Doro Sips: Coffee Oysters Champagne
I found myself in Toronto in mid-October of last year for a work trip and after 3 days where I could not tell you where my workday ended and sleep started, we completed our client strategy workshop. It was a roaring success. Naturally, I took myself out to celebrate at 9pm and after a bit of wandering on King, found myself at Coffee Oysters Champagne, in Downtown Toronto, located at 214 King St W.
I am not an avid drinker but I can never turn down a glass of bubbly - mainly because I love what it represents: joy, celebration, and togetherness.
Join me for a few sips, a champagne tour, and a late night bite!
Doro Dines: Hydra Estiatorio Happy Hour (Buck a Shuck Oysters)
I woke up yesterday with the oddest craving at 7AM: freshly shucked raw oysters. In this economy, buck-a-shuck oysters are hard to come by, but are still around if you really search… luckily, Hydra and Ebisu are still around.
After work, I called up a friend who also happened to be Downtown and we decided that Hydra was the move based on proximity to our offices (#corporategirlies), buck-a-shuck, and the beautiful space. Hydra is a chic, two-level Mediterranean restaurant in the heart of Downtown Vancouver dishing up some of this city’s freshest raw and cooked seafood. Their happy hour runs from 3-6pm and is perfect for anyone who works a typical 9-5(ish).
If you haven’t been to Hydra yet, please do yourself a favour and add it to your list. And if you see a 5’2” corporate girl eating a dozen oysters like it’s nobody’s business, it’s probably my doppleganger…
Doro’s Holiday Gift Guide: For the Gals
Holiday season is just around the corner (like legitimately around the corner) and giving gifts is one of my love languages (in addition to ergonomic furniture, oat milk flat whites, quality time, “text me when you’re home safe,” and acts of service - let me stop before this turns into an extension of my Hinge profile), so I wanted to put together a gift guide for you all based on trends I’ve seen and as always, my personal experiences with products. This gift guide is for the amazing gals and women in your life, but may be appreciated by folks of all genders!
Truth be told, I’m not sure if this is a gift guide or an extension of my running wish list and favourites… no harm, no foul.
This list of holiday gift ideas is organized based on the level of your relationship with the human in your life, with 1 being an acquaintance and 10 being your significant other or a best friend. From almost lipstick to a beaded wristlet keychain to a mini diamond tennis bracelet, there’s something for everyone.
Doro’s Day Off: Recovery (Massage, Cruffin, & Shabu Shabu)
Last week, I poured 150% of myself into showing up for others and I forgot to show up for myself. Between my dad’s birthday dinner, sitting on a virtual panel, dinner with a friend, a day-long branding workshop, and having contractors at my apartment for 3 days straight, I was completely spent. Even my backup tank was empty.
I realized that I needed some self-love and quality solo-time this weekend, so I booked a body oil massage, treated myself to a cruffin, and indulged in some shabu shabu as a tried and true comfort food for a rainy Vancouver day.
Doro Dines: Osteria Savio Volpe
Savio Volpe is one of my favourite restaurants. It’s classic and homey, the vibes are unpretentious, and the service is impeccable.
Whenever I go to Savio Volpe, I struggle to order because my eyes are usually bigger than my stomach. Everything on the menu sounds delectable, from the beet salad to burrata to roasted chicken. A classic Cantonese saying is, “Eyes wide, stomach narrow,” which applies to every facet of my being.
I asked my server for suggestions on what to order and settled on a burrata to start, a ricotta tortelli as my main, and a scoop of pistachio gelato for dessert.
Every bite was perfection.
Vancouver: 3 Solo Date Ideas
Even the most extroverted of extroverts need some introvert time. I love a loud party with a 5 course meal, dancing, and getting dolled up with 50 other people, but also adore a day on my own at a coffee shop with a macaron, decaf oat milk flat white, and a novel.
What makes me happy? What do I like? How do I want to spend my free time?
These were things I asked myself in mid-2020, when I suddenly found myself with an influx of free time on my hands due to excessive vacation days that needed to be used up (thx COVID-19) and the conclusion of a long-term relationship. All of these activities that I would normally do with my ex-partner, like try a new restaurant, attend an event, or even binge watch a show on the couch, I now had to do either alone or with other friends.
Introducing: the solo date.
Read on for my solo date criteria and 3 solo date ideas that may inspire you as you plan your own date.
Doro’s Day Off: Solo Date (Pilates, Facial, & Coffee)
Summer is the perfect time for a solo date. You’re in great spirits, the sun is shining, your clients are out of office, and nothing can ruin your day. During the summer, my firm gives us an extra day off for each summer public holiday, which extends 3 day weekends into 4 day weekends.
I kicked off my BC Day weekend with a much-needed solo date featuring Lagree West, a laser facial at Plain Jane Skin Bar, coffee at Aperture Coffee Bar, and a bonus stop at Burgoo.