barolo

I'm heading up to Whistler in August for some hiking and relaxing. Restaurant advice and recommendations based on recent experiences would be most appreciated. I think we'll be staying at the Fairmont.

No redwoods in BC, except a few planted ones - they are a California native species. All parks mentiioned will have large numbers of BC native trees like Douglas fir, western red cedar, yellow cedar, mountain and western hemlock, and amabilis and grand firs. There's no shortage of trees to see. You might like Mount Seymour Provincial Park for trees and views. There's also Grouse Mountain and Cypress Mountain. All are only a short drive from downtown Vancouver. Aside from the izakaya crawl idea, Parkside is a only a couple of blocks from Stanley Park, so will be within walking distance. Youy asked about menu: click here. It is a prix fixe - $65.00 for 3 courses. Also ramen places on Denman are walking distance.

I just buy food to take on board after I have cleared security.

I've missed a few - the July/August EAT is on the streets featuring stories on urban lot farming, pasture raised bison and cattle, Tofino, some Vancouver and Victoria restaurant openings, an interview with a spot prawn fisher, etc, etc

Lots of good advice here. Parkside is great place to go on a summer evening. Vij's is always good and if you have to wait you can sit outside in the sun with a drink. Chow and Fuel are good choices, I have not tried Gastropod yet. Others know way more than me about Chinese, sushi and izakaya. For outdoors stuff - kayaking, mountain biking or hiking on the North Shore (a link to some north shore park information here ) or in Pacific Spirit park (50 km of trails, link here), walking, biking or roller blading the seawall - close to 20 km worth.

We're back. Shelter was the overall winner in terms of pleasing the most people most of the time. Other than the $9.00 for a kids grilled cheese with fries, I found the prices reasonable, food good, good selection of beers and wines and the staff were very helpful with our multiple generation group. SOBO was loved by some and less so by others and the cafeteria style was a little harder to manage with our group. A splinter group had a good meal at the Wildside Grill. We checked out the place in the Botanical Garden but the menu looked pretty limited and it wasn't all that appealing looking. Too bad as that is a nice spot, but it may just have been a bad day so it is worth a look. We stayed in a place with a full kitchen and brought everything with us, including the espresso maker - it is amazing how much can fit in the trunk of a full-sized rental car - so we really only went out for lunches. We bought bread, cookies and brownies at at Sweet T's - nothing remarkable but I thought it was a better option than Common Loaf. A number of places carry the 600 Degrees bread which has been much lauded but all I saw was a 3 grain loaf and I find a white loaf is more versatile. For those who are looking for information: Aside from Andrew's article in the July/August EAT Magazine, there's also an article on Tofino and Uclulet in this month's Vancouver Magazine

Looks like the Majestic on Davis is closed. A place called "Chau" moving into the corner of Nicola and Robson - unfortunate name.

There's a new City Food out - I picked mine up at Granville Island this morning. It's an art and food issue with lots of original material including an interview with Timopthy Taylor on the art of Cameraman and Andrew 01. It still contains some of the more traditional material like openings and the calendar. A feature on chef's tattoos is not exactly original but there's good photography and some interesting stories there. City Food has always had a wonderful sense of design and I thank Rhonda May for injecting more art (as opposed to the standard food porn) into the mix.

Thank you Andrew. I will pick up the next EAT (always do) and see what else I can add to my list.

Yes it is too bad about lunch. Lunch was my favourite meal at West. And I'm sorry you won't be reporting on West.

Thanks Peter and C Simril for your reports. Andrew I look forward to reading your report in print. I thought I might might use my $100 Climate Action Dividend to check out how things are going for myself.

I'm heading up to Tofino next week with a family group that ranges in age from 5 to 88 - staying at Pacific Sands. Any recommendations? Andrew Morrison if you are checking in please report - you are there fairly regularly. What's the best place to buy crab, coffee, baked goods? I know about Sobo but what else is relatively kid friendly.

David Hawksworth is still a big fan of Saskatchewan chanterelles. Here's a quote from a 23 May Vancouver Sun article: Read the whole article here: David Hawksworth's favourite toys

Outstanding in the Field is returning to UBC farm this year on August 1st with a new chef:

I don't think there is any subterfuge. I'm just trying to get some discussion going. I guess I should go to West for dinner and report back myself. Unfortunately for me lunch was my favourite meal at West and it is gone.

True. So why is that do you think?

I enjoyed Rhonda May's take on the Gill review. An excerpt: Read the rest here: City Food: From the 'No One Asked Us, But...' Department

No more lunch at West, according to today's Georgia Straight:

The venture at English Bay got the go ahead: From the Vancouver Sun: Bistro on English Bay gets green light You can view the concept plan for the new English Bay bistro tonight at the park board office, 2099 Beach Ave.

Beard Papa is opening a shop on Denman Street at the old Germaine Bakery site almost at Davie.

Mia Stainsby was considerably more impressed in her 14 May Vancouver Sun review, here's an excerpt: I haven't been to West since the changing of the guard so I can't add any insights or perspectives. Peter if you are the same Peter who posted on UD then it looks like your experience may have been closer to Gill's than Stainsby's.

The new "flagship" Cactus Club on Burrard and Dunsmuir Bentall 5 is open. I was packed when I walked by after work on Tuesday.

What are their markups relative to the government stores? Some stores markup considerablely more than others. I see they are offering 5% off on cases.

This is closer to my reaction and I'm no kid.

Here's how Gill's review (Globe and Mail, June 4) concludes: