Our 16th Wedding Anniversary & A Tour of Vancouver

Reg and I have spent the last week celebrating our anniversary but the big day was Friday. We had many adventures! I woke up to discover Reg had bought me my favourite champagne roses. Aren’t they gorgeous! Then we were off to get our haircut at B-Bombshell Salon, “Where geek is chic!”.

B-Bombshell Salon

Normally when I go to a salon it makes me want to break out in hives. What should I wear? How should I do my makeup? Blah blah girly crap I don’t really care about.

Our friend Vicki recommended B-Bombshell Salon located at 808 20th Street in New Westminster. It is a geeky cosplay hair salon. Perfect!

I could wear my Princess Leia “Pew Pew” t-shirt and just be me.

I have been growing my hair for three years in honour of my mom since she passed away. I knew it was time to let that go and start fresh. Reg got a trim of his incredible long locks and I went for a bob. We both loved our hair and will be back.

Iwona Pierogies

Right next door is Iwona Pierogies. Talk about foodie fate!

The only question was… Was it open? It had the open sign on but the closed sign was still up!

I could not think of a more perfect place to go for lunch than Iwona Pierogies. Thankfully it WAS open!

I mean look at this place! It totally feels like home!

Here is Reg checking out the menu with his fabulous movie-star hair!

So many pierogies to choose from!

Everything was quite lovely. I really felt like my mom guided us here.

Reg ordered a coffee and…

I got an iced tea which came in a sloping glass!

Reg ordered a plate of pierogies with a side of sour cream.

I got the cabbage roll, pierogi and sausage combo, AKA, love on a plate. The pierogies were so tender and delicious. We both got potato and cheddar.

For me, this was a five out of five wooden spoons foodie experience. Rustic food (my favourite) at a place that totally made me feel at home. Perfect.

The “after” shot of our haircuts

Photoshoot

Reg has really been pursuing life in TV and movies. With his hair so perfectly styling I offered to take his portrait shots as an anniversary present. I have been studying how to do so from Craftsy’s class Studio Portrait Lighting and this is my favourite one. It is not the most technically perfect but I think it really captures Reg’s personality.

Jules Bistro

Then we were off to Gastown in downtown Vancouver to have dinner at Jules Bistro at 216 Abbott Street.

I wanted a place with elegant atmosphere that was not too fancy that had seafood for me and either chicken or beef for Reg. The dark wood with the white walls and chandeliers wooed me. As did the menu!

Reg ordered the bistro salad that was surprisingly generous and very delicious. Reg loved it.

I knew I had to get the lobster and prawn bisque when I saw it on the menu. I did not realize that it was going to have so much saffron in it. My friend Steve who is a chef said this is traditional southern France cooking. It was totally new to me and very strong.

For the entree Reg ordered the Alberta beef tenderloin with ratatouille, scalloped potatoes and red wine reduction which he said was fantastic.

I got the seafood linguini with salmon, mussels, prawns and scallops with a ginger lobster cream sauce. I swear there was also saffron in this sauce as well. As a result, my stomach was a little overwhelmed. The seafood was very generous and perfectly cooked but the sauce was a little bit of a turnoff for me. Sadly.

Reg and I both ordered the chocolate terrine with coffee cream sauce. No sharing of dessert on this night! It was lovely. A thick and dense chocolate mousse that went perfectly with my decaf Americano.

It was a lovely dinner. Even though the place was packed Reg and I somehow did not have to scream at each other to be heard. It was quite an intimate and beautiful night in our little corner of the restaurant.

I give this foodie experience at Jules Bistro four out of five wooden spoons.