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WHAT & WHERE |
WHY |
HOW |
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Eat – casual/fun: $$$ |
Crowded, noisy, always a wait – and totally worth it. Locals flock to this edgy joint because of its tasty tapas and cool crowd. Limited bar, but good beer & wine selection. |
941 Davie Street, |
|
Eat – upscale: $$$ |
Small, intimate restaurant off the beaten track in quiet residential part of the West End. Dark room, small bar, great private room for four. Stroll down Denman to beach after. |
1906 Haro Street, |
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Eat – ethnic: $$ |
No sombreros, just great nuevo latino cuisine that blends the passion of Argentina, the exuberance of Cuba, the sultriness of Brazil & the joy of Mexico. Ole! |
52 Powell Street, |
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Eat – Breakfast: $$ |
Espresso and gelato, breakfast of Italian soccer champions! Authentic & kitschy Italian café on The Drive. |
1745 Commercial Drive, |
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Café: |
This place doesn’t exactly specialize in cappuccinos, but it’s one of the most talked about cafés in town. Strangely, I always have the munchies after a visit. |
301 West Hastings Street, |
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Nightclub: |
Newly renovated club in Gastown with low-ceiling, underground after-hours feel, eclectic music and crowd. |
364 Water Street, |
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Lounge: |
This exotic lounge brings dignity to lasciviousness with its nightclub-like décor, dress code and classy ladies. Or so I like to tell myself. |
595 Hornby Street |
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Spa: |
Turkish delight! Feel like a sultan with Hammam steam cleansing and Gommage exfoliation treatment then sweetcakes and tea in the Sultana Lounge. Men-only days. |
1495 West 6th Avenue |
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Hair: |
This modern barbershop is built for blokes with men’s magazines, TVs at every chair and, um, HOT stylists. |
3386 Cambie Street, |
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Shop – clothes: |
NY-style casual wear for guys only, promises no stretchy designer trousers or sheer, sparkly shirts. Enough said. |
418 Davie Street |
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Shop – home: |
High-end contempo-chic urban furnishings. |
1 Water Street, |
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Shop – food: |
A taste of India to go. When I don’t have time to wait at Vij’s I go next door for to-go meals, packaged foods and spices. |
1488 West 11th, |
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Shop – books: |
Mysticism, occult, new age, spirituality, travel – books for all moods and phases in life. |
3608 West 4th Avenue |
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Shop – fun: |
Spend an hour browsing through an extensive and electric mix of magazines. After head out for a strong Italian Espresso. |
1319 Commercial Drive, |
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Sun: |
Free-spirit Mecca. Anything goes at Vancouver’s famous nude beach. Long hike down. Don’t forget sun block. |
UBC grounds, |
|
Recreation: |
Exercise, bullocks! When I need to let off some steam I find inner piece through meditation. |
1871 East 7th Avenue, |
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Neighbourhood: |
I love the ethnic diversity of this ‘hood, all walks of life from hippies to yuppies, lesbian to Lebanese, green to grunge. Live music, cafes, cool shops & gelato. |
Commercial Drive, |
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Day trip: |
Artsy, laid back island, a scenic ferry ride from the mainland. The absolute opposite of London. |
Gulf Islands, access by ferry. www.gulfislands.ca |
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Museum/Gallery: |
One of many Vancouver galleries selling authentic northwest coast Indian and Inuit art. |
1024 Mainland St, |
