Sunday Funday - Robson Square Ice Skating

Even though the snow has melted in Vancouver except on the mountains and the rain has started, there are still winter activities that you can do.  Robson Square Ice Skating is one of them.  It is conveniently located downtown on Robson Street underneath the Vancouver Art Gallery.  

It is a small rink but it gives people a break from shopping.  They have skate rentals for $4 but remember to bring cash.  I helped chaperone my niece's 14 year old birthday party and took the girls there to skate around.  We didn't stay and went across the street to Cafe Artigiano for a Spanish coffee.  Okay, I wasn't really a chaperone since 14 years old kind of have a mind of their own.  I was there to be a human GPS and keep my sister company.  

Skating Robson Square take about an hour or less before it can be a bit too repetitive but it is unique and fun event if you are downtown.  Plus the girls had fun taking selfies and doing their own photo shoots likely to post to each other on Snapchat.  (That's my best guess!).

After skating we walked down to Cartem's Donuts.  

Robson Square Ice Skating is open until February 14th (Valentine's Day) from 9am - 9pm Sunday - Thursday and 9am - 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.  

Thrifty Tuesday: White Spot Restaurant Birthday Brownie

When I think of birthdays, I don't usually think of White Spot Restaurants.  However, after being given a free dessert when my friend mentioned my birthday, I was super impressed.  White Spot restaurants is a family friendly restaurant which has been a regular brunch or breakfast spot for us since it is open for breakfast before 11am.  It opens nice and early and has coffee and breakfast including eggs benedict that is made fresh.   

White Spot - Shrimp and Spinach Egg Benedict

One evening after a crazy day at work, we decided to go to White Spot for appetizers.  Then one decided it would be my "birthday" celebration, and mentioned it a few times in conversation especially at the end of the meal.  Then to our surprise the server offered a free birthday dessert with a candle.  I never knew that White Spot celebrated birthdays.  It was a sweet surprise!  

It was a fabulous evening of chatting, eating, and being surprised.  Our appetizers that we ordered consisted of a combination of zoo sticks (highly recommended), dry ribs (my favorite), and spinach and artichoke dip.  This made it a night to remember.  Unfortunately we missed out on Happy Hour which is from 2-5pm when appetizers are $6.  Appetizers were still worth it with a price range from $10 - $15 approximately depending on what you order.   White Spot Menu will show you more. 

White Spot - Birthday Hot Fudge Brownie

Vancouver Afternoon Tea: Adonia Tea House in Kerrisdale

Adonia Tea House in Kerrisdale has the English teacups and decor that makes you feel as though you just walked into an English tea house.  When you walk in, you'll notice that one side has the tea wall with the sample jars for you to smell the teas before you decide on the one you want with your Vancouver afternoon tea.  The decor is like your grandmother's house and the tea house is quite narrow and small.  All of the tables are perfect for 2 and there are a couple that will fit 4.   

Adonia TeaList

The Adonia Tea list is quite extensive and you can find a variety of green, white, black, and roobis teas to choose from.  The hard part is choosing only one to compliment your afternoon tea service.  

Adonia Tea

Adonia Tea House teas are served at your table with glass tea pots and candles to keep your tea warm during your afternoon tea.  The servers come regularly to refill your tea pots with hot water.  So you are never left with an empty tea pot. 

Adonia Afternoon Tea

Adonia afternoon tea has the traditional tea service with two trays of savory finger sandwiches and even potato salad.  The scones were served on a side tray with jam and devonshire cream.  The top tier is filled with sweets.  My favourite was the fruit tart.  The food is filling and simple.  The ambiance, the English decor and the great value of $27 for an afternoon tea are the drawing features to Adonia Tea House in Kerrisdale. 

 

Adonia Dessert Tier

Since there were 4 of us, we were also given a side tray for additional desserts which included raspberry panne cotta and chocolate raspberry mango mousse.   The desserts are visually attractive but the mousse combination was a little odd for my taste buds. 

Adonia Dessert Tray

Adonia tea house is quaint and we luxuriously enjoyed afternoon tea for almost two hours with our tea pots continuously being refilled. They easily split the bill for us including splitting the birthday girl's portion.  Once Adonia tea house servers realized that we were there celebrating a birthday, they left a special treat for the birthday girl.  A package of the tea that she enjoyed that day!    

That was a nice touch!  It is worth a try to step into an English tea house for a day.  

Do you love afternoon tea in Vancouver?

Check out Vancouver Afternoon Tea Reviews.