(well we had a bit of fun before the epidemic became a global pandemic)

This pandemic nonsense had us out of touch for a wee bit.

Kells has been diligently updating our IG.

Nals has not been doing a whole heckuva lot creatively-speaking. Nals hasn’t been super inspired and TBH was in a rut. When restrictions loosened up last year, the P-N-dubs was knee-deep in summer and there were some muses about town.

So let’s rewind to Feb 2020: before the pandemic closed the borders and restricted our lifestyles.

Miss Kells, Cutie T & I took a jaunt down to Portland for a girl’s weekend. It was Cutie T’s first time! And in true N&K fashion, we ate and drunk up a storm. Here is a brief review of the pubs we visited.

We had been eating all day so we kept it light.

(Plus we had to be able to jump to our exit in case a ghost popped by.)

We had the tasty Pilsner Lager and Stout. To sop up the alky, we knoshed on the made-to-order Garlic Knots and Ghost Pizza.

Lovely drinks and even better charcuterie. Upon request, they custom made our 2nd board! Pickled onions and artisan cheese were da bomb diggedy.

To quench our thirst, we had the following brews: Head of the Table, Wowza and the Neon Daydream. All were delicious.

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To fill our gobs in between sips, we had the Beer Board (chacoots!) – crisp house brined vegetables, smoky dried stout salami, housemade apple walnut bread & rosemary crackers. To. Die. For.

We discovered this pub-club by looking online. They had drag queen trivia night scheduled online, but when we arrived, we realized their socials were not regularly updated. The night wasn’t as exciting as we had hoped, but we had a couple beers after dinner and enjoyed a bit of music.

Looks like it’s time for the annual Nals and Kells getaway!

The global pandemic has limited life options this year. But since it’s our birthday, we decided to take off to Whistler, BC. (Coincidentally, Dr. Bonnie Henry has rolled out BC’s Restart Plan: Phase 3. )

Stay tuned for reviews and other fun stuff!

We had dinner at Tac/Quila. This restaurant has a nifty story. A lawyer couple decided to change careers. They popped their restauranteur cherry by opening FARM. Then came the second baby Tac/Quila.

Drinks

Kells & I shared a flight of margaritas (Kiwi Mint, Watermelon, Pineapple, Blackberry, Lime). I’m not particularly fond of tequila but I do love cold fruity drinks. And boy these went down smooth. (Good thing we shared or we’d’ve been in trouble with our own flight.) They all had distinct flavours that we loved. Kiwi Mint, Watermelon & Pineapple were our top 3.

Nibbles

Kells ordered Calamari and a couple tacos (al pastor, chicken). I ordered 3 tacos – carne asada, calabacitas & carnitas. The food was delicious.

Each taco had a distinct focus and accoutrements. Truly enjoyable.

Atmosphere

Restaurant had inside and outside seating. However, because of the layout, it seemed like 1 seamless area. There was something to look at everywhere from the ceilings, walls, tables… foliage, people, food or funky carpentry. There was a bustling lively energy in the air. The waitstaff were great.

Recommendation

You must get the flight of margaritas for sharing. Tacos and calamari are bang on. We’d definitely come to Tac/Quila again.

Foots ¹We had access to the larger pre-pandemic menu last year. But this miniaturized menu is a pretty good cross-section.

Kells, Cutie T & I went on a girls weekend getaway to Portland Oregon, earlier this year (pre-pandemic times). As it was Cutie’s first time, we wanted it to be extra special. We stayed at the ritzy Hotel Monaco.

One evening we chose to dine at Bamboo Sushi (downtown location). They’ve got 3 locations in The PDX.

Kells has had Bamboo Sushi before.

But, it was mine & Cutie T’s first time. Bonus: it was right around the corner from our hotel.

Our order

Garden of Eden roll – Micro crunch, tart, slight sweet,

Chasing the Dragon roll – tempura shrimp, tart at first, soft spicy flavour, chewy rice, elevated dynamite

Soft shell crab bao – soft tempura crunch salt, heaven

Friday the 13th -taste the sweet salt then slow spicy heat (delayed). Table fave.

Kimono -elevated cali roll, complicated, starts apple then sweet crab, chewy rice, salty goodness.

Ocean Farmer Roll-garlic butter with seared salmon, “delicious”, starts soft smoke then rice then fresh.

Itame Roll -Special, cilantro, light flavour, fresh, ideal for those starting to eat raw fish.

Considerations

Parking: on the street or find a lot.

Pricing: it’s not cheap but it is cheery.

Ambience: Pimped-Up Casual.

Recommendation

Yes! Go stuff your gobs with this fabulous food!

(We do mean after the pandemic precautions have lifted. Also, bring a cigarette cuz you’ll need after you finish this sexy sushi.)

What does Canada, magic and La Quinta Cliffhouse have in common?

N&K dining alongside Murray SawChuk¹!

We decided to have a lovely dinner out on a recent girls trip to Palm Springs. And we chose La Quinta Cliffhouse Grill & Bar. It had good reviews… and was also bit more poshy to match our mood.

Our orders

K ordered Surf n Turf which was absolutely delightful. Steak was well seasoned, tender. Lobster tail was tenderly delectable.

N took cliffsnotes (haha) on an old phone. Unfortunately, the old phone died. And now the only menu available is the COVID-19 #socialdistancing takeout menu. N can’t remember what she ordered, and none of the takeouts quite capture the dish.

The fish was perfectly cooked and well seasoned with amazing sides.

Service

Friendly and attentive but not up in your grill.

Ambience

Reminded us of an old-school mansion, some large round family-style tables, roomy.

Spirited Beverages

Are accessible on their tableside tablet.

Recommendation

Yes La Quinta Cliffhouse is a destination eatery. Check it out, N&Kers!

Footnotes

¹We were tucking into our plates when this flashy dude walks into the restaurant with his mum and pops. K recognized him as Canadian magician Murray SawChuk, who has a residence in Vegas. (Of course we gave him a shout out on IG.)

Each 2 minute station alternates between 15 seconds of power & 15 seconds of speed. Stations might be Jab-and-Cross or Roundhouse Kicks. You start at level 1 then move up to 3.

Because of global COVID-19 precautions, 30-Minute HIT locations are closed.

However, this gym has an awesome workaround. They’ve created a complimentary 30-Minute HIT at Home for members!

Kells has been intermittently hitting it for over a decade. But over the past few years she’s been really consistent.

I tried hitting it for the 2018 fundraiser Kick the F*ck Of Cancer. It was my first time and I felt like puking after. I hadn’t felt that wretched in ages. I thought “Guess this isn’t your jam, missy.”

New Years promo

Initially…

I thought this would be great for a quick workout. In the days I want longer training, I’d have the option to go through 2x.

But believe me, you work your entire body hard. Both Kells & I are hot sweaty messes afterwards.

I still have not gone through the circuit 2x. But one of these days, I will.

And less than 2 months later

I feel stronger, energized, got some skills, endurance (I had to take multiple breaks per station in the beginning).

My waist is more defined. People have told me my shape is changing. I’m not doing it for looks… but it’s nice to get positive feedback.

If you’re up for a challenge, and this looks remotely interesting, call to get your free trial!

They have various locations with different tiers of service. The one we went to is self-service, self-ordering. We didn’t want anything fancy on our first night travelling in… so this was perfect.

Ambience reminded us of Vancouver’s Granville Island. Unassuming, knowledgable staff, licensed, casual seating, lofted ceilings.

I was craving seared scallops. When I ordered it, the staff said that this would burn the outside while leaving the inside dangerously raw. I usually eat seared scallops or sashimi-style so this was news to N (as well as K). Not sure if it was due to USA’s FDA guidelines¹? But I wasn’t going to argue.

I got the Hawaiian combo with salmon, jumbo shrimp and mahi mahi because it had a bit of everything. Kells got the Surf n Turf with lobster tail and steak. We also ordered a side of charbroiled² scallops. And of course a couple beers to wash it all down with.

The sides (rice pilaf, coleslaw) were nothing to write home about. The fish needed a bit more citrus but good. Shrimp was on this side of being rubbery. Scallops were okay. Lobster and steak were good.

Service

Was friendly. Food came out in a timely manner. (Staff bring orders out to tables.)

Cleanliness

Appeared fine.

Parking

This location was in a strip mall, so parking was a-plenty.

Recommendation

Not a destination eatery. But, if you’re in the area and hungry for a casual atmosphere… sure it’ll be fine.

Footnotes
¹food regulations differ by country. Click for more info: Canada’s Food Inspection Agency. USA Food & Agency .

It was our friend Cutie T’s first time in the PDX so we wanted to stay in a central area, park then walk everywhere. We chose Kimpton Hotel Monaco Portland

The entrance is magnificent

As you can see, the hotel’s entry is elegant from the outside and… magnificently opulent inside. It reminds us of old gallant hotels for the rich riches but not gaudy or tacky.

The staff and service

Everyone was warm and friendly. Check-in was fairly quick, as we were pre-paid.

As soon as we got to our room, the front desk texted us to say if we needed anything, just let them know. We needed extra pillows, blankets, a straightening iron, suggestions for a night out… and they got back to us!

To the room…

Elevator and walk to to the room was delightful.

… And beyond

This King Suite was sumptuous!

Seating areas

Yes lots of areas to park your sweet booty.

Bathroom

Large, airy, light. Shower, tub, lots of counterspace.

Sleeping areas

The king bed had a sliding door with a huge TV, dresser, comfy chair, night tables with lamps and plenty o’ plug ins. The bed was fabulous firm. I didn’t feel Kells move around at all. In the evenings, the three us snuggled up with snacks and the TV.

Cutie T preferred to sleep solo on the sofa bed. She had her own TV. Mattress looked a bit thin but Cutie T slept fine curled up in the mountain of blankets and pillows.

Lighting & Space

King bed had large windows with sheets and blackout curtains. There were some floor ceiling and table lamps. Seemed a bit dark in the foyer but who cares.

Room felt very airy, due to the vaulted ceilings.

In-room amenities

Mini bar, intimacy kits, snack items and room service are available for additional costs.

Included in-room are animal print robes, landline, basic drinking glasses, bar fridge, hair dryer & delicious toiletries. Other things available upon request (such as Keurig, tea, cutlery and coffee pods).

In-room entertainment

There were 2 TVs. TVs don’t have internet or bluetooth capabilities. There is cable with pay-per-view options.

Hotel amenities and entertainment

With resort fees, you can use the fitness room.

Coffee, tea, swanky hot chocolate in lobby in the mornings.

Wine, beer, amuse bouche are available every evening 5-7 pm for all hotel guests. They also have live music in the lobby.

Concierge service also available by text.

Transportation

Valet parking was included in our package. But we were close enough to walk everywhere downtown.

Recommendation

Yes we absolutely recommend it.

And of course we had to pop in to sample a bit of somethin’ somethin’ at the infamous Voodoo Donuts.

We got there around 9 pm. The lineup was only about 20 minutes. Warning that it can be as long as 2 hours. Since they’re open 24 hours, we suggest checking in on the lineups… and go later if it’s nutso.

We got:
-guava colada: kapow guava in centre and soft coconut donut surrounds.
-mango tango: yep it’s mango jelly and is fluffier.
-dirty old bastard: PB&C have joined forces, firmer texture like a fritter.
-portland cream: like the Boston cream but not custard. It was an indescribable flavour. We’d skip this.
-maple bacon: yep exactly like it sounds. This will be your jam if you enjoy maple syrup waffles with a side o’ pig strips.
-apple fritter: classic and a goodie.

K&I have healthy appetites. But one Voodoo donut could easily feed 2 or 3 folks.

Go check them out!

While in Palm Springs in October, K&I wanted a bit of dinner.

We wandered aimlessly for hours, parched and starved. And we finally came upon Castelli’s Italian Restaurant,

Read about our other Palm Springs adventures and reviews here

Ambience

We had no reservation and came at dinner time. We were seated outside the kitchen, but with a view of outside patio. This was a great vantage point for people-watching. Restaurant was dimly-lit restaurant. There was that comforting din of murmurs, cutlery clinking, busy-ery. Walls were decorated with pictures of crooners, The Godfather, other Italian ex-pats. There was also a piano player and singer. Our pony-tailed curliqued friend was really good!

Waitstaff

Efficient, pleasant but not too chit-chatty. They were incredibly observant. As they were leaving or coming back into the kitchen, various staff picked up our excess dishes, or offered cutlery. I love when people work as a team. This makes me feel supported, and like anyone on the team can (& will) help.

Our order

Starter: Crab-stuffed Mushrooms. These were good but not stellar. All dinners also come with garlic toast. This was toast-tastically flavourful, crispy. We had to get a second basket.

Nals’s dish: Risotti Con Funghi. Nals isn’t into shiitake but this dish wasn’t shiitty at all. Risotto was delightfully toothy. “Sauce” was creamy and just coated the rice for perfect separation and flavour. And the con funghi flavour was bang on!

Kells’s dish: Ravioli d’Aragosta: delicious vodka horgonzola cream sauce with 3 large freshly-made ravioli. These monster ravioli were filled with mega lobster. Good flavour contrast of sauce and filling.

Dessert: Chocolate Lava Cake a la mode. Moist, flavourful and rich. Worth every bite.

Recommendation is 100%

Hands down, no question: if you are in Palm Springs and want a delicious Italian dinner: you must go to Castelli’s.