It's not easy being a coxswain...: Travel Tuesday

Last summer, Troy and I decided to spend our vacation in Vancouver, BC. It was the home of the Winter Olympics, there was culture, the outdoors, great restaurants, and a great feature in Conde Nast while we were planning.

So for Vancouver Take #2: The Work Edition, I'll be forgoing the awesome hiking and sightseeing. Sad I know, but I still have at least four new restaurants on the docket and have mapped out the closest Japadog stand for lunch.

Pack your passport, and have your 1:1.0001 currency converted for Travel Tuesday: Vancouver.

Japadogs. I've said it once, I'll say it again. Japanese style hot dogs with a side of Sriracha fries. See above pic, and don't let the Bonito flakes fool you. Now opening a location in NYC.
Urban Tea Merchant. THE place for afternoon tea. Don't forget a box of gorgeous macaroons before you leave.
Whistler/Blackcomb. I don't to tell you how amazing Whistler Mountain is. The Winter Olympics have already done it. The skiing is amazing on both mountains, but in the summer, do your research. Hiking conditions are rough and only open for a short window in August.
Stanley Park. Great place for walking, communing with nature, feeding ducks, etc. Just watch out for the bikes and the rollerbladers with fanny packs. We also took our first stand-up paddle boarding lesson.
Waterfront/Coal Harbor. Great place to walk with lots of small cafes and gardens along the way. The view of the marina is great, but again, watch out for bikes. They're killer.
Culture. The Canadian culture very much boasts the native indians and totem poles. But there is also a spectacular Art museum downtown. If you are there in the summer, definitely check Bard on the Beach. Shakespeare troupes put on 2 comedies and 2 tragedies in a tented, waterfront amphitheater.
Vancouver Island. I did not get to check Vancouver Island, but I hear amazing things as far as views, nature, active pursuits. Will definitely be on the list for Vancouver Take #3.
Restaurants. Here is a list of favorite places to eat. The Vancouver list is at the bottom. Expect more to be added next week.
Kitsilano Beach. Definitely get a taxi to get to Kitsilano. Walking for blocks and blocks isn't as fun. But there are lots of things to do in this section of the city. We went paddle boarding and saw a seal, in the wild, for realz…
Gastown/Yaletown/Granville Island. These are small sections of the city that are good for walking and perusing shops. Lots a touristy stuff, and lots of restaurants. Just don't get lost in Chinatown.
Granville Island Brewery. There's a great, small brewery tour and you can buy sample tastings or a full flight of their brews in the tasting room. Full-size bottles and souvenirs are in their shop, and the brewery is right next to the Granville Island market, where you can buy produce, baked goods, and local art.