Vancouver storm, August 8th, 2012
I was a bit late grabbing the old camera, but man do I love storms regardless of the photographic proof. Makes me miss the homeland.
Posts Tagged ‘Vancouver’
The best liquor stores in Vancouver (and my new blog)
August 6, 2012
First of all, let me get this out of the way. I have a new blog: The West Cider
It’s a cider blog, because *surprise* I like cider.
In the past five years, craft beer brewing has taken off here in BC, following the lead (somewhat) of our friends down south (especially in Oregon). I think craft cider can’t be far behind. I know it will never be to the extent of other beverages, but some variety would be appreciated by…well…me.
So, how about the best liquor stores in Vancouver? Sure, I got you here with that promise. The truth is, these are just my favourite liquor stores.
My favourites are those with a good cider and craft beer selection. I like wine too, but you can find something decent in pretty much every store (even Newfoundland!).
Honourable mention (and probably better than #5 or #4 if I take the sentimentality out of it): Darby’s Liquor Store in Kitsilano
5. Lennox Liquor Store in City Square Mall – For the last five years, it’s been the closest liquor store to my work (and at times, my home) which means, it has been the source of many most of my drinks. Your options for hard liquor aren’t wide-ranging, but it has a little bit of all the things I like.
4. Viti Liquor Store – I avoid downtown Vancouver. I only go there if I have to. (Now that I’m soon-to-be unemployed, that may change if an opportunity arises.) Viti does a good job of bringing in lots of different stock in a small space. Prices aren’t the best, but I’d rather pay a bit more for something different than less for the same old.
I didn’t really feel like putting these three in some arbitrary order, so they all are number one:
1. Firefly Fine Wines and Ales – (Not just for Vancouver! If you’re in Maple Ridge, there’s a location there!) It’s not a big back cold room, but I get lost in those two aisles of beer. There’s only about one shelving unit that I need to ignore completely, and there’s a good choice of ciders as I walk in. Note: It can be very cold in there.
1. Legacy Liquor Store in the Athletes’ Village – I talked about getting lost in the beer fridge at Firefly, but Legacy, if not for its high ceilings, you’d get lost in the store itself. It’s really big. I took a friend there last week. You could see her eyes light up as she walked in the doors. It was also the only place I could find Tempt Cider. It’s no longer there, but I hear it’s coming back. (Check my Cider blog for more info.) Also, they host some cool events.
1. Brewery Creek on Main Street – Remember how I said I work by Lennox Liquor Store? Well for several years, this was the closest liquor store to my home. Even before the renovations, they were bringing in lots of great craft beers, but since they expanded, the selection is just fantastic. It has had a great cider selection as long as I can remember.
Note: Government liquor stores are fine. I don’t like the hours. I don’t like the cider selection (which is none). I don’t like the fact that beer is not sold cold. However, the prices are decent. But, like I mentioned, I’d rather pay an extra quarter or buck to support an independent store bringing in creative options.
Where do you pick up a brew? Are there Vancouver liquor stores I’m totally missing out on…
20 things you must eat in Vancouver
February 2, 2012I like food.
Honourable mention to Milestone's california salad that I always eat at YVR. But there's no way I'm putting a chain restaurant on my list.
Other than some ethical concerns with veal, I’ll pretty much try everything. I don’t like sea urchin, I don’t drink coffee and can’t handle diet pop.
In February, a friend is coming to town and I happen to be out of town! But I wanted to leave him a list of must-try foods in Vancouver.
Something absent on this list: Pho. Frankly, I have no idea what makes good Pho. I’ll pretty much eat it at any sketchy hole-in-the-wall. And I seem to like it all.
Also, the best breakfast under $3: Yummy Sushi. Wait, what?! I’ve never had sushi there. In fact, I don’t think they even do raw fish. But the hole-in-the wall has all day breakfast and is across the street from my home.
I’m not a big fan of breakfast, thus its relative absence on this list. Same with sweets. I’m a savory girl for the most part.
So far I haven’t been truly wowed by any Thai, Malaysian, Cambodian, etc. restaurants in Vancouver. That’s not to say there aren’t any really good ones. There are. I eat at Pad Thai regularly, though it is more cheap eats than authentic meal.
If there’s one thing you’ll notice about the list is that nothing is over $16. I’m not one to go for those $30 per plate meals. So, this isn’t fine dining. I’m sure there is lots of very fine dining in Vancouver, but that’s not me.
Anyways, enough rambling, if you’re like me, you just want the list. These are restaurants I really like… not just the menu items below.
Top 20 things you must eat in Vancouver:
(in alphabetical order)
Banh Mi at Big Lou’s
Buttermilk fried chicken cobb salad at Crave
Carnitas Taco at La Taqueria
Cheese at Au Petit Chavignol
Chicken Wings at Phnom Penh
Chili-Garlic Eggplant and blade sheared noodles at Peaceful Restaurant
Choriqueso Sandwich at Las Tortas
Fish and Chips at Go Fish
Garlic stubs with pork at Zakkushi
Grilled Cheese at Burgoo
Korean Sushi at Kimbob E Ramyun – ACK! Just found out it closed! NOOO! Your backup plan will be to go to Kim’s Mart, a grocery store at Broadway between Carolina and St. George.
Le Grand Feast at Nuba
Maple chipotle tamarind glazed wild boar belly at Cobre
Peruvian Seafood Chowder at Mochikas
Pizza at Zaccary’s
Polenta Fries and mixed drinks at Cascade Room
Rib ends at Memphis Blues
Steak Frites at Les Faux Bourgeois
Sushi and Okonomiyaki at Zipang (Also found on my top sushi in Vancouver list)
Waffles at Patisserie Lebeau
Lastly, this is not the be-all-end-all list of dining out in Vancouver. These are just some suggestions. I’d love yours as well!
Next food post? The places I want to try in 2012. I’m looking at you Red Wagon.
329: The lights are on but nobody is home
November 30, 2011
A lit up but no one to glow for. (November 25th)
A photo, every day, all year. We’re into final weeks here with Andrea Woo.
319: The sun sets on the evening commute
November 20, 2011
315: It actually feels cold.
November 14, 2011
312: Looks like barf but I assure you it is not.
November 14, 2011
Mochikas Peruvian Cafe. Soooo good.
A photo, every day, all year. We’re into final weeks here with Andrea Woo.
272: The iPhone doesn’t do it justice.
September 30, 2011
New early morning views. (iPhone 4 - September 29th)
2011: Photos every single day here and at AndreaWoo.com
