Friday, April 6, 2012

Adorabelle rejuvenates Steveston Courthouse with tea room and gift shop



Although Steveston is mostly associated with seafood, sometimes you feel like having something other than great fish & chips.

And even those who consider themselves devoted to casual dining must, at times, crave for something a little more formal?

So, when I heard of Adorabelle and the promise of a fine pot of tea and dainties, I decided to take a look at this new addition to Steveston's growing string of culinary pearls.

White and pink pearls, as it turned out.

Located in historical Steveston Courthouse, Adorabelle beckons you from behind a neat picket fence. One window welcomes you while the opposite one bids you farewell. What a creative way to mark the "entrance'' and "exit" doors, I thought.

Once you step in, you are greeted with a charming interior that evokes a sense of gentility with glimpses of the Eiffel Tower, pretty trinkets and cards, and tables and chairs in soft pink and white. And Cathy - in her frilly apron and warm welcoming smile - just seems to complete the picture.

Adorabelle offers four one-hour sittings, from Wednesday to Sunday, where you can partake in a dainty feast of tea sandwiches, baked scones, and petite sweets - served with a heartwarming pot of loose leaf tea. What a refreshing way to celebrate life's special moments - right in the heart of our village.

So, call ahead to make your reservation. Then dust off your floppy hat, pull on those gloves, and head on down to Adorabelle.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

From Steveston to Storybrooke - our neighbourhood gets a makeover

Everyone knows that since the start of the filming of Once Upon a Time, our own Romania Country Bread has been sporting a new name - Storybrooke Country Bread. With lovely loaves painted underneath the curvy and swirly text.

Here's what it used to look like



And here's what it looks like now - at least temporarily.



Remember Cannery Cafe? With its charmingly rustic exterior, brown planters, and cozy windows?



Look at how lush and green it has become as Granny's Diner.



And don't forget Serenity, with its array of jewelry, purses, and gadgets jostling for position in its front window



In Storybrooke, Modern Fashions caters to the couture-conscious.



These are just some of my favourite pre- and post- images. Enjoy!

Friday, March 16, 2012

Once Upon a Time in Steveston

Are you swept up in the excitement generated by the TV series Once Upon a Time?

I admit it. I enjoy sitting on my sofa and spotting all the familiar scenes as they parade across the screen. Like a child on Disneyland's Main Street USA, I find myself pointing out a street corner here and a shop there, with widened eyes and unbridled delight.

On a few occasions, when shooting was in progress, I felt minor annoyance as traffic officers waved my car off Moncton Street. But, I suppose that's the price we pay for having our stomping ground under Hollywood's glamorous spotlight. And the inconvenience is well worth it when you realize that weeks, perhaps months later, glimpses of your 'hood will be broadcast internationally through billions of flat screen TVs and , may be, even handheld devices.

And the production company has been more than accommodating to casual passersby, never barring us from getting too close to the crew and their tangle of equipment. Sometimes those posted as sentries on the sidewalks would ask us to pause until someone of authority would clear the pavement for foot traffic. I often wonder what they would do if I were to suddenly give a loud cough in the middle of a movie shoot.

It's really quite amazing how they can transform Steveston to Storybrooke by sprucing up some of the local stores and buildings. Which gave me an idea...

Given that I have been capturing Steveston's historical buildings and landmarks for close to two years now, why not start a Storybrooke line, featuring - ta da! - the TV version of our familiar haunts.

In this post, I will show images that are unique to the show itself, such as:



Mr. Gold - considering how much gold is worth today, he would be the richest man in Storybrooke. OK, second only to King Midas.



Worthington's Haberdashery - offering a whiff of nostalgia. I bet only those who had lived through a more genteel era would know what a haberdasher is.

And...



Storybrooke pets shelter - a place that would be dear to animal-loving Stevestonites - which is just about everyone I know.

In the next post, I will show familiar buildings and landmarks as they appear in Steveston and in Storybrooke. You can compare how the TV production professionals have transformed our little corner of the world into a fairy tale world. Stay tuned!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

It's a doggie dog world in Steveston


It’s not Paris but dogs are obviously very near and dear to the Stevestonite heart.

Just take a walkabout on a sunny day and your legs might get tangled up in a leash or two.



A short jaunt past the waterfront restaurants and you risk kicking stainless steel water dishes and even a doggie biscuit.

And guess what’s the most popular ice breaker when two dog walkers come head to head on the street?



I don’t know how many canines call Steveston home and the ratio of owners to dogs, but a friend hires herself out as a pet boarder and care-giver. Let’s just say that if she were to strike the word “no” from her vocabulary, she would spend her days – and evenings – jogging beside, tripping over, and having her shoulders pulled out of their sockets by a convoy of canines. Or even by one solitary pooch. There is no shortage of clients, it seems.

For those of you who are ailurophiles, take heart. Steveston is not an exclusive bark community. Now and then, you can see a furry face with whiskers atwitchin' in a window.



Or see a bushy striped tail brushing past someone’s flowerbed. But cats prefer to preserve their dignity by keeping a low profile.

I often bemoan the fact that mine refuses to walk beside me on a leash, peek out of a pet tote, ponder the road ahead from a bicycle basket, or just press itself next to my ankles while I read a book in an outdoor café.

Instead, he prefers his own company. In fact, his favourite indoor activity is to perch himself atop his favourite stool and spy on Mr. Crow or Mr. Squirrel on our front lawn - while his whiskers tremble and his tail swishes back and forth.