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Tag: Coffee

5 Things Vancouver: Craig Riggs

by Dan
Travel + Vancouver / February 23, 2010

Craig arrived in Vancouver in 1998 to go to graduate school and stayed on for an extra 12 years. He lives in Ottawa now but counts Vancouver, and BC more broadly, as one of his homes.

He is a partner in the consulting firm Turner-Riggs Workspace and is seriously thinking about getting cable TV in time for the Olympics.

 

 

 

What is the single best thing about living in Vancouver?
The air. Beautiful, fresh air full of water and woods. Before I even lived in Vancouver, I used to clear Customs there all the time on my way back from trips overseas. I remember going outside the airport between flights and just breathing it in.

What’s the one place everyone should visit?
Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver. You clamber down the trail from the parking lot and out on to this amazing shore of rocks and small cliffs. The rocks are for picnics and wine and naps and the cliffs are for jumping off for the between-nap swimming.

Where do you look for books in Vancouver?
Mostly Kidsbooks these days. Kidsbooks is easily one of the best bookstores in Vancouver—in fact, it might even be the best children’s bookstore in Canada.

What’s your favourite book about Vancouver?
LD: Mayor Louis Taylor and the Rise of Vancouver by Dan Francis. Louis Taylor is the longest-serving mayor in Vancouver’s history and his story reveals some of the essential characteristics of the city: an endearing wackiness and the promise of reinvention. Dan is a friend and is one of our most original and most accomplished writers of Canadian history.

Where’s the best place for coffee?
Joe’s Cappuccino on Commercial Drive. The coffee is great and it comes capped with towering clouds of foam. But you only partly go there for the coffee. On sunny days the regulars sit on rickety chairs along the mural-marked wall outside to sip coffee and watch the world go by. On rainy days, you can hang out inside—also on rickety chairs—and watch soccer games on the satellite TV. Mostly, you people watch.

Thanks Craig!

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5 Things Vancouver: Selina Rajani

by Dan
Travel + Vancouver / February 18, 2010

Selina Rajani—the artist formerly known as Raincoast Books Senior Publicist—is 10-year veteran of the book business, now expanding her horizons as Communications Manager for Vancouver Opera.

What neighbourhood do you live in?
Yaletown. Home of many small dogs. (But that's okay, because they fit well in the small apartments).

What is the single best thing about living in Vancouver?
So much sushi, so little snow. I guess that's two things. But they're both the best.

What’s the one place everyone should visit?
A Terminal City Rollergirls rollerderby bout!

Who is your favourite Vancouver author?
Ivan E. Coyote

Where’s the best place for coffee?
Agro in Yaletown, with the Wicked on Hornby a close second.

What’s the most common misconception visitors have about Vancouver?
That it rains all the time, of course. And that everyone here snowboards. I tried to snowboard once. I tore two muscles that day. I will never snowboard again.

Bonus:
Why should people live in Vancouver and not just visit?
Maybe if more people come, we'll get more arts funding!

Thanks Selina!

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5 Things Vancouver: Thomas Wong

by Dan
Food & Drink + Travel + Vancouver / February 16, 2010

Thom Wong can be found ruminating on menswear at The Sunday Best (you can find The Sunday Best guide to Vancouver here). He lives in Victoria, British Columbia.

What’s the one place everyone should visit?
There's a park at the corner of Cambie and West Hastings called Victory Square. Standing there is a cenotaph raised to remember the astounding number of British Columbians who have fought and died for Canada. Once a staging ground for labour riots, demonstrations, and general civic interaction, it sits largely forgotten bordering the poorest area in Canada. Chances are, Olympics organizers are hoping you never go there. Go.

Where do you look for books in Vancouver?
This is a particularly timely question since Duthie, a venerable family-run bookstore since 1957, is closing its last store here. I prefer used bookstores to new, since you're more likely to find an interesting read. Pulpfiction is my favourite, but for sheer madly stacked volumes of books you have to go to MacLeod's.

Where’s your favourite spot to eat on a budget?
If we lived in a truly merit based society Truong Giang (392 East Hastings Street), a tidy Vietnamese sandwich shop, would be more popular than Subway. As it is, I'm glad I found it. Perfect banh mi, starting at $3. Also try the large flat noodles.

What’s your favourite bar?
Six Acres by a country mile. Nestled behind the Gassy Jack statue in Gastown, Six Acres is only lacking in an actual bar you can sidle up to. Other than that it's a mixture of great beer, music, and food. (More of a a place to drink than a bar I suppose.)

Where’s the best place for coffee?
It's tempting just to write "anywhere but Starbucks" but it's true. Yes, Vancouver has eleventy billion of them. No, you should not get your coffee there. Instead, find a Caffe Artigiano for better coffee and much better service. But if you're really wanting a true, Vancouver coffee experience, head to Commercial Drive and find Joe's Cafe. The word "characters" was created to describe the people at Joe's.

Thanks Thom!

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5 Things Vancouver: Kate Trgovac

by Dan
Travel + Vancouver / February 10, 2010

Kate Trgovac is co-founder and president of LintBucket Media ­ a social media marketing agency headquartered in Vancouver.

When not consulting with clients, Kate blogs at MyNameIsKate.ca and reviews funky, chic and cool laptop bags at funchico.com.

 

Who is your favourite Vancouver author?
Bill Richardson. His Waiting for Gertrude was given to me by my wife on our first date, and I adore it. I recently saw him at the Vancouver International Writers Festival where he interviewed Sarah Waters—so charming and witty!!

Where's the best place for coffee?
There is so much great coffee in Vancouver! If I'm right downtown, I always try to hit Caffe Artigiano. If I'm on Main, I stop in at Bean Around the World—amazing coffee and some scrumptious carrot cake!!!

What's your favourite restaurant for a romantic dinner?
My wife and I celebrated our anniversary recently at the new Pourhouse in Gastown. We went on a week night, so it wasn't super crowded. The atmosphere is quite intimate and the food is amazing. I can see on the weekend how it might get a little rowdier, but our time there was very romantic.

What's your favourite bar?
Well, I am currently reading a great book on forgotten cocktails, so I've been seeking out bars that make drinks from forgotten recipes and ingredients. I've been spending some time at Voya recently, enjoying their unusual potables.

Where do you plan to watch the Olympics?
I live across the street from False Creek where the Athlete's Village, Sochi 2014 House, Molson Hockey House, several provincial pavilions and BC Place are all located. So, I'll be able to do some amazing people watching from my balcony. For sporting events, I'll either be relying on the big screen at home, or wandering to one of the free venues downtown where they will have screens - maybe for the bigger games (like if we make the gold medal round
in hockey!) There is a great list of free events and venues at City Caucus.

Thanks Kate!

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5 Things Vancouver: kc Dyer

by Dan
Travel + Vancouver / February 09, 2010

kc dyer lives with her children (and other animals) in the wilds north of Vancouver, BC, where she works as a freelance writer, speaker and educator. She is a director and long-time participant at the Surrey International Writers’ Conference, and a mentor with Creative Writing for Children in Vancouver. Her most recent novel is A Walk Through A Window, and the sequel will be published by Doubleday in fall, 2010. This year, she has been writer-in-residence at New Westminster Secondary School, and will be a featured presenter at writing conferences in Penticton, Victoria, Surrey, and Washington State. kc is an unrepentant tech geek, and can be found on-line at www.kcdyer.com, blogging at leftwriter and sweetly tweeting @kcdyer.

What’s the one place everyone should visit?
I've lived here for more than 15 years, now, and the one place that I try to take everyone who visits me is the Art Gallery. So many reasons... Cool old building—looks haunted at night. Right downtown—the heart of any protest action in the city, so something's always going down on the steps. Close to lots of public transit. The exhibits never fail to intrigue...daVinci is starting tomorrow! But what brings me back every time is the food. Hands down THE best cafeteria food you'll ever eat. Great prices for gourmet fare. The Vancouver Art Gallery will be moving house soon—they need to shift to a larger location. I don't think I'll be the only one mourning the change. So get there while you still can!

Where do you look for books in Vancouver?
Vancouver Kidsbooks, man. Their Kitsilano location is the most central, but they have a fantastic location in Edgemont Village on the North Shore and have recently opened a new location in White Rock. They have always supported me as a writer, and are the first to bring in great authors to introduce to their public. They foster an environment where books and stories are a part of life, and they are a huge part of the cultural scene in the city. You can't walk in the door without a crowd—people love shopping there because the folks who work at Kidsbooks are all huge readers and can make a recommendation under any circumstance.

What is the best thing to do with kids in Vancouver?
This is a city made for kids. So much to do, from the bike trails on the North Shore to Second Beach at Stanley Park. But my favourite thing to do with kids [or without them!] is Science World. The big golf ball on the shores of False Creek never fails to enchant, with the combination of new and well-loved exhibits, and great movies in the I-Max theatre. And when you're tired? White Spot burgers downstairs. Kid Heaven. Decent parking, but also right by the skytrain, AND on the seawall bike path.

What is your favourite building in Vancouver?
Loads of decent architecture in this town, of course, as the stomping grounds of Arthur Erikson. My favourite of all the buildings, though, is the downtown main branch of the Vancouver Public Library. Sweeping columns, skylights, beautiful use of stone—it's design by Moshe Safdie is unparalleled. I've had loads of happy times here, which doesn't hurt. Library Square has a huge indoor atrium [a must in this Rain City] and is the scene of Word on the Street here every year, among other gatherings. It's right across from the CBC, has got some decent parking downstairs—and hey, any building that shows up in Battlestar Galactica deserves a place on this list. It's downtown, so easy bike, bus, Skytrain access.

Where’s a good spot for Wi-Fi downtown?
We're lucky here as there are so many techie/enlightened shop owners -- it's pretty easy to find free Wi-fi. [Easier than loads of other cities in the world; I've struggled in both New York and London to find decent wifi]. My favourite place here, though, is Blenz coffee. Homegrown chain, great treats and THE best hot chocolate in town—made from actual dark belgian chocolate chips. Lots of plugs for weak batteries, and caffeine for slow brains. Great combo. Loads of locations around the Lower Mainland. 

Thanks kc!

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5 Things Vancouver: Jesse Finkelstein

by Dan
Travel + Vancouver / February 08, 2010

Jesse Finkelstein is up next with her recommendations for 5 Things Vancouver...

Jesse is a displaced Montrealer living in Vancouver—happily, mostly, though she laments the lack of decent bagels.

She is the director of digital assets and foreign rights at D&M Publishers and you can find her on Twitter @j_finkelstein.

 

What is the single best thing about living in Vancouver?
Beaches everywhere.

Where’s your favourite spot to eat on a budget?
Toshi Sushi at Main and 16th Ave.

What’s your favourite restaurant for a romantic dinner?
Chambar Belgian Restaurant in Crosstown.

What is the best thing to do with kids in Vancouver?
The beach, the Aquarium and Science World

Where’s the best place for coffee?
Elysian Coffee on 5th Ave., or Broadway and Ash.

Thanks Jesse!

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5 Things Vancouver: Peter Darbyshire

by Dan
Travel + Vancouver / February 05, 2010

Kicking off our new and exciting "5 Things Vancouver" travel series is author Peter Darbyshire.

Peter is the author of Please and The Warhol Gang (forthcoming from HarperCollins Canada).

In his spare time he runs the website CanCult.ca. Follow him online at
www.peterdarbyshire.com.

 

What is the single best thing about living in Vancouver?
Being able to cycle year-round. It’s the small things that matter.

Where do you look for books in Vancouver?
32 Books on the North Shore. It’s like a diamond mine: small and
cramped but packed with beautiful little gems.

Where’s the best place for coffee?
Where isn’t a good place for coffee in Vancouver? People know their
brews here. I guess I’d say Caffé Artigiano because that’s the place I
hit most often, but you can’t really go wrong here unless you stumble
into a Starbucks by mistake.

What is your favourite Vancouver hangout?
Wreck Beach. I haven’t been there in a while, but I love that it
exists. Every city should have a nude beach.

What’s your favourite free thing to do in Vancouver?
Walk one of the sea walls and just take in the ocean views. Some
people have to fly thousands of miles and pay thousands of dollars for
something like that. I just have to walk out the door and down the
street.

Thanks Peter!

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Coffee Talk

by Dan
Food & Drink + Vancouver / February 04, 2010

As a quick follow-up to yesterday's post about the art and science of the perfect espresso, I just thought I would post a link to this Report on Business article in The Globe & Mail about Vancouver coffee institution Caffè Artigiano:

“The coffee world has really evolved in the past five, 10 years, the science of extraction. A large corporation can't focus on that. Coffee's becoming more and more detailed. People will want to know where the coffee came from, how sustainable it is, how the farmer is treated, how much he was paid, the terroir of the farm.”

The general manager of Caffè Artigiano on Hornby, Kyle Straw, is the current Canadian Barista Champion(!), and along with Bryant Simon, author of Everything but the Coffee: Learning about America from Starbucks (University of California Press), and business reporter David Ebner (who wrote the article), he participated in an informative live chat about coffee with Globe readers yesterday.

(Pictured above: Wanderlust Coffee Journal from Chronicle Books)

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Espresso!

by Dan
Food & Drink / February 03, 2010

We're very serious about our coffee here at Raincoast. Or, at the very least, we certainly drink a lot of it. OK... I drink a lot of it... And, I've got to tell you, I do like a proper espesso, properly made. No surprise then, that I absolutely love this video by Dpt4D about the art and science of the perfect espresso:

 

 

And if you feeling the need for a little caffeine injection after watching that (and who could blame you?), you might want to check out Coffee by Betty Rosbottom (author of The Big Book of Backyard Cooking and Sunday Soup) which demystifies hot and cold specialty coffees and offers 50 easy recipes for a variety of tastes, from Cafe au Lait and Caffee Macchiato to Individual Tiramisus. Yum!

Now... Where's my travel mug?

(Espresso video via INDEX // mb)

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