Yesterday I had dinner at Seasons in the Park ahead of attending the promenade play, Robin Hood in Queen Elizabeth Park.
Unfortunately due to the wildfire smoke and summer haze sweeping across downtown our view was clouded over. However on any other day (and hopefully after this weekend) you can experience an incomparable view of Vancouver and the North Shore right from your dinner table on the Seasons patio.
Our server was cheery and charming, keeping our water glasses full and explaining menu details with little jokes here and there. Being a fan of Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio it was nice to see that they had several selections of both on the wine list. I also found out that Seasons also hosts wine tastings a few time a month.
My good friend Tanya and I were treated to some summertime appetizers including plump prawns, fresh tomato and bocconcini salad, and beef carpaccio ($14).
For dinner, Tanya selected the salmon entree with ratatouille that was listed on the evening’s fresh sheet.
I had the pan seared Pacific Halibut with blueberry compote, lemon butter, and mashed potatoes ($26). I’ve had a lot of halibut in my day but I’ve never had it topped with blueberries. It was so fresh and the sweetness was not overpowering at all.
We had to skip dessert in order to make it over to the play on time however we were seriously considering the sunburnt lemon pie.
Seasons from down in the park. Photo:
zemistor on Flickr
I recommend taking a stroll through Queen Elizabeth Park before or after your meal and then taking your time on the patio (or inside the bright panoramic dining room) as you enjoy the stunning scenery.
Non-hazy view from Seasons. Photo:
Roland on Flickr
Seasons is open Monday through Saturday from 11:30am, Sunday from 10:30am and weekend dinner service starts at 5:30pm. Follow @SeasonsInQEPark on Twitter for daily updates.
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There are many reasons why a haze or smoggy cloud could hang above Vancouver refusing to budge. The warm summer air, pollution, or lack of a breeze coming off the water. However the source of our hidden sunsets in recent days has been smoke from wildfires that rage on within BC.
This evening Darren Barefoot shared a link to a satellite image on Twitter:
Click on the link to view larger versions and trace the smoke along the rivers and canyons back to the source fires.
The air quality warning for Metro Vancouver is in effect until the weekend according to CBC News. More than 400 wildfires continue to burn throughout BC.
BC Place was deflated last May in order to start construction on the new soft retractable dome.
This morning members of the media were given the chance to check in on the progress that is being made at the topless stadium.
The cranes are in place to get the centre cap hoisted – that is where the scoreboard will hang, suspended from cables at the centre of the ring. In the spring of 2011 the roof support cables will be tensioned and they will begin to install the fabric rings that will expand and contract to open and close the roof.
Construction will be complete in 2011 and until that time, the BC Lions will be playing at Empire Field. The BC Lions will then host the Grey Cup on their new home turf under the open air dome of BC Place in November 2011.
Just the other day my family was discussing the fact that there is a lack of functioning water fountains in public spaces in Vancouver. Browsing the City’s website this morning I found a notice about new portable water fountains that have been put in place to help us all beat the heat this summer.
The temporary water fountain locations are:
Northeast corner of 70th and Granville
Vanier Park – outside the Coast Guard building
Northeast corner of Commercial and Broadway
Northwest corner of Burrard and Davie – outside the community garden
Southwest corner of Napier and Commercial – in the community walkway
As you can see from this map provided in the City’s Open Data set, there are already several fountains throughout the city.
Perhaps we don’t notice them as much nowadays but it’s good to know they are there. Remember to stay hydrated this summer even if the sun isn’t shining through the clouds.
Update Tyler Ingram snapped a photo of the portable fountains:
Next week a local non-profit is selling off leftover Vancouver 2010 gear along with lost & found items in one giant Olympics blowout sale.
VANOC is offering up office supplies and furniture from the athletes’ village while lost & found items include anything from red mittens to cell phones, umbrellas, jackets, and hoodies. All proceeds from the sale will support families through the Network of Inner City Community Services Society.
The Province also reports that the Olympic street banners will be sold in the coming weeks:
“Proceeds will support a workshop called the Fab Shop, at 1220 E. 2nd Ave., formerly the Vancouver 2010 fabrication shop, designed to provide training and work experience to people from the Downtown Eastside. The City of Vancouver has donated the 1,600 banners, a number of which will be signed by VANOC head John Furlong.”
The sale runs Monday through Saturday, 11:00am to 6:00pm daily at 875 East Hastings.
