barolo

I'd start with a coffee from JJ Beans or tea from Granville Island tea and then choose breakfast. Some of my breakfast favourites are apple foccacia or grape bread from Terra, a donut from Lee's Donuts, or hot cereal from the Stock Market. Then I'd do a quick tour of the market to see what day vendors are in that day. Before I shop in the market, I usually take a tour through Circle Craft, Crafthouse, the Wood Co-op and the Potter's Guild to see their gallery shows and check out the latest offerings. Then I amble around the rest of the artisan studios scattered around the Island and back to the market to do my shopping. If you are not familiar with the Island pick up a map at the information centre just past Kid's Only Market on Cartwright Street. Many of the Island shops also have Island maps. Aside from lots of crafts and artisans, there's a bunch of boat stuff to look at on the Island, a brewery, the aforementioned Kid's Only Market, an Art College, Opus Frames, theatres, restaurtants and various other shops that may be of greater or lesser interest to you. At the Public Market, as many have noted, Oyama sausage has an incredible array of cured meat and sausages, as well as some cheese, that must be checked out and sampled if possible. Terra Breads is great and check out the day vendors for seasonal offerings. I'd take a walk or drive down to 2nd and Burrard and check out les amis du fromage if you are really into cheese. For lunch the Stock Market is my pick, they always have 3 soups available. Usually though I take my groceries home and make lunch from my market finds. There are restaurtants on the Island but nothing to really get excited about. The restaurant at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, just off the entrance of the Island might be worth checking out. I'm not sure if it is open for lunch or just for dinner. Cheers, Barolo