New experience: Block Kitchen + Bar. How to describe the cuisine? How about New Asian. What do I mean? If you know bao it usually arrives with the filling inside...

Breakfast: Crust Bakery. Can’t pass on a pastry from a good bakery and this place didn’t disappoint so give it a try. When I arrived just after their morning opening...

Pays to have local knowledge: Nūba Kitsilano. Dinner with friends and relatives yields…too much food! Since it comes from the kitchen faster than it’s possible to keep up with what’s...

Tapas: ¿CÓMO? Taperia Small plates, as expected, and all very Spanish. Best of the night? The tortilla Española. Great place to try a different drink…Porto, Vermut, and sangria are all...

Brewery off the beaten path: Wildeye Brewing. Another find only possible with inside knowledge since it’s nowhere near the downtown core. Expect typical bar food and come hungry…the portions are...

Should be on your A list: Ubuntu Canteen. How to describe the food…locally sourced doesn’t do it justice. While it is that, the unique pairings of flavors makes for an...

Another unexpected find: Wild Mountain. This is another example of an unexpected dining experience in a small town. It’s about an hour drive from Victoria BC and more than well...

Wait till you taste what’s inside: Wind Cries Mary. In the downtown core on an unassuming corner but once inside you’ll know this is a special place. The plates are...

Italian/Japanese fusion and a place to share food: Kissa Tanto. Since our first visit shortly after it opened in 2016 its become a real star…see the recent article NYT…the second...

Mexican on Granville Island: Alimentaria Mexicana. Not sure how large the Mexican food scene is in Vancouver but despite this being in one of the major tourist spots the food...

Off the tourist path: Les Faux Bourgeois Bistro. As I’ve mentioned in previous post, our daughter lives in Vancouver so we get to experience more of the local culture than...

Did anyone mention coffee: Sunflower Cafe. Nice little cafe serving coffee and bakery items on the way to Whistler or, for the more adventurous, you can see The Chief from...

On the way to Whistler: Salted Vine. This is a must visit…in the growing city of Squamish which is about halfway between Vancouver and Whistler. Who would have believed this...

As named…this is a shed: WaterShed Grill. Actually located just north of Squamish in Brackendale BC it’s right on the Squamish river which makes for great views…and when in season,...

More coffee: Small Victory. There are several locations of this provider of coffee and baked goods in VAN; this one is in South Grandville. The bakery has both sweet and...

Vegan bakery: BRED. This is one of those places that shows you what can be done if you know how to do it….100% plant based bakery. While I didn’t try everything,...

Hard to get a table: Elements. This place can be hard to score a table and there can be waits of 1 to 2 hours on a busy weekend. We...

Always good: Cactus Club Cafe. One of multiple locations in BC this one is on Coal Harbor right beside the Olympic Flame. It’s a nice spot to drop by for...

This is a must visit: Salt Spring Island Cheese. It’s all about goat milk cheese and the experience should not be missed….even if you think you don’t like goat milk....

It’s not ice cream: Salt Spring Soft Serve. Cute little spot for a break from the hot weather and….it’s in a mini airstream trailer! The choices are vegan soft serve….made...

Wine tasting with a Cuban beat: Salt Spring Vineyards. One of several wineries on the Island who use local fruit to make their wines. I was intrigued by that fact...

Is it really in a tree? Tree House Cafe. No…..it’s not up in a tree but the space surrounds a very large plum tree nonetheless. Great place for breakfast, lunch...

In the old telephone company building: House Piccolo. A small place but at the same time, very comfortable. It’s been in existence since the early 90s which is a testament...

Espresso in a shipping container: The Perch. Under tress and in a small park, it looked interesting, so we gave it a try. As usual…my choice was a mocha. While...

Gotta be there on Saturday: Saturday Market. People and food everywhere but it is a must visit while on the Island. Local baked goods, food from Chinese to artisanal breads,...

Nice little spot: Burger Bar 537. All things burger…including lamb which is locally sourced and available in limited quantities. So, I had to give one a try. It arrived on...

Waiting for the ferry: Tsawwassen Quay Market. What else would you have waiting for a ferry?…..ice cream of course! Multiple flavors and other options available for purchase. My choice….salted caramel...

Local Bar: Biercraft. Another place you won’t find unless you have local knowledge. There are 3 locations in Vancouver; this one is on Commercial Drive (“The Drive”) and is obviously...

Local knowledge: Via Tevere. Visiting with our daughter who is a Vancouver “local” and she recommended we give this place a try…it did not disappoint. The pizzas are cooked in...

A favorite place: Alta Bistro. Described as modern French, the menu, while limited, had very interesting choices. The wine list is extensive….one of the most extensive I’ve seen in Whistler....

You gotta try this place: Peaked Pies. This is the original…the other location is on Denman in Vancouver..so that’s an option if you can’t make it to Whistler. The pies...

Italian: Centro. Located in the West End on Denman Street, it opened a couple of months ago. Described as modern Italian, the space is a bit retro…..think mid century modern....

Not so sure: Green Moustache. Why am I not so sure? Maybe it has to do with my choice to eat vegan after riding 78 miles and 7000 vertical feet...

Ice cream anyone? La Casa Gelato. 2nd day of our bike ride to Vancouver and this place is just off the official route….so we had to stop. They claim 238...

Breakfast anyone: Fuel + Forest. Problem with this place isn’t the food…it is very good…..but finding it. The address takes you to a large building with a number of retail shops...

Chocolate: XOCO. Artisanal chocolates made with real passion by a mother and son team. The space is small but the offerings are numerous and as best I could tell….nothing here...

Room with a view: Sea to Sky Eatery. If you’re here, it’s worth a try if you need a bite to eat. Typical menu with soups, burgers and crepes. If...

This is the place for breakfast: Fergies. Off the beaten path….actually located in Brackendale which is about a 15 to 20 minute drive north of Squamish and a few kilometers...

Gotta try this bakery: Purebread. Not sure why I haven’t posted on this before since it is one of our go to places. It’s worth a visit just to ogle...

Trying to find a bar: The Keg. The holiday….Boxing Day…had the bars at Whistler packed and we finally stumbled on this place for a quick drink and to get out...

Convenient to x country skiing: Brandywine. Located in the ski hut at the Whistler Olympic Park it’s a great place for a hearty soup or sandwich after a few kilometers...

Coffee spot: Zephyr Cafe. Eclectic space in the heart if downtown. In addition to coffee and espresso they have soups, burgers, wraps and rice bowls. The coffee and espresso were...

Hole in the wall bakery: Golden Crust. I’m familiar with the offerings of this small bakery because they have a stand at the Whistler farmers market during summer months. Their...

Nice place for a beer: Howe Sound Brewing. Great space for a beer, wine, cider or cocktail before dinner and if you have too much…sleep it off in the adjoining...

Brunch on the way home: Seasons In The Park. Drop dead views of the Vancouver skyline with Grouse and Cypress mountains in the distance. It’s other claim to fame is...

Comfort food: Burgoo. One of almost a half dozen locations in the greater Vancouver area this one is located in the Point Grey district. Very similar but in a smaller...

Looking for breakfast on Granville Island: Terra Breads. Located in the northern part of The Market, this is one of four locations in the greater Vancouver area. Their strength seems...

Another great spot downtown: Nightingale. Brought to you by the same chef at Hawksworth……voted best restaurant in Vancouver several times in the past. I will need to make a return...

Gelato fix that opened this summer: Umaluma. Local knowledge wins again……you’d not know of this place unless you happened upon it while walking east on Pender in Chinatown and stumbled...

Quick trip north with lunch in the West End: Kingyo Izakaya. I love the announcement of your arrival and departure in izakayas and this place is no exception. On Denman...

Carbo loading: Lupo. Close to my hotel and on the edge of Yaletown. I wanted some Italian pasta before my ride to Whistler so this seemed like a good choice....

Quick lunch: Bistro Verde. In the Pacific Center Nordstrom and close to my daughter’s office so we decided to give it a try. Nice space with a separate street entrance...

Last stop on our way back to Seattle: Darby’s Public House. Just had drinks before dropping our son off at the airport in Vancouver. This place has been in the...

Sitting on an airplane and catching up from the weekend: Ayoub’s. Ok it’s not a restaurant but you have to try this place! I have never seen such a display...

Son visiting daughter in Vancouver = quick trip north: The Oakwood. Great spot in the Kits area for brunch or dinner…our daughter thinks the burgers are outstanding but this visit...

A bit of a tourist place but the: Granville Public Market is worth a visit Like the Pike Place Market in Seattle most Vancouverites don’t admit to going there since...

Have wanted to try this place for a few years: Ask for Luigi. It was really a hot ticket a few years ago with long waits for a table….they take...

This is really about the hotel which is a must if you are in Vancouver: Granville Island Hotel. However there is a restaurant and bar and we took advantage of...

Have been here before and will be back: Beaucoup. I have to admit I have a very weak spot for French pastries and this is one of a handful outside...

Local knowledge wins again: Grapes and Soda. Got to Vancouver a bit late and this spot was recommended by our daughter who lives here…..her recommendations never disappoint. A small place...

Been trying to visit here for a few years: Motomachi Shokudo. Whatever you do don’t visit on a Wednesday…..they’re closed….ouch! Also note as of the date of this posting they...

A place for coffee: Elysian Coffee Roasters. This is one of 4 locations in Vancouver and came highly recommended by locals. It did not disappoint. They seem to specialize in...

Dined here about a year ago: Homer St Cafe and Bar Housed in a Victorian styled building in a corner location the restaurant specializes in rotisserie chicken but has an...

Tried to visit the ramen shop nearby but closed on Wednesday: Banana Leaf. This is a chain of Malaysian restaurants and this one was close by so we decided to...

Terrible weather out so made a quick dash to this well known Japanese Izakaya: Guu Garden. Very close to the Sheraton Wall Center and St Paul’s Hospital on a corner...

Terrible weather outside so had a quick lunch at: Cafe One. Inside the north tower of the Sheraton Wall Center it’s your typical hotel fare in a nice open space....

Comfort food in the Mount Pleasant area of Vancouver: Burgoo Bistro One of four by the same name in Vancouver that cater to comfort foods which was perfect for this...

A place known only to locals: Heirloom Vegetarian Nice brunch sharing avocado toast then a potpourri of choices: huevos rancheros, eggs Benedict, kale salad, and buckwheat pancakes. I had the Ninja...

Having someone local is always a treat for new places to eat: Farmer’s Apprentice A small out place out of the downtown core. Brunch was fabulous. Visit website  ...

The place for breakfast in Whistler: Crêpe Montagne. There are other places but if you are looking for a sit down breakfast this is the place. Excellent crêpes as well as...

A new find: 21 Steps. Nice space with an attic bar. Food was good but there is better to be had in Whistler. Finished off with Pot de Creme. Visit...

Out of the way tapas: Elements Urban Tapas Bar. The lamb belly is to die for! Here is a more recent visit for breakfast. Visit website  ...

Great place for small plates in Whistler Village: Bar Oso. It’s a great for lunch away from the hustle and bustle of the other bars in Whistler. Spanish influence with...