Dining Around the World in Vancouver

Vancouver’s diverse food scene perfectly reflects the multicultural nature of the city.

British Columbia is Canada’s most ethnically diverse province, with immigrants making up over 40 percent of Metro Vancouver’s 2.5 million residents. That means with just a short drive, you can treat your taste buds to cuisines from many cultures. Here are a few spots around Vancouver’s urban center to start your culinary journey.

Nuba — Lebanese

When asked, I always say that Lebanese is my favorite cuisine, and Nuba is the reason why. Founded in 2003, Nuba has expanded from one tiny 15-seat restaurant to four venues, all much larger. The food is fresh, varied and colorful. It’s equally enjoyable for a romantic evening with a significant other or dining with friends eager to share an assortment of hot and cold mezzes. Nuba is a local favorite, so be sure to make a reservation if you plan on visiting during the weekend.

Author’s recommendation: Najib’s Special, a bowl of perfectly browned, lemony cauliflower.

Tojo’s — Japanese

From cheap eats on street corners to high-end dining experiences, sushi has all but become synonymous with the city. On my most recent visit to Vancouver, I paid a visit to Tojo’s, where the possible inventor of the California roll shook my hand and invited me to sit before he brought out a magnificent assortment of inverted sushi rolls.
The first wave of Japanese immigrants, known as the Issei, faced extreme racial prejudice when they came to Canada in the late 1800s. Today, appealing indications of this incredibly resilient culture can be seen everywhere, from the blossoming cherry trees that turn the city pink in summer months to Vancouver’s many Japanese restaurants. Tojo’s is a favorite.

Author’s recommendation: Tojo’s Favorites — an assortment of rolls selected by Tojo himself.

La Belle Patate — Canadian

Stop by La Belle Patate— which translates to “The Beautiful Potato” — and you’ll likely find a hockey game playing on the large corner television while Pascal, the owner, pushes fries around a flat- top grill. He tops the potatoes with a combination of gravy and cheese curds, and the result, known as poutine, has inadvertently become Canada’s unofficial national dish. If you enjoy cheese curds, the fresh squeaky morsels here are not to be missed.

Author’s recommendation: Split a Traditional poutine with a friend and walk around the city.

Vij’s Rangoli — Indian

When it comes to Indian food, Vij’s has become a household name in Vancouver. In 2004, a new branch opened, intending to create a more modern and casual dining experience. Whether visiting for lunch, or a late-night bite, appetizers and spice-encrusted main dishes at Vij’s Rangoli will delight you.

Author’s recommendation: Gulab Jamun, soft cardamom-spiced doughnut holes coated in sugar syrup.

Nemesis Coffee — Australian

Coffee may not count as its own cuisine, but the specialty coffee served at this beautifully modern space can transport you from rainy Vancouver to rainy Melbourne, Australia. Located downtown, with two new locations opening soon, Nemesis is the perfect spot for a midday coffee, an avocado-topped brunch or to get a little work done. During my chat with Albert, one of the five owners, he mentions that their goal when creating Nemesis was to elevate Vancouver’s coffee experience. They’ve certainly done that.

Author’s recommendation: You can’t go wrong — just order your coffee of choice.

To Find Eagles, Just Look for Photographers

The next day, we head for Carlyle Lake in Illinois, about an hour east of St. Louis, Missouri. In years past, we’ve photographed eagles at Alton, Illinois, which draws 10,000 to 20,000 people every January and February. The Alton Visitor Center schedules special eagle-themed events at that time, as do the National Great Rivers Museum, the Audubon Center at Riverlands and the Chain of Rocks Bridge. Junk food, stories and classic rock music fuel our 392-mile drive to Carlyle Lake, traveling across Missouri and into Illinois along Interstate 70. About 30 minutes east of St. Louis, we stop for lunch at Texas Roadhouse, and we each devour a thick-cut steak and an ice-cold soda. Then we fill the gas tank, grab a couple more snacks and get back on the road.

The largest man-made lake in Illinois, Carlyle Lake covers 25,000 acres and features two dams, Dam East and Dam West. Locals claim Dam West is one of the best places to not only spot eagles but also to witness them fishing in the Kaskaskia River channel just below the dam. This time of year, one sure way to spot the birds of prey is to look for clusters of bird watchers and photographers lined up along lakes and rivers with their large spotting scopes and massive camera lenses in hand.

We follow that fail-safe approach, and when we locate the crowd, we look up to see the trees filled with eagles, many of the birds scanning the water for fish. An eagle's eyesight is said to be four to eight times more powerful than ours. Suddenly, a large bird swoops down and, with laser-like precision, grabs a fish from the water. We spend the remainder of the day shooting constantly, each photo more exciting than the last.

As the day winds down, our focus shifts from the thrill of the moment to an appreciation of our weekend adventure. We reflect on the time we’ve spent together outdoors, two friends with a shared passion for photographing the annual eagle migration.

When we part ways at the airport, John and I talk about looking forward to next year. I didn’t realize it at the time, but this would be our last road trip together. John suddenly passed away shortly after we each arrived back home. Although I am deeply saddened, I am grateful to have the memories from our many adventures. I will cherish the time we spent together in the field, and I will forever treasure his friendship. Rest in peace, my friend.