Last night, I treated Ashleigh, our Executive Producers’ Assistant, to dinner. It was my way of saying “Thanks for everything you do.” and “Your hard work is greatly appreciated” and “This gets me out of having to give you a Christmas bonus this year.”. We ended up trying somewhere new: Calabash Bistro, a Caribbean restaurant located in one of Vancouver’s skeevier neighborhoods (and not just because Ashleigh lives in the area). After parking my car and quietly praying it would still be there when I got back, I negotiated the maze of local flavor to finally find the restaurant.
It’s a laid-back place with a nice island feel, a friendly staff and some deliciously lethal selections on their tropical drink menu (I had the Tek Out!: Appleton VX, Cointreau, tamarind syrup, early grey tea, and fresh orange and chocolate fudge molasses).
- Ashleigh’s “Let’s forget I was ten minutes late” smile.
We decided to go with a variety of starters –
- Fried Coconut Dumplings: We were served these even though we didn’t order them. We told our server who shrugged and informed us we could have them anyway. They were excellent.
- Veggie Pattie. Damn, was this good too. I’m sure the beef version is even better.
- Jerk Poutine. The most intriguing offering. Unfortunately, I wasn’t crazy about the brie/jerk combo and the cheese wasn’t fully melted. They also offer a curry version I’d be perfectly happy to try next time in.
Once we’d finished our appies, our server came by and asked if we wanted anything else. As a matter of fact we did: our main courses. He seemed to remember placing the order and assured us he had not forgotten, although the ensuing lengthy wait suggested otherwise.
We skipped dessert and headed out. I didn’t feel right letting Ashleigh walk home alone (since I wasn’t completely sure she had finished sending out my office mail), so I offered to give her a lift. On our way back to the car, one helpful fellow standing on a street corner shouted out directions to the nearest soup kitchen. I thanked him and was moving on when, suddenly, his gaze narrowed and he pointed an accusing finger at me. “You’re not one of us!”he yelled. I felt like Donald Sutherland in Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Run! RUUUUN!
“That has never happened to me,”said Ashleigh as we got into the car.
“Of course not,”I told her. “Look at the way you’re dressed.”
Anyway, we had a very nice time (well, I had a nice time so I can only assume she did too) and I would definitely go back for the oxtail.
With the Stargate: Universe second season premiere less than a month away, I got the ball rolling on an in-house produced trailer that, hopefully, will be released in the coming weeks. I’ll be swinging by post tomorrow to chat with Steve about what I’d like to see – in short, I want a trailer packed full of Holy Shit! moments. And I’ve got plenty in mind.
While we’re on the subject of Holy Shit! moments, here’s a little something James Robbins in the Art Department has been working on…
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