WHAT & WHERE |
WHY |
HOW |
Eat – casual/fun: $$$
Bin 941 (Tapas) |
Crowded, noisy, always a wait – and totally worth it. Locals flock to this edgy joint because of its tasty tapas and cool crowd. Limited bar, but good beer & wine selection. |
941 Davie Street,
Ph: 604-683-1246, www.bin941.com |
Eat – upscale: $$$
L’Altro Buca
(Italian trattoria) |
Small, intimate restaurant off the beaten track in quiet residential part of the West End. Dark room, small bar, great private room for four. Stroll down Denman to beach after. |
1906 Haro Street,
Ph: 604-683-6912 www.altrobuca.ca |
Eat – ethnic: $$
Cobre (Latin America) |
No sombreros, just great nuevo latino cuisine that blends the passion of Argentina, the exuberance of Cuba, the sultriness of Brazil & the joy of Mexico. Ole! |
52 Powell Street,
Ph: 604-669-2396, www.cobrerestaurant.com |
Eat – Breakfast: $$
Café Calabria |
Espresso and gelato, breakfast of Italian soccer champions! Authentic & kitschy Italian café on The Drive. |
1745 Commercial Drive,
Ph: 604-253-7107 |
Café:
New Amsterdam Café |
This place doesn’t exactly specialize in cappuccinos, but it’s one of the most talked about cafés in town. Strangely, I always have the munchies after a visit. |
301 West Hastings Street,
Ph: 604-682-8955 |
Nightclub:
Shine |
Newly renovated club in Gastown with low-ceiling, underground after-hours feel, eclectic music and crowd. |
364 Water Street,
Ph: 604-408-4321, www.shinenightclub.com
|
Lounge:
Brandi’s |
This exotic lounge brings dignity to lasciviousness with its nightclub-like décor, dress code and classy ladies. Or so I like to tell myself. |
595 Hornby Street
Ph: 604-684-2000, www.brandislounge.com |
Spa:
Miraj Hamman |
Turkish delight! Feel like a sultan with Hammam steam cleansing and Gommage exfoliation treatment then sweetcakes and tea in the Sultana Lounge. Men-only days. |
1495 West 6th Avenue
Ph: 604-733-5151, www.mirajhammam.com |
Hair:
Jack Hair |
This modern barbershop is built for blokes with men’s magazines, TVs at every chair and, um, HOT stylists. |
3386 Cambie Street,
Ph: 604-874-5225, www.jackhair.com
|
Shop – clothes:
Brooklyn Clothing |
NY-style casual wear for guys only, promises no stretchy designer trousers or sheer, sparkly shirts. Enough said. |
418 Davie Street
Ph: 604-683-2929, www.brooklynclothing.com |
Shop – home:
Koolhaus |
High-end contempo-chic urban furnishings. |
1 Water Street,
Ph: 604-875-9004 www.koolhausdesign.com |
Shop – food:
Rangoli |
A taste of India to go. When I don’t have time to wait at Vij’s I go next door for to-go meals, packaged foods and spices. |
1488 West 11th,
Ph: 604-736-5711, www.vijsrangoli.ca |
Shop – books:
Banyen Books |
Mysticism, occult, new age, spirituality, travel – books for all moods and phases in life. |
3608 West 4th Avenue
Ph: 604-732-7912, www.banyen.com |
Shop – fun:
Magpie Magazines |
Spend an hour browsing through an extensive and electric mix of magazines. After head out for a strong Italian Espresso. |
1319 Commercial Drive,
Ph: 604-253-6666 |
Sun:
Wreck Beach |
Free-spirit Mecca. Anything goes at Vancouver’s famous nude beach. Long hike down. Don’t forget sun block. |
UBC grounds,
off NW Marine Drive, down steep hill. www.wreckbeach.org |
Recreation:
Vancouver Buddhist Centre |
Exercise, bullocks! When I need to let off some steam I find inner piece through meditation. |
1871 East 7th Avenue,
Ph: 604-682-3269. |
Neighbourhood:
Commercial Drive |
I love the ethnic diversity of this ‘hood, all walks of life from hippies to yuppies, lesbian to Lebanese, green to grunge. Live music, cafes, cool shops & gelato. |
Commercial Drive,
East Van
www.thedrive.net |
Day trip:
Saltspring Island |
Artsy, laid back island, a scenic ferry ride from the mainland. The absolute opposite of London. |
Gulf Islands, access by ferry. www.gulfislands.ca |
Museum/Gallery:
Coastal People’s Art Gallery |
One of many Vancouver galleries selling authentic northwest coast Indian and Inuit art. |
1024 Mainland St,
Ph: 604-685-9298, www.coastalpeoples.com |
