San Francisco // Russian Hill & Coit Tower

After visiting Alcatraz in the morning, Julian and I decided to walk from Fisherman's Wharf to Coit Tower. It seemed like a good idea at the time, given that the tower was very close by. BIG MISTAKE. Little did we know we had to climb up and down (mainly up) the steep Russian Hills. 

On the bright side, we did get to explore the residential neighbourhood, which is lined with classic Victorian houses, but we were SO exhausted afterwards. Julian is an avid gym enthusiast, for him to say the walk was tough is not an understatement! When we reached Coit Tower, we saw a bus that directly came from the Wharf =_=V. The views from the base and the top of the tower are absolutely stunning. 

{ creepy fog over Alcatraz }

San Francisco // Fisherman's Wharf

Some say Fisherman's Wharf is a tourist trap, but I say it's a tourist trap with amazingly fresh food! Julian and I made a several trips down to the Wharf during our visit. My friend Diahanna suggested a bunch of places to eat, but she stressed we HAD to eat at In-N-Out Burger. Julian who is a burger connoisseur, loved it. It tasted like a healthy burger! Too bad we didn't get our meals "animal-style", that would've been interesting.

I recommend any of the food vendors, fresh seafood is sold left, right, and centre. I bought a whole crab (slightly over 1lb, $20) and ate it myself. The shell was so soft, nothing like what I had before. I had no problem breaking the shell my with teeth. Julian had fried calamari, it was ok, no fresh crab though.

Of course we sunk our teeth in the world famous Boudin Sourdough and Clam Chowder bowl. I had to fight with Julian for the remaining bit of the soup bowl because it was that good!

{ cute sourdough crabs }

I wish I made a trip to the Ferry Building. Diahanna said it would've easily been my favourite food destination. I also didn't have any fresh oysters while I was out there either *still kicking myself*. I guess this gives me another excuse to go back! ^_^. From the words of my wise foodie friend, DO NOT EAT AT THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY. I know their cheesecakes are extremely delicious and the restaurant is conveniently located in Macy's, but SF has too much amazing food to offer. Resist the temptation!

San Francisco // Union Square

The last time I went on a vacation was back in September, Julian and I travelled to San Francisco for five days. San Francisco is filled with amazing shopping, culture, gastronomy, and architecture. Did I mention the weather is beautiful all year round? 

San Francisco has all the best shops without being as crowded as NYC or LA. Everything you need to find is pretty much in Union Square, from Forever 21 to Barney's. It was just a 20 minute bus ride from our our hotel! It was sweeeet.

Stay tuned for more SF photos!

Look ma! We won a bronze!

Back in March, my co-worker Valerie and I participated in Globe & Mail's Young Lions competition. The challenge was to create a media plan in 24 hours for the Stephen Lewis Foundation, a charity that addresses the challenges of AIDS/HIV in Africa. The gold medalist of each category represents Canada at the Cannes Young Lions Competition at the 2011 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.


Challenging? Yes. I haven't been this challenged since my university days. It brought memories of sleepless fourth year marketing projects. We started our Saturday at 9 am and finished in the wee hours of the morning, 3 am to be exact. The key objective was to increase donations amongst women ages 25-45. It was very important to us to not deviate from our core idea, the vulnerability of women. After brainstorming a million ideas on scrap pieces of paper, and going back and forth with countless media executions, we tried the best we could given the circumstances, 24 hours to complete a media plan was brutal! At the time, I felt defeated, tired and dazed. Now looking back, it was a great experience and truly puts one's determination to the test.


We honestly didn't expect to place. The chances of us making the top 3 were slim for our first attempt. The funny story was Val and I didn't even bother checking the results after the CEO announced that no one from the company placed in the top 3. It wasn't until another co-worker let us know our names were listed on a website. I immediately flew to Val's desk and told her the "news". Our names were on the list alright, but the media plan linked wasn't ours!

After much investigation, it turns out the Globe & Mail screwed up and we did in fact win the bronze! *WOOT!* Val is a talented graphic artist who also really knows her media shizz. Her amazing graphic skills really brought the whole plan together nicely. It was a pleasure to work with her.

{ click to check out our media plan! }

Lobster Trap

I meant to post a new entry last weekend, but I was distracted by Wong Fu Productions' awesome YouTube videos all weekend long (no joke, I even got Julian hooked)! TEEHEE.

I purchased a Lobster Trap Dealfind voucher back in November. It was an amazing deal I couldn't pass on, $39 for $80 worth of food with no expiry date! Lobster Trap is a mom and pop shop that has been around for over 30 years. Live lobsters are flown in from the Atlantic regularly. Don't expect a fine dining experience here. The restaurant's interior is beyond dated, but I think it has its own rustic nautical charm ^_^. The original owner, who looks well into his 80s, is friendly and always greets his guests. On busy nights, a keyboardist plays corny tunes, such as my Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On", haha! I don't know how other people feel about this, but I love the cheesiness, it's just too funny!

{ my dearest porpor }

{ por por and mom with bibs! }

We started off with garlic rolls, escargot ($9.75), and lobster bisque ($8.75). The garlic rolls are strikingly similar to hamburger buns with garlic butter, they are super soft and surprisingly addicting! The escargot was garlicy and citrusy, it served as a perfect dipping sauce for the garlic rolls. What can I say? I'm a big fan of garlic! The lobster bisque was spectacular as usual, it was creamy and filled with of small chunks of lobster. Hmmmm....

You're actually get to see the chefs pick the live lobsters from the tank at the front of the restaurant! We shared had a 1 1/4 lb whole lobster ($43), which came with a side of garden salad and baked potato. We ordered the lobster broiled, which is served in two halves and smothered with butter, garlic and bread crumbs. The lobster meat was fresh and spongey. I did find the butter and bread crumbs to be a little too heavy this time around or I think I might've had a butter overload with the escargot and garlic rolls prior! >_<

The highlight of the night was definitely the 1 1/2 lb of Steamed Alaska King Crab Legs ($42). It was meaty and unbelievably sweet. I regret not ordering 2 lbs, my granny and mom prefer crabs over lobster. 

To our surprise, one of our family friends actually works here. She kindly brought over a White Chocolate Raspberry Mousse cake on the house! Cake was a nice ending to the meal, but a little too sweet for my liking, but it was a nice gesture nonetheless. Lobster Trap treats their customers very well. My friends' celebrated their birthday here last year, we had a table of 15 people I believe. Can you imagine 15 other people in a tiny little restaurant like this?! Since it was their birthdays, the owner treated us to tartufo as well!

Similar to Canadian Tire money, Lobster Trap has its own "Lobster Dollars", a few dollars are given after every meal. I didn't get any this time, I guess voucher holders don't qualify? All in all, the service was excellent, despite the fact we had a voucher. She was attentive and efficient. Remember, always tip on the original amount of the bill, not the discounted amount! 

Unfortunately I don't foresee Lobster Trap doing another groupon buy. Before heading to Lobster Trap, my printer wasn't working, so I called the restaurant to see if I can just show the voucher on my phone. The server kindly let me know vouchers shown through phones are no longer valid. Apparently, many people who have used their vouchers before, decided to go back and use a printed copy of the voucher that has already been used before. Shame. Lobster Trap kicks it old school, so I'm assuming they don't track mobile vouchers. Thanks for ruining it for the rest of us honest customers!!

Lobster Trap

1962 Avenue Rd.

Toronto, ON

(416) 787-3211

Website