Fashion Forward Friend: “Hipsters? Well Hipsters are the people who are hung over from partying the night before at the Waldorf Hotel”

Me: ” I was at the Waldorf a few weeks ago…wait a sec…hey!”

I wouldn’t classify myself as a hipster; technically, I actually didn’t really know what defines a hipster, so Jenn and I took to a source just as valid as wikipedia…urban dictionary

Hipsters are a subculture of men and women typically in their 20′s and 30′s that value independent thinking, counter-culture, progressive politics, an appreciation of art and indie-rock, creativity, intelligence, and witty banter.…Hipsters reject the culturally-ignorant attitudes of mainstream consumers, and are often be seen wearing vintage and thrift store inspired fashions, tight-fitting jeans, old-school sneakers, and sometimes thick rimmed glasses.

The Waldorf describes itself as a creative compound where contemporary art, music, food and culture convene under one roof. Hm..sounds about right with urban dictionary.  Maybe Fashion Forward Friend has got it pegged.

Ah, ok, so I do wear thick rimmed glasses and I do appreciate independent thinking, art and music.  It also doesn’t help that I have a degree in Communication which encourages critical thinking and the careful analyzing of subcultures.  Ironically, I think Communication students are a subculture in itself.  But I still don’t think I’m a hipster.  And if you cyberspace friends ever meet me, I’d like to think that you would agree with me.

Anyhoo, enough of that…before I bore anyone with my not so witty banter, let’s get on it.

We went to the Waldorf to check out Nuba cafe, a Lebanese Restaurant, to celebrate Jenn’s birthday.  Lebanese food, like many other ethnic foods from the Mediterranean, is meant to be shared.  So we ordered…Le Grand Feast ($45).   The description reads a choice of 3 proteins or veggies good enough to feed two people. But don’t let that fool you…there’s way more included and it definitely fed three, very hungry girls.

Right side – Hummus, organic chickpeas blended with garlic, lemon & tahini.
On the Left – Baba Ghanooj, creamy roasted eggplant puree with citrus & tahini.  On the Side – Taboulleh, hand chopped parsley, tomatoes, green onions, & burghul in a lemon-mint dressing.  Served with pita and pickled cabbage.

Crispy cauliflower tossed with lemon & sea salt, served with tahini

Fattoush Salad – Organic greens, tomato, cucumber, carrot, green onion with a garlic-lemon-sumac dressing, & pita chips.

Our three protein choices: Fresh tiger prawns with spicy garlic oil, Market fish salmon with garlic oil, sumac and Fraser Valley sirloin beef tenderloin with pomegranate reduction & crispy onions served with a potato and feta cheese terrine.

Le Grand Feast indeed!

Happy Birthday Jenn!

Nuba (Waldorf Hotel) – 1489 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC, www.waldorfhotel.com/nuba