This weekend we had the 2024 Kia EV9 Land AWD. The unexpectedly fully electric SUV in the shell of a tank. Its bodywork of linear lines had it looking like folded origami, with large tires and wide wheel spokes. A full 7 seater with easy fold down second row and a pull and release strap for the third, thus allowing for generous storage.
When seated within it feels overly spacious, with plenty of head, leg, and overall room for each person. However it does not drive large, which was ideal as we kept our travels within the city and had the need to skirt traffic and seek out narrow street parking.
As for the way it handles, the Kia EV9 has great traction and powerful acceleration, we were surprised that we got so much rugged durability from its ion battery, yet it still offered the modern comforts expected of an EV.
I especially liked its stylish white matte fob design with matching key, and found the wrap around touch screen dash futuristic. The door handles retract when driving and protrude once unlocked. There is no moon roof, but large edge to edge windows and an infinity rear view mirror. A spacious centre arm rest with deep binning and a large compartment under it for your purse. Wireless charging mat and C-cable plug.
At over 450km with a full charge, we still found ourselves charging once mid week. However, 30 minutes gave us just under 40%, making it one of the faster charging EVs we have driven.
We finally gotten around to visiting La Cerveceria Astilleros, Chinatown. Their first location is the main brewery in North Vancouver. Their second here also hosts their beers on tap, but coupled with a more flushed out menu, thanks to the larger kitchen space.
We would grab a couple of flights and their most popular and new bites for an amazing lunch. I highly recommend them as a great spot for a Mexican cuisine, that is curated to perfectly pair with their beers. More about our experience to come in its own post.
Before heading out of Chinatown we stopped by Vegan Supply, an all plant-based grocery and connivence store with frozen food items and grab and go meals for some dinner and dessert later.
We were specifically looking for the new Nourish Kitchen bowls, located within Vegan Supply’s meals fridge, by their cash register, along side the juices. They officially launched last Friday and quickly sold out within the day.
Nourish will officially be debuting in Vancouver in the new year. Their goal is to provide food for all, despite dietary needs, focusing on wholesome ingredients prepared with global flavours. For example they never use white rice.
The Harvest Bowl with tofu includes roast chickpeas, miso cabbege, wild rice, mix greens, striped beets, sesame, and fried shallots. It is recommended that you heat the bowl up, but remove the salad portion before doing so. The flavour is all in the sauce and there is plenty of it to smother the rice, leafy greens, tofu and all. Not only adding flavour, but moisture, especially softening the rice. I appreciated the variety of textures in the vegetable mix to keep the eating interesting, and despite the smaller serving this was plenty to fill. A solid healthy option.
And for dessert we picked up some Oh Yas Goodies. Also available at Vegan Supply in either their bakery case or freezer section are these vegan and gluten-free churro doughnuts.
It is amazing how great these are considering that they are from frozen. Their cakey texture holds up well for a healthier sweet treat.
The next day we headed out to Fairmont Vancouver Airport for their Veuve Clicquot Popup experience. Held in their lounge space and given the Veuve Clicquot touch with furnishings and decor pieces in their ionic orange.
And I had the perfect bag for the occasion. Veuve Clicquot’s seasonal gift with purchase is now available at your local BCL and private liquor stores, and I picked up this collector’s item for myself.
Every year they release a unique bottle holder with bottle to entice purchases of their Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut. One year it was a mini refrigerator that held their bottle, I wanted that too, but couldn’t justify purchasing a prop with no purpose. This puffy jacket bottle holder was not only handsome, but easily doubled as side bag with clip-on strap.
I proudly wore this to our happy hour at Fairmont Airport. The drink menu has Veuve Clicquot by the glass or bottle, Veuve Clicquot cocktails, and small bites that compliment all the above. We would spend our time sipping and chatting, enjoying the luxe setting. Full review of this limited time only experience to come in its own review.
