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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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