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Footloose
on Robson Street
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by
Muguette
Goufrani
 My
brother Jean Pierre and I came to Vancouver from
France, and like many Europeans who live here, my
favorite venue is Robson Street, where Jean Pierre
had his own beauty studios for over a decade. For
many years, this ten block stretch was called
"Robsonstrasse" because of its variety of German
and Austrian shops, delis, coffee bars and great
little restaurants. Last month we found out that
the Heidelberg Restaurant, a fixture in Robson
Square for generations is still going strong, it
has moved down to Howe Street and is part of the
City Centre Travelodge. Today, most all of Greater
Vancouver you'll find a touch of the Orient. Expo
'86 sparked a carnival atmosphere by way of street
attractions, with buskers, jugglers, poets, clowns
and musicians performing on Robson's main shopping
strip.
A
wide variety of chic boutiques make Robson a
Shopper's Mecca, with European, African, American
and original West Coast designer clothing,
Northwest Coast Indian art and jewelry among the
popular items.One four block stretch on Robson is
home to many famous retailers - Arzita's, Roots,
Below the Belt, Aveda, Fila and Virgins, and other
popular names. Robson Street is often compared to
Hollywood's Rodeo Drive, and its stores keep late
hours for shoppers' convenience and to help pay the
abnormally high rent. Thanks to Tourism Vancouver
for the images used in the above 'fotomation.'
Robson
Market
The lower (west) end of Robson Street has undergone
less change in the recent decade and is a somewhat
more relaxed. One disappointment has been Robson
Public Market, which has experienced turnover,
losing several key tenants. Despite that fact, we
still shop there often, because its so well
located, has all the basics we want including a
superb meat market -- and free underground parking.
With several large residential complexes in the
area nearing completion, Robson Market will soon
spring back to its original level of activity.
Across the street is Capers, an upscale food store
-- another great place to stock up for your next
picnic in Stanley Park or English Bay.
Robson
Street springs to life as night descends on a city
that was once considered the neon capital of
Canada; people cruising on foot or joining the
passing parade of cars, jeeps and limos. There's an
electric selection of nightly entertainment on
these busy streets, from rock n' roll to jazz,
blues and top 40, in venues ranging from funky
clubs and bars to elegant restaurants. The Empire
Landmark's revolving rooftop restaurant lets you
drink in the scenery along with your sparkling wine
or martini. Street level bistros and coffee houses
present a
totally
different experience.
We
used this elegant venue for a commercial video
shoot several years ago, and it proved to be an
ideal locale to show off Vancouver's West End.
Vancouver claims to have the world's highest ratio
of *foreign-born population, reflected in its
diversity of restaurants and beautiful women. As
told to us by sophisticated travelers, Vancouver
now has the best Chinese food available anywhere,
including Hong Kong.
Salt
Water City, from Mill to Metropolis
 by
Jerry
W. Bird
Readers
of Conde Nast Magazine voted Vancouver one of the
world's top 10 destinations, attracting nearly 8
million visitors at last count. Nearby Whistler
Resort has been voted North America's top ski
resort by Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous for
four years in a row. Downtown Vancouver is only 24
miles from the Canada-US boundary and 20 minutes
from the international airport, with float plane
and/or helicopter service from the waterfront to
Victoria, Nanaimo and Seattle. Two terminals serve
BC-Alaska cruise passengers, with 250 sailings from
May to October. Three railway stations offer
passenger service to the BC's interior, Atlantic
Canada and America's Amtrak. BC Ferries, with one
of the world's largest fleets, serves a variety of
ports, from the Southern Gulf Islands to Prince
Rupert and the Queen Charlottes.
Lifestyle:
Vancouver ranks second among 118 world cities
in quality of life.  Tempered
by the Pacific Ocean currents,
the city's weather is the mildest in Canada. Spring
comes early, with flowers in full bloom by early
March. Value: Currently the US dollar is worth
$1.40 Canadian.
Source: BC Gov't Apec brochure. *local survey of
published statistics. Beach Scene by Molly Lamb is
from our "Artists for Kids." feature.
Speaking
of Dining:
On my latest inspection trip, I counted no less
than 27 restaurants inside the first two blocks
from Burrard Street west. One of these is Joe
Forte's Seafood Restaurant, named after a Jamaican,
who earned a place in history as lifeguard at
English Bay. Want to dine in style, with a park
and/or Ocean view? Stanley Park has three superb
restaurants, The Fish House, The Tea House and
Prospect Point Cafe. Or how about a Dinner Cruise
of Burrard Inlet, from Stanley Park's Coal Harbor
Marina. Gabriola Mansion, named for the Gulf
Islands sandstone used in construction was built in
1899 at the corner of Davie and Nicola Streets by
the Rogers family of BC Sugar fame. It was declared
a heritage building in 1974 and after restoration
became Hy's Mansion, an upscale restaurant.
Carrying on the fine food tradition, the building
is now the home of Romano's Macaroni Grill (more to
come).
Footloose
in Vancouver's Gastown.
Then cap it all off on SkyTrain
and SeaBus.
It's a great way to experience the city and four of
its suburbs for pocket change.
Tourism
Vancouver's Main Website
http://www.tourism-vancouver.org/docs/visit/
Tourism
Vancouver's Main Website
http://www.tourism-vancouver.org/docs/visit/
Visitors
requiring assistance for accommodation can
call:
Tourism
British Columbia's 1.800.HELLOBC Tourism
Vancouver's Visitor InfoCentre on Burrard Street.
604.683.2000
World66
Vancouver Guide
http://www.world66.com/vancouver/htm
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Wonders
of Arizona, Grand Canyon
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