The Ticket Kitchen & Bar

Buytopia recently had an awesome coupon deal for The Ticket Kitchen & Bar, which I was lucky enough to preview as a member of their Vancouver Inner Circle.

The Ticket is located in the former Player's Chophouse, right at the entrance to BC Place. It's a great place to get together with friends before a game and even if you're not attending one, the sports enthusiasts among us can still keep up with the scores since, as my boyfriend pointed out, "there's not a bad TV in the place" (the TVs seem to be positioned to give a perfect view no matter where you're seated). Bonus: you might even get to see some local celebrities! On the night we attended, we sat right beside the guys from Hockey Night in Canada.

The menu is kind of upscale pub fare with a bit of class. There are, of course, the "standards" like sweet chili chicken ($12), pizza, and burgers, along with some more unique options like the braised short rib poutine. 

For our mains, my boyfriend and I both opted for steak (typical for us). He chose the filet mignon ($38) and I got the New York strip and fries ($30). As you can see, both dishes are a little on the pricey side but we both thought our steaks were cooked to perfection. Those with big appetites probably wouldn't get full with the filet mignon though... it is, after all, French for "dainty fillet"!

For dessert, my boyfriend chose the blueberry cheesecake while I went with the trio of crème brûlée (if there is crème brûlée on the menu, there is a 99.9% chance that it will be my dessert of choice). The trio consisted of vanilla bean, chocolate, and mocha, and all three were delicious.

All in all, we had a wonderful evening. The service was excellent and the food was good (though I do think it's a bit expensive for an everyday outing). Many thanks to Rob for being so welcoming and Buytopia for the wonderful experience!

Address: 808 Beatty Street, Vancouver, BC
Website: http://www.theticketbar.ca

Deep Pore Cleansing Facial at Apple Spa

As a member of the Vancouver Buytopia Inner Circle, I recently had the opportunity to review one of their exclusive spa deals. I know I've mentioned my love of group buying websites before, but I really do think they are a great way to try out new experiences at highly discounted prices.

My new experience this time was a deep pore cleansing facial at Apple Spa, located on Beach Avenue right under the Burrard Street Bridge. The spa itself is quite small and the decor is very basic/minimal, but it makes up for what's "missing" by offering a range of spa services at very reasonable rates. For example, you can get a 45 minute mini facial for only $15, a manicure for $20, and waxing starts at $5.

My facial lasted 60 minutes in total and included a pore extraction and face mask, as well as the application of other lotions and serums that left my skin feeling totally clean and glowy.

Now, for those of you who have never had your pores extracted, let me just say that it hurts. A lot. But the pain is bearable and the end result is the kind of blackhead-free skin you can't achieve on your own (those Biore strips simply can't be compared). Some people try and remove their blackheads themselves but if done improperly it can lead to irreversible scarring. Personally, I'd rather have a professional take care of them for me.

Lisa, the super sweet owner of Apple Spa, recommends getting a deep cleansing facial once or twice a month to keep skin in tip-top condition. Since I'm not one to say "no" to a little pampering, I'm hoping to visit again soon - and perhaps try out some of Apple Spa's other affordable services.

Many thanks to Lisa and Buytopia for the wonderful experience!

Address: #111 - 1000 Beach Avenue, Vancouver, BC
Website: http://applespa.weebly.com/
Phone: (604) 669-1118