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.

Sex and the City Jason Lewis (Smith) at Ceili's Irish Pub Thursday

Remember the hottie from Sex in the City? Samatha's boyfriend Smith? (Jason Lewis) AKA Smith?
Well, he'll be at Ceili's Irish Pub in downtown Vancouver on Thursday night.

Infact, with your 35$ ticket you get to meet him in real life!

Thursday July 17th, 2008 (Doors open at 7pm)
Dress up like your favorite Sex in the City character and win designer handbags, shoes and accessories from the movie!/>

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.

Stella Artois presents DJ AM - Wednesday July 23rd in Vancouver

Stella Artois & Donnelly Nightclubs present:
DJ AM (Deckstar, L.A.) with
Zak Santiago & Matty C
Marlon J English & P.Love (patio)
www.djam.com
www.myspace.com/djamone

WHEN? Wednesday July 23rd
WHERE? Republic
WHAT? Stella Artois Legere and Stella Artois bottles $4.75
TIME? 10pm-3am

Stella Artois Legere and Donnelly Nightclubs are proud to present America’s #1 DJ AM. Whether it’s in the pages of a magazine or behind the decks at America’s premiere nightclubs, DJ AM is the most recognised face in clubbing today. From high profile appearances in LA, NY, Las Vegas and Miami to the underground of the thriving electro scene, AM’s mind-blowing, genre-spanning party-rocking sets have established him as the most sought after DJ in the world – come celebrate with DJ AM as we launch Stella Artois Legere – “remarkably light!”.

Canada Day Fireworks @ Burrard Inlet, 2008.

For the second consecutive year, the Burrard Inlet Fireworks Society is proud to bring us Canada day fireworks!!

The Burrard Inlet Fireworks Show is a unique multi-community event drawing hundreds of thousands of people and numerous communities together to celebrate Canada. As usual you can catch the show from a variety of locations: Downtown Vancouver, West Vancouver, North Vancouver and Vancouver’s West Side.

The spectacular fireworks display will start at 10.30pm on July 1st. Prepare for it to run a little late.. but who can't deal with a little fatigue Wednesday morning in exchange for a few bright and colorful explosions?

It's baby-making time! Paid parental leave for Dads in Canada.

My husband and I just passed our 3 year wedding anniversary. We own our apartment in downtown Vancouver and I'd be lying if I didn't admit we weren't considering the family route. We've been doing a bit of house hunting and started to evaluate how we'd financially and physically handle a little muchkin. It made us question how kid-friendly our lives really were.

So, I cam across an article in the Province yesterday that was kind of interesting. Apparently more dads are doing diaper duty for longer periods of time!

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!

Closing the Presidents Choice Financial Fraud Loop.

I am happy to say the on going Mastercard fraud saga has finally come to an end. I feel it's my duty to report to the world what really happened and how it turned out.

Ok, here is the good news. We have gotten our money back and the remaining charges reversed. Now, the bad news: We would not have been able to do it without the help of two lawyers and many threatening phone calls and letters send on our behalf. I would say it is also luckily that we had two lawyers of exceptional stature (one being the lawyer for the Bank of Canada and the other a corporate and commercial specialist from BC).

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.

I got Vancouver NKOTB Tickets! (New Kids On The Block)

Did you know that NKOTB is scheduled to play at General Motors Place on Friday November 21st (right here in Vancouver)? I found out last week. Tickets went on sale June 2nd and some girlfriends and I got tickets. We have one spare one - so if you want to go, give me a hollar. They were pretty expensive though.. almost 75$ with tax.