Vancouver is arguably the best city in North America. Neo Tokyo meets the Great Outdoors. Equal parts East and West. The final frontier. If you don’t believe me, just go there. It will change your whole perspective on stuff.
One of my first stops was Gastown, home to several great independent businesses including Haven, Catalog Gallery, Roden Gray, Sea Monstr, Neighbour, Stussy Vancouver, Livestock, and for a truly curated shopping experience – the OK Boot Corral.
I caught Jeremy (Haven), Ryan (Saint Genius), and Robert (Prison Garde/Catalog) politicking about the next Kickspit Underground Rock Festival. Word to DJ Vlade Divac. These guys are doing big things; highly considered, next level, self-lacing, futuristic things.
A short ride from Gastown took us to a West End barbecue by the beach. Loud music and good food facilitating conversations in multiple languages. A natural gathering of good, affable people.
One of Vancouver’s best features is undoubtedly the food scene – a diverse selection ranging from Kentaro Ramen to one of my all-time favorites, Vij’s Indian restaurant. The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.
The good people at Vij’s treated us well. Delivered from the all-vegetarian-female kitchen (all whom miraculously cook world class meat dishes by smell) was a Jackfruit in Black Cardamom and Cumin Masala that could deceive even the most devout carnivore. For the lamb popsicles, I had to break vegan (vegetarian) edge. The final revelation, a delicious homemade rice pudding complete with edible silver. Of course, not all of the cuisine in Vancouver is high brow…
After picking up a wasabi mayo and nori Japadog on the street, we headed out for more entertainment. Jacques Greene, Prison Garde, Kevin Eames, and Saint Genius put on a great show in the W2 Media Cafe, a bunker vaguely reminiscent of Tokyo’s SuperDeluxe. For many in attendance, the night ended in the early morning, looking and feeling like a Yue Minjun statue.
There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.
(As seen on F5toRefresh)
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