annanstee

It is sad that everyone can't pitch in together to work out a solution. It seems to me that there is a sort of industrial area right there, as you dip down to the entrance. And isn't there a kind of large parking space off to the left immediately at the entrance? Or did I imagine it. I certainly can see that folks in a residential neighborhood would be strongly opposed to large buses parking there. I wouldn't like that either. And also businesses wouldn't like those buses on the street directly in front of them. But still, it seems that there could be a solution found if everyone agrees that one is needed, and then works towards that goal. ← There really isn't much parking right off Island. The parking lot you refer to might be part of the Honda Bike dealership, or be the gravelly area just up the street. Unfortunately the latter is in front of and across the street from condos. I am not sure about an industrial area,; there are several busnesses down there-and the Macclures dispatch... another problem with the Off Island solution is that a lot of tour buses are full of seniors as well, who may not be able or willing to walk the equivelent of several city blocks. I think it would be best if it were made as easy as possible to get there without a car, by transit, shuttle, ferry etc. Those who weren't doing a heavy shop could get down there without a car. Perhaps in the future the Ocean cement area could be a bay used for public and private buses. Maybe a shuttle sould could run from the proposed RAV line Terminus in South Eastern False Creek. I will always find it difficult to see precious public space being handed over to vehicles. Whatever solution they find should be as low impact as possible.

Humph. It used to just be called the Firewood Oven. Maybe the name upgrade has caused a run on pizzas and a change in attitude. It is good, I must say... I still would rather pick up a number 11 from Lombardos.

Jaymes, the sad thing is, that there is no way the residents surrounding the Island will tolerate buses dropping off outside their buildings. They have just got City hall to stop traffic going down through False Creek to the Island. I live in the creek, but East of the Island, closer to the Oak Street area. Trust me when I say that those adjacent to the Island will howl like a woman calling for her demon lover if buses even think about dropping off in their neighborhood. My husband got a 150$ ticket at thanksgiving for trying to drive directly to Granville Island from my place to pick up the ridiculously large turkey my mum ordered. The pain still wakes me up on damp nights. Ann

Yay! Destroy the machines! I'm in.

Well as I recall 'back in the day' it was the first of the now common Bakery Cafes. As to Gas Station Sushi it's a good thing I was only driving a bicycle not my truck when first I saw that sign. It didn't compute at all and my attention was seriously diverted. ← I think it was one of the first places in the west side to serve lattes in soup bowls. 'member when it was super cool to drink lattes out of big bowls? Hmmm, maybe it still is cool and I am just old and anti-cool. Anyway, it was better after the bar then a chile dog from 7-11, which was my late teen post-party snack.

I agree regarding the wine store Stephen. As one of Vancouver's top tourist destinations, this is the store that should be representing the best of what BC has to offer, and in a lot of cases it seems to offer some of the worst. ← Yes, I am in total agreement with both of you. Can we even call this VQA? Alot of the offerings seem to be Chilean blends bottled in BC. I find myself going up to the Brewery- they seem to have nearly as much selection, and the staff love to chat about the products. Why can't this be one of those stores selling labels you can't get in the LDB? What a wasted chance to showcase BC to all those blasted tourists Ann

Peppyre mentioned Habibis way up there somewhere. One of my co-workers told me it had been sold. Any truth to this? I will be very sad if they change it up (or rather, down) too much.

Hi Robin, Your husband will find a ton of restaurants on Davie St. Lickerish, Bin 941, Takis, alot of cheap and cheerful options like Cafe Luxy- huge plates of not bad pasta, has anyone tried Bravo Bistro- Amuse Bouche- I know there was a thread going, I think. Hope your father in law is OK. Ann

I will second Nullo Modo on the Fennel. I don't really like licorice, but enjoy fennel in a lot of dishes. Especially pork.

The link provided by Rhea_S above gives you the information on picking limits and a link to closure information, although it is probably easier just to call the DFO office and ask about closures. ← Thanks Anne (and Rhea_S)!

I have fantastic memories of summers in a cottage right on the water at Bamfield. We used to pick our way amongst the rocks at lowtide and stick our fingers in the anenomes. And we definitely used to pick mussels and eat them. I always thought that the presence of Red Tide precluded doing this now. I'd be thrilled to know I had the go ahead to go harvesting again. My son is four and he would be thrilled to pick his own mussels.

And could we have an organic vegetable, herb and edible flower garden to provide some of the produce? I am thinking of the one at Hollyhock on Cortes.

Annapurna Vegetarian and delicious, near Burrard on 4th.

Is that his new ring name? Jamie "The Hype" Maw Just what I need, another show about "beautiful people" hanging out and not working. A. ← Hee Hee. That was / as in and/or. What do you think Jamie? Is it the Big H from now on? We all need a little Junk Food in our life. With our film industry suffering, I miss playing spot the Vancouver Landmark.

MMMM. Chicago Dogs from Orange Julius.

Well I will give it a chance and watch it, if only for the fact that it is actually set in, and not just based in, Vancouver, and that it is about pretty people obsessed with food. I have been following the coverage with interest. Sam, rather than attack Jamie/the Hype, maybe we should be thankful that a network is spending the time and money to promote a local product properly. Alot of good shows/albums/books (insert favorite cultural product here) languish because the network/record company/publishing house doesn't get behind them and promote them. Ann

Hi Demi, Nice to see you here. I work in North Van, where there is a large Iranian community, and most of the younger Iranians I know seem to call themselves Persian. When I asked one of them why, she explained that "Persians" tend to disassociate themselves with Post-Revolutionary Iran- many of their families left the country after the departure of the Shah. I think Dave hits it on the head too... Persia tends to refer to pre-Islamic Iran. I agree with Sass Kitty that North Van would definitely be the best starting point for research into Persian food. Ann

Okay, what's up with Lee's doughnuts? Worth trying, worth starting a new thread? ←

Dear Lord, Forgive me Neil. I actually know a Noah Wyles, hence the auto error. Sorry Ann

Noah, It is definitely owned by either of these- I think it is Calona. I definitely agree with your view here... what a fantastic opportunity to showcase BC wine that is not being exploited. Thanks for the tip in re the achilles. My little guy just turned four, but I find the stroller is still invaluable as a restraining device, grocery tote, and of course, parter of the red sea on a Sat morning at G.I. Jamie, Hmmm, my travels tend to be very food centric. This gives me pause for thought. Is there a post somewhere out there when I am lambasted and excoriated as a visiting barbarian ? :) I am myself will kind of miss Ocean Cement when it goes. I like the slightly metallic tang of industry that it brings with it- a little whiff of the past. for the same reason, I like the (somethimes rusty) corrugatated siding on the buildings. Having said that, it would certainly help the tourbus problem. I don't think the locals would tolerate having the buses park anywhere just "off Island". They just got rid of the cars going through the neighborhood to the Island- I couldn't drive there now if I wanted to without heading out to 4th. I think one of the original reasons for the hours was that alot of the vegetable stand owners were driving the produce in every morning themselves. Now it seems that the grocers in the permanent stalls might not have this problem, although some of the guys like the Ralph's apple stand might. Kudos to the starter of this thread. I am really enjoying following this discussion. Ann

You know, while I think all the criticisms above are apt, I still think it is a little early to write the market off. I grew up in False Creek and live there now. My dad was an original Trust member, and I literally have been cavorting through the market since before it is open. My little league team was even sponsored by the Granville Island merchants! I also worked "on Island" for several years, though not in the market itself. I didn't willingly spend my free time there then! It is not perfect. The tourists are out of hand in the summer, and I wouldn't even think of taking a car down there. Touristy shops have encroached somewhat, with the accompanying heinous airbrushed wolf emblazoned sweatshirts, and there are politics. But lets give it some credit. I think one of the reasons that Vancouver has become such a serious food city is due in part to the market and its introduction to what was a new shopping concept to many urbanites. It paved the way for other, more direct farmers markets, and was a large force in educating the public about how they eat. It has historically and continues to give local artists and craftsmen access to the public (including tourists) that they would be hard pressed to achieve elsewhere. I think there is also public pressure for the Island to try to maintain its integrity- hence the outcry when A&W threatened to move in next to the Kid's Only. I still do some of my shopping there; like-I suspect- most of you, I tend to find my food all over the city. I would love to see later hours and some other improvements, and the rapid and painful demise of Sammy J. Peppers. But I couldn't walk away from Oyama, Duso's, The Lobsterman, the mushroom guy, the Stock Market and the familiar faces behind all those counters) that guy who makes paper mache animals, the bulk foods place where you can buy 1/4 cup of cornflour, the Wood Co-op, Circle Craft, the jewelers, glassblowers and pottery makers, the singing Russian man, Knotty Toys, Emily Carr. I think a lot of cities would kill for a Granville Island. Maybe we just take it for granted because we have in Vancouver- an embarrassment of riches for Gully type folk. PS. I take my stroller there too, and use it as a battering ram to get through the tourists. Does that make me a bad person : ) Ann

Here are a few that have pick ups locally: Glen Valley Organic Farm 604 857 7585 Nathan Creek Farm 604 857 7587 Sudoa Farms: 250 835 8332 I think a lot of them operate year round, with more herbs and flowers in the spring, root vegetables in winter etc. I believe some of them also trade with other coops to offer organic or free range eggs and meat. Farm Folk/City Folk might be a good source for further investigation. Good Luck!

I think it involves a buffet.

How about the two places along the seawall on the way to Monks? the one just off Leg'n'Boot square is finally, mercifully, being turned into condos. The tiny little cafe just before Stamps Landing has another new owner and I hope hope hope it survives. I think the chef/owner is formerly of one of the Bins. And what about that place upstairs on the SouthWest corner of Broadway and Heather? I don't think it has been a success since JukeBox Johnnies Diner Deluxe was there back in the eighties.

Hey Karrie and others. I ate at Chambar recently as well, on a snowy night in mid January. My friend and I thought our meal was very good indeed. We both the venison carpaccio to begin, and the grilled bread with tapenade. She had the lamb and I had the black cod, both excellent. I had creme brulee, which I always order the first time out at a new place. It was a smidgeon over cooked for my taste, which tends toward very wobbly. My friend had the belgian waffle, which she loved. Next time, I will definitely try the moules frites. The food was excellent. The service was relaxed and informed. I do have a few small quibbles. I have a personal prejudice against the team approach to service. It often throws the cadence of the meal off and one ends up feeling a little rushed. This certainly was not due to the attitude of the servers; it was a product of too many attendants, where too many senses of timing were at play. We ate a three course at a 7pm reso, and the bill was on the table at 8 sharp. I will definitely go back... I think they are doing a fine job at living up to the hype. The only other little complaint is the acoustics in the back room. I will definitely be sticking to the front section.