TamaraBrooks.com

Vancouver's India Gate Restaurant Review (2008)

My husband and I did date night yesterday. We used the India Gate 50$ gift certificate I won in the World Red Cross Celebrity Soiree a few months back at the Blue Water Cafe in Yaletown.

Judging by the outside (see the picture above) I wasn't expecting all that much. It was a bit dingy on the inside too which sealed the deal in my mind as I entered. Boy, was I wrong!

Food was phenomenal. I had the vegetarian Bhartha dish (eggplant) with rice and the best garlic butter nan you've had in your entire life. It was totally yummy (as long as we're clear here, it wasn't healthy at all). My husband had the lamb curry which was yogurt, spices and tomatoes. Delicious and basically a lamb gravy sauce! It's a little on the expensive side for portion size but the sheer taste value put it through the roof for me.

Fundraising Idea: Drink for the cure!

If you didn't know, I'm currently fundraising for my CIBC Run for the Cure breast cancer goal of $1,500! I have a little way to go (so any donations help.. even 5$) but I have an excellent fundraiser going on this Friday which should nicely increase my total.

Summer is here in Vancouver: Surprise someone you love with a beach picnic for dinner!

I had an idea the other day for Vancouverites now that summer is here and "June-u-ary" is over (as I've so often heard it affectionately called). I think we should all take our friends or significant others down to the beach for a nice mid-week evening picnic! It's easy to do, just pack up some sandwiches, fruit, and maybe a dip and pita. Might I even suggest bringing a few bevvies with you?

Surprise someone this week with a summer picnic bounty! It'll be fun.. the days are starting to get shorter again. You better start enjoying the sunshine!

Tuesdays at Earls = $6 White Peach Bellini Cocktails!

I want to share with the world (especially Vancouverites) that at Earls on Tuesday you can get a DOUBLE delicious white peach bellini made with natural peach syrup, blended with rum, peach liqueur and sparkling white wine for $6!

I'm hung over today but I just wanted to tell you how damn good they taste. (Ever since I finished my half iron man I'm a little out of control on the social front.. I just want to go around yelling that Eminem song "Guess who's back.. back again... Tamara's back... tell a friend".

Treat yourself. Treat your co-workers. You deserve a bellini. Go on. Make a date.

Sex in the City Party Crashing!

Since I did my half ironman last weekend I've dramatically increased my social festivities time to compensate for my lack of 'life' over the last few months! It's been great fun.. and thus the lacks of posts!

On Tuesday night I crashed an uber fun private party / screening to see the Sex in the City movie! I was planning to do some shopping downtwon and then meet a girlfriend for dinner and drinks at Earls when she called me and said she was on the third floor of the Scotia Bank Theatre at a fun women-only private screening to see Sex in the City. She said they were serving champagne, martini's, hor'dourves (like mini burgers and samosas) and giving away free door prizes (like dinner for 8 at Cactus Club or something). How could I resist? I shot down there and told them my friend had invited me!

Drink for the cure!

I'm planning a new event for everyone to come to. It's called 'Drink for the cure!'. Sounds fun, non?

As you know, I'm fundraising for the Vancouver 5km Run for the Cure and I've been trying to think of creative ways to raise money.

Need some good Karma?

I am participating in the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, on Sunday, October 5th and I am asking for your support for a cause that is very important to me.

Help create a future without breast cancer by making a donation today! Donating online is quick, easy and secure. Your donation will be added to the critical funds raised by the Run, and will be directed towards research, education and awareness programs.

Thank you. I appreciate your support! I'm aiming at raising $1000.00. (Any amount is cool! 5$ 10$... 100$... whatever, I'll love you forever)

CLICK HERE TO DONATE!
(Over $20 will get you a tax donation receipt!)

Grape Juice Wine Auction

My two companies (Syntric & October17 Media) are sponsoring a charity wine auction next week. This is our second year on the sponsorship panel and I'm really excited to share with you that they've already received double last years fund raising dollars in wine & kind contributions.

Anyhow, it's not to late to donate! Minimum donations for the auction is wine of a $50+ value. All funds raised will go directly to Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland.

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LOCATION: OPUS BAR
ADDRESS: 350 Davie Street, Yaletown
TIME: 5:00 to 8:00pm

2008 Canada Cup of Beer July 5th!

It's almost summer and it's beer festival time!

I'm thinking about organizing a group to go to the 2008 Canada Cup of Beer July 5th! I've contacted them to see if I can get a group rate. If you want to go, let me know, I'm hoping we can do a massive 30+ person group beer party.

Sunday Sessions @ The Whip

I'd like to propose a new tradition. 'Sunday Sessions' at The Whip Gallery Restaurant. Who concurs?

Seriously. Summer's coming, they have a patio, they serve yam fries, it's the day before we start the work week and.. (as if you needed one more reason) Granville Island creates a 'special' beer just for that restaurant every Sunday! Yep, unique one-of-a-kind cask beers just for The Whip Restaurant!

The cask is opened at 4pm every Sunday. Last sunday they had a Ginger Beer.

Ok, you're still not convinced to take part in Sunday sessions? Sigh, you're a hard sell. Well, if you're a local they offer a 15% locals discount on lunch and dinner. Nuff' said!

Want to go? Email me, I'll meet you there.