07.03.25
by

[Vancouver, BC] Arcana Food and Spirits, More Than Meets The Eye

Arcana Food & Spirits Bar238 Abbott St,
Vancouver, BC

Phone: (604) 336-4006
Hours: Tues to Sun 5 p.m.–1 a.m.
Menu: arcanabar.com

To get a seat at Arcana Food and Spirits, it’s best to make a reservation. This guarantees you a seat because this operation has the feel of a vintage speakeasy. Whether you’re here for a quick drink or a bite, that depends on when you visit. On a busy Friday night, I knew it’s going to be busy, and I have to wonder how many peeps Fan Expo Vancouver squeezed in back when they booked the space to get people excited about the convention? I suspect not many, as it may hold 70 folks at most (there are two levels), and to look around requires navigating the corridor.

Ever since it opened in December 2023, it’s been doing well. I’m 100% in love with this theme bar. While the food is a step above the typical bar food, albeit with some nicely named treats to satisfy my interest in the occult, I’d come back just to try a few more dishes. I dressed for the occasion! Not only that, but I was wearing my Viking Cthulhu themed bomber jacket, and Anubis tee, so I was really loving the dark atmosphere where it felt like I was here to witness a ritual summoning!

Continue reading →

06.04.25
by

H-mart Victoria Is Finally Open! And Everyone Loves This Operation, Moreorless. 

H-Mart Front

Although H Mart is a U.S. based grocery store specializing in Asian (Korean) products, the current climate in Canada to not support American-based operations/goods did not stop the masses from checking out the grand opening. This place can do better by not carrying the usual Coca-Cola, Ferrero Group and the like, but I digress. Even on the second weekend, when I visited, it was packed. It felt like I was walking through a mini-Costco at Mayfair Shopping Centre. I sampled as much Korean food as possible and looked for the deals.

And the range of expanded Asian goods, when compared to other local operations, is the best I’ve seen in ages. I’ve visited T&T Supermarket in Vancouver, and the vast range of products is equally comparable. Had this operation decided on selling only South Korean, Chinese, and Japanese manufactured items, I’d shop very often here. Sadly, the pricing is no better than other places. A careful buyer is best advised to monitor H Mart’s weekly flyers to know where to go to buy those 5 packs of instant ramens!

Continue reading →
05.07.25
by

At Himalayan Flavours, Skip The Buffet and Try Dine-In Instead

Don at Himalayan Flavours3945 Quadra St
Victoria, BC

Phone: (778) 966-7755
Menu: himalayan-flavours.com

Hours: Tues to Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

DK: “Momos, as far as the eye can see!” Is what I’d be saying if Himalayan Flavours lived up to my food fantasies. Instead, we got primarily a parade of standard buffet items. Oh well, you wanna stick to the dance floor fillers I can deal with. But zero naan on the line? That’s insane, Jeremy.

ES: Although I had a sneaking suspicion a name change would not help this former Indian food restaurant any, when Don suggested this place for lunch, I was hoping. Ultimately, it would look for those dumplings. We’re already crying foul for misleading information. There wasn’t even a yak in sight.

Continue reading →

04.02.25
by

[Vancouver, BC] Only The Best. Tojo’s Restaurant Exceeds Expectations!

Tojo's Restaurant's Head Chef1133 W Broadway
Vancouver, BC
Phone: (604) 872-8050
Menu: tojos.com

Tojo’s Restaurant is world renowned for a simple reason. This is the place where its head chef (and owner) not only invented the California roll but also has a philosophy that anyone who sees the documentary, The Chef and the Daruma (movie review), might want to adapt. He’s a person I’ve always admired ever since I saw him on morning news television on Global Vancouver with Simi Sara showing how he crafts particular Japanese dishes. Back then, I didn’t know about the life behind the camera, but it intrigued me. After seeing the 2024 film, my appreciation has only grown.

Over time, this restaurant became world-renowned because of the amazing range of food he can prepare. He’s also a licensed fugu chef, so if there’s the means to import this blowfish in, I’m there! But with other dishes prepared by him or one of his chefs he’s trained, I probably couldn’t tell the difference. There’ll be a time when he’ll retire and the people he’s taught will take over.

He’s a gentle soul who is great to talk to. He’s like the Mr. Rogers of Vancouver! I was in town for Fan Expo and this time; I made the point of setting aside time to visit this restaurant! It’s honestly not that far from the downtown core, but to get there means either taking the taxi or public transit. The former can get you there, and the latter, is about eight blocks away from the major routes. I visited this operation twice because the experience was amazing! The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is perfect. And there’s a slight chance of seeing someone famous dining here. I should advise that you first check with management if it’s okay to approach their table.

Continue reading →

03.05.25
by

In Vancouver for Fan Expo and Their Partnership with GRETA Bar & Arcade Games

Greta Sports Bar than Nerd50 W Cordova St
Vancouver, BC 

Hours: 4 p.m.–2 a.m. daily
Phone: (604) 423-3081
Menu: gretabar.com

GRETA Bar YVR is more of a sports bar than an arcade for video game enthusiasts to hang out in. And when this franchise type operation has outlets in Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, I’m sure the population of geeks is higher, and hopefully there’s a lot more space to play other electronic games too! When Fan Expo Vancouver selected this place to host an after-party of sorts, the business which opened in 2022 better be able to hold a ton of people. When this the convention had sold out attendance on Saturday, packing in over 10,000 people, the ticketed party most likely attracted 2-3% of that number.

Three comic book artists took part in the Comics Xplosion and as for where that took place, even I struggled to figure out where this operation can set up a safe space for them to draw. The mezzanine would be the best area when I was here before the event. It ran on February 22, with Benjamin Su, Dave McCaig and Mike Rooth drawing anything they could think of. Afterwards, the artwork was auctioned off. Although I wasn’t around at the start (was dining elsewhere), I managed to get here in time to see how the last hour went.

But to give the establishment a proper assessment, I went in a Thursday for a bite, because I was already in the area, and returned Friday to play some video games. The promotion for a free hour’s worth of unlimited gameplay to anyone showing their convention badge convinced me to return. While I got a lot of tickets because of one game, none of the swag at the redemption booth interested me. Unlike the prizes one can find at a normal arcade, this one is more about marketing this establishment with the t-shirts, lanywards and caps.

Continue reading →

02.05.25
by

Free to View! God of Ramen, A Documentary on YFF Theatre

God of Ramen Movie PosterStreaming period [JST] 2025/02/01 11:00:00 – 2025/05/01 11:00:00

You can now stream the beautiful documentary about The God of Ramen online at YFF Theatre. This free streaming service has been available for nearly a decade now, and it helps popularize Japanese films and videos around the world. The Japan Foundation is funding this service, and it’s a great place to check out fond favourites, like this foodie staple.

After Come Back Anytime, I had to wonder what other documentaries exist about renowned ramen chefs. When the craving hits, and I need something more to warm my soul. I’m not out to look for how to recreate recipes at home. Instead, I was hoping for insight about why Taishoken ramen is better than others. When this dish is comfort food for the masses, and only a handful of people know how to elevate it to ambrosia like levels. 

Continue reading →