GRUB | Dipping Ramen x Menya Itto x Opening x Robson

"Menya Itto means 'house of ramen—one lantern'."

Robson—(March 13, 2022) Tokyo's top-rated ramen shop, Menya Itto, quietly opened up a shiny, brand new location—its very first in North America—in the West End part of town last week and is slowly ramping up its world-famous Japanese noodle-based offerings.

WEEKENDER | Vancouver Zombiewalk 2016

Robson—(September 10, 2016) Droves of the made-up undead gathered once again over the weekend for the annual Vancouver Zombiewalk in front of the entrance to the Vancouver Art Gallery (while the front and usual gathering epicentre is currently under construction) to the fright and delight of many onlookers near Robson Square.

WANDER | Kent Street Apparel x 'Merde Il Pleut' Umbrella

"Our purpose is to charm and to inspire."

West End—(March 12, 2015) Merde il pleut (translation: "sh*t, it's raining" en Français) also means stylish for this cheeky Kent Street Apparel umbrella (ella ella) from the independent Mount Pleasant-based gentlemen's retailer.

GRUB | Timber x Chef Chris Whittaker x Robson

Robson—(March 12, 2015) Forage chef Chris Whittaker celebrated opening his second restaurant, the casual eatery Timber, over the weekend. The restaurant and bar is focused on classic "Canadian style" cuisine while being conveniently located next door and occupying the space formerly housing the Modern Art Gallery (and O’Doul’s for forty years before that) inside the Listel Hotel in the West End.

WEEKENDER | Summer Seafood Boil x Boulevard Kitchen

Downtown—To celebrate their first anniversary at the ritzy Sutton Place Hotel on Burrard Street, Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar and Executive Chef Alex Chen are currently holding a weekly Summer Seafood Boil Series full of Southern-style comfort food every Sunday night throughout the season—and now extended into September.

From the Weekend: Vancouver Zombiewalk 2014

2014 Vancouver Zombiewalk at the Vancouver Art Gallery on September 6, 2014.



ZOMG! The living and walking dead alike amassed in front of the VAG this Saturday afternoon in search of brains for the annual zombie walk. I couldn't help but notice more lurkers than actual "zombies" and similarly themed cosplayers. It was oddly more populated with international students taking zombie selfies and dads with pro cameras.

Douglas Coupland x 'everywhere is anywhere' x VAG

Douglas Coupland: everywhere is anywhere is anything is everything art exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery on August 10, 2014.



Enigmatic local author/artist Douglas Coupland has taken over VAG's first floor for the summer until September 1st. Full of his trademark modern pop art aesthetic and style, the colourful multimedia exhibit is a visual feast for the eyes and brain, showcasing Coupland's prolific and eclectic collection of work. It's an endless exploration of cultural identity through popular culture, utopian optimism, and  the prevalence of technology. (Brilliant Information Overload / Electric Laser Goo / Liquid Video Game / Supersonic Mustang Pizza Pop Head, 2010, above.) Update: Photos from this post were featured by Instagram on their feed and official blog.

From Summer to Caesars x Joe Fortes x Rooftop Patio

Summer tweetup atop Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House's rooftop patio overlooking the financial district on June 24, 2014.



Late June means Joe Fortes' annual summer tweetup. The day proved to be a glorious sunny one on the rooftop with drinks and food (like their chicken and waffles in bite size form) kicking off sunny patio season.

Cocktails & Lego x Douglas Coupland x VAG

Cocktails & Lego at the Vancouver Art Gallery on November 26, 2013. As seen in Vancouver Is Awesome.



It was a night of reliving your childhood with booze, of course. Local artist/author Doug Coupland, as a part of crowdsourcing his next art project, got together with Jelly Marketing, the Vancouver Lego Club, and some "towering ambition" for an evening of drinks, hands-on tower building, and architectural discussion in creative celebration of Lego as an art supply.

From Burgers to Fries x Five Guys x Robson

Lunch at Five Guys Burgers and Fries on Robson Street on June 15 and 20, 2013.



I finally got around to trying this famous fast food and burger joint from the American Mideast at their newest Robson location downtown. The basic menu, red/white decor, and American feel reminded me heavily of the popular (and frankly, overrated) In-N-Out Burger franchise also from the States.

From Summer to Seafood x Joe Fortes x Rooftop Patio

Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House's summer tweetup on their rooftop patio downtown on June 25, 2013.



Summertime means patio season and Joe Fortes hosted their annual summer tweetup atop their famous rooftop patio. As usual, guests loaded up on seafood and many other assorted goodies. Adjacent was their bocce ball lawn-scape. It was a fine night of eating and mingling, overlooking the corner of Robson and Thurlow Street.

Clearly Contacts Store x Grand Opening x Robson Store

Clearly Contacts store grand opening party on Robson Street on March 20, 2013. As seen in Vancouver Is Awesome.



Canada's premier online eyeglass and contact lens dispensary Clearly Contacts (aka Coastal.com elsewhere) celebrated its very first brick and mortar store by rolling out the blue carpet for a grand opening party.

TEDxStanleyPark x Think the Unthinkable x UBC Robson Square

TEDxStanleyPark: Think the Unthinkable conference at UBC Robson Square on March 16, 2013.



This was the first annual TEDxStanleyPark talk and conference, inspired by Stanley Park as a microcosm, bringing together different interconnected elements of society.

Vancouver Daze #100: Photo Walk x Year-End Spectacular

Vancouver Daze, Volume 100: Photo walk year-end spectacular from 2012. Published in Vancouver Is Awesome.



That's right. I'm celebrating (count 'em) 100 straight weeks of dazed action on V.I.A. with a compilation of assorted neighbourhood photo walk shots. They're mostly from the summer 'til now. Enjoy and here's to 100 more!

From Seafood to Holidays x Joe Fortes x Tweetup

Holiday tweetup at Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House downtown on November 13, 2012.



Starting the holiday season right with some delicious seafood at Joe Fortes.

Zomg! x Vancouver Zombiewalk 2012 x VAG x Robson

2012 Vancouver Zombiewalk in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery and heading down Robson Street on August 18, 2012.



Zombies and non-zombies alike amassing on Saturday afternoon including the most adorable zombie Minnie Mouse (aka Chloe, above) ever.

Soju Bombs x Nor Boo Korean Restaurant x Robson

Soju bombs at Nor Boo Korean Restaurant on Robson Street on July 27, 2012. Photos by Kevin Wu.



I hit up Nor Boo for some late night soju bombs (beer with shots of soju) and a tweetup along with Janice (looking like my twin on the right), Amy (to the left), Queenie (drinking angrily below), Shelley (to her left, below).

Summer Tweetup x Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House

Summer Tweetup at Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House downtown on June 12, 2012.



The Vancouver Twitter community hit up downtown's favourite chop house and eatery for some fresh seafood and summertime fun amidst the dreary weather.

Raincity Grill x 20th Anniversary x English Bay x West End

Raincity Grill's 20th anniversary party at English Bay in the West End on May 17, 2012.



Wine and bubbly on tap, celebrating twenty years of Raincity Grill overlooking beautiful English Bay.

Dinner x Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House

Seafood for dinner at Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House on May 12, 2012.



We returned to Joe Fortes for quick yet fancy Saturday night dinner to enjoy the warm summer's evening.