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Crystal "Queen of the Yelp-i-dom aka Yelp Ambassador" H.'s Profile
Off the Beaten Tourist Path
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1. Hollyburn Mountain
A sky full of sun, alpine blueberries galore and a solid path (minus the bushwacking "shortcuts") made a hike up Hollyburn Mountain the best way to say farewell to the summertime.
The final destination makes every little slip or muddy shoe worth it.…More »
2. Narrow Lounge
Standing upstairs at the Grace Gallery, I am asked if I'd like to go downstairs for a drink. "Of course," I say. I mean, who wouldn't want to go through some back door, past a random bicycle, storage stuff and stark, white walls with pewter doors on…More »
3. Mink - A Chocolate Café
Vancouver, BC V6C 3N9
(604) 633-2451
Categories:
Chocolatiers and Shops,
Coffee & Tea
Neighbourhood: Downtown
For a choco-holic, this is my paradise. Great vibe as soon as you walk in and smell the warm ganache. They give you a choice between milk or dark chocolate for your mocha and use the ganache to prepare it - no syrup here. The clover coffee machine…More »
4. Wreck Beach
I don't know where to begin on this emotional roller coaster: being shocked that people break their bottles on the sand--being disgusted at the site of the old man who gave us the full backside view of his flabby butt as he bent down to pick up the…More »
5. The Diamond
Vancouver, BC V6A 1E7
Categories:
Canadian (New),
Lounges
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Gastown
And then just when I thought they couldn't outdo themselves, I pop one of The Diamond's stuffed baby squids in my mouth. Stuffed with peanut pesto, I now know to save some room in my liquid filled tummy for yummy late night treats!
Gourmet snacks FTW!More »
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
3/21/2010
Almost, without fail, if anyone needs a recommendation or I am meeting friends for a drink in… Read more »
6. Café Medina
Vancouver, BC V6B 2L3
(604) 879-3114
Category:
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighbourhood: Downtown
"For the Love of Medina"
Oh your lavender latte was unexpectedly lovely
But your raspberry version took my breath away...
The murmurings of those sipping and chatting
Melted me into my chair while my heart fell for
The waffles, of which I
Partook in…More »
7. Alibi Room
Hands down, still my favourite place for thoughtfully crafted and selected pints. An in between jaunt for friends in East Van, North Van and Van West, not to mention the magnificent list of beers - this is a suds lover dream!
Other reasons to love The…More »
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
10/24/2009
99 bottles...
(I mean) 300 bottles of beer on the wall,
And 300 hundred Yelp reviews. :-)
You drink… Read more »
8. Spanish Banks
Sure, I love a hot summer day at the beach--screaming kids, thumping tunes, frisbees, footballs, barbecues, stacks upon stacks of people (who doesn't?)...
But the best time to go is a day like today--overcast, a bit of wind, and a full moon (on the…More »
9. The Flying Tiger
Vancouver, BC V6K 1R4
(604) 737-7529
Categories:
Tapas Bars,
Asian Fusion
Neighbourhood: Kitsilano
Our heroine, now Duchess of the Flying Tiger, Crystal, might now travel the world (okay -- just Canada and the US West), but that doesn't stop her from visiting The Flying Tiger TWICE in one week.
And why? With so many dining choices out there? Well,…More »
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
6/10/2010
An epic tale continues....
Caught up in eating her way through most of Vancouver's new… Read more »
10. The Refinery
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1M1
(604) 687-8001
Categories:
Wine Bars,
Tapas Bars,
Modern European
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Granville Entertainment District
It's like going home. Homemade preserves line the wall, floor to ceiling bottles of wine welcome you atop the long flight of stairs, meat hanging in the fridge... okay so maybe home was nothing like this, but wouldn't it be wonderful if it was?
For a…More »
11. Lions Gate Bridge
Growing up in Vancouver, I have had some incredible memories with the Lions Gate Bridge:
-Standing under the bridge on school field trips and learning about the bridge history
-Whipping over it on the way to countless trips to Whistler or heading to…More »
12. The Irish Heather
Vancouver, BC V6B 2J2
(604) 688-9779
Categories:
Irish,
Gastropubs
Neighbourhoods: Downtown, Gastown
Shabeen Room, Whiskey Wall,
Nights of drinking games...it has it all.
Oh, bring me your naysayers
Who say "The Heather has changed"
And I'll waltz right past the Heather's bar
Shabeen on my brain
Escaping out back
You'll hear lots of sounds
While your frown…More »
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
4/7/2009
A shed a little tear for the move, I admit it. But it's only because of all of my fond memories tied… Read more »
13. Motomachi Shokudo
My stars still stand, my love still stills my beating heart, I will still slay dragons, walk through fire (or the line up at Kintaro) for one of your free-range soft poached eggs, some bamboo shoots and your perfectly cooked noodles... even if you…More »
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
9/23/2009
5 major yummy slurps!
1. free range chicken and soft boiled eggs
2. organic-deliciousness
3. funny… Read more »
14. Sushi Mart
Vancouver, BC V6G 1C7
(604) 687-2422
Categories:
Sushi Bars,
Japanese
Neighbourhood: West End
You don't expect to order first, sit at a long communal table second and get a free miso soup third, but that's exactly what you get. (it may not be proper English I'm using, but I speaketh the truth!)
Modern, clean and bright with Wild Salmon being…More »
15. La Belle Patate
Vancouver, BC V6E 1N4
(604) 569-1215
Here's hoping that the new owners got a good deal when they took over what was once Shanghai 1949. I never ate at it's predecessor, which sat always suspiciously empty and dark. A coat of yellow paint, some Quebec license plates, and voilà, we've got…More »
16. Boneta Restaurant
Vancouver, BC V6B 1A5
(604) 684-1844
Be warned - you will be smiling and bopping in your chair during your whole Boneta experience.
To start the evening, I surprised myself in choosing "The Vancouver" martini. Nothing in it sounded like what I would want in a drink, but I love my town…More »
17. Third Beach
This is my must-rest and/or chat stop as I put the pedal to the metal and ride my cruiser through Stanley Park. At sunset, it somehow manages to feel heavenly, no matter how many times I stare out over the water. I don't even mind the hustle and…More »
18. Burrard Bridge
Vancouver, BC V6E 4C2
Category:
Landmarks & Historical Buildings
Neighbourhood: Kitsilano
Burrard Bridge, you deserve an update because daily, you still take my breath away. Having the bridge in my backyard bridge, one would think that I'd be kind of "over it" already... but no, I'm not at all. It's a testament to its beauty.
Why I love…More »
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
7/21/2009
Ah, the bridge...my backyard and it's newest addition of a proper bike lane!
Temporary or not, now… Read more »
19. Canada Line
Vancouver, BC V6C 1T2
(604) 484-6700
Category:
Public Transportation
Neighbourhood: Downtown
So one week after it's inaugural opening, I had the privilege of riding all the way to YVR. Quiet, clean, and spacious, it's hard to believe it hasn't always been part of the Vancouver transit!
I actually thought it would be more expensive to get to…More »
20. Firehall Arts Centre
Vancouver, BC V6A 1L3
(604) 689-0926
Category:
Performing Arts
Neighbourhood: Downtown Eastside
So, the area?! Well it might be well beyond the border of the scuzzy fringe that sends tourists retreating into Gastown, but armed with a friend, my phone and boots that would kick your ass--I was headed for the season launch of the Eastside Cultural…More »
21. Granville Island Tea Company
Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9
(604) 683-7491
Category:
Coffee & Tea
Neighbourhood: Granville Island/False Creek
A lesson in ordering tea is much like a lesson in cocktails - let the tea mixologist make a decision for you.
Without an idea of what I was craving, outside of caffeine, the barista/tea sommelier, whipped up a chai tea that was like no other. Black…More »
22. Stawamus Chief Park
Blustery, gusty and windy, baton-down-the-hatches style!
With quads a burning, I sit here safe and sound at home after what was an epic climb to summit the Chief's first peak. Just kidding, it's not as hard as the Grind, in my humble opinion, however,…More »
23. Granville Island Public Market
Vancouver, BC V6H 3S3
(604) 666-6477
Categories:
Grocery,
Fruits & Veggies
Neighbourhood: Granville Island/False Creek
It's what I love most about weekends.
Embarking on the aquabus, sneaking away to Granville Island, indulging in a coffee/tea and a pastry, strolling through the market, browsing through the stalls, smelling the flowers... perhaps buying a ripe…More »
24. Grouse Grind
What the F was I thinking? Me, new Community Manager, sitting on my little rump in front of the computer all day long, chomping up a storm of backyard goodies (my backyard being Vancouver), deciding to go for my FIRST ever time up the Grind...really,…More »
25. Gudrun
Steveston, BC V7E 3A2
(604) 272-1991
Categories:
Wine Bars,
Canadian (New)
Neighbourhood: Steveston
You like Salt Tasting Room? You like cheese? Wine? Cool peeps? You'll fit right in.
Hidden amongst the tourist-esque seafood restaurants with their nautical themes, fish and chips and clam chowders, lives this trendy, laid back space that pulls you…More »
26. Sweet Obsession Cakes & Pastries
If I admitted just how many times I have been here, or just how many of their delectable desserts I have drooled over before taking a bite --you may think I'm an addict.
The St. Honore, mango cheesecake and everything chocolate in between - there…More »
27. Wanderlust
Vancouver, BC V6J 1M7
(604) 739-2182
Categories:
Bookstores,
Luggage
Neighbourhood: Kitsilano
From the outside, Wanderlust looks smaller than it is. Once inside it's magical doors, you're exposed to a world, literally!
From suitcases to mosquito nets and fast drying underwear (17 countries, 6 weeks, 1 pair of underwear is what the label said)…More »
28. Cliff Gilker Park
Like Roberts Creek isn't un-urban enough, you can truly escape away from it all with a little jaunt through Cliff Gilker Park. Well marked trails, easy paths, a babbling creek, waterfalls, bridges and huge, red cedars make this a little sanctuary.…More »
29. The Pony Espresso
Pemberton, BC V0N 2L0
(604) 894-5700
Categories:
Pizza,
Breakfast & Brunch,
Canadian (New)
With slim pickings in a town of 2500, I was happy to find the Pony. In fact, driving into town my "ah ha, that's where it's at" spidy senses went off and there was no stopping me!
It was alive and kicking on a Friday night, with playoff hockey (we…More »
30. Barbara-Jo's Books To Cooks
Vancouver, BC V6J 1H6
(604) 688-6755
Categories:
Bookstores,
Cooking Schools
Neighbourhood: Fairview Slopes
Just like selling a house, when it smells like baking you know you're going to make a sale.
The friendliest staff work here - and why wouldn't they? Not only do they get to work amongst oodles and oodles of cook books spanning every genre, but they…More »
Recently updated lists from Crystal H.
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The Great Vancouver Outdoors (25)Rain or shine (please be more sun than rain!) there's a heap to do outside! |
5 Star Reviews - You deserve it! (82)You so special! You're on my top-of-tops list! |
Chocoholics Guide to Chocolate In Vancouver (19)You know I mean business when I say, "Give me that chocolate!" It better be dark and full of deliciousness! |
Portlandia (15) |
Toronto Musing (22) |
Canadiana Quirks (34)Random Canada from coast to coast |
Shopping in Vancouver: A right and a responsibility (58)Once you've found your fashion foundation - build, build, build! |
Baby It's Cold Outside (29)Places to warm up on cold wintery days |
See all 182 lists »
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Vancouver, BC
Yelping SinceOctober 2008
Things I Lovefriendly neighbours, wine pairings, loose teas, sushi, local beer, fab bands in small clubs, independent bookstores, cooking, chocolate, reading, films, coffee, nerds, writing, eco-chic, environmental causes
Find Me InHunters, somewhere snowy, getting my Americano on
My HometownVancouver, BC
My Blog Or Website When I'm Not Yelping...it's because I have a cocktail in each hand.
Why You Should Read My ReviewsMy tummy holds surprisingly more food than you would think!
My Second Favourite Website The Last Great Book I ReadFive Quarters of the Orange, Joanne Harris
My First ConcertNKOTB, age 8
My Favourite MovieDan in the Real Life, Juno, Pretty Woman, Dirty Dancing
My Last Meal On EarthMarrow @ Daily Kitchen, Korean ribs @ Flying Tiger, stuffed tomatos @ my kitchen
Don't Tell Anyone Else But...I secretly watch Dawson's Creek and think about Pacey
Most Recent DiscoveryAsparagus Farm, Cobble Hill, BC http://tinyurl.com/yel...
Current CrushA monkey on a toilet... nodding