Tuesday, June 29, 2010

A stroll down Commercial Drive

After waking up super early to watch Germany beat England and then Argentina ripping away Mexico’s hope of being in the quarter-final of the World Cup 2010, by 1:30pm I was exhausted. I knew Commercial Drive would be filled with sad faces as there were a lot of Mexican fans watching the game at various pubs/restaurants on the Drive. So, I was glad to be heading away from Commercial Drive to Szechuan Chongqing Restaurant. Fierce name! Now try to pronounce it ten times. Only a few blocks from my house, I was happy to head in the opposite direction of Commercial Drive to dine with Jay (@jaycatalan), Shahab (@shahab604) and two other people who aren’t social media friendly.

The food was pretty good and was decently priced. They weren’t mind-blowing flavours leaving my taste buds screaming for more but it was good wholesome Sunday afternoon food with friends.

Szechuan Chongqing Restaurant - Mu Shu Pork

Szechuan Chongqing Restaurant - Mu Shu Pork

Szechuan Chongqing Restaurant - Salted fish & chicken fried rice

Szechuan Chongqing Restaurant - Salted fish & chicken fried rice

Szechuan Chongqing Restaurant - Sweet & sour pork

Szechuan Chongqing Restaurant - Sweet & sour pork

Szechuan Chongqing Restaurant - Boneless Chicken

Szechuan Chongqing Restaurant - Boneless Chicken

Szechuan Chongqing Restaurant - Shrimp & Scallop Dumpling

Szechuan Chongqing Restaurant - Shrimp & Scallop Dumpling

After eating, I thought I’d better walk off what I ate before I headed home to sit in front of a computer again.
Commercial Drive is going through a few transitions with old stores moving to different parts of the street and new stores coming into the neighbourhood. First up is Doctor Vigari, a fantastic store to get locally made and designed furniture, artwork and jewellery. It has now moved closer to 3rd and Commercial from Charles Street. It’s old neighbour, It’s All Fun & Games, also moved to the same block but only a few stores down.

Doctor Vigari

Doctor Vigari - Commercial Drive

It's all Fun & Games

It's all Fun & Games - Commercial Drive

The beauty about It’s all Fun & Games is because it is, well, ALL about fun and games. You can find any of your childhood toys – even the small toys soldier figurines – here.

It's All Game & Fun - Commercial Drive

It's all Fun & Games - Interior

It's All Game & Fun - Puzzle Games

It's all Fun & Games - Puzzle Games

It's All Game & Fun - Commercial Drive

It's all Fun & Games - Games & Toys

It's All Fun & Games - Figurines

It's all Fun & Games - Figurines

In the window of Barefoot Contessa was a cute t-shirt that said “Nerds need love too” which made me giggle a bit and want go back to buy it.

Barefoot Contessa - Nerds need love too t-shirt

Barefoot Contessa - Nerds need love too t-shirt

On my walk back home, I spotted a badass bike. I have no experience with bikes but at first glance I knew it was the kind that would make anyone look uber cool even just sitting on it. I’m tempted to photoshoping myself on the bike… hmmm.

Badass Bike - Commercial Drive

Badass Bike - Commercial Drive

Always on the lookout  for a few good books, I stopped into Bibliophile Bookstore because a Superman book with no title caught my eyes.

Bibliophile Books - Exterior

Bibliophile Books - Exterior

Bibliophile - Superman book

Bibliophile - Superman book with no title

Bibliophile - Interior

Bibliophile - Interior

Walking out empty handed, I stopped by Bone Rattle Music – simply because I haven’t been in there before. From kazoos to electric guitars to an unconventional guitar made from cigar boxes, this place had everything but the vuvuzela.

Bone Rattle Music - Exterior

Bone Rattle Music - Exterior

Bone Rattle Music - Interior

Bone Rattle Music - Interior

Bone Rattle Music - Kazoo

Bone Rattle Music - Kazoo

Bone Rattle Music - Cigar Box Guitar

Right next to Bone Rattle Music is Audiopile. A place where you can find vinyl record geeks hanging out all day. It’s an awesome place where I found classic vinyls such as Eazy-E, The Treacherous Three and N.W.A Greatest Hits.

Audiopile - Exterior

Audiopile - Exterior

Audiopile - Interior

Audiopile - Interior

Audiopile - Vinyl Heaven

Audiopile - Vinyl Heaven

Audiopile - N.W.A Greatest Hits

Audiopile - N.W.A Greatest Hits

Audiopile - Eazy-E

Audiopile - Eazy-E

At the corner of 5th and Commercial Drive are some pretty cool murals.

Commercial Drive Murals

Commercial Drive Murals

Commercial Drive Murals

Commercial Drive Murals

Commercial Drive Murals

Commercial Drive Murals

I have been meaning to take drumming lessons so I stopped by A Small World where they sell crafts from around the world and provide drumming circles.

A Small World - Craft store & drumming classes

A Small World - Craft store & drumming classes

A Small World - Drums

A Small World - Drums

Take a stroll in your neighborhood to appreciate all the uniquely different stores, cultures and arts it has to offer. I love Commercial Drive more today than I did yesterday and I didn’t even think that was possible! Forget taking big long extensive and expensive vacation, discover your own neighborhood first – that in itself is a wonderful adventure.

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Monday, June 28, 2010

Hungry Girl’s Guide: New Town Bakery

One of the best things about being at The Network Hub is if I am in the mood for fine dining, I head west about 5 blocks, but if I feel like casual affordable food, I head east about 5 blocks. On this particular day, I was craving for greasy comfort food – the kind that makes you feel like you are wrapped in a warm blanket of childhood memories.

I headed east toward Chinatown to New Town Bakery – it is a Chinese/Filipino restaurant that serves one of my favourite desserts Halo Halo. As soon you walk in, you know they are not trying to sell you ambience or their designer decor. It is no-frills, eat heartily and walk out of there – oh yes, cash only please. The waitresses are nice, friendly and helpful but don’t be mistaken, they aren’t interested in chit chatting with you about the weather. Oh yeah, they have award-wining Steamed Pork Buns, ask for it when you are there, and get extra sauce on the side!

If you are looking for value, comfort food then head to New Town Bakery.

New Town Bakery

New Town Bakery - Exterior

New Town Bakery - Interior

New Town Bakery - Interior

New Town Bakery - Salted fish fried rice & chicken

New Town Bakery - Salted fish fried rice & chicken

New Town Bakery - Crispy chicken and halo halo

New Town Bakery - Crispy chicken and halo halo

New Town Bakery - Grass jelly dessert

New Town Bakery - Grass Jelly

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Grown kid day in East Vancouver

It was an easy breezy Saturday that started with me and my family watching Ghana eliminating USA from the World Cup quarter-finals. After a few exchanges of predictions of how Sunday’s games are going to go down especially between Germany and England, my parents headed to Farmer’s Market and I headed down to Grandview Park to meet Ajay (@masalapuri) at the East Side Pride event. It has been a while since I have gone for a long walk and since the day was so nice, the temperature felt just right for a nice stroll. With a funny adventurous walking companion to accompany me, we set off to explore the Strathcona/Chinatown area, where I grew up and where my grandparents still live. The walk took us from Commercial Drive to our first stop, La Casa Gelato – translation: Minna’s sugar heaven. With over 218 flavors at anytime, there is a flavour for even the pickiest ice cream connoisseur.
La Casa Gelato - 215 ice cream flavours

La Casa Gelato - 215 ice cream flavours

La Casa Gelato - interior

La Casa Gelato - interior

La Casa Gelato - interior

La Casa Gelato - interior

La Casa Gelato - Ice Cream Extravaganza

La Casa Gelato - Ice Cream Extravaganza

After sampling over 6 different flavours, I picked the pandan flavor because it was super tasty. Pandan is a leaf that is used often in Asian cooking and baking, imagine coconut that is toasted – that’s the pandan flavour. The extra happy bright green color is also a bonus.

La Casa Gelato - Pandan Ice Cream Flavour

La Casa Gelato - Pandan Ice Cream Flavour

Armed with ice cream in hand, we strolled down whatever street piqued our interest. Adanac and Union Street captured my attention because of how cute and quiet it was, and as we got closer to Keefer Street, the most wonderful find – an old fashioned tire swing! There is something so sweet and so innocent about a tire swing, perhaps because they remind me of a simple childhood I often see depicted on shows like The Wonder Years.

Strathcona Community - Tire Swing

Strathcona Community - Tire Swing

As we head further down Keefer, at the corner of my eye I see a huge plume of smoke caused by these people who are throwing wood into the bright burning fire. My inquisitive walking partner inquired about this intriguing event, they explained they are burning thin wood slabs of wood that has their written wishes on it and then they will walk on the fire. Amusingly, the guy who spoke to us showed us his wish “I wish my feet will not burn” and I giggled at the irony of it all. Money from the event goes to benefit cancer research. It was going to be an hour before we can see people walking barefoot on fire so we left without the thought of coming back because as intriguing as it is I don’t think i would want to see anyone screaming in pain.

Fire Walkers

Fire Walkers

Walking further down Keefer Street, we encountered the Chinatown Night Market – a shopping and eating extravaganza! There are some amazing things for your eyes to feast on. Chinatown Night Market is also the frugal fashionista and adventurous foodie choice haven.

Chinatown Night Market - Vancouver

Chinatown Night Market - Vancouver

Chinatown Night Market - Vendors

Chinatown Night Market - Vendors

Chinatown Night Market - Vendors

Chinatown Night Market - Vendors

Chinatown Night Market - Vendors

Chinatown Night Market - Vendors

Chinatown Night Market - Vendors

Chinatown Night Market - Vendors

Chinatown Night Market - Vendors

Chinatown Night Market - Vendors

Chinatown Night Market - Vendors

Chinatown Night Market - Vendors

Chinatown Night Market - Vendors

Chinatown Night Market - Vendors

Chinatown Night Market - Vendors

Chinatown Night Market - Vendors

My highlight for Chinatown Night Market was the tornado potato – it is an architectural feat and (as the banner stated) it was surprisingly tasty! At $3.50 and five different flavours to choose from, it was a huge winner for me.

Chinatown Night Market - Tornado potato with salt & pepper flavour

Chinatown Night Market - Tornado potato with salt & pepper flavour

Chinatown Night Market - Tornado Potato

Chinatown Night Market - Tornado Potato

Chinatown Night Market - Vendor

Chinatown Night Market - Vendor

Passing by Andy Livingstone Park on the way to Main Street sky train, I caught a bit of the Vancouver International Soccer Festival.

Vancouver International Soccer Festival

Vancouver International Soccer Festival

Vancouver International Soccer Festival

Vancouver International Soccer Festival

Vancouver International Soccer Festival

Vancouver International Soccer Festival

My grandparents walked by, they gave me big smooches and hugs as soon as they saw me – it was a happy coincidence! I love my grandparents, they are in their late eighties and they still make sure to take a walk through the neighborhood every single day! After 20 minutes of watching the games, it got colder so we’re back on the path to Main Street sky train to head home. I was surprised to discover Downtown Skate Park right beside Andy Livingstone Park; it was a fantastic place with a mix of young, old, experienced, inexperienced and various different ethnic groups skateboarding and rollerblading together. It was also a safe place to learn how to rollerblade and skateboard away from traffic.

Downtown Skate Park

Downtown Skate Park

Downtown Skate Park

Downtown Skate Park

The sun was hiding behind the clouds as we cross Pacific Street and I had to snap a picture of downtown’s skyline.

Sun hiding behind clouds

Sun hiding behind clouds

Suddenly, the sun came out again and I couldn’t help myself, I saw a cute little playground and thought, well why not? Let’s play in the playground! After a few monkey bars, a few slides down the happy yellow slide – I feel refreshed. It’s good to be a kid again. I got to play today!

Playground

Passing by Science World, I took a big breath and took in the scenery. Vancouver is a beautiful place and this is a beautiful moment. I was still for a moment to appreciate the beauty of the present.

Science World - False Creek

Science World - False Creek

Science World - False Creek

Science World - False Creek

Science World

Science World

Science World - False Creek

Take a walk and discover your city. There is much to see, do and love in the city. We have to appreciate how lucky we are that we live in one of the most beautiful cities on the planet.

Ooops, spotted one last slide before I go!

Slide at Science World

Slide at Science World

Slide at Science World

Slide at Science World

Slide at Science World

Slide at Science World

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