Japadog

Christmas day found us looking for a place to eat. We had originally thought we'd have Chinese, but our little neighborhood Sichuan restaurant wasn't open. Really? A Chinese restaurant not open on Christmas? I've never heard of such a thing. In any event, in looking for alternatives, we discovered Japadog. I'd seen Japadog carts  scattered about downtown, but as it was a rather cool, damp day, we didn't want to eat on the street. They did recently open an actual restaurant, with tables and everything. Luckily, we found a spot in this tiny establishment.

We drove today as we were also headed to Stanley Park for a stroll. This is the view of downtown from the top of Cambie near Broadway.

 Well I must say, this was unusual fare, but quite tasty. I had the Negimiso (9 o'clock), a veggie dog with miso sauce and shredded cabbage. I also had the butter and shoyu fries.

Proceeding clockwise:

Alex had the Spicy Cheese Terimayo. This dog contains three types of cheese with a hint of spiciness in the sausage. All that topped with teriyaki sauce, mayo and seaweed. He also had the curry fries.

Patty had the Oroshi, a bratwurst with freshly grated daikon with a special soya sauce. She also had (off camera) the shichimi & garlic fries with roasted garlic with Nanami Togarashi spice (hot pepper). 

Trisha had the Meat Lovers, basically a home made meat sauce and topped with cheese. Trish also had the shichimi & garlic fries.

These are the Japanese-Canadian owners of Japadog (don't know their names). Here's a link to their story.

After lunch we headed for Stanley Park to walk the dogs off.

This is what we did there.

This is a seal Patty keenly spotted.

Alex and Trish enjoying the day's five minutes of sunlight (slight exaggeration).

Patricia hugs Patricia, and vice-versa I'm sure.

Alex, shooting in the late afternoon sun. Actually, the sun has been setting around 4:15.

The End.

Pinche Virgins

On Thursday (or was it Friday), we headed downtown for a miss-mash of touristy and non-touristy activities. Trisha and Alex were Pinche Taco virgins, so we thought we should head there for lunch. But first, we needed to stock up on souvenirs.

We got off at the Chinatown metro stop so we could buy some cheap trinkets, and breakfast on 蛋塔 dan ta (eggy tarts) and green tea.

Alex really enjoyed the tarts.

From Chinatown, we walked up Hastings to Pinche Taco Shop for some cheap eats.

The carnivores enjoyed their carne asada, puerco, and chicken mole. All tacos come on two fresh corn tortillas. 4 meat tacos, $9.50.

My choices are usually the creamed corn, bean, tofu, and mushroom. I washed mine down with XX Amber. 4 veggy tacos, 7 bucks.

Before eating, one must stop at the condiment bar to adorn one's tacos with extras such as spicy jalapeños, cauliflower and carrots, and pickled onions. There's a choice of four yummy (and spicy) salsas. 

Pinche Tacos is so good, they even inspire low-grade graffiti.

After lunch, we headed to Gas Town, for a picture in front of the steam clock and to pick up some maple candy.

I know what you're thinking: "What about the beer?" Not to worry faithful follower. We were close to the Black Frog, ostensibly an Edmonton Oilers pub, but friendly to Canuck fans as well.

The beer was tasty: Russell Black Death Porter and Red Racer E.S.B. , both B.C. beers.

To be continued... 

Vacation Vacation 2

Once again, our friends Donna and Jenn let us stay in their lovely cabin by Pender Hill, a winding ninety minutes up the stunning Sunshine Coast highway. We arrived about mid-day, after a nice little Japanese lunch at the Ichiban Wharf Restaurant in nearby Sechelt.

Trish and Alex, enjoying the view from the deck as well as their London Pride ale.

Puff Daddy with Ms. Michelin. I'm wearing my HATE (HAT) tuque from the Rally to Restore Sanity (last October 30th, my birthday!). That rally clearly didn't work, as you can tell if you've been paying any attention to the nut burgers running for the Republican ticket.

Alex, keeping himself warm.

Randall, keeping himself warm (and happy).

Of course, we had to make the hike up Pender Hill, in all its slippery mossy loveliness.

We halfway expected to meet a Hobbit or an Orc.

A view of Pender Harbour and the Sechelt Peninsula.

Looking down on Garden Bay.

Sunset on the Strait of Georgia.

The morning view through the Cabin portal, the view from Alex and Trisha's room.

Back on the ferry, 'Buckies in hand, for the trip back to Horseshoe Bay.

To be continued...

Sunshine Coast (Gibsons)

Wednesday was beautiful and sunny again. We took a ferry over to the Sunshine Coast, to visit Gibsons, have lunch in Seychelt, and spend the night in our friends Donna and Jenn's cabin on Pender Hill. 


The pictures are a mashup of shots taken by me, Trisha, and Alex. Sorry for no more specific attribution, but I'm more than happy to be in their company.

It's just a short 40-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to the ferry terminal in Langdale.

The first stop off the ferry is Gibsons, a beautiful little artsy fishing village.

Gibsons, from the wharf.

Patty, Alex, and Trish.

Looking south out of Gibsons' harbor.

The public fish market.

You'd have to be crazy to drop a dollar here, and for only three minutes!? Actually, it's a sign in a public laundry and the loonies referred to are the Canadian dollar coins.

Just something about mustard yellow against the blue.

The harbor, with a bit of Gibsons in the background.

The harbor and village, framed by the gazebo at the end of the wharf.

Alex enjoying the sun on the wharf. It was a rather crisp 3º C (37º F) that morning.

Patty and me, walking along Molly's Lane, past the shops and galleries.

Trish on the walkway to the gazebo.

I guess one can put a garden just about anywhere.

After Gibsons, the next hour or so of driving would take us along the Sunshine Coast Highway, to Sechelt for lunch, and then on to the cabin at Pender Hill for the night. 


The Sunshine Coast Highway drive was named by Gary Warner, Orange County Register travel writer, as his favorite foreign drive of 2011: 


"I’ve explored much of British Columbia, but this was my first trip along the west coast north of Vancouver. The combination of driving and ferry rides takes visitors from a great metropolis to quiet former lumber mill towns in half a day".


To be continued...