Vancouver in wonderland /1

This modern and brilliant town stands out above the surrounding landscape: tall mountains with peaks covered in snow, little ports full of boats and the tranquil waters of the bay, hosting the countless seaplanes necessary for quick transfers. Vancouver is a crossroads of people, a metropolis of British Columbia on the Pacific Ocean, among the ice of Alaska, on one side, the vast Canadian lands on the East and, to the South, the very close border with the United States. We spent a few days here, which certainly was not enough.

The city, as well as the surrounding territory, has much to offer. The culinary scene is very lively. The influences on gastronomy are varied: there are fish and crustaceans, Anglo-Saxon inspirations, Asian touches and European classics. Walking around the centre is really pleasant. Even the side of the long East Hastings Street they had advised us not to walk is not too scary, at least not in daytime. Starting from the Waterfront, the touristic destination and the starting point for many trips (including a not-to-be-missed visit to Grouse Mountain to see the bears), it takes a few minutes to get to Gastown.

Behind this funny name there’s a crossroads of streets with buildings dating back to the last century, in European style, and loads of souvenir shops, native art galleries, cafes, artisanal breweries and restaurants. For an original place to have dinner, there’s Abattoir, on Carral street. Located in an old prison, next to what used to be the slaughterhouse (hence the name), it offers a menu that combines French inspiration with the best products available on the Canadian West Coast: a slightly smoked, delicious salmon trout, with crispy baby potatoes and horseradish sauce. You’ll be spoilt for choice if you’re looking for a good coffee, instead.

Even though Seattle, nearby, is famous for the best coffee on the West Coast, we enjoyed the one served in Vancouver much more: the coffee is toasted in a way that’s more similar to the Italian one, and it is rounder on the palate. The place that is really not to be missed is East Van Roasters, a chocolate and coffee shop where only women work; this is a non-profit venture that provides training and employment for women previously addicted to drugs or suffering from mental problems who live in a nearby centre (Hotel Rainier).

The place is cosy, with bricks in view and white walls, a chocolate workshop in open view, handmade cakes and an excellent espresso coffee to match with the various types chocolates of different origin. Not too far, among the fashion design shops, the alleys full of interesting and very colourful street art and the fantastic porchetta panini served by Meat & Bread, music lovers should stop at Beat Street Records. Here you can find hundreds of albums on vinyl ordered according to genre, among which some rare findings can be found, from the Rolling Stones to the Depeche Mode.

1. to be continued