Tag: Restaurants

Best Western Premier Prestige Oceanfront Resort

The name of this new hotel in Sooke BC is a bit of a mouthful, but it is worth investigating. I’m very fond on new hotels because you never get a “tired” room. This feels like a double branded hotel. This Sooke hotel is part of the Prestige Hotels and Resorts collection of hotels which are in major BC communities like Vernon, Nelson, Kelowna, Cranbrook, Golden, Radium Hot Springs, Rossland and Salmon Arm. When you pull into their parking lot, you are met with white columns and a very high impressive front. It was off season when we visited so […]

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The EdGe Restaurant

We had a lunch date in Sooke with a relative who lives close by and the question came up, “where to go?” In my recent experience (see Stickleback West Coast Eatery in Sooke) there can be a hit-and-miss aspect to random dining in Sooke. So, we did the smart thing and asked the front desk at the Best Western Premier Prestige Oceanfront Resort. We were directed down the road to the Edge Restaurant which apparently is run by a former chef from the Sooke Harbour House, which is a swanky B&B/Resort/5 Star Restaurant. Perhaps the most challenging part of the […]

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Stickleback West Coast Eatery in Sooke

It was snowing in Sooke on this mid-March day and was not conducive to vacationing, which is what my wife, I and our two children were trying to do. (This Spring Break felt more like Winter Break.) We arrived, checked in to the hotel and then had the usual eventual question: what about dinner? Our search for dining options in Sooke became a bit comic. Our first random choice of a pizza place turned out to be take-out only. The recommended grill across the street was closed for a private function. The third option taken from the 2011 local guide […]

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A Compressed Restaurant and Shopping List for Visitors to Vancouver

It wasn’t until I started working on this piece that the West Ender newspaper in Vancouver renamed itself to WE. I’m not sure where I’ve been … Regardless, WE is a free newspaper that is not mainstream and concentrates on local arts and culture. It’s the kind of paper that I try to find when I’m travelling as the content and ads are more real than mainstream papers. In the February 23-29 issue, WE published its “Best of the City 15th Annual Readers’ Choice 2012” survey results. The survey covers many subjects, not of all of which is of interest […]

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More Than Meets the Eye to Downtown Kamloops

When you stay in Kamloops there are numerous hotels, motels and inns to choose from and they are mainly concentrated within three different parts of the city: downtown Kamloops, Sahali and Aberdeen, and along the Highway 1 corridor. The hotels on the highway are great for a quick getaway in the morning but not recommended if you want a more peaceful retreat. Up in the Sahali and Aberdeen areas of Kamloops are some of the city’s larger hotels and the benefit of being higher up is that many rooms come with a great valley and city view. Access to the […]

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Vancouver’s Chinatown: A Fun, Fantastic Destination

Vancouver‘s Chinatown is a fantastic place to spend the day shopping, sightseeing, and sampling delicious Chinese cuisine. With striking architecture, beautiful gardens, and bustling marketplaces, it features a rich history that dates back to 1890, when early Chinese immigrants to Vancouver settled in Shanghai Alley. By 1898, the area was thriving, and even included the famous 500 seat Sing Kew Chinese Theatre, which was destroyed during a fire in 1947. In 1904, Canton Alley was created, and the convergence of the two created a vibrant area where music could be heard, shopping could be enjoyed, and political and cultural activities […]

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Emergency List: 10 Restaurants In Vancouver That Won’t Go Wrong

So you’re stuck for ideas of where to eat in Vancouver.  There are many choices, but you might be wanting to impress a lady or man or boss or co-workers with your intimate knowledge of Vancouver. Perhaps you’re hopelessly stumped because you don’t want to do the same old same old. Here’s the list.  In no order with no attempt to rate anything because it’s up to you to decide what works for your situation. 1.  Hamilton Street Grill.  This is a Yaletown steakhouse plus more.  Owner Neil is always attentive as are his staff.  www.hamiltonstreetgrill.com.  Ask if he’s still […]

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Top Ten Reasons why Fernie is the coolest town in North America

A small mountain town known for its mining heritage, nestled between majestic Rocky Mountain peaks? Yes. Epic skiing and snowboarding all winter long? Yes. A dozen lakes and rivers to swim, boat, raft, fish, and float on in the summer? Yes. Dozens of trails to hike and bike from dawn ’til dusk? Yes. Nightlife that rivals the best night out in any Canadian city? Yes. Welcome to Fernie. I’m not from around these parts, not by a long shot. Coming from Vancouver and having lived in international cities, I was skeptical of the list I just mentioned. But having spent […]

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Lighthouse Park Day Trip

For those of you who really love nature and natural places there is a ideal location to visit only minutes out of downtown Vancouver, and it isn’t Stanley Park.  Just over the Lion’s Gate Bridge and a bit west is Lighthouse Park; a place where the old trees still stand tall.  Lighthouse Park isn’t very large but it is packed with interest for nature lovers and people who love the great outdoors. Trip Advice: If the day is sunny and nice try the bus (Route 250, goes over the Lion’s Gate Bridge which is a thrill on its own), as […]

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Williams Lake in a Hurry

The editors of this website asked local businesses for the essential recommendations for Williams Lake. We asked them: “If you imagine that someone has come to you and they are on a totally tight time line, and asked you these questions, what would you tell them?” 1. Where should I eat that I should not miss in Williams Lake? Answer: Carmens Restaurant, Chicken Parmigiana with fettucini alfredo, located on Lakeview Crescent in the Overlander Hotel A quick healthy over the counter meal at Bean Counter on 3rd Ave., attached to the library. Red Dog Pub – very good pub food, […]

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