Holy cow, you’re coming to Vancouver?! *rubs hands in glee*
When? Opalline and I can totally recommend a few restaurants.
Ya~! I’ll be there March 19-20 🙂
I’m keen on going Tojo’s.. and West Restaurant or Lumiere!
ouw.. i used to live in vancouver for 1.5 year. didn’t really enjoy shopping there. everything is pretty bland. haha.. and things are not really that cheap with the 14.5% tax. if you must, stock up on cosmetics, like biotherm, chanel, etc – they’re rather cheap. robson st is pretty good, though not as good as chapel st in melbourne. 🙂
vancouver is all about the food & beautiful view. you gotta try japs food – cheap & tasty, yummy seafood (alaskan crab maybe?), dim sum is very good – must try, spicy korean food ‘jang mo jib’ next to hooters, vegetarian food in ‘bo kong’.. haahah.. *getting carried away..*
Yeah the tax is a killer! Think I’ll do most of my actual shopping in the USA, and window shop in Vancouver 🙂
I’m def up for the Jap food! I own’t be there long though 🙁 So i only get 2 dinners and a lunch there before I scoot off, booo..
Vancouver!
There are really yummy Japanese tapas restaurants here (in Vancouver)!! You should go to GUU with Garlic (SO YUMMY) or Gyoza King (best gyoza and udon noodles), both are on Robson Street (but down, closer to the beach). I think you would really like the stores Aritzia and plenty, both on Robson Street. They sell casual but cute clothes!! Too bad you aren’t coming next year. Holt Renfrew is going to be moving into the other half of Pacific Centre, making it huuuuuuuugge, compared to the crappy small department store it currently is!! But it’s still good. haha.
If you’re going to eat at WEST, you should definitely have an early meal (if you get in before 6pm, you can have a three course meal for $45, which is a steal, compared to eating their regular menu!) and then you can do some more shopping on South Granville, which has a couple of cute stores along the way!
For the best coffee and lattes, make sure you check out Caffe Artigiano for delicious coffee “art”.
That’s all I can think of right now.
If you were staying for a week, then I’d start getting into Gastown and Main Street for local designer shoppes and stuff…boo!!
Re: Vancouver!
i LOVE Japanese, and I’ll be shopping on Robson St (hopefully they’ll be open late Sun night! Do you know what time they close?) so perfect lotion 🙂
Thanks for the tip about West! I’ll probably go there for dinner on Mon night 🙂
And I’m so going to that coffee place when I fly in at 3pm and before i start shopping, haha! Thanks so much for all the tips, it really helps
Re: Vancouver!
Generally on Sundays, most stores open until 5-6pm. There are a few that open later (maybe Club Monaco, Zara, Aritzia – until 8pm?), but the malls and pretty much everywhere else is out after 6pm.
Re: Vancouver!
Oh whew, they should be open then.. then at 6 i’ll have dinner 😛
Re: Vancouver!
Yes. Just make sure you hit the mall first, because that closes at 5pm for sure!!! 😀
I’m trying to picture how many days this trip is???? lol… tell me its like 3 weeks!!!! thats so many cities! omg
It’s almost 3 weeks.. that’s a long time to be away from the office, ahhhhh!
oh yeah! and a long time to be away from home too…. bet you get lonely for home altho i see your gonna get to see your family in singapore which must be fabulous! and i do remember your last singapore food posts! yum!
i’m hoping you some serious better luck with taxi’s too…didnt you have so weird awful taxi accident thing last time???
Yeah we nearly got into a crash with a truck on a highway.. I’m paranoid about that highway now so not exactly looking forward to THAT part of the trip! :X
Holy cow, you’re coming to Vancouver?! *rubs hands in glee*
When? Opalline and I can totally recommend a few restaurants.
Ya~! I’ll be there March 19-20 🙂
I’m keen on going Tojo’s.. and West Restaurant or Lumiere!
ouw.. i used to live in vancouver for 1.5 year. didn’t really enjoy shopping there. everything is pretty bland. haha.. and things are not really that cheap with the 14.5% tax. if you must, stock up on cosmetics, like biotherm, chanel, etc – they’re rather cheap. robson st is pretty good, though not as good as chapel st in melbourne. 🙂
vancouver is all about the food & beautiful view. you gotta try japs food – cheap & tasty, yummy seafood (alaskan crab maybe?), dim sum is very good – must try, spicy korean food ‘jang mo jib’ next to hooters, vegetarian food in ‘bo kong’.. haahah.. *getting carried away..*
Yeah the tax is a killer! Think I’ll do most of my actual shopping in the USA, and window shop in Vancouver 🙂
I’m def up for the Jap food! I own’t be there long though 🙁 So i only get 2 dinners and a lunch there before I scoot off, booo..
Vancouver!
There are really yummy Japanese tapas restaurants here (in Vancouver)!! You should go to GUU with Garlic (SO YUMMY) or Gyoza King (best gyoza and udon noodles), both are on Robson Street (but down, closer to the beach). I think you would really like the stores Aritzia and plenty, both on Robson Street. They sell casual but cute clothes!! Too bad you aren’t coming next year. Holt Renfrew is going to be moving into the other half of Pacific Centre, making it huuuuuuuugge, compared to the crappy small department store it currently is!! But it’s still good. haha.
If you’re going to eat at WEST, you should definitely have an early meal (if you get in before 6pm, you can have a three course meal for $45, which is a steal, compared to eating their regular menu!) and then you can do some more shopping on South Granville, which has a couple of cute stores along the way!
For the best coffee and lattes, make sure you check out Caffe Artigiano for delicious coffee “art”.
That’s all I can think of right now.
If you were staying for a week, then I’d start getting into Gastown and Main Street for local designer shoppes and stuff…boo!!
Re: Vancouver!
i LOVE Japanese, and I’ll be shopping on Robson St (hopefully they’ll be open late Sun night! Do you know what time they close?) so perfect lotion 🙂
Thanks for the tip about West! I’ll probably go there for dinner on Mon night 🙂
And I’m so going to that coffee place when I fly in at 3pm and before i start shopping, haha! Thanks so much for all the tips, it really helps
Re: Vancouver!
Generally on Sundays, most stores open until 5-6pm. There are a few that open later (maybe Club Monaco, Zara, Aritzia – until 8pm?), but the malls and pretty much everywhere else is out after 6pm.
Re: Vancouver!
Oh whew, they should be open then.. then at 6 i’ll have dinner 😛
Re: Vancouver!
Yes. Just make sure you hit the mall first, because that closes at 5pm for sure!!! 😀
I’m trying to picture how many days this trip is???? lol… tell me its like 3 weeks!!!! thats so many cities! omg
It’s almost 3 weeks.. that’s a long time to be away from the office, ahhhhh!
oh yeah! and a long time to be away from home too…. bet you get lonely for home altho i see your gonna get to see your family in singapore which must be fabulous! and i do remember your last singapore food posts! yum!
i’m hoping you some serious better luck with taxi’s too…didnt you have so weird awful taxi accident thing last time???
Yeah we nearly got into a crash with a truck on a highway.. I’m paranoid about that highway now so not exactly looking forward to THAT part of the trip! :X
It’s normal for your weight to fluctuate each day around .5 of a kilo. Don’t worry, it’ll drop off in a day or more if you’re really good with your food.
It’s sucky because 0.5kg means a LOT to me ;( I don’t know why my body keeps insisting on staying a particular weight! It’s frustrating :X
Hey Bev! I’m from Vancouver. I love good food..and shopping, so totally ask away about anything! 🙂
Do visit Tojo’s. It’s the best Japanese food in the city. You should also go to Hapa Izakaya (Japanese Tapas). Lumiere is fantastic (but expensive). Rob Feenie (owner of Lumiere) also has another restaurant next door which is more trendy/tapas/drinks-esque..called Feenies, if you are into drinks and good food. 🙂 I think you’ll have a good time in the city..The best part is that most of the shopping places and good restaurants are close to each other, and our transit system isn’t too bad either.
And take a scroll along the Seawall, English Bay and Denman Street where you’ll find all kinds of cool stores, cupcake and coffee shops too.
Woooo! I’m definitely going to Tojo’s.. but is West Restaurant or Lumiere better? I’m doing either one for dinner.
I’d like to go to Robson Street but I’ll only have free time there on Sun afternoon/evening.. will most of the stuff be closed?
I like the sound of a cupcake store :)~~~~
I don’t think Tojo’s opens for lunch. I recall that they only open after 5pm. Both West and Lumiere are good, and are top rated restaurants in the city. 🙂 I can email you the link of both places so you can see the menus, and some other links to good restaurants as well. The cupcake store is really cute and pink..:P. As for Robson Street..most stores will be open in the afternoon and early evening.
Oh no worries, I found their websites! And you’re right Tojo’s is closed on Sun afternoon *cries* I guess I’ll just go there for dinner instead and one of the other 2 restaurants for lunch!
So glad Robson St will be open late on Sun… whee!!
Thanks for the info, it really helps 😀
Quick question for you…if you could choose one place to visit, considering your priority would be mainly shopping, where would you choose…Hong Kong or Singapore?
I’d choose Singapore as everyone speaks English and the shops are just amazing. I don’t like Hong Kong fashion very much, IMHO! But both are really super shopping cities..
It’s normal for your weight to fluctuate each day around .5 of a kilo. Don’t worry, it’ll drop off in a day or more if you’re really good with your food.
It’s sucky because 0.5kg means a LOT to me ;( I don’t know why my body keeps insisting on staying a particular weight! It’s frustrating :X
Hey Bev! I’m from Vancouver. I love good food..and shopping, so totally ask away about anything! 🙂
Do visit Tojo’s. It’s the best Japanese food in the city. You should also go to Hapa Izakaya (Japanese Tapas). Lumiere is fantastic (but expensive). Rob Feenie (owner of Lumiere) also has another restaurant next door which is more trendy/tapas/drinks-esque..called Feenies, if you are into drinks and good food. 🙂 I think you’ll have a good time in the city..The best part is that most of the shopping places and good restaurants are close to each other, and our transit system isn’t too bad either.
And take a scroll along the Seawall, English Bay and Denman Street where you’ll find all kinds of cool stores, cupcake and coffee shops too.
Woooo! I’m definitely going to Tojo’s.. but is West Restaurant or Lumiere better? I’m doing either one for dinner.
I’d like to go to Robson Street but I’ll only have free time there on Sun afternoon/evening.. will most of the stuff be closed?
I like the sound of a cupcake store :)~~~~
I don’t think Tojo’s opens for lunch. I recall that they only open after 5pm. Both West and Lumiere are good, and are top rated restaurants in the city. 🙂 I can email you the link of both places so you can see the menus, and some other links to good restaurants as well. The cupcake store is really cute and pink..:P. As for Robson Street..most stores will be open in the afternoon and early evening.
Oh no worries, I found their websites! And you’re right Tojo’s is closed on Sun afternoon *cries* I guess I’ll just go there for dinner instead and one of the other 2 restaurants for lunch!
So glad Robson St will be open late on Sun… whee!!
Thanks for the info, it really helps 😀
If you have time to get down to Orange County in LAX…DEFINITELY hit South Coast Plaza & Fashion Island. The shopping there is awesome! South Coast Plaza has practically every store imaginable. There is no way you’d go through that mall in a day, especially if you’re a true shopaholic. If you’re near LAX, you could go to Del Amo, South Bay Galleria or Beverly Center…but those places are so-so. As for food, check out P.F. Chang’s. The food there is sooooo yummy!!! 😀
Oooo are those places near LAX?? Or at least around Rodeo Drive/Beverly hills? They sound fab so I’ll go there if it’s not too far 😀
I wish so much you can go check out South Coast Plaza in LAX (Orange County) but I think it’s kinda far unless you have a car. >_< !!! Anyway, here's a little teaser for you: http://www.southcoastplaza.com
Hopefully some-way, some-how you’ll be able to make your way down there. 😀
Ahhhh I won’t have enough time as I’m only in LA for the whole Sat, and then I leave on Sun 🙁 That place looks amazing!
Kitson, Beverly Centre and Rodeo Drive are on my list to shop on Sat.. so I hope that’ll satiate me, haha!
I’ll be back in LA soon anyway, so I’m going to go to South Coast Plaza then for sure!
Quick question for you…if you could choose one place to visit, considering your priority would be mainly shopping, where would you choose…Hong Kong or Singapore?
I’d choose Singapore as everyone speaks English and the shops are just amazing. I don’t like Hong Kong fashion very much, IMHO! But both are really super shopping cities..
HMMPPPHH!! now that I’ve just moved out of Vancouver, you’re going there! I would have taken you around :O
ooops forgot to comment on the food.
* Japanese food is very cheap in Vancouver, but if you’re willing to spend $$$, go to Tojo’s.
* Not sure if you like Korean food, but if you do, try to go to Jang Mo Jib on Robson Street (a-must-go shopping district btw).. my personal favourite!
* The Malaysian/Singaporean Restaurant here is just standard, so I probably won’t bother to go if I were you
*You can easily find many different cuisines in Vancouver, LMK if you’re looking for something specific as they’re just too many to list them all 😛
as far as as shopping, downtown has all the designer stuff (Holt Renfrew is in Pacific Centre Mall), Chanel, Coach, Salvatore, etc. Definitely check out both Pacific Centre Mall and Robson Street (in downtown). The biggest mall is in the suburb of Vancouver (Metrotown mall). Again LMK if you’re looking for specific store. Have fun Bev 🙂
Awww wish you were still there! But I’m only there for 2 days to visit and meet & greet the team, so I guess it’s not too long 😛
I heard about Robson st.. might do that on Sunday afternoon! And yeah, I’ll avoid the SG restaurant.. thanks for the tip 😛 But Tojos sounds good, I ADORE Jap food! Thanks so much for the info.. it’s really helpful!
aw still 2 days is better than nothing! ah if it were only a month earlier :O
Yeah, I’ve been at all impressed with the Malaysian/Singaporean Restaurant here.. but again my standard is a bit too high *haha*. Definitely try Tojo’s if you like Japanese food. Even the Japanese tourists go there. Check out their website 😉
I also made a comment above about Hermes/Chanel etc. Chanel has a bigger boutique on West Hastings (also in downtown Vancouver), so does LV (inside Hotel Vancouver); but Holt Renfrew pretty much has everything else. Our tax is outrageous tho (14%) but you could always get an instant tax rebate on your way back 🙂
oops typo: *I’ve not been at all impressed 😛
Hm… I wonder if LV’s cheaper in Vancouver.. I’ll have to price check which country has it the cheapest 😛
from personal experience, our LV would be comparable to the State excluding the outrageous taxes (in your case, you could get this reimbursed/waived anyways) since our dollar is quite strong now. They normally use about 1:1.1.8 to 1:1.25 rate conversion. Coach in the other hand is much much more expensive here because they somehow don’t use a proper rate conversion (they use 1:1.5 instead!!!).
what a trip, so many places!!! *envious* aww, don’t worry. i’m sure you’ll lose that 0.5kg in no time!
I hope I do.. I plan to go nuts eating on the trip, heh!!
I absolutely adore Vancouver. If it’s for shopping, I would go to Holt Renfrew (Canada’s version of Neiman Marcus or Saks). I would shop on Robson Street and wander there. You also have to go to Leone – nice luxurious clothes from D&G, Miu Miu and Burberry. Go to Aritzia for nice casual clothes. Go to South Granville and go to the store Cattiva for cute jeans and tops. I also have a post I made about Vancouver back when I went in June. http://starbucksweetie.livejournal.com/2005/06/17/
Robson St sounds like the way to go.. think I’ll go there! LOVE your post, it’s so helpful, thanks for posting the link. So does Holt Renfrew have the Hermes/Chanel/LV type stores? 😀
Holt Renfrew does have Hermes, LV, etc. Chanel has a bigger boutique on West Hastings, close to Canada Place. LV also has a bigger boutique on Burrard Street (inside Hotel Vancouver) 🙂
Woooooooo I am SO THERE! I hope it’s near Robson St or at least near my hotel… 🙂
yes the LV boutique on Burrard St is just off of Robson St. The Chanel isn’t a bit far down toward the water, still close though :).
Eeeeee that sounds like a plan!!! Do all those stores close quite late? My free time in Vancouver is 3pm-onwards on a Sun night.. I’m scared everything’ll be shut 🙁
I’m gonna have lunch at Tojos and dinner at either West Restaurant or Lumiere.. fingers crossed they’re good! 😛
Holt Renfrew has a LV, Tiffany and Hermes boutiques as well as Links of London. Vancouver also has thier own Chanel and Cartier store as well.
Holt Renfrew is in Pacific Centre isn’t it? I’m going there fo r sure 🙂
Oh I hear Vancouver is gooooooooooorgeous!
I don’t remember it at all!!! 🙁 Can’t wait to go there again, it does sound lovely from what I’ve heard of it 🙂
Oh, when will you be in bangkok? I’m going to BKK for work on 20, 21 and 22 March. You??
I’ll be there on the 22nd too! But I’ll be speeding right through so won’t be able to do anything 🙁 I”ll see you on the 23rd when we’re back in SG though!
If you have time to get down to Orange County in LAX…DEFINITELY hit South Coast Plaza & Fashion Island. The shopping there is awesome! South Coast Plaza has practically every store imaginable. There is no way you’d go through that mall in a day, especially if you’re a true shopaholic. If you’re near LAX, you could go to Del Amo, South Bay Galleria or Beverly Center…but those places are so-so. As for food, check out P.F. Chang’s. The food there is sooooo yummy!!! 😀
Oooo are those places near LAX?? Or at least around Rodeo Drive/Beverly hills? They sound fab so I’ll go there if it’s not too far 😀
I wish so much you can go check out South Coast Plaza in LAX (Orange County) but I think it’s kinda far unless you have a car. >_< !!! Anyway, here's a little teaser for you: http://www.southcoastplaza.com
Hopefully some-way, some-how you’ll be able to make your way down there. 😀
Ahhhh I won’t have enough time as I’m only in LA for the whole Sat, and then I leave on Sun 🙁 That place looks amazing!
Kitson, Beverly Centre and Rodeo Drive are on my list to shop on Sat.. so I hope that’ll satiate me, haha!
I’ll be back in LA soon anyway, so I’m going to go to South Coast Plaza then for sure!
Go to disneyland! Hehe :þ
I won’t have time too!! 😛 Nah I prefer the shops… hehehhe
wow. what do u do on those business trips? i wish i could have a job like that.
I do… business, of course! 😛 A lot of finalising plans and strategy planning for 2006, really…
don’t worry babe! that 0.5kg is newly gained weight; it’s easy to lose that I heard! 🙂
I hope so….. then I can go nuts eating on the trip, to reward myself… haha!
HMMPPPHH!! now that I’ve just moved out of Vancouver, you’re going there! I would have taken you around :O
ooops forgot to comment on the food.
* Japanese food is very cheap in Vancouver, but if you’re willing to spend $$$, go to Tojo’s.
* Not sure if you like Korean food, but if you do, try to go to Jang Mo Jib on Robson Street (a-must-go shopping district btw).. my personal favourite!
* The Malaysian/Singaporean Restaurant here is just standard, so I probably won’t bother to go if I were you
*You can easily find many different cuisines in Vancouver, LMK if you’re looking for something specific as they’re just too many to list them all 😛
as far as as shopping, downtown has all the designer stuff (Holt Renfrew is in Pacific Centre Mall), Chanel, Coach, Salvatore, etc. Definitely check out both Pacific Centre Mall and Robson Street (in downtown). The biggest mall is in the suburb of Vancouver (Metrotown mall). Again LMK if you’re looking for specific store. Have fun Bev 🙂
Awww wish you were still there! But I’m only there for 2 days to visit and meet & greet the team, so I guess it’s not too long 😛
I heard about Robson st.. might do that on Sunday afternoon! And yeah, I’ll avoid the SG restaurant.. thanks for the tip 😛 But Tojos sounds good, I ADORE Jap food! Thanks so much for the info.. it’s really helpful!
aw still 2 days is better than nothing! ah if it were only a month earlier :O
Yeah, I’ve been at all impressed with the Malaysian/Singaporean Restaurant here.. but again my standard is a bit too high *haha*. Definitely try Tojo’s if you like Japanese food. Even the Japanese tourists go there. Check out their website 😉
I also made a comment above about Hermes/Chanel etc. Chanel has a bigger boutique on West Hastings (also in downtown Vancouver), so does LV (inside Hotel Vancouver); but Holt Renfrew pretty much has everything else. Our tax is outrageous tho (14%) but you could always get an instant tax rebate on your way back 🙂
oops typo: *I’ve not been at all impressed 😛
Hm… I wonder if LV’s cheaper in Vancouver.. I’ll have to price check which country has it the cheapest 😛
from personal experience, our LV would be comparable to the State excluding the outrageous taxes (in your case, you could get this reimbursed/waived anyways) since our dollar is quite strong now. They normally use about 1:1.1.8 to 1:1.25 rate conversion. Coach in the other hand is much much more expensive here because they somehow don’t use a proper rate conversion (they use 1:1.5 instead!!!).
what a trip, so many places!!! *envious* aww, don’t worry. i’m sure you’ll lose that 0.5kg in no time!
I hope I do.. I plan to go nuts eating on the trip, heh!!
I absolutely adore Vancouver. If it’s for shopping, I would go to Holt Renfrew (Canada’s version of Neiman Marcus or Saks). I would shop on Robson Street and wander there. You also have to go to Leone – nice luxurious clothes from D&G, Miu Miu and Burberry. Go to Aritzia for nice casual clothes. Go to South Granville and go to the store Cattiva for cute jeans and tops. I also have a post I made about Vancouver back when I went in June. http://starbucksweetie.livejournal.com/2005/06/17/
Robson St sounds like the way to go.. think I’ll go there! LOVE your post, it’s so helpful, thanks for posting the link. So does Holt Renfrew have the Hermes/Chanel/LV type stores? 😀
Holt Renfrew does have Hermes, LV, etc. Chanel has a bigger boutique on West Hastings, close to Canada Place. LV also has a bigger boutique on Burrard Street (inside Hotel Vancouver) 🙂
Woooooooo I am SO THERE! I hope it’s near Robson St or at least near my hotel… 🙂
yes the LV boutique on Burrard St is just off of Robson St. The Chanel isn’t a bit far down toward the water, still close though :).
Eeeeee that sounds like a plan!!! Do all those stores close quite late? My free time in Vancouver is 3pm-onwards on a Sun night.. I’m scared everything’ll be shut 🙁
I’m gonna have lunch at Tojos and dinner at either West Restaurant or Lumiere.. fingers crossed they’re good! 😛
Holt Renfrew has a LV, Tiffany and Hermes boutiques as well as Links of London. Vancouver also has thier own Chanel and Cartier store as well.
Holt Renfrew is in Pacific Centre isn’t it? I’m going there fo r sure 🙂
Oh I hear Vancouver is gooooooooooorgeous!
I don’t remember it at all!!! 🙁 Can’t wait to go there again, it does sound lovely from what I’ve heard of it 🙂
Oh, when will you be in bangkok? I’m going to BKK for work on 20, 21 and 22 March. You??
I’ll be there on the 22nd too! But I’ll be speeding right through so won’t be able to do anything 🙁 I”ll see you on the 23rd when we’re back in SG though!
Go to disneyland! Hehe :þ
I won’t have time too!! 😛 Nah I prefer the shops… hehehhe
wow. what do u do on those business trips? i wish i could have a job like that.
I do… business, of course! 😛 A lot of finalising plans and strategy planning for 2006, really…
don’t worry babe! that 0.5kg is newly gained weight; it’s easy to lose that I heard! 🙂
I hope so….. then I can go nuts eating on the trip, to reward myself… haha!
Holy cow, you’re coming to Vancouver?! *rubs hands in glee*
When? Opalline and I can totally recommend a few restaurants.
Ya~! I’ll be there March 19-20 🙂
I’m keen on going Tojo’s.. and West Restaurant or Lumiere!
ouw.. i used to live in vancouver for 1.5 year. didn’t really enjoy shopping there. everything is pretty bland. haha.. and things are not really that cheap with the 14.5% tax. if you must, stock up on cosmetics, like biotherm, chanel, etc – they’re rather cheap. robson st is pretty good, though not as good as chapel st in melbourne. 🙂
vancouver is all about the food & beautiful view. you gotta try japs food – cheap & tasty, yummy seafood (alaskan crab maybe?), dim sum is very good – must try, spicy korean food ‘jang mo jib’ next to hooters, vegetarian food in ‘bo kong’.. haahah.. *getting carried away..*
Yeah the tax is a killer! Think I’ll do most of my actual shopping in the USA, and window shop in Vancouver 🙂
I’m def up for the Jap food! I own’t be there long though 🙁 So i only get 2 dinners and a lunch there before I scoot off, booo..
Vancouver!
There are really yummy Japanese tapas restaurants here (in Vancouver)!! You should go to GUU with Garlic (SO YUMMY) or Gyoza King (best gyoza and udon noodles), both are on Robson Street (but down, closer to the beach). I think you would really like the stores Aritzia and plenty, both on Robson Street. They sell casual but cute clothes!! Too bad you aren’t coming next year. Holt Renfrew is going to be moving into the other half of Pacific Centre, making it huuuuuuuugge, compared to the crappy small department store it currently is!! But it’s still good. haha.
If you’re going to eat at WEST, you should definitely have an early meal (if you get in before 6pm, you can have a three course meal for $45, which is a steal, compared to eating their regular menu!) and then you can do some more shopping on South Granville, which has a couple of cute stores along the way!
For the best coffee and lattes, make sure you check out Caffe Artigiano for delicious coffee “art”.
That’s all I can think of right now.
If you were staying for a week, then I’d start getting into Gastown and Main Street for local designer shoppes and stuff…boo!!
Re: Vancouver!
i LOVE Japanese, and I’ll be shopping on Robson St (hopefully they’ll be open late Sun night! Do you know what time they close?) so perfect lotion 🙂
Thanks for the tip about West! I’ll probably go there for dinner on Mon night 🙂
And I’m so going to that coffee place when I fly in at 3pm and before i start shopping, haha! Thanks so much for all the tips, it really helps
Re: Vancouver!
Generally on Sundays, most stores open until 5-6pm. There are a few that open later (maybe Club Monaco, Zara, Aritzia – until 8pm?), but the malls and pretty much everywhere else is out after 6pm.
Re: Vancouver!
Oh whew, they should be open then.. then at 6 i’ll have dinner 😛
Re: Vancouver!
Yes. Just make sure you hit the mall first, because that closes at 5pm for sure!!! 😀
I’m trying to picture how many days this trip is???? lol… tell me its like 3 weeks!!!! thats so many cities! omg
It’s almost 3 weeks.. that’s a long time to be away from the office, ahhhhh!
oh yeah! and a long time to be away from home too…. bet you get lonely for home altho i see your gonna get to see your family in singapore which must be fabulous! and i do remember your last singapore food posts! yum!
i’m hoping you some serious better luck with taxi’s too…didnt you have so weird awful taxi accident thing last time???
Yeah we nearly got into a crash with a truck on a highway.. I’m paranoid about that highway now so not exactly looking forward to THAT part of the trip! :X
Holy cow, you’re coming to Vancouver?! *rubs hands in glee*
When? Opalline and I can totally recommend a few restaurants.
Ya~! I’ll be there March 19-20 🙂
I’m keen on going Tojo’s.. and West Restaurant or Lumiere!
ouw.. i used to live in vancouver for 1.5 year. didn’t really enjoy shopping there. everything is pretty bland. haha.. and things are not really that cheap with the 14.5% tax. if you must, stock up on cosmetics, like biotherm, chanel, etc – they’re rather cheap. robson st is pretty good, though not as good as chapel st in melbourne. 🙂
vancouver is all about the food & beautiful view. you gotta try japs food – cheap & tasty, yummy seafood (alaskan crab maybe?), dim sum is very good – must try, spicy korean food ‘jang mo jib’ next to hooters, vegetarian food in ‘bo kong’.. haahah.. *getting carried away..*
Yeah the tax is a killer! Think I’ll do most of my actual shopping in the USA, and window shop in Vancouver 🙂
I’m def up for the Jap food! I own’t be there long though 🙁 So i only get 2 dinners and a lunch there before I scoot off, booo..
Vancouver!
There are really yummy Japanese tapas restaurants here (in Vancouver)!! You should go to GUU with Garlic (SO YUMMY) or Gyoza King (best gyoza and udon noodles), both are on Robson Street (but down, closer to the beach). I think you would really like the stores Aritzia and plenty, both on Robson Street. They sell casual but cute clothes!! Too bad you aren’t coming next year. Holt Renfrew is going to be moving into the other half of Pacific Centre, making it huuuuuuuugge, compared to the crappy small department store it currently is!! But it’s still good. haha.
If you’re going to eat at WEST, you should definitely have an early meal (if you get in before 6pm, you can have a three course meal for $45, which is a steal, compared to eating their regular menu!) and then you can do some more shopping on South Granville, which has a couple of cute stores along the way!
For the best coffee and lattes, make sure you check out Caffe Artigiano for delicious coffee “art”.
That’s all I can think of right now.
If you were staying for a week, then I’d start getting into Gastown and Main Street for local designer shoppes and stuff…boo!!
Re: Vancouver!
i LOVE Japanese, and I’ll be shopping on Robson St (hopefully they’ll be open late Sun night! Do you know what time they close?) so perfect lotion 🙂
Thanks for the tip about West! I’ll probably go there for dinner on Mon night 🙂
And I’m so going to that coffee place when I fly in at 3pm and before i start shopping, haha! Thanks so much for all the tips, it really helps
Re: Vancouver!
Generally on Sundays, most stores open until 5-6pm. There are a few that open later (maybe Club Monaco, Zara, Aritzia – until 8pm?), but the malls and pretty much everywhere else is out after 6pm.
Re: Vancouver!
Oh whew, they should be open then.. then at 6 i’ll have dinner 😛
Re: Vancouver!
Yes. Just make sure you hit the mall first, because that closes at 5pm for sure!!! 😀
I’m trying to picture how many days this trip is???? lol… tell me its like 3 weeks!!!! thats so many cities! omg
It’s almost 3 weeks.. that’s a long time to be away from the office, ahhhhh!
oh yeah! and a long time to be away from home too…. bet you get lonely for home altho i see your gonna get to see your family in singapore which must be fabulous! and i do remember your last singapore food posts! yum!
i’m hoping you some serious better luck with taxi’s too…didnt you have so weird awful taxi accident thing last time???
Yeah we nearly got into a crash with a truck on a highway.. I’m paranoid about that highway now so not exactly looking forward to THAT part of the trip! :X
It’s normal for your weight to fluctuate each day around .5 of a kilo. Don’t worry, it’ll drop off in a day or more if you’re really good with your food.
It’s sucky because 0.5kg means a LOT to me ;( I don’t know why my body keeps insisting on staying a particular weight! It’s frustrating :X
Hey Bev! I’m from Vancouver. I love good food..and shopping, so totally ask away about anything! 🙂
Do visit Tojo’s. It’s the best Japanese food in the city. You should also go to Hapa Izakaya (Japanese Tapas). Lumiere is fantastic (but expensive). Rob Feenie (owner of Lumiere) also has another restaurant next door which is more trendy/tapas/drinks-esque..called Feenies, if you are into drinks and good food. 🙂 I think you’ll have a good time in the city..The best part is that most of the shopping places and good restaurants are close to each other, and our transit system isn’t too bad either.
And take a scroll along the Seawall, English Bay and Denman Street where you’ll find all kinds of cool stores, cupcake and coffee shops too.
Woooo! I’m definitely going to Tojo’s.. but is West Restaurant or Lumiere better? I’m doing either one for dinner.
I’d like to go to Robson Street but I’ll only have free time there on Sun afternoon/evening.. will most of the stuff be closed?
I like the sound of a cupcake store :)~~~~
I don’t think Tojo’s opens for lunch. I recall that they only open after 5pm. Both West and Lumiere are good, and are top rated restaurants in the city. 🙂 I can email you the link of both places so you can see the menus, and some other links to good restaurants as well. The cupcake store is really cute and pink..:P. As for Robson Street..most stores will be open in the afternoon and early evening.
Oh no worries, I found their websites! And you’re right Tojo’s is closed on Sun afternoon *cries* I guess I’ll just go there for dinner instead and one of the other 2 restaurants for lunch!
So glad Robson St will be open late on Sun… whee!!
Thanks for the info, it really helps 😀
Quick question for you…if you could choose one place to visit, considering your priority would be mainly shopping, where would you choose…Hong Kong or Singapore?
I’d choose Singapore as everyone speaks English and the shops are just amazing. I don’t like Hong Kong fashion very much, IMHO! But both are really super shopping cities..
It’s normal for your weight to fluctuate each day around .5 of a kilo. Don’t worry, it’ll drop off in a day or more if you’re really good with your food.
It’s sucky because 0.5kg means a LOT to me ;( I don’t know why my body keeps insisting on staying a particular weight! It’s frustrating :X
Hey Bev! I’m from Vancouver. I love good food..and shopping, so totally ask away about anything! 🙂
Do visit Tojo’s. It’s the best Japanese food in the city. You should also go to Hapa Izakaya (Japanese Tapas). Lumiere is fantastic (but expensive). Rob Feenie (owner of Lumiere) also has another restaurant next door which is more trendy/tapas/drinks-esque..called Feenies, if you are into drinks and good food. 🙂 I think you’ll have a good time in the city..The best part is that most of the shopping places and good restaurants are close to each other, and our transit system isn’t too bad either.
And take a scroll along the Seawall, English Bay and Denman Street where you’ll find all kinds of cool stores, cupcake and coffee shops too.
Woooo! I’m definitely going to Tojo’s.. but is West Restaurant or Lumiere better? I’m doing either one for dinner.
I’d like to go to Robson Street but I’ll only have free time there on Sun afternoon/evening.. will most of the stuff be closed?
I like the sound of a cupcake store :)~~~~
I don’t think Tojo’s opens for lunch. I recall that they only open after 5pm. Both West and Lumiere are good, and are top rated restaurants in the city. 🙂 I can email you the link of both places so you can see the menus, and some other links to good restaurants as well. The cupcake store is really cute and pink..:P. As for Robson Street..most stores will be open in the afternoon and early evening.
Oh no worries, I found their websites! And you’re right Tojo’s is closed on Sun afternoon *cries* I guess I’ll just go there for dinner instead and one of the other 2 restaurants for lunch!
So glad Robson St will be open late on Sun… whee!!
Thanks for the info, it really helps 😀
If you have time to get down to Orange County in LAX…DEFINITELY hit South Coast Plaza & Fashion Island. The shopping there is awesome! South Coast Plaza has practically every store imaginable. There is no way you’d go through that mall in a day, especially if you’re a true shopaholic. If you’re near LAX, you could go to Del Amo, South Bay Galleria or Beverly Center…but those places are so-so. As for food, check out P.F. Chang’s. The food there is sooooo yummy!!! 😀
Oooo are those places near LAX?? Or at least around Rodeo Drive/Beverly hills? They sound fab so I’ll go there if it’s not too far 😀
I wish so much you can go check out South Coast Plaza in LAX (Orange County) but I think it’s kinda far unless you have a car. >_< !!! Anyway, here's a little teaser for you: http://www.southcoastplaza.com
Hopefully some-way, some-how you’ll be able to make your way down there. 😀
Ahhhh I won’t have enough time as I’m only in LA for the whole Sat, and then I leave on Sun 🙁 That place looks amazing!
Kitson, Beverly Centre and Rodeo Drive are on my list to shop on Sat.. so I hope that’ll satiate me, haha!
I’ll be back in LA soon anyway, so I’m going to go to South Coast Plaza then for sure!
Quick question for you…if you could choose one place to visit, considering your priority would be mainly shopping, where would you choose…Hong Kong or Singapore?
I’d choose Singapore as everyone speaks English and the shops are just amazing. I don’t like Hong Kong fashion very much, IMHO! But both are really super shopping cities..
HMMPPPHH!! now that I’ve just moved out of Vancouver, you’re going there! I would have taken you around :O
ooops forgot to comment on the food.
* Japanese food is very cheap in Vancouver, but if you’re willing to spend $$$, go to Tojo’s.
* Not sure if you like Korean food, but if you do, try to go to Jang Mo Jib on Robson Street (a-must-go shopping district btw).. my personal favourite!
* The Malaysian/Singaporean Restaurant here is just standard, so I probably won’t bother to go if I were you
*You can easily find many different cuisines in Vancouver, LMK if you’re looking for something specific as they’re just too many to list them all 😛
as far as as shopping, downtown has all the designer stuff (Holt Renfrew is in Pacific Centre Mall), Chanel, Coach, Salvatore, etc. Definitely check out both Pacific Centre Mall and Robson Street (in downtown). The biggest mall is in the suburb of Vancouver (Metrotown mall). Again LMK if you’re looking for specific store. Have fun Bev 🙂
Awww wish you were still there! But I’m only there for 2 days to visit and meet & greet the team, so I guess it’s not too long 😛
I heard about Robson st.. might do that on Sunday afternoon! And yeah, I’ll avoid the SG restaurant.. thanks for the tip 😛 But Tojos sounds good, I ADORE Jap food! Thanks so much for the info.. it’s really helpful!
aw still 2 days is better than nothing! ah if it were only a month earlier :O
Yeah, I’ve been at all impressed with the Malaysian/Singaporean Restaurant here.. but again my standard is a bit too high *haha*. Definitely try Tojo’s if you like Japanese food. Even the Japanese tourists go there. Check out their website 😉
I also made a comment above about Hermes/Chanel etc. Chanel has a bigger boutique on West Hastings (also in downtown Vancouver), so does LV (inside Hotel Vancouver); but Holt Renfrew pretty much has everything else. Our tax is outrageous tho (14%) but you could always get an instant tax rebate on your way back 🙂
oops typo: *I’ve not been at all impressed 😛
Hm… I wonder if LV’s cheaper in Vancouver.. I’ll have to price check which country has it the cheapest 😛
from personal experience, our LV would be comparable to the State excluding the outrageous taxes (in your case, you could get this reimbursed/waived anyways) since our dollar is quite strong now. They normally use about 1:1.1.8 to 1:1.25 rate conversion. Coach in the other hand is much much more expensive here because they somehow don’t use a proper rate conversion (they use 1:1.5 instead!!!).
what a trip, so many places!!! *envious* aww, don’t worry. i’m sure you’ll lose that 0.5kg in no time!
I hope I do.. I plan to go nuts eating on the trip, heh!!
I absolutely adore Vancouver. If it’s for shopping, I would go to Holt Renfrew (Canada’s version of Neiman Marcus or Saks). I would shop on Robson Street and wander there. You also have to go to Leone – nice luxurious clothes from D&G, Miu Miu and Burberry. Go to Aritzia for nice casual clothes. Go to South Granville and go to the store Cattiva for cute jeans and tops. I also have a post I made about Vancouver back when I went in June. http://starbucksweetie.livejournal.com/2005/06/17/
Robson St sounds like the way to go.. think I’ll go there! LOVE your post, it’s so helpful, thanks for posting the link. So does Holt Renfrew have the Hermes/Chanel/LV type stores? 😀
Holt Renfrew does have Hermes, LV, etc. Chanel has a bigger boutique on West Hastings, close to Canada Place. LV also has a bigger boutique on Burrard Street (inside Hotel Vancouver) 🙂
Woooooooo I am SO THERE! I hope it’s near Robson St or at least near my hotel… 🙂
yes the LV boutique on Burrard St is just off of Robson St. The Chanel isn’t a bit far down toward the water, still close though :).
Eeeeee that sounds like a plan!!! Do all those stores close quite late? My free time in Vancouver is 3pm-onwards on a Sun night.. I’m scared everything’ll be shut 🙁
I’m gonna have lunch at Tojos and dinner at either West Restaurant or Lumiere.. fingers crossed they’re good! 😛
Holt Renfrew has a LV, Tiffany and Hermes boutiques as well as Links of London. Vancouver also has thier own Chanel and Cartier store as well.
Holt Renfrew is in Pacific Centre isn’t it? I’m going there fo r sure 🙂
Oh I hear Vancouver is gooooooooooorgeous!
I don’t remember it at all!!! 🙁 Can’t wait to go there again, it does sound lovely from what I’ve heard of it 🙂
Oh, when will you be in bangkok? I’m going to BKK for work on 20, 21 and 22 March. You??
I’ll be there on the 22nd too! But I’ll be speeding right through so won’t be able to do anything 🙁 I”ll see you on the 23rd when we’re back in SG though!
If you have time to get down to Orange County in LAX…DEFINITELY hit South Coast Plaza & Fashion Island. The shopping there is awesome! South Coast Plaza has practically every store imaginable. There is no way you’d go through that mall in a day, especially if you’re a true shopaholic. If you’re near LAX, you could go to Del Amo, South Bay Galleria or Beverly Center…but those places are so-so. As for food, check out P.F. Chang’s. The food there is sooooo yummy!!! 😀
Oooo are those places near LAX?? Or at least around Rodeo Drive/Beverly hills? They sound fab so I’ll go there if it’s not too far 😀
I wish so much you can go check out South Coast Plaza in LAX (Orange County) but I think it’s kinda far unless you have a car. >_< !!! Anyway, here's a little teaser for you: http://www.southcoastplaza.com
Hopefully some-way, some-how you’ll be able to make your way down there. 😀
Ahhhh I won’t have enough time as I’m only in LA for the whole Sat, and then I leave on Sun 🙁 That place looks amazing!
Kitson, Beverly Centre and Rodeo Drive are on my list to shop on Sat.. so I hope that’ll satiate me, haha!
I’ll be back in LA soon anyway, so I’m going to go to South Coast Plaza then for sure!
Go to disneyland! Hehe :þ
I won’t have time too!! 😛 Nah I prefer the shops… hehehhe
wow. what do u do on those business trips? i wish i could have a job like that.
I do… business, of course! 😛 A lot of finalising plans and strategy planning for 2006, really…
don’t worry babe! that 0.5kg is newly gained weight; it’s easy to lose that I heard! 🙂
I hope so….. then I can go nuts eating on the trip, to reward myself… haha!
HMMPPPHH!! now that I’ve just moved out of Vancouver, you’re going there! I would have taken you around :O
ooops forgot to comment on the food.
* Japanese food is very cheap in Vancouver, but if you’re willing to spend $$$, go to Tojo’s.
* Not sure if you like Korean food, but if you do, try to go to Jang Mo Jib on Robson Street (a-must-go shopping district btw).. my personal favourite!
* The Malaysian/Singaporean Restaurant here is just standard, so I probably won’t bother to go if I were you
*You can easily find many different cuisines in Vancouver, LMK if you’re looking for something specific as they’re just too many to list them all 😛
as far as as shopping, downtown has all the designer stuff (Holt Renfrew is in Pacific Centre Mall), Chanel, Coach, Salvatore, etc. Definitely check out both Pacific Centre Mall and Robson Street (in downtown). The biggest mall is in the suburb of Vancouver (Metrotown mall). Again LMK if you’re looking for specific store. Have fun Bev 🙂
Awww wish you were still there! But I’m only there for 2 days to visit and meet & greet the team, so I guess it’s not too long 😛
I heard about Robson st.. might do that on Sunday afternoon! And yeah, I’ll avoid the SG restaurant.. thanks for the tip 😛 But Tojos sounds good, I ADORE Jap food! Thanks so much for the info.. it’s really helpful!
aw still 2 days is better than nothing! ah if it were only a month earlier :O
Yeah, I’ve been at all impressed with the Malaysian/Singaporean Restaurant here.. but again my standard is a bit too high *haha*. Definitely try Tojo’s if you like Japanese food. Even the Japanese tourists go there. Check out their website 😉
I also made a comment above about Hermes/Chanel etc. Chanel has a bigger boutique on West Hastings (also in downtown Vancouver), so does LV (inside Hotel Vancouver); but Holt Renfrew pretty much has everything else. Our tax is outrageous tho (14%) but you could always get an instant tax rebate on your way back 🙂
oops typo: *I’ve not been at all impressed 😛
Hm… I wonder if LV’s cheaper in Vancouver.. I’ll have to price check which country has it the cheapest 😛
from personal experience, our LV would be comparable to the State excluding the outrageous taxes (in your case, you could get this reimbursed/waived anyways) since our dollar is quite strong now. They normally use about 1:1.1.8 to 1:1.25 rate conversion. Coach in the other hand is much much more expensive here because they somehow don’t use a proper rate conversion (they use 1:1.5 instead!!!).
what a trip, so many places!!! *envious* aww, don’t worry. i’m sure you’ll lose that 0.5kg in no time!
I hope I do.. I plan to go nuts eating on the trip, heh!!
I absolutely adore Vancouver. If it’s for shopping, I would go to Holt Renfrew (Canada’s version of Neiman Marcus or Saks). I would shop on Robson Street and wander there. You also have to go to Leone – nice luxurious clothes from D&G, Miu Miu and Burberry. Go to Aritzia for nice casual clothes. Go to South Granville and go to the store Cattiva for cute jeans and tops. I also have a post I made about Vancouver back when I went in June. http://starbucksweetie.livejournal.com/2005/06/17/
Robson St sounds like the way to go.. think I’ll go there! LOVE your post, it’s so helpful, thanks for posting the link. So does Holt Renfrew have the Hermes/Chanel/LV type stores? 😀
Holt Renfrew does have Hermes, LV, etc. Chanel has a bigger boutique on West Hastings, close to Canada Place. LV also has a bigger boutique on Burrard Street (inside Hotel Vancouver) 🙂
Woooooooo I am SO THERE! I hope it’s near Robson St or at least near my hotel… 🙂
yes the LV boutique on Burrard St is just off of Robson St. The Chanel isn’t a bit far down toward the water, still close though :).
Eeeeee that sounds like a plan!!! Do all those stores close quite late? My free time in Vancouver is 3pm-onwards on a Sun night.. I’m scared everything’ll be shut 🙁
I’m gonna have lunch at Tojos and dinner at either West Restaurant or Lumiere.. fingers crossed they’re good! 😛
Holt Renfrew has a LV, Tiffany and Hermes boutiques as well as Links of London. Vancouver also has thier own Chanel and Cartier store as well.
Holt Renfrew is in Pacific Centre isn’t it? I’m going there fo r sure 🙂
Oh I hear Vancouver is gooooooooooorgeous!
I don’t remember it at all!!! 🙁 Can’t wait to go there again, it does sound lovely from what I’ve heard of it 🙂
Oh, when will you be in bangkok? I’m going to BKK for work on 20, 21 and 22 March. You??
I’ll be there on the 22nd too! But I’ll be speeding right through so won’t be able to do anything 🙁 I”ll see you on the 23rd when we’re back in SG though!
Go to disneyland! Hehe :þ
I won’t have time too!! 😛 Nah I prefer the shops… hehehhe
wow. what do u do on those business trips? i wish i could have a job like that.
I do… business, of course! 😛 A lot of finalising plans and strategy planning for 2006, really…
don’t worry babe! that 0.5kg is newly gained weight; it’s easy to lose that I heard! 🙂
I hope so….. then I can go nuts eating on the trip, to reward myself… haha!