Friday in Vancouver with a Food Tour

Friday morning we set off (uphill) in search of a few random items that Someone failed to pack. After several uphill blocks, I was ready for Charlie to leave me behind, sitting at a shady fountain, but managed to persevere "one more block."  Then we walked several more blocks to find a downtown shopping area where we enjoyed browsing in stores we don't see at home.  

By then, it was time for lunch, so we headed back downhill toward our hotel. We had lunch in the Fairmont across the street from out hotel, where we'd enjoyed lunch back in October.  I had the ultimate comfort food, tomato soup and grilled cheese, but this version was truly the best one yet.  Charlie enjoyed his seafood chowder and one of my sandwiches.

After lunch we rested for a while before heading out for our 3:00 p.m. food tour in the Gastown area of old Vancouver.  We met our guide, Bronson, who proved to be a delightful 30-something from five hours north of Vancouver, and we were the only ones on the tour, as the others' flight was delayed.  

Our first stop (where we failed utterly to take photos of the food--sorry) was the Pourhouse, located in a 100-year old building formerly home to the Leckie Boot Company, where miners bought their boots.  The restaurant features a gorgeous 38-foot bar made from reclaimed Douglas fir planks.  We were offered a choice of two wines or a locally brewed ale. I chose the sauvignon blanc and Charlie the ale. We then had delicious beef tartare, served with house-made potato chips and a delicious juniper aioli.  SO good. Then we had a small salad of poached pears, frisee, candied walnuts, shaved parmesan, and a citrus-y vinaigrette. Bronson told us they wanted to include ONE veggie dish on the tour!  He also encouraged us to visit the washroom, because of the unusual sink. Charlie obliged with a photo of the foot-pedal-operated sink.

Then Bronson took us into one of the oldest covered shopping areas and showed us an historic clock made by the same man who developed the steam-powered clock I wrote about back in October.  

Next, Bronson took us to the Fluevog shoe store, which is built between two old buildings and has a glass roof. It was fun to see all the fanciful shoes!  

Then it was time for our next food stop, at Monarcha, an upscale Mexican restaurant. We were a bit skeptical, as Texans, but it was outstanding!  We enjoyed blood orange margaritas and spicy, delicious fish tacos. The restaurant was really gorgeous, with lots of (faux) greenery everywhere.  

I appear to be saying, "Ooooh!"

Next up was, of all things, a Ukrainian restaurant!  Bronson told us that Vancouver has the third largest number of Ukrainian residents in the world. Kozak began as a bakery with traditional Ukrainian pastries, which are still featured in a case in the entry area. We sampled the chocolate babka as we headed to our table.  We enjoyed making our own cocktails with a beautiful set up that included chilled fruit juice in a cocktail shaker, a small bottle of tequila, and some special bitters.  

And here's the result:

Then we enjoyed wild boar pierogies served over a strawberry drizzle. The restaurant mills their own wheat for the flour they use.

And I never thought I would be featuring a urinal on the blog, but Bronson had encouraged Charlie to check out the washroom.  When he returned, before showing me this photo, he remarked that it wasn't the first bathroom he'd seen featuring a portrait of this guy. (Ask the Kimbros.)

Our last stop was at an ice cream shop that featured only soft-serve dipped cones in dozens of combinations.  We chose raspberry dipped in dark chocolate with dried raspberry sprinkles and raspberry sauce.  Delicious!  

We really enjoyed the tour, made more fun by a lively and delightful guide. It was 6:00 p.m. when we finished, so we made our way slowly back to the hotel and collapsed, too full to even consider more food.  We were both in bed by 8:30, before the sun had set.  

This morning there are THREE cruise ships in port. Charlie hooked his laptop to the TV and we've been watching them approach and dock. Yes, we are easily amused.  We have no firm plans for today, though I'm sure there will be more walking. Yesterday I finished the day with over 14,000 steps. I'm sure my Apple watch thinks it has been stolen.  Thanks for reading (and commenting!)