Vancouver, B.C. Bass Players - Need Info

[ubersku]

Hey guys/gals due north of me!

Getting married in mid-July, headed to Victoria for a couple days, then over to Vancouver.

Where to go? What to do?

Not really into the touristy kind of things. Just good grog and food for now. Maybe a sight or two. We may get back up in the fall, too, so keep the info coming.

I know the importance of having the locals pitch their expereinces to make it worth while.

Thanks to all in advance.

Out.

[MatticusMania]

Another guy who knows how to vacation! Grog & grub!

Im going to Hawaii in a month to do the same!

Oh, and congrats!

[HEIST]

Hey there! Narrow it down a bit, what kind of food and vibe are you into? Also, I guess to the locals sights aren't that impressive but a stroll in Stanely Park would be nice.

[ubersku]

Originally Posted by HEIST

Hey there! Narrow it down a bit, what kind of food and vibe are you into? Also, I guess to the locals sights aren't that impressive but a stroll in Stanely Park would be nice.

Actually, that's a great start. Strolls are good! Food: Asian, Northwest cuisine, eclectic. Not so much into "meat and potatoes." More into natural faire.

But as a local, where do you like to hang?

[HEIST]

As for food...

Japanese - Sushi
Sushi is huge here in Vancouver. So many of them and they all do very well. If you want to splurge on top of the line sushi you want to check out Tojo's. If that's too pricey for you guys, check out Toshi's. For Toshi's, you want to get there early to put your name down. It's small and they are always more than full. Then you go across the street to 5 Point to grab a drink while you wait and make sure you're there when they call your name!

French
I haven't really tried many french restaurants but I really like Les Faux Bourgeois it's a gem and reasonably priced probably due to location (it's not in a busy retail area).

Italian
If you want to splurge on great Italian food and wine, go to il Giardino. Very good. If it's too pricey, check out Campagnolo. I had their a la carte and it was plenty with a wide variety.

Vegetarian
The Foundation on Main St. is overun with hipsters and it's got terrible service. I think they're famous for it. People actually come to experience the terrible service. You have hip hop playing over miss matched chairs and tables but the food is great. They do wonders with everything that is not meat. Their nachos are plentiful and great to share with friends over beer. My friends and I are all meat lovers and we love this place.

Seafood
If you're checking out Granville Island (cute little artsy place with a great food market and lots of artisan shops and home of our Emily Carr University, I recommend it) check out the The Sandbar. A little pricey, but worth the sea food. Go at a time of day where they offer discount mussels in the Lounge area and then have your dinner. Sooo good.

As a local, I like hanging out at the beach (English Bay, right beside Stanely Park) and going stand-up paddleboarding. Rental is $15 per hour and it's fun on a day where the waves are not crazy. Streets surrounding Stanely Park have lots of bike rental places so you can cruise on a bike if you prefer that over a stroll.

If you're downtown, Granville St. and Robson St. are the shopping streets and there's also Pacific Centre (mall) right in the middle of it all. Plus if you just walk north a bit is Gastown. Some cool boutique stores amongst the touristy stores. Granville St. is also the nightlife clubby scene on Friday and Saturday nights. I am not a fan of the nightlife scene but if you're into it check it out! If after a day of shopping downtown you want to grab a drink, I like Johnnie Fox's Irish Snug. Small and great.

[ubersku]

Holy crap! Now there's a list! Thanks so much.

I'm a meatatarian, but the wife-to-be can't do beef or pork - not by choice, so this list is way cool. I'm also a huge sushi fan, but she isn't, so we'll have to negotiate something there.

Again, thanks for the time and info.

[HEIST]

No worries, anytime!

I also have one to add on to the list. If you guys are checking out Granville Island, go into the public market and go to Oyama Sausage and pick up some delicious meat and cheeses and have a picnic somewhere! They carry so many different things and are always busy. It's hard for the staff to keep track of who is next in line so don't get angry if they skipped you, it's not on purpose. Just stand for visibility and wave with a smile and they'll be with you. If you don't know what to get, they're really knowledgeable so ask them for suggestions! I love pairing meat and cheeses with a little plate of cubed dried apricots, a little dijon, small pieces of pickled gherkins and wine.

Hope you guys have fun!

[::::BASSIST::::]

1. Granville Island
2. Stanley Park
3. The Seawall
4. Various beaches - Jericho is nice

I can't say much about Victoria as I dont go there often. Its nice but it is touristy from what I remember.

[ubersku]

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

1. Granville Island
2. Stanley Park
3. The Seawall
4. Various beaches - Jericho is nice

I can't say much about Victoria as I dont go there often. Its nice but it is touristy from what I remember.

Yup, it is. My fifth visit to Victoria. Last time was in 2006 with the ex on our bikes headed to the north to Comox. My wife-to-be and I are doing The Empress just because it's the honeymoon, you know...

You guys are giving me a great list. Really appriciate it!

[smperry]

Bump, since I'm visiting Vancouver next week...although there's already some great information here.

As the original black vegetarian hipster, I'll be sure to check out The Foundation.

[keiththebassist]

I was there last year, Jericho beach is great. And yes, Stanley park too! I kinda liked Granville st. for the bars and nightlife but that may not be what you're after. I really loved Vancouver and I'm looking forward to going back someday. Ohhhh, be sure to check out "The New Amsterdam Cafe" where you can get a coffee and burnt a joint if that' your thing.

If you go to the building above the cafe on a Tuesday night you can go to a smoking lounge/music jam called "Songs in the Key of Green" I went there and the house drummer "Boomchops" had to leave so I wound up getting incredibly high (like too high) and playing drums for about an hour and a half. Good times...

All of Vancouver was very pretty and actually in some ways reminded me of San Francisco to an extent. Have fun!!!

[::::BASSIST::::]

Originally Posted by smperry

Bump, since I'm visiting Vancouver next week...although there's already some great information here.

As the original black vegetarian hipster, I'll be sure to check out The Foundation.

A couple of other Veg restaraunts...

-The Naam - excellent food, terrible service
-Po Kong (formerly known as Bo Kong) Excellent food, excellent service. The food is vegetarian Buddhist, so you should be inclined to be a bit adventerous if you want to go there.

Other things to do...

The suspension bridge in N. Van
Playland PNE if you are into rideparks and fairs
Metrotown if you are into large malls
Vancouver Aquarium

Cant think of anything else right now.

[Metalbasshippy]

There's a real cool little record store down fantan alley in chinatown in Victoria called the turntable.
As far as Vancouver there are lots of cool stores and restaurants on Granville St.and Robson St., Stanley Park and the Aquarium are nice too.
Also, you can go down to Lonsdale Quay and walk along part of the Trans-Canada Trail and there's a great view of the city skyline.
Avoid the Downtown Eastside (but I'm sure you'd already know that)
As far as dining in Van goes, I must confess, I usually slum it at fast food places :P but one place I would recommend is a Mexican place that I'm pretty sure is called Primo's, I can't remember where it is, I think it's off Granville, but don't quote me on that.
Of course I love to just walk around and take in the sights and sounds of the place, out of all the cities I've been to it would definitely be my favorite there's just a really good vibe to it.
Anyways, hope I helped in some way.
Have fun and congratulations.

[FrenchBassQC]

I wish I would go back to Vancouver, that was our highlight when I did a western Canadian tour in the 80's... Oops that hurts I feel old now... but man did I liked it, sooooo nice with the pacific ocean and the rockies, the people .... Memories, have fun guys....

[smperry]

I haven't done any research, so these suggestions are all appreciated...It will be a quick trip but I'll check out as much as I can. I'm flying into Seattle and then driving to Vancouver...looking forward to that drive too.

Now I just have to get ready for the work portion of the trip.

Cheers.

[Schlyder]

There are tons of things to do and see in Victoria. The Empress for High Tea... Buschart Gardens.... The Museum.. The inner Harbour... Old Chinatown....

[NWB]

Originally Posted by smperry

I haven't done any research, so these suggestions are all appreciated...It will be a quick trip but I'll check out as much as I can. I'm flying into Seattle and then driving to Vancouver...looking forward to that drive too.

Now I just have to get ready for the work portion of the trip.

Cheers.

While in Seattle, be sure to check out the amazing selection of basses on display at BassNW.

And if you like airplanes, the Boeing Museum of Flight is really cool.

A bit of advice - don't try to drive I-5 north out of Seattle on a Friday evening.

[MJ5150]

Awww geee.....I move across the country and now you show up in Seattle. If you have time, a trip to see Mike Lull would be better than BassNW in my opinion.

-Mike

[smperry]

I'll probably visit New Hampshire sometime this summer, Mike. My family went up for a week in February, but I had to teach. You were treated to a nice mild winter.

Maybe I'll stop by BassNW, but I'm not really in the market for anything.

[::::BASSIST::::]

Honesty, BassNW didnt impress me much.