Now that I live around Main Street, I have a plethora of restaurants near me to choose from for dinner. Last Wednesday, I chose to try Burdock & Co. with my sis. I learned first learned of Burdock & Co. and Chef Andrea Carlson at the inaugural Slow Fish Mystery Chefs Dinner last fall and wanted to visit since. Burdock & Co. is looks like an inconspicuous place at the corner of Main and 11th.

Inside, I love the decor, the brick and different wood panelling on the walls and ceiling.

The setting was charming. The waitress served us sparkling water (I wasn't expecting that!) and informed us that the plates are best shared and should order about 2-3 dishes per person.

Pacific Octopus and Leek Terrine, Castelvetrano Olive Gremolata, Sherry Ice, Smoked Almond 15

K was dead set on ordering the octopus and I didn't dissuade her - I wanted it, too! We were warned prior to coming by friends that the portion size of the plates were small. I agree. They were more like tapas with full size dish price, but I was expecting this going into the restaurant so was not surprised. The octopus was delicious. It is a cold plate, beautifully plated with good flavour. I joked that we pay for the plating. I mean, the more delicate the plating, the more expensive the dish, right?

Grilled Beef Tongue, Morels, Fiddleheads, Smoked Mackerel and Pickle Mayo 16

Next we tried the beef tongue. I loved this dish as well. Everything on it was delicious. Tongue was so tender, the fiddleheads and morels gave the dish an earthiness. And I usually don't like mayo, but this stuff was so good! I loved the mackerel mixed in it. It was so good that I even ate the mayo by itself!

Yarrow Meadows Duck Breast, East Van Roasters Cocoa Nib and Lingonberry Granola 22

The duck was ok, a little chewy. I appreciated the dehydrated lingonberries and potatoes but this dish was just ho-hum.

The waitress was right. 3 plates per person...but I couldn't afford that much =S. Hahah. We were still a little hungry so we went for a sushi roll a few doors down. Haha. Perfect end.

Vancouver International Auto Show is celebrating its 95th year in Vancouver by bringing you more to see. The show now has a 25% larger space to include more features and interactive displays. It is the first time in history that a show has taken over two floors at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Here is a small list of some of the things you definitely should check out while at the show:


1. Life-Sized Hot Wheels

Remember playing with Hot Wheels as a kid? Well, now you can drive them as an adult. These spectacular full-sized Hot Wheels vehicles are definitely not toys.




There are four cutting-edge concept cars at the show this year. Most notable for me was the Nissan BladeGlider. The aerodynamic, lightweight vehicle takes its inspiration from a glider plane.



I also liked the Toyota i-Road. It's a cute small three wheeler that handles like a motorcycle but with the stability of a car.



3. One-Of-A-Kind Porsche 918 Spyder

This supercar is worth $1.3 million! It is also an electric hydrid car, making it one of the first hybrids to have supercar status. It's a beauty, too, with its curves and neon accents that make the car pop.




4. 30+ Regional Debuts

More than thirty car company unveiled new models for the coming year.








5. Exotics and Supercars

See all your favourite exotic and luxury cars at the Auto Show - Porsche, Rolls Royce, Lamborghini and more! There are so many different models, you can see them all!




There are also some funky looking cars on the floor (purple one in the back).


6. Hollywood North

See some of the vehicles used in movies filmed in Vancouver!





7. Green Vehicles

Many car companies are going electric or hybrid as well and there were at least two cars that are introducing hydrogen fuel cells - Toyota and Hyundai. They think that hydrogen fuel cells are the next step up from electric cars - they charge faster, last longer and leave behind nothing but water - very environmentally friendly!

The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada presented the AJAC award for best Canadian Green Car of the Year at the media preview and the KIA Soul EV won!


Below is the Hyundai 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell.



8. Classic Alley

Not all cars need to be new in order to shine. The Vintage Car Club of Canada's Vancouver Chapter shows off their vintage cars letting you take a scroll back to the 1930s or even to the 1920s!





Of course there's lots more to see - like the new Car Culture displays, which highlight West Coast driving through interactive vignettes that combine vehicles and accessories.



To celebrate their 95th anniversary, there was cake! Executive director of the Auto Show, Jason Heard on the left.

A supercar drive up was also held on the first night of the Auto Show.  



The Vancouver International Auto Show is on now thru Sunday, March 29th, 2015 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Tickets are available at starting at $15 for general admission.

RBC clients can purchase 2-for-1 tickets on Friday buy presenting their RBC credit or client card.

Purchase tickets and get more information about the Auto Show by visiting www.vancouverinternationalautoshow.com.

Friday, March 27, 2015

Salt Spring in the City - $3 Adults $1 Kids
Friday, March 27th: 4PM-9PM 
Saturday, March 28th: 10AM-6PM 
Sunday, March 29th: 10AM-5PM
Heritage Hall, 15th & Main Street, Vancouver
For its second year, Salt Spring in the City – a kind of village market meets art show – returns to Vancouver March 27 to 29th to showcase the treasures and flavours of the Salish Sea. Visitors to Vancouver’s Heritage Hall will get to experience food and fashion, paintings and pottery, wine and crafts, and a sense of nostalgia for the West Coast’s homesteading, handcrafted bohemian heritage. Partial admission proceeds will be donated to the Save on Meats Token program. First 25 people through the door everyday get an awesome gift bag filled with Salt Spring Island goodies.

Noodle Box 1 Year Anniversary
Friday, 12pm - 7pm 
Noodle Box, 2511 Main Street, Vancouver BC 
Head over to Main Street Noodle Box for some Southeast Asian food on March 27th between noon and 7 pm for $5 Noodle Boxes; all profits go to benefiting the Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House.

Vancouver International Auto Show - $15 
Wednesday, March 25 12:00PM - 10:00PM 
Thursday, March 26 12:00PM - 10:00PM 
Friday, March 27 10:00AM - 10:00PM 
Saturday, March 28 10:00AM - 10:00PM 
Sunday, March 29 10:00AM - 6:00PM
Vancouver Convention Centre West, 1055 Canada Place
Approach from Thurlow Street and enter the main doors on the Jack Poole Plaza
The 95th Vancouver International Auto Show is the largest consumer show in Western Canada with over 85,000 guests expected to attend. It is one of Western North America’s premier automotive exhibition events. For 2015, the Auto Show grows into the Ballrooms at the Vancouver Convention Centre, occupying 25% more display space. View classic cars, exotics, green vehicles, concept cars, new models and more!

Local Omnivore YVR One Day Pop-Up Shop at This Open Space
Friday, 5:30PM to late, or until they sell out
337 E. Hastings, Vancouver BC
Local Omnivore and purveyors of some of the damn juiciest burgers in town are taking their buns and patties out food truck and putting them under the roof of 337 E. Hastings for a one-night only burger bash this Friday. Expect a classic burger with all the meat coming from Blue Goose farm in Pemberton. It's a great place to kick off a Friday night with a Cheeseburger, Home-Cut Fries, and a Beer for $15.

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Spring Home Renovation Show
Saturday, 10am - 5pm
VanDusen Botanical Gardens, 5251 Oak Street Vancouver, BC 
The GVHBA is gearing up for the annual Spring Home Reno Show at VanDusen Gardens. Bring your questions, bring your ideas and speak to the Pro's. New this year, the popular Ask-A-Pro consultations are now being incorporated as part of the expo. Attendees will be encouraged to bring questions and plans directly to exhibiting members. Popular free industry-expert seminars, scheduled throughout the day, will focus on aspects of home renovations such as Hiring a Professional Renovator, Getting it in Writing (Contracts), Energy saving ideas compliments of FortisBC, Renovation Trends etc.

Salt Spring in the City - $3 Adults $1 Kids
Friday, March 27th: 4PM-9PM 
Saturday, March 28th: 10AM-6PM 
Sunday, March 29th: 10AM-5PM
Heritage Hall, 15th & Main Street, Vancouver
For its second year, Salt Spring in the City – a kind of village market meets art show – returns to Vancouver March 27 to 29th to showcase the treasures and flavours of the Salish Sea. Visitors to Vancouver’s Heritage Hall will get to experience food and fashion, paintings and pottery, wine and crafts, and a sense of nostalgia for the West Coast’s homesteading, handcrafted bohemian heritage. Partial admission proceeds will be donated to the Save on Meats Token program. First 25 people through the door everyday get an awesome gift bag filled with Salt Spring Island goodies.

Annual Chili Cookoff 
Saturday, 11am - 2pm
Fresh St. Market
1650 Marine Dr, West Vancouver, BC V7V 1J1
15930 Fraser Highway, Surrey, BC V4N 0X8
Annual Chili Cook-Off! 6 teams competing including West Van VPD and Village Taphouse. Tickets are $5 to try all 6 chilies and proceeds go to charity.

Vancouver International Auto Show - $15 
Wednesday, March 25 12:00PM - 10:00PM 
Thursday, March 26 12:00PM - 10:00PM 
Friday, March 27 10:00AM - 10:00PM 
Saturday, March 28 10:00AM - 10:00PM 
Sunday, March 29 10:00AM - 6:00PM
Vancouver Convention Centre West, 1055 Canada Place
Approach from Thurlow Street and enter the main doors on the Jack Poole Plaza
The 95th Vancouver International Auto Show is the largest consumer show in Western Canada with over 85,000 guests expected to attend. It is one of Western North America’s premier automotive exhibition events. For 2015, the Auto Show grows into the Ballrooms at the Vancouver Convention Centre, occupying 25% more display space. View classic cars, exotics, green vehicles, concept cars, new models and more!

BC Aeropress Championships Competition
Saturday, 4:00pm - 8:00pm 
Elysian Coffee, 2301 Ontario Street, Vancouver, BC
Come out for a fun filled afternoon of spectating and celebration while the best of the very best coffee nerds who are passionate about AeroPressing, compete for a National spot to be sent to the 2015 World AeroPress Championships in Seattle this April for a chance to be deemed the very best, at yes, AeroPressing. This is a celebration of what it means to be passionate, to care about a service and its details, and above all, the love of craftsmanship. But more importantly, it's going to be one hell of a party!!! We've got beer from Brassneck Brewery, and burgers from The Local Omnivore Food Truck, so bring some cash money! Jams for the evening provided by DJ Air-O and Christa Belle.

Earth Hour
8:30pm - 9:30pm local time
worldwide
The lights-off event Earth Hour started in 2007 as a lights-off event to raise awareness about climate change. We have grown to engage more than 162 countries and territories worldwide. Earth Hour is on Saturday, 28 March 2015 at 8:30 pm local time.

Sunday, March 29th, 2015

Salt Spring in the City - $3 Adults $1 Kids
Friday, March 27th: 4PM-9PM 
Saturday, March 28th: 10AM-6PM 
Sunday, March 29th: 10AM-5PM
Heritage Hall, 15th & Main Street, Vancouver
For its second year, Salt Spring in the City – a kind of village market meets art show – returns to Vancouver March 27 to 29th to showcase the treasures and flavours of the Salish Sea. Visitors to Vancouver’s Heritage Hall will get to experience food and fashion, paintings and pottery, wine and crafts, and a sense of nostalgia for the West Coast’s homesteading, handcrafted bohemian heritage. Partial admission proceeds will be donated to the Save on Meats Token program. First 25 people through the door everyday get an awesome gift bag filled with Salt Spring Island goodies.

Vancouver International Auto Show - $15 
Wednesday, March 25 12:00PM - 10:00PM 
Thursday, March 26 12:00PM - 10:00PM 
Friday, March 27 10:00AM - 10:00PM 
Saturday, March 28 10:00AM - 10:00PM 
Sunday, March 29 10:00AM - 6:00PM
Vancouver Convention Centre West, 1055 Canada Place
Approach from Thurlow Street and enter the main doors on the Jack Poole Plaza
The 95th Vancouver International Auto Show is the largest consumer show in Western Canada with over 85,000 guests expected to attend. It is one of Western North America’s premier automotive exhibition events. For 2015, the Auto Show grows into the Ballrooms at the Vancouver Convention Centre, occupying 25% more display space. View classic cars, exotics, green vehicles, concept cars, new models and more!

Healthy Family Expo - $8 in advance, $12 at door (cash only)
Sunday, March 29th, 10 am – 5 pm, 
Vancouver Convention Centre, East Building, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver
The second annual Healthy Family Expo is coming to the Vancouver Convention Centre on Sunday, March 29th, 2015. After a wildly successful launch in North Vancouver last year, this year’s Healthy Family Expo has expanded to offer a big, fun-filled event for Lower Mainland families. Parents can shop, sample healthy food & drinks, test-drive hybrid vehicles, win $10,000 in grand prizes (including a one-year lease on a Toyota Prius), and learn about small steps to healthy, active, eco-friendly living from more than 100 exhibitors. To keep the kids and pre-teens busy, this year’s Expo features the Lower Mainland’s largest Active Kid Zone, including a climbing wall, giant hamster ball racetrack, bouncy castle, run bike zone, Bobs & LoLo shows, fitness classes, and more.

Tree Talks and Walks – Stanley Park
March 29, 2015, Sunday, 2pm to 3:30 
Meet at the Rose Arbour at the Lower Rose Garden, Pipeline Rd, Stanley Park
Presented by Park Board arborist, Bill Stephen. This spot will be a focal point to discover many of the beautiful and unusual ornamental trees and plants in Stanley Park’s Shakespeare Garden. It will also discuss some of the history of the park and how the Park Board balances demands of the public with the need for open green space.


*There won't be any weekend event posts for the next two weeks after this one. Sorry in advance!*

Missed getting tickets to the wildly popular musical, THE BOOK OF MORMON? Here's your chance to score some tickets to the pretty much sold out show:

Healthy Family Expo 2015 showcases best of healthy, active, eco-friendly family life


I'm giving away two adult tickets to the Healthy Family Expo! You have until Friday to enter and I'll notify the winner on the same day.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, March 22, 2015

21st Century Flea Market - $3
Sunday, 10am - 2pm
Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive at 16th Avenue Vancouver, BC
With 175 different vendors offering everything from shabby chic to 50's kitsch, collectibles and memorabilia to vintage kitchenalia, this popular European-style collectors market is a must-see…185 tables jam-packed full of bargains on deluxe 20th century junque makes each date an absolutely-do-not-miss treasure-hunting adventure! • Retro furnishings • Books • Antiques • Dolls & toys • Kitchenalia • Clocks • Jewelry • Country stuff • China & glass • 50's Modern • Records • Militaria • Linens & lace • Postcards • Christmas decor • Lamps & shades • Tools • Shabby chic • Sports items • Kitsch • Paintings & prints • Memorabilia • Silverware • Bottles & tins • Advertising • Pottery • Collectibles • and much, much more…

ZoomerShow - $8
March 21st: 10 am – 5 pm & March 22nd : 11 am – 5 pm 2015
999 Canada Place Vancouver, East Building Hall B
Now entering its sixth successful year, the ZoomerShow is Canada’s largest consumer show and lifestyle expo for men and women 45+.

Revscene’s 15th Annual Spring Meet
Sunday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm 
Spanish Banks, Vancouver, British Columbia
Get ready to show off your latest cars and modifications because this years Spring Meet is almost here! It will be one of the biggest meets in Revscene’s history. You can look forward to a variety of sponsors and prizes this year! For 14 years, this has been a family-friendly event and this is a must-go event! Bring your friends and family, and lets make this a community gathering! Plus!! Get ready to see Revscene showcase their lifestyle side. Food trucks will be present.

The 25th annual Nowruz Fire Festival took place at Ambleside Park in West Vancouver Tuesday night. The traditional Persian festival is held prior the arrival of spring (Nowruz), which is considered the Persian new year. It always takes place on the eve of the last Wednesday before Nowruz, which falls on Friday this year.




The festival saw hundreds of Persians congregate at Ambleside Park to enjoy live music, dance performances, Persian food and fire jumping.


The fire jumping is a tradition of the fire festival that is observed since at least 1700 B.C. You jump over the fire while saying a little chant - "My yellow is yours, your red is mine". My Persian friend explained to me that the fire is suppose to take away sickness (represented by the yellow of the fire) and give health for the new year (represented by the red). It's also fun to jump over the fire!

Wish lanterns was also sent off into the night sky.

Cazba was serving up kabobs and some kind of soup noodle. Unfortunately, it was the only food stall in the festival and the line was unbelievably long. Some people waited for two hours only to be disappointed to find out the food ran out. So either get to the festival super early or eat before. It might be a good idea for festival organizers to add a few more food vendors!

The kabobs smells good though!

Sepideh, a famous Persian singer held up the energy of the festival and was the biggest attraction of the night (hence the $10 admission fee).