Weekend Warriors: Any excuse for Champagne

I have always been the type of person to think that your birthday is just one day.  I mean, it's the DAY of your birth that's to be celebrated - not the weekend, week, or month.  It turns out that my friends are amazing and know how to make an entire week better than I could have ever anticipated.  Be forewarned: there are a lot of pictures and quite frankly a lot of them are of me.  It was my birthday and dammit these incredible people made me smile brighter than I have in years, and helped soften the blow of missing my family and besties at home.  

It started out when everyone had returned from our various Japanese summer vacations.  G had been in Ishigaki - a sub-tropical paradise where she had gone diving, been to a music festival on the beach, and been practically adopted by a beautiful Japanese family (we actually had a magnificent evening with a wonderful Japanese family in Osaka too, but more on that when I post about my last day in O-town).  We were supposed to meet after my friends finished up band practice but that ended early and I raced over to the loft to catch up with friends I had been missing an incredible amount even though I had been gone just a few days.  I know, I'm a sap. 

I mean, do my friends know me well, or what?  Wednesday night they had sparkling wine at the ready for midnight when I officially turned...well...the age I turned.  I think that this is the first birthday where I'm suddenly starting to feel older.  I'm not quite almost 30, but I'm not not almost 30 and quite frankly that's a little scary for me.  If this feeling could be shared I would tell everyone thinking about teaching abroad to do it and do it early and as young as you can.  I want to take advantage of all the opportunities being silver spoon-fed to me, but I also want to return to Canada and settle down before it's "too late".  Dear everyone older than me: it's advice time now - do I stay in Asia past 30?  How soon do your eggs truly start to nosedive ('cause I'm holding out as long as possible).  Dear potential suitors reading this: yes - we're all that nuts sometimes (and I bet you are too).  Even the most adventurous lady in your life still has those questioning moments of: "am I doing the right thing?".  I can't imagine ever regretting seeing the world, but I'm allergic to cats and being alone.  End rant.  Drop Mic.

Thankfully, I have these girls to keep me halfway sane (or who are at least on my level :P) and who are the soundtrack to my life by playing Far East Movement at every "poppin' bottles" moment, and who let me try to rap.  The videos are in the vault, ladies.

Thursday was my official birthday, and in addition to some beautiful cards from my students (one card from a particular favourite that includes the phrases: "Happy Your Birthday" - on the official card, not handwritten, "I love you", "I'm so so happy.  Don't lose your smile", and "I RESPECT YOU!") my colleague made some seaweed soup as it's supposed to bring you good health in the coming year.  I mean, how lucky am I already?  Hold onto your hats...it gets even better.

We had wanted to check out 88 Star Wars, the new spot in Hwamyeong.  Turns out it's a restaurant that didn't look all that frugal, so we headed over to our typical Buk-gu haunt: Monster Craft Brewing (we go there a lot so check it out here and here).  This place feels like the living room I've always wanted: there's our friendly owner/ chef who serves up cheap beer ($3 for a house pint) and the best chicken I have ever had.  I'm not kidding - I'm probably their #1 fan.

I had met up with G who BOUGHT ME A CAKE and then M and S joined up a bit later once we mentioned the venue switch.  

The chocolatiest of chocolate cakes was shared with 2 other tables who sang me happy birthday (Saeng-il-chuka-hamnida) and engaged in polite conversation (ie. the Korean men wanted to know how old I was.  I gave them my western age rather than Korean age because obviously).

  

Could life be any more decadent or wonderful?  Well yes, in fact...it turns out that beyond all my already exceeded expectations, it most certainly was!

Saturday G and I decided that rather than heading down to the beach or the pool we would get some housework and errands done and then treat ourselves to lunch.  We ordered a pasta and a salad to share because we were being both indulgent and heart-healthy.

Nope.  That's an absolute lie.  Our salad from Wicked Spoon was actually delicious chicken fingers with hard boiled egg, a little bit of iceberg lettuce, a TON of honey mustard sauce, and a garnish of 2 cherry tomatoes sliced in half.  I did not complain.  Our spicy cream pasta was less spice more cream but had a delightful array of peppers and bacon and I'm all about that life.

Then we found G's roof.  Some sweet rays and sun salutations later? Pure bliss...followed by The Office in air-conditioned comfort.

I'm so lucky to have friends from Masan to Daegu willing to come into Busan (and even Hwamyeong!) to visit.  My wonderful, hilarious gentlemen from the Air Force even brought me a little taste from home (Tito's Handmade Vodka) from the base.  We had some cocktails and pizza (and even a visit from adorable little Oscar, K's pup!) before heading back up to G's roof to watch the sunset.

Once darkness fell we all jumped into cabs and headed down to Gwangalli Beach for our very own Midnight Garden Party (literally it was so hot our group of 15 people had the place for ourselves!).  I'll leave you quite simply with some photos because the stories?  You just wouldn't believe 'em...

Three big nights, three "Happy Birthdays", two cakes and candles, and countless phenomenal friends celebrating my first birthday in Korea.

Thank you

xoxo

La Bella Citta Busan

Have you ever had a meal so fantastic from start to finish that you felt like a changed person?  After the most wonderful weekend checking out new corners of Busan, we were exhausted and disappointed upon discovery that the "Spanish Bistro" about which we had been wondering didn't actually serve food (El Secreto - but it does serve Sam Adams?).  I was covered in sand, blissed out from the sun, and ready for some international cuisine - decidedly not Korean.

When we turned the corner and happened upon what looked to be an enormous French Cafe and a secret garden, we knew we were in for something special.

Photos c/o La Bella Citta - Facebook

We meandered up the stairs and were hit with an absolutely stunning private event space.  Tired Kate took a horrible photo, and will most definitely be back for a special occasion to snap a better shot:

The sunset was approaching and we had been out in the sun with some wonderful new friends all day.  We were beat and just wanted a tasty meal before heading home.  No part of us expected to be treated to lemon/ carrot/ cucumber water and whole grain bread at the table.  Our table had a stunning view of Gwangalli Bridge and a quaint frame being on a side street.

  

The decor itself reminded me quite a bit of Soho House Toronto which I miss desperately.  

It appears they run what's called a "Midnight Party" every Friday and Saturday from 9 PM - 2 AM.  They offer sets of classic cocktails 3 for KRW 21,000 (and I'm not quite certain what you get for KRW 35,000 but there is something else on offer) designed by their delightful mixologist who worked up in Seoul with another bartender from the award-winning "Milk & Honey" (New York - Flatiron District).  

We decided to err on the safe side of what realistically is quite an expensive menu and order the Gorgonzola Gnocchi and the Pork and Stir-fried Vegetable Risotto.  The risotto is deconstructed would have been a wonderful dish of beautifully-cooked and seasoned pork, soy leaves, peppers, and fresh and crispy zucchini.  I wondered why there was cheese on the plate, and why white rice was used rather than an actual risotto.  I think if they changed the name on the dish I would have liked it more because it truly was well-composed.

The gnocchi, on the other hand, was absolutely life-changing.  Both my dining companion and I agreed that we could have indulged in several dishes of this decadent, smooth, rich cream sauce with just enough gorgonzola to have a bold taste, but not so much that it over-powered the delicate, melt in your mouth puffs of potato gnocchi.  It was quite salty, but again - just enough to require more wine, not enough to regret the seasoning.  The cheddar chip on top was incredible as well.  We wanted to order some bread and more sauce with which to enjoy the light and airy view after such a perfect day.

The owner popped over to ask us how we enjoyed our meals.  Talking for a bit we mentioned that we would certainly be back to try more of the Italian fare (there was a 1KG Steak on the menu for KRW 99,000, as well as some delicious-sounding pizzas for under KRW 20,000 so they really did have a variety of offerings).  We hadn't planned on drinking, but when offered a "service" beverage we could hardly say no.  We accepted gratefully and it was decided that we would get a surprise: the bartender's choice - a Caipirinha.

If you've ever had a Caipirinha you'll know that it's a Mojito kicked up and made for the cocktail connoisseur.  Made from Cachaça, a distilled spirit made from sugar cane juice, it's one of the most (if not the most) popular liquor in Brazil.  Billions of Liters of the spirit are made each year but only about 1% is actually distributed outside of the country, so I definitely did a double take when our bartender stated that it was made with the real stuff.  I had enjoyed Caipirinhas last in Trinity-Bellwoods park on a beautiful summer day while eating Nadege macarons and enjoying the fresh air and view of the CN tower.  The taste threw me back to that wonderful day, and while I chatted about the rest of the meticulous cocktail menu with the bartender my dining companion ended up knocking back quite a bit of the drink.  It was pretty clear that he loved it, and I wasn't altogether surprised when I got a text message about it on Monday asking about the ingredients (Cachaça, sugar, lime, ice).

I urge you to join me some Friday or Saturday night for a prix-fixe menu (5 dishes I believe for set prices of KRW 58,000 or KRW 68.000) with a late night garden party pop-up to follow.  I am certain it will be an evening you won't regret or forget.