Inside Vancouver

Vancouver’s Best Poutine? You make the call!

by Remy Scalza in Food & Drink on January 17, 2013

Photo credit: knightbefore_99 | Flickr

It’s that time again. Let’s revive the great Vancouver poutine debate.

More than two years ago, I asked readers to share their picks for Vancouver’s best poutine. That post got nearly 100 comments and was one of the most popular Inside Vancouver stories ever.

But a lot has changed in two years. Suddenly, it seems poutine is everywhere in Vancouver – from fancy restaurants to dedicated poutineries serving nothing but fries and gravy (There’s even an annual Poutine Fest, held this year on March 9). So I need your help:

Who serves Vancouver’s best poutine? Comment below and let the world know.

Considering what a simple dish poutine is, it’s amazing that it inspires such fanatical devotion. Continue reading:
Vancouver’s Best Poutine? You make the call!

Best Sports bar in Vancouver? You make the call!

by Remy Scalza in Food & Drink on November 2, 2012

Photo credit: wukevinc | Flickr

The NHL may still be locked out, but the NFL and CFL seasons are heating up and NBA action is just starting. For Vancouver sports lovers who enjoy a brew, wings and the company of cheering fans, this means one thing: the search for the perfect sports bar is on.

I’ve searched high and low, and I still haven’t found a truly great sports bar in the city – a place that brings together all the ingredients needed for a perfect game night. So I’d like to turn this over to you.

What’s the best sports bar in Vancouver and why? Please share your favourites below.

So just what goes into the perfect sports bar? The way I see it, there are a few key elements:

Screen Space: Let me start with the obvious. A good sports bar has to have big screen TVs – lots of ‘em. Every seat in the house needs to be a good seat, with a clear view of the action. And in 2012, it’s just no longer acceptable to be showing the game on grainy projection screens. HDTVs are the only way to go. Continue reading:
Best Sports bar in Vancouver? You make the call!

Best Ramen Restaurant in Vancouver? You make the call!

by Remy Scalza in Food & Drink on August 7, 2012

Photo credit: Apricot Cafe | Flickr

For much of my life, I knew ramen only as the instant noodles you mixed with boiling water. For less than 50 cents a pack, you could have a filling, flavourful meal – the perfect late-night snack for, say, a university student on a budget.

Turns out, however, that ramen is a whole lot more than instant noodles. Real ramen, of course, comes from Japan, where it has been a staple of the diet from time immemorial. It usually consists of handmade wheat noodles served in a rich, fish- or meat-based broth, flavoured with soy or miso. Fresh toppings are critical – ranging from the standard sliced pork to seaweed, green onions, corn, bamboo shoots and pretty much anything you can think of.

I know all of this now because Vancouver happens to be one of North America’s top cities for authentic ramen. Do a Google Map search for ramen and literally dozens of restaurants turn up, all specializing in the addictive noodle soup. The majority are clustered near the intersection of Denman and Robson Streets, in an area favoured by visiting English-language students from Korea and Japan.

In fact, there are so many options that it can be hard to decide where to sit down for a steaming bowl. Maybe you can help:

Do you have a favourite ramen restaurant in Vancouver? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

I’ll start things off with a ramen noodle joint I visited over the weekend. Continue reading:
Best Ramen Restaurant in Vancouver? You make the call!

Best tent camping near Vancouver? You make the call!

by Remy Scalza in Green City on April 26, 2012

Photo credit: CentreduQuebec | Flickr

It’s that time of year again.

With the weather getting warmer, thoughts turn to campfires, s’mores, sleeping bags and bug spray. Camping is a celebrated summer ritual in Vancouver. And no wonder – We’re spoiled with dozens of provincial parks within a two-hour drive of the city.

And these aren’t just roadside campgrounds. I’m talking about the electric-blue glacial lakes and soaring mountains of Garibaldi. About the thundering torrents of Nairn Falls. About the idyllic streams and untouched wilderness of Golden Ears (where, I should point out, Rambo was filmed).

Amenities in these parks vary. Some offer only hike-in campsites; others have deluxe campgrounds with hot showers and electrical hookups. But they all come fully loaded with exceptional scenery and access to beautiful B.C. wilderness.

Sadly, summer’s too short to explore them all – which is why I need your help:

Where’s the best camping near Vancouver? Where’s your favourite place to camp with friends or family? Let us know below.

I’ll start things off with a place I visited recently, Porpoise Bay Provincial Park on the Sunshine Coast. Continue reading:
Best tent camping near Vancouver? You make the call!

Best Steakhouse in Vancouver? You Make the Call!

by Remy Scalza in Food & Drink on April 9, 2012

Photo credit: disneymike | Flickr

Vancouver may be world famous for its fresh Pacific seafood and cutting-edge fusion cuisine. But when it comes to a classic T-bone or sirloin, options abound as well. The city’s premiere steakhouses source prime cuts from the prairies of Alberta and from around the world.

Do you have a favourite Vancouver steakhouse? Weigh in on the beef debate by leaving a comment below.

In the meantime, here are a few popular options for carnivores in need of a fix in Vancouver.

The Keg: There are now more than 100 Keg restaurants in Canada and the United States, but the legendary steakhouse got its start right in Vancouver. A family steakhouse with a comfortable atmosphere, the Keg is known for its well aged beef and tender, flavorful steaks. Expect a unique combination of class, value and – of course – great meat.

Continue reading:
Best Steakhouse in Vancouver? You Make the Call!