07.20.16
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[Vancouver, BC] De Dutch Needs Management to Deliver More than Just Food

dedutchrestaurantlogoDe Dutch Pannekoek House
60-1055 Canada Place
Vancouver, BC
(604) 647-7530

“There’s only two things I can’t stand in this world,
people who are intolerant of other people’s cultures and the Dutch”
— Nigel Powers (Michael Caine)

J: I don’t think one can convince Austin Power’s dad to visit a Dutch pancake house, but Ed and I took a little prodding. In fact with a 10% discount card for De Dutch from the Marriott Pinnacle for being their guests, I was perhaps more excited than Ed to enjoy a nice Dutch served breakfast. Although there was no smoke and a pancake, I could feel the groove as I walked into a time warp. The decor of this popular restaurant and even the photos on the front of the menu screamed 1960’s. People looked at me as I entered. I wonder if my pants were too tight.

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07.17.16
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Melissa Taylor Announced for “Winnie the Pooh” Fringe Play

MelissaTaylorThe Hundred Acre Wood has become a little more populated recently. In an earlier article, we announced the reuniting of Langham Court Theatre‘s Pride and Prejudice actors Ellen Law and Ian Simms for Winnie the Pooh and Tales of 100 Acre Wood. Today, production company Outpost 31 announced a new cast member Melissa Taylor. She is an actor, writer and director. She created Bereavement (produced by the University of Victoria’s Student Alternative Theatre Company in 2011) and The Oldest Trick in the Book (as part of Theatre SKAM‘s SKAMpede in 2015).

Her one-act play Macramé will be performed next month (August 4 and 5) at Intrepid Theatre. Taylor has garnered critical praise for her portrayal of Mia in the Victoria Theatre Guild’s edgy production of Polly Stenham’s That Face. Times Colonist newspaper’s resident critic Adrian Chamberlain wrote, “[Taylor] captured the truth of her character, Mia, in a tremendously convincing manner. It was a skilled performance.”

She will be juggling the roles of bouncing Tigger and the respected Owl.

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07.13.16
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[Vancouver, BC] Yan Can Sushi It Down on Thurlow

Ichiban Ya Vancouver IMG_0493

Sushi Yan Japanese Restaurant
770 Thurlow St
Vancouver, BC
(604) 559-3988
 

E: How is it possible than when we’re out of town, James can home in on good dining experiences? As infrequent as our visits are, I suspect his homing instinct of following the first pretty Asian lady he finds here is key. He scored great with saying let’s go to Aki, but I’m uncertain with Sushi Yan, It had the look of Sushi Plus back home, and while he loves cheap, it does not always mean quality.

J: If you want to eat on the cheap in Vancouver, you can’t do any worse than a Subway. But if a foot long sub from an international corporate franchise doesn’t appeal, then you have the choice of flying to New York for a taste of Carnegie Deli or try something completely different

Leaving the comfort of our hotel at the Marriott Pinnacle, our mission if we chose to accept it was to dine at Joe Fortes’ Seafood Restaurant. Upon arrival, the place was packed. Needless to say, we didn’t accept our mission. In fact, we almost lost our nerve and turned around to return back to our nice hotel (and maybe some eats in the Marriott’s restaurant). But while spinning into the opposite direction, I spotted an older building that housed a Japanese restaurant…in the basement. I was intrigued.

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07.12.16
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Pride & Prejudice Actors Reunited for Fringe’s Winnie The Pooh

Illustration by E. H. Shepard

Illustration by E. H. Shepard

By James Robert Shaw

Actors Ellen Law and Ian Simms, who performed together in Langham Court Theatre’s hit production of Jane Asuten’s Pride and Prejudice, are reuniting on stage for Winnie the Pooh and Tales of 100 Acre Wood. University of Victoria alumni Law and Simms played Kitty Bennet and Charles Bingley in Janet Munsil’s adaptation of Austen’s novel and will be taking on roles of Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh for this production. Theatre critic Janis la Couvee wrote of Pride and Prejudice:

“My guest for the evening is more familiar with rock and roll than the genteel considerations of Austen. The genius of this production of Pride and Prejudice is that it captured his attention completely. Bravo to cast and crew for a job well done—you have breathed new life into an undisputed treasure of the English language canon.”

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07.06.16
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[Vancouver, BC] Breakfast at Scoozis Bar & Grill

Scoozis Bar and Grill
Scoozis Vancouver IMG_0431445 Howe St,
Vancouver, BC
(604) 684-1009

J: On a holiday weekend in Vancouver, one would think many places would still open for business given this city’s rather large population. Much to my chagrin, there were two options: Starbucks and a local Italian eatery called Scoozis. I bet you can guess what location I chose. And I’ll also bet you know how that decision turned out.

E: I recall having problems finding breakfast outside of my hotel from a previous trip. When I’m staying near the Vancouver Convention Center, it’s even worse. In this visit, especially when considering Canada Day was a few days ago, well it’s time to simply go for what’s open. I could have suggested a Vietnamese place that I tried years before, but I absolutely had no interest in returning there. Fortunately, the Italian flavour can have me shouting, “Che bello!”

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06.29.16
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[Vancouver, BC] Cartems Donuterie’s Sweet Rise!

IMG_9214534 W Pender St.
Vancouver, BC 
(778) 708-0996

E: The next time James and I seek out a breakfast style place (or hunt for a quick bite), I’m recommending that we return to Cartems Donuterie. After feeling well-travelled to taste the donuts of the Pacific Northwest region (I’ve visited Top Pot in Seattle and Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland) I feel Cartems can put Top Pot to shame once word gets out. At home in Victoria, Empire Doughnuts is getting plenty of love in the nerd and downtown core community.

This Vancouver operation may not get as crazy as what Voodoo Doughnuts can offer, but I say it’s at a good start by offering a whiskey bacon doughnut to wet my appetite.

J: Better known as the bee sting, I was fearful of bees as I ate this doughnut. I’m sure I would give off a scent to attract the local population or one very hungry Pooh Bear. The entire shop has a rustic theme going on. I guess they want their customers to think of down home back country made doughnuts. And as long as there is no racoon scavenging through their garbage I am good with that image.

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