Things to do in Vancouver
 

Going for a week for some mtts, interested in suggestions on where to eat and entertain myself when not playing poker up there. Everything I hear is positive but not very specific, so help me out here.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

Some good places to eat on Robson street, I was only there for 2 nights so I can't really help you with specifics, but ask the locals, they're more than happy to point you to some good yet hard to find places.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

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Some good places to eat on Robson street

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Water street cafe was really good.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

OMG PIZZA SLICES FOR ONE DOLLAR CANADIAN ALL UP AND DOWN GRANVILLE

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

I enjoyed Joe Forte's (seafood). I think its on Robson near everything else.

There's a sky deck down near the water that was cool.

Capsilano (sp?) Bridge was crowded, touristy, and cheesy.

A nice easy walk is around the Convention Center (I think its called Canada Place). There are placards with cool information about the harbor and its history as you walk. Its near the sky deck, so these two can be done together.

Don't go to a BC Lions game. They have to pump air into the stadium to keep the roof up, and its a sauna in there. Not enough fans to create any energy either. Is the Metrodome always hot? I think they have the same roof.

And be careful taking cash across the boarder if you drive. 2 of us had 12k USD between us last year, and were held up an hour with lots of questions. They asked us point blank from the little booth how much cash we had, which made lying seem like a bad idea.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

-walk robson for people watching.
-take the grouse mtn gondola up to the top, and take in the view.
-lynn canyon park (like capilano bridge, only free and much much much better.
smoke marijuana in the hemp cafe on hastings and cambie.
-clubbing on granville st.
and last but not least, stroll main and hastings @ 1am on a saturday night.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

Best sushi restaurant on the planet, Tojos. Sit at the bar. Don't order, let them serve you whatever they want. He will ask you if you have any allergies, if there is anything you can't stomach(sea urchin for some) and then it begins; one of the best meals you'll ever have.

IMO better than the three places I have been in Tokyo, better than anything in Manhattan or Vegas.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

I was in the Vancouver ER less then 2 weeks ago. I can highly recommend it.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

Go to Lumiere and let me know. I am going for my birthday in a couple weeks and I'm not sure what to expect.

I haven't been to Joe Forte's either, but it was recommended to me by a chef friend. It's kind of a chophouse atmosphere which I know is very popular on 2p2, so you're likely to be pleased.

You should certainly visit the Vancouver Aquarium. It's a world class aquarium and shows a lot of great wildlife. It's in Stanley Park, which is itself a destination. It was devastated by a windstorm late last year, but most of the park is still open.

The Vancouver Art Gallery is impressive for a Canadian collection. Depending on where you are from and what your interests are it could be either amazing or dreary.

You can make all the sexually frustrated nerds in BBV go crazy living vicariously through you if you visit Wreck Beach.

If none of these catch your fancy the Tourism Vancouver site is an excellent resource that has plenty of great suggestions on what to do there.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

Part of my job here in Vancouver is to check out new restaurants and see what is good and what isn't, so i'll recommend you some places to eat:

Lumiere's is great. It will cost you, but it's world class cuisine. West Restaurant is another superb high end restaurant. As is The Pear Tree, but it's out in Burnaby.

I can recommend Tojo's as well. I've been there dozens of times... Letting Tojo make your meal is the way to go... but if you don't want that make sure to order Tojo's Tuna. It's life changing.

Other restaurants I can recommend: Gastropod and Fuel (right beside eachother on 4th Ave (at Cypress)). Very good and I would say underpriced. The chef at Gastropod used to work at The Fat Duck in England while the Chef at Fuel worked at French Laundry in California.

Il Giardino is great for Italian, while The Sandbar on Grandville Island (which you should go anyway) is great for Seafood. Blue Water Cafe and raw bar has superb sushi (I would say second to Tojo's in the city) as well as other non Japanese cuisine.

Although I haven't eaten there, i've heard nothing but good things from the Italian restaurant at the RiverRock Casino. I can't even remember what it's called... it starts with a T though.

Other people have recommened Joe Fortes. It's a long time favourite.. great oysters.

For entertainment: Check out who playing in town. We have some great shows coming in this month. If you can catch a show at The Commodore, I highly recommend you do that.

People have mentioned Robson Street for people watching. While there are a couple of cool shops on Robson (El Kartel to name one), it's mostly just for shopping for stuff like Tommy Hilfiger and Levie's. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just is what it is. For food on Robson: Try TapasTree at the far west end (at Denman) or Hapa Izakaya (near Jervis). Joe Fortes is there too, and has already been mentioned. If you want to sit and actually watch people who are more entertaining, head over to Commercial Drive (our version of Little Italy, only it got caught up in the Hippie Era), grab a espresso and watch it all fly by.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

Check out Guu on Robson street. It's an Izakaya - think japanese tapas. Awesome fun atmosphere and some of the best food I've ever had. There's usually a wait to get in, but you can get on the list and they will call your cell when you're up, so just plan to get there a little early and hit up a bar while you wait.

Also, down the street from there is Kintaro, a really awesome Ramen shop. It's great hangover or pre-drinking food.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

Japanese Food - Aki Sushi on Thurlow 1 Block from Robson
Thai/Malaysian - Tropika on Robson
Belgian Beers - Stella's on Commercial Drive

What kind of music do you like? http://clubzone.com has all of the club nights posted.

I second the Guu recommendation.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

I'll be there later this month and all I want to know is which place has the best dim sum.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

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I'll be there later this month and all I want to know is which place has the best dim sum.

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There are heaps of Dim Sum places in Vancouver, but these two definitley stand out among the rest: Imperial Sun Sui Wah

I personal like Imperial better, but it costs a fair amount more.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

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I'll be there later this month and all I want to know is which place has the best dim sum.

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QFT

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

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Japanese Food - Aki Sushi on Thurlow 1 Block from Robson
Thai/Malaysian - Tropika on Robson
Belgian Beers - Stella's on Commercial Drive

What kind of music do you like? http://clubzone.com has all of the club nights posted.

I second the Guu recommendation.

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I think if you want a Belgian Beer you should go to Chambar on Beatty. They might not have quite as many beer's as Stellas, but they're food is way better IMO. One of the cities best, actually.

For Thai downtown, go to Urban Thai Bistro in Yaletown. Sala Thai used to be good, but it's been slipping of late.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

for thai, got to sawasdee on main and 30th ish area.
best thai in the city.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

get disinvited from a wedding

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

I forgot about the aquarium. Went there too, but only spent 20 minutes or so. Children everywhere. Could hardly walk.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

If you like Indian food, the best in town (and best i've ever had anywhere) is at 11th and Granville. Vig's. Order the lamb popsicle sticks.

Get there early. They don't take reservations and there is always a line.

Tuco.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

tuco, that has some serious potential. all, good work thus far.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

What tourneys are you entering?

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

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If you like Indian food, the best in town (and best i've ever had anywhere) is at 11th and Granville. Vig's. Order the lamb popsicle sticks.

Get there early. They don't take reservations and there is always a line.

Tuco.

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Good call. I forgot about Vig's... it's unreal.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

Somethings I haven't seen mentioned (i might have missed it though...)

Granville island, Kits beach, Shabusen restaurant (all you can eat sushi and korean bbq...mmm), umm...plush if you're into clubbing probably. Heading up to a local mountain was suggested, and I'll reiterate it. If you're into hiking, do the grouse grind (or you can gondola up...but where's the fun in that?)

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

Can't wait for Passport Canada to hurry up so I can finally move to Vancouver.

Also, since I am moving there, which area would you guys recommend for actually living in? I want to be close to the scene but I remember there were areas that people warned to stay away from.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

if I could afford it, I would stay in Kitsilano. Hands down it's the best part of Vancouver imo (especially if you're fairly young). Yale Town is also a nice area, but kits is pretty much my dream location :P

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

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if I could afford it, I would stay in Kitsilano. Hands down it's the best part of Vancouver imo (especially if you're fairly young). Yale Town is also a nice area, but kits is pretty much my dream location :P

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I disagree with this. While kit's is beautiful, I don't think it's nearly the best place to live in Vancouver... especially if you're young. I lived there for a long time, but if you're young I would suggest: Yaletown, Mt. Pleasant (my choice), and parts of GasTown are coming along nicely as well.... although lots of it is a tourist trap. The West End is good, but you're always downtown then and it can get a little much. I personally like the area around Commercial Drive, but I understand it wouldn't be for everybody.

Truthfully, Vancouver is an amazingly safe city. Even the "bad parts" like the Downtown East Side are so safe when compared to other major cities, its laughable the kind of press it gets. Yes, there are a huge amount of drug addicts in the area, but when it comes to personal safety, I feel no stress or anything like that walking down there by myself in the middle of the night. Some parts of the suburbs are way, way worse.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

Cancuk,

I entirely agree with your comments on Vancouver neighbourhoods. I guess it just depends on personal preference. I now live in Strathcona (downtown eastside) and love it.

As for restaurants, I'll second any of the Guu restaurants, and I'll add:

Phnom Penh (Cambodian/Vietnamese Food)
Chinatown (one of the few places I'd recommend in Chinatown)
244 E Georgia St, Vancouver
Tel: 604 682-5777
- Try the butter beef, garlic lemon sqid, Cambodian style beef meat ball soup...it's all good.

Dim Sum
-In downtown Vancouver, my choice would probably be Kirin.
102-1166 Alberni Street (604) 682-8833

If you have the time, here is a great egullet thread on Chinese and Dim Sum in Vancouver/Richmond:
http://tinyurl.com/39me84

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

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Cancuk,

I entirely agree with your comments on Vancouver neighbourhoods. I guess it just depends on personal preference. I now live in Strathcona (downtown eastside) and love it.

As for restaurants, I'll second any of the Guu restaurants, and I'll add:

Phnom Penh (Cambodian/Vietnamese Food)
Chinatown (one of the few places I'd recommend in Chinatown)
244 E Georgia St, Vancouver
Tel: 604 682-5777
- Try the butter beef, garlic lemon sqid, Cambodian style beef meat ball soup...it's all good.


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Phnom Penh is one of my all time favourite cheap eats. I just ate their a couple of days ago. Sooo good. I totally second your opinion.. especially the butter beef. But I don't think PP is a place that a visitor to Vancouver would want to go. It's more of a hole in the wall place. If we were talking about these kind of places as well, I would add:

House of Dosa's on Kingsway and Clark.
East is East in Kit's
Hun's

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

Granville Island is a must.
its perfect date destination. go to the food market, get some yummy take out food and go to the dock area and take in some of the performances and the nice scenery.
then take a walk to some of the interesting shops in the area, then walk through the park area.

about the dangers of the main and hastings area: this place imo is not really dangerous at all to outsiders.
its sad seeing the people down here, but they wont really mess with you if you're just passing through. just ignore people if they try to talk to you down there. nothing good will ever come out of it.
places to be careful are surrey central skytrain, and some of the stations in S.Burnaby.
there have been many assaults recorded there lately.

I live on the fringes of the downtown core on seymour st. Its a good area because its so central to everything, and you wont get stuck in traffic trying to drive somewhere like you would living farther downtown.
commercial is another great area, as its less then 10 minutes from downtown by train, and the rent is pretty cheap.
N.Burnaby is nice too if you want to live in the suburbs.
very safe area, and very central to everything with lots of parks and great shops.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

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if I could afford it, I would stay in Kitsilano. Hands down it's the best part of Vancouver imo (especially if you're fairly young). Yale Town is also a nice area, but kits is pretty much my dream location :P

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I disagree with this. While kit's is beautiful, I don't think it's nearly the best place to live in Vancouver... especially if you're young. I lived there for a long time, but if you're young I would suggest: Yaletown, Mt. Pleasant (my choice), and parts of GasTown are coming along nicely as well.... although lots of it is a tourist trap. The West End is good, but you're always downtown then and it can get a little much. I personally like the area around Commercial Drive, but I understand it wouldn't be for everybody.


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I was going to suggest certain parts of gastown too, but I wasn't sure if I was the only one with a strange love of the place. I can see different people preferring different parts, but Kits is just such a nice community, I haven't found anything quite like it in Vancouver. I lived in Yaletown and loved it, but the people aren't quite the same. But you're right, there are LOTS of beautiful places in Vancouver

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

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Granville Island is a must.
its perfect date destination. go to the food market, get some yummy take out food and go to the dock area and take in some of the performances and the nice scenery.
then take a walk to some of the interesting shops in the area, then walk through the park area.


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some activity suggestions:

1)
if you want a great way to sea the city --- rent a sea kayak for a couple hours!

you can paddle most of the way around stanley park and take in the city/people walking along the sea wall from the sea.

you can pull the boats up on any of the many beaches along the way to chill/eat in a cafe.

you don't need any previous experience and it is really easy to paddle around.

rent them from Ecomarine Kayaking in granville island.


2)
rent rollerblades/mountainbikes and check out stanley park/the sea wall. great for people watching.



3)
rent a car and drive up to whistler for lunch. the drive is amazing as you follow the ocean up a winding road and into the coastal mountain range. beautiful.

- you can take the gondolas to the top of whistler/blackcomb and check out the view -- or even rent mountain bikes at the base and ride down back into the valley.


cheers,
sean

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

idea of place to stay for anyone wanting to have easy access /safe access to high grade west coast weed while you are here:


the Amsterdam bed and breakfast (also called Sativa Sisters Kind Sanctuary)

link to web page


it is a b&b located in a nice house in kits on the west side of vancouver.

they will introduce you to people selling top quality marijuhana and you can smoke it at the b&b.


a buddy of mine used to run the place and it sounded like a pretty sweet setup.

cheers,
sean

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

restaurant suggestion:

- first i will reiterate that 'house of dosas' rocks and is super cheap but soooo delicious (mentioned in a previous post).


'the foundation' on main street & 7th avenue (on the corner)

- it is one of the tastiest strictly vegetarian menus in the city and is cheap to boot with local beers on tap.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

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Good call. I forgot about Vig's... it's unreal.

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QFT


web page


vij's
1480 west 11th - just off granville street

amazing food which has won many city-wide awards.

cheers,
sean

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

4260 E Hastings Street, Burnaby
Tel: 604-299-1610

Best pasta I've eaten at a good price. The atmosphere isnt that great - crowded and noisy. I usually order take out from there. If you get there at the wrong time you could wait 1.5 hours + to get seated - another reason I prefer to get their takeout.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

Bugstud, been to Vancouver a few times. Crazy fun place. Have a good time.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

If you're into the late club scene, check out 816 Granville (The World) on Saturday night. It's not obvious when you walk by, but the address is spot on.

Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

Oops forgot the link:

http://www.antonspastabar.com/

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4260 E Hastings Street, Burnaby
Tel: 604-299-1610

Best pasta I've eaten at a good price. The atmosphere isnt that great - crowded and noisy. I usually order take out from there. If you get there at the wrong time you could wait 1.5 hours + to get seated - another reason I prefer to get their takeout.

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Re: Things to do in Vancouver
 

Things to do in Vancouver? Smuggle pot into the USA via backroads. And if your gonna continue on to the east coast pm me lol