Hummingbird604.com » Mount Pleasant

Greenest City Neighbourhood Small Grants (Mount Pleasant)

Raul — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:14:58 +0000

While I knew about the City of Vancouver Neighbourhood Small Grants, I do not think I had heard about the Greenest City Neighbourhood Small Grants until a friend (who, like me, lives in Mount Pleasant) sent me this information, which I am reproducing below. [UPDATE - After doing a little research, and realizing that I should know more about this program since the folks at the Vancouver Foundation are actually my friends and I have sat on advisory committees for the Foundation itself, here is some more information that I garnered about the programme].

The City of Vancouver and Vancouver Foundation have teamed up to help make Vancouver the greenest city by 2020. We’ve created the Greenest City Fund – a four-year, $2 million fund that will support community-led green projects. We want to go right into the heart of the community for ideas, and that’s why we’ve dedicated a portion of the Fund to support Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) that have a green focus. Our aim is to encourage local initiatives, designed and undertaken by residents, right in their community. We’re looking for fabulous ideas from you, Vancouver residents, which will make your neighbourhood greener. Your proposal needs to meet the criteria on the left and must benefit your Vancouver neighbourhood.

This project offers up to $1000 to groups of people living in Mount Pleasant and Little Mountain, who want to work together on a small event, program or project that enhances their neighbourhood through a green focus. We’re looking for fabulous ideas from you, Vancouver residents, which will make your neighbourhood greener. Your proposal needs to meet the criteria and must benefit your Vancouver neighbourhood.

What Kinds of Projects Receive Funding?

All kinds of projects! Here are some other Greenest City NSG ideas you could develop:

1. Making businesses greener or creating green jobs.
2. Growing and eating local food.
3. Making buildings more energy efficient.
4. Promoting greener forms of transportation.
5. Creating zero waste.
6. Mitigating climate change and breathing clean air.
7. Improving access to nature and planting trees.
8. Conserving drinking water.
9. Reducing our ecological footprint.

Where can I get Information about City Guidelines?

Links to relevant City of Vancouver guidelines visit their website.

Who can apply for a Grant?

Applicants must live in the Mount Pleasant and Little Mountain Neighbourhoods, see map here. The grants are for projects by neighbours or small groups of residents only; organizations cannot apply. All projects must take place in Vancouver.

Application Deadline

The Greenest City Neighbourhood Small Grant application deadline is May 25, 2012, and if your grant is approved the Steering Committee will inform you in June. The projects, events and programs will take place in 2012, followed by a celebration in November which gives grant recipients the opportunity to display photographs, tell stories, mingle with other project organizers, and meet the NSGP Steering Committee.

Please Submit Your Application:

Online and click on “Apply for a Grant”.

In person or by mail at:
Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House
800 East Broadway, Vancouver BC V5T 1Y1

Little Mountain Neighbourhood House
3981 Main Street, Vancouver BC V5V 3P3

For More Information:
Please visit this website or here.

Hopefully residents of Mount Pleasant will be able and willing to submit an application for a Neighbourhood Small Grant.

Kiso Island (Mount Pleasant, 12th Avenue and Main St)

Raul — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 22:28:32 +0000

The truth be told, I am wondering if the owners of Kiso Island must be the owners of Kishu Island (which got burned at the corner of Broadway and Main). I say this because the name sounds familiar and similar, and the sushi also tastes similar. Good sushi, but not something to call home about. It’s of good enough quality and I would definitely stop here for the gyoza and some of the special sushi pieces, but for traditional, standard rolls, I am still a fan of MoMo Sushi. Kiso Island is decent sushi for where it is and what you need it for.

The avocado roll and the yam tempura roll were both good, I won’t deny it. But the spicy tuna roll was meh.

The gyozas were delicious, that I will concede. Overall, I’ll come to Kiso Island again, but mostly when I’m away from MoMo Sushi or Sushiyama or Hime Sushi (all in the vicinity of Main and Broadway). It’s inexpensive sushi, but it’s not the best in town.

Disclosure: I paid for my sushi dinner on my own dime.

Che Baba Cantina (Kingsway and Fraser, Mount Pleasant)

Raul — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:28:36 +0000

I love my neighbourhood, and I adore every single effort that people undertake to beautify it and to make it more livable. I live reasonably close to Kingsway and Fraser, and because of that, I am a fan of new restaurants that are slowly but surely making their way into this area (which once was showcased as a derelict place in a movie called “Mount Pleasant”, which I reviewed about four years ago, remember?)

Che Baba Cantina is one of those efforts to strengthen the community around this area, which is now blossoming. A small but extremely bright and cozy cantina, Che Baba Cantina boasts a French-inspired menu with a multicultural staff that is friendly to the bone. I took JT here for lunch as I was determined to try this new restaurant ASAP (sorry Annemarie and Gillian, the curiosity did kill the cat).

I ordered a Tartine with Seasonal Greens ($13, pulled Pork with red onion, pickled fennel and green apple served on toasted mustard seed bread) which was pretty filling and very well done. The pulled pork was deliciously well cooked with the red onion mixed for tart flavor. While for a lunch item this side of Main Street it seems to me a bit on the expensive side of things, I was perfectly full and able to undertake a reasonable walk around the neighbourhood. I cannot say the same for JT who ordered a platter of tartinettes ($12, smaller versions of the tartine, 5 in total) but without a salad, it would have been very little food for one person.

While I absolutely adored Che Baba Cantina, I think the price is a tiny spec on the side of slightly expensive, for a lunch menu. For dinner, I haven’t tried it yet. I would think that maybe there’ll be some adjustments on portions and what not, but it’s definitely a place to try with customer service and food that is totally worth the visit.

Disclosure: I paid for both of our meals on my own dime. I have no connection to the restaurant owners or anything like that, but I wanted to write about this place because it’s one of the great additions to my neighbourhood.

Wine and Cheese Fundraiser in support of the Brewery Creek Community Garden (Mount Pleasant)

Raul — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:04:38 +0000

My good friend Sarah asked me to forward this to my readership, and since I DO live in Mount Pleasant, and it is a fundraiser, I thought I’d share with my readership. After all, you may have read that there is a number of community gardens emerging in several areas, including the Broadway and Fraser part of Mount Pleasant. The fundraiser is a Wine and Cheese Social in support of the Brewery Creek Community Garden, and will take place this Saturday November 26th, at the Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House located on 800 East Broadway (a couple of blocks east of Fraser Street). Tickets are $20 in pre-sale and $25 at the door.

For tickets you can email brewerygarden(@)gmail(.)com. It sounds like it will be a very fun event that also will focus on building a community. If you are at all interested in community gardens, and/or live in Mount Pleasant, please consider attending this fundraiser, and spreading the word!

Fray on Fraser #FoodFriday

Raul — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:49:31 +0000

Best news of recent weeks? Knowing that there are so many new restaurants moving to the Kingsway and Fraser or upper Fraser area (e.g. Mount Pleasant/Riley Park). I have written about many of them including the Lion’s Den, Les Faux Burgeoises (Kingsway and Fraser) and now of course, what can we say about the Outpost Cafe, which I absolutely love.

As I mentioned a few years ago, Fraser is really becoming the new Main, and Fray on Fraser is one of the very welcome additions to this neighbourhood. In fact, Marche St George is also one of the shops that is attracting a lot of business, much like the Outpost Cafe AND Fray on Fraser.

JT and I went for dinner to Fray on Fraser (we walked from my place, and the walk showed us that this area of Fraser Street is actually changing and evolving a lot, for the good). We sat down rather quickly (Fray is ample and spacious and has a variety of different little areas that can accommodate families and couples or singles who just want to come grab a pint and a burger).

I started with bacon-covered figs as my starter, which I absolutely loved. The balsamic reduction made the fig moist (even though the bacon provided a nice counter-point flavour). From the Fray menu

Fray’s Famous F-Bombs: Our signature dish – a variation on Devils on Horseback, this is a share plate of Fraser Valley bacon-wrapped fresh figs with a balsamic reduction. –$7.95

I ordered a delicious burger with salad. The bun was slightly toasted and thus I wasn’t fully crazy about it, but as far as the meat patty, it was fresh, tasty and nicely sized. From the Fray menu:

Fray Burger: A hearty wedge of Pemberton B.C. beef, freshly ground on the premises, with home-made mayonnaise on Chef Antonio’s signature purple yam bun with market salad. –$10.95 * Add extras and sides as you like for $2 each item. Choose from: Aged cheddar cheese, sauteed mushrooms, Fraser Valley bacon, homemade potato chips

I definitely will come back to Fray on Fraser. The service (staff) could use some training in customer service because it took our server a bit to come and take our orders, but overall, the place is absolutely lovely, the food is pretty good and I can even say that JT really enjoyed the burger (and he’s a bit of a burger snob).

Disclosure: I paid for both of our meals on my own dime.

la vie bohème bistro (Mount Pleasant)

Raul — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:00:07 +0000

And I’m using the lowercase as they have it on their menu instead of capitalizing it. la vie boheme bistro in Mount Pleasant is the newest incarnation of formerly-known-as-Cafe Hermosa. I loved this little West 7th Avenue cafe, simply because it was in Mount Pleasant, an area I absolutely love and adore, with its industrial/urban mixing.

And now reincarnated as la vie boheme bistro, I love it even more. The food is excellent, the ambiance is great, and I just wish it was open 7 days a week. It looks to me as though this little bistro serves the population of the industrial and commercial area within Mount Pleasant.

At La Vie Boheme, it is our mission to create a relaxing, at home feel, so that you can sit awhile, enjoy, lovingly prepared, freshly made meals and delicious Cafe drinks with friends and family. Our staff is a vivacious group of beautiful Actors and Actresses there to provide excellent and entertaining service. We overhear and partake in conversation worthy of the Algonquin Room while listening to Billy Holiday, Louis Jordan, Ella and Louis and Edith Piaf (to name a few).

We put a delicious flare on classic Breakfast and Lunch Meals. Try our top selling sandwich: “The Charmer” – Turkey, Asiago Cheese and a homemad cranberry sauce. The God Father Omelette, Proscuitto, Goatcheese and roasted tomatoes. Let’s just say, “We’ll Make you an Omelette you can’t refuse.” And many, many more, to die for, options!

I recently took my good friend Monique Trottier (Boxcar Marketing) for lunch there, as I had wanted to just hang out and have geeky conversations about academia, books, social media and all things in between. Monique ordered an omelette with a fantastic salad where I ordered The Charmer sandwich.

The sandwich was delicious with a little bit of yogurt to add a kick and the tomato soup was to-die-for.

I will be back for more to la vie boheme bistro, and I hope you’ll check it out. Monday through Friday 7am to 4pm, Saturdays 8am to 3pm.

The Rumpus Room (Main Street, Mount Pleasant)

Raul — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:01:32 +0000

The highest concentration of hipsters per square foot in a room, the friendliest and nicest service, and the tastiest burgers in a fairly large perimeter around Mount Pleasant can be found at The Rumpus Room on 11th Avenue and Main Street. Recently renovated, apparently, because I recall that there was another establishment there (one that I thought of writing about because it always seemed so… lonely).

I asked around on Twitter on where to have dinner close to my house (I have been working from home for a day and a half, when I’m polishing papers, literature reviews, journal articles or syllabi I often do this – lock myself at home). But nobody mentioned a restaurant I hadn’t visited yet, so what I did is I went to The Rumpus Room (on my friend Heather Watson‘s suggestion).

The restaurant itself is decorated totally hipster, but it’s so relaxed it’s almost unnoticeable. I sat on a very comfy reclining chair and ordered a standard burger ($9) with a potato salad side. I found the prices extremely reasonable. The potato salad was extremely well done, perhaps one of the best I’ve ever tried. Not crazy about the celery, but the creamy dressing complimented very nicely the sometimes a bit dry kaiser.

It was totally my fault that I didn’t order any toppings on my burger (speaking of which, they use hormone-free, free-range meat, just as an FYI – important these days). I felt a lot of garlic flavour and the beef patty was very moist and cooked (as they say) to perfection. I definitely think if I add roasted garlic (one of the toppings that The Rumpus Room offers) and probably some avocado, a basic burger can be a total heaven.

After dinner I absolutely had no space for dessert. The bartender and server both were extremely sweet and told me about their Sunday movie nights. Good times, I’ll definitely be back to The Rumpus Room.

Ryu Sushi (Main Street, Mount Pleasant)

Raul — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 15:00:58 +0000

I was really sad to see the Windjammer (a very old-fashioned, really cute English pub that offered apparently some really good fish and chips that I never got the chance to check out) disappear. But I’m glad that there’s an affordable (maybe not the most sophisticated) and tasty sushi restaurant near my house. I used to be a huge fan of Zipang Sushi but the last two times I have visited it’s been pretty awful.

The decor at Ryu Sushi is modest, clean and welcoming. I am pretty impressed with the size of the restaurant that they inherited. I’m not sure they’ll give their patio much action, but I am looking forward to checking it out soon. Ryu Sushi doesn’t boast any fanfare nor do they claim to be the best sushi in town. They offer affordable sustenance-like sushi at very decent price points and great customer service. The staff were incredibly warm and kind and welcoming. And I was just as pleased to have some grub to keep me on the go. We’ll have to see how they fare through time.

An emerging Community Garden at Broadway and Fraser (Mount Pleasant)

Raul — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:00:10 +0000

I have lived in Mount Pleasant (in East Vancouver) for about 5 and a half years, and I loved it from the moment I actually set foot there. I heard stories about how derelict Main and Fraser used to be 10, 15 or 20 years ago (with prostitution and drug trafficking). And it’s nice to see how much more evolved the corner of Broadway and Fraser is getting.

I met the lovely lady behind this emerging community garden at Broadway and Fraser. Lila told me that she wanted to make her neighbourhood more beautiful and to enhance it. I think a community garden is a great idea. Lila also told me that while cleaning up the area was challenging (she found needless in the ground when she was cleaning up for the garden), she is happy to see it flourishing.

And frankly, so am I. I just hope I can find ways to help her with the community garden, to make it grow. And I’m really delighted that the corner of Broadway and Fraser is getting so much nicer.

Industrial and urban transformation, land use changes and storytelling

Raul — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 19:00:28 +0000

I pride myself in my abilities as a storyteller, and I have always believed that being a good writer and researcher means telling a good story. The other day, my good friend Erica Hargreave (Ahimsa Media) who works as an interactive storyteller, and I were walking down Mount Pleasant. I stopped, took a photo and asked her “what’s the story behind this photography”. That’s all I said.

Erica replied “that photo tells the story of how this geographical area has transformed from being highly industrialized to now having a mixture of industrial and residential and how these two co-exist”. And that’s exactly the story I would portray with this photo.

I’m always fascinated with land use changes, with the co-existence of industrial and urban spaces. I wrote a doctoral dissertation on the topic, as a matter of fact. So taking photos of industrial/urban ecosystems has become somewhat of a hobby for me. As Jens mentioned, this photo tells the story of a change in land use.

East Vancouver Love Volume 2 Tweetup #EastVanLove

Raul — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 01:25:49 +0000

Tonight at the East Vancouver Love Volume 2 Tweetup (to be hosted by Our Town Café, one of my favorites), a number of speakers will be sharing their thoughts, including my friend Shane Gibson. Coincidentally, as it so happens, I live about 8 blocks away from Our Town Café and I am also a resident and a fan of East Vancouver and Mount Pleasant. So even though I am exhausted I will be swinging by for a little bit (literally it is on my way home). Hope you will be there too. The hashtag #EastVanLove will be validated on my livetweetage.

East Van Love Tweetup

Cafeteria (Main Street, Mount Pleasant)

Raul — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 16:00:49 +0000

There’s something about Cafeteria that doesn’t completely fulfill me. It’s not the fact that it’s a “posh-ish” restaurant on Main Street. On the contrary, I think it’s a very welcome addition to the neighbourhood. I had been really looking forward to trying Cafeteria but it wasn’t until a couple of weeks ago that JT and I had the opportunity to test-drive the food. Tasty, but I think that a wee bit on the higher end of pricing.

I found this particularly dumbfounding for a neighbourhood that prides itself in affordable grub. To enable myself to really check it out, I went there without reviewing any of my foodie friends’ reviews, to see it for myself. I got the crispy chicken with olive oil mash and roasted garlic. Absolutely delicious. I may have been way too hungry but I found it slightly pricey ($18) for the portion size. We shared a chocolate tart with kumquat marmalade ($7.50) for dessert. Again, I might have just been way too hungry, but it was great food (as I noted on Twitter).

I’ll definitely have to come back to Cafeteria for a second try. The menu changes almost every day, so it’s a great opportunity to not get bored and try something new.

Guelph Park (Mount Pleasant)

Raul — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 17:00:45 +0000

I have written guest posts on several parks in Metro Vancouver (Burnaby, New Westminster and Vancouver) but I rarely write about parks here on my blog. But as I was browsing my Flickr account looking for my hummingbird logo, I came across this photo of the relaxing wooden sculpture that is located in the middle of Guelph Park (in Mount Pleasant, very close to Kingsway and Main).

This park is a smaller, urban park located near Guelph and 7th Avenue, close by an elementary school. I have enjoyed some nice walks around there, and it’s so close to my apartment, it’s a very nice and relaxing walk during the summer time.

Mainly Main (magazine)

Raul — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 16:07:25 +0000

That I am in love with my neighbourhood (South Main Street, SoMa or Mount Pleasant, whichever way you want to call it), is not at question at all. I’ve written dozens, perhaps hundreds of blog posts highlighting great restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and the history of my beautiful neigbhourhood. I am even doing a giveaway where I ask you what makes the area where you live so awesome (the Travellers Deck contest). So when I walked into Latitude on Main the other day for brunch with Mark and David from GayVancouver.net, I realized that there was another issue of the online and print magazine “Mainly Main“.

Mainly Main is a new print magazine that launches this December! Featuring commentary and satire, this East Van monthly periodical is sure to get noticed.

For some reason, my brain didn’t connect the dots, and I didn’t realize that someone I met in person and actually have hung out with is the brains behind the Twitter account of @MainlyMain. So, for all things associated with our fine area (Main Street), you can read Mainly Main. I look forward to reading the next issue!

The Arts Studios (Vancouver Coastal Health) Silent Auction and Holiday Sale

Raul — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 22:52:48 +0000

You all may know that I co-organize Mental Health Camp Vancouver (and I spearhead the Mental Health Camp movement as well) with my dear friend Isabella Mori. I have a very big stake in de-stigmatizing mental illness, and thus I’m a big supporter of anything that is associated with, and promotes wellness, health and de-stigmatization for folks afflicted with mental illness.

The Art Studios is a program within Vancouver Coastal Health that offers art classes, art workshops and mental health programming to Vancouver residents (age 16 – 90 yrs) who are living with mental illness. This is a unique program that currently services 300 residents in Vancouver who live with mental illness. The Art Studios is in high demand with approximately 100 people waiting to participate in their first art class.

I asked Lisa Wallace from VCH to share some of the stories of the participants in the program.

Sandra is one of the active participants of the program. Sandra was diagnosed at the age of 14 with schizoaffective disorder. Not allowing her diagnosis to dictate her life, Sandra went on to get a university degree and work a 9-5 job. When Sandra suffered a relapse in 1998, she was forced to quit her job after working for eight years. Discouraged and concerned now without her day to day working routine, Sandra discovered The Art Studios. Through her time at the Art Studios, Sandra rekindled her interest in painting, received valuable support, and created new friendships.

Darcie is another active participant of the Art Studios program. Darcie suffered severe depression as a result of a car accident and subsequent back injury. Prior to the accident, she was worked as a nurse and had a busy, full life. Darcie has been a participant of the studio for the past three years. She feels that it provides her with “a place of both understanding and acceptance; a place to socialize, to meet new friends, and a place to go when I need some gentle support”.

The Art Studios has been an important piece of Sandra’s and Darcie’s recovery. It has given them a sense of belonging and community, art skills and opportunities, empowerment and hope for the future.

On Thursday, November 25th, at the Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street, Vancouver, from 12-8pm. Sandra and Darcie will be one of the many participants of the Art Studios’ selling their works of art at the Art Studios’ Annual Winter Sale and Silent Auction. Lots of wonderful Vancouver businesses have donated items to the Silent Auction. The Art Studios greatly benefits from public support at this event. Art Studios artists keep all monies from the sales of their own art. All funds raised through the Silent Auction and admission donations go towards additional quality art supplies for the Art Studios. Please consider attending and buying some of these fine works of art.

The Facebook page for the event is located here.

Uptown Barbers Shop (Mount Pleasant) – Guest post by @DanHaves

Raul — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:45:43 +0000

An odd curiosity of infidelity is the frequent scenario in which you hear a reaction like “he cheated on her with her?” You can, of course, mix and match the personal pronouns.

Well, today, I cheated on my hairdresser. And some might say “you cheated on her with him?”

I had been going to a great hair salon on Broadway, just off of Main – Karynne Renn and Andie Maddalozzo’s Bangs Salon – but the $45 for a haircut was proving too costly. By no means are they overcharging; Karynne gives an excellent haircut (and free advice on raising kittens!). But when money is tight, vanity has to be the first thing to go.

So I slinked on down the street to a little place called Uptown Barbers Shop at Main and 8th. You’d probably walk right past this place on most days. Dimly light on the inside, and wedged into a stretch of road that includes a very bizarre jukebox store and the controversial Fox Cinema. It’s certainly not the first place you’d look for a haircut.

Prepared to slum it, as it were, I walked in with my head on a swivel – I didn’t want anyone seeing me being unfaithful.

A friendly Frenchman sat me down in a vintage barbershop chair facing the street and he began to snip away. After a few moments of anxiety – what if Karynne was to walk by? – I was able to enjoy the view of one of the oldest intersections in Mount Pleasant. Some people might be put off by not facing the mirror while receiving hair surgery, but I quite liked the suspense. Plus, I passed the time wondering what it would have been like to live here in 1908.

With very few back and forths, my haircut was done, and a fine haircut it was. A little shorter than what I was used to, but a solid cut for a good price ($16).

At Uptown Barber, if you can look past its dingy interior and interesting collection of neighbours, you’ll get a no-nonsense haircut without breaking the bank.

As for me, I thanked the barber (I neglected to get his name) and performed a modified version of the walk of shame, imagining all the things I would say to Karynne when she inevitably finds out about my infidelity.

If you’re out there, Karynne. I hope you understand. Think of all the money I can spend on my kitten now.

Dan Haves is a photographer and journalist, and his website is located here. Thanks Dan for the guest post!

Habit Lounge (Main Street, Mount Pleasant)

Raul — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 15:45:48 +0000

My good friends K and L invited me for brunch to Habit Lounge for a post-birthday celebration, and I’m glad we chose this particular restaurant. I had eaten at The Cascade before (both restaurants are owned by the same folks) but I had never had a chance to try the food at Habit Lounge (despite living in the area).

I ordered a 3 egg omelette with chorizo, mushrooms, spinach and tomato ($10). This particular dish on their menu brings goat cheese, but since I hate cheese, they kindly removed it. When my food arrived to the table I thought my omelette looked smaller than my friends’ dishes (who had ordered just scrambled eggs), but overall, it was really tasty and I almost couldn’t finish it all.

I will have to come back to Habit for dinner, though I will admit I was a tiny bit surprised a family brought their little kid and the staff were incredibly kind to them. I have seen a dearth of restaurants in this city who cater to families who go out for brunch (I struggled to find a place where to take my friends with kids that would not be Little Nest yet again).

Definitely will do a return trip to Habit Lounge for dinner and/or drinks. Worth the trip. And the staff and service were really good.

Lucy’s East Side Diner (Main Street, Mount Pleasant)

Raul — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 18:30:40 +0000

The day that Lucy’s East Side Diner opened for a soft launch (Saturday September 25th, 2010) was the day I decided to drop by and visit (though their actual launch will be October 1st, I think). I went there with my good friends Arieanna and Ianiv Schweber, their son Aiden and Arieanna’s Mom.

We all ordered burgers, where mine was a basic ($6.00) with an addendum of cheese plus bacon minus cheese ($3.50). I found the burger reasonably priced and really tasty, but what the shocker was was the $4.50 that my drink (a simple root beer) cost.

That’s what freshly squeezed orange juice costs! My total bill came to $17.50 with tax and tip, which for a simple diner (a la Nice Cafe), it’s actually quite expensive (for one person). I will have to come back and not order drinks and just eat a burger or any of their other dishes, but I was quite shocked at the final bill (again, for a diner – this would be normal at Crave on Main or The Well).

The best part, though, wasn’t the actual place but more the opportunity to spend time with the Schweber family. Time with friends is priceless, and for that I’m grateful.

Lucy’s East Side Diner is located between 11th and 12th Avenue on Main Street. It will open officially on October 1st, I believe.

Au Petit Cafe (South Main)

Raul — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:00:52 +0000

I would have never been to Au Petit Cafe if Minna hadn’t ever brought me here. Even though it is located in South Main (and therefore, pretty close by to this cute little Vietnamese restaurant). I went here for dinner/lunch with Minna and Erica Lam (Minna, as you may know, is the co-founder of The Network Hub and Erica writes The Style Spy and is also a social media strategist for Cossette West).

Au Petit Cafe is tiny, but always busy from what I hear. And the food is really good, but more than anything pretty inexpensive. I ordered a French bread sub with shredded chicken, vegetables and hot peppers, which I do not remember the price but I would say it was in the range of, at the most, $6.50.

Inexpensive food, great service, very nice people (the owner spoke to me in French, which I found extremely sweet). Overall, a great experience shared with awesome friends.

Les Faux Burgeois (Dickens, Mount Pleasant)

Raul — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 07:14:35 +0000

Having spent so much time in Paris, it’s no surprise that I am a fan of French cuisine. I have previously written about a few of the French restaurants I’ve tried in Vancouver (including Jules Bistro in Gastown and Bistrot Bistro in Kitsilano). Despite having lived a little less than 3 minutes away from Les Faux Burgeois in the Mount Pleasant area (more properly, Dickens), I had never set foot there. Until this week.

My recommendation first of all is to arrive early. We arrived at 5:45pm and the place was full for reservations (empty at the time, but all reservations showed up within 10 minutes). I am not kidding. We sat at the bar, where we were very promptly served. I started with their version of the Niçoise salad, the Fausse Niçoise classic with seared albacore tuna ($11).

For dinner I ordered Toulouse et Purée, a pair of Toulouse sausages with mash potatoes and fig compote. It was really good, but very rich, so I couldn’t finish it all. I have to admit I didn’t have any problem with the food, it was really tasty, but I wasn’t all that horribly hungry. While my dinner options had fish and pork, you can easily have dinner at Les Faux Burgeois being a vegetarian.

A vegan perhaps couldn’t make it, but they do have a few vegetarian dishes. After dinner, when asked whether Les Faux Burgeois had lived to all the hypes I had given it, I realized – I love the place, amazing food, good prices, relaxed atmosphere and very prompt and courteous service. But I didn’t like the music. It didn’t feel French at all. Maybe that’s why it’s Faux Burgeois instead of real ones?

June 20th is @CarFreeMain – @CarFreeYVR #CFMain

Raul — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:14:58 +0000

My good friend J. Karen Parker has volunteered for Car-Free Day Vancouver for a couple of years now and I have written about it every time since. This year, volunteers have taken it upon themselves to promote each one of the regions, and I’m obviously promoting my own (I live near Main Street).

The first annual Car-Free Vancouver Day, on Sunday June 15, 2008 ushered in the next phase in this bold experiment that had been gradually happening in Vancouver for many years. It took the car-free meme to the whole city, and represented the next level in our evolution toward healthy communities, authentic cultural celebrations, and car-free streets. On that day, FOUR communities presented their own Car-Free Festivals: Kitsilano, West End, Main Street, and Commercial Drive. Each Festival was envisioned and organized by the local core organizers, and each had a unique flavour.

[Car Free Festival's About Page]

Sunday June 20th is a tricky day because my Mom arrives on the 23rd, so I know for a fact I’m going to be insanely busy. But I’ll try to at least check it out for a bit. Hope you will join in the fun too! If you live on the Main Street area, please remember that Main Street will be closed from 12th Avenue all the way up to 33rd.

The Mount Pleasant/Main Street social scene

Raul — Fri, 28 May 2010 17:15:10 +0000

A couple of years ago, I wrote a post where I indicated what the community who visits Main Street/Mount Pleasant could be looking for in terms of activities. I often write about my neighbourhood because I love promoting local businesses, and of course, I’m interested in getting to know my formerly-industrial-now-residential area more in-depth.

This post could be extremely long if I don’t put the brakes on it, so I’ll just mention a few things that might be of interest for potential visitors, in particular, some of my personal favorites.

Lower and Mid-Mount Pleasant – early Riley Park

Drinks/bars/restaurants

- The Narrow (2nd and Main)
- The Whip (6th and Main)
- The Foundation (7th and Main)
- The Cascade (10th and Main)
- The Well (13th and Main)
- Burgoo (14th and Main)
- The Five Point (15th and Main)
- Latitude (16th and Main)
- Public Lounge Eatery (17th and Main)
- Coppertank (21st and Main)
- Crave on Main (23rd and Main)

Coffee shops and tea/dessert places
- Cuppa Joe’s (Broadway and Main)
- Gene (Kingsway Main)
- Our Town Cafe (Kingsway Broadway)
- Waves (10th and Main)
- Bean Around the World (10th and Main, 20th and Main)
- Sweet Revenge (25th and Main)

What are your personal favorites on Main Street-ish? I am going to update this post when I get more time.

Hime Sushi

Raul — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 20:37:10 +0000

The gentrification of my area (Mount Pleasant) has concerned me for a while now (admittedly, the Kingsway and Fraser area and from 16th and Fraser to King Edward is getting nicer and highly touted to become “the new Main“). So, when I saw that a new sushi place had opened right next door to Rhizome Cafe, I was a bit worried. I didn’t want “yet another sushi place” in an area that is even a tad crowded with restaurants – for example, Jiro and Sushiyama are both within two blocks distance).

I will admit that I walked into Hime Sushi a bit hesitant (admittedly, it was 9 pm and all I wanted was a couple of rolls). Unfortunately, I think they might have recognized me from my profile photo on UrbanSpoon, which is a bit unfortunate, because I would have wanted to eat there knowing that the excellent service I received was the same level of service that they provide everyone. I ordered a California combo ($ 8.00) and that was that, and I’ll say, Hime Sushi’s rolls are on par with some of the best sushi I’ve had (perhaps to the level of Zipang Sushi on Main and 20th).

I’ll have to come back and let you know if the service is as good when they’re busy as it is when they’re empty (they close at 10pm).

Sushiyama (Mount Pleasant)

Raul — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 06:54:00 +0000

JT and I had tried to have sushi at Sushiyama not once, not twice but seriously, probably a dozen times. But we always caught them closed, not sure why. Maybe we weren’t destined to try the delicious sushi that Sushiyama produces. Luckily, this Friday we were able to pick up take-out (we both chose a California Combo, for $ 7.95 – that includes miso soup). The sushi is definitely better than the one I had at Nikkyu (which, admittedly, is substantially closer to my house, but not as good). It’s also substantially better than the sushi at most Kishu’s (including the recently burned down Kishu Mountain).

While I am not one to try the fancy rolls unless the place is very well renowned for them, like the case of Zipang or Ebisu (both Robson and Richmond), so I’m usually trying the basic combos. For the California combo, I had more than enough food. It included miso soup (very light) and 4 pieces of nigiri sushi.

I am not too keen on any nigiri that is not the traditional salmon, tuna or shellfish, so the fourth piece was kind of weird for me. Also, I’m trying to eat more vegetarian rather than fish-based, so while I love nigiri, I am more concerned with eating fish that aren’t endangered (‘sustainable sushi’ places in Vancouver).

Overall, I really enjoyed eating sushi to take out from Sushiyama, but I could totally see how I would have to wait in line to get a table. It’s a very popular place!

Jiro Japanese Restaurant (Broadway and Kingsway)

Raul — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 15:17:38 +0000

Jiro Japanese Restaurant
315 Broadway
(near Kingsway and Broadway)

There’s one thing I’ll never understand: how can some restaurants be closed later than 3pm, for lunch? It’s not like we don’t eat late lunches! This weekend, my good friend Airdrie and I were looking for a restaurant to have late lunch (an Izakaya, preferably), and the ones we were looking to visit were closed until 5pm. Since we were hungy we settled for finding whatever sushi place we could find.

I had heard good things about Jiro, but had never been. The location kind of looks dicey, but as soon as we walked in the restaurant, we found a half-full place at 3pm. Which means, it must be good. Jiro offers all-you-can-eat sushi for $14.95 but neither Air nor I could really eat that much so we decided to just grab a few rolls and some nigiri sushi and sashimi. The fish was fresh, and I particularly liked the salmon nigiri.

It’s not an expensive place for lunch, I don’t think. And more importantly, it is open all day (since April of 2006, apparently, or so it said near the door). I had a really good time and the food was very good, so I’ll have to come back to Jiro at some point. Good bonus? It’s near where I live, just a few blocks off.

McAuley Park (Kingsway and Fraser)

Raul — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 17:56:52 +0000

I live approximately equidistantly from Main Street and from Fraser Street, and due to the strategic position where my house is located, I’m very lucky in that I can get to my apartment by transit using any of 3 buses that cover the Mount Pleasant area (the 3 Main, 8 Fraser and 19th Metrotown).

I’ve had a fascination for small parks ever since I moved to Vancouver. When I moved here, I was coming from a pretty gray (covered with asphalt) city, where the green spaces were scarce. Thus, seeing so many trees and parks made me think instantly that I had made the right choice.

I am lucky that everywhere I’ve lived, I am within blocks of a park, be it a tiny one (McAuley Park or any of the other pocket parks) or a large one (when I was living in residence at UBC, near Pacific Spirit Park). McAuley Park is a little pocket park located right in the triangle formed by 15th Avenue, Kingsway and Fraser Street. Two gems for foodies are located here: The Lion’s Den (a classic) and Les Faux Burgeoises.

As I was doing some research online to figure out if there was more information about the McAuley Park, I found out on Wikipedia that this little geographical area is called Dickens (and for all I knew, all of this was the neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant!). Quite ironically, McAuley Park is not even mentioned on the Wikipedia entry for Dickens, despite the fact that it is, indeed, within the geographical boundaries of this sub-neigbhourhood!

I love the fact that I can just walk there to see cherry blossoms, and there is a lot of amenities around that make me think that, once again, making the decision of living in East Vancouver was a really good one. I really do think that Fraser is the new Main and it will soon be recognized as that.

Charles Grocery (12th and Carolina)

Raul — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 02:04:20 +0000

I must have written on my blog at some point that there are few things I love more than finding cute little grocery stores in residential neighbourhoods. I may or may not have written about it. Can’t recall, quite honestly. But the truth is, I do love finding those stores. Along 12th Avenue and relatively close to my house, you can find two. The first one, on Windsor and 12th Avenue, has been there for quite some time.

I was excited to see Charles Grocery re-open, not only because it is relatively close to my house, but also because I am a big supporter of small businesses. I talked to the owner recently and he mentioned that while there isn’t a lot of foot traffic, there is at least some. I really hope he can keep that store open, because it’s one of those things about my neighbourhood (Mount Pleasant) that really makes me all warm and fuzzy. The character, and the fact that we still have corner stores that are, literally, on the corner of a residential street!

The Foundation Lounge (Main Street)

Raul — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:19:54 +0000

It seems as though I’m on a vegetarian rampage. Last Sunday I had dinner at Bandidas on Commercial, and this week, I had lunch at The Foundation Lounge. As I mentioned on Twitter, Mexican cuisine is actually largely vegetarian/vegan, and I am, after all, a scholar of environmental policy (so, eating less meat does reduce my ecological footprint – congruent with my research and values!)

I had been to The Foundation with my friend Todd Sieling before, but somehow I never wrote about it. Todd and I recently met up for lunch again, and we returned to Foundation for a second visit. The first time I was there, I had mango with black beans on a bed of rice, but this time I tried the “BLT-ish” sandwich (vegetarian bacon, lettuce, tomato and guacamole). For $7, I would say the “BLT-ish” a really good deal, as it includes a side salad. I wasn’t hungry at all after lunch, which means that (at least for me) the portions were generous enough.

I would strongly recommend The Foundation for lunch, I haven’t really been here for dinner but as far as lunch goes, the service is prompt, cordial and the food is really good. The previous time I needed to add salsa to my rice as it was a tad sweet, but this time, I think I made the right choice for food. And of course, catching up with good friends and engaging in intellectually stimulating conversations is always fantastic.

The Mount Pleasant Community Centre

Raul — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:07:07 +0000

Pretty much anyone who reads my blog knows that I live in the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, in Vancouver. I am a big promoter of where I live for several reasons. First, I find it incredibly accessible. I live within walking distance (less than 5 blocks) from three of the major bus routes in Vancouver: 3 Main/Downtown, 8 Fraser/Downtown and 19 Metrotown/Downtown. Second, I find Mount Pleasant absolutely great. It is a very lively neighbourhood. I actually think it is true that Fraser may quickly become “The New Main”, and as a matter of fact Main Street is a wonderful, happening neighbourhood. Third, I love Mount Pleasant’s character.

I have written about many restaurants and other amenities around my neighbourhood, but I had been a tad remiss in showcasing the brand spanking new Mount Pleasant Community Centre, which was re-deployed from Ontario and 16th Avenue to the corner where Kingsway, Main and 7th Avenue all converge.

The MPCC has fantastic, modern and well-equipped facilities, although I’m 100% sure that residents do miss the outdoor pool (I hope someone saves it!). I am a member, and I exercise in the fitness centre. For a quick overview of the MPCC and everything that they offer you can read up more on this link.

Chutney Villa (Main and Broadway, Mount Pleasant)

Raul — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:11:34 +0000

I had thought of writing a review of Chutney Villa (see the menu here) the first time that I went there but I never managed to get around it so the second time I went there with JT I became determined to write a review as I’ve noticed that I keep visiting new restaurants and not writing about my experiences there. Lately, my blog has had a lot of focus on theatre, and my own personal stuff, and less on restaurants, so I figured I had to ramp up the foodie content.

You might be wondering why the heck I took photos of the decor (very pretty) instead of the food? Well, the truth is, we ate SO FAST I didn’t even have a chance to take photos. I know that my friend Degan took photos (as I found them on her Flickr account). We both ordered taali chicken kurma which came with rice, veggies, chutney, pachadi, rasam, vadai, and dessert. I would say that, while really tasty, I found the portions small.

The cuisine at Chutney Villa is primarily South Indian (yes, there are varying cuisines throughout India!). While not too inexpensive, it’s not really outrageously expensive either. I’d recommend it as a good example of well-made Indian food (although Nirvana just a couple of blocks away is good too!). Overall, nice food and great ambiance.

The Regional Assembly of Text (Main Street, Vancouver)

Raul — Sun, 24 May 2009 20:50:01 +0000

Credit: eldan

If you’ve been reading my blog for long enough, you’ll know that I’m a big supporter of small business, eclectic shops and in general anything that has to do with Mount Pleasant and the Main Street area of Vancouver. I live here, and I’m blessed because I get quick access to anything I may possibly need, or within a very quick bus ride. Anyhow, in my previous explorations of Mount Pleasant I had come across The Regional Assembly of Text, but had never remembered to write about it.

I was recently reminded of this cute store, founded in 2005 by Brandy Fedoruk and Rebecca Ann Dolen because I walked by a couple of days ago. The first time I visited was with my friend AF. We both thrive in writing letters the old-fashioned way. I think I’m a natural-born writer, despite the fact that when I was little I never felt competent to write stories. I never thought of myself as a storyteller. At least, not until now that I’ve been blogging for over three years.

In my quest to find more about the Regional Assembly of Text I found this post by Sophie Munn who mentioned she’d like a store like this in her region (I think she lives in Brisbane). One of MANY really cool features of this cute little store is the Letter Writing Club. There is no cost and everyone is welcome. From their paper advertisement:

We provide paper, envelopes, typewriters, tea, cookies & encouragement

The Letter Writing Club takes place every first Thursday of the month at 7:00pm. I seriously hope to attend the next one. If you want to find out more about the Regional Assembly of Text, please check their website or drop by (it’s located near 24th Avenue and Main Street).

The Narrow Artist Lounge (Main Street, Mount Pleasant)

Raul — Fri, 01 May 2009 19:50:21 +0000

It’s become a bit of a tradition for Lorraine and I to walk back from downtown to close to my place whenever we have an event that we both attend. We both love walking with friends and it’s a good exercise. Recently, we stopped for a drink at The Narrow on 3rd Avenue and Main Street, in the lower part of Mount Pleasant. I had heard about The Narrow from Shallom, Terri and Victoria, so I figured we should’ve checked it out.

In their own words, The Narrow is “dark and moody but still with a sense of fun”. It’s a really neat concept, with wonderful art and a very skillful bartender. I would probably come back for a night out in the town, and it was a nice ambiance and atmosphere for what both Lorraine and I wanted, which was only have one drink and go on our way.

Kishu Island (Main St., Mount Pleasant)

Raul — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:00:23 +0000

Both Lorraine and I love sushi. I happen to be both a lover of sushi AND a lover of all things Main Street. Since we were hanging out around the area, we decided to try Kishu Island for dinner recently. The funny thing is, I love the Kishu Mountain so I figured, Kishu Island would be just as good. Actually the first time I went I had a horrible experience, but given that I’ve now gone twice and haven’t had such a horrible experience the second time around, I figured it was about the appropriate time to give them a review.

We ordered a traditional box each one (about $9.00 per person) and it was more than enough food for each one of us. Their boxes are traditional bento boxes and therefore were pretty much sushi for sustenance. I wouldn’t say this is gourmet sushi, but it was good enough. The company was excellent, and I managed to bump into a former student of mine, whom I really like. Overall, I still prefer my Kishu Mountain to this one.

The planning process and development of Mount Pleasant

Raul — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:25:08 +0000

I am, as many of you know, a researcher of urban sustainability. Much of my research focused on understanding the transformation pathways of industrial regions. Mount Pleasant (and South East False Creek) is one of these previously-industrial-now-mixed-development areas in the city of Vancouver. Mount Pleasant is also where I call home, and I (as many of you know) am in love with this part of Vancouver.

Sadly, I have been unable to participate in the planning process for the Mount Pleasant area. For some reason, the meetings always end up being on a day that I am either overbooked, sick or otherwise unable to join. This time, I am using this post as a placeholder to remind me of the issues surrounding the development of Mount Pleasant, as I am currently linking to the website of the City of Vancouver’s page for the Mount Pleasant Community Planning Program. A schedule of the Community Liaison Meetings (CLM) is posted there.

At some point, hopefully within the next couple of months, I’m going to have to go through their Fact Sheets. It’s really incredible, the amount of work that has been done to understand my neighbourhood, and if I can contribute, by all means, I am going to try. I’m after all, someone who has made urban sustainable planning part of his research areas. It’s hard to fit everything, but heck, by all means I’m going to try!

Restaurant review: The Wallflower Modern Diner (Main Street, Mount Pleasant)

Raul — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 18:16:03 +0000

Just when I thought I had scooped a new restaurant opening, I saw on the newspaper that Andrew Morrison (now of Scout Magazine fame) had already written about the fact that The Wallflower was opening in the space where defunct Aurora Bistro used to be. While I am NOT at all happy with the demise of Aurora Bistro (who would be happy about restaurants closing? Not me, that’s for sure!), I am glad that at least someone decided to use the space, and renovate it in such an interesting way.

The Wallflower Modern Diner is exactly that – a modern diner. Its room is well decorated although during the day may look a bit dark (but that’s ok – it’s not terribly dark). K and L took me there for brunch recently (as we all thrive in trying out new restaurants, and we hadn’t hung out in a long while). K ordered a set of breakfast sliders (small burgers with scrambled eggs as the filling), L ordered a burger with a salad side and I ordered an omelette.

While in my opinion it was good value for the money (omelette for $ 7.00 – about standard in comparison to other breakfast places around the neighbourhood), I wasn’t really excited with the rest of the brunch menu. I have to be fair to them – they just started operations literally, 2 weeks ago. I’d be more than happy to sit down with them and recommend a few items if they wanted me to.

Good news for The Wallflower are that the place seems to be successful so far. When K and L and I went there, it was packed literally 15 minutes after 11 in the morning. I think that it will be a successful venture, as the menu, the room, the decor and the staff are all the same – non-pretentious, comforting, and welcoming. I really want The Wallflower to succeed, to be quite frank. I don’t have a stake in the restaurant (I don’t even really know the owners) but I sincerely wish them well. I want my neighbourhood (Mount Pleasant) to thrive, and in these uncertain economic conditions, I will certainly spend my money in local restaurants.

I haven’t tried The Wallflower for dinner, but once I do (and once my friend K sends me the photo of my brunch) I’ll update this post.

More coffee shops around Fraser Street, please :)

Raul — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:34:13 +0000

I’m quite glad that my earlier post where I discussed the question on whether Fraser is really the new Main was so well received (thanks Tom, Urban Dweller, Michael, Malloreigh and Robb for chiming in, and Sean for linking to me). One element that I unfortunately left out was the fact that the area around Fraser and 2nd all the way through to Fraser and King Edward doesn’t have coffee shops.

Admittedly, you could say that The Faux Burgeois do have a coffee shop, but … if you think about the number of cafes you get on Main Street from, say, Broadway and Main to King Edward, I can name several off the top of my head:
- Cafe Barney
- Waves
- Cuppa Joe
- Starbucks
- An independent, Italian coffee shop whose name escapes me right now
- Bean Around the World (2 locations)

Where, along the same stretch (and even on Kingsway all the way from 7th Avenue to Fraser, you onl really have Our Town Cafe, a coffee shop I love). So, really, there IS room for growth in the coffee shop business on Fraser Street before King Edward. Malloreigh was mentioning that she wanted to open her dream coffee shop there, but she ended up not doing so. Well – now you can! There is LOTS of room for that! And trust me, the demand IS there!

Of course, if the owners of my dream house on 18th and Columbia decided to open a coffee shop there, I’d be more than happy to give them some promotion on my blog!

Is Fraser really the new Main? The transformation of Mount Pleasant

Raul — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:57:58 +0000

Anybody who knows me a bit, knows that I love my neighbourhood (Mount Pleasant). I’ve extensively written about it, both on my blog and as a guest blogger on Rebecca’s when she has kindly invited me to contribute some stuff on her Vancouver History series. During my time living here (I used to be a Point Grey/Kitsilano boy in my earlier years) I have learned not only to love but also to try and learn about the historical development of my East Vancouver neighbourhood.

I remember a couple of years back, reading an article in The Georgia Straight about how Fraser is quickly becoming the new Main (quoted in this article in Mountain View).

Fraser Street is considered one of the main North-South corridors (although once you reach Broadway, you really can’t go North anymore). When I first moved to the Mount Pleasant area, I noticed a bit of a divide between Main (which, some people tell me, about 10-20 years was plagued with prostitution, drug dealing, etc) and Fraser. Both streets are parallel but despite being only divided by 6 blocks, you could tell the difference in the flavor of the neighbourhood. Fraser still does (at some point) feel somewhat sketchy. But I have not feel in danger, myself, whenever I walk around at night.

Heck, this difference was even showcased in the movie Mount Pleasant (excellent Canadian/Vancouver-based movie, you should watch it). Nevertheless, recent developments have begun a gentrification process between Kingsway and King Edward. Whether this is positive or negative, we’ll see.

People who diss the areas around Broadway and Fraser (which had in the past, admittedly, been dangerous – and maybe it still continues to be) and Kingsway and Fraser (which may also be perceived as somewhat sketchy) do forget that some of Vancouver’s great restaurants are located there. The Red Sea Cafe (best Ethiopian food in town) is near Fraser and Broadway, as is Fassil (probably second best Ethiopian food in town) and Seb’s Market Cafe (great brunch).

The addition of “Les Faux Burgeois” (a new upscale, French restaurant, although not nearly as pricey as other French restaurants in Vancouver) to the 15th and Fraser area (almost next door to The Lion’s Den) is also a signal of this transformative process. At any rate, while I am glad to see a transformation of the neighbourhood (Mount Pleasant), I am slightly worried about it losing its character. I hope it doesn’t.

And for those of you who didn’t know … there is a world beyond Cambie, you know? (this comment comes from a line in the movie Mount Pleasant, and something some of my former undergraduate students told me “I never go as far east as Cambie!“)

[SIDE NOTE -I always find it interesting when I search for content online that refers to the topic I'm discussing and I find forums where commentators are so passionate. Just look at the discussions on whether Fraser is the new Main on this forum. Interesting...]

Restaurant review – Zipang Sushi (Main Street – Mount Pleasant)

Raul — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:10:49 +0000

I know that I had promised a professor who is a really good friend of mine that I wouldn’t review Zipang Sushi to ensure that the place didn’t get even more crowded (lately, I’ve been lucky to find out that people have started to flock to the places I’ve recommended for dinner or brunch, when I come for a return visit, and I am slightly afraid this will be the case with Zipang – but at the same time, it’s crowded already, so I guess I am just going to add a bit more crowding to the system, hehe)

Some people may argue that this is technically Riley Park/Little Mountain. We arrived at 5.20pm on a Saturday evening and the place was packed already. We had a garden fruit sushi roll and a California roll (we weren’t all that hungry, but it was more than plenty for the both of us). The rolls are very flavorful and as somebody mentioned, real works of art (I would’ve taken photos, but I was out and about shopping with my very good friend AF, so I didn’t have a camera with me).

Specialty rolls are slightly more expensive ($6.75-8.75) but very much worth it. The rest of the rolls are priced reasonably (like the majority of Vancouver sushi restaurants, around $3.00). Admittedly, the service can be quite slow (and if you’re hungry, that’s not a good idea) but the sushi is simply amazing.

I would definitely come back, but (a) I’ll make sure I’m hungrier so I can try more types of sushi (b) will bring a camera with me and (c) will arrive exactly at 5:00pm to ensure I’m not waiting forever! Closes on Mondays, just so that you know.

Fresh Start Recycling and Disposal Ltd.

Raul — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 17:30:19 +0000

A few weeks back, Rebecca directed Kara Alcorn (Customer Relations, Fresh Start Recycling and Disposal Ltd.) towards my site and suggested that I talk to her. I have to say that I am very positively impressed with Fresh Start (as we bloggers have begun to call this young company).

Obviously, you’re going to ask me – so what IS Fresh Start?While I am sure you’ll check their site, basically let me tell you that Fresh Start takes the business of recycling one step further, and brings the recycled stuff to charities. Moreover, one element that really impressed me was that they look for local charities within the communities where their clients are located.

Founded in 2004 by Vancouver native Thomas Goodall, Fresh Start Recycling & Disposal Ltd. is committed to reducing clutter in your life while minimizing our impact on the environment by reducing the amount of material that goes straight to the landfill.[Fresh Start Recycling website]

Let me give you an example. Currently, my friends Ianiv and Arieanna Schweber are in the North Shore area, and are currently renovating their house. Their floor has to be fully torn apart and they need to install new flooring. They’ll probably also need to remove and recycle stuff. The obvious choice of company to do this? Fresh Start, of course!

By demonstrating that recycling can be still a successful business model AND that you can incorporate elements of corporate social responsibility (CSR), therefore enhancing how and where the product is delivered and the ethical/social aspects of recycling within local communities, I think Fresh Start is indeed off to a very fresh start, and a successful one!

Even smarter, Fresh Start maintains a relationship with customers, vendors, potential clients. How? By using one of the most innovative forms of communication – Web 2.0! Yes, sir! Fresh Start has a BLOG. I can’t help but feel really excited about this, because I am always a firm believer that you can meld social media with sustainability, and as you can see, Fresh Start is doing it!

In addition, of course, I should highlight the fact that their office is in Mount Pleasant, very close to my house, as a matter of fact!

Kudos to Fresh Start as well, because they were the first corporate sponsors of my Blogathon 2008. While I am raving about them in this post (and very legitimately, as I do believe in their positive intentions), they did NOT sponsor this post, so this is in NO way paid advertisement. They DID, however, sponsor a forthcoming post that will describe in more detail the whole concept of Recycle, Reuse, Reduce (3Rs), and for their contribution to the BC Cancer Agency and my Blogathon, I am very, very grateful!

Restaurant review – Argo Cafe

Raul — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 11:30:39 +0000

I used to have a category for small restaurants (e.g. eateries) but since I don’t make the distinction anymore, it’ll be ok if I categorize this as a restaurant. Tanya took me there for lunch as her office is in the neighbourhood (Mount Pleasant) and I live close by. We had talked about meeting at the Argo Cafe for lunch sometime, but we had never gotten around to it, but luckily we got a chance to do so this week.

There are many reasons why I enjoyed this lunch so much. The first one, without a doubt, was having the company of Tanya, and having a chance to catch up IRL (in real life). The second one was being in the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood, close to the False Creek Olympic Village. I admit it, I am still an industry-oriented guy. Heck, if you read the post that Rebecca kindly invited me to write for Miss604.com, you’ll see how much I love this neighbourhood.

I am a chemical engineer, and that’s one of the reasons why I love this area so much, it still maintains a lot of its industrial flavor. Anyways, back to the Argo Cafe. It’s a very neat, clean, hole-in-the-wall kind of place that caters mostly to the people who work around the neighbourhood. It’s always packed, and the prices are really inexpensive. You can have a really hearty meal for around $9 to $10 dollars.

I ordered a burger without cheese (obviously) and with bacon, and it was big! I didn’t order the fries as Tanya ordered fish and chips and she shared some with me. I think it is a really cool place, and I look forward to coming down there again for lunch with Tanya (and I heard that Travis works close by, as I think does John Bollwitt!) … GeekCamp!