Laura "business socks" N.'s Profile

I'd heard great things about Elk Cove, but my expectations were blown out of the water as soon as we turned the corner into the vineyard.

I must first pay homage to the BYOF concept. A day of wine tasting can lead to more oyster crackers than I'd like to admit to devouring, but at Elk Cove, you can taste five wines for $5 and then pick your favourite for a full glass and take a stroll down to the gazebo with a bucket of chicken if you so choose. Basically, they encourage folks to lounge around and enjoy not only the wine but the scenery as well - and sitting outside on a patio overlooking the vineyard with a mouthful of cheese and a glass full of wine was ace.

I quite enjoyed the single vineyard Windhill Pinot Noir, but the reisling was surprisingly nice, and that's coming from a lover of spicy ass-kicking reds.

As for the view... I recommend using the trusty ol' thesaurus and inserting the word "stunning" or "breathtaking" or perhaps "omgholycrapthisplaceisfreakingbeautiful" to give yourself a good idea of what you're in store for.

As far as beach weekend brunch spots go, this place is the dog's woof!

Of course there was a wait on Saturday morning at 10:30am, but they kindly pointed us in the direction of a fabulous coffee shop up the road (review to follow shortly) where we waited for 30 minutes before returning for some plate-licking deliciousness.

Not only were the meals humongous and slobber worthy, but the staff couldn't have been friendlier. Examples, you say? They filled our take away coffee cups (yes, from the other coffee shop,) with their fresh brew without charge. They offered menus while we waited for our table to be set so we could order right away. They passed around photo albums of precious poochies while the food was being prepared.

And then there was the nosh. I of course ordered the veggie egg white omelet, only to devour half of my friend's biscuits and gravy, my other's cream cheese stuffed french toast, and my seat neighbour's potato pancakes... I didn't even know him, but his food was amazing!

The servings were as big as my face, so I only had about 10 bites before I was completely stuffed, but they had no problem bringing, what else, a doggie bag. It was so good that my tail has been wagging all day.

Hold the phone. I would move back to Portland for this breakfast spot.

Let me inform you of our brunch menu:
Peaches & Cream with telema cheese & honey
Potatoes Bravas with over easy eggs
Glazed Yams with cumin-maple
Cast Iron Frittata with fava beans, olives, confit green beans, caramelized onions & feta
Shakshuka; red pepper & tomato stew, with baked eggs & merguez sausage
Polenta & Sausage Ragu with mozzarella & fried egg
French Toast with strawberry-cherry-maple & whipped cream
Morocan Chicken Hash with spicy crème fraiche & over easy egg

Um, seriously? Toro Bravo for breakfast?

Yes please.

Immediately.

Is it possible to love a bar and only give it 3-stars? Yes, yes son, it is.

You see, Tube is important. Not only is it a convenient yet archaic mode of transportation that I use nearly every day in my other life, but It is a cultural melting pot of Portland hipsters, rowdy sports fans, metal heads, a spare homeless man or seven, Donny Darko bunnies, yelpers, stoners, and everything else in between a sinner and a saint.

But here are a few reasons to love it:

$2 Wells.

Ok. Well, that's one good reason anyway. And I'm not above saying that qualifies it as one of my locals in PDX. 'Cause who isn't a baller on a budget these days?  

To finish this non-nonsensical review with a bit of context, I walked in Tube tonight with an £100+ dress on and was welcomed with open arms. I paid my two dollars, b**ches.

If you're looking for natural beauty, this is *the* place to go for a romantic morning hike. And stunning views. And picnics. And skinny dipping. And proposals.

Wait, what?

Wow, wow, wow. I was recently the maid of honor at a wedding held at LUC, and sure the wedding was beautiful, sure the food was great, set up was professional, venue was perfectly fitted, but when everything was said and done, the one thing I am still raving about is Dann the event coordinator.

I've managed just a few events myself, but I've never had to deal with the terror of brides, bride's fathers, or the omgwtfbbq-crazed groom's moms. (Seriously, they are out of control these days.) Dann did so, and not only did so with grace and patience, but with a cast on his leg!

He instantly put the entire wedding party at ease and he walked the dangerous line of keeping the reception schedule on track while also letting the newlyweds keep things very organic and low-stress. On top of this, somehow he managed to keep my type-A++++ best friend relaxed and confident for the 8 months leading up to her wedding. I couldn't even do that!

Nicely done Lake Union Cafe. And hang on to Dann for as long as possible!

I'm no Mexican food scientist, but after living nearly two years without, I can assure you that Woody's Tacos is full of right.

The tortilla chips were hot, salty and delicious, just like I like 'em. My fish taco was lightly battered, fresh and enormous. The homemade hot sauce (oh hot sauce... how I've missed you,) was like a good punch to the face and the corn, MMmmmmcorn, was covered in butter, lime, coriander and magic.

Really, it was like long lost lovers were reuniting in my mouth. And who wouldn't want to host a flavour fiesta in their mouth? Seriously Vancouver-ers, you have no idea how lucky you are to have Woody's within walking distance. No. Idea.    ...no idea...

Listen compadres, when you miss Mexican food so much that even the previously dreaded parade of clapping sombrero-adorning waiters on birthday brigade marching through a chain restaurant with a slice of flaming flan would be music to your ears, you know that you could take a chunk of lard, a can of beans and a corn chip, call it a burrito, and you'd be happy.

If that's the case, than consider me ecstatic. (And out of breath.)

The table-side guac show. Warm tortilla chips. Refried beans con queso. Spicy salsa. Ice people, ice. That's all you need to know to go. Go I say!

There's nothing like a reliable, no-frills, cheap and cheerful mini cab service, and Star Cars is exactly that.

Plus, their motto is "You Drink, We Drive," so they definitely know their target market.  

Consider yourself favourited!

My newfound love for the Water Poet runs deep.
Deep, so deep,
Like water.

Now wasn't that poetic?

Ok, so maybe I am a wee bit heavy on the water and not so much on the poetry, but as someone whose University mascot was a Poet, I figure I know as much as the next pub-goer on the topic.

I, in fact, love this establishment. The large back patio must be mentioned first. Complete with a center BBQ, loads of seating and both sun and shade options, it's tough to find a rival anywhere nearby.

It's also fantastic for the sports fans among us. Big screens everywhere, separated rooms for mingling, and of course, multiple bars for when England decides to put up a showing like they did during the World Cup and Wimbledon. (Wah wahhhh)

Unfortunately I found the clientele to practice heavily in the douchebaggry, which probably comes with the territory of being squashed between the chrome City and the grimy Shoreditch. It's like an episode of Degrassi... you may not like the characters, but you sure do love the show.