In preparation for the upcoming Winter Olympics, much is going on in Vancouver and Victoria. Here's a listing of some of the newest happenings.
Vancouver
Not content with running just one trendy eatery, the owners and chef of Glowbal Satay and Grill have partnered up to open Vancouver's newest restaurant Coast, located in trendy Yaletown, 1257 Hamilton Street, 604/685-5010. The restaurant itself is "trés" West Coast with a contemporary Zen-inspired décor. The furnishings are made of reclaimed fir and abstract graphics combine with a 'wall of water' to create a comfortable and tranquil environment. A communal table seats 12 guests for with enough space to allow the chef to prepare some of his delectables on the spot. The menu is divided in "on shore" dishes such as braised lamb shank served with asparagus, red pepper gratin and a roasted yellow tomato & taro root mash or the medallion of veal tenderloin with Osso Bucco in a merlot jus. However, more interesting are the "off shore" seafood offerings. From the grill comes a variety of fresh fish such as wild salmon, rainbow trout, swordfish and Ahi tuna or try the BBQ skate with orange & cinnamon or the more southern inspired blackened red snapper served with a gumbo of smoked chorizo, peppers, okra & tomato. Dishes range from C$18-C$32 (US$13.25-US$23.50), dinner is served daily from 4:30pm-11pm.
The size of six hockey arenas, Vancouver Gastown's newest downtown tourist attraction takes things to a lower level; underground that is. Open since early June 2004, the Storyeum (www.storyeum.com) is a multi-media, multi-sensory story telling experience that features a series of theatres, elaborate stages and dozens of performers who in a 70 minute tour try and give an overview of the history of British Columbia, including on its First Peoples and significant events as the 19th century gold rush, the foundation of Vancouver's Chinatown and the Confederation. 165A Water Street, Gastown in Vancouver. 800/687-8142 or 604/687-8142. Open daily 10am-6pm, tours run every hour (more often when busy). Adults pay C$22 (US$16), seniors and youth ages 13-18 C$19 (US$14) and children 6-12 C$16 (US$11.75).
Need tickets for local events? Check out the website www.ticketstonight.ca. Tickets are available for Ticketmaster events as well as for independent productions. The site is user-friendly and makes it easy to purchase advance tickets online. For in-person purchases visit the ticket booth located inside the Tourism Vancouver Tourist Info Centre, at 200 Burrard Street, Vancouver. Tickets Tonight also sells half-price tickets that must be purchased in-person at the box office on the day of the performance. Call 604/684-2787 or check the website for the daily half price offerings.
Whistler
Summer has arrived in Whistler and that means that the trails are now open for hiking, biking and other outdoor adventures. In recent years, the mountain has certainly developed a reputation for its excellent mountain biking. Check www.whistler-blackcomb.com or call 888/403-4727 for some great summer deals. A 2-night accommodation package including a mountain bike park ticket starts at C$119 (US$87) per person.
Named Whistler's Best Restaurant 4th year in a row by Vancouver Magazine, Araxi now boasts a newly installed seafood bar. The impressive re-design of the dining room is the creation of renowned architect Werner Forster who put in a luminous white Carrera marble counter top with a gleaming back-drop of polished stainless steel. Ringside seats at the seafood bar allow close up views of the chefs in action as they prepare chilled seafood selections and freshly shucked oysters. Of course, Araxi's full menu offers an excellent range of seafood and non-seafood dishes. Since early 2004, the kitchen is once again in the expert hands of Executive Chef James Walt who most recently supervised the kitchen staff at Blue Water Cafe in Vancouver. 4222 Village Square, 604/932-4540. Reservations recommended.
Victoria
Fresh from it's grand opening in May 2004, the Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour is the newest addition to the city's waterfront. The chain's first Marriott in Victoria, this hotel has 228 comfortably appointed rooms. All feature modern amenities, including free highspeed internet, ergonomic work desks and two phone lines. For some excellent views of the city, the Olympic Peninsula or Victoria's waterfront, ensure a reservation on the 8th floor or higher. The hotel also features an indoor lap pool, a gym and restaurant. Pets are welcome but owners will have to pay a C$50 (US$37) sanitation fee. For reservations contact the Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour, 728 Humboldt Street, Victoria at 866/306-5451 or 250/480-3800, www.marriott.com. Summer rates range from C$289-C$389 (US$213-US$286)-rack rate- for a double room, suite C$399-C$550 (US$294-US$405). Fall and winter rates range from C$159-C$189 (US$117-US$139) for a double room and C$349 (US$257) for a suite. Contact the hotel for availability on special grand opening rates.
Vancouver Island
Scuba divers will no longer have to rough it with the opening of Canada's only PADI dive resort; the Brentwood Bay Lodge & Spa, 849 Verdier Avenue, Brentwood Bay, British Columbia. Actually nobody really has to rough it in this deluxe facility, a member of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Located just a 10 minute drive from Victoria's airport, the Brentwood Bay Lodge features 33 suites with king size beds, spa-like bathrooms with double-jetted tubs and body massage showers, fireside sitting areas, private patios or balconies, handcrafted contemporary furnishings, DVD entertainment systems and high-speed Wi-Fi Internet access. The resort offers fine dining at the Arbutus Grille & Wine Bar, casual dining at the Marine Pub, Fine Art Gallery, Spa and outdoor heated pool and hot tub and of course the Marina & Eco-adventure Center with Canada's only PADI Dive Resort. For more information call 888-544-2079 or visit www.brentwoodbaylodge.com. Rates start at C$495 (US$365) in high season (May 15-Oct. 15) and C$295 (US$217) in low season (Oct 16-May 14). As part of the opening season, Brentwood Bay Lodge & Spa is offering a complimentary night's stay with a booking of two or more nights.