Wicsa7:StevesCulinaryRecommendations
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Welcome!
Vancouver is well known for its great cuisine and there are many fine restaurants all throughout the city. Yaletown is becoming world famous for some of its edgy a restaurants. That may be all very good if you’re on an expense account and can afford to pay $25 to $35 an entrée. But right now you are tired, hungry and just wanting to find a decent place to eat within reasonable walking distance. Possibly wondering, where might the locals go? Well, welcome to my neighborhood, officially known as Mount Pleasant. There are many great restaurants in within 5 blocks of the plaza. Some where you can get a great dinner for less than $10, others offer a close to fine dining experience for half the price you would pay in Yaletown. Most of the restaurants in the area are reasonably good, but this is a few of my favorites that you may also enjoy.
Oh by the way, sorry for the mess, seems the whole city is one big construction site at the moment.
Cheap Eats
If you walk three blocks north (north is toward the city and mountains) you will come to Broadway. Make a left and head west and for the next two to three blocks you will encounter numerous cheap family owned restaurants. Most are Asian cuisine, from Indian, to Vietnamese, to Chinese. A lot of place here where you can get a great noodle dish for well under $10.
| Curry Point | 514 W Broadway | Indian Buffet. Normally I avoid buffet style joints but this one serves some pretty tasty food and cheap. |
|---|---|---|
| Sha Lin Noodle House | 548 W Broadway | Chinese noodle house that features home made noodles, you can watch the chef make the noodles right there. Really great food, cheap. Often a line-up to get in. My favourite is #60. |
| Kim Penh Xe Lua | 540 W Broadway | Vietnamese Noodle house. A big filling bowl of Pho is about $7. I usually order #1. The more adventurous may order #7 |
Sushi
A really good Sushi restaurant is Shiro’s which is at Cambie and 15th. The little strip mall that it is located in looks like a bombed out shell because of the construction of the Canada line. To get to Shiro’s cross Cambie at 12th and walk south along the east side of Cambie until just before 15th. The restaurant is nothing to look at, but the Sushi is really good, and often packed. Shiro’s is closed on Mondays.
Another sushi joint is Tokyo John’s is just past 17th (south of the Plaza 500). The sushi here is not as good (in my opinion) as Shiro’s but is still quite good and less expensive.
For those of you looking for a quick fix, there are numerous small Sushi joints along Broadway. Just go to the corner of Cambie and Broadway, turn left and walk along. Many have pre-made sushi.
Pizza
Pizza is certainly not this area’s strong point with one exception, Flying Wedge at 19th and Cambie. Ok its more than a 5 block walk from the Plaza, but they do deliver. Phone 604 874 8284 for delivery.
Almost Fine Dining
Kalamata Greek Taverna great Greek food, reasonably priced. The outstanding roast lamb is about $15 and true to Greek hospitality you will not leave hungry. They are at 478 W Broadway (east of Cambie at Broadway and Yukon ) Kalamata is a little tricky to get to because of the construction of the Canada line, you will have to cross Broadway twice to cross cambie and head east.
Lighter Fare
Trixi’s Crepe and Coffeehaus serves really great Crepes and is located on Cambie and 17th. In their words “We specialize in Savoury and Sweet Crepes; and also serve soup, paninis, salad and a variety of sweet items, including a choice of ice creams. Trixi’s offers a small, cozy atmosphere with Italian Lavazza coffee and loose leaf teas. We’re open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Phone 604 709-6181. Check out our full menu at trixiscrepes.ca”
Organic Food
For those of you who prefer organic food, Caper’s community market is at 16th and Cambie (four blocks south of the Plaza). You can find organic fruits and vegetables, and also a variety of prepared ready to heat dishes made from organic ingredients. Capers is open until 10:00pm. Capers also serves organic coffee and has reasonably good muffins. I recommend either the power muffins or the raspberry oatmeal muffins.
Coffee
Vancouver is known for its coffee culture but not everyone serves good coffee. The usual fall back is Starbuck’s and there is a Starbuck’s across the street in the City Square mall, and another one at the corner of Broadway and Cambie. For those of you who think Starbuck’s is industrial swill and you are willing to walk a few blocks then there are some pretty good coffee shops in the area:
JJ Bean at 3010 Main Street (main and 14th – right across the street from the Starbucks at 14th and main). Cross east on Cambie and walk east about 7 blocks to Main street. I recommend you cut south to 14th as soon as you cross Cambie because it is no fun to walk along 12th. The walk is well worth it. Main street is a little “edgier” than Cambie and you may find some interesting second hand shops and independent retailers. JJ Bean has reasonably good coffee and a bit of a “techno art” crowd.
Edge Café 2450 Yukon Street, one block east of Cambie, and just north of Broadway. Good coffee, unfortunately not open for dinner but features a good breakfast.
Dim Sum
Not in the local area, but a great Vancouver experience not to be missed. Many restaurants serve Dim Sum but the Pink Pearl still uses the carts rather than handing you a menu. Located at
1132 E. Hastings St., Tel: 253-4316
Unless you are a marathon runner, you will probably want to drive or take transit to the Pink Pearl.
Entertainment
Not a lot of happening “spots” in this area but the Kino Flamencos Tapas Bar (3456 Cambie, head south on Cambie towards 19th) is worth a mention. Often featuring live jazz, Flamenco dancing, just an interesting place to chill. Food is standard bar food issue.
If you are really looking for a spot then Granville street downtown is Vancouver’s Entertainment district. Lots of dance clubs with lots of people trying to look like gang members (and a few authentic game members in the mix). I’m showing my age by saying most place play crappy recorded music far too loud (I have never understood the concept of going out to listen to recorded music). But there is one gem if you still like authentic music played by master blues musicians in a low key un pretentious atmosphere, the Yale Hotel. Visit http://theyale.ca/ Monday night is my favourite when its jam night with the house band.
If you are a jazz fan, then two places you may want to check out. Both are not really walking distance:
- Capone’s in Yaletown 1141 Hamilton (about a 30 minute power walk)
- The Cellar 3611 W. Broadway (definitely not walking distance)
