I still haven’t sorted how to coax my most recent iPhone photos into the Blogger platform via my new MacBook Air, so I’m using BlogGo on the iPhone itself to post this. Ah, learning curves! I’m planning to hit up an Apple Store soon with a little list…
Meanwhile, though, having shared our recent discovery of a good place to eat Korean food in Vancouver, I thought you might also like to know of a yummy option for vegetarian meals of a Mexican persuasion, Bandidas on Commercial Drive (vancouverites of a certain demographic tend to call it simply “the Drive”)
Our Christmas gift from our eldest and her family was Brunch and a Panto, and what a treat it was! Isn’t one of the best things about adult children the way they expose you to new experiences, new ideas, new culture? The Christmas pantomime tradition, of course, was one we’d introduced our kids to when they were younger, but we hadn’t been for years. Such fun to be introduced to an even cheekier, much more contemporary version–and check out a new-to-us restaurant as well.
There was some amusement as “the kids” broke the news to the patriarch that the restaurant was vegetarian; there would be no bacon or sausage with his eggs that morning…
But a quick scan of the menu showed what little hardship that meant…
I chose the Breakfast Tortilla Soup, and you can see why I had no reason for regret…
He ordered an omelette, and you can see what a healthy start that made to his day! And tasty as well! We’ll definitely go back here, although we may wait for a warmer day. It’s a busy place, and the freezing weather kept wandering in the door with each new patron…
Well fortified, we headed off to the York Theatre, a 20-minute walk down the Drive, for a rousing production of
If you don’t know this British tradition of the pantomime, you must check it out at first opportunity, probably next holiday season. Generally, a well-known story, generally a children’s folk or fairy tale, is acted out with rather vaudevillian flair. The audience is instructed to participate by yelling warnings to the good guys, hissing at the bad, answering rote questions with rote answers…and both children and accompanying adults get very caught up in the fun. Campy cross-dressing is always part of the action, and there are always sly sexual innuendos that go fairly safely over the children’s heads as do the references to local politics, so there’s ample amusement for adults in the script as well. I’ve never been to a panto, though, that made such brilliant use of pop music to create a dazzlingly infectious mood.
So! Much! fun!
And we’re I not trying to write this on my iPhone, I’d tell you more. But honestly, I’m afraid this post could disappear on me at any moment, and I haven’t yet shared What I Wore. Keep in mind that I don’t get many ops for dress-up, and I’ve been hankering to get this pleated, pocketed, midi-skirt out of the closet ever since I noticed how many versions of it featured in Paris windows this past fall. I’ve had it for five or six years now, and still love it. I toned it down with a plain black turtleneck and black Oxfords, which is about as toned down as it can go. And I know, it’s still not quiet. Fun though, and sumptuous. (for a gorgeous example of how to wear a wide, midi, dramatic skirt as nearly everyday wear, check out this post
The fabric is so delicious, machine-worked brocade-ish, appliquéd-ish, hard to describe
And my guy let me snap a bit of what he wore…
Overcoat, raw denim jeans Bought at Still Life on Main in Vancouver, to which he was introduced by the same son-in-law who took us to Brunch-and-Panto, and well-worn Blundstones.
And he humoured me by wearing an orange cashmere sweater I gave him a few Christmasses ago (he’s really not a guy who believes any bright colour is “the new neutral,” and yes, I did know that at the time). The silk scarf was also a past Christmas gift from me…
And now, with some trepidation I will click “publish” and hope the last hour hasn’t been for nought. Comments very welcome. Have you ever been to a holiday panto? Do you know the tradition? And what of vegetarian restaurants? Any excellent ones near you? Or do you prefer finding vegetarian options at more mainstream places? And tell me, did you enjoy the chance to strut some outfit a bit bolder than usual just because you wanted to and the festive season gave you an excuse?
Oh, and as I click “publish” I’ll tell you that it’s snowed steadily the whole time I’ve been writing. . .
Frances,I like the combination very,very much! It suits you great,your skirt is beautiful and black turtleneck and tights are just right IMO. I wear my silk skirt(s) the same way and love it like that for the winter. Not overdressed,looking fab! And your date looks good!
It is wonderful that we have raised our children to be kind and generous!
I've been to different kinds of cabaret and vaudeville (did I get right the type?), but never to a holliday panto and didn't know the tradition. Very interesting!
Vegetarian and macrobiotic restaurant are great,I like them very much (I was actually on macrobiotic diet for couple of years,but it was long ago ) but rarely find the company for them, so if I want to choose vegetarian dish it is more often in "ordinary" restaurants
Beautiful gastronomic and fashion start in 2016 for you!
Dottoressa
Thanks, Dottoressa. The holiday panto is a very British tradition, and we Canadians do tend to celebrate our Brit roots!
I love that skirt Frances. I'm a big fan of full skirts with a simple turtleneck or cowl neck sweater worn untucked. Great with brogues like you're doing or with high boots. I've never been to a "panto", although I've read about them in novels set in Britain. Sounds like fun. You have inspired me (last post) to look for a Korean restaurant here in Ottawa, and hit up my foodie friend to accompany me. Re: colour and men. Stu hates new clothes of any sort, and so I have to be judicious when buying stuff for him. I laugh when I think of the pink shirt and grey and burgundy tie I bought him to go to friend's wedding, and his reluctance to wear pink. Then when we were at the wedding another friend told me her husband was greatly relieved when he saw Stu's shirt since she had bought her man a purple-ish one and made him wear it. When I told Stu he smiled and said how he was in the way of becoming an agent of change in men's fashion. Ha! I wish.
Thanks, Sue. I suspect there must be Holiday Pantos in your neck of the woods as well. Ross Petty has worked hard to revive the tradition here in Canada (I think he's just retired after 20 years of productions — we saw one years ago in which his wife, Karen Kain, was a big draw).
I suspect Paul and Stu would get along . . . both agents of change in men's fashion 😉
I really like that skirt and it fits in so well with your rug. I have not been to a pantomime for years. Your breakfast looks very Mexican and healthy. Your date looks pretty good too!
Thanks! Always good to have a skirt that matches the rug! 😉
Paul will appreciate the kind words. . .
The bits of menu visible, along with your plates, make compelling reasons to try out the restaurant, vegetarian or not.
Your night out at the panto sounds fun and you both look ready for a night out.
I'm jealous of the snow. Our Vancouver based daughter let us know when it was coming down. I'm still hopeful for here.
Exactly! Vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike would find much to like on that menu.
We ended up with a decent skiff of snow here yesterday. I'd be happy, honestly, if that was it for the season, but it's good to have a decent snowpack on the mountains for next summer. . .
OK, your taqueria photos are killing me. It's been too long since I've had really good Mexican food.
That skirt is fabulous! The other toned down elements of your ensemble highlight it perfectly.
Yes, I'm guessing Alaska doesn't feature too much good Mexican food — I can only imagine how expensive the ingredients would be there!
Such a fit and stylish couple.
I admit I'd be missing carnitas myself!
Thanks, Lisa. We often think back to those delish carnitas you introduced us to . . .
So interested to hear that panto, this very British art form, has reached North America! We took our 4 year-old granddaughter to the local Cinderella this year – a really good-natured production with all the traditional shouting and slightly risque jokes, but nothing offensive which works so well with such a wide age range. She loved it and was shouting and singing along with gusto! I remember taking some temporary American neighbours to a previous year's panto and although they were somewhat bewildered at the start, they soon joined in the fun.
Elizabeth
I see Duchesse has already answered you, Elizabeth.
Isn't it fun, going to the panto with a little one? I love that it's entertaining for both child and adult on different levels. I'm already looking forward to next year's.
@ Elizabeth: Part of the Commonwealth, Canada retains many British traditions, definitely more than the US does.
I have always liked that vibrant skirt and especially enjoy it 'dressed down'. We live across the street from a tiny Salvadorean resto that makes this kind of breakfast- absolutely addicting.
Oooh, what a treasure to have across the street. I want a neighbourhood with such amenities…
Love the pattern in the skirt…very versatile and easy to dress up or down.
You are looking great mater!
Thanks, L!
I love your skirt! And I am so pleased you love panto. It is a real life force.
Thanks, Elizabeth! I love it as well. And I do love panto — you're absolutely right that it is, somehow, a real life force. Something very "carnavelsque" or Rabelaisian about it. No worries about political correctness and it smashes through gender boundaries (and race and class, for that matter) with hilarity and abandon. Belly laughing together is the best!
Love that skirt on you, the way you've styled it. Looks like it was a fabulous day all around.
Thanks, Mardel! It was fun!
Love the hair! And btw, you should be able to plug your phone into your computer and you'll get a prompt to remove the photos. If it doesn't come up, just go into the photo icon and it should be straight forward.
Thanks! It's taking a while to get the hair to where I want, but I'm not minding this short phase for a change, and other than some highlights, it's my own colour now. . . interesting to get reacquainted with what that is.
Thanks re the Mac tip — I spent a helpful fifteen minutes with a (young, natch!) fellow at the Apple store yesterday. Getting there . . . 😉