Greenhorn Espresso Cafe Vancouver located on a quiet corner of Nicola Street and Nelson. I was first attracted to this independent coffee shop because of its decor and record collection. Getting to Greenhorn coffee shop wasn’t exactly easiest with multiple one-way, no exit and the business of Vancouver downtown. But it was worth the inconvenience.
I liked that Greenhorn has a pretty extensive coffee menu (espresso, macchiato, cortado, cappucino etc.); in addition to food options such as baguette, sandwiches, salads and Belgian waffles.
Cappucino. I loved the coffee bean Greenhorn Espresso Cafe uses. It is dark, earthy and robust. Unlike some independent espresso bars that shift towards acidic tasting coffees. It’s all about personal tastes. I prefer the taste of earthy and nuttiness of java.
I love the crema from this cappucino. It had the perfect temperature and very smooth. On sunny day, this would be perfect on the patio.
Vietnamese Iced Coffee: Although it looks like a pretty small glass for 4.50. Looking at the size, you may probably feel under-poured! Typical pho restaurant gives you twice the size for 3 bucks! However, there is a lot of caffeine that you do not realized. I don’t want you to stare at the ceiling into the morning!
There is plenty of seating area at Greenhorn. Two levels, patio and upstairs record collection. Good for browsing and impressing that person on a date for finding this local gem.
Greenhorn Espresso Cafe
URL: http://www.greenhorncafe.com
Cuisine: Coffee Shop, Espresso Bar, Cafe
Hours:
Mon 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Tue 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Wed 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Thu 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Fri 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sat 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sun 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
994 Nicola St, Vancouver, BC V6G 2C7
(604) 428-2912
Chatime is a global bubble tea cafe franchise with over 1200 locations all over the world. We first tried Chatime in Toronto. Recently, Chatime opened 3 locations in Vancouver: Broadway, Downtown Vancouver Robson Street, and also in Richmond at 9100 Blundell Road. They praise themselves for fresh tea, non-powdered flavorings and also customization. You can choose the sweetness level, amount of ice and level of steeped tea.
We were invited by ChineseBites along with few fellow bloggers for their grand opening tasting to try their top Bubble Tea flavors.
We always wondered why there isn’t a good bubble tea shop in Downtown Vancouver or even near Chinatown. I am quite happy that Chatime has opened.
Chatime has quite a large selection of beverages: Bubble tea, Fresh Tea, Mousse / Tea Latte, Smoothie and Slushes and even Coffee.
What is surprising and disappointing to us is that they do not have Malt (or Wheat Germs). Pearl Castle makes one mean Wheat Germ boba.
Pearl Milk Tea: How can you review a bubble restaurant if you don’t try their signature boba. We liked their Chatime Roasted Milk Tea vs their regular milk tea more because of the denser and more robust flavor. We later learnt that 30% sweet with half ice is the way to go.
Matcha Tea Latte: Definitely a drink you need half sweet. Give it a good mix before you drink it also. Otherwise the flavor just sits at the bottom.
Over Chatime is pretty tasty. However, service can be slow during peak hours and staff may not speak English fluently. There are some seating available and free WiFi if you are a Telus customer.
Chatime is always part of the vicinity reward program. Don’t forget to get your card. Every 10 points gets you 1 free drink.
Chatime Bubble Tea 日出荼太
URL: http://chatime.com
Cuisine: Bubble Tea, Boba, Dessert
Hours:
Monday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Tuesday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Thursday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Saturday 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sunday 12:00 – 11:00 pm
1274 Robson street, downtown vancouver, BC
(604) 911-9119
Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar Vancouver at the Sutton Place Hotel launched a new Happy Hour menu that is available from 3:30 to 5:30 pm! The new Happy Hour menu gives us a new reason to work harder and punch out at the end of…
Lumiere Skin Health & Wellness Centre in Vancouver Downtown has been opened for around seven months now. It is located inside the Rogers building on 470 Granville Street. Not readily visible, I would have never found this place had I not seen deal on SocialShopper.
The SocialShopper deal is $69 for Complete 90-Minute Spa Package Including Aromatherapy Full Body Massage, European Facial and Much More (Value $198).
Lumiere Skin Health & Wellness Centre uses BABOR Cosmetics. I had never heard of Babor prior to my visit to Lumiere, but Babor is a skin care brand from Germany. It combines European botanical tradition with leading edge technology to produce benefits with proven effectiveness for every skin type and condition.
Lumiere Skin Health & Wellness Centre is a boutique studio owned and operated by Marvice. Services are by appointment only and seldom any walk-ins. On Saturdays, you will need to be buzzed in to access the building.
Marvice greet me with tea, a skin consultation with the Reveal Imager. Bascially this is a camera which takes a photo of your face and shows you where your brown spots are, pore sizes, inflammation spots, etc. I’m happy to report I have great skin with minimum brown spots.
Guess my mom was right to always apply sun screen and cleanse my face twice daily.
Next was a foot soak in lavender oil and followed by a relaxing full body massage. The massage was thorough, albeit too gentle. I wish, Lumiere had asked for my pressure preference for my massage upfront. I hate to interrupt and request a deeper massage.
The full body massage was followed by a soothing European facial using Babor Cosmetic products. First we cleansed, exfoliated and than moisturized with a hydrating mask. During the process, a little steam machine would hydrate my skin. Warm and cold towels were used in between for facial presses.
Overall, the experience at Lumiere Skin Health & Wellness Centre was very pleasant. The environment was clean and brightly lit, and clean slippers and robes were provided. There is one room for massages and facials so it’s a very quaint spa.
It’s always nice to test spas and salons first before committing to one you love. I would recommend purchasing the SocialShopper deal for $69 for Complete 90-Minute Spa Package Including Aromatherapy Full Body Massage, European Facial and Much More (Value $198) to test the salon first.
Not yet a SocialShopper member? Join Now.
Lumiere Skin Health & Wellness Centre
URL: http://lumierespa.ca
Business: Day Spa, Skin Care
470 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 1V4
(604) 801-9881
Today we went to Oysi Oysi Japanese Restaurant to learn how to make sushi with Experiences by SocialShopper. The experience is to Learn the Art of Sushi Making & Create Gourmet Rolls with Dungeness Crab Plus Sake Tasting is for 1 or 2 people. Lots of couples came for a…
Cinara Vancouver is a modern European restaurant that sits corner lot under the historic Victorian Hotel on Homer and 350 West Pender. We had been meaning to visit Cinara awhile now since it opened. There had been plenty of raving reviews and frankly we had high hopes. You will recognize Chefs Lucais Syme from Cioppino, La Quercia and La Pentola. Flavors are adapted onto the menu with pastas and preserves. Cinara menu is focused on sharing small plates and appetizers. Entrée mains are not exceptionally large portioned either.
Cinara is casual with wood floors, round tables, mismatched tableware. Service is prompt and friendly. Ingredients are fresh and locally sourced. Our expectations for a magical five star dinner was underwhelming. Overall, we found the flavors underseasoned and struggled with complexity.
Bread and Butter 2: simple bread service
Salmon alla Piedmont butter lettuce, egg, cornichon 14: marinated salmon filet with buttery butter lettuce and egg salad. A nicely pickled garnished and fresh fish.
Beef Shoulder cauliflower, capers, raisins, anchovy 27: tender beef shoulder Sous-vide. Underseasoned with a slight chew. Served with polenta and drizzled with salsa verde.
Branzino glenn valley artichoke, fennel pollen, orange 28: a nice pan seared thinly sliced European sea bass with a crispy skin exterior. Served with beans and light broth sweetened with fennel pollen.
We left feeling not quite satisfied. We stopped over at Cartems Donuterie couple shops down for some dessert.
Cinara Vancouver
URL: http://cinara.ca/
Cuisine: Modern European
Hours
Mon Closed
Tue 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Wed 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Thu 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Fri 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sat 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sun Closed
350 W Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1T1
(604) 428-9694
Cartems Donuterie Vancouver downtown is one of Vancouver’s best gourmet donuts. Cartems donuts has many interesting flavors such as the earl grey donut, Canadian whiskey bacon, salted caramel, and the campfire smores donut. But it seems that conversation always ends up with Cartems’ or Lucky’s?…
Casual. Neighborhood. Comfort food. Central Bistro Vancouver downtown is located on 1072 Denman Street. It features an international menu with the weekend brunch option. Their East Coast Benny with poached eggs, hollandaise sauce and topped with caramelized onions and fresh lobster meat is sinful. Sunday Night…
