Montmartre–Rugged Café for Adults

 

Yes. Again on the Main street and 30th ish. How do I find this? This time as I finished eating Grub the other day. There are just so many treasures on this little block. The rugged ceiling and the antique bike display make this café the perfect hang out place for the radical in the neighborhood. The café is a big supporter of the live music. Some interesting music is played almost every night at this joint.

This joint offers a nice electric environment for adults that are still hot in their dates. The selection of dessert is limited. Ice cream sundae or crepe… but with liquor. Perfect for the third that =p

The crepe is excellent and the ice cream which I believe is house made. You can actually taste the ice chunk in it.

Worth the drive? If you are into this kind of stuffs. Unconventional. Non main stream.

Food: 20/30
Decoration: 20/30
Service: 22/30
Price: $15~25

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The Ironworks (Vancouver Jazz Festival)

Visited 07/04/2010 

夏天是旅遊溫哥華的盛季, 此時的溫哥華萬里無雲, 百花盛開, 天氣不冷不熱, 一天白天有超過12個小時可以讓你有充裕的時間享受這美麗的城市, 最重要的是這在其中有兩大活動 Jazz Festival and Firework competition. Jazz festival 已經陸續舉辦了25年,每年的時間不定但大多在六月底七月初, 喜好 Jazz 的我不知道為什麼待了這麼多年重來沒有認真的參予這個活動. 今年終於趕在最後一天,最後一場的表演,飽足了爵士的快感.

     

今天的表演是在一個Music/Gallery Studio – The Ironworks. 這是ㄧ個非常industrial的空間, 藏匿在溫哥華紅燈區的背面, 簡陋的木材伴著出奇Metalic 的裝飾與不同的藝術品. Studio 分為兩個空間, 前面的部分是舞台, 後面的部分是 hang out 的空間. 這個地方背後的抽菸區 望出去是工業港口, 夜晚的星空搭配著工業的燈光 也是ㄧ番不同的享受. 舞台漆著血紅的牆壁搭配白色的百葉窗, 強烈的對必與這次邊緣爵士演出非常的搭配.

這次的團體Eclectic led by HARRIS EISENSTADT 原至加拿大東岸. 主要是以traditional 為基礎演奏出post-bop, modern 的style. 其中他們有著奇妙的trumpet + sax 的雙主旋律的演出, 而這兩個主旋律是完全的不和諧的走掉, 當你努力的只聽一個主旋律搭配著背後的配樂, 卻又非常的好聽. 想必是他們的奇想吧, 在不和諧中找出美感, 現實生活不也是如此, 常常生活的美麗是出現在混亂中, 但只有你靜下心來尋找才會看見的. 但我還是要警告一下, (音樂廣泛接受度不高的人還是不要輕易嘗試)
 

後台是兩個很大的空間, 紅磚牆圍繞, 左邊的空間有一個簡單的bar, 說他是bar真的是恭維, 他比較像是一個工作台, 在建地常常看到用來鉅木板的檯子, 還有一個小號的撞球桌, 右邊擺著兩個沙發, 整個空間充斥著燭光, 倒是非常的 Artsy and Relax.

發現這個地方真的要感謝TD Jazz Festival, Check its website for the latest event. I will definitely see if there is anything interesting worth to go from now on.
http://www.theironworks.ca/index.html

B.B. King’s Blue Club @ Mirage

Visited 6/25/2010

The Legendary B.B. Blue Club sits at the back of the one of most classic hotel Mirage is greatly honored by many visitors. The stage it self has the most classic southern jazzy look to it, just like Legend used to play it on.

The music played by the PJ Barth does not lived to the standard of B.B. King on the night I visited. The band is very skilled but somehow lacks charisma.
The restaurant offers comforting southern food which basically means that everything is fried. (Especially at the late night menu). I was drawn to this place by a Review I saw on the airplane naming its appetizer fried pickle “Epic” and recommended the sampler.

The fried pickle as you can see in the picture above is an interesting experience. Sourly with the texture of a potato chips in combination with the rich ranch sauce makes it a wonderful drinking treat. But it is hard for people who are not used to eating pickles to take on a whole basket of it. (Unless you are very drunk). I would recommended just get the sampler and have a few pieces of it and be sure you are accustomed to it.


The other two dishes I had are B.B.Q wings and the Prawns. Though they claimed the southern styled food are packed with spices all over the world. I really didn’t feel the Zing from it.

The drink menu is really limited in the restaurant as well. You have a option to ordered an 22 oz beer and bring home the glass. It’s a little bit pricy but at least the glass has a very classic B.B. King logo on it. I actually really like it.
Food: 18/30
Interior: 18/30
Price: $30
(based on late night menu only)
Notes: Not recommended as a great late night eaters.
Definitely check the event calendar before going.