On Tuesday, the G-List invited its members to a Bioshock Infinite game launch party at EXP restaurant + bar. There was a exclusive "G-Lounge" sectioned off at the restaurant just for us members.

Some one was playing the new Bioshock game on the big screen.


Nice to see some familiar faces from the G-List Halo tournament back in December.


The G-List and EXP was generous and provided us with some food as we mingled.

This was huge platter of dry ribs, honey spice chicken, mini grilled cheese sandwiches on a bed of fries!

Caramel popcorn!

We didn't exactly know what to expect at this event, we weren't given any direction but apparently it was just to mingle.


Ha, many of us at our table at one point started playing 7x7, which was one of the weekly challenges that the G-List puts out to gain experience points to level up in the forum, which unlocks perks. It was a little disorganized compared to the Halo event but still it was nice to meet the G-List members and we can't complain about free food! The Misters were mysteriously absent though...


What is the G-List? An exclusive gamers club sponsored by Futureshop. Active members get perks like discounts on games, free swag and other goodies! Want to join in the fun? Visit whatistheglist.ca to find out more and figure out the clues to gain entry. Or contact me for an invite! XD I still have two more. =)


Oh and I have an extra Bioshock Infinite Industrial Revolution mini game pre-order DLC for anyone who wants it! Comment below if you end up using it! Enjoy!

Plenty of things to day this long weekend! Lots of Easter related events as well as the Auto show! Also don't miss the Canstruction displays on until Apr 3rd, though only viewable on Saturday this weekend. In addition, Saturday is the start of the weekly Baker's Market! Happy Easter!

Friday, March 27, 2013 - Good Friday

PLEN+Y Warehouse Sale
Friday March 29 - Monday April 1
Friday + Saturday: 9AM - 6PM Sunday: 11AM - 6PM Monday : 11AM - 4PM 
Vancouver Convention Centre (Hall C) 999 Canada Place (Under the sails) 
60-90% off with NEW stock added daily, including womens & mens clothing, accessories, and shoes. Accepting cash, debit and credit. Sorry, no gift cards or store credit. All bags/jackets will need to be checked in prior to entering the sale. All sales are final.

Vancouver International Auto Show - $15
Friday – Saturday: 10AM – 10PM
Sunday: 10AM – 6PM
Vancouver Convention Centre West in Vancouver, BC 1055 Canada Place
The Vancouver International Auto Show is Canada’s third largest Auto Show, and one of Western North America’s premier automotive exhibition events.

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Winter Farmers Market kicks off this Saturday with 60+ vendors, hot food, music! Rain or Shine!

Vancouver International Auto Show - $15
Friday – Saturday: 10AM – 10PM
Sunday: 10AM – 6PM
Vancouver Convention Centre West in Vancouver, BC 1055 Canada Place
The Vancouver International Auto Show is Canada’s third largest Auto Show, and one of Western North America’s premier automotive exhibition events.

Baker's Market
Saturdays 11am - 3pm Mar 30 - May 4, 2013 
Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre, 7646 Prince Albert Street, Vancouver BC
Get your fill of sweet & savoury baked goodies from local bakers and artisans. Inspired by traditional farmers markets in Vancouver, this market is even better since it is indoors with lots of free parking too. You'll find talented budding, professional or home bakers selling fresh artisanal breads, soft German pretzels, butter croissants, chocolate croissants, cupcakes, yummy cookies, hand made chocolates, brownies, Belgian Liege waffles,vegan cupcakes, mini bundt cakes, muffins, gluten-free baked goods and much more!

Grow Awesome Organic Tomatoes – $35 
12:30pm – 3:00pm  
649 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
Ever wanted to learn how to grow great tasting tomatoes from seed! In this workshop you will learn how to: sprout tomato seeds, transplant them, create your own potting mix, the best organic fertilizers or compost to use, how to ‘harden’ your plants, the importance of good roots, the best area to plant them, when and how to transplant them outside, how to prune your plants, how to stake or string your plants, when to ‘top them off’ and how to save seed so you can do it all over again the next season! You will also get to practice transplanting tomato seedlings. At the end of the workshop you will get to take home 2 tomato plants and a package of organic heirloom tomato seeds.  Presenter and facilitator James Sztyler is an organic urban gardener in Kitsilano who has transformed his entire back yard into a rather large and prolific organic urban garden.  $35 includes hands-on instruction, two seedlings, and a package of heirloom tomato seeds. 

Children's Easter Eggstravaganza - $5/child  
12:30pm - 3pm
Renfrew Park Community Centre 2929 22nd Ave East, Vancouver
The event runs rain or shine! Come before or after your hunt time. There will be face painting, crafts and our famous Egg Hunt. Egg hunts are at 1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm, 2:30pm, please register your child for one of the time slots to guarantee their space in the hunt.  Children less than 6yrs must be accompanied by an adult. Limited number of tickets available. $5/child 

Easter Train at Stanley Park - $8.75/child
March 23 to April 1, 2013 10am - 5pm
Stanley Park Miniature Train
 The Stanley Park Easter train runs rain or shine March 23 to April 1, 2013, 10:00am to 5:00pm.  Hop on by for a fun-filled day including a ride on the miniature train, egg hunts, crafts and a visit from the Easter Bunny.  The train runs rain or shine and is fully covered, protecting everyone onboard from spring showers.  Be sure to bring your own Easter basket for the egg hunt! $8.75/child (includes all activities) | Adults are free for activities, $3.50 to ride the train.

An Exclusive Night of Temptation & Indulgence
6pm
Leonidas Boutique Belgian Chocolates & Cafe, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver BC
Join Leonidas, for "A EXCLUSIVE Night of Temptation and Indulgence” on the Waterfront, as we sip on wine, nibble on gourmet delights, and savour the richness of Leonidas, celebrating 100 years of  Belgium’s favourite chocolate.

Hawkers Market - $10
7pm -12am 
East Van Studios, 870 East Cordova, Vancouver
Hawkers Market is a monthly recurring underground evening food marketplace in Vancouver.
We support local vibrant food entrepreneurs and give them a place to conduct pop up food stalls (or hawker stands) to sell their food or products. They are chefs, artisans and dreamers and they know their food! Expect a diverse selection of things to eat at the market and take home to try. The market acts as a dining, shopping and social experience.

Sunday, March 31, 2013 - Easter Sunday

PLEN+Y Warehouse Sale
Friday March 29 - Monday April 1
Friday + Saturday: 9AM - 6PM Sunday: 11AM - 6PM Monday : 11AM - 4PM 
Vancouver Convention Centre (Hall C) 999 Canada Place (Under the sails) 
60-90% off with NEW stock added daily, including womens & mens clothing, accessories, and shoes. Accepting cash, debit and credit. Sorry, no gift cards or store credit. All bags/jackets will need to be checked in prior to entering the sale. All sales are final.

Mountain View Cemetery Walking Tours - $10
10am - 12pm
Mountain View Cemetery (meet at Celebration Hall), 5445 Fraser Street, Vancouver
$10 per person (cash only please)  Join John Atkin and Andy Coupland, the authors of The Changing City, as they leave the streets of downtown for a bit of a different tour that visits some of the notable residents of the cemetery who helped shape Vancouver’s early skyline. Walking tours meet at the Celebration Hall 5445 Fraser St. (enter at 39th Ave.), last approximately 2 hours and go rain or shine! Reservations are not necessary.

Vancouver International Auto Show - $15
Friday – Saturday: 10AM – 10PM
Sunday: 10AM – 6PM
Vancouver Convention Centre West in Vancouver, BC 1055 Canada Place
The Vancouver International Auto Show is Canada’s third largest Auto Show, and one of Western North America’s premier automotive exhibition events.

Sustainable Urban Gardening Series - by donation
11:30am – 1pm  
649 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
Part of our monthly permaculture series on food gardening for the urban dweller. Description to come shortly…  Presenter and facilitator Kelsey Wood is a mother of two, urban gardener, chicken keeper, and Homesteader’s Emporium staff member.  $5 suggested donation.
 
Birds of a Feather - by donation
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Stanley Park Nature House Alberni Street & Chilco Street Vancouver, BC
With spring just around the corner, Stanley Park’s birds are preparing for warmer weather. Join us for a two-hour easy walking exploration to learn about bird identification and seasonal behaviour.  Preregistration is advised given the popularity of these programs. To preregister email programs@stanleyparkecology.ca  To preregister within 48 hours of the program please contact the Stanley Park Nature House directly at 604-257-8544 to ensure your spot is reserved

Natural Stovetop Dyeing – $35 
2pm – 4pm  
649 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
In this workshop Fiber artist Caitlin Ffrench will show you how to mordant and naturally dye fiber in your own home. Health and safety will be taught, and you will receive a list of materials you will need to set up your own dye studio. Learn about which dyestuffs make what colours and where you can collect them around the city and from your own kitchen! Take home three fat quarters of naturally dyed cotton. Participants in this class are invited to take our hand quilting class at a discounted rate of 50%.

After eating at Olive + Gourmando, W and I continued our journey in Old Montreal. It was a beautiful day for walking and we headed down to the Old Port. We didn't really have any goal or destination in mind, just walking and taking in the sights. Sometimes it is nice to travel slow.










It was quiet and peaceful.




 My poor imitation of the Tai Chi spin kick pose.

Fall in Montreal is so beautiful.

Olive + Gourmando came up as one of the places to eat in Montreal when I did research for my trip so W and I made our way there for lunch after seeing the Notre-Dame Basilica. Late lunch actually since I was very trigger happy.


Right when we went in, we were greeted with this cute chalkboard drawing.

This type of chalkboard writing appears all over the restaurant! I loved the atmosphere of it!

There's a bakery counter up at front and the kitchen at the back. I saw a lot of people coming and going purchasing the bakery items.

It was very busy even though it was afternoon. We had to wave down someone to get our names on the wait list. We didn't have to wait too long for a two person table (about 15-20 min) though I saw a family that was waiting for quite a while.

After we got our table, we were given some water and we had to order. There are no menus, how it works is that they give you a piece of paper with your table number on it and you have to go to the back and order.

There's the menu up on top. I imagine that it changes according to the availability of fresh ingredients. Everything sounded delicious.




I ended up choosing this salad, it looked so fresh!


In addition to my salad, I ordered a raspberry lemonade. Tasted very fresh and light!

le Pomme $10.95

W. ordered le Pomme panini,which had apples, ham and smoked cheddar cheese in it. I was told it was very delicious.

Salade de betteraves + buttermilk vinaigrette $14.00

Watercress, microgreens, red and golden beets, goat cheese. Man, it was delicious. Great salad, all the ingredients were so fresh and made me want to eat more of it!






I loved it. Loved the decor, the atmosphere and the food. Highly recommend!