Some places that I really wanted to visit while I was in LA were Alfred’s Tea and Alfred’s Coffee. These were places that I always see on LA blogger’s IGs and Snapchats and I knew I HAD to pay them a visit. Anyone who knows me at all knows that I LOVE pretty much anything aesthetically pleasing. ESPECIALLY cafes. And both Alfred’s Tea and Alfred’s coffee were everything I expected and more. 

I swear everything in LA is designed to be Instagram worthy. Alfred’s is one of those places that really paid attention to every little detail in their design. It’s almost as if they’re purposely creating endless photo ops for people that see out of their camera lenses like me. From the signs outside, to the deco, walls, cup sleeves, cups, furniture, even the sidewalk art outside… I wanted to take a picture of EVERYTHING. 

AND (as if that wasn’t enough to sell me on going there again and again) their drinks and food taste as good as their stores look. Like wow. A true 10/10 in my eyes. Vancouver cafes STEP IT UP. 

I got the Earl Grey boba and it was freakin’ BOMB. 

Definitely regret not taking more photos of my surroundings while I was in LA. But I think because this was my first real experience actually exploring urban LA I was way too focused with taking everything in in person that I forgot to whip out my camera more. 

I really fell in love with the city the short five days that I was there and I can say very confidently that I’m definitely going to be going back again. I’m definitely hoping that one day I will be lucky enough to be able to fly between Vancouver and LA all the time for business… That’s the goal at least. Here’s to working towards that goal! 

More soon, 

I love studying in coffee shops. Something about the background noise of light chatter, mugs clinking, and soft typing, really helps me concentrate on whatever work I have on hand. I’ve mentioned a few of my favourite coffee joints here and there, but I haven’t really ever given you guys my go-to’s for studying. With midterm season creeping up on us unsuspecting post-secondary students, I thought it would be an ideal time to share a few of my Vancity favourites. 

1. 49th Parallel on W 4th ave – this is actually where the above photos were taken. I absolutely love the clean, minimalistic design in this place. It features a mostly white interior, with beautiful pops of turquoise. The vibe of the place definitely helps with relaxing my super strung out brain during exam season. If you visit, try out their Venezuelan coffee. It’s literally mouth-wateringly good. 
2. Calhoun’s – Located on W Broadway, Calhoun’s is a UBC student favourite. Open 24/7, this is the perfect study spot for all you hard workers that like to pull late nights. I love going here during the colder months because of the cozy vibe of the place. Not to mention they have a pretty decent food selection which they can warm up for you. Feeling unmotivated? Calhoun’s also serves beer and wine to get your creative juices flowing. 
3. Blenz on no.3 rd. – Here’s a place my friends and I regular a lot because… well… everyone we know comes here. A classic study spot for the more Asian crowd, both the Blenz on No. 3 road and the one on Blundell road are open 24/7 for all your study needs. I practically live here during finals season. 

If you live in Vancouver, check these places out ! And let me know if you have some go-to places that are your tried-and-true. 

Until next time, 

STUDY HARD GUYS . 

Starting yet another series of posts !

There is one thing I enjoy, no matter where I am in the world. And that’s a good cup of coffee ! And if the cafe / coffee house is beautifully decorated, it’s definitely an added benefit.

One place I was introduced to by someone in my past is 49th Parallel. The first (and only) drink I’ve had here is the Venezuelan. It’s described on the menu as “caramelized milk reduction, served with espresso and texturized milk”. I am one of those coffee lovers that like their drinks VERY sweet. Like to the point where my black coffee loving friends will ask me whether I’m having coffee with some sugar, or sugar with some coffee. OOPS !

But that’s why the Venezuelan is right up my alley. It’s a delicious beverage that’s just the right amount of sweet. Enough that I don’t feel the need to add any sugar, but not overly sweet that you can’t taste the espresso. Not to mention the cups that they come in (and the colour of their walls !) are this beautiful turquoise-y, teal colour. It’s such a relaxing colour.

I’ve only ever been to their W4th Ave. location, but I hear their Main st. location is just as beautiful. The W4th Ave. location has this beautiful patio space though… that can be closed off (and have heaters) when it’s cold and dreary out. During the summer, however, they slide the big floor to ceiling windows open and it turns into the brightest little area to hang out.

OH ! And one thing I also keep hearing people talk about are their donuts, so I will definitely try one the next time I go.

I’m absolutely obsessed with this place, and definitely recommend it to any Vancouverites reading this to go check it out ! I transited in the grossest, rainiest weather today just to fetch myself a cup of the Venezuelan, so you can imagine how deep my love runs.

Until next time !

Weeeeooo, I get so excited for Foodie Fridays. This week’s Foodie Friday feature is a short one about Red Umbrella Cafe on Davie street. I’ve actually been to this cafe for brunch twice now. And having loved it both times, I think it definitely deserves a Foodie Friday feature.

Red Umbrella Cafe is on the North-West (HA, Kimye) corner of Bidwell and Davie, down close to english bay. It’s this adorable little cafe that actually boasts quite an impressive brunch menu. This place is decorated very simply, but beautifully, with barn-feel, reclaimed wood tables, and Eames DSW chairs. Two of their walls are actually covered with chalkboard paint, and on it shows all the food on their menu. They also have pastries and other little breakfast items that are ready to go if you don’t have time to sit down.

I ordered the eggs benedict both times that I’ve visited, but I also shared a grilled sandwich with Ryan the second time, so that I could tell you guys about it.

So let’s start off with the classic eggs bennie. I always order bennies when I eat brunch, partially because it’s my favourite thing to eat EVER, and partially because I like to try benedicts from different places to compare. The one here was pretty great. Very typical eggs benedict. However, their english muffin is quite crumble-y and very buttery. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I liked that about it. It definitely added to the taste, but I think I love my classic eggs benedict muffins a little too much. Also, at times it seemed almost a little TOO buttery (if that’s even possible) for my taste. I can see some people really loving the little twist, but I don’t know if that part of it was really for me. The hash brown potatoes that they served with it was absolutely delicious though. It was lightly seasoned and topped off with green onions. The seasoning definitely gives a little extra kick of flavour which everyone at the table enjoyed immensely.

The second time around, I actually ordered the Red Umbrella eggs bennie, which is a class ham eggs bennie with mushrooms and bacon added as well. Also pretty delicious, but I don’t think that it was really worth the extra money. I don’t know whether it’s just because, like I said above, I love my classic eggs benedicts a little too much, or what… But I just didn’t really think the Red Umbrella signature was anything special.

Oooo, BUT, I did add an avocado in it both times, which did make it more delicious.

The grilled sandwich that I shared with Ryan the second time around, was really something else. It contained grilled chicken, cheese, sun-dried tomato spread, pesto, and tomatoes. Oh my god this was really something else. This sandwich is so great, that I think the next time I visit, I might actually have to abandon my eggs benedict addiction and order this instead. And if you know me, you know that’s a pretty damn big deal. Everything in it just worked so well together, that I almost felt like it was designed just for me. The pesto and the sun-dried tomato spread also worked surprisingly well together, which I wasn’t expecting. But I loved it. And actually the more I look at these photos while I’m editing this post, the more I want to bus down to davie right now just to eat it….

The sandwich came with scrambled eggs. You could choose to have your eggs a different way if you wanted to.

Okay but seriously though…… How amazing does this look.

For drinks, Ryan ordered the mocha, shown here, and I ordered the vanilla milkshake. Unfortunately, I pretty much downed the milkshake as soon as it arrived, so I didn’t get to take picture. But let me just say, it was freakin’ amazing. Definitely one of the better milkshakes I’ve had in a while.

I’m actually going to end this post with this beauty. This is what Ryan likes to call “the holy trinity”, and what I think is much-needed at every brunch meal you eat. Here are the three red sauces that I will eat with EVERYTHING at brunch. Ketchup, Sriracha, and Frank’s. Ermergerd. Unbelievably good.

Overall, I would pretty much recommend Red Umbrella Cafe to anyone looking for a new place to brunch. Pretty much everything on the menu was under $15 and looked delicious. The Vibe of this cafe was quiet, quirky, and had a hipster yet very neighbourhood cafe feel to it. I am most definitely going to come again (probably for that sandwich). It is a great little breakfast place that is open very early !

Unfortunately, they didn’t have a website but I will link their yelp page and urbanspoon page here.

Their address is

1707 Davie Street.

(604) 688-7818

Also, you can check out all my other Foodie Friday features here!

Until next week my food lovers,