Celebrated Champagne Wedesday a bit early last night with Rich and Erin at Zefferelli’s and then Le Crocodile for dessert (both the solid and liquid varieties). My creme brule was a bit disappointing, especially from one of Vancouver’s most famous French restaurants, but the champagne was perfect, crisp and sparkling. We had a good laugh with – or at – our Frenchy waiter too, who was kind despite our dessert-only dining. As for Zefferelli’s, Ash and I have been there a number of times and I just plain like it. On all levels, it’s a comfortable place to dine. $25 bottles of Tollo wine. Generous and reliable pasta (not mouth-watering but wholly satisying). Antipasto bar. Windows overlooking Robson Street. Pleasant waitstaff over the age of 18.

I like when we make the most of a Tuesday. It adds a little speed to the week. Plus, we all got to reminsice about our recent trips to Mexico.

Ahhhh, Mexico.  Ahhh, honeymoons.

Erin – I hope your neck feels better soon!

Every oppprtunity to drink a mimosa was seized.

The palace was oddly devoid of people, which made it easy to find pool-chairs and make Ash play fun games like Papparrazi/beach vacation.

I bought a funny greeen hat that made me feel like doing touristy things, such as writing love notes in the sand with my toe.

I formed a special bond with the ladies who blow their whistle while pouring tequilla down your throat.

Ashleah got very tan and hunky.

I couldn’t stop looking at the colours.

More colours.

I fell in love with a pier.

I got wrapped up in very important business.

And yes, I am happy to report, we danced on speakers.

All in all, the whole trip felt like this. That’s what being married to Ash feels like too.

Goodbye.

Hot Rocks. Heart shaped rocks. Filing through rocks on a beach called Sombrio.

For today’s Champagne Wednesday, I’m raising my glass to a homemade red.

Yes, all those of you who’ve suffered through Uncle So-and-So’s special bathtub brew, go ahead and cringe now. But I swear it – one of my dearest life-friends, Jaimie, has been trying her hand at homemade wines too. And they’re pretty darn good.

Ash and I were lucky enough to sample her first, Gypsy Spit, on our trip to Victoria to see Cirque de Soliel. Now, the Smith-Windsor clan is relocated to Prince Albert and (not to spare a minute Jaimie and Al!), I’ve heard word there’s a second edition. A red wine named Sombrio.

How much fun to name your wines with all the memories and places that you slip too anyway on that second or third or fourth glass? Here, Jaimie, is your label:

Breath-taking. Then and now.

Jen xo

Photo credits 1) www.corikindred.com/journal 2) http://www.bryntassell.ca

Do people in Vancouver even know about The Galley? Arguably the best patio in town, if you’ve ever dreamed about belonging to a sailing club, I happily introduce you to this little piece of casual heaven. People in gortex adorn plastic patio furniture with million dollar views reflected in countless pairs of MEC sunglasses. Parents babysit pints of Granville Island Lager while feeding their 2-year olds calamari and salmon. This is unapologetically Vancouver.

If I had a friend visiting from out of town, this is the first place I would take them. Fly by the hedonistic Kits Beach and park at Jericho Beach instead (just past Alma on Cornwall). Wave to the too-rich-to-be-you crowd at the Royal Yacht and Tennis Clubs, and walk about 4.5 minutes down the seawall. The Galley is just passed the large concrete pier that Ash says is going to be knocked down soon to make room for a new food venue. Order two Coronas. Feel proud to be from Vancouver. Restaurant hours are weather permitting. Water sports, it seems, are not.

Dogs wait where you can see them (and get lots of fries over the edge).

The Galley Patio and Grill
Jericho Sailing Centre
1300 Discovery St.
Vancouver B.C.
V6R 4L9

Spring/Fall: 11a.m. – Dusk (Weekends)
Summer: 11a.m. – Dusk (7 days a week)
Winter: 11a.m. – Dusk (Weekends)

A few of my favourite Vancouver hot spots for champagne sipping on a Wednesday night:

1) Bacchus Piano Lounge in the Wedgewood hotel – I love the masculine feel of this place. Oversized chairs, wood that’s dark and sturdy, the mature waitresses in their tight, black cigar dresses (I’m not sure if that’s an actual kind of dress but if you go, you’ll get what I mean). Champagne cocktails with French names abound.

2) 900 West lounge…yes, another hotel. But who could live without a night or two sipping martinis in the grand Hotel Vancouver lobby bar? Not to mention the free hors dourves between 4:30 and 6:00pm, or the live jazz after 8:00opm. I particularly love the crowd this place attracts. Eccentrics abound.

3) La Notte is one of those restaurants you can drive by a million times and never quite register. But you should. It’s good. Really good. Plus, you can get a piccolo of Henkel for $6.00. One for you and one for him. The insalata mista is a favourite as is the cute living room atmosphere with its white table clothes and Italian waiters. Plus, I love everything in Dunbar.

4) Jericho Beach, as seen from the comfort of your back seat with a down comforter and a laptop playing a guilty pleasure movie rental (we like the Bourne Trilogy). Best to sip champagne out of covert plastic cups, and not too much! Pretzels and the best chocolate you can buy make nice friends.

Enjoy!

Jen

xo

Doing careless cartwheels on a beach in San Diego. Christmas 2006.