Famous for a Reason

The Famous Warehouse
Pub Grub
989 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada
ph: 604-677-8080

Who would not come in a restaurant when you see a sign that says "$4.95 Menu, Everyday" and the $4.95 worth entree is not just a plate of bite-size food but a good, filling, meal. The owners of the Famous Warehouse did an overhaul on the former El Furniture Warehouse and revamped the dingy Mexican bar theme. Out were the barrels of peanuts and clothesline where women's underwear were proudly displayed, dingy indeed. Famous Warehouse cleaned up but it didn't shy away from its "warehouse" name. Skateboard decks and other "cool" decors, even a sign that says "Free Air Guitar" on the way to the bathroom gave this pub a hip, young feel but the best change was their $4.95 menu.

Yes, everything on the Famous Warehouse menu is $4.95. Pastas, Bugers, Quesadillas -- almost all pub grub known to man with a bonus of brunch is on their menu. It's good, not-that-healthy eating but great if you're on a budget. Pub fare is not really that healthy anyway and you'd always want something greasy to soak up the alcohol when you are downing pints of beer. Be careful though, alcohol and even pop ($2.95 for coke?? Ouch!) is a but pricey at this pub but their marketing strategy is focused on the cost of food, they gotta earn their money somewhere, right?

Located on Granville St., Vancouver's Entertainment District, Famous Warehouse gets easily packed with mostly young people having a few rounds of beer and relishing their inexpensive menu. Game night is even better because the pub gets twice as busy -- if that's the ambiance that you're after. If not, Famous Warehouse plays good music to be entertained with although sometimes way too loud to enjoy a good conversation with your buddies.

The quality of service unfortunately depends on how busy the pub is. If it's packed, good luck chasing after your server and sometimes, seeing them work overtime just to do their job and serve everyone makes you feel so guilty that you find yourself heading to the bar for your next pint of beer. More manpower please!

The works burger, a huge serving of burger, bacon, cheese, and veggies -- basically everything on it is a good deal and it comes with a huge bowl of fries or salad, definitely a better option than McDonald's. 15 cent wing night is also popular at Famous Warehouse, $1.50 for 10 wings gets this pub packed on Wednesdays. I have yet to try the rest of the menu but I just find myself sitting at the Famous Warehouse on wing night happily nibbling on a drumette, afterall, *chicken wings are the beer's bestfriend*.

Secret Garden: Should not be a Secret

Secret Garden Tea Co. Inc.
Tea House
5559 West Boulevard,
Vancouver, BC
Canada
ph:(604) 261-3070

Convincing a friend to go for high tea for her birthday was easy. All it took was a few tea room suggestions et viola! We found ourselves sitting at Secret Garden on one sunny afternoon; sipping our tea and enjoying our nibbles from our three-tiered tray.

It was easy to suggest Secret Garden. I have seen this "blooming" tea room from one of my visits to my sister's house. Located at one of the busiest streets on Kerrisdale, Secret Garden will surely make you peep through their windows and once you've had a preview of their cozy, exquisite space, you'll wish that you were in there enjoying an afternoon tea. Most ladies have the same thought as well since getting a table at this dainty tea room is a not an easy feat. Serving breakfast, lunch and high tea, Secret Garden is always busy and it is for a good reason.

Every table at Secret Garden was set with beautiful China ready to be filled with steaming, comforting tea and were also occupied by happy, chatty ladies. It's hard not to feel all giddy when you are soaking in the atmosphere of a well put-together room which reminds you of flowers and country cottages. Our very helpful server gave us her nods when we picked Secret Garden's bestseller teas, my own pick was Secret Garden's Secret which was a sweet medley of vanilla and fruit-flavoured black tea. When our three-tiered tray of goodies arrived, our server gave us a brief but detailed description on what we are about to feast on.

Our first tier was arranged with savoury sandwiches both vegetarian (the birthday girl is a non-meat eater) and meat-filled. Tiny croissants with prosciutto, cheese and veggies, egg sandwich pinwheels, crackers topped with cheese, sundried tomatoes and caramelized onions and vegetarian wraps filled with grilled veggies made our first tier unforgettable. My favourite was a toss up between the delectable croissant sandwich and the very flavourful cracker hor d'oeuvre.

Our second tier was made up of scones served with devon cream and raspberry jam and chocolate chip banana bread. High tea is never complete without serving scones and this delicately sweet baked goodie is made decadent with the rich cream and sugary jam and it is the best way to enjoy it. Secret Garden's scone will surely get the Queen's approval and so does their banana bread which was perfect with the tea.

Our third tier was carrying the indulgent desserts made up of Secret Garden's famous lemon tart, a fancy dark chocolate mousse and an interesting mix of pistachio cream and strawberry dessert. The lemon tart's sweet pastry and the tart lemon cream was a perfect combination and having a taste of it made me understand why this dessert is famous. It took me awhile to take the chocolate mouse apart. It just looked too pretty to be eaten right away but when I savoured the not-so-sweet-but-very-chocolatey mousse, I was glad that to have done so. The pistachio cream and strawberry dessert was also up there with the tart and the mousse. The blend of the pistachio and strawberry flavour was too appealing not be liked. The last tier was a good ending to our high tea.

Coming in to Secret Garden at 2pm, I was glad that I skipped my usual lunch-at-noon schedule. I was very full and even had boxes filled with un-eaten food to take home. The $25 price for Secret Garden's high tea was well worth it. You'll be filled with satisfying goodies, warming tea and a great ambiance that will make you dream of fairytales. Secret Garden is definitely a place that should not be kept a secret.