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Christmas Date – CinCin

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The are some cherished traditions that come with the holidays and make all the rushed shopping, crowded malls and endless “to do” lists all worth it.  Every December as I count down days to Christmas, I also know that just a few days before we unwrap the gifts we are going to once again revisit a tradition of our Christmas Lunch Date.

CinCin pork and octopus

Every year in late December we leave the hustle and bustle of the office life and disappear into a beautiful, festive CinCin restaurant for a lunch meal that we then remember for the rest of the year.  We have not changed the location of our Christmas date, even though there is a myriad of worthy and inviting restaurants all around Vancouver.  The reason is simple,  from first steps into the restaurant hallway, as we go up the stairs, and into the warm terracotta walls of Cin Cin we get magically immediately transported into the rich, warm and golden feeling of Italian Christmas.  Christmas lights, intricate decorations, golden light, wooden stove  – the atmosphere is warm and relaxing and we are ushered to the table by the window- stark contrast between the grey rain outside and golden warmth of where we are.

We are introduced to the seasonal special – irresistible burrata appetizer with truffle oil and micro greens salad.  Suggested by the knowledgeable staff – professional, unobtrusive, knowledgeable of every detail of the menu and the wine list.  Mushroom and chestnut soup is velvety and stunning in its simplicity.  Specialty dishes are made in the wood burning stove  – moist and tender inside and with the golden crust outside.  We’ve tried the roasted pork with the crackling skin and octopus over polenta and a chicken over mashed potatoes.  Both dishes were amazing – balanced and luxurious and rich in taste and textures.  Finished with a shared desert  – a tiny caramel apple tart – a perfect finish to a memorable date.earrings yellow diamonds and gold

The room fills up with more people  – some holding holiday meetings with clients, some meeting up with the friends for another once-a-year tradition, and then others picked this place for a lunch date, just like us.  Gifts (maybe gold and diamond earrings just like these)  and hugs are being exchanged, champagne poured into glasses and it truly feels like a perfect Christmas gathering. Definitely a tradition to be continued.

Magical French Date: Le Crocodile

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There is a certain effortlessness and beauty in picking a date location that has a decade of stellar reputation as Vancouver’s best French restaurant. Le Crocodile is more than a great place to eat – it’s an institution, a place to be seen, a well orchestrated show of impeccably trained staff and above all a fantastic food experience.

Located within a walking distance of Vancouver Art Gallery, this can be a perfectly planned ending to visiting a latest arts exhibit.  If you had to le Crocodile before a show or a theater performance, reserve well in advance – you never want to rush le Crocodile experience and the time flies by deceptively fast. Unique Design Citrine & Peridot Earrings in 14K Yellow Gold We came to Le Crocodile for a dinner date.  I was dreaming for months of trying out a restaurant I’ve heard and read so much about.

Right from the very first steps, the restaurant starts working its magic, sets the tone with its formal dining room, grand floral arrangements, polished crystal and lacquered floors.  The atmosphere of romance and old world glamour made me wish I had on a set of family jewels or sparkling fancy earrings, perfect for such an occasion.

The service starts with an offer of champagne or aperitif cocktails.  We loved our server’s knowledge of the menu, polished charm and perfectly timed attention to the table.  We are tempted by all the scrumptious appetizers – foie-gras, truffles, caviar, but decide to go with the signature soups – Lobster Bisque and Tomato and Gin soup.  From the first bites we knew we were in for an extraordinary dining experience.  Balance of flavor, texture, presentation – we could not have a more perfect start!  Followed by a dish of salmon and a rack of lamb.  Both dishes so refined, every element complementing the main ingredient, sauces in perfect harmony, not too heavy, not too light.  And then there were deserts.  We were served a customary pear and champagne sorbet before the desert course.   We’ve shared an apple tart, even though every item on desert menu was incredibly tempting.  Only the agreement to come back another time helped us make a sensible choice of sharing the single desert.

The meal was well balanced, every bite perfectly executed, we enjoyed every moment at Le Crocodile and did not notice the time flying by.  Perfect date indeed and we’ll be back for more.

Valentine’s Date at Miku

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Valentine’s Day is a great reason to celebrate the relationship and steal a few precious moments together from the rushed everyday life.  We have a traditiDessert at Mikuon, where we celebrate the actual day of February 14th by making an elegant dinner at home, which we’ll usually follow by a movie and a chocolate fondue for dessert.  A weekend after, when the restaurant rush around Valentine’s dates is over we’ll do the actual Valentine’s date and dinner out.  This time the destination was Miku – modern Japanese fine dining restaurant.

Located along the Burrard Inlet and next to Fairmont Waterfront and Pan Pacific Hotels, it offers the view of the ocean and North Shore from almost any point of the dining room.  Even on stormy and rainy night, we were amazed by the view of the ocean contrasted by the welcoming yet clean decor inside. We were smart to have reservations, as the waiting line even for a bar seat was close to an hour.  From drinks, to changing courses, to introducing elements of every dish, the service was fast and impeccable – they’ve never missed a beat.  Cocktail menu was unique, with oriental influences and unique spirits featured as well as a selection of Sake.

Stunning Smoky Quartz Earrings

Stunning Smoky Quartz Earrings

And then there was food. Shrimp croquettes, tuna tataki were taken to a completely different level in texture, sauces and presentation.  Every bite memorable and perfectly balanced.  Miku is known for its unique preparation of sushi – Aburi style – torch seared and matched with its individual sauce for ever type of fish.   i could not avoid their Chef’s sushi selection.  The combinations of taste matching and textures of the dish made me never look at sushi plate the same way again.  I looked wishfully at every plate and presentation served at the tables around us.  I’ve also sampled “melt in your mouth prime rib” dish my date ordered and it was also exceptional.

Miku gave us an extraordinary experience – lighting, view, incredible food, skillful service made for a perfect date experience we were looking for at our Valentine’s dinner.  This is definitely a special occasion restaurant and it delivers on every promise. If you are looking for a gift that matches the refined minimalistic feel of the date, smoky quartz delivers the dreamy, magical reminder of the special  date.

Unforgettable Gastown Date: L’Abattoir

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If you ask me to pick five Best Vancouver restaurants, this place will always be in the top five.  I might think hard about the other four, but there will be no question about l’Abattoir being “the place” to experience. I’ve been hearing lots of good things about this rare Gastown gem and coming up was the perfect occasion to visit it.  Our upcoming anniversary that we have a tradition of celebrating at really great restaurants.  With the past choices being Grouse Mountain’s Observatory and Yaletown’s Chambar – this was a really tall order.

This is one of those rare occasions when I’m not dying to explore the areas around the restaurant, walk the streets and combine the great dinner with sightseeings.  Don’t get me wrong, Gastown has plenty of sightseeings to offer.  If you have more willpower than us, plan a nice stroll through cobblestone streets, browse through eclectic boutiques and stylish furniture stores, even make a stop on your drive at the Coal Harbour and take in landing planes.  Us? We are going straight for the L’Abattoir restaurant.  Showing up first after they open and making sure we get a seat overlooking the bar.  And then the magic starts.

We watch bartender mixing our drinks, his hands doing some crazy dance measuring out ingredients, pressing juices, for a cocktail list that is both intriguing and delicious.  Our jaws drop at the sight of first course.  Something that was unassumingly called “Potato salad with steelhead” arrived gorgeously arranged on plates, accented with sauces of different colors, fish tasting better than any other fish course I’ve had in my life.  Every dish we tried was unbelievably good – Steak Diane, melt-in-your-mouse octopus, deserts…   Every plate

Black & White Diamon Earrings

looked gorgeous and fairly small, but don’t be fooled  – every bite is rich and very filling.  Looking around the room I was jealous of every dish I have not tried.  Atmosphere, decor and service matched perfectly prepared food, completing amazing dinner experience.  Servers know every aspect of menu, cocktail and wine list.  Dimly lit beautiful rooms combined restrained design with cozy romantic atmosphere.  We loved every moment there, enjoying every sip and every bite. Saying the date was unforgettable is quite and understatement. How do you match an outstanding experience like this with a gift? Well, let me suggest something that’s just as high-end, restrained and breathtaking at the same time.  Black and white diamond earrings.