This weekend was pretty eventfully with Valentines Day to start and Family Day to end the long weekend on. Therefore it was nice to have the luxurious 2025 Lincoln Aviator Reserve at our disposal. It certainly added to date night and the specialness of the occasion.
This is a stunning SUV to people watch in and be seen in. Longer and wider to seat six comfortably, in pairs between three rows. The interior is lush with chocolatey brown leather that reaches across the dash, around the doors and swallows each seat in plush comfort.
Despite its people moving ability, the front cabin feels more compact. The first row tight with less leg room and a closer position to the windshield. This allows for ample room for the second row.
The Aviator is the type of vehicle that you get driven in with just as much control over the music, climate, and settings from the second row, thanks to its own infotainment screen. There is even the option to optimize air quality control for the whole vehicle, and customize your climate with dedicated air vents and heated and cooling seats. You can even retract the moon roof covering and tilt open the sunroof above the first row.
Each second row seat is its own equipped with ergonomic arm rest with a centre console to share. A wide island with covered binning, cup holders, and even plastic coin compartments.
Similarly, the third row offers individual seating with no one in the middle. Fashioned with just as plush seats, but with less of the functionality and leg room.
The only thing you are missing is the possibility of a travelling massage, only available for the driver and front row passenger. Over five different massaging styles and focuses on specific area with three levels of strength. A nice to have, but certainly not curative with with surface level rolling and kneading. Although it did help me relax throughout my hip flexers.
The massage function is easy to find and turn on with its own button on the door. Located just above the electronic seat adjustment, a fine tuned experience. Head, body, lumbar, seat bottom, and each individual thigh pad left and right. All very thoughtful for extended driving bouts as the name “Aviator” suggests. What takes it a step further is the ability to raise the shoulder pads and the head rest forward, depth-wise, to be able to sit in a proper full upright position, offering ideal back support.
We liked the number of speakers and lights surrounding each would be passenger, offering a truly surround sound experience. And you can turn your drive into a concert with choice of ambient lighting.
Not necessary, but a notable feature is the red unlock system on the door frame as your squeeze the inside of the door hande to pop it open. Similarly to pop open the door and leave you use your thumb to push the button on the interior door handle. The door is fairly heavy and I wish there was a roof handle or roll out ledge to aid in climbing in and out of 2025 Aviator Reserve. It is on the cusp of being a little too large, and as a shorter person I struggled each climb in and dismount out.
The vehicle handles as dense and sturdy as it looks. The wheel felt heavy in our hands, although we were confident that if we would be struck by another car, the Avaitor would come out and skate. Just be mindful of any narrow or fast turns, the tail does whip out and can skid. However, to avoid this you can activate the slip tradition function.
There are also several premium drive modes to better suit your driving needs and experience. Each given very luxurious descriptions. “Excite” is for a “responsive and engaging drive”.“Conserve” is their eco-mode for “efficient driving”. Even the “Normal” mode was given a stylish rebrand, described as “effortless and balanced”. For slick, icy or loose surfaces there is the “Slippery” mode and “Deep Conditions” for deep snow and mud assist.
Even the windshield washers felt premium. The cleaning liquid shoots out of individual spouts located on the wiper itself. It dispenses leaving a pattern of uniform lines across the glass. This ensures a full surface swipe and clean, as elegantly as efficient.
And last, but not least, we found the 2025 Lincoln Aviator Reserve to have good mileage with over 500km in, rare for such a large vehicle.
For Valentines Day Friday we stayed in and had a mini spa day with our new line of skincare themed after popular Korean drama series “Squid Games”. This is in collaboration between the Netflix series and the brand Bring Green. Each product well themed after an element of the show, and a treat for fans who have followed the story through to the latest season. Full review of the skin care line to come in its own post. Faces refreshed and glowing we slept early to be able to address the long weekend ahead with our literal best faces forward.
To celebrate the Hallmark holiday of love my partner got us tickets to see comedian René Vaca. Known for his edgier jokes as he engages with his front row audience. We decided to make a night of it with a dinner before the show.
We started the night off at The Living Room, located in Hotel Belmount. Our favourite local Chef William Lew has taken over the kitchen and has rebuilt the menu in his style, so we had to give it a try. We were excited to have his Asian fusion influenced cuisine in a more accessibale and approachable setting. Definitely not his typical fine dining approach or feel, but something worth seeking out nonetheless. Our full experience of an amazing dinner will be in its own post to come.
After, we walked to the Commodore Ballroom for the comedy show. René Vaca is one of many performances arranged by Just for Laughs as part of its Vancouver festival. Full recap of the show now in its own post.
The next day the only time we went out was for dinner at Dinesty Robson. Known for their fast food style soup dumplings and authentic Shanghainese cuisine. All made approachable in a modern setting, inviting for Chinese and non-Asians alike. Full review of their Chinese New Year themed menu soon to come in its own post.
After dinner we walked to the nearby Lattea for a couple of bubble teas to enjoy now and a couple more to take home and store in the fridge for the next day. They are currently running a promotion for buy one get one 50% off, featuring their three new drinks so we took advantage. More details on this to come in a separate post.
The rest of the night was spent in our regular routine, playing videos games and catching up on our shared television shows.
On the Family Day holiday we took advantage of another clear day to take an adventurous drive out to Port Coquitlam. Here, to check out another Taste of the Tri-cities restaurant. This is the month long event offering promotions and reasons to visit and support local businesses in Port Moody, Coquitlam, and Port Coquitlam.
Located at the picturesque Westwood Plateau golf course is Jess’ Fine. We both have been here for a local wedding or two, but this is the first time we got to enjoy the restaurant located within the golf course for members, golfers, and visitors alike. All that we saw and ate to come on its own post.
