There is perhaps no better way to spend one's time traveling than one bite at a time. Dining out is one of the true joys associated with travel. Not only do you get to sample local cuisine, but often you also come away with a whole new experience and a special memory. And, all without the trouble of doing the dishes!
Last week, Ryan and I road tripped to Vancouver, BC. Though we enjoyed returning to one of our favorite restaurants, Gastown's Nuba, we also enjoyed trying out two new places: Mosquito and Honey Salt.
Nuba
Marketed as healthy cuisine, Nuba is a Lebanese restaurant located in the heart of Gastown. The restaurant's curbside is so understated that you might walk right by without noticing it. Nuba is a subterranean gem. As you walk down the stairs to the restaurant's door, lovely scents waft upward as you inhale the inviting aroma of Middle Eastern spices. The restaurant is cozy and noisy, especially on a Friday night. But, tables are well positioned so that you don't feel like you're part of your neighbor's dinner conversation and the bustling atmosphere makes for an intimate date night spot. Ryan and I shared a number of dishes including the falafel and the crispy cauliflower, two of our favorites from our last visit. Pick anything on the menu because you can't go wrong.
Mosquito
Mosquito is a champagne and dessert bar. In other words, my heaven. Their mantra is dessert before dinner, so their happy hour menu lists bubbles, cocktails, and decadent desserts. I love this idea because most of the time when we eat out, we're too full by the time the waiter proffers a dessert menu. Mosquito flips the table on traditional meals and encourages patrons to indulge in something sweet before dinner. The intimate booths and lowlit tables made the spot feel very Parisian... and very romantic. I highly recommend the truffle popcorn.
Honey Salt
When traveling, Ryan and I normally avoid hotel restaurants at all costs. Room service is another story, but generally hotels tend to house overpriced Americanized chain style restaurants with bland, overly salted food. Despite the name, Honey Salt was anything but salty. I loved the French inspired shabby chic decor. It felt like you were eating in an upscale country bistro. The menu favored local flavors and featured a variety of Northwest dishes. Our favorite item was the Honey Salt Market which was a large platter of assorted in-season vegetables served with a delightful whipped cauliflower hummus and crispy sweet potato chips. I had the Grain Power as my main and Ryan enjoyed Nana's Tiffin Chicken Curry.
Last week, Ryan and I road tripped to Vancouver, BC. Though we enjoyed returning to one of our favorite restaurants, Gastown's Nuba, we also enjoyed trying out two new places: Mosquito and Honey Salt.
Nuba
Marketed as healthy cuisine, Nuba is a Lebanese restaurant located in the heart of Gastown. The restaurant's curbside is so understated that you might walk right by without noticing it. Nuba is a subterranean gem. As you walk down the stairs to the restaurant's door, lovely scents waft upward as you inhale the inviting aroma of Middle Eastern spices. The restaurant is cozy and noisy, especially on a Friday night. But, tables are well positioned so that you don't feel like you're part of your neighbor's dinner conversation and the bustling atmosphere makes for an intimate date night spot. Ryan and I shared a number of dishes including the falafel and the crispy cauliflower, two of our favorites from our last visit. Pick anything on the menu because you can't go wrong.
Mosquito
Mosquito is a champagne and dessert bar. In other words, my heaven. Their mantra is dessert before dinner, so their happy hour menu lists bubbles, cocktails, and decadent desserts. I love this idea because most of the time when we eat out, we're too full by the time the waiter proffers a dessert menu. Mosquito flips the table on traditional meals and encourages patrons to indulge in something sweet before dinner. The intimate booths and lowlit tables made the spot feel very Parisian... and very romantic. I highly recommend the truffle popcorn.
Honey Salt
When traveling, Ryan and I normally avoid hotel restaurants at all costs. Room service is another story, but generally hotels tend to house overpriced Americanized chain style restaurants with bland, overly salted food. Despite the name, Honey Salt was anything but salty. I loved the French inspired shabby chic decor. It felt like you were eating in an upscale country bistro. The menu favored local flavors and featured a variety of Northwest dishes. Our favorite item was the Honey Salt Market which was a large platter of assorted in-season vegetables served with a delightful whipped cauliflower hummus and crispy sweet potato chips. I had the Grain Power as my main and Ryan enjoyed Nana's Tiffin Chicken Curry.
