs of taxis through Columbus Circle. I took a look around us, measuring up the other saps wondering if they too had been suckered in by the pricey cancelation fee or if this was a monthly, perhaps weekly ritual, a drop in the bucket for New York City folk. Despite being properly dressed we still got some glares, some looks of wonderment, perhaps asking themselves the same questions I was of them.

Pate de Canard
Hadley Orchards' Medjool Dates, Celery Branch, Belgian Endive and Black Walnut Puree

Before we received the menus the atmosphere was similar to that of a wake, everyone eyeing each other up, whispering, staring out the window. Finally our waitress broke the silence and handed us the menu which is changed daily. Upon opening we saw "Happy Birthday Dana" printed on each page and immediately we returned our focus to why we all were here in New York, let alone Per Se, in the first place. It was mom's birthday.

Sole A L'Amandine
Pearson Farm's Peaches, Melted Belgian Endive, Green Almonds and Brown Butter

Realizing that New York is usually over $2000+ (we got a deal at $1200 pp) away from us at any given time in the West Coast of Canada we decided to immerse ourselves in what Keller and his staff had intended for us on July 7th, 2012.

Hand Harvested Main Sea Scallop
Arrowleaf Spinach Raviolini, Toasted Cashews, Petite Basil and Madras Curry

You have your choice of a 9 course Chef's tasting menu, a 5 course menu, or a 5 course vegetable menu suited for vegetarians. I specifically chose to visit Per Se for lunch so we would have the option to order the 5 course ($185 per person). The three of us girls decided on the 5 course menu while my dad, a true luxury pleasure seeker, ordered the 9 course menu ($295 pp).

Sauteed Fillet of Atlantic Stripped Bass
Russet Potato Gnocchi, Chanterelle Mushrooms and Brentwood Corn Ragout

The following is true for all Keller plates: At the first moment of taste, I would call it a moment of conception, you are impressed with the flavours but then there is another moment a few seconds after conception and that is what I call the moment of ascension where the flavour rises to a new level of complexity and suddenly you realize that you don't know when the next time you'll have food prepared with such precise care and genius...but that's okay because you still have so many courses coming, some you ordered and some that are complimentary. There are so many dishes coming your way during the three hour tour de food that by the end each dish served is verging on hilarious and you laugh because you are happy yet full or because you find the irony in being full and yet wanting to finish every last bite of a $1200 lunch that has lasted 1.5 hours more than what you thought it would.

Herb Roasted Elysian Fields Farm's Lamb
Pommes Boulangeres, French Breakfast Radishes, Romaine Lettuce
and Creamed English Peas

Sake Soda
Green Tea Ice Cream

A Play on Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla
Buttermilk Sherbet, Compressed Green Market Cherries, Cornbread and Chocolate Marquise

It would be a waste for me to try and describe each dish to you because by the time you decide to book your reservation the menu will be altered or changed completely. However, I have supplied images that do contain descriptions thanks to the menus that the staff supplied us with in a quaint Per Se folder to take home, frame, hang and brag to your guests about (or for you to stare at in your home on the night your boyfriend decided to make Kraft Dinner with hotdogs and die a little inside knowing that he isn't accompanying it with a blackberry ketchup with that extra Keller oomph). The food looks good and the taste is slightly supernatural. Warning: Your taste buds will be haunted by the memory of your meal at Per Se.

Don't be fooled, there's ice cream inside...

Olive Oil Tasting: Eataly Part 2

2012-07-24T14:21:00.001-07:00

"We Sell What We Cook & We Cook What We Sell"

The Tom Ford of Olive Oil

Behind Eataly's endless cornucopia of pasta, pizza, fresh produce (with a vegetable butcher), meats of all cuts, cheeses of all ages, wine for all budgets and palates, and the Birreria - an entire rooftop dedicated to various types of beer with a retractable roof and an elaborate menu sure to win the heart of any man - there is Eataly's knowledgeable staff willing to go that extra mile for each and every customer.

After the depletion of my olive oil from Italy I wanted something very special to replace it. With the huge selection at Eataly choosing is no easy task. At one moment you think you want olive oil but then the next you are distracted by the selection of face creams (made with olive oil and great for dry skin) or the yogurt face masks, the useful but decorative kitchen tools and perhaps even the astounding amount of pasta you never knew existed. In the midst of the dizzying variety a member of Eataly's team emerged from the steam of boiling pasta (similar to Venus emerging from sea foam except replace the sea shell for a boiling pot) and offered to conduct an olive oil tasting, something I thought I would have to go back to Italy for.

He handed out the miniature plastic spoons and broke their selection down for us. The most popular olive oils were lined up on a display ranging from grassy (and less expensive) to more rich and subdued (most expensive). To taste olive oil you must sip it between your pursing lips so that you get both the aroma and that the taste is dispersed throughout your mouth. Doing so with the grassy olive oil with create a peppery/spicy effect that will probably make you cough. The Eataly team member said that coughing is actually a compliment to the olive oil producer. As we moved up on the budget scale the olive oil became less grassy and contained a smoother finish with no spice or cough.

In the end I enjoyed the olive oil that was a mix of lemon grass and smooth finish while my mom decided on two luxurious and smooth olive oils and the same lemon grass/smooth olive oil as I bought.
There were those olive oils that reached what only a connoisseur would would want to pay a hefty price for (and would be able to tell the difference). Some balsamic vinegars even reached $140+ because of how long they were aged, much like wine.

How about some bread to go with your new olive oil?

Eataly on 5th Ave in New York is one of the best places for any foodie, cook, baker, Italofile, or just a lover of pizza to seek out. With an endless selection of absolutely everything you are bound to find something for the pickiest of eaters and travelers.

An Italian Theme Park for Foodies: Eataly

2012-07-23T14:39:00.000-07:00

50,000 square feet of cheese, cured meats, seafood, pizza, pasta, bread, wine, cooking utensils, books, olive oils, face care and the list goes on at Eataly on 5th Ave, Manhattan. When you first enter the massive building it is an overwhelming experience trying to decide where you should go and what you should try first.

Eataly was the brainchild of Oscar Farinetti who, in 2007 in Turin, opened a 30,000 square foot interactive shopping centre where you can eat, drink and learn about Italian food all while experiencing an open market. Now, with the help of Mario Batali, (my favourite) Lidia Bastianich and her son Joe Bastianich, you can find Eataly in Japan, New York and, of course, Italy.

A good starting point upon arrival is the wine bar or the La Piazza where you stand at a tall marble bar table and wait for their knowledgeable staff to take your order or make suggestions. I knew when I arrived I wanted to try something more than just your usual charcuterie-type platter. Our waitress suggested we give the sea urchin and grilled squid a try. I have never tried sea urchin but have seen it often on the travel channel on programs like Anthony Bourdain and Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre Foods. But as opposed to these chefs cringing with an unpleasant taste and texture in their mouths they both seem to absolutely enjoy and recommend it to their viewers.

Sea Urchin

When our order arrived at our very packed and crowded table we weren't sure what to make of it. I looked to my sister and parents and saw that they were avoiding the dish and went for the grilled squid and prosciutto on fresh bread topped with Grana Padano cheese - which were fresh and delicious along with other meats and cheese from Sicily on this platter. I decided to dive in and cut a fair size for myself. The sea urchin dish consisted of fresh bread soaking in a deliciously light butter sauce and a bit of greens underneath heaping slices of urchin. Now, it having been my first time trying sea urchin I can say that I wasn't thrilled with the slimy texture. The taste was rich and ocean-like, similar to a larger sized oyster but less 'solid'. I tried it again but took only 1/3 of a slice and the experience was much more enjoyable and this time it melted in my mouth rather than feeling like I placed congealed butter made from sea foam in my mouth. It's an acquired taste like blue cheese or liverwurst and I like both of them. I suppose for this foodie it is clear I need some more one on one time with sea urchin and its various guises.

A little bit tipsy after our meal I wondered and worried if I could consider myself a true foodie despite the fact that I wasn't thrilled with sea urchin at first. I proceeded on with this gnawing at my own sweetbreads (heart, stomach, throat). It is only now after one year of blogging and 4+ years of considering myself a "foodie" am I now asking myself what that word really means to me.

Grilled Squid

For myself a foodie is someone who not only loves to eat but is adventurous in choosing what they eat. Can a picky eater be a foodie? Of course, but they would need to venture further than Vanilla and plain pizza even though they may not like what they find (but in so many cases they will). As a self proclaimed foodie I get excited about food and drink, I research good food and drink and I devour good and food and drink! The term good is subjective to everyone I suppose and maybe that's why I didn't really take to sea urchin at first but I didn't really like my boyfriend to be either when we first met and now here we are 4 years later and I've clearly acquired a liking to him. In this contemplation I pose a question to my readers (who I hope can relate), What defines a foodie to you? Do you think you can be considered a foodie? Here are some definitions I have found around the internet that are fascinating. I particularly like the definition by HuffPostFood!

The Free Dictionary: A person who has an ardent or refined interest in food. A gourmet:

"in the culinary fast lane, where surprises are expected and foodies beg to be thrilled" (Boston Globe).

Dictionary.com : A person keenly interested in food, particularly in eating or cooking.

Merriam-Webster: A person having an avid interest in the latest food fads.

HuffPostFood/Slashfood: (Portion of article) Anyone can be a foodie. To be a foodie is not only to like food, but to be interested in it. Just as a good student will have a thirst for knowledge, a foodie wants to learn about food. A foodie will never answer the question "What are you eating" with "I don't know." There are some basic traits of being a foodie, as there are basic traits that come with all labels. Generally, you have to know what you like, why you like it, recognize why some foods are better than others and want to have good tasting food all or certainly most of the time.

One if by Land, Two if by Sea - NYC

2012-07-17T14:12:00.000-07:00

If I were to read Chef Colt Taylor's techniques and cooking interests, like some culinary matchmaker's profile it would have been a first blind date worthy of a second go. Chef Taylor is head chef of One if by Land, Two if by Sea restaurant in the laid back Chelsea district of Manhattan. As explained on the website, Taylor's mother, Melissa Barbieri, is a fantastic fresco painter from Connecticut (I do love the arts) and is well traveled (hello? I love travel!). He learned his technique from chefs around the Western globe, from Austria to Miami and in the end favoured French cuisine above all.

Don't get me wrong, this isn't a French restaurant and doesn't pretend to be but the technique is there. The tone of the atmosphere is set by the wall murals/frescoes (perhaps done by Barbieri, his mother?) and the dark wood which both call to mind a sort of Anglo Saxon/ Beowulf tavern with a lot of cozy charm. The dinning room and bar are dark, lit by chandeliers that appear to be floating at times. There are gorgeous stained glass windows that emit shades of blue amongst golden candle light upon the tables. We were seated up the stairs above the chandeliers with a view of the dinning room below. The only natural light available to the restaurant was where we sat and revealed a rooftop garden.

View of dinning room from upstairs

Coupe d'Amour: blood orange-cello, hibiscus, passion fruit, sparkling wine,
and candied rose petals.

As for the menu guests are offered a chef's tasting menu for $125 (add wine paring for $60) or they can order a la carte. With the various delicious dishes my family decided to order a la carte. But first...the drinks. My sister, feeling slightly more adventurous that night, ordered the delicious Coupe d'Amour and I went for the safer French Assistance. Looking at the menu again for this blog post I wonder why I didn't go for the conveniently named Traveling Plum?

French Assistance: St. Germain elderflower, green chartreuse,
champagne, tarragon and pink peppercorn.

Appetizers were on the smaller side but offered some complex flavours. The Hamachi Sashimi - raw tuna with black garlic, pine nuts and yuzu - was served slightly warm (I like my raw fish cold) but despite this it was a good dish. The better dishes were the blanquette of veal cheeks and crayfish which included morel mushrooms, asparagus and chickpeas in a delicate frothy broth, the crispy pork belly with spring radish kimchi, peanuts and bliss maple glaze, and finally the foie gras terrine with rhubarb, scapes and brioche was, as usual, delicious.

Hamachi Sashimi

Foie Gras Terrine

Crispy Pork Belly

Veal Cheeks and Crayfish

Dinner once again did not disappoint. The Rouen duo of duck was not the most unique dish but I was happy to have seen the duck confit served in a different style than simply on the bone like I am used to. The duck was delicious and tender with a punch of cherries (a very typical companion), and marcona almonds to switch up the texture, was satisfying.

Duo of duck

My sisters choice of black bass was spectacular with lobster bisque as a sauce and a slight crust on the bass to mop it up with, served alongside spring pea tarragon tortelli and pistachio, I can honestly say it was one of the best fish dishes I have ever tasted.

Black Bass

However, the best of all that night is one of the restaurants top sellers, the beef wellington. Ashamedly before this point in time I had yet to try the beef wellington. After watching Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen and how many times the contestants under or over cook the dish, I was dying to try it when they finally got it right. Now was the time and I was not at all underwhelmed! With the tender and flavourful steak wrapped in flaky crust that absorbs the bordelaise jus it was something to come back for (if New York City wasn't enough already).

Beef Wellington

Of course we couldn't pass up dessert! Fried cheesecake, sorbet trio, toasted almond panna cotta all appeared on our table by the hands of the excellent staff who waited on us without the stuffy snobbery I was expecting from the New York food scene (although we did experience our fair share at another location).

Fried Cheesecake

Luckily the portions were perfectly small, especially the fried cheesecake that more resembled the donuts you would see at a carnival with a burst of sweet cream cheese. I was never one for panna cotta but I gave it another chance but the texture has never titillated me.

Panna Cotta

The desserts didn't match the flavourful savoury dishes shaped by Chef Taylor's culinary travels or maybe the dessert is where the date went cold but overall One if by Land Two if by Sea would easily be one of my favourite restaurant experiences so far which is why I have listed it under my top 10 (see labels).

Complementary fruit tart and macarons.

Dodging Security at The Waldorf Astoria

2012-07-11T13:39:00.001-07:00

Photo Credit: lindaraxa.blogspot.com

Upon planning our trip to New York for my mom's birthday the four of us discussed (heatedly at times) where we wanted to stay. Such a crucial decision for any trip really. My parents enjoy luxury and being pampered (who doesn't?) while my sister and I are just happy to be there. In my mind I had chosen the historic Waldorf Astoria ($$$+) while my dad was thinking about the Mandarin Oriental Hotel ($$$$). In the end the price of the Waldorf won out and the location was ideal for us fans of the iconic 30 Rock, NBC and especially SNL (more on that later).

Photo Credit: lindaraxa.blogspot.com

The Waldorf was first built in 1893 on 5th Ave. but was torn down to make way for the Empire State Building. The current Waldorf Astoria, located on Park Ave. built in 1930, was the first skyscraper hotel and, as their website boasts, has catered to various presidents and stars like Nixon and JFK, Jackie Kennedy, Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth II and other royalty from around the world. It was also host to Grace Kelly and Rainier III's engagement party. I must emphasize that these guests stayed in the towers while we stayed in the "commoners" rooms (my own terminology). At the Waldorf, when you have a modest budget, you are paying for the name/history of the hotel and the location. The rooms aren't small but they are aged which can be charming or, in the case of our bathroom mirror, can be off putting and even hazardous when the wires of the electrical outlets are exposed to the shower steam.

Jackie Kenndy

However, the lobby of the Waldorf shows no signs of her age and is kept it top condition, including the murals and famous Lobby Clock. The clock is from 1893 for the Chicago World's Fair and made of bronze. It is a symbol of the friendly relationship between America and Britain with images of presidents such as Lincoln, Washington, Grant etc. along with Queen Victoria. A great time to get an image alone with the clock is late at night as the lobby is usually full of guests checking in and out or people enjoying the plush seating, the atmosphere and a drink.

The romance ends after you walk through your rooms hotel door. Like most luxury hotels the mini bar prices are outrageous. One San Pellegrino will cost you $10 US and the miniature bottles of Champagne are just as much as what you'd pay for a full bottle in a liquor store. The room service is by no means a bang for your buck and is the blandest of food you can get in Midtown ($200 for 2 club sandwiches, chicken fingers, one over cooked burger, and one pizza).

The best experience the Waldorf offered was held at midnight in the areas we were not necessarily allowed to go. The third floor was dark and abandoned. We got lost in its reflective chandeliers directing us to new rooms where other chandeliers were begging to have the lights turned on. A theatre known as the Grand Ballroom has been host to Queen Elizabeth, Jimmy Carter, JFK and Nixon and was illuminated for visitors to see.

Grand Ballroom

However, when exploring the 3rd and 18th floors I suggest dodging any security that may be roaming the halls along with you. I was yelled at once but ran into a dark room as I pretended to make my way back to my room. Stay quiet, take your heels off if you must as this is an experience worth having for free! I asked the security if they offered tours during the day but they have stopped giving tours for two months now. I couldn't imagine why, I would have been a customer!

Grand Ballroom

Silver Corridor

Also on the third floor is the Silver Corridor, a long hallway with brilliant chandeliers and marble flooring. Pick any door that that runs along this hall and you won't be disappointed. One of these rooms, besides the Grand Ballroom, is the Basildon Room at the very end of the hall. The room was black but my camera helped illuminate the Parisian made mantlepiece, golden ceiling and psychedelic meets art deco carpeting.

Basildon Room

On the 18th floor you can find the Starlight Roof and a gorgeous rotunda leading you to the closed rooftop which used to be the poshest dinning club in New York up to the 1950s fitted with an art deco retractable roof. Now it is still and silent where you will be the only entity in the halls and your footsteps will be the only haunting sound on the entire floor.

Starlight Rooftop Room

Would I stay at the Waldorf again? Probably not but I would swing by for a nostalgic trip back to its heyday. Sneak into history on the third and eighteenth floors late at night after a martini at the Bull and Bear bar and see where the Waldorf takes you.

Reading List

The Waldorf Astoria Cookbook by John Doherty and John Harrisson
The Old Waldorf Astoria Bar Book 1935
The Waldorf Astoria: America's Gilded Dream

Bucket List Bust: House Swap as Opposed to Homeless

2012-07-03T12:16:00.000-07:00

Some ramblings on those who sell everything for dreams of travel. Let's get practical...

Photo Credit: bloggersbash.com

As a blogger I have found a profound amount of people selling their homes and all their belongings, quitting jobs etc. all to pursue their dreams of prolonged travel and to blog/write about it. It is so popular now it seems to be a gimmick, a cliche amongst the blogging world. Many of these sites encourage their readers to do the same. They say that full-time travel is possible but the reader must be willing to give up equity, (potentially a greater source of) income, time with location-fixed loved ones, just to name a few important things in my life. I'm not too crazy about this idea. As much as I love to travel it is equally as nice to return home, especially when home is in the Okanagan where family and my writing desk is. As freeing the idea is of selling all my material possessions and home it is not for me. Considering this it may not surprise you that I decided to take the plunge and purchase a home. I was done paying rent and allowing my money to go no where but into the hands of another, never to be seen again.

Another example that further emphasizes my point is about a man, Frank, (to read the story follow link) who was diagnosed with cancer. He and his wife sold all their belongings and decided to spend the last days of his life taking pricey dream vacations, starting a new business (which has since closed) and living it up to the fullest. After 24 months of spending and travel Frank was told he never had cancer and was misdiagnosed. They are $80,000 in debt at 69 years old and completely healthy. As for his wife and the impending debt that he knew he was to leave behind, they had hoped his life insurance would cover it.
Now what?
It seems that people are banking on dying more than retiring nowadays. But who wants to spend their retirement years working to pay off debt?!

But I can't say that I wouldn't want to do the same if I were told that death was approaching sooner than I had expected but if I had children and a spouse, selling everything doesn't sound like such a responsible idea. A legacy of debt is not something I would want to leave behind even if my life insurance would cover it.
But is it possible to travel as much as you want with a home and bills? Can you have it all? Although the answer varies and depends upon ones own hand dealt in life I can definitely travel at least once every month or two and that's all I really want. Keep in mind I have no kids which I gather would make things a bit more difficult but still not impossible.

Photo Credit: prague.tv

If you think of house swapping or home exchanges with people from around the world, not only would you save on accommodations but you could also save on dinning out with your own kitchen. A home exchange is when you literally exchange homes for an agreed amount of time between the two participants. A man in the centre of Rome could swap with a luxury home in Los Angeles or a cabin in the British Columbian forest along the Pacific Ocean.

Another option could be to rent the home out in order to gain some extra spending money. I could only see this as profitable or an advantage if you were to travel for more than one month. In the Okanagan a home can be rented (depending on location and size) for over $2000+ per month and considering this I would gain an extra $800+ per rented month over and above my mortgage.

Now I am not recommending that people shouldn't sell everything and go on a journey of a lifetime if that is their dream, but what I am saying is that maybe you should consider a more practical approach in this economy. And besides it is a buyers market...not so great for sellers. Definitely weigh your options and you may find that keeping a home isn't such a bad idea, if not for now then in the long run.
My advice may very well be interpreted as cowardice but to this I shrug and say it is just being practical which never hurts in the long run, although it may not be so much fun in the short run.

One blogger who hasn't sold everything but is working towards being location independent is Woman Seeks World. She inspires her readers to pursue their dreams while keeping it practical suggesting flexible careers and ways to make money from anywhere in the world.

As for me I am off to New York tomorrow! How? The old fashioned way, I found a deal and saved up. I'll be returning next week with new posts.

The Four Seasons Vancouver & Yew Restaurant

2012-06-24T09:16:00.002-07:00

View from our room

My last review of Chef Ned Bell's Cabana Grille has left me wondering wether I want to go back for fear of backlash. My review made it to Urbanspoon and is one of my most popular food reviews so far. Bad reviews travel fast I suppose. However, Ned Bell is head chef at Yew in the Four Seasons Vancouver, a good 4 hour+ drive from Kelowna and it is well taken care of compared to his Okanagan baby. Bell, come back to Cabana and get em' back into shape!

Yew on the other hand is not a disappointment unlike it's underachieving sibling. You can tell Bell cares about his Vancouver reputation and so he should with Vancouver's food scene and numerous cut-throat bloggers (I think it is safe to say I am one of the only food/travel bloggers in Kelowna, I think there may be two others who no longer post). Yew is located in the pricey and luxurious Four Seasons Hotel and with a renown reputation worldwide, and customers expecting excellence, a chef does not want to disappoint.

The dinning room gives the ere of being inside a tree with high ceilings and cuts of wood hung on the walls exposing the unique grains of each tree. It is bright and cozy with an inviting bar on one side and a open view of the kitchen and chefs on the opposite side. If you're lucky you'll be in when Bell is.
Upon entry there is fresh seafood displayed in full view. One day I saw a gigantic halibut, the next day there were spot prawns frozen in clear ice.

Halibut!

Spot Prawns in ice

Since we were staying in the hotel we visited the restaurant often and were able to sample a great deal of Yew's menu. The menu offers some unique dishes from crab tacos to fried pickles and Bell's own rendition of the ultimate comfort food, pasta alla carbonara.
Having just arrived off the plane and being rushed out the door before I could even think about breakfast we were ready to eat! After quickly settling into our hotel room and enjoying the view we headed down to Yew. This gave us a good idea of the clientele which ranges from business elite, tourists just happy to be there, tired shoppers (the mall is attached to the Four Seasons), the cast of the Vancouver Housewives, and foodies looking for their next thrill.
Our charming waiter, Norman, would recommend the best of the menu to us when we were stumped and even helped us make decisions on other restaurants during our stay.

For lunch, I needed no help choosing the crab tacos. It was sweet, salty, crunchy and filled with soft crab, a nice change from the amount of filler restaurants usually offer to cut corners, but you most definitely pay for it at Yew. It should be expected that when you stay at an expensive and even overpriced hotel all the amenities will also make you pay through the nose.

The pasta alla carbonara was heavier than expected. The noodles were more like a homemade penne rather than a spaghetti which makes the dish too filling after a few bites. Although the carbonara sauce was good it also lacked that something extra, a deeper flavour that separates the bland from the bold.

The fish and chips were also a bit of a disappointment. The fish was delicious but the exterior had less than enough flavour and was too greasy for my taste. For $24 it should be a lot better than OK.

The lobster sandwich is a delicious in theory and would be executed as such if the bread was thicked in order to prevent the bottom becoming soggy while waiting to be served. We ordered three of these sandwiches and all had the same soggy bottom.

My favourite dish besides the crab tacos would have to be the special spot prawn and gnocchi. It was light and yet filling, perfect for what one needs to refuel after a day of shopping.

The desserts are a hit and a miss. The pies come by the sliver, slice or whole. The sliver is what I would consider a fuller slice so watch your portion sizes for dessert when it comes to the pie, although they are delicious.

A pit of black chocolate

The chocolate mousse was not a mouse at all but more like a solid glob of cake and chocolate resembling a lava cake, a dish I am not fond of, especially when I'm expecting a velvety mousse.

The most unique dessert was the root beer which was a root beer float, spices and hazelnuts. As a huge fan of root beer I could have used more of the delicious taste of the soft drink but it was delicious despite.

The spring rhubarb sorbet was light and refreshing, also good for a nice pick-me up after exploring the city. The chef also offers vegan selections which can be hard to come by, although I was not prepared to abandon my ice cream with all its fatty-milky goodness for a vegan option.

Late nights snacks are offered after a night out in Gastown. Everything the body needs to prevent a hangover: deep fried pickles, Kobe hot dog with lobster, parmesan rosemary truffle fries, frozen foie gras etc. The list of late night treats are impressive and delicious, especially while being more than two sheets to the wind. If I could suggest you go here for anything it would be the late night dishes and a great cocktail or two.

Was more messy than it looks

The Four Seasons was a treat. Wildly expensive but nice. It's is nice they have a great selection of room service but in order to receive it you will be charged a service fee and 15% gratuity on every order so make it count! My favourite part of staying at the Four Seasons was the miniature bottles of shampoo and condition from L'Occitane (one of my favourite brands & I use to work for them) and the location was ideal as well. My least favourite part would obviously be the price because I could get a similar comfortable experience without the 15% gratuity and overpriced room.

The food was good despite the fact that some had minor flaws. The atmosphere is an experience that is worth having and I recommend you stop in, in between shopping or sight seeing. The service was impeccable and it was an enjoyable time but it's time to move on to a new experience.

Blue Water Cafe, Vancouver

2012-06-20T15:17:00.002-07:00

I'll be back just for the sauce if not for the sushi!

You can't leave Vancouver without sampling some local and fresh seafood! Usually we head to Joe Forte's to fulfill this craving but it is extremely pricey and too familiar. This previous trip to Vancouver was all about trying and seeing new things. The local waiters all agreed that we had made a good choice opting for Blue Water Cafe & Raw Bar, and frankly they were a little surprised we had yet to try it.

Blue Water Cafe is one of those places that books up fast, not because of the reasonable prices but because of the delicious food and selection. Everything we tried that night exceeded expectations, including a healthier option of Sablefish with bok choy, quinoa and shiitake mushrooms (so flavourful!). The atmosphere was ideal for a romantic night out with the dinning room of red and gold with charming wood beams, glass blown wine decanters and wine everywhere you looked. The surprise is that this restaurant also offers top quality sushi with a sushi bar against the far wall where you can sit and watch the masters at work. Although I don't know if they are traditional master or not but the sushi was certainly the best I'd ever had.

The glass blown wine decanters are a conversational piece that I must mention. When you order a bottle of wine, especially when it is a fuller body, you can request any decanter you'd like. We selected a decanter that had a unique twisted architecture about it. It was engineered to pour a perfect 3 ounces of wine when twisted properly.

Some decanter designs are better than others...

The smaller decanter looks suspiciously like....never mind.

On to our dinner!

As mentioned previously the sushi, the Stamina roll, was the best I have ever had and probably will be for a while knowing Kelowna's sushi selection.

My sister kindly shared one of our favourite types of oysters, Kusshi.

For dinner I chose the Qualicum Bay Scallops with caramelized belgian endives, wild rice griddle cake and candied ginger with citrus sauce. Good but I wouldn't order it again...what I would order again, besides the sushi is below.

Everything was all good, no complaints besides the fact that the pricey Kobe beef was not quite as good as what we've experienced before. But the reason why I am rushing through the rest of these menu items is not because they weren't delicious but because I need to get to the piece de resistance!

The lobster in their special butter sauce. Do not choose any other sauce but the butter sauce. It is not listed on the menu but the waiter or waitress will tell you the various jus and sauces that you can have with your selection of live crustaceans from the tank. While there is no wrong choice you will not regret the butter sauce!

Overall, Blue Water Cafe is one of my new favourites. As pricey as it may be, the value beats that of the famous Joe Forte's and their delicious selection. I will be back just for the sushi if my pockets are emptier than our previous visit. Although it would be a shame to miss out on that miraculous sauce!

An Imagined Trip to Paris: Le Crocodile, Vancouver

2012-06-14T11:00:00.001-07:00

Le Crocodile has been in Vancouver for an impressive 26 years and is the result of chef Michel Jacob wanting to create a memorable dinning experience for foodies such as myself. His passion is presented in the form of the traditional plates in a small bistro that calls to mind 1930's Paris and has catered to various celebrities from Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson, Steven Spielberg, Jean Chretien and Cindy Crawford (as noted on their website).

However, I didn't know of the famed guests before making a reservation and what drew me in was the menu. Everyone knows I am a sucker for foie gras, quail, rich butter sauces, fresh seafood and all things French. Oh, and chocolate! At Le Crocodile all these can be found in ways that I had yet to experience...perhaps because I have yet to go to my much dreamed about Paris. But for now Le Crocodile will do.

My sister and I had the night out to ourselves. With her birthday approaching and my having completed university classes we intended to treat ourselves in the form of fine food and champagne. At this time I had come to the conclusion that we would be unable to go to Europe and my long fantasized Paris until 2013, a hard pill to swallow at first. However, at Le Crocodile I had brief moments of being transcended to my imagined Paris. There were many customers speaking french and other languages creating enjoyable linguistic background music.
I imagined a pondering Hemingway sitting in the red bistro seats across from the bar.
I even experienced a slight tinge of snobbery that I hear is to be expected in Paris.
When we were seated I had the feeling that the service was impeccable except for the fact that us young girls weren't exactly what they were hoping for as customers. Not because we were under 25 but because usually when you're younger restaurants tend to think that you won't spend as much and want you out as soon as possible to get the best turnaround. Once the waiter understood that we were serious about food, and paying, our service picked up substantially and we were no longer pressured into putting our order in for dinner before we even had time to look at the appetizers.

Shrimp and Thyme Tart

After we placed our order for drinks (a delicious and affordable bottle of sparkling wine called J Cuvee from California) we were served a complimentary tart of baby shrimp and thyme. I still crave this buttery and smooth tart, not at all fishy, and plan to go back for the famed onion tart as recommended by many reviews and is fixed on the menu. However, each day the complimentary tart changes and a delicious alternative can be the mushroom tart.

Grilled Quail (right) and Pan Seared Duck Foie Gras (left).

As for appetizers I had to get the grilled quail and pan seared duck foie gras. The portion size was slightly overwhelming and I questioned wether or not I would be able to devour a dinner portion but it seems that I had just enough room for the sauteed dover sole in the most pause-inducing butter sauce. Save bread for dipping! The sole was deboned at our table with precision and I ate everything on my plate with equal precision moping up every drop of sauce.

Dover Sole & Classic Butter Sauce

Expect an equally traditional selection for dessert, perhaps even leaning towards slightly boring. We tried the orange creme brulee which was executed perfectly but lacked in stronger orange flavour. The sorbet flavours are just the palate cleanser you'll need after a rich dinner of foie gras or bone marrow. My favourite special touch that this restaurant offers is the complimentary crocodile shaped chocolates. Guaranteed you'll find one in your mouth despite how full you may feel.

Graduated and Giveaway!

2012-06-12T11:04:00.002-07:00

My sister and I at the UBCO Campus

Well I did it. Five years of university completed and I got a double major (creative writing and art history) to show for it. While some contemplate going back to school I want to take a break, maybe never go back depending on the amount of success I reach as a writer. Some professors have encouraged me to continue on to get my masters in writing and some have even gone so far as to suggest that success can only be achieved if I get a masters degree in writing like some of them have done.

Photo Credit: Quick Brown Fox

Many people who hear what I have graduated with ask, "So what? What are you gonna do with that?" Or, like my grandfather persists, "Why would you wanna learn about that stuff...If I were a young man I'd be a stock analyst." I have also heard people comment, "J.K. Rowling never needed to go to school to write!"

Writing and story telling in general has always attracted me. Art history was a cherry on top, a perk that I had found so fascinating in university that I decided to follow through as a second major. Art and history are also two forms of telling stories and naturally complemented my first choice of creative writing. Having studied ways of story telling for many years, not only as a student but also by simply being a reader since I first read Judy Blume or in the crib with Bunny Sees, my writing and desire for stories has become more refined. J.K. Rowling has written some extremely imaginative stories but the writing cannot be considered literary, can it? Some may think so but it is not something I am attracted to or want to write. Some may even think that Twilight is a literary success while I like to think of it as a commercial/mainstream success, I doubt it will be a classic to last the ages such as Jane Austen or Jack Kerouac. If it does, I'll eat my words of course. And please do not reduce my attitude to snobbery. I watched the films of both sagas with a bowl of popcorn or a bottle of wine while my sister gave away some of the key plot points with her knowing sighs. But I am getting off track so I'll get to my point.

School was invaluable because it put my pen to paper (way more than I would have done on my own) and exposed me to deadlines, public readings, and a community that I can turn to for support. My colleagues and professors will, I hope, one day call on me for help and in return they will aid me in promoting, publishing and selling my writing. They'll encourage me to write if I feel down and out as a newly graduated novice who doubts herself and her writing. If not for school I would not be writing this very blog, be published in Vecu Magazine, subTerrain or even know that I have a knack for poetry which I previously reduced to a genre of heart broken, drugged up, morbid and moody writers. I found out it was all this and more and I fit right in.

Published in issue #61 and featured as an Okanagan upcoming writer!
I'll be reading at the launch party June 28th at 7:00 at Kelowna's Regional Library.

School isn't as sweet of a tea for everyone but I enjoyed it and what it taught me, what I gained from it couldn't possibly be summed up within this blog post. The professors, who have all been published, kept us grounded. At times it was painfully clear that not everyone will become wildly famous like J.K. Rowling and if we are in it for the money we are destined to fail. But not it is up to me. The important part is that I made the most of it and what I do with it will be determined throughout the rest of my life. So let me get back to my novel!

Graduating has also made me reevaluate my blog and what I want to achieve writing under the Wanderfull Traveler. I find that story telling at times lacks in the blogging realm and I hope to write more narratives as opposed to straightforward articles. I'd love to hear what you think this blog is doing right and what it is needing to make it exemplary. Here's your chance below to do so and win a package valued at around $120 CAN.

Before I get back to my novel, here is a giveaway for my readers to celebrate with me! All travel related of course.
I am in the midst of moving to a new home (will fill you in on the next post) and I'd like to give readers the chance to win a few books and the 2012 Spring issue of France Magazine.

To Qualify
1. Like The Wanderfull Traveler on Facebook and Twitter (click on the links that lead you to my site then click like/follow).
2. Leave a comment that you have done so and comment about what you enjoy about my blog (/ something you'd like to be improved if you want). Please leave an e-mail to contact you at.
3. I'll draw a random number, 1 representing the first to comment, 2 being the second and so on.
4. The winner will be announced on June 25th and the prize will be shipped as soon as I get the address. In the event that I am unable to contact the winner, I will draw again.

Good luck and here is what you could win!

Coping With Others in a Chinese Garden: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen's Chinese Garden

2012-06-05T11:48:00.002-07:00

After spending an unholy amount of time and money shopping during my trip to Vancouver a change of pace and scenery was needed. I wanted to go somewhere new that doesn't have an entry fee or an Aritzia or H&M anywhere within my vicinity. Even though I have visited Vancouver countless times I had never visited the Chinatown district or seen much of the touristy Gastown district to tell you the truth.

This time around I made sure I saw both despite my visits only lasting about an hour each. Paul Theroux's advice to travel alone never rang so true as this trip when I found that what I wanted to get out of my trip was not in line with those I was traveling with. After some convincing we found out that Vancouver has much more to offer than the Vancouver Art Gallery, Stanley Park and amazing food.

The calming Dr. Sun-Yat-Sen Chinese Garden is located in Chinatown, just a couple blocks from Gastown. It was an amazing find not only because of the giant koi, blooming flowers but also the Canadian goose who laid eggs on a rock in the middle of the pond. The garden is voted "top city garden" by National Geographic and was featured in the Top 500 Secret Journeys of a Lifetime. While I can't say it is life changing it was refreshing.

However, something that is unavoidable in Vancouver, and many metropolitan areas, are the disadvantaged and homeless. One man wandered the garden asking for change. I don't know if it was the calming atmosphere of the garden but we gave him a couple bucks and he went on his way.

Every city also has its doggy end and not really knowing where we were located, behaving like your typical tourist, we consulted our map and decided to walk to Gastown. We ended up on the cusp of Chinatown, Gastown and Hastings street where the homeless and tweakers roam. I looked to my left and saw Save On Meats, the business featured on OWN Network's program Gastown Gamble, and a woman who resembled the Simpson's crazy cat lady carrying around her belongings and a cat in her broken grocery cart. On this street we were the minority. Not exactly the place you want to be when you have a Nikon camera around your neck. I admit I am not the best in these situations coming from a town where the homeless are relatively out of sight, kept on a single street downtown as well.
We needed a drink and truthfully that is all I can say I experienced of Gastown.

Goose protecting its eggs on the rock.

So what? You may ask. While this post probably isn't the most informative I think it is a great example of what you need to ask yourself before choosing who you go traveling with. What do I want to get out of this trip? What does the person(s) I am going with want to get out of this trip?
I usually travel with my parents and sister, not because I am obligated but because we all have fun together. However, my parents idea of interesting activities doesn't always meet my own desire to explore. For example, we are heading to New York in less than a month. A "must" for me is the Museum of Natural History and a martini at Bemelmans Bar. My parents on the other hand are interested in a relaxed pace of travel which was evident during our last trip to Mexico. As a writer/poet and person interested in acquiring an intriguing story for my blog readers it is important for me to experience issues and places of interest. Naturally, conflict arises but is easily resolved if we are all able to compromise. Blogging has changed the way I look at travel and the way I tell stories. I am typically used to writing creative stories or poetry and writing articles has been trial and error as I try to figure out what my readers respond to.

Why I do travel with my parents and sister especially is that when our travel intentions do align, which is more often than this post gives credit for, we experience some of the most memorable moments of our lives (Aerosmith, Alaska, Grey Cup, California, Oahu, Canadian Culinary Championships, Venice Beach, Venice Italy, Mexico's Beach Party, Las Vegas, and now soon to be New York and Jamaica).
Who do you travel with?
What are some of the frustrations that arise?
How do you cope?

Travel in Film: Hemingway & Gellhorn on HBO

2012-05-29T23:06:00.000-07:00

Post first appeared on the thepopculturedivas.com

Photo Credit: blog.zap2it.com

Hemingway and Gellhorn follows what was the culmination of a love affair, marriage and eventual divorce of two writers who thrusted themselves into war and chaos in order to avoid the war of boredom and "domesticity". Ernest Hemingway, played by Clive Owen, in the midst of his second marriage becomes smitten with Martha Gellhorn, played by Nicole Kidman, and her bravery as a woman wanting to capture genuine tales of the people left abandoned, suffering and dying during a time of war (Spain, Finland, China, and Europe in WW II). Her bravery at times is revealed to the viewer to be more of naivete, however, I did catch myself wondering during the two and half hour made for HBO movie wether the naive demeanor was intentional or the result of Kidman failing to rise to the blood-muddied trench boots of Gellhorn.

The real Hemingway and Gellhorn

Photo Credit: litreactor.com

I was distracted by various oddities within the film. For one, the film showcased Clive Owen's ass, Hemingway's straightforward prose and Gellhorn's tenacity but this was foreshadowed by Kidman's inability to convince me that she was Gellhorn as the voracious lover and the tenacious female journalist. The chemistry between both Owen and Kidman was laughable at times, especially when Kidman wouldn't allow herself to kiss his fully. This is a trait of hers and with her smooth and taught Barbie-like lips and face it appeared that a blow-up doll was being rubbed against Owen's face to simulate the act of making out.

photo credit: themetapicture.com

We all have our own idea of who and what Hemingway was and meant and so Owen had a slight character advantage to work with as opposed to Gellhorn who is not as famed/taught/celebrated/critiqued etc. All I saw was Kidman acting, trying to be a tough journalist but Owen, on the other hand, got better as the film went on and by the end I bought that he could portray Hemingway at his finest, drunkest and lowest. But when the two came together I didn't feel the want, the need for them to stay together and the sadness of their doomed love affair wasn't something I cared about.

I do love Kidman and she is what I believe to be a Hollywood star but in Hemingway and Gellhorn she falls flat. However, so does the filmmaking itself which brings me to the second point of distraction. The film constantly goes in and out of black and white, then turns to sepia then the screen fills with colour once again. For now I cannot come up with a convincing reason for a filmmaker to do such a thing. Of course there is the idea that the look of black and white/sepia footage makes the film appear more historical as if purposing itself as fact or portions of captured reality of literary lives of geniuses we envy in first year university and onward. In the end, however, the effects look unpleasant, cheap, cartoonish and take away from the story telling. The cinematography is dulled and small breaks of disbelief are able to creep into the viewers mind leaving time for questioning, Is my television going sour or is it my excitement for this film?

Kidman/Gellhorn

Photo Credit: nicolekidmanofficial.com

I made it through to the end as negative my review may be of the film, and what kept me going was those gems of prose written by the two characters at hand. If this film does not make you want to watch it again it will make you want to write, perhaps something better.

In the meantime as we wait for the next great HBO series or film I suggest we turn to the Hatfield and McCoys on the History Channel.

Murissa Shalapata writes for her food and travel based blog, The Wanderfull Traveler and articles for Vecu Magazine, an online publication. She is published in subTerrain, a Canadian literary magazine (issue #61, 2012) and various small chapbooks created at UBC Okanagan. She is graduating this June (2012) with a double major in creative writing and art history and was awarded the Creative and Critical Faculty of Art History Prize. She is currently living in the Okanagan where writes poetry and her first novel.

Chambar, Vancouver

2012-05-25T12:12:00.001-07:00

Before leaving to an undiscovered city I always do research as to what restaurant would be ideal to eat at. I take into consideration the experience of contributors to Urbanspoon, local bloggers, travel bloggers and the actual menu itself. However, when my trip to San Francisco was canceled because hotel prices skyrocketed suddenly, my sister and I hesitantly opted for familiar Vancouver, BC.

We chose Vancouver for a few reasons: we don't have to cross the boarder = not having to worry about customs and how much we spend, there is an abundance of great restaurants that we have yet to try, and finally, we really haven't explored the city before. Each time I have been to Vancouver it is to attend a concert or an event, never to discover Vancouver itself. Another issue we faced when traveling to Vancouver for events was that we never strayed far from the event's location which caused us to eat at our hotel's restaurant or whatever was near by. We quickly became accustomed to the area surrounding BC Place and that was all we would see.

The first night we were unsure where to eat. I had planned the other two evenings (posts soon to come) but I left our first night, Wednesday, a wild card. Various staff members at our hotel, The Four Seasons Vancouver, had told us to try Chambar, a Belgian restaurant that is famed for its varieties of mussels. Although the sound of mussels didn't make me jump, I was intrigued by how many people urged us to go. A $6.00 cab ride later we arrived on an unassuming street where Chambar's entryway glowed ominously with red lighting and black trim. We entered and were immediately guided past the black bar to the back room which was much brighter and filled with people.

The restaurant was busy for a Wednesday, certainly not what I am accustomed to living in the Okanagan where Wednesdays guarantee you to get in to whatever restaurant you choose. The service was slow from the get go and when we talked about how busy we found it in Chambar a waitress had told us this was considered slow. Perhaps the service is drawn out consistently?

My (Hogarth's) Mistake
Made with Earl Grey infused gin, cinnamon lemon syrup & orange zest.

The provocative list of cocktails drew me in immediately and I ordered for my sister and I. The cocktail fittingly named Hogarth's Mistake should have been an omen for me not to order it, although I enjoyed it, my sister and her past relationship with gin was unmistakably sour. We stuck with wine for the rest of the evening.

Lapin a la Moutard
Sherry braised rabbit cannelloni, pistachios, dates, radicchio & dijon mustard sauce.

Now on to the good stuff! The appetizers were undoubtedly the best part of our meals. I had ordered the rabbit and mustard cannelloni. I found it filling and deliciously rich with small pieces of meat nestled within a creamy mustard sauce. It was a hit at our table.

Foie de canard "Villa Lorraine"
Spiced foie gras terrine, port reduction, kriek granita &truffled brioche french toast.

My parents both ordered the foie gras although it is big enough to share. We are all suckers for foie gras and this night was no different. The plate is laid out in terms of textures, but I don't think the small pile of bread crumbs and brown sugar (?) is necessary as the brioche adds enough crunch against the creamy texture of the foie gras terrine.

Les asperges au crabe
Local organic grilled asparagus, yuzu & saffron dungeness crab butter.

My sister made a wise choice as well with her asparagus and crab dish. It is perfect for anyone who is looking to get in their veggies in a decadent way. The dungeness crab butter with saffron was a home run!

Moules Congolaise

We took everyone's advice and ordered the mussels. There are three different kinds you can chose from and we all ordered something different. The Moules Coquotte is a white wine cream sauce with smoked bacon lardons and spring onions. The Moules Vin Blanc is white wine, butter, celery, leeks and pepper, very light, good for someone on a diet and the broth ends up tasting like it would be a better soup.

Moules Vin Blanc

The Moules Congolaise is what everyone told us to order. It is a tomato coconut cream broth with chilli, lime and cilantro. This was the better of all three, although the Coquotte would be great if it weren't for the rich appetizers that we had just finished devouring. If I were to go back to Chambar I would not order the mussels simply because Kelowna and the Okanagan have an abundance of restaurants that prepare the dish just as well with better fries may I add (at Bouchons Bistro).

Broth of Moules Congolaise, spicy and great for dipping frites.

Our first night wasn't exactly a bust, the appetizers are worth going back for but what Chambar is famous for turned out to be an overrated hype.

Vancouver Aquarium

2012-05-23T12:06:00.001-07:00

Back from my trip to Vancouver and it was filled with delicious culinary experiences all had at restaurants that I had never been before. Now only am I back from a trip but I am in the midst of graduation, packing for a move, and writing. For now I'd like to show some photos taken on my iPhone that turned out really well considering they were of animals, reptiles, amphibians etc. behind glass. You may have seen some of these images if you follow me on Instagram (@wanderfulltraveler). If not I do hope you enjoy!

One attraction that makes the Vancouver Aquarium's $21 entry fee ($16 if you're using an expired student ID ;)) worth the trip is the Butterfly Sanctuary. I was interested in the new Penguin exhibit but like most animals kept in small areas there wasn't much movement or interest showed by the penguins from South Africa. I can't say I am a supported of animals being kept in small tanks when they are used to such open spaces such as the Beluga whales or the Otters but the fish tanks really don't bother me nearly as much as the mammals.

The Aquarium is located in Stanley Park which is a historical and overwhelming space itself. The rainforest trees are grand and provide a great space for photographers, hikers, nature enthusiasts and artists. The sea wall that follows the 9 km contour picturesque for joggers, rollerbladers and leisurely bike rides.

Can you spot the three frogs?

"A city that has been carved out of the forest should maintain

somewhere within its boundaries evidence of what it once was, and so long

as Stanley Park remains unspoiled that testimony to the giant trees which

occupied the site of Vancouver in former days will remain"

The News Herald - October 30, 1939

Mother's Day in the Okanagan

2012-05-14T10:43:00.000-07:00

For a pre-Mother's Day treat my family took mom to the Terrace Restaurant at Mission Hill Winery. You may remember my Vecu article about it in the July 2011 issue or my blog post last year. I gave it a fabulous review which it well deserved. The architecture, wine and views are some of the best in the entire Okanagan Valley and the food is some of the most innovative thanks to chef Matt Batey and his team. The Terrace restaurant, in Spring, features scenes of sleepy grapes that are beginning to grow to the heights of production, the lake is beginning to be populated with boats and float planes, the skies are clear, bright and blue with the sun bringing smiles to everyone's faces.

During this visit the dishes were as creative as I remember them but not every dish was a hit. Well actually that's not fair to say, let me be clearer, most of the desserts were not a hit with the varied tastes of my family. But the most important woman of the day, mom, made the best selections and enjoyed each dish.

The Terrace Restaurant

The service, as usual, was consistent and thorough.The menu, which changes often during the restaurants short Summer season, featured some of the following dishes.

This is the amuse-bouche of the evening. Cucumber with a gelatinous cube that turned out to be a bit sour and slightly peppery and the flower petal was very bitter. Luckily it was complementary as it wasn't the best tasting creation of the night.

The Foie Gras was spectacular and was probably the best dish of the night. Unfortunately I didn't order this, my sister and mom did so I just ended up trading a few pieces here and there for my pork belly in a creamy sauce. The Foie Gras upon toast dipped in the cream sauce was delicious.

Behold! My pork belly with sweet onions and peas. This ended up reminding me of a sauce that is used in M&M's chicken and dumplings dish. It is strange how some of the most complex dishes can end up reminding you of the most simplest and comforting meals. The cream sauce, I felt needed a bit more flavour and the pork belly was alright. The fat overwhelmed the crispy skin unfortunately.

This is the roasted duck with mascarpone risotto and mushrooms. It was delicious as it was beautiful. The risotto was creamy and rich which was a nice contrast to the crispy duck.

Creme Brule was executed perfectly but fairly traditional and plain save for the soft ginger cookie with apricot preserves. It was good but I've had this dish many times before at different establishments.

The best dessert of the night was the lemon tart with small dollops of marshmallows that tasted like delicious meringues. The secret to this dish, as told to us by our waiter, was that there is more lemon and less sugar than the traditional lemon tarts. Not only is it a healthier option but it is more flavourful and less overpowering in terms of sweetness which may be why it was much larger than we expected. Needless to say it was gone by the end of the night.

The least exciting dish of the night was the sorbet and despite its smaller size it was not finished. I think it was a raspberry sorbet made with goat cheese but I don't remember the specifics of the flavours. It was really not that interesting terms of taste. It was good but there were better dishes on the table that aroused our taste buds.

This was my pick, an almond gateaux with some lime sorbet. The lime sorbet was perfect for a hot day. The dish was light and just what I was looking for after eating such rich and delicious dishes.
Overall the visit to Mission Hill Winery's Terrace Restaurant for Mother's Day was picturesque and delicious. We don't often go to this restaurant because it is fairly extravagant when it comes to pricing. However, I will see them again soon for a more budget friendly charcuterie lunch and my favourite white wine, the 2008 Perpetua by the end of the summer.

Reading List Fit for Mom

Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
The Half by Simon Annand (a photography book of celebrities preparing for acting roles)
Animal Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great and Small by Ted Andrews
The Flavor Thesaurus by Niki Segnit

Home in the Okanagan

2012-05-07T17:57:00.001-07:00

This week is the Spring Wine Festival here in the Okanagan Valley of Canada. I'll be covering the Fertility Festival hosted by Summer Hill Winery where some of the best poets, artists and creative minds culminate to create a bountiful celebration of imagination and wines. My friend and fellow graduate, Nikki, will be reading and you can find her blog here (Okanagan Xixutem). Good luck Nikki!

This weekend I, along with the cheery trees and blooming flowers, have awakened from my Winter coma. This is the time of year that I feel fortunate to live in a valley that appeals to all my senses. There are many wineries with some of the best restaurants I've had the pleasure of dining at. Vineyards, cherry and apple trees are scattered throughout rural areas that create a picturesque scene against the backdrop of the Okanagan lake. The sun shines bright and hot in Summer and the lake really is a powerful entity within the community that provides a refreshing place to swim, to read/write, inspire and a place to meet locals.

The locals...While not everyone is worth meeting, such as the muscle heads, guidos and people who tend to take inspiration from the Jersey Shore, there are some fellow foodies, writers and winos that help me to forget those that blemish the beach scene. More on this supportive community when I visit the Fertility Festival this Friday.

Something else some of my readers may not know about the Okanagan is that there is a mythological monster some think to be living within the depths of our unique waters that go back to the Ice Age. A recent hike up Knox Mountain revealed some historical facts about the valley that even I did not know. Although, I must admit that I am not originally from Kelowna and have only lived here for six years, I think of Kelowna as home. The more I travel the more I am relieved to come back to a place that most of Canada and many Americans want to spend their Summer holidays.

This gorgeous valley is where I'll be spending most of my Summer despite my obsession with travel, although do stay tuned for Vancouver next week and New York in July, Las Vegas in September and small surprises in between. My hopes of visiting Europe this coming Fall were dashed when the price of oil began to rise and is still going. My sister and I are hoping to reschedule for Spring of 2013.

Hope all my readers are well! Don't forget to follow me on twitter @WanderTraveler and facebook under The Wanderfull Traveler.

My photography is also for sale under Etsy.com

Okanagan Eats: Cabana Grille

2012-05-01T09:36:00.000-07:00

Okanagan Lake and Mission Hill Grapes, West Kelowna, BC

After reading the result for the top 50 restaurants of the world I was astounded to find that there was not one Canadian restaurant! I understand that not all countries can be represented within the list, but I went on to see who made the short list, from 51-100, and still no Canadian representative.

Unfortunately, the restaurant I am about to review does not help my case, however, this Summer I will be writing about many restaurants within my area, the Okanagan, and the Vancouver area which will showcase amazing food that is worthy of being considered for the top 100, if not top 50 list of great restaurants. Be sure to stay tuned for the search for great Canadian food beginning in two weeks when I travel to Vancouver to celebrate my university graduation and my sisters birthday.

As for this post, I want to focus on a restaurant that I have given ample chances to improve service and food but has not yet risen to my standards, let alone the majority of Kelowna's standards (as represented by Urbanspoon voting results below).

Photo Credit: http://www.kelowna.com/cabana-bar-and-grille

Cabana Grille, when it opened, provided delicious options, perfect portions with fair pricing and an enjoyable atmosphere. Since then it has been in a perpetual state of declining standards as they cut corners, suffering service and raising prices that make it a foolish choice to select as a dinning experience when there are so many great restaurants in Kelowna (for the same price and consistently good food I'd suggest RauDZ, Waterfront , Le Plateau, The Terrace Restaurant, to name a few).

The other night I went again despite knowing the validity of the previous paragraph. I tried the featured asparagus duo which Cabana serves in exchange for a little over $10. The image shows how questionable the price is with a shot glass filled with asparagus soup and a very small amount of grated asparagus and pine nuts.

I was going to have the tuna duo for dinner but then I saw the price ($29) and didn't want to spend that much for a probable small portion. So again I ordered off the feature menu deciding to go with the Five Spice duck breast, fried rice and duck spring roll. This was surprisingly good and was priced at a reasonable rate of around $22. The portion size was perfect for a hungry woman but if a hungry man would have ordered this he would have been wanting more. I cleaned my plate and felt that there wasn't enough of the fried rice which was the best part of my meal. The duck was good but the dish itself had so much of the same tastes that it lacked diversity. The spring roll was crunchy, which for me is a must, and filled with a small amount of duck meat but again it was slightly small.

The service was on and off. It was a busy night to our waitress' defence but she ended up ringing our bill through twice on the credit card which we only found out the next day when we saw two different charges with two different prices from Cabana. We are in the process of seeing that it gets rectified with the manager.

Tenderloin

As for the atmosphere, I found the bar the best place to sit, although the patio during the Summer is the ideal. Admittedly there are some waitresses that can be rude but with enough drinks (which are tasty) in the sunshine, you'll forget em'!

The only reliable dish (besides their pizza), Spinach Ravioli & Duck Sausage

Okanagan Eats: Greenroom

2012-04-28T13:17:00.000-07:00

Okanagan Grape Vines

There is a war going on in the Okanagan right now and it's between restaurants. It very well may be happening in your community as well. Small local restaurants are hurting and the chain restaurants are dominating the culinary scene.

Kelowna, and most of the Okanagan's restaurants, are hurting due to a mix of new drinking and driving laws that were put in place that enforces zero tolerance but also the aching economy. While the economy is on its way back to stabilizing itself and the tourist season is just around the corner, restaurants will be able to breathe easy, that is until autumn. When the tourists subside the struggle is back on and the locals' choices weigh heavier upon the community and are forced to choose between a locally run restaurant or a chain.

I make a point of it on my blog not to review chains because they don't need the help of locals to survive as much as the small restauranteur trying to make a dream come true. This is something I think everyone can identify with, especially myself as a blogger, writer, traveler, hoping that my passions can eventually turn into income.

This past week I ventured out to a small, hidden restaurant that I think deserves more attention. Not only does it cater to those who desire gluten free dishes but they also serve vegetarian dishes that have a lot of flavour. Greenroom is a small and quaint spot that I had discovered when I was in the parking lot of the local library for a poetry reading. The location, although it is downtown, may be working against them as it is hidden. But during this lunch hour the tables were well stocked (but not full) with customers.

Accompanying me was my meat-loving boyfriend who was skeptical merely because of the name, Greenroom, which evokes images of vegetarians serving up dished with avocados, chickpeas and vinaigrettes for flavour. Although I love chickpeas and the occasional avocado, my boyfriend does not, so if he liked the food then it would be worth suggesting to carnivores and I'd be less guilty for dragging him there.

Immediately our waitress greeted us with menus and whether or not we'd like a drink. I chose a nice Malbec wine but regretted it somewhat when looking around at many of the tables with hot cups of tea. The price of the beverages were surprisingly reasonable. A Stella beer was only $6 Can! In other, more mainstream chain restaurants, a Stella can run up to $8.

For lunch, the meals are mostly sandwiches, wraps, soups and a few "manly" meals like their Jack Root Ribs. I had chose the strawberry brie chicken ciabatta. It arrived warm and flavourful with thin slices of chicken, a thick amount of spinach and enough brie to make my eyes roll back into my head. My only complaint would be that the salad left something to be desired, more colour, more kick was needed.

As for my boyfriend, he ordered the gyro beef donair. It also arrived warm, although on the smaller side for a guy with a big appetite. It too was delicious and I would even consider ordering it for myself next time.
The price of our meal was a total of $60 including tip, two beers and one glass of wine. For a lunch this was slightly overpriced. My sandwich, for example, was $13.

I will be back soon though, probably on a hotter day when they open the glass garage door to the patio. I'll be sure to treat myself to a chilled white wine before heading over to a shopping spree at Opus Art Supplies to get inspired for new ideas to infuse my Etsy shop with.

Top 5 Travel Products, Cautionary Tales & Tips!

2012-04-24T16:56:00.000-07:00

Street Vendor looking to catch us in a scam.
He asked my boyfriend to put his finger in this string noose
in order to receive good luck in love! We ran.

When I first packed for Italy I used the largest suitcase possible and it weighed 50 lbs. Little did I know that I was to be walking from train station to hotel each time I would arrive and depart from a town (accept for Rome!). I would drag my suitcase down the cobblestone streets in the hot sun, sweat running down my back...it was not glamourous. Not only was I able to work off every pasta dish I consumed during my month long stay but I was able to get to know my new city/town/neighbourhood pretty quickly. So I don't regret walking from train station to hotel and back but I do regret packing such a huge and heavy suitcase. Don't be like me! Pack small and light to avoid makeup evaporating off your face. Here are a few products I wish I would have had in lieu of everything full sized.

A girl needs clothes so there is really no getting around that but where a girl can downsize is the amount of bathroom supplies. I brought a full size straightener, blow dryer, shampoos, face wash, sun block, perfume, etc. I don't know how those backpackers do it! But here's a way a girl can stay fashionable in Italy or any city that requires a bit refined style.

5. Tocca's Love Yourself Fragrance Collection

With a total of seven different mini fragrances a girl can't go wrong. I received this as a Christmas gift and each morning I chose a fragrance based on my tasks for the day and the suitable scent. Each scent has a name: Cleopatra, Florence, Brigitte, Guilietta etc., the names alone evoke travel/historical romances and all of them smell great! This little pack can fit right in your purse or you can take one and fit it into your wallet. It has lasted me 4 long months and I still haven't ran out!

4. Rimowa Luggage with Hardshell Case

Cobblestones and stairs do a lot of damage to your luggage wheels, and if one of them break you are forced to carry your (potentially) heavy gear risking breakage of any wine bottles you want to bring back home. Investing in a sturdy suitcase is key for budget travel but also to protect your valuables. But I also like to have my suitcase a distinct colour so that I can pick it out from a long line up of emerging black suitcases on the conveyor belt. This will prevent any heartache with people mixing up bags and potentially drinking the wine you wanted to share with your family.

3. Travel Wash Everything

I encourage you to take this product or something similar. Even a mini Febreeze bottle would be a blessing. After a month of traveling you can smell it on your clothes, even if they haven't been worn. You are forced to keep your dirty clothes and shoes in with your clean clothes and it just becomes a smelly shamozzle! There is no shame in washing your clothes in the tub either! Although, there are many handy laundromats in cities, you are still having to wait for other people to finish up with the machines and purchasing detergent and washing/drying time. This is a waste of potential discovery time! Let your clothes dry at the hotel while you're out (do note that some hotels discourage this so ultimately it is up to you). But don't blame me if you meet up with some enchanted stranger who runs away once he gets too close and Tocca just isn't enough!

2. GHD Mini Styler

I have wavy hair so I require a flat iron. I can air dry my hair and just straighten my hair after breakfast. ***Please remember to get a transformer/adapter for your iron because they can be different than say an adapter for your computer***
I had two transformers, one for my straightener and one for my dryer and computer. My roommate accidentally used my flat iron on the adapter for my dryer. HUGE mistake! The iron heated up so much that we burnt off portions of our hair, a chunk of bang in my case! I had to cut my hair short and hide my bald patch of hair.
The only way to get an adapter with the right wattage is to ask a woman who has traveled. You need to know the watts your electronic devices need to function and the sales assistant will help you from there. God speed and may the odds be ever in your favour!

1. Shoe Bags by Sacsies

While traveling, your shoes step on a lot of different surfaces including bathroom floors. Bathrooms in Europe, and all over the world, aren't always the cleanest places and maybe aren't even cleaned regularly (sometimes you even need your own toilet paper). Why, then, would you want your shoes touching your toiletries and clothing?! Shoe bags, fashionable as in the case of Sacsies, or just simple totes lined with plastic can save your clothes from germs and stains.
But we also gotta get real here. We don't need a ton of shoes or bathing suits or dresses, jeans, tops etc. Narrow your clothing selection to maybe three each and stock up on undies. Shoes...well I know some fashionistas might not agree, but I say you only need two: one pair of running/walking shoes for everyday and one pair of fashionable flats/heels for going out. I recommend the flats because cobblestones and concrete museum floors aren't heel friendly.

Other things you may want to think about:

Of course travelers cheques but also credit cards with chips and pins with international clearance because I have a shopping habit.

Always have some kleenex with you and hand sanitizer. Bathrooms aren't always equipped with toilet paper or soap.

Make copies of your passport and keep them separate from your ID. This way if you loose your passport you'll still have some form of proof but also many of the hotels require you to give them your passport when you check-in. Give them the photocopy instead of your passport to avoid any confusion or hassle.

Don't buy or stop to chat with suspicious street vendors. Whatever the deal is that they are offering, or even the product itself, there is always a catch! Watch the video to find out. Fanny packs aren't even safe.

Wandering the Vatican & Spotting Celebs

2012-04-16T16:07:00.002-07:00

"It was the most haphazard display of art and history I had ever seen. The light was poor and all of us were herded out as quickly as we got in. No matter how long you wanted to stay and see the impressive masterpiece, it didn't matter. "

The Vatican Museum was a highlight of my trip to Rome. However, the weather was not cooperating at all so my boyfriend and I stood in the rain (with sandals) for 45 minutes waiting to get on the other side of the fortress walls. The wait was mainly my fault. After a day and a half in Rome I was still suffering from jet lag and so I woke up from a nap after lunch around 2, hailed a taxi and found myself at the end of the line by 3:00.

Beware of the lines!

Upon entry, as we climbed our way up the stairs, I realized there was someone very familiar walking in front of me and my boyfriend. I dug my fingers into my boyfriends arm mumbling I think I know this guy but it was inaudible to anyone but me. He replied whaaat? but I just shook my head trying to subtlety point in the direction of the question mark in the leather jacket before me. Frustrated with the lack of communication we had moved away from the familiar (and yet unfamiliar) movie star so I could fill him in. I couldn't, at the time, think of where I had seen this character before, all I could say is...I know this guy from somewhere!

Then it hit me like a ton of bricks when we were later watching the Italian news... The entire cast of Robin Hood (2010) was in town promoting the film. The man if front of me with a personal guide was Kevin Durand, who often appears in films with Russell Crowe (such as 3:10 to Yuma). As for Russell Crowe, he was at the Spanish Steps serenading the crowd with his Canadian pals, the band, Great Big Sea. How frustrated was I when I realized I had chosen the previous day to visit the Spanish Steps!

Although, I digress.
The Vatican Museum requires a large amount of time to view most of the collection. I was determined to see the Sistine Chapel. A long and narrow corridor led us to the chapel. It was stop and go the entire route and once again I had found myself in another line. A much more claustrophobic line. Then suddenly we inched our way inside a dark room with maybe 200+ people squeezed in the historic chapel. It was the most haphazard display of art and history I had ever seen. The light was poor and all of us were herded out as quickly as we got in. No matter how long you wanted to stay and see the impressive masterpiece, it didn't matter. I was pushed forward by incoming people. There were others I could hear mentioning how they were trying to suppress nagging claustrophobia and there were rude women (mainly) threatening physical contact with anyone who will touch them but there was no choice, we were sardines! There was only the exit. Most of the visitors didn't even both to strain their necks and look above them, they only wanted to get out.

The Sistine Chapel was a disappointment that could have been avoided if we had just arrived earlier, but even then the lighting was quite dim. To top that off there were guards constantly yelling out No Photos in Italian and English while flashes went off temporarily illuminating the work above our heads.

On wards and up wards we went finding less hectic pockets of the museum where no one pushed or became angry. The rest of the collection was slower in pace and we enjoyed every inch we could before exhausting our feet and eyes. We devoured a light snack at the Vatican cafeteria which also serves wine! Just the beverage one needs to recover from such a day.

After extracting what you want from the Vatican Museum, I would suggest touring the neighbourhood outside of the medieval walls as well. The area is charming and even holds some delicious restaurants with authentic Italian cuisine...none of the depressing tourist trap food that I had come to find around the Colosseum.

Okanagan Eats, Le Plateau Bistro

2012-04-09T21:46:00.001-07:00

Raspberry Sorbet and Quinoa Cookie

Sometimes you just need to emerge from the haze of exams, essays and portfolios and breathe.
I was able to take a time out last week and treat myself to a new restaurant that has been hidden from view for too long. Le Plateau Bistro has been open in Kelowna for two years but the location perhaps is a hinderance as much as it is charming. If more people knew about this restaurant I think it would be harder to get in for dinner service.

The restaurant itself feels like a little bistro you might stumble upon while in France. It is small with a lot of character due to the colourful contemporary art featuring pre-industrial or idealistic landscapes and a wall of wine (not all from the Okanagan wine region).

The Best Baguette and Roasted Pepper Spread

The menu is the perfect length with enough to satisfy any picky eater but not so much that you can't decide what to devour. It being my first time I decided to have an appetizer, although if I would have known that my lunch came with a soup or salad I may have opted for just a meal.

Mushroom Ragout Crepe & Pumpkin Soup

I first ordered the The Best Baguette which came with a roasted pepper spread. The baguette did live up to its name and the spread was refreshing and flavourful, not quite a hummus but a little lighter.
For a main I decided to go with the Mushroom Ragout Crepe and was pleasantly surprised with the portion size and the flavours. Although I have to say my partner ordered the steak sandwich and it was the best I have ever had! The meat was so tender and juicy served on top of a soft slice of baguette while a small slice of herbed butter melts on top of the steak.

Steak Sandwich and Frites

The pumpkin soup that came with my meal was creamy and wasn't neon orange like most pumpkin themed soups. There was also a hint of coconut milk and I will definitely be going back just for the soup if not the steak sandwich!

Honey Mussels

I was surprised to have run into my parents so I stuck around and caved into a nice glass of wine as I sampled their lunch as well. The honey mussels were juicy and larger than what I am accustomed to being served in Kelowna. Too often have I found some restaurants cutting down their portions and serving smaller mussels. I also was able to try dessert. Friday was a sunny day so I had a refreshing raspberry sorbet and quinoa cookie. The chocolate pudding was extremely rich but the portion was small so we were able to finish it but I do confess that it was so thick it reminded me of cake icing but the pistachios and blueberries were a delicious touch.

Chocolate Pudding with Pistachios and Blueberries

As for the price of this restaurant I am extremely pleased. Kelowna's restaurants are said to be hurting but I do hope Le Plateau is doing well. I can't think of another place in Kelowna that serves such gourmet food for the reasonable prices that they do. It is my new spot to hang out, go for date night and eventually (in two weeks) celebrate the end of my final academic essay ever! See you then for dinner service, Le Plateau!!