Since many of you are new to Vancouver or haven’t been here in a
long time, we thought we’d provide you with a short list of sights to see and
places to go that are special to us.
Vancouver is a great town with lots to see and do, and this list will
also give you a little insight on how Connie and Herb spent their time growing
up.
Sights
York House School, King Edward Avenue and Granville Street
York House is where we first met in the last few months of our
grade eleven year. You might not want to go into the hallowed halls of this
esteemed institution because of the 600 or so girls from K-12 that will be on
campus, but you can certainly catch a glimpse of it whenever commuting to
downtown on Granville Street to get an idea of where Connie spent 13 of her
formative scholastic years. You may recognize some of the surrounding houses as
venues in TV shows such as The X- Files.
St. George's School – 29th and Camosun
This was Herb's school from grade 8-12. We spent some time getting
to know each other during the production of the Gilbert and Sullivan Play
Mikado in the Spring of 1995. If you would like to see where Herb lived as a
boarding school student go to the St. George's junior school campus at 29th and
Crown. Check out the buildings that
have appeared on numerous 21 Jump Street and MacGyver episodes,
as well as the Wil Wheaton classic "Toy Soldiers", and the other boy
school movie starring Captain Picard. Since these campuses will be teeming with
hundreds of boys ages 7-18, we suggest you also make this a drive by also.
Queen Elizabeth Park – 33rd and Cambie
Ahhh… finally, a spot where you may disembark. Over the years, we
have often found ourselves admiring the sunken quarry garden, the duck pond,
the rose gardens, the Henry Moore sculpture and the view of the North Shore
Mountains. The park also is home to the restaurant Seasons in the Park.
Aside from being the venue where Yeltsin and Clinton had dinner during the
summit where Clinton bought the infamous souvenirs, this restaurant is a
special place for Herb and Connie because they celebrated their engagement here
with their families on January 2nd, 2000.
Spanish Banks
This was the spot that we like to go with friends to wade in the
surf and sunbathe. Actually, in our youth the girls liked to wade in the surf
and sunbathe, and the boys would just hang around the cars trying to shake them
apart with stupidly large subwoofers. On the rare clear days, it's a nice spot
to see Downtown Vancouver from afar. You may recognize the beach as the
“anonymous NYC beach” that Jackie Chan (no relation) lands on in the final big
action sequence of Rumble in the Bronx.
Stanley Park
Connie and Herb have enjoyed many sunny afternoons walking around
the seawall, as well as many late-night cruises on the park drive. There's a
miniature railway in the rapidly diminishing zoo (on last observation, Connie
and Herb saw zero live animals, and many plywood cutouts). There are also many
great photo-op locations, such as the totem poles, Prospect Point, and Brockton
Point.
UBC
Although neither Herb nor Connie actually went to UBC, they have
both spent time there doing summer courses, playing video games, cruising
around the campus, and enjoying the its natural surroundings. Park at the Rose
Garden Parkade, which is under a beautiful rose garden overlooking the North
Shore mountains. If you move downhill from here, you will find the Museum of
Anthropology that has a large collection of First Nations art in a modern west
coast setting. You can also take a short walk to the Nitobe Garden, one of the
few traditionally crafted Japanese gardens in the world. In the vicinity of the
rose garden parkade you will see a large shiny building that looks like a big
tin can. This is their favorite CHAN Centre for the Performing Arts – guess
why.
Granville Island
Connie and Herb have spent many afternoon’s out in the public
market, having lunch on the island and browsing in the cute little stores in
this tourist zone. Please do not bother or antagonize the florist, because she
might be busy this week preparing the flowers for the wedding. The island is
accessible by car or aquabus, which leaves from various downtown
locations.
No. 3 Road, Richmond
Chinatown may have been the traditional heart of the Chinese
community in Vancouver, but No. 3 Road in Richmond is the brawny young
upstart. Transformed from a warehouse
strip to a Asian strip mall, it’s got restaurants, stores, karaoke boxes, and
bubble tea parlours as far as the eye can see.
We like Spring Tea for bubble tea on Alderbridge Road, right off of No.
3 and Cambie.
Steveston Village
Herb’s first childhood home was near this picturesque fishing
village. We have often “biked the dyke” from his home to the village and back.
If you prefer to walk, there are some pleasant paths on the shore. In the
village there are several restaurants and shops worth checking out. If you also
back up and look at the main street from one end, you might recognize it as the
final scene of the one of the all time greatest films – Scary Movie.
Restaurants
Shanghai Palace – 8012 Granville Street
This casual restaurant with a Sichuanese/Shanghainese menu is
always one of Herb and Connie’s first stops when arriving in Vancouver. Some
house specialties include xiao long bao, (steamed dumplings), hot and sour
soup, salt and pepper fried crab or spareribs, steamed buns and lots of other
goodies.
En- 2602 Granville Street (at 10th Avenue) (604) 730-0330
This contemporary Japanese/fusion restaurant was introduced to
Herb and Connie by Connie’s grandmother. This mid-priced restaurant offers all
sorts of different foods including some cooked by blowtorch.
Raintree
Connie and Herb have celebrated many an occasion here, including
our first dinner date and our engagement-night dinner. After a wonderful
meal overlooking Vancouver Harbour, Herb proposed to Connie in the nearby Pan
Pacific Hotel.
Hon’s Won-Tun House – 101-4600 No. 3 Rd. Richmond
Herb and Connie always make a point to drop into this über casual
won ton restaurant, because of its delicious soups, porridges and dumplings.
There are also several Hon’s in Vancouver in Chinatown and on Robson Street.
Although the Vancouver one’s haven’t been visited recently, expect a good meal
with brisk/brusque service.
Diva at the Met – Metropolitan Hotel 645 Howe Street (604)
602-7788
Herb’s Auntie Cat introduced us to this upscale contemporary West
Coast restaurant last year. This Diva insider insists that taking the three
course sampler meal is the only way to go, and we inclined to agree. For those
who don’t feel like the full meal deal, drinks and desserts later in the
evening are also a pleasure.
Milestones
Connie and Herb have often found themselves in one of several
restaurants that make up this chain. Some of our favorites include the spinach
artichoke dip and the Thai noodle salad. If you are feeling iron deficient or
just have a craving for red meat, you will have no trouble finding a 16oz prime
rib, which was the standard in any classic Herb and Duke eating contest.
Earls
This is also another fine chain restaurant in Vancouver that
boasts a colorful menu of fresh, seasonal entrees. Though we don’t have any
specific favorites, we can’t say we have had a bad meal there ever.
Cactus Club
This is yet another fine chain and specializes in a Tex-Mex style. This means margaritas, wings, nachos, and
Corona. It is also another venue for
the infamous eating contests.
Coffee Shops
Expressohead Coffeehouse – 1945 Cornwall (604) 739-1069
One of our favorite places for a caffeine hit after a walk on the
beach. Besides having some nice standard coffees, we’re big fans of the skim
milk, spiced hot chocolate with chocolate whipped cream.
Bean Brothers – 41st Avenue and Yew Street
Connie and Herb often stopped into this coffee shop for an after school latte.
We like the polar bear hot chocolates here. You can't get them at Starbuck's
next door.
Starbucks
Vancouver was one of the first places this Seattle coffee empire
claimed. Herb spent a summer working at the one on Number Two Road and Blundell
in Richmond. Carole, the maid of honor, has also had the pleasure of sighting
David Duchovny in the one on Cornwall. There are over 80 Starbucks in the
Greater Vancouver Area – if you can’t find one, we can’t help you.
Mondo Gelato – 1094 Denman Street (604) 647-6638
This is a recent discovery by Connie and Herb (thanks are due to
bridesmaid Katherine) and is a great place for gelato, sorbet, or coffee for
enjoying close to the beach.
Nightspots
Cloud Nine Revolving Restaurant – 1400 Robson Street (604)
662-8328
Herb and Connie have been to this revolving restaurant for a
relaxing G & T or grasshopper (guess who was drinking what). From any given
window, there is a great view of Stanley Park and the downtown area. We suggest
you skip the food and just enjoy the view. If you must eat, go for the desert
buffet. This restaurant is at the top
of the Pacific Palisades Hotel.
Delilah’s – 1789 Comox Street (604) 687-342
This is a nice little lounge where Connie and Herb have had many a
drink. There are many martini choices for every taste. You can get anything
from the Boston Tea Partini (think Long Island Ice Tea, martini-ized) to the
classic Sapphire Martini, extra cold, shaken ... not stirred. And definitely not vodka for Herb!
Brass Monkey – 1072 Denman Street (604) 685-7626
This is also a nice little lounge that has an array of wine,
martinis and driver-friendly drinks. Don’t forget to order the house specialty
– a dessert called Monkey’s lunch.
Chameleon – Crown Plaza Hotel Georgia Basement
Chameleon is an interesting mix between a bar and a club. Check
the Georgia Strait for live music offerings in the evening.
Subeez – 891 Homer (604) 687-6107
This café boasts a gothic interior enhanced by the layers of wax that have accumulated on the candelabras scattered throughout the room. Usually a DJ is spinning techno in one form or another. We have enjoyed numerous plates of Subeez’s world famous garlic mayo fries while catching up with friends and soaking up the Vancouver scene.