Vancouver Chinatown

Today I went to Vancouver Chinatown for my biannually teeth check-up today at Chinatown. And I thought that it would be a good idea to take a few pictures while I’m at it and post them on the website.

According to Wikipedia, Vancouver’s Chinatown is one of the largest Chinatowns in North America. The exact figure on the Chinatown’s website suggests it to be the second largest in North America. From the sentences, it may sound like it is a very large district. In fact, it is limited to the size of a few city block.

Since 1885, Chinatown is much of a gathering place for early settlers from Hong Kong and China. Mandarin and Cantonese are often spoke here. However, until recently, settles from China are now settling in the suburban city of Richmond on No. 3 Road. This leaves Chinatown in a distinct mark in the history of Vancouver.

Chinatown offers a peak at the Chinese culture; a look into how the Chinese culture is different from Western cultures. For example, I find that Chinese stores are notorious for having crates of goods piled up on to the side walk. In addition, I find that Chinese medicine shops have the not-so-ordinary items in stock for sell. For instance, dried starfish, dried seahorses and deer tails to name a few.

You would also see seafood that would have live fishes, crabs, and etc. Once you decide on one, they will wack it, chop it and wrap it for you to take home and serve it. On the other hand, meat stores would have meat all hung on hooks and you would have to choose which ones you like to have it chopped.

When you’re driving around Chinatown be extra cautious because people like to jay-walk.

There are other interesting tourist places like the international village Tinseltown and the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. However, I don’t have the pictures for those places.

For more information click on here for Chinatown’s website and here for Wikipedia.

Summer Night Market 2008 (Richmond Night Market)

Just did a quick search on Google about Night Market…

Here is an insert from the Vancouver Sun:

“RICHMOND - The popular summer night market in Richmond is one step closer to reopening under a new operator after months of uncertainty over its fate,

Richmond city council agreed Monday evening to send an application for a two-year land-use permit to a public hearing after grilling the new operator, Paul Cheung, about how he would tackle the problems of counterfeit goods and traffic congestion at the market.

Cheung, a Vancouver entrepreneur with years of experience planning events for the Plaza of Nations, said he’s confident he can get a better and safer market up and running by May 30, if his plan succeeds at the public hearing scheduled for May 20.”

Martini’s Restaurant

In so far, every time I wrote a post on restaurant it has always been those that are on my favorite list. And, this post is no exception. Martini’s is the place where I recommend to go for dinner to all those who wants a place to take their partners.

Martini’s Restaurant offers a dining experience of candle-lit, dim, wooden-cabin-like environment.

Martini’s have a full line of western dishes on their menu. Their entire line of menu can be found on their website. Also, they feature daily specials on drinks.

Prawn Fettuccine Alfredo & Martini Special Pizza

The service here is excellent - servers know what you want before you ask them (most of the time). The quality and quantity of food are great. Most entrees are served with Bread and Salad. Two entrees are plenty to fill two people and still have left overs. Furthermore, the price is reasonable. 30 or so dollars for two people.

Everything is great except that the restaurant itself is not very big. Reservation is recommended. Otherwise, eat at not-so-busy hours.

There are meter-parking on Broadway. However, beware of busy hours.

Martini’s Restaurant Ltd
151 West Broadway
Vancouver, British Columbia V5Y 1P4

Telephone: 604 - 873 - 0021

For more information, check out their website at http://www.martinis.ca/

Nightmarket in Vancouver 2008

During spring to fall seasons in Vancouver, metro Vancouverites and tourists often flock to the nightmarkets for food and entertainment. Held annually, nightmarket is a shopping experience that mimics that of the traditional Asian shopping culture experience. In other words, night market is set out in an open district where store booths are set up to sell handicrafts, DVDs, gifts, household items, food and etc.

At prime times, more than 30,000 show up on opening nights for this event. With over 400 booths set up, booth renters often find customers interested in their products. Many products at nightmarket are often sold below retail store prices. However, there have been controversial issues with the legitimacy of some items being sold.

According to this source, “Richmond Night Market” for 2008 will be canceled. The author wrote that “the landlord who has been leasing out the property, where it has been held every year since 2000, has decided not to renew the lease.” Raymond Cheung, founder of Richmond Night Market, was quoted as saying that the Richmond Night Market hopes to find an alternative location for 2009.

According to Wikipedia, another promotion group, Lions Communications, not affiliated with promoters of Richmond Night Market will be holding “Summer Night Market” in Richmond in 2008. Lions Communications has submitted documents to obtain the permit required to hold the event. Unfortunately, no further information can be found regarding Summer Night Market.

According to the Chinatown Nightmarket website, Chinatown in nightmarket will continue this year on the specified dates:

May 16 - Sept 7, every Fri. Sat. & Sun. 6:30 p.m. - 11 p.m

McRibs at McDonalds

I’m sure everyone has heard that the McRib Burger is now back at participating McDonald restaurants. Also, I’m sure everyone has heard someone say “My friend said this was good.. but I haven’t tried it.” So for those who haven’t tried the McRib burger, this post is for you!

From all the advertisements on the radio, I was pretty curious as to what how a McRib burger tastes like. So the curious me went to adventure out into the unknown… and boy was I in for a surprise. McDonalds often have TV, bus, billboards, and endless other advertisements that often capture the burger in perfect form. However, the actual burger was far from the advertisement….

Here is a picture of a delicious looking McRib burger from the internet:

Here is a picture of what I have purchased from the local McDonald store:

From the looks of it, I was deeply disappointed. One pickle, diced onions and a rib with barely enough sauce on it. But I still ate it for the sake of not wasting food.

The verdict:

It isn’t as bad as it looks. It was acceptable.

Bottom line:

You have to give everything a try; otherwise you’ll never know what it is. However, after one time, having more is up to you.

Personally, I’ll resume my boycotting of McDonalds after this post.