Oru Cuisine Restaurant is located within the beautiful Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel at Vancouver’s Waterfront. The menu is seafood focused with a sophisticated Pacific Northwest flare prepared by Executive Chef Nathan Brown. The new Spring Menu is refreshing, clean and beautiful. The dishes were artfully plated and all it demanded was an audience with some natural lighting by the window.

Tomato Soup 14: Clean. Simple. Refreshingly Chilled tomato water. Compressed rainbow tomatoes (deskinned) with balsamic vinaigrette and a ever so pretty focaccia, edible flowers and onion garlic aioli. Perfect for those hotter days.

BC Shellfish $24: This seafood salad is served with a distinctively flavorful dashi syrup. The umami profile is strong but does not overpower the fresh seawater sweetness of Ocean Wise seafood. You can still taste the individuality of prawns, clams, mussels, kelp and dulse flakes.

Celibataire 15: This French delicious ‘single’ cocktail includes Aperol, Cointreau and my favorite ginger beer with citrusy squeeze of grapefruit and lemon. Made by Grant Sceney who was just named bartender of the year from Vancouver Magazine.

Spring Mushroom 17: A small spring garden spruced with cottage cheese, live greens, sea buckthorn berries, and caramelized onion situated on a patch of ‘dirt’ crumble. The crumble itself carries more texture than flavors but visually it is stunning and accentuates the thoughtfulness and attention to details. The hero, the mushrooms imparts a earthy and savory element goes well with the peppery and bitterness of arugula tied together by the crystal clear sourness of buckthorn berries.

Veal 18: Seared sweetbreads has a firm yet tender texture. There is a nice contrast to the crispy outside. It pairs well with a richer celeriac and beets puree, green farro and candied hay. This was the first time I’ve had candied hay – crispy crystallized straws was interesting to chew on only if you don’t pick a tough piece.

Oru Signature Salad 16: spinach, white asparagus, carrots, radish, pea shoots and brie foam.

Sablefish 42: This fish can do no wrong. Fatty and flaky. A classic favorite I would order any day. Served with sauteed baby kale, black rice, cauliflower, samphire greens and spruce tip syrup.

Octopus 30: The octopus is tender and soft. It is not rubbery. This is a rich dish with gnocchi, fava beans, asparagus, maple-bacon crumb and Greek yogurt.

Caramel and Apples 10: Quenelle cheesecake mousse is light and creamy with pecan caramel corn and fresh berries.

Stay the night at one of their hotel suites. Fairmont Pacific Rim  is one of those luxury hotels in Vancouver. This beautiful 5-star hotel has a full service spa and rooftop pool with fire pits and a hot tub along with a 4,000 square-foot gym. It overlooks Coal Harbour and is walking distance to Vancouver’s Sea Wall, Canada Place, a variety of shopping on Robson Street.

We were invited by Fairmont Pacific Rim and Oru Cuisine for a menu tasting.

Oru Cuisine
at Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel
URL: http://www.orucuisine.com
Cuisine: Seafood, Pacific Northwest

Hours:
Mon 6:30 am – 2:00 pm, 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Tue 6:30 am – 2:00 pm, 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Wed 6:30 am – 2:00 pm, 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Thu 6:30 am – 2:00 pm, 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Fri 6:30 am – 2:00 pm, 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Sat 7:00 am – 2:00 pm, 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Sun 7:00 am – 2:00 pm, 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm

1038 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 0B9
(604) 695-5500

It’s always nice to getaway to a beach front resorts with blue skies and white sand. On days when travelling is not an option. But you need some major R&R option for a nice staycation! Vancouver has some of the best romantic hotels and spas to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul. Here’s a list of my top five star romantic hotels in Vancouver for staycation!

Fairmont Pacific Rim | 1038 Canada Place Way, V6C 0B9 Vancouver, Canada

Fairmont Pacific Rim is one of those luxury hotels in Vancouver. This beautiful 5-star hotel has a full service spa and rooftop pool with fire pits and a hot tub along with a 4,000 square-foot gym. It overlooks Coal Harbour and is walking distance to Vancouver’s Sea Wall, Canada Place, a variety of shopping on Robson Street and countless amazing restaurants. Book their Romance Getaway Package for some between the sheets time including luxurious accommodations featuring a spacious marble spa bathroom. Romance inspired welcome amenity and complimentary bottle of wine upon arrival. Enjoy Breakfast in bed the next morning or choose to dine in ORU Restaurant or giovane cafe.

Rosewood Hotel Georgia | 801 West Georgia, V6C 1P7 Vancouver, Canada

Rosewood Hotel Georgia, a Forbes Five Star Award (both hotel and spa) grandeur of the Roaring 20’s with contemporary elegance in the heart of Vancouver. This stylist retreat offers luxury extensive amenities, accommodations, spa and dining. The Rosewood Spa indoor saltwater pool is unlike any other. Chlorine free! Ride the elevator down to Prohibition bar a night cap and live entertainment. The Romance Package includes one night stay Junior Suite accommodations, valet parking, full breakfast for two in room or at Hawksworth Restaurant. Upon arrival be welcomed by sparkling wine, hand dipped strawberry amenity and rose petal evening turndown service.

Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver | 791 West Georgia Street , V6C 2T4 Vancouver, Canada

Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver is located in the center in Vancouver downtown. Attached to Pacific Centre and a variety of shops and restaurants. It is 330 feet from the City Centre Skytrain station makes transit easy! In-house RedCedar spa is soothing. Pacific seafood is featured on the daily menu served at the Yew restaurant. Lobster Poutine tho! Escape to a passionate getaway with their Valentine’s Getaway Package. Check in to your luxurious and spacious guest room, pop the cork on a bottle of British Columbia bubbles and enjoy a decadent strawberry chocolate fondue.

Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver | 1128 West Georgia Street, West End, V6E 0A8 Vancouver, Canada

Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver is located on West Georgia Street and Burrard. It is located in the immediate area featuring luxury stores such as Burberry, Escada, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Montblanc, and soon to open Prada Flagship. If you are hungry, option for afternoon tea at the Xi Shi Lounge. The Urban Tea Merchant, Thierry Chocolaterie Patisserie and countless restaurants. The Romance Package takes care of you intimately. Let the valet take your car while you enjoy a bottle of bubbles and chocolate-dipped strawberries. Follow your afternoon with a romantic dinner a deux at MARKET by Jean-Georges. Wake up next morning with an a la carte breakfast for two! Dont’ forget to check for a complimentary room upgrade!

Opus Hotel | 322 Davie Street, Yaletown, V6B 5Z6 Vancouver, Canada

Opus Hotel a Forbes 4-star boutique hotel located in Yaletown. It is acccessible by Yaletown-Roundhouse Canada Line Station. I like their Bed & Breakfast Package including a Deluxe Continental Breakfast for two. House made pastries and charcuterie, fresh fruit, yogurt & granola are delicious. If you are looking for something more intimate, option for Steal My Heart: Vancouver Elopement Package is great from weddings or a honeymooning weekend. It includes two night stay in a luxurious Signature Suite with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and macarons. Plus in-room couples massage, bouquet of flowers, 4-course dinner for two with bottle of wine at award-winning La Pentola Restaurant. The hotel is pet friendly too!

Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel | Suite 300-999 Canada Place, V6C 3B5 Vancouver, Canada

Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver is right within reach at Coal Harbour and Canada Place. Up the street to Fairmont Pacific Rim. Go for a run along the Sea Wall or dine next door at Miku for the best Aburi flame seared sushi! Make your staycation unforgettable with the Pacific Romance Package. It includes a one night accommodation with a king-size pillow top mattress, $50 credit for breakfast room service , valet parking and late check out at 2pm.

Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa is conveniently located in Whistler Village. It is a short walk to most shops and restaurants. This year’s girls trip we stayed here at the Hilton Hotel Whistler. It was a great local staycation yet far enough from the boys.

Hilton Whistler has free wifi, heated outdoor pools and hot tubs. Rooms are clean and service was friendly. I liked it was near the ski lifts. Although parking was quite expensive at $30/night for self parking or $34 for valet parking. But it isn’t so bad once if divide up the cost.

The beds were comfortable and we all slept well. The hot water pressure was a-okay! Bath products provided are Peter Thomas Roth Clinical Skin Care. It is one of the bestselling anti-aging clinical skin care. The Mega-Rich Body Wash is uniquely formulated with innovative moisturizing beads that release nourishing vitamins A, C, E and pro-vitamin B5. Paraben-free; phthalate-free.

If you are ever up in Whistler, I highly recommend Scandinave Spa.  This luxury spa is every girl’s dream. On the edge of Lost Lake and Spruce Groves parks is a 20,000 sqft outdoor experience of age-old Finnish tradition. Soaking in soothing outdoor warm and cold baths with refreshing waterfalls can melt away the worst of situations. Add a Swedish massage to complete rejuvenation and welcome it equally with enthused numbers of heart-eyed emojis.

Room rates at Hilton Hotel Whistler are reasonable even during peak season. This leaves us extra spending money for snow boarding, indoor rock-climbing and also a nice fancy dinner at Araxi.

Hilton Hotel Whistler BC
URL: http://www3.hilton.com/en/index.html
Cuisine: Hotels, Ski Resorts

4050 Whistler Way, Whistler, BC V0N 1B4
(604) 932-1982